FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


sec 


A    DIGEST 


'  OCT  27  1937   ^ 


OF 


CONSTITUTIONAL    AND 
SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

OF  THE 

Reformed   Church  in  America 

[Formerly  the   Ref.    Prot.    Dutch  Church] 


BY 

Edward  Tanjore  Corwin,  D.D. 


Prepared   by  Order  of  General  Synod 


NEW  YORK 

THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION 

of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America 

1906 


CHAUNCEY    HOLT 
PRINTER 
27  VANOEWATER  ST.,  N. 


PREFACE. 


The  Digest  of  our  Constitutional  and  Synodical  Legislation 
is  herewith  given  to  the  Church.  The  preparation  of  it,  often  in- 
terrupted, has  been  a  lengthy,  but  an  interesting  and  pleasant 
labor.  The  great  difficulty  involved  in  its  preparation  was  to 
handle  the  vast  amount  of  material  embraced  in  the  twenty-one 
volumes  of  the  Minutes  of  our  General  Synod,  and  keep  the  work 
within  moderate  bounds.  (See  pages  309-311,  of  this  Digest.) 
In  this,  we  fear  we  have  not  been  very  successful.  As  the  work 
progressed  it  became  necessary  to  condense  the  Articles  again  and 
again.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  every  topic  of  importance 
in  the  entire  legislation  of  our  Church  is  fairly  presented  in  this 
Digest.  The  topics  are  arranged  in  alphabetical  order  to  facili- 
tate easy  reference  and  are  generally  treated  in  a  narrative  form, 
yet  with  constant  reference  to  year  and  page;  but  the  Synodical 
language  is  preserved  where  this  seemed  important  and  desira- 
ble. For  the  history  of  former  Digests,  see  article  ''Digests"  in 
this  volume,  pages  204-8.  See  also  our  last  report.  Minutes  of 
General  Synod,  1906,  pages  595-6,  made  while  this  book  was 
going  through  the  press;  and  Synod's  action  thereon,  page  414, 
directing  that  a  copy  be  sent,  ''free  of  charge,  to  each  of  our 
Classes,  Consistories,  Teachers  of  Theology  and  Seminary 
Libraries."  The  book  is  for  sale  to  others,  at  a  moderate  price, 
by  the  Board  of  Publication. 

The  printing  of  the  successive  Constitutions  (or  Polities)  of 
the  Church  seemed  also  demanded,  because  of  the  frequent  refer- 
ences to  the  successive  revisions,  and  in  order  to  exhibit  the  modi- 
fications which  were  taking  place  in  the  department  of  Constitu- 
tional Law.  It  will  be  interesting  to  many  to  notice  the  elabora- 
tions which  have  taken  place  in  some  Constitutional  lines,  and  the 
condensations  in  other  lines,  as  well  as  the  changes  at  different 
periods  in  reference  to  "requirements"  or  "recommendations." 
The  Articles  in  the  later  revisions  are  numbered  consecutively, 
as  in  the  earlier  Constitutions,  to  facilitate  reference  to  them.     As 


iv  PREFACE. 

the  Constitution  of  the  Church  embraces  also  its  Doctrines  and 
Liturgy  as  well  as  its  Polity,  and  these  constantly  imply  and  refer 
to  one  another,  it  seemed  only  proper  to  give  also  the  references  to 
its  fundamental  doctrines,  as  found  in  its  Symbols.  See  Intro- 
duction; also  Article  "Constitution,"  pp.  159-165;  and  "Ex- 
planatory Articles,"  pp.  263-7. 

Names  of  individuals  are  not  generally  introduced  in  this 
Digest  unless  holding  some  prominent  official  position.  The 
names  of  the  Presidents  of  General  Synod  are  given ;  of  the  Pro- 
fessors of  our  Theological  Seminaries ;  and  some  names  of  those 
on  important  Special  Committees  which  have  a  historical  signi- 
ficance; also  the  names  of  important  foreign  delegates.  The 
names  of  the  donors  to  the  Funds  of  the  Church  are  also  in- 
cluded, with  the  amounts  and  objects  of  their  beneficence.  Gen- 
erally speaking,  only  the  names  of  the  earlier  missionaries  are  in- 
troduced, as  they  are  referred  to  in  the  earlier  Synodical  Re- 
ports, while  later  missionaries  are  not  generally  mentioned  in 
such  Reports ;  nevertheless,  the  full  lists  of  all  missionaries  are 
given  under  the  names  of  their  respective  fields. 

The  republication  of  the  first  and  second  volumes  of  the 
Minutes  of  the  General  Synod,  including  those  of  earlier  bodies, 
is  now  very  desirable  for  several  reasons.  Copies  of  the  Min- 
utes between  181 3  and  1826  (embracing  part  of  Volume  I  and 
the  whole  of  Volume  II),  are  entirely  out  of  print.  The  edit- 
ing of  the  so-called  Volume  I,  of  the  Minutes,  in  1859,  was  very 
imperfectly  done,  and  whole  sessions  were  omitted.  That  volume 
also  failed  to  include  the  Minutes  of  1813-16,  which  properly  be- 
longed to  it.  (See  pages  309,  390,  and  485,  of  this  Digest.) 
Complete  sets  of  the  Minutes  are  very  scarce,  and  generally  in- 
accessible except  to  a  very  few.  (See  page  394  of  this  Digest.) 
The  Minutes  of  the  Coetus  were  then  only  partially  possessed, 
but  are  now  approximately  complete.  The  Church  ought  to  have 
its  earliest  minutes  in  a  completed  form,  properly  edited,  and 
obtainable  for  those  who  desire  complete  sets. 

E.  T.  CORWIN. 

New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  Sept.,  1906. 


INTRODUCTION 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  REFORMED  CHURCH  IN 
AMERICA,  1792-1833. 

This  consisted  of  the  Rules  of  Church  Government  adopted  at  the 
Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  freely  translated,  with  eliminations  of  all  refer- 
ences to  State  relations,  and  Explanatory  Articles,  showing  how  the 
original  Articles  were  to  be  understood  and  applied  in  America.  The 
Constitution  also  included  the  Doctrinal  Standards  and  the  Liturgy. 
The  following  is  the  Preface  to  the  first  American  edition  of  the  Con- 
stitution, issued  in  1793.     See  Constitution,  page  159  of  this  Digest. 

PREFACE  TO   THE   ENTIRE   CONSTITUTION,   EMBRACING 
DOCTRINES,   LITURGY   AND   GOVERNMENT,    1792. 

In  consequence  of  that  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath  made  his 
people  free,  it  becomes  their  duty  as  well  as  privilege,  openly  to  con- 
fess and  worship  him  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  con- 
sciences. To  perform  this  aright,  and  bear  a  proper  testimony  against 
the  heresies  and  false  opinions  which  have  always  disturbed  the  peace 
and  corrupted  the  purity  of  the  Church,  it  has  been  found  necessary 
to  explain  with  candour  and  boldness,  the  Articles  of  Faith  and  Discip- 
line, and  accurately  to  distinguish  between  truth  and  error.  Wherever 
such  explanations  constitute  a  bond  of  union  wholly  voluntary,  and 
unattended  with  civil  emoluments  or  penalties,  they  cannot  be  consid- 
ered as  an  infringement  upon  the  equal  liberties  of  others,  or  as  fixing 
boundaries  and  terms  of  communion,  inimical  to  Christian  charity. 
The  unerring  Word  of  God  remaining  the  only  standard  of  the  Faith 
and  Worship  of  his  people,  they  can  never  incur  the  charge  of  pre- 
sumption, in  openly  declaring,  what  to  them  appears  to  be  the  mind 
and  will  of  their  divine  Lord  and  Master. 

The  Church  is  a  Society,  wholly  distinct  in  its  principles,  laws, 
and  end,  from  any  which  men  have  ever  instituted  for  civil  purposes. 
It  consists  of  all,  in  every  age  and  place,  who  are  chosen,  effectually 
called,  and  united  by  faith  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  different 
dispensations,  either  before,  or  since  the  coming  of  the  Messiah,  have 
made  no  essential  change  in  the  benefits  of  the  everlasting  Covenant; 
nor  do  the  various  denominations,  or  descriptions  of  particular 
Churches,  under  which,  from  many  unavoidable  circumstances  of  lan- 
guage, nation,  or  other  causes  of  distinction,  believers  are  classed, 
effect  any  schism  in  the  body,  or  destroy  the  communion  of  saints. 

At  the  reformation  it  was  judged  proper  by  all  the  Churches  to 
ratify  and  publish  their  respective  Creeds,  and  the  adopted  forms  of 
their  ecclesiastical  governments.  In  America,  since  the  late  happy 
Revolution,  the  Churches  of  different  denominations  have  found  it 
necessary  to  organize  themselves,  agreeably  to  the  present  state  in 
which  the  good  providence  of  God  hath  placed  them,  and  have  already 
published   their  several   constitutions.     The   Reformed   Dutch    Church 


VI  INTRODUCTION 

has  been  prevented  by  some  particular  circumstances  from  accom- 
plishing this  desirable  and  important  object,  at  an  earlier  period.  She 
has  now  completed  the  translations  which  were  necessary,  and  pre- 
sents her  Constitution  to  the  public. 

To  the  Constitution  of  a  Church  appertain  its  Doctrines,  Mode  of 
Worship,  and  Government.  When  these  are  known,  its  true  and  dis- 
tinguishing character  is  sufficiently  ascertained. 

The  Doctrines  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  are  comprised  in 
the  Articles  of  Faith,  the  Catechism  and  Compendium,  and  in  her 
Canons. 

Her  Mode  of  Worship  is  expressed  in  the  Liturgy,  where  forms 
of  several  prayers  are  given,  without  any  idea,  however,  of  restraining 
her  members  to  any  particular  terms  or  fixed  standards  for  prayer. 
Firmly  believing,  that  the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit  for  the  edification 
of  Zion  in  every  age,  are  promised  and  bestowed,  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  judges  it  sufficient  to  shew  in  a  few  specimens  the  general 
tenor  and  manner  in  which  public  worship  is  performed,  and  leaves  it 
to  the  piety  and  gifts  of  her  Ministers  to  conduct  the  ordinary  sol- 
emnities of  the  sanctuary,  in  a  manner  they  judge  most  acceptable  to 
God,  and  most  edifying  to  his  people. 

Her  Government  and  Discipline  are  contained  in  the  Rules  of 
Church  Government,  ratified  in  the  last  National  Synod,  held  at  Dor- 
drecht. These  are  illustrated  in  the  Explanatory  Articles,  and  applied 
to  the  circumstances  and  local  situation  of  the  Church.  As  many  of 
the  articles  in  the  rules  are  sufficiently  plain  and  applicable  without 
any  elucidation,  such  only  are  mentioned  in  the  Explanatory  Articles 
which  were  judged  most  necessary  to  give  a  connected  and  just  view 
of  the  government  of  the  Church  as  now  established  in  America. 

An  expression  which  occurs  in  the  i8th  and  36th  Articles  of  Faith, 
and  which  mentions  the  Anabaptists  in  harsh  terms,  will  probably 
with  some,  especially  such  as  are  ignorant  of  the  history  of  the  six- 
teenth century,  appear  unfriendly;  and  if  applied  to  those  who  are 
sometimes  distinguished  at  this  day  by  the  same  name,  be  considered 
as  an  assertion  not  founded  in  truth.  To  obviate  every  objection,  it 
will  suffice  to  observe,  that  there  were  persons  at,  and  shortly  after 
the  Reformation,  who  were  called  by  that  name;  who  held  the 
erroneous  and  seditious  sentiments  which  in  those  Articles  are  re- 
jected, and  w^ho  by  their  fanaticism  and  extravagance  rendered  them- 
selves abhorred  by  all  sober  and  religious  men.  In  publishing  the 
Articles  of  Faith,  the  Church  determined  to  abide  by  the  words  adopted 
in  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  as  most  expressive  of  what  she  believes 
to  be  truth;  in  consequence  of  which,  the  terms  alluded  to  could  not 
be  avoided.  But  she  openly  and  candidly  declares  that  she  by  no 
means  intended  to  refer  to  any  denomination  of  Christians  at  present 
known,  and  would  be  grieved  at  giving  offence,  or  unnecessarily  hurt- 
ing the  feelings  of  any  person. 

Whatever  relates  to  the  immediate  authority  and  interposition  of 
the  Magistrate  in  the  government  of  the  Church,  and  which  is  intro- 
duced more  or  less  into  all  the  national  establishments  in  Europe,  is 
entirely  omitted  in  the  Constitution  now  published.  Whether  the 
Church  of  Christ  will  not  be  more  effectually  patronised  in  a  civil 
government  where  full  freedom  of  conscience  and  worship  is  equally 
protected  and  insured  to  all  men,  and  where  truth  is  left  to  vindicate 
her  own  sovereign  authority  and  influence,  than  where  men  in  power 
promote  their  favorite  denominations  by  temporal  emoluments  and 
partial  discriminations,  will  now,  in  America,  have  a  fair  trial;  and  all 
who  know  and  love  the  truth  will  rejoice  in  the  prospect  which  such 
a  happy  situation  affords  for  the  triumph  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  reign 
of  peace  and  love. 


INTRODUCTION  vii 

PREFACE  TO  THE  EXPLANATORY  ARTICLES,  1792. 

Whereas  the  rules  of  Church  Government,  commonly  called  the 
Church  Orders,  which  were  ratified  in  the  National  Synod,  held  at 
Dordrecht,  in  the  years  1618,  and  1619,  and  which  express  the  general 
principles  of  Ecclesiastical  Government,  adopted  by  all  Reformed 
Churches,  were,  by  the  delegates  from  the  United  Netherlands,  ex- 
plained and  more  fully  applied  to  their  local  circumstances,  in  certain 
acts,  which  were  stiled  the  Post  Acta  Synodi  Nationalis: 

And  whereas  the  Reformd  Dutch  Churches  in  America,  which 
brought  with  them  from  Holland  the  Discipline  established  in  the 
National  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  have  also  always  applied  the  same,  as 
far  as  their  numbers,  and  situation  would  permit;  and  in  a  General 
Convention  of  delegates,  held  at  New  York,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1771,  did  declare  their  firm  adherence  to  the  Ecclesiastical  Ordinances 
aforesaid,  in  the  first  article  of  their  acts  then  ratified,  in  the  words 
following,  viz.:  "We  abide  fully  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed 
Church  of  the  Netherlands,  as  the  same  is  established  in  the  National 
Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  Anno.  1618,  and  1619:" 

And  whereas  it  is  judged  proper  to  publish  the  Government  and 
Discipline  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America,  in  the  English 
language;  and  it  is  thereby  become  necessary,  not  only  to  translate 
the  Rules  of  Church  Government  of  the  National  Synod  of  Dordrecht, 
but  also  to  explain  in  what  manner  the  said  rules  are  executed,  con- 
sistent with  the  local  circumstances  of  said  Church: 

Therefore,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
America,  held  at  New-York,  in  October,  1792,  have  caused  the  prac- 
tice of  their  Church  to  be  comprised  in  the  following  Explanatory 
Articles,  agreeably  to  which,  the  Rules  of  Church  Government  of  the 
said  National  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  are  applied  and  executed. 


iii  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

1619  1792 

RULES  ARTICLES 

OF  EXPLANATORY  OF  THE 

CHURCH   GOVERNMENT.  GOVERNMENT    AND    DISCIPLINE 

KSTABLISHBD    IN    THE    NATIONAL    SYNOD,  OF    THE 

HELD  IN  DORDRECHT,  REFORMED    DUTCH    CHURCH 

IN    THE  IN    THE 

YEARS   1618,   AND   1619.*  UNITED    STATES   OF  AMERICA. 


ARTICLE    I. 

For  the  maintenance  of  good  order  in 
the  Church  of  Christ,  it  is  necessary  there 
should  be  certain  Offices  and  Assemblies, 
and  a  strict  attention  to  Doctrines,  Sacra- 
ments, and  Usages,  and  Christian  Dis- 
cipline; of  all  which  the  following  eccles- 
iastical ordinances  particularly  treat: 

•For  another  and  fuller  translation  of  the  articles  of  1619,  see  Ecclasiastical 
Records  of  State  of  New  York,  vol.  vi,  pp.  4218-4226.  See  also,  "Constitution," 
pp.  156-161;  and  "Explanatorv  Articles,"  pp.  263-7,  of  this  Digest;  also  Rules  of 
Church  Goverment,  page  625  of  this  Digest, for  a  Synopsis  of  the  four  Constitutions. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 


THE 

CONSTITUTION 

OF    THE 

REFORMED    DUTCH   CHURCH 

OF 

NORTH    AMERICA: 
WITH    AN     APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING 
FORMULARIES        FOR        THE        USE        OF        THE 

churches;     TOGETHER     WITH     THE     RULES 

AND      ORDERS      FOR      THE      GOVERNMENT     OF 

THE    GENERAL    SYNOD. 
THE        CATECHISM,        ARTICLES        OF       FAITH, 

CANONS     OF     THE     SYNOD     OF     DORDRECHT, 

AND     LITURGY. 

[This  title  was  never  formally  adopted. 
See  Minutes  of  Gen.  Syn.,  1832,  109; 
also    1867,   Appendix,    p.    9.] 

Amendments: 

"The  Constitution  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  (known  for  a  time 
as  "The  Reformed  Dutch  Church,"  and 
also  designated  in  the  act  of  incorpora- 
tion passed  by  the  Legislature  of  New 
York,  April  7th,  1819,  as  "The  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church,")  embracing 
the  Catechism,  the  Compendium,  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  the  Canons  of  the 
Synod  of  Dordrecht,   and  the  Liturgy." 

PREFATORY  NOTE. 
"In  the  year  1867  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  which  is  named  in  the  following 
pages,  dropped  from  its  ecclesiastical 
name  the  word  "Dutch,"  which  was  first 
formally  assumed  therein  in  the  year 
1792;  and  added  the  words  "in  America," 
so  that  the  said  Church  might  thenceforth 
be  kriown  as  "The  Reformed  Church  in 
America."  (See  below.  Chap.  II.,  Art. 
2,  Sec.  1.)  Yet,  in  order  that  the  abso- 
lute identity  of  "The  Reformed  Church 
in  America"  with  "The  Reformed  Dutch 
Church"  might  be  subject  to  no  possible 
doubt  or  dispute,  it  was  also  ordained 
that  the  epithet  "Dutch"  should  be  re- 
tained in  all  those  places  in  this  Consti- 
tution in  which  it  had  previously  been 
used;  but  should  be  enclosed  in  brackets, 
to  indicate  the  purpose  of  the  Church 
to  discourage  the  ecclesiastical  and  pop- 
ular use  of  that  word  as  a  part  of  its 
name."      1867,   240;   334-5. 

INTRODUCTION. 
1 
For  the  maintenance  of  good  order  in  the 
Church  of  Christ,  it  is  necessary  there 
should  be  certain  Offices  and  Assem- 
blies, and  a  strict  attention  to  Doc- 
trines, Sacraments,  Usages,  and 
Christian  Discipline;  of  all  which  the 
following  ecclesiastical  ordinances  par- 
ticularly treat. 


1874 
THE    CONSTITUTION 

OF    THE 

REFORMED     CHURCH 

IN    AMERICA 

(known    for   a   time   as   the   "reformed 

DUTCH  CHURCH,"  AND  ALSO  DESIG- 
NATED IN  THE  ACT  OF  INCORPORATION 
PASSED  BY  THE  LEGISLATURE  OF  NEW 
YORK,  APRIL  7,  1819,  AS  "tHE  RE- 
FORMED PROTESTANT  DUTCH  CHURCH.") 
EMBRACING     [aLSO] 

THE  CATECHISM,  THE  COMPEN- 
DIUM, THE  CONFESSION  OF 
FAITH,  THE  CANONS  OF 
THE  SYNOD  OF  DOR- 
DRECHT, AND  THE 
LITURGY. 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 

In  the  year  1867,  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  which  is  named  in  the  following 
pages,  dropped  from  its  ecclesiastical 
name  the  word  "Dutch,"  which  was  first 
formally  assumed  therein  in  the  year 
1792,  and  added  the  words  "in  America," 
so  that  the  said  Church  might  thence- 
forth be  known  as  "The  Reformed 
Church  in  America."  (See  Art.  IX., 
Sec.  1.)  Yet,  in  order  that  the  absolute 
identity  of  "The  Reformed  Church  in 
America"  with  "The  Reformed  Dutch 
Church"  might  be  subject  to  no  possible 
doubt  or  dispute,  it  was  also  ordained, 
that  the  epithet  "Dutch"  should  be  re- 
tained in  all  those  places  in  this  Consti- 
tution in  which  it  had  previously  been 
used;  but  should  be  inclosed  in  brackets, 
to  indicate  the  purpose  of  the  Church  to 
discourage  the  ecclesiastical  and  popular 
use  of  the  word  as  part  of  its  name. 

INTRODUCTION. 

1 
For  the  maintenance  of  good  order  in 
the  Church  of  Christ,  it  is  necessary 
there  should  be  certain  Offices  and  Assem- 
blies, and  a  strict  attention  to  Doctrines, 
Sacraments,  Usages,  and  Christian  Discip- 
line; of  all  which  the  following  ecclesias- 
tical ordinances   particularly  treat. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 

I.     OF  THE  OFFICES. 

ARTICLE   II. 

The  Offices  in  the  Church  of  Christ,  are 
fourfold,  viz. 

1.  The  Office  of  Ministers  of  the  Word. 

2.  The  Office  of  Teachers  of  Theology. 

3.  The    Office    of   Elders. 

4.  The  Office  of  Deacons. 

ARTICLE  III. 
No  person,  although  he  be  a  teacher 
of  Theology,  Elder,  or  Deacon,  shall  be 
permitted  to  officiate  in  the  ministry  of 
the  word,  and  sacraments,  without  being 
thereunto  lawfully  called;  [1619,  4.]  and 
whenever  any  one  offends  herein,  and 
shall  persist  after  repeated  admonitions, 
the  Classis  shall  determine  whether  he 
shall  be  proceeded  against  as  a  schismatic, 
or  punished   in   some   other   way. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

I.    OF   THE    OFFICES    IN    THE 

CHURCH. 

I.     MINISTERS    OF    THE   WORD. 


ARTICLE    I. 

No  person  can  be  chosen  or  called  to 
be  a  Minister  of  the  word,  who  has  not 
previously  become  a  candidate  for  the 
ministry.     [1792,    7.] 

ARTICLE    II. 

A  candidate  for  the  ministry  is  one, 
who,  after  finishing  his  Theological 
studies,  has  submitted  to  a  public  exami- 
nation; and,  upon  being  found  well  quali- 
fied, is  licenced  to  preach  the  gospel,  and 
permitted  to  accept  a  call  in  any  congre- 
gation. [1619,  4;  1792,  23.] 
ARTICLE  III. 

Whoever  applies  to  be  examined  for 
becoming  a  candidate  in  the  ministry, 
must  produce  to.  the  Synod,  or  Classis  to 
which  the  application  is  made,  the  follow- 
ing authentic  documents:  1.  A  diploma, 
or  certificate  of  his  having  passed  through 
a  regular  course  of  studies  in  some  Col- 
lege or  respectable  Academy.  2.  A  cer- 
tificate of  his  having  been  a  member  in 
full  communion  of  the  Reformed  church, 
at  least  two  years.  And  3.  A  testimonial, 
under  the  hand  and  seal  of  a  Professor 
of  Theology,  declaring  such  student  to 
have  studied  Theology  with  him  (or  with 
some  person  expressly  authorised  for 
that  purpose  by  the  General  Synod,)  for 
the  space  of  at  least  two  years;  and 
recommending  said  student  as  well  quali- 
fied for  becoming  a  candidate  in  the  holy 
ministry. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

In  the  examination,  strict  attention  is 
paid  to  the  attainments  of  the  student, 
not  only  in  the  original  languages  of  the 
sacred  scriptures,  and  in  composition,  and 
his  method  of  sermonizing;  but  he  is 
especially  examined  respecting  his  knowl- 
edge in  Theology,  his  orthodoxy,  his 
piety,  and  his  views  in  desiring  to  be- 
come a  preacher  of  the  gospel. 
ARTICLE    V. 

Whoever,  upon  examination,  shall  be 
approved  by  the  Synod  or  Classis,  must, 
before  he  is  licenced,  attest  his  adher- 
ence to  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  by 
subscribing  the  following  formula,  viz. 
[1619,    53.] 

"WE  the  underwritten,  testify,  that 
the  Heidelbergh  Catechism,  and  the  con- 
fession of  the  Netherland  Churches;  as 
also  the  Canons  of  the  National  Synod 
of  Dordrecht,  held  in  the  years  1618 
and  1619,  are  fully  conformable  to  the 
word  of  God.  We  promise  moreover, 
that  as  far  as  we  are  able,  we  will,  with 
all  faithfulness,  teach  and  defend  both 
in    public    and    private,    the    doctrines    es- 


i833 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


CHAPTER   I. 

OF    THE    OFFICES    IN    THE    CHURCH. 
2 

The  Offices  in  the  Church  of  Christ  are 
fourfold,    viz.: 

1.  The    Office    of    Ministers    of    the 
Word. 

2.  The  Office  of  Teachers  of  Theol- 

ogy. 

3.  The  Office  of  Elders. 

4.  The  Office  of  Deacons. 

ARTICLE    I. 

Of  Ministers   of   the    Word. 

3 

Section  1.  No  person  shall  be  allowed 
to  exercise  the  office  of  a  Minister,  with- 
out being  thereinto  regularly  inducted, 
according  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the 
order  established  oy  the  Church. 
4 

Sec.  2  Every  person  contemplating 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  before  he  com- 
mences his  course  of  Theological  studies, 
shall  furnish  satisfactory  evidence  of  his 
being  a  member  in  full  communion  and 
in  good  standing  of  a  Reformed  Protes- 
tant Church;  of  his  piety,  abilities,  and 
literary  attainments,  and  thereupon  shall 
be  admitted  into  the  Theological  School; 
and  during  the  prosecution  of  his  studies 
there,  shall  be  subject  to  the  rules  and 
regulations  thereof,  and  when  he  shall 
have  completed  the  prescribed  course  and 
term  of  Theological  studies,  shall  be  ad- 
mitted to  an  examination  according  to 
the  regulations  of  the  school,  as  estab- 
lished by  General  Synod;  and  if  found 
qualified,  shall  receive  a  professorial  cer- 
tificate to  that  effect,  which  shall  entitle 
him  to  an  examination  for  licensure  be- 
fore the  Classis  to  which  he  belongs. 

Amendment:       "School"       changed      to 
"Schools."     1867,   242,  340. 
5 

Sec.  3.  In  the  examination,  strict  at- 
tention shall  be  paid  to  the  attainments 
of  the  Student,  not  only  in  the  original 
languages  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  in 
Biblical  literature,  in  composition,  and 
his  method  of  sermonizing,  but  he  shall 
be  especially  examined  respecting  his 
knowledge  in  Theology,  his  orthodoxy, 
his  piety,  and  his  views  in  desiring  to 
become  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel. 
6 

Sec  4.  Whoever,  upon  examination, 
shall  be  approved  by  the  Classis,  must, 
before  he  is  licensed,  attest  his  adherence 
to  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  by  sub- 
scribing the  following  formula,  viz. — 

"We,  the  underwritten,  testify,  that 
the  Heidelbergh  Catechism,  and  the  Con- 
fession of  the  Netherland  Churches;  as 
also  the  Canons  of  the  National  Synod 
of  Dordrecht,  held  in  the  years  1618  and 
1619,  are  fully  conformable  to  the  word 
of  God.  We  promise,  moreover,  that  as 
far  as  we  are  able,  we  will,  with  all  faith- 
fulness,  teach   and  defend,  both  in  public 


1874 
ARTICLE  I. 

OF    THE    OFFICES    IN    THE    CHURCH. 


Section  1.  Tlie  offices  in  the  Church 
are   fourfold,   viz.: 

1.  The  Office  of  Ministers  of  the  Word. 

2.  The  Office  of  Teachers  of  Theology. 

3.  The  Office  of  Elders. 

4.  The  Office  of   Deacons. 

ARTICLE    II. 

OF    MINISTERS    OF    THE    WORD. 

3 

Section  1.  No  person  shall  be  al- 
lowed to  exercise  the  office  of  a  Minister, 
without  being  thereinto  regularly  in- 
ducted, according  to  the  Word  of  God, 
and  the  order  established  by  the  Church. 
4 

Sec.  2.  Every  person  contemplating 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  before  he  com- 
mences his  course  of  Theological  studies, 
shall  furnish  satisfactory  evidence  of  his 
being  a  member,  in  full  communion  and 
in  good  standing,  of  a  Reformed  Protes- 
tant Church;  of  his  piety,  abilities,  and 
literary  attainments;  and  thereupon  shall 
be  admitted  into  one  of  the  Theological 
Schools;  and,  during  the  prosecution  of 
his  studies  there,  shall  be  subject  to  the 
rules  and  regulations  thereof;  and,  when 
he  shall  have  completed  the  prescribed 
course  and  term  of  Theological  studies, 
shall  be  admitted  to  an  examination  ac- 
cording to  the  regulations  of  the  Schools, 
as  established  by  the  General  Synod; 
and,  if  found  qualified,  shall  receive  a 
professorial  certificate  to  that  effect, 
which  shall  entitle  him  to  an  examina- 
tion for  licensure  before  the  Classis  to 
which   he  belongs. 


Sec  3.  In  the  examination,  strict  at- 
tention shall  be  paid  to  the  attainments 
of  the  student,  not  only  in  the  original 
languages  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  in 
Biblical  literature,  in  composition,  and 
his  method  of  sermonizing,  but  he  shall 
be  especially  examined  respecting  his 
knowledge  in  Theology,  his  orthodoxy, 
his  piety,  and  his  views  in  desiring  to 
become  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel. 
6 

Sec  4.  Whoever,  upon  examination, 
shall  be  approved  by  the  Classis,  must, 
before  he  is  licensed,  attest  his  adher- 
ence to  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  by 
subscribing  the   following   formula,   viz. : 

"We,  the  underwritten,  testify,  that 
the  Heidelbergh  Catechism,  and  the  Con- 
fession of  the  Netherland  churches,  as 
also  the  Canons  of  the  National  Synod  of 
Dordrecht,  held  in  the  years  161S  and 
1619,  are  fully  conformable  to  the  Word 
of  God.  We  promise,  moreover,  that,  as 
far  as  we  are  able,  we  will,  with  all 
faithfulness,  teach  and  defend,  both  in 
public    and    private,    the    doctrines    estab- 


xii 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

tablished  in  the  standards  aforesaid. 
And,  should  ever  any  part  of  these  doc- 
trines appear  to  us  dubious,  we  will  not 
divulge  the  same  to  the  people,  nor 
disturb  the  peace  of  the  church  or  of 
any  community,  until  we  first  communi- 
cate our  sentiments  to  the  ecclesiastical 
judicatories  under  which  we  stand,  and 
subject  ourselves  to  the  counsel  and 
sentence   of   the   same." 

ARTICLE  VI. 
After  subscribing  the  aforesaid  for- 
mula, the  candidate  is  entitled  to  a  cer- 
tificate, or  testimonial,  sighed  by  the 
President  of  the  Synod,  or  Classis,  be- 
fore whom  the  examination  is  held,  con- 
taining a  license  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
and  recommending  his  person  and  ser- 
vices   to    the    Churches. 


ARTICLE   IV. 

A  lawful  call  to  persons  heretofore  not 
engaged  in  the  ministry  of  the  word, 
consists,  1st.  In  a  free  choice  made  by 
the  Consistory  and  Deacons,  after  pre- 
vious fasting  and  prayer,  and  advising 
with  the  Classis  where  it  has  been  cus- 
tomary to  apply  to  them  for  counsel.  2d. 
In  an  examination,  or  enquiry  into  the 
doctrine  and  morals  of  the  person  so 
elected,  which  shall  be  performed  by 
the  Classis,  in  the  presence  of  the  depu- 
ties of  the  Synod,  or  some  of  them.  3d. 
In  the  approbation  of  the  members  in 
full  communion  with  the  church  to  which 
he  is  called;  for  the  obtaining  of  which, 
the  name  of  such  Minister  shall  be  pub- 
lished in  the  church,  three  Sabbaths  suc- 
cessively, that  opportunity  may  be  given 
for  stating  lawful  objection,  if  any  there 
be.    [1792,    35.] 


ARTICLE  VII. 

A  candidate  for  the  ministry  is  per- 
mitted only  to  preach  thfe  word,  but  he 
may  not  under  any  pretence  whatever, 
administer  the  sacraments;  nor  can  he 
be  a  delegate  to  represent  a  Church  in 
any  ecclesiastical  Assembly.  [1792,  2.] 
ARTICLE  VIIL 

Every  candidate  for  the  ministry  is 
to  consider  himself  under  the  immediate 
direction  of  the  Synod,  and  the  Classis 
which  examined  him,  and  is  to  visit  such 
congregations,  and  preach  in  those  places 
to  which  the  Synod,  or  Classis  shall 
send  him:  but  if  no  particular  directions 
are  given,  he  may  preach  at  his  own 
discretion  in  any  congregation  that  shall 
invite    him. 

ARTICLE   IX. 

Upon  receiving  a  call  from  any  parti- 
cular congregation,  a  candidate  is  allowed 
time  to  consider  the  propriety  of  his  ac- 
cepting it.  If  more  than  one  call  is  be- 
fore him  at  the  same  time,  he  may  de- 
termine which  he  will  prefer;  but  if  there 
be  only  one,  it  is  expected  he  will  not 
finally  refuse  the  same,  before  having 
first  referred  his  difficulties  to  the  Synod, 
or  Classis,  and  obtained  proper  advice. 
ARTICLE    X. 

A  candidate  who  has  accepted  a  call, 
must  oflFer  himself  to  be  examined  for 
his  becoming  a  Minister.  In  this  final 
examination,    besides    a    repetition    of    his 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 


1874 


and  private,  the  doctrines  established  in 
the  standards  aforesaid.  And,  should 
ever  any  part  of  these  doctrines  appear 
to  us  dubious,  we  will  not  divulge  the 
same  to  the  people,  nor  disturb  the  peace 
of  me  church  or  of  any  community,  until 
we  first  communicate  our  sentiments  to 
the  ecclesiastical  judicatories  under 
which  we  stand,  and  subject  ourselves  to 
the  counsel  and  sentence  of  the  same." 
7 
Sec.  5.  After  subscribing  the  aforesaid 
formula,  the  candidate  shall  be  entitled 
to  a  certificate,  or  testimonial  signed  by 
the  President  of  Classis,  before  whom 
the  examination  is  held,  containing  a 
license  to  preach  the  Gospel.* 


*  Amendment  proposed:  "Which  it 
shall  be  competent  to  recall  for  good 
cause."  1845,  469.  Rejected,  1846,  11, 
70. 

[The  right  to  grant  "Dispensations" 
was  purposely  omitted  in  1833;  but  re- 
stored, 1874,  8.  See  1792,  23;  1619,  8. 
The  granting  of  "Dispensations,"  how- 
ever, continued.] 


Sec.  6.  A  candidate  for  the  ministry 
is  permitted  only  to  preach  the  word,  but 
he  may  not,  under  any  pretence  whatever, 
administer  the  sacraments;  nor  can  he  be 
a  delegate  to  represent  a  church  in  any 
ecclesiastical  assembly. 
9 

Sec.  7.  Every  candidate  for  the  min- 
istry is  to  consider  himself  under  the 
immediate  direction  of  the  Classis  which 
examined  him,  and  subject  to  the  con- 
trol of  the  General  Synod,  and  is  to  visit 
such  congregations,  and  preach  in  those 
places  to  which  the  Classis  or  Synod 
shall  send  him;  but  if  no  particular  direc- 
tions are  given,  he  may  preach  at  his 
own  discretion  in  any  congregation  that 
shall    invite   him. 

10 

Sec.  8.  Upon  receiving  a  call  from 
any  particular  congregation,  a  candidate 
shall  be  allowed  time  to  consider  the 
propriety  of  his  accepting  it.  If  more 
than  one  call  is  before  him  at  the  same 
time,  he  may  determine  which  he  will 
prefer;  but  if  there  be  only  one,  it  is 
expected  he  will  not  finally  refuse  the 
same,  before  having  first  referred  his 
difficulties  to  the  Classis,  and  obtained 
proper  advice. 

11 

Sec.  9.  A  candidate  who  has  accepted 
a  call,  must  offer  himself  to  be  examined 
for  his  becoming  a  Minister.  In  this 
final   examination,   besides   a   repetition   of 


lished  in  the  standards  aforesaid.  And, 
should  ever  any  part  of  these  doctrines 
appear  to  us  dubious,  we  will  not  divulge 
the  same  to  the  people,  nor  disturb  the 
peace  of  the  Church,  or  of  any  commu- 
nity; but  will  communicate  our  senti- 
ments to  the  ecclesiastical  judicatories 
under  which  we  stand,  and  subject  our- 
selves to  the  counsel  and  sentence  of  the 


Sec.  6.  After  subscribing  the  afore- 
said formula,  the  candidate  shall  be  en- 
titled to  a  certificate,  or  testimonial, 
signed  by  the  President  of  the  Classis  be- 
fore which  the  examination  is  held,  con- 
taining a  license  to  preach  the  Gospel; 
which  license  may,  for  cause,  be  revoked 
by  the  Classis. 

8 

Sec.  6.  Any  person  of  whose  gifts, 
piety,  and  promise  of  usefulness  the 
Classis  is  satisfied,  may  be  recommended 
by  the  same  to  the  General  Synod  for  a 
dispensation  from  any  of  the  above  re- 
quirements as  to  study.  Such  recommen- 
dation shall  always  be  accompanied  by  a 
full  statement  of  the  reasons  for  the 
same.  And  no  dispensation  shall  in  any 
case  be  granted  except  by  the  General 
Synod,  and  on  the  recommendation  of  the 
Classis. 

9 

Sec.  7.  A  candidate  for  the  ministry 
may  not,  under  any  pretense  whatever, 
administer  the  Sacraments;  nor  can  he 
be  a  delegate  to  represent  a  church  in 
any  ecclesiastical  assembly. 
10 

Sec.  8.  Every  candidate  for  the  min- 
istry is  to  consider  himself  under  the  im- 
mediate direction  of  the  Classis  which 
examined  him,  and  is  to  visit  such  con- 
gregations, and  preach  in  those  places 
to  which  the  Classis  shall  send  him;  but, 
if  no  particular  directions  are  given,  he 
may  preach  at  his  own  discretion  in  any 
congregation   that   shall   invite   him. 


11 

Sec.   9.     A  candidate  who  has  accepted 

a  call  must  be  examined  for  his  becoming 

a    Minister.       In    this    final    examination, 

besides  a  repetition   of  his  previous   trials 


xiv  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  i6iq.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

previous  trials  in  composition  and  ser- 
monizing, the  original  languages  of  the 
sacred  scriptures,  and  his  knowledge  of 
Theology,  as  well  didactic  as  polemic;  he 
is  interrogated  respecting  the  nature,  and 
administration  of  the  sacraments,  the 
duties  of  the  ministry,  and  his  knowledge 
of  ecclesiastical  history,  and  of  church 
government. 

ARTICLE   XL 
Upon     giving     satisfaction     in     the     ex- 
amination,   the    candidate    subscribes    the 
following  formula,  viz.    ([1619,  53.] 

"WE  the  underwritten.  Ministers  of 
the  word  of  God,  residing  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Classis  of  N.  N.  do  hereby 
sincerely,  and  in  good  conscience  before 
the  Lord,  declare  by  this  our  subscription, 
that  we  heartily  believe  and  are  per- 
suaded, that  all  the  articles  and  points 
of  doctrine  contained  in  the  Confession 
and  Catechism  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  together  with  the  explanation  of 
some  points  of  the  aforesaid  doctrine 
made  in  the  national  Synod,  held  at  Dor- 
drecht, in  the  year  1619,  do  fully  agree 
with  the  word  of  God.  We  promise 
therefore,  diligently  to  teach,  and  faith- 
fully to  defend  the  aforesaid  doctrine, 
without  either  directly  or  indirectly  con- 
tradicting the  same  by  our  public  preach- 
ing or  writings.  We  declare  moreover, 
that  we  not  only  reject  all  errors  that 
militate  against  this  doctrine,  and  particu- 
larly those  which  are  condemned  in  the 
above  mentioned  Synod;  but  that  we  are 
disposed  to  refute  and  contradict  them, 
and  to  exert  ourselves  in  keeping  the 
Church  pure  from  such  errors.  And  if 
hereafter  any  difficulties,  or  different 
sentiments  respecting  the  aforesaid  doc- 
trine should  arise  in  our  minds,  we 
promise,  that  we  will  neither  publicly  nor 
privately,  propose,  teach  or  defend  the 
same,  either  by  preaching  or  writing, 
until  we  have  first  revealed  such  senti- 
ment to  the  Consistory,  Classis,  and 
Synod,  that  the  same  may  be  there  ex- 
amined; being  ready  always,  cheerfully  to 
submit  to  the  judgment  of  the  Consis- 
tory, Classis,  or  Synod,  under  the  penalty, 
in  case  of  refusal,  to  be  ipso  facto  sus- 
pended from  our  office.  And  further,  if 
at  any  time  the  Consistory,  the  Classis,  or 
Synod,  upon  sufficient  grounds  of  sus- 
picion, and  to  preserve  the  uniformity 
and  purity  of  doctrine,  may  deem  it 
proper  to  require  of  us  a  farther  ex- 
planation of  our  sentiments  respecting 
any  particular  article  of  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  the  Catechism,  or  the  expla- 
nation of  the  National  Synod,  we  do 
hereby  promise  to  be  always  wi'ling  and 
ready  to  comply  with  such  requisition, 
under  the  penalty  above  mentioned;  re- 
serving however  to  ourselves  the  right 
of    an    appeal,    whenever    we    shall    con- 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 


1874 


L 


his  previous  trials  in  composition  and 
sermonizing,  the  original  languages  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures,  Biblical  Literature^ 
and  his  knowledge  of  Theology,  as  well 
Didactic  as  Polemic;  he  shall  be  inter- 
rogated respecting  the  nature  and  ad- 
ministration of  the  sacraments,  the  duties 
of  the  ministry,  and  his  knowledge  of 
Ecclesiastical  History,  and  a  Church 
Government. 

12 
Sec.  .10.      Upon    giving    satisfaction    in 
the   examination,   the   candidate   shall   sub- 
scribe the  following  formula,  viz. : — 

"We,    the     underwritten,     Ministers    of 
the    word     of   God,     residing     within     the 
bounds  of  the  Classis  of  N.   N.,  do  here- 
by   sincerely,    and    in     good     conscience 
before  the  Lord,  declare  by  this  our  sub- 
scription,   that    we    heartily    believe,    and 
are    persuaded,    that    all    the    articles    and 
points  of   doctrine   contained   in   the   Con- 
fession   and    Catechism    of   the    Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  together  with  the  explana- 
tion   of    some     points    of     the     aforesaid 
doctrine  made  in  the  National  Synod  held 
at   Dordrecht   in   the   year   1619,    do    fully 
agree  with  the   word   of  God,     We  prom- 
ise,    therefore,     diligently    to     teach,    and 
faithfully    to    defend     the    aforesaid     doc- 
trine, without  either  directly  or  indirectly 
contradicting    the    same      by    our     public 
preaching      or      writings.        We      declare, 
moreover,    that    we    not    only    reject    all 
errors   that   militate   against  this   doctrine, 
and    particularly    those     which    are     con- 
demned   in    the    above-mentioned    Synod; 
but    that   we   are    disposed    to    refute   and 
contradict    them,    and    to    exert    ourselves 
in    keeping    the    church    pure    from    such 
errors.      And  if   hereafter  any  difficulties, 
or     different     sentiments     respecting     the 
aforesaid     doctrine    should    arise    in    our 
minds,    we    promise    that    we    will    neither 
publicly    nor   privately    propose,    teach,    or 
defend    the   same,   either  by   preaching  or 
writing,  until  we  have  first  revealed  such 
sentiment    to    the    Consistory,    Classis,    or 
Synod,    that   the   same   may   be   there    ex- 
amined;    being    ready    always    cheerfully 
to    submit    to    the    judgment    of   the    Con- 
sistory, Classis,  or  Synod,  under  the  pen- 
alty,  in   case   of   refusal,   to  be  ipso   facto 
suspended  from  our  office.     And,  farther, 
if  at  any  time  the  Consistory,  the  Classis, 
or  Synod,  upon  sufficient  grounds  of  sus- 
picion,   and    to    preserve    the    uniformity 
and     purity    of     doctrine,     may    deem     it 
proper  to  require  of  us  a  farther  explana- 
tion   of    our    sentiments     respecting     any 
particular    article     of    the    Confession    of 
Faith,    the    Catechism,    or   the    explanation 
of     the     National    Synod,    we     do     hereby 
promise    to    be    always    willing    and    ready 
to    comply    with    such    requisition,    under 
the    penalty    above    mentioned,    reserving, 
however,    to    ourselves    the    right    of    an 
appeal,    whenever    we    shall    conceive   our- 
selves   aggrieved    by    the    sentence    of    the 


in  composition  and  sermonizing,  the  orig- 
inal languages  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures, 
Biblical  Literature,  and  his  knowledge  of 
Theology,  as  well  Didactic  as  Polemic,  he 
shall  be  interrogated  respecting  the  nature 
and  administration  of  the  Sacraments, 
the  duties  of  the  ministry,  and  his  knowl- 
edge of  Ecclesiastical  History  and  of 
Church    Government. 

12 
Sec.   10.     Upon    giving    satisfaction    in 
this  examination,  the  candidate  shall  sub- 
scribe the  following  formula,  viz.: 

"We,     the     underwritten,     in    becoming 
Ministers    of    the    Word    of    God,    within 
the    bounds   of   the    Classis    of    N.    N.,    do 
hereby   sincerely,   and   in  good   conscience 
before     the     Lord,     declare,    by     this    our 
subscription,      that     we     heartily     believe, 
and    are    persuaded,    that    all    the    articles 
and    points    of    doctrine    contained    in   the 
Confession     and     Catechism     of     the     Re- 
formed    (Dutch)     Church,    together    with 
the    explanation    of    some    points    of    the 
aforesaid    doctrine    made    in    the    National 
Synod,    held    at    Dordrecht,    in    the    year 
1619,    do    fully    agree    with    the    Word    of 
God.      We    promise,    therefore,    diligently 
to    teach,    and    faithfully    to    defend,    the 
aforesaid  doctrine,   without  either  directly 
or    indirectly    contradicting    the    same    by 
our    public    preaching    or    writings.      We 
declare,    moreover,    that    we    not    only    re- 
ject   all    errors    that    militate    against    this 
doctrine,     and     particularly     those     which 
are    condemned    in    the    above-mentioned 
Synod,  but  that  we  are  disposed  to  refute 
and    contradict    them,    and    to    exert    our- 
selves   in   keeping   the    Church   pure   from 
such   errors.      And,  if  hereafter  any  diffi- 
culties  or    different   sentiments    respecting 
the  aforesaid  doctrine  should  arise  in  our 
minds,    we    promise    that    we    will    neither 
publicly    nor    privately    propose,    teach,    or 
defend    the    same,    either  by   preaching   or 
writing,  until  we  have  first  revealed  such 
sentiment    to    the    Classis,    that    the    same 
may   be    there    examined;    being   ready   al- 
ways   cheerfully    to    submit    to    the    judg- 
ment   of    the    Classis,    under   the    penalty, 
in   case   of   refusal,    to   be   ipso   facto   sus- 
pended   from   our   office.      And,   if  at  any 
time  the  Consistory,  or  Classis,  upon  suf- 
ficient  grounds   of   suspicion,   and   to   pre- 
serve     the      uniformity     and      purity      of 
doctrine,    maj'    deem    it   proper   to    require 
of    us    an    explanation    of    our    sentiments 
respecting    any    particular    article    of    the 
Confession    of    Faith,    the    Catechism,    or 
the    explanation    of    the    National    Synod, 
we  do   hereby   promise   to  be   always  will- 
ing and   ready  to  comply  with  such   requisi- 
tion,  under  the  penalty   above  mentioned, 
reserving,      however,     to      ourselves,      the 
right    of    an    appeal,    whenever    we    shall 
conceive    ourselves    aggrieved    by    the    ac- 


V 
CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 

ART.    IV— (Continued.) 

In  public  ordination,  in  the  presence 
of  the  congregation,  according  to  the 
form  adopted  for  that  purpose,  accom- 
panied with  suitable  engagements,  ex- 
hortations, prayers,  and  imposition  of 
hands  by  the  Minister  who  presides  at 
the  ordination,  and  such  other  Ministers 
as  may  be  present.  Provided,  however, 
that  imposition  of  hands  may  be  per- 
formed by  the  Classical  assembly  in  the 
case  of  persons  ordained  as  missionaries 
to  form  congregations  in  distant  settle- 
ments, or  to  serve  in  churches  that  are 
under  persecution.  [1619,  7.] 
ARTICLE  V. 

With  respect  to  those  already  engaged 
in  the  ministry,  and  who  are  called  to 
another  congregation,  such  call  shall  be 
made  in  manner  before  mentioned,  by 
the  Consistory  and  Deacons,  with  the  ad- 
vice or  approbation  of  the  Classis;  to 
which  the  Minister  so  called  shall  pro- 
duce good  ecclesiastical  credentials  of  his 
doctrine  and  morals,  and  shall  after  pub- 
lication in  the  church  for  three  Sabbaths 
successively,  as  above  mentioned,  be  in- 
stalled under  previous  engagements,  ac- 
companied with  prayer.  [1619,  10;  1874, 
17.] 

ARTICLE   VI. 

No  Minister  shall  be  at  liberty  to  ac- 
cept of  the  charge  of  any  particular  ser- 
vice as  chaplain,  unless  he  is  previously 
admitted,  and  qualified  according  to  the 
preceding  article;  nor  shall  the  acceptance 
of  such  service  exempt  him  from  being 
subject  equally  with  others  to  the  dis- 
cipline of  the  church. 

ARTICLE  VIL 

No  person  shall  be  ordained  to  the 
riiinistry  of  the  word,  without  settling  in 
some  congregation,  unless  he  be  sent  as 
a  Missionary  to  churches  under  persecu- 
tion, or  employed  to  gather  congregations, 
where  none  have  as  yet  been  established. 
[1619,   4;    1874,    15.] 

ARTICLE   VIII. 

School-masters,  mechanics,  or  others, 
who  have  not  regularly  studied,  shall  not 
be  admitted  to  the  office  of  the  ministry, 
unless  the  best  assurance  be  obtained  of 
their  singular  talents,  piety,  humility,  so- 
briety, good  understanding,  and  discre- 
tion, together  with  the  gifts  of  utterance. 
Whenever  therefore  such  persons  offer 
themselves  for  the  ministry,  the  Classis 
having  first  obtained  the  approbation  of 
Synod,*  shall  previously  examine  them; 
and,  according  to  their  proficiency,  shall 
enjoin  a  course  of  private  exercises; 
after  which  they  shall  be  dealt  with  as 
shall  be  judged  most  conducive  to  edi- 
fication.     [1792,    23;    1874,    8.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ceive  ourselves  aggrieved  by  the  sen- 
tence of  the  Consistory,  the  Classis,  or 
Particular  Synod;  and  until  a  decision  is 
made  upon  such  appeal,  we  will  acquiesce 
in  the  determination  and  judgment  al- 
ready passed." 

ARTICLE  XII. 

Upon  subscribing  the  aforesaid  form- 
ula, a  certificate,  signed  by  the  President, 
shall  be  given  to  the  candidate;  and  the 
Synod,  or  Classis,  before  which  the  ex- 
amination is  held,  shall  fix  a  day  for  his 
ordination,  and  name  at  least  three  Min- 
isters to  attend,  and  assist  at  the  same. 
ARTICLE    XIII. 

The  ordination  shall  be  conducted  with 
proper  solemnity.  A  sermon  suited  to 
the  occasion  shall  be  preached  by  him 
who  is  named  the  moderator  for  that 
purpose;  and  the  promises,  directions,  ex- 
planations of  duty,  with  the  laying  on  of 
hands,  shall  be  agreeably  to  the  form  for 
that  end  expressly  made  and  adopted. 
ARTICLE    XIV. 

Every  Minister  must  consider  himself 
as  wholly  devoted  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  the  service  of  the  Church;  and 
shall  faithfully  fulfil  the  obligations  of 
his  call,  in  preaching,  catechising,  and 
visiting  his  flock;  and  be  instant  in  sea- 
son and  out  of  season;  and  by  word 
and  example  always  promote  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  his  people.  [1619,  16;  1874, 
14.] 

ARTICLE-   XV. 

All  the  Ministers  and  Elders,  regularly 
deputed,  shall  punctually  attend  the  judi- 
catories of  which  they  are  members;  and 
for  repeated  neglect  shall  be  subject  to 
a  reprimand,  or  such  other  censure  as 
shall  be  judged  proper;  and  their  re- 
spective congregations  are  to  consider 
themselves  bound  to  afford  them  the  op- 
portunity of  attendance. 


•This  means  a  Provincial  Synod,  but  in 
1874.  Art.  8.  such  duties  are  limited  to 
the  General   Synod. 


Consistory,  the  Classis,'  or  Particular 
Synod;  and  until  a  decision  is  made  upon 
such  appeal,  we  will  acquiesce  in  the  de- 
termination and  judgment  already 
passed." 

13 
Sec.  11.  Upon  subscribing  the  afore- 
said formula,  a  certificate,  signed  by  the 
President,  shall  be  given  to  the  candi- 
date; and  the  Classis  before  which  the 
examination  is  held,  shall  fix  a  day  for 
his  ordination. 

14 
I  Sec.  12.  The  ordination  shall  be  con- 
ducted by  the  Classis  with  proper  solem- 
nity, a  sermon  suited  to  the  occasion 
shall  be  preached  by  him  who  has  been 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  and  the  prom- 
ises, directions,  explanations  of  duty, 
with  a  laying  on  of  hands,  shall  be  agree- 
ably to  the  form  for  that  end  expressly 
made  and  adopted. 

15. 
Sec.  13.  The  office  of  a  Minister  is  to 
persevere  in  prayer  and  the  ministry  of 
the  word;  to  dispense  the  sacraments; 
to  watch  over  his  brethren  the  Elders 
and  Deacons,  as  well  as  over  the  whole 
congregation;  and  lastly,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Elders,  to  exercise  Christian  dis- 
cipline, and  to  be  careful  that  all  things 
be  done  decently  and  in  good  order. 
Every  minister  must  consider  himself  as 
wholly  devoted  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  the  services  of  the  church;  and  shall 
faithfully  fulfill  the  obligations  of  his 
call,  in  preaching,  catechizing,  and  visit- 
ing his  flock;  and  be  instant  in  season 
and  out  of  season;  and  by  word  and  ex- 
ample always  promote  the  spiritual  wel- 
fare of  his  people. 

16 
Sec.  14.  No  person  shall  be  ordained 
to  the  ministry  of  the  word,  without 
settling  in  some  congregation,  unless  he 
be  sent  as  a  Missionary  to  churches,  or 
employed  to  gather  congregations  where 
none  have  as  yet  been  established. 
17 
Sec.  16.  A  minister  of  the  word,  being 
once  lawfully  called,  in  manner  before 
mentioned,  is  bound  to  the  service  of 
the  sanctuary,  as  long  as  he  liveth. 
Therefore,  he  shall  not  be  at  liberty  to 
devote  himself  to  a  secular  vocation,  ex- 
cept for  great  and  important  reasons, 
concerning  which  the  Classis  shall  inquire 
and  determine. 

18  ^ 
Sec.  16.  No  Minister,  relinquishing 
the  service  of  his  own  church,  or  being 
unattached  to  any  particular  congrega- 
tion, shall  be  permitted  to  preach  indis- 
criminately from  place  to  place,  without 
the  consent  and  authority  of  the  Classis; 
in  like  manner,  no  Minister  may  preach 
or  administer  the  sacraments  in  any 
church,  other  than  his  own,  without  the 
consent  of  the  Consistory  of  that 
church. 


CONSTITUTIONS  OF  xvii 

1874 

tion  of  the  Consistory  or  Classis;  and, 
until  a  decision  is  made  upon  such  ap- 
peal, we  will  acquiesce  in  the  determina- 
tion and  judgment  already  passed." 
13 
Sec.  11.  The  Classis  before  which  the 
examination  of  a  candidate  is  held  shall 
fix  a  day  for  his  ordination,  which  ordi- 
nation shall  be  conducted  by  the  Classis 
with  proper  solemnity;  a  sermon  suited 
to  the  occasion  shall  be  preached,  and 
the  promises,  directions,  explanations  of 
duty,  with  a  laying  on  of  hands,  shall 
be  agreeable  to  the  form  for  that  end 
expressly  made  and  adopted;  after  which 
a  certificate  of  his  ordination,  signed  by 
the  President,   shall  be  given. 


a  Minister  is  to 
the   ministry    of 


14 

Sec.  12.  The  office  of 
persevere  in  prayer  and 
the  Word;  to  dispense  the  Sacraments; 
to  watch  over  his  brethren,  the  Elders 
and  Deacons,  as  well  as  over  the  whole 
congregation;  and  lastly,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Elders,  to  exercise  Christian  dis- 
cipline, and  to  be  careful  that  all  things 
be  done  decently  and  in  good  order. 
[1619,  16.]  Every  Minister  must  con- 
sider himself  as  wholly  devoted  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  services  of  the 
Church,  and  shall  faithfully  fulfill  the 
obligations  of  his  call,  in  preaching,  cate- 
chising, and  visiting  his  flock;  and  be 
instant  in  season  and  out  of  season;  and, 
by  word  and  example,  always  promote 
the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  people. 
15 

Sec.  13.  No  person  shall  be  ordained 
to  the  ministry  of  the  Word,  without 
settling  in  some  congregation,  except  for 
missionary  or  other  ministerial*  work 
under  the  direction  of  the  Classis,  or  in 
foreign  lands;  and  no  person,  when  or- 
dained, shall  be  at  liberty  to  relinquish 
his  calling  as  a  Minister  for  any  secular 
avocation,  except  for  important  reasons, 
concerning  which  the  Classis  shall  inquire 
and  determine.      [1619,  4,  7,  12.] 

•Amendment   1900,   830—1;    1901,   1124. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

Noviciates,  popish  priests,  and  monks, 
together  with  those  who  forsake  other 
sects,  shall  not  be  admitted  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  church  without  great  care 
and  circumspection,  nor  until  after  a 
certain  time  of  previous  trial.  l1874, 
19-21.] 

ARTICLE    X. 

A  Minister,  being  lawfully  called,  may 
not  forsake  the  church,  or  congregation 
where  he  is  regularly  settled,  in  order  to 
accept  a  call  elsewhere,  without  obtain- 
ing the  previous  consent  of  the  Consistory 
and  Deacons,  and  of  those  who  have 
formerly  borne  those  offices,  together  with 
the  approbation  of  the  Classis.  And  in 
like  manner  shall  no  church  be  permitted 
to  receive  him,  before  he  has  produced 
sufficient  credentials  of  his  regular  dis- 
mission from  the  church,  and  Classis 
where  be  last  officiated.  [1619,  5;  1874, 
17.] 

ARTICLE    XI. 

In  like  manner  the  Consistory,  as  rep- 
resenting the  congregation,  shall  be 
bound  to  provide  their  Ministers  with  a 
decent  support;  and  shall  not  forsake 
them  without  the  knowledge,  and  decis- 
ion of  the  Classis;  who  shall  determine, 
on  complaint  made  of  a  deficiency  of 
support,  whether  such  Minister  shall  be 
removed,  or  not.  [1792,  11,  16;  1874, 
16.] 

ARTICLE    XII. 

A  Minister  of  the  word  being  once 
lawfully  called  in  manner  before  men- 
tioned, is  bound  to  the  service  of  the 
sanctuary,  as  long  as  he  liveth.  There- 
fore he  shall  not  be  at  liberty  to  devote 
himself  to  a  secular  vocation,  except  for 
great  and  important  reasons,  concerning 
which  the  Classis  shall  enquire  and  de- 
termine.     [1874,   15.] 

ARTICLE   XIII. 

If  a  Minister  become  incapable  of  per- 
forming the  duties  of  his  office,  either 
through  age,  sickness,  or  otherwise,  such 
Minister  shall,  notwithstanding,  retain 
the  honour  and  stile  of  his  office,  and 
be  provided  with  an  honourable  support 
by  the  churches  to  which  he  hath  min- 
istered; provision  is  in  like  manner  to 
be  made  for  the  widow-s  and  orphans  of 
Ministers  in  general.  [1619,  11;  1792, 
16.   17:    1874,   16.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


ARTICLE   XVI. 

Ministers,  who  by  reason  of  old  age 
or  habitual  sickness  and  infirmities,  either 
of  mind  or  body,  are  not  capable  of  ful 
filling  the  duties  of  the  ministry,  may 
upon  application,  and  sufficient  proof  of 
such  incapacity  being  made  to  the  Classis 
be  declared  emeriti,  and  be  excused  from 
all  further  service  in  the  Church  dur 
ing  such  infirmity;  reserving  however 
to  them,  the  title,  rank,  and  character 
which  before  such  declaration  they  en 
joyed.  In  all  such  cases,  the  Classis 
shall  make  it  a  condition  previous  to  any 
Minister's  becoming  emeritus,  that  the 
congregation  enter  into  stipulations,  ob- 
liging them  to  a  reasonable,  and  an- 
nual support  to  their  pastor  who  has 
grown  old,  or  become  sick  and  infirm  in 
their   service. 

ARTICLE    XVII. 

Ministers  declared  emeriti,  shall  be 
amenable  to  the  judicatories  to  which 
they  belong:  but  they  may  not  proceed 
to  the  administration  of  the  sacraments, 
or  celebration  of  marriage,  while  they 
continue  emeriti,  unless  expressly  per- 
mitted  by   the   Classis. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


XIX 


1833 


1874 


19 

Sec.  17.  Ministers,  who  by  reason  of 
old  age,  or  habitual  sickness  and  in- 
firmities, either  of  mind  or  body,  are  not 
capable  of  fulfilling  the  duties-  of  the 
ministry,  may,  upon  application,  and  suf- 
ficient proof  of  such  incapacity  being 
made  to  the  Classis,  be  declared  emeriti, 
and  be  excused  from  all  farther  service 
in  the  church  during  such  infirmity;  re- 
serving, however,  to  them  the  title,  rank, 
and  character,  which  before  such  declara- 
tion they  enjoyed.  In  all  such  cases, 
before  the  Classis  declares  any  Minister 
emeritus,  they  shall  require  a  stipulation 
in  writing  from  the  Consistory  to  which 
he  belongs,  under  their  common  seal, 
and  signed  by  their  President,  to  pay 
such  Minister  annually,  in  half  yearly 
payments,  during  his  exemption  from 
pastoral  service,  for  his  support,  such 
sum  as  the  Classis  shall  deem  reasonable, 
having  due  regard  to  the  stated  salary 
of  such  Minister,  and  the  situation  and 
ability  of  the  congregation. 


16 

Sec.  14.  Ministers  who,  by  reason  of 
old  age,  or  habitual  sickness  and  infirm- 
ities, either  of  mind  or  body,  are  not 
capable  of  fulfilling  the  duties  of  the  min- 
istry, may,  upon  application,  and  suffi- 
cient proof  of  such  incapacity  being 
made  to  the  Classis,  be  declared  emeriti, 
and  be  excused  from  all  further  services 
in  the  Church  during  such  infirmity;  re- 
serving, however,  to  them  the  title,  rank, 
and  character  which,  before  such  declara- 
tion, they  enjoyed.  In  all  such  cases, 
before  the  Classis  declares  any  Minister 
emeritus,  they  may  require  a  stipulation 
in  writing  from  the  Consistory  to  which 
he  belongs,  under  their  common  seal,  and 
signed  by  their  President,  to  pay  such 
Minister  annually,  in  half-yearly  pay- 
ments, during  his  exemption  from 
pastoral  service,  for  his  support,  such 
sum  as  the  Classis  shall  deem  reasonable, 
having  due  regard  to  the  stated  salary  of 
such  Minister,  and  the  situation  and 
ability  of  the  congregation.  This  stipu- 
lation shall  at  any  time  be  subject  to 
modification  or  discontinuance  by  the 
Classis. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 
Whenever  it  shall  become  necessary 
that  Ministers,  for  the  reasons  before- 
mentioned,  or  for  any  other  cause,  should 
desist  for  a  time  from  the  exercise  of 
their  office,  (of  which  the  Consistory  is 
to  judge)  they  shall,  notwithstanding, 
continually  be  subject  to  the  call  of  their 
congregations. 

ARTICLE  XV. 
No  Minister  relinquishing  the  service 
of  his  own  church,  or  being  unattached 
to  any  particular  congregation,  shall  be 
permitted  to  preach  indiscriminately 
from  place  to  place,  without  the  consent 
and  authority  of  the  Synod,  or  Classis; 
in  like  manner  no  Minister  may  preach 
or  administer  the  sacraments  in  any 
church  other  than  his  own,  without  the 
consent  of  the  Consistory  of  that  church. 
[1833,  18.] 

ARTICLE  XVL 
The  office  of  a  Minister  is  to  perse- 
vere in  prayer,  and  the  ministry  of  the 
word;  to  dispense  the  sacraments;  to 
watch  over  his  brethren  the  Elders  and 
Deacons,  as  well  as  over  the  whole  con- 
gregation; and  lastly,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Elders,  to  exercise  Christian 
discipline,  and  to  be  careful,  that  all 
things  be  done  decently  and  in  good 
order.  [1619,  23;  1792,  27;  1874,  14, 
28.] 

ARTICLE  XVII. 
Among  the  Ministers  of  the  gospel, 
equality  shall  be  preserved  in  their  min- 
isterial labours,  and  as  far  as  possible  in 
other  things,  agreeably  to  such  arrange- 
ments as  the  Consistory,  or  if  need  be, 
the  Classis  shall  make.  A  similar 
equality  shall  also  be  maintained  among 
the  Elders  and  Deacons.      [1619,  84.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


ARTICLE  XVIIL 
All  Ministers  of  the  gospel  are  equal 
in  rank  and  authority;  all  are  Bishops, 
or  Overseers  in  the  Chywch;  and  all  are 
equally  Stewards  of  the  mysteries  of 
God.  No  superiority  shall  therefore  be 
ever  claimed  or  acknowledged  by  one 
Minister  over  another,  nor  shall  there 
be  any  lords  over  God's  heritage  in  the 
Reformed  Dutch   Churches.    [1792,  38.] 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


XXI 


1833 
20 

Sec.  18.  For  the  regular  obtaining  of 
dismissions,  when  a  Minister  has  received 
and  accepted  a  call  from  another  place, 
it  is  required  that  a  neighbouring  Minis- 
ter of  tlae  same  Classis  to  which  the  con- 
gregation belongs,  be  invited  to  be  pres- 
ent, and  superintend  the  dismission  of 
the  Minister  from  his  congregation, 
countersign  the  instrument  of  dismission, 
and  consider  it  as  his  duty  to  deliver  the 
same,  with  a  report  upon  the  subject  to 
the  Classis;  which  report  and  document 
shall  serve  as  a  basis  upon  which  the 
final  dismission  and  certificate  of  the 
Classis  shall  be  founded.  [See  74  be- 
low. ] 

[Tlie  above  section  was  adopted  a  Rule 
of  General  Synod,  1800,  310,  and  in 
1833   adopted   in  the   Constitution.] 


1874 

17 

Sec.  15.  For  the  regular  application 
for  dismission  of  a  Minister  from  his 
charge,  it  is  required  that  a  neighboring 
Minister  of  the  same  Classis  to  which 
the  congregation  belongs,  be  invited  to 
be  present,  and  superintend  the  applica- 
tion for  said  dismission  of  the  Minister 
from  his  congregation,  countersign  it, 
and  deliver  it,  with  a  report  upon  the 
subject,  to  the  Classis,  which  report  and 
document  shall  serve  as  a  basis  upon 
which  the  final  dismission  and  certificate 
of  the  Classis  shall  be  founded.  But  it 
is  provided,  that  whenever  either  Minister 
or  Consistory  shall  not  join  in  the  appli- 
cation, that  fact  shall  be  plainly  stated  in 
the  report  above  described,  in  which  case 
no  dismission  shall  be  made  by  the  Clas- 
sis except  after  a  hearing  of  both  Min- 
ister and  Consistory  in  open  Classis,  of 
which  hearing  ten  days'  notice  shall  have 
first  been  given  to  both  parties  by  the 
President  of  the  Classis,  whose  warrant 
for  such  notice,  and  call  of  Classis,  shall 
be  the  report  above  described.  Nor  shall 
any  dismission  be  effected  under  cir- 
cumstances now  specified,  except  by  a 
vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  the 
Classis  present.      [1619,   5,   10,   11.] 

Minutes,   1780,  82;   1800,  310. 


21 

Sec.  19.  All  Ministers  of  the  Gospel 
are  equal  in  rank  and  authority;  all  are 
Bishops,  or  Overseers  in  the  church;  and 
all  are  equal  Stewards  of  the  mysteries 
of  God.  No  superiority  shall  therefore 
be  ever  claimed  or  acknowledged  by  one 
Minister  over  another,  nor  shall  there  be 
any  lords  over  God's  heritage  in  the  Re- 
formed   Dutch    Churches. 


Sec.  20.  Consistories  of  vacant  con- 
gregations shall  not  invite  or  permit 
Ministers  of  other  denominations  in  this 
country,  whose  characters  and  standing 
are  not  known,  to  preach  within  their 
bounds,  unless  they  exhibit  satisfactory 
evidence  in  writing,  of  a  recent  date,  of 
their  regular  authority  for  that  purpose, 
and  their  good  standing;  and  in  all 
doubtful  cases,  such  Consistories  shall 
consult  a  Standing  Committee  of  Classis 
to  be   appointed  for  that  purpose. 


18 

Sec.  16.  All  Ministers  of  the  Gospel 
are  equal  in  rank  and  authority;  all  are 
Bishops  or  overseers  in  the  Church;  and 
all  are  equal  stewards  of  the  mysteries 
of  God.  No  superiority  shall,  therefore, 
be  ever  claimed  or  acknowledged  by  one 
Minister  over  another;  nor  shall  there 
be  any  lords  over  God's  heritage  in  the 
Reformed  (Dutch)  Churches.  [1619,  84.] 
19 

Sec.  17.  Consistories  of  vacant  con- 
gregations shall  not  invite  or  permit  Min- 
isters of  other  denominations,  whose 
characters  and  standing  are  not  known, 
to  preach  within  their  bounds,  unless  they 
exhibit  satisfactory  evidence  in  writing, 
of  a  recent  date,  of  their  regular  author- 
ity for  that  purpose,  and  their  good 
standing;  and,  in  all  doubtful  cases,  such 
Consistories  shall  consult  a  Standing 
Committee  of  Classis,  to  be  appointed  for 
that  purpose.      [1619,   9.] 


Sec.  21.  The  judicatories  of  the  church 
shall  receive  no  Licentiates  or  Minis- 
ters under  their  care  from  any  body  of 
professing  Christians,  who  maintain  doc- 
trines different  from  those  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church,  without  an  open 
and  explicit  declaration,  on  their  part, 
that  they  have  renounced  such  doctrines 
as  contrary  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and 
the  standards  of  our  church. 


Sec.  18.  The  Classis  shall  receive  no 
Licentiates  or  Ministers  under  their  care 
from  any  body  of  professing  Christians 
who  maintain  doctrines  different  from 
those  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church, 
without  an  open  and  explicit  declaration, 
on  their  part,  that  they  have  renounced 
such  doctrines,  as  contrary  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  the  standards  of  our 
Church. 


xxii  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


II.     PROFESSORS    OF    THEOLOGY. 


ARTICLE  XVIII. 
The  oKce  of  the  Teachers  or  Profes- 
sors of  Theology  is  to  explain  the  holy 
scriptures,  and  vindicate  the  pure  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel  against  heresy  and 
error. 


ARTICLE  XIX. 
The  distinction  between  the  first  and 
second  office  in  the  church,  that  is,  be- 
tween the  Ministers  of  the  word  and 
Teachers  of  Theology,  is  founded  in  the 
nature  of  the  respective  offices.  The 
former  are  those,  who  by  preaching  and 
ruling,  instruct,  and  govern  the  church; 
and  are,  as  such,  denominated  pastors 
or  shepherds  of  the  flock:  the  latter  are 
those  who  are  set  apart  only  to  teach 
and  defend  the  truths  of  the  gospel,  and 
for  that  reason,  are  excused  from  ful- 
filling the  pastoral  duties.  This  distinc- 
tion was  noted  in  the  early  ages  of  the 
christian  church.*  It  was  attended  to  at 
the  Reformation,  and  was  productive  of 
important  benefits,  especially  with  re- 
spect to  the  education  of  candidates  for 
the  holy  ministry.  The  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  perseveres  in  preserving  the  same 
distinction  and  determines  that  the  in- 
structing, and  preparing*  youth  for  the 
service  of  the  sanctuary,  shall  not  be  left 
indiscriminately  to  every  Minister,  or 
any  individual  who  may  choose  to  assume 
that   ofiice. 


*Pastores  ac  doctores.  Assentior  Am- 
brosio,  qui  haec  quoque  munera  distin- 
guit;  nam  ratio  parum  firma  est  quae 
Hieronymum,  et  Augustinum  movit  ut 
confunderent  nempe,  quia  copula  duntaxat 
est  interjecta.  Fateor  tamen  Doctorum 
nomen  late  patere,  ut  I.  Cor.  xii  Sed 
tamen  apparet  aliquod  fuisse  discrimen, 
quod  in  isto  Compendio  videtur  vix  locus 
esse  synonymis.  Doctoris  igitur  munus 
fuit  verbum  Domini  fideliter  explicare,  et 
veluti  Scholam  ecclesiasticam  regere,  ut 
sincera  doctrina  dogmatum,  et  verae  in- 
terpretationes  ^n  ecclesia  retinerentur. 
sicut  docuit  Alexandriae  Origines,  ut  ex- 
plicatur  Niceph.  lib.  Eccles.  hist.  v.  Cap. 
14.  At  Pastorum  (qui  et  Episcopi  dice- 
bantur,  ut  T  Pet.  iii.)  munus  longe  latius 
patebat,  nimirum  verbo  et  oratione  vacare, 
et  Ecclesiam  sibi  commissam  modis  omni- 
bus tueri:  Ex  quibus  etiam  satis  perspici- 
tur  haec  duo  munera  perpetua  esse 
oportere  in  Ecclesia  Dei,  Beza  in  Eps.  ad 
Ephes.   vi.    11. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 


If  an  application  be  made  for  admis- 
sion of  a  Minister  from  a  church  with 
which  we  are  in  correspondence,  it  shall 
be  competent  for  the  Classis,  in  case 
there  be  grounds  of  presumption  against 
his  doctrine  and  morals,  to  propose  such 
inquiries  as  shall  enable  them  to  pro- 
ceed with  freedom  in  his  case. 
24 

Sec.  22.  With  respect  to  foreigners, 
who  claim  the  privilege  of  preaching  the 
Gospel,  no  Consistory  shall  be  permitted 
to  invite  any  one  of  them,  of  whatever 
denomination,  to  preach,  before  he  shall 
lay  his  credentials  before  the  Classis  to 
which  such  Consistory  is  subordinate, 
and  be  regularly  accepted  and  authorized 
by  them  to  exercise  his  ministry  within 
their  bounds;  and  no  Classis  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  receive  and  accredit  such  for- 
eign Minister,  unless  he  produce  to  them, 
besides  ample  and  regular  certificates  of 
his  license  or  ordination,  and  of  his  dis- 
mission and  recommendations,  of  recent 
date,  from  the  competent  church  judica- 
tory, letters  of  recommendation  also  from 
some  known  respectable  character,  in  the 
country  from  which  he  has  emigrated,  to 
his  correspondent  in  this  country,  stating 
the  authenticity  of  his  credentials,  and 
the  good  character  and  standing  of  the 
bearer,  as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  and 
that  he  is  an  advocate  of  the  doctrines 
of  grace  professed  by  the  Reformed 
Church. 


1874 


21 
Sec.  19.  If  any  application  be  made 
for  the  admission  of  a  Licentiate  or  Min- 
ister from  other  churches,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  Classis  to  subject  him  to  such 
examination  as  shall  enable  them  to  pro- 
ceed with   freedom  in  his  case. 


ARTICLE  II. 

OF    TEACHERS    OF    THEOLOGY. 
25 

Section  1.  As  it  is  of  the  last  im- 
portance that  Professors  of  Theology 
should  be  sound  in  the  faith,  possess 
abilities  to  teach,  and  have  the  confidence 
of  the  churches,  they  shall  always,  for 
the  greater  security,  be  chosen  and  ap- 
pointed by  a  majority  of  votes  in  the 
General  Synod  only.  To  prevent,  as  far 
as  possible,  the  unhappy  consequences  of 
partiality,  haste,  or  undue  influence  in 
obtaining  an  office  of  such  consequence 
to  the  church,  a  nomination  of  one  or 
more  candidates  shall  be  previously 
made,  upon  which  the  Synod  shall  fix  a 
day  when  they  will  proceed  to  an  elec- 
tion; provided  that  no  appointment  of  a 
Professor  in  Theology  shall  ever  be  made 
on  the  same  day  on  which  he  is  nomi- 
nated. An  instrument  certifying  the  ap- 
pointment, and  specifying  the  general 
duties  of  the  office,  shall  be  signed  in  the 
presence  of  the  General  Synod,  by  the 
President  thereof,  and  by  him  be  given, 
in  the  name  of  the  church,  to  the  person 
elected. 


ARTICLE    III. 

OF    TEACHERS    OF    THEOLOGY. 
22 

Section  1.  As  it  is  of  the  greatest 
importance  that  Professors  of  Theology 
should  be  sound  in  the  faith,  possess 
abilities  to  teach,  and  have  the  confidence 
of  the  churches,  they  shall  always,  for 
the  greater  security,  be  chosen  and  ap- 
pointed by  a  vote  of  three-fourths  of  the 
members  present  in  the  General  Synod. 
To  prevent,  as  far  as  possible,  the  un- 
happy consequences  of  partiality,  haste 
or  undue  influence  in  obtaining  an  office 
of  such  consequence  to  the  Church,  a 
nomination  of  one  candidate  not  neces- 
sarily of  its  own  members,  may  be  made 
by  each  Classis,  provided  that  such  nom- 
ination be  made  twenty  days  before  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  and  the 
name  of  the  nominee  be  sent  at  once  by 
the  Stated  Clerk  of  each  Classis  so  nomi- 
nating to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Gen- 
eral vSynod.*  Nominations  additional  to 
those  made  by  the  Classes  not  to  exceed 
three  may  also  be  made  by  the  General 
Synod, f  provided  that  no  election  of  a 
Professor  of  Theology  shall  ever  be  made 


•Amendment,  1894,  77;   1895,  131-2. 
t Amendment,    1900,   836;    1901,    1124. 


^^iv  CONSTITUTION'   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort.  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


ARTICLE    XX. 

Professors  of  TTieology,  have,  as  such, 
no  power,  jurisdiction,  or  government 
whatever  in  the  church;  but  as  they  are 
Ministers  who  preach  occasionally,  they 
are  entitled,  when  they  stand  in  con- 
nection with  any  congregation,  equally 
with  other  Ministers,  to  administer  the 
sacraments,  and  to  a  seat  and  voice  in 
ecclesiastical  Assemblies.  [1833,  28;  1874, 
25.] 

[Resolved,]  That  the  Professor  now  to 
be  appointed,  or  any  Professor  who  may 
hereafter  be  appointed  by  this  Synod, 
shall   hold  no  pastoral  change.   1819,   39.] 

ARTICLE    XXI. 

As  it  is  of  the  last  importance  that 
Professors  of  Theology  should  be  sound 
in  the  faith,  possess  abilities  to  teach,  and 
have  the  confidence  of  the  churches,  they 
shall  always,  for  the  greater  security,  be 
chosen  and  appointed  by  a  majority  of 
votes  in  the  General  Synod  only.  To 
prevent  as  far  as  possible  the  unhappy 
consequences  of  partiality,  haste,  or  un- 
due influence  in  obtaining  an  office  of 
such  consequence  to  the  church,  a  nom- 
ination of  one,  or  more  candidates  shall 
be  previously  made,  upon  which  the  Sy- 
nod shall  fix  a  day  when  they  will  pro- 
ceed to  an  election;  provided  that  no  ap- 
pointment of  a  professor  in  Theology 
shall  ever  be  made  on  the  same  day  in 
which  he  is  nominated.— ^An  instrument 
certifying  the  appointment,  and  specifying 
the  duties  of  the  office,  shall  be  signed  in 
the  presence  of  the  General  Synod,  by 
the  president  thereof,  and  by  him  be 
given,  in  the  name  of  the  church,  to  the 
person   elected. 

ARTICLE    XXII. 

No  Professor  of  Theology  shall  be 
permitted  to  officiate,  until  he  shall  have 
subscribed  the  following  formula,  viz. 
[1619,   53.] 

"WE,  the  underwritten,  Professors  of 
sacred  Theology  in  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  by  this  our  subscription,  up- 
rightly, and  in  good  conscience  before 
God,  declare,  that  we  heartily  believe, 
and  are  persuaded,  that  all  the  articles 
and  points  of  doctrine  contained  in  the 
Confessions  and  Catechism  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Churches,  together  with 
the  explanation  of  some  points  of  the  said 
doctrine,  made  in  the  national  Synod, 
held  at  Dordrecht,  in  the  year  1619,  do 
fully  agree  with  the  word  of  God.  We 
promise  therefore,  that  we  will  diligently 
teach,  and  faithfully  defend  the  afore- 
said doctrine;  and  that  we  will  not  in- 
culcate or  write,  either  publicly  or  private- 
ly, directly  or  indirectly,  any  thing 
against  the  same.     As  also,  that  we  reject 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 


1874 


26 

Sec.  2.  No  person  shall  be  appointed 
to  the  office  of  a  Professor,  who  is  not 
a  Minister  in  good  standing,  and  every 
Professor  of  Theology  shall  continue  in 
his  office  during  life,  unless  in  case  of 
such  misbehaviour  as  shall  be  deemed  a 
violation  of  the  obligations  entered  into 
at  his  appointment;  or  unless  he  volun- 
tarily deserts  or  resigns  his  profession;  or 
from  age  or  infirmities  becomes  incapable 
of  fulfilling  the  duties  thereof;  of  all 
which  the  General  Synod  alone  shall 
judge;  and  to  that  Synod  a  Professor  of 
Theology  shall  alwaj-s  be  amenable  for 
his  doctrine,  mode  of  teaching,  and 
moral  conduct. 

27 

Sec.  3.  No  Professor  of  Theology 
shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  until  he 
shall  have  subscribed  the  following  form- 
ula, viz.: — 

"We,  the  underwritten,  Professors  of 
Sacred  Theology  in  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  by  this  our  subscription,  up- 
rightly, and  in  good  conscience  before 
God,  declare,  that  we  heartily  believe, 
and  are  persuaded,  that  all  the  articles 
and  points  of  doctrine  contained  in  the 
Confession  and  Catechism  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Churches,  together  with 
the  explanation  of  some  points  of  the 
said  doctrine,  made  in  the  National 
Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  in  the  year 
1610,  do  fully  agree  with  the  word  of 
God.  We  promise,  therefore,  that  we 
will  diligently  teach,  and  faithfully  de- 
fend the  aforesaid  doctrine;  and  that  we 
will  not  inculcate  or  write,  either  publicly 
or  privately,  directly  or  indirectly,  any- 
thing against  the  same.  As  also,  that  we 
reject  not  only  all  the  errors  which  mili- 


on  the  same  day  on  which  he  is  nomi- 
nated. From  all  those  thus  nominated 
the  General  Synod  having  fixed  a  day 
shall  proceed  to  an  election,  provided 
that  no  one  nominated  shall  be  set  aside, 
except  by  the  regular  process  of  bal- 
loting for  an  election.  An  instrument, 
certifying  the  appointment,  and  specify- 
ing the  general  duties  of  the  office,  shall 
be  signed  in  the  presence  of  the  General 
Synod,  by  the  President  thereof,  and  by 
him  be  given,  in  the  name  of  the  Church, 
to  the  person  elected. 
23 

Sec.  2.  No  person  shall  be  appointed 
to  the  office  of  a  Professor  who  is  not  a 
Minister  in  good  standing;  and  every 
Professor  of  Theology  shall  continue  in 
his  office  during  life,  unless  in  case  of 
such  misbehavior  as  shall  be  deemed  a 
violation  of  the  obligations  entered  into 
at  his  appointment;  or  unless  he  volun- 
tarily deserts  or  resigns  his  profession, 
or  from  age  or  infirmities  becomes  in- 
capable of  fulfilling  the  duties  thereof; 
of  all  which  the  General  Synod  alone 
shall  judge;  and  to  that  Synod  a  Profes- 
sor of  Theology  shall  always  be  amen- 
able for  his  doctrine,  mode  of  teaching, 
and  moral  conduct.  [1702,  24.] 
2i 

Sec.  3.  No  Professor  of  Theology 
shall  be  permitted  to  officiate  until  he 
shall  have  subscribed  the  following  form- 
ula, viz.:  "We,  the  underwritten,  in 
becoming  Professors  of  Sacred  TTieology 
in  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church,  by 
this  our  subscription,  uprightly,  and  in 
good  conscience  before  God,  declare  that 
we  heartily  believe,  and  are  persuaded, 
that  all  the  articles,  and  points  of  doc- 
trine, contained  in  the  Confession  and 
Catechism  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch) 
Church,  together  with  the  explanation  of 
some  points  of  the  said  doctrine,  made 
in  the  National  Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht, 
in  the  year  1619,  do  fully  agree  with 
the  Word  of  God,  We  promise,  there- 
fore, that  we  will  diligently  teach,  and 
faithfully  defend,  the  aforesaid  doctrine; 
and  that  we  will  not  inculcate  or  write, 
either  publicly  or  privately,  directly  or 
indirectly,  anything  against  the  same. 
As,  also,  that  we  reject  not  only  all  the 
errors  which  militate  against  this  doc- 
trine, and  particularly  those  which  are 
condemned  in  the  above-mentioned  Sy- 
nod, but  that  we  are  disposed  to  refute 
the  same,  openly  to  oppose  them,  and 
to  exert  ourselves  in  keeping  the  Church 
pure  from  such  errors.  Should  it  never- 
theless    hereafter     happen     that     any     ob- 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619 


ARTICLE  XIX. 

The  congregations  shall  endeavour  to 
raise  public  funds  for  the  support  of 
Students  in  Theology. 

ARTICLE  XX. 

In  churches  where  a  number  of  able 
Ministers  are  settled,  the  practice  of  dis- 
cussing Theological  theses  shall  be  insti- 
tuted, that  by  such  exercises  some  may 
be  prepared  for  the  ministry;  pursuing, 
however,  therein,  the  special  appointment 
and  order  of  the  General   Synod. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

not  only  all  the  errors  which  militate 
against  this  doctrine,  and  particularly 
those  which  are  condemned  in  the  above 
mentioned  Synod;  but  that  we  are  dis- 
posed to  refute  the  same;  openly  to  op- 
pose them,  and  to  exert  ourselves  in 
keeping  the  church  pure  from  such  er- 
rors. Should  it  nevertheless,  hereafter 
happen,  that  any  objections  against  the 
doctrine  might  arise  in  our  minds,  or  we 
entertain  different  sentiments,  we  promise 
that  we  will  not,  either  publicly  or 
privately  propose,  teach,  or  defend  the 
same,  by  preaching  or  writing,  until  we 
have  first  fully  revealed  such  sentiments 
to  the  General  Synod,  to  whom  we  are 
responsible;  that  our  opinions  may  in  the 
said  General  Synod  receive  a  thorough 
examination,  being  ready  always  cheer- 
fully to  submit  to  the  judgment  of  the 
General  Synod,  under  the  penalty,  in 
case  of  refusal,  to  be  censured  by  the 
said  Synod.  And  whenever  the  General 
Synod,  upon  sufficient  grounds  of  sus- 
picion, and  to  preserve  the  uniformity 
and  purity  of  doctrines,  may  deem  it 
proper  to  demand  from  us  a  more  parti- 
cular explanation  of  our  sentiments  any 
article  of  the  aforesaid  confession,  cate- 
chism or  explanation  of  the  national  Syn- 
od, we  promise  hereby  to  be  always  will- 
ing and  ready  to  comply  with  such  de- 
mand, under  the  penalty  before  men- 
tioned; reserving,  to  ourselves,  the  right 
of  rehearing,  or  a  new  trial,  if  we  shall 
conceive  ourselves  aggrieved  in  the  sen- 
tence of  the  General  Synod:  during  the 
dependance  of  which  new* trial,  we  prom- 
ise to  acquiesce  in  the  judgment  already 
passed,  as  well  as  finally  to  submit,  with- 
out disturbing  the  peace  of  the  churches, 
to  the  ultimate  decision  of  the  said  Gen- 
eral Synod." 

ARTICLE  XXIIT. 
As  no  student  can  be  admitted  to  a 
public  examination  before  any  Classis 
or  Synod,  unless  he  shall  produce  a 
document  under  the  hand  and  seal  of  a 
Professor  of  Theology,  appointed  by  the 
General  Synod;  (See  expl.  art.  3.)  so  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  every  Professor,  after 
repeated  private  examinations,  faithfully, 
and  impartially,  to  certify  the  progress 
and  attainments  of  every  student,  who 
has  attended  the  lectures  of  the  said 
Professor  for  two  years,  or  may  have 
studied  the  same  term,  under  some  per- 
son for  that  purpose  expressly  named  by 
the  General  Synod,  and  who  shall  apply 
to  such  Professor  for  a  certificate,  and 
recommendation.  All  regulations  respect- 
ing any  further  term  for  study,  or  any 
particular  dispensation,  which  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances may  render  necessary  in  the 
case  of  any  students  in  Theology  shall 
be  formed  by  the  General  Synod  alone; 
to  which,  as  well  the  Professors,  as  the 
Classes  or  Particular  Synods  shall  sub- 
mit, and  always  conform  themselves. 
ri6in,    8;    1792,    2;    1874,    8.] 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 


1874 


tate  against  this  doctrine,  and  particu- 
larly those  which  are  condemned  in  the 
abovementioned  Synod;  but  that  we  are 
disposed  to  refute  the  same,  openly  to 
oppose  them,  and  to  exert  ourselves  in 
keeping  the  church  pure  from  such  er- 
rors. Should  it  nevertheless  hereafter 
happen,  that  any  objections  against  the 
doctrine  might  arise  in  our  minds,  or  we 
entertain  different  sentiments,  we  prom- 
ise that  we  will  not,  either  publicly  or 
privately,  propose,  teach,  or  defend  the 
same,  by  preaching  or  writing,  until  we 
have  first  fully  revealed  such  sentiments 
to  the  General  Synod,  to  whom  we  are 
responsible;  that  our  opinions  may  in  the 
said  General  Synod  receive  a  thorough 
examination,  being  ready  always  cheer- 
fully to  submit  to  the  judgment  of  the 
General  Synod,  under  the  penalty,  in 
case  of  refusal,  to  be  censured  by  the 
said  Synod.  And  whenever  the  General 
Synod,  upon  sufficient  grounds  of  sus- 
picion, and  to  preserve  the  uniformity 
and  purity  of  doctrines,  may  deem  it 
proper  to  demand  from  us  a  more  partic- 
ular explanation  of  our  sentiments  re- 
specting any  article  of  the  aforesaid  Con- 
fession, Catechism,  or  Explanation  of 
the  National  Synod,  we  promise  hereby 
to  be  always  willing  and  ready  to  comply 
with  such  demand,  under  the  penalty  be- 
forementioned;  reserving  to  ourselves  the 
right  of  rehearing,  or  a  new  trial,  if  we 
shall  conceive  ourselves  aggrieved  in  the 
sentence  of  the  General  Synod;  during 
the  dependence  of  which  new  trial,  we 
promise  to  acquiesce  in  the  judgment  al- 
ready passed,  as  well  as  finally  to  submit, 
withoTit  disturbing  the  peace  of  the 
churches,  to  the  ultimate  decision  of  the 
said   General    Synod." 


jections  against  the  doctrine  might  arise 
in  our  minds,  or  we  entertain  different 
sentiments,  we  promise  that  we  will  not, 
either  publicly  or  privately,  propose, 
teach,  or  defend  the  same,  by  preaching 
or  writing,  until  we  have  first  fully  re- 
vealed such  sentiments  to  the  General 
Synod,  to  whom  we  are  responsible;  that 
our  opinions  may,  in  the  said  General 
Synod,  receive  a  thorough  examina- 
tion, being  ready  always  cheerfully  to 
submit  to  the  judgment  of  the  General 
Synod,  under  the  penalty,  in  case  of  re- 
fusal, to  be  censured  by  the  said  Synod. 
And  whenever  the  General  Synod,  upon 
sufficient  grounds  of  suspicion,  and  to 
preserve  the  uniformity  and  purity  of 
doctrines,  may  deem  it  proper  to  demand 
from  us  a  more  particular  explanation 
of  our  sentiments  respecting  any  article 
of  the  aforesaid  Confession,  Catechism, 
or  Explanation  of  the  National  Synod, 
we  promise  hereby  to  be  always  willing 
and  ready  to  comply  with  such  demand, 
under  the  penalty  before  mentioned;  re- 
serving to  ourselves  the  right  of  rehear- 
ing, or  a  new  trial,  if  we  shall  conceive 
ourselves  aggrieved  in  the  sentence  of 
the  General  Synod;  during  the  depend- 
ence of  such  new  trial,  we  promise  to 
acquiesce  in  the  judgment  already  passed, 
as  well  as  finally  to  submit,  without  dis- 
turbing the  peace  of  the  churches,  to  the 
ultimate  decision  of  the  said  General 
Synod." 

25 
Sec.  4.  No  Professor,  while  in  office, 
shall  have  the  pastoral  charge  of  any 
congregation,  or  sit  as  a  member  of  any 
ecclesiastical  assembly  or  judicatory;  but, 
as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  may  preach, 
and  administer,  or  assist  in  administer- 
ing, the  Sacraments  in  any  congregation, 
with  the  consent  of  the  Minister  or  Con- 
sistory.     [1792,    20.] 

[Proposed  amendment  to  allow  Pro- 
fessors to  be  members  of  General  Synod: 
1892,  508,  568;  1893,  710,  771-3;  1894, 
78;  rejected,  1895,  132,  136.] 
26 
Sec.  5,  A  Professor  shall  not  be  at 
liberty  to  resign  his  office  without  the 
consent  of  the  General  Synod,  except 
upon  giving  three  months'  previous  no- 
tice to  the  President  of  that  body,  of  his 
intention   so   to   do. 

27 
Sec.  6.  A  Professor  of  Theology,  be- 
ing amenable  only  to  the  General  Synod, 
shall,  when  entering  on  the  discharge  of 
his  duties,  take  a  dismissal  from  the 
Judicatory  with  which  he  is  connected; 
and  on  retiring  from  office  shall  be  dis- 
missed to  such  Ecclesiastical  judicatory 
as  he  may  elect;  or  in  case  of  his  fail- 
ure so  to  elect,  to  the  Judicatory  from 
which  he  was  dismissed  to  the  care 
of   the   General    Synod.* 

♦Amendment:     1000,     836;     1901,     1124. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  16 19. 


ARTICLE  XXI. 
The  Consistories  in  every  congregation 
shall  be  careful  to  provide  good  School- 
masters, who  are  able,  not  only  to  in- 
struct children  in  reading,  writing, 
grammar,  and  the  liberal  sciences;  but 
also  to  teach  them  the  catechism,  and  the 
first   principles  of  religion.      [1619,   54.] 


Explanatory  Articles^  1792. 

ARTICLE    XXIV. 

Every  Professor  of  Theology  shall  con- 
tinue in  his  office  during  life,  unless  in 
case  of  such  misbehaviour  as  shall  be 
deemed  a  violation  of  the  obligations  en- 
tered into  at  his  appointment;  or  unless 
he  voluntarily  deserts  or  resigns  his  pro- 
fession; or  from  age  or  infirmities  be- 
comes incapable  of  fulfilling  the  duties 
thereof;  of  all  which  the  General  Synod 
alone  shall  judge;  and  to  that  Synod  a 
Professor  of  Theology  shall  always  be 
amenable  for  his  doctrine,  mode  of  teach- 
ing, and  moral  conduct.  [1874,  23.] 
ARTICLE   XXV. 

The  General  Synod  will  endeavour  to 
procure  and  preserve  a  proper  fund  for 
the  support  of  the  Professorship  of  The- 
ology; that  the  persons  set  apart  for  that 
office,  may  not  be  dependant  upon  any 
particular  congregation,  while  they  are 
employed  for  the  common  benefit  of  all 
the   churches. 


ARTICLE  XXII. 

The  Elders  shall  be  chosen  by  the  suf- 
frages of  the  Consistory,  and  of  the 
Deacons:  in  making  this  choice  it  shall 
be  lawful,  as  shall  best  suit  the  situation 
of  each  church,  either  to  nominate  as 
many  Elders,  as  shall  be  judged  neces- 
sary, for  the  approbation  of  the  members 
in  full  communion,  and  upon  their  being 
approved,  and  found  acceptable,  to  con- 
firm them  with  public  prayers  and  en- 
gagements; or,  to  propose  a  double  num- 
ber, that  the  one  half  of  those  nominated 
may  be  chosen  by  the  members,  and  in 
the  same  manner  confirmed  in  their 
office.  In  either  mode  of  election,  the 
confirmation  is  to  be  agreeable  to  the 
form  instituted  for  that  purpose.  [1833, 
32-35,   50;   1874,   30-34.] 

ARTICLE   XXIII. 

The  office  of  Elders  (besides  what  is 
common  to  them  with  the  Ministers  of 
the  word,  e.xpressed  in  Art.  XVI)  is,  to 
take  heed  that  the  Ministers,  together 
with  their  fellow-Elders  and  Deacons, 
faithfully  discharge  their  respective 
duties;  and  also,  before,  or  after  the 
Lord's  supper,  as  time  and  circumstances 
permit,  and  as  shall  be  most  for  the  edi- 
fication of  the  congregation,  to  assist^  in 
performing  visitations,  in  order  particu- 
larly to  instruct  and  comfort  the  members 
in  full  communion,  as  well  as  to  exhort 
others  to  the  regular  profession  of  the 
Christian  religion.  [1619,  16;  1792,  63; 
1R74.   68.1 

ARTICLE    XXIV. 

The  Deacons  shall  he  chosen,  approved, 
and  confirmed,  in  the  same  manner  as 
the  Elders.  [1792,  26;  1833,  32,  33; 
1874.    30.   32.1 


III. 


ELDERS    AND    DEACONS. 
ARTICLE   XXVI. 


The  manner  of  choosing  Elders  and 
Deacons,  is  not  rigidly  defined:  A  double 
number  may  be  nominated  by  the  Con- 
sistory, out  of  which  the  members  of 
the  Church  may  choose  those  who  shall 
serve. — Or,  all  the  member^  may  unite  in 
nominating  and  choosing  the  whole  num- 
ber without  the  interference  of  the  Con- 
sistory.— Or,  the  Consistory,  for  the  time 
being,  as  representing  all  the  members, 
may  choose  the  whole,  and  refer  the 
persons  thus  chosen,  by  publishing  them 
in  the  church,  for  the  approbation  of 
the  people.  This  last  method  has  been 
found  most  convenient,  especially  in 
large  churches,  and  has  long  been  gen- 
erally adopted.  But  where  that,  or  either 
of  the  other  modes  has  for  many  years 
been  followed  in  any  church,  there  shall 
be  no  variation  or  change,  but  by  pre- 
vious application  to  the  Classis,  and  ex- 
press leave  first  obtained  for  altering  such 
custom.  [1619,  22,  24;  1874,  32.] 
ARTICLE   XXVII. 

The  Elders,  with  the  Ministers  of  the 
word,  constitute  what  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  properly  calls,  the  Consistory. 
But  as  the  Deacons  have  always  in  Amer- 
ica, where  the  congregations  were  at  first 
very  small,  (See  Synod  Dord.  Art.  38.) 
been  joined  with  the  Elders;  and  wher- 
ever charters  have  been  obtained,  are 
particularly  named,  as  forming  with  them 
one  Consistory,  it  is  necessary  to  define 
their  joint  as  well  as  respective  powers. 
From  the  form  of  their  ordination  it  is 
evident,   that  to  the  Elders,  together  with 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 

28 

Sec.  4.  No  Professor,  while  in  office, 
shall  have  the  Pastoral  charge  of  any 
congregation,  or  be  a  member  of  any 
Ecclesiastical  Assembly  or  Judicatory; 
but,  as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  may 
preach,  and  administer,  or  assist  in  ad- 
ministering the  sacraments  in  any  con- 
gregation with  the  consent  of  the  Minis- 
ter  or   Consistory. 

[Proposed  amendment  to  allow  Pro- 
fessors to  be  members  of  General  Synod. 
1865,   549,    615;    rejected,    1866,   86.] 

29 

Sec.  5.  A  Professor  shall  be  at  liberty 
to  resign  his  office,  by  sending  in  his 
resignation  to  the  President  of  General 
Synod,  on  the  first  day  of  any  regular 
meeting,  and  giving  six  months'  previous 
notice  to  the  said  President  of  his  inten- 
tion  to   do   so. 


1874 


ARTICLE    III. 

OF    THE    OFFICES   OF    ELDERS    AND    DEACONS. 


ARTICLE  IV. 

OF    THE    OFFICES    OF    ELDERS    AND    DEACONS. 


30 

Section  1.  The  office  of  Elders  (be- 
sides what  is  common  to  them  with  the 
Ministers  of  the  Word,  expressed  in 
Chapter  I.,  Article  I.,  Section  13,)  is,  to 
take  heed  that  the  Ministers,  together 
with  their  fellow-Elders  and  Deacons, 
faithfully  discharge  their  respective 
duties;  and  also,  especially  before  or 
after  the  Lord's  supper,  as  time  and  cir- 
cumstances permit,  and  as  shall  be  most 
for  the  edification  of  the  congregation,  to 
assist  in  performing  visitations,  in  order 
particularly  to  instruct  and  comfort  the 
members  in  full  communion,  as  well  as  to 
exhort  others  to  the  regular  profession  of 
the   Christian   religion. 


28 
Sec.  1.  The  office  of  Elders  is.  in  con- 
junction with  Ministers  of  the  Word, 
to  exercise  Christian  discipline,  and  to 
be  careful  that  all  things  be  done  de- 
cently and  in  order;  to  take  heed  that 
the  Ministers,  together  with  their  fellow 
Elders  and  Deacons,  faith fuly  discharge 
their  respective  duties;  and  also,  espe- 
cially before  or  after  the  Lord's  Supper, 
as  time  and  circumstances  permit,  and 
as  shall  be  most  for  the  edification  of  the 
congregation,  to  assist  in  performing  visi- 
tations, in  order  particularly  to  instruct 
and  comfort  the  members  in  full  com- 
munion, as  well  as  to  exhort  others  to 
the  regular  profession  of  the  Christian 
religion.      [1619,    23;    1792,    27.] 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 

ARTICLE  XXV. 
The  office  peculiar  to  the  Deacons  is, 
diligently  to  collect  the  alms  and  other 
monies  appropriated  for  the  use  of  the 
poor,  and  with  the  advice  of  the  Con- 
sistory, cheerfully  and  faithfully  to  dis- 
tribute the  same  to  strangers,  as  well  as 
to  those  of  their  own  household,  accord- 
ing to  the  measure  of  their  respective 
necessities;  to  visit  and  comfort  the  dis- 
tressed, and  to  be  careful  that  the  alms 
be  not  misused;  of  the  distribution  of 
which,  they  shall  render  an  account  in 
Consistory,  at  such  time  as  the  said 
Consistory  shall  determine,  and  in  the 
presence  of  so  many  of  the  congregation 
as  may  choose  to  attend.      [1874,  29.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

the  Ministers  of  the  word,  is  com- 
mitted the  spiritual  government  of  each 
church;  while  to  the  Deacons  belong  the 
obtaining  charitable  assistance  and  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  same  in  the  most  effectual 
manner  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of 
the  poor.  When  joined  together  in  one 
board,  the  Elders  and  Deacons  have  all 
an  equal  voice  in  whatever  relates  to  the 
temporalities  of  the  church,  to  the  calling 
of  a  Minister,  or  the  choice  of  their  own 
successors;  in  all  which,  they  are  con- 
sidered as  the  general  and  joint  repre- 
sentative of  the  people:  but  in  admitting 
members  to  full  communion;  in  exercis- 
ing discipline  upon  those  who  have  erred 
from  the  faith,  or  offended  in  morals; 
and  in  choosing  delegates  to  attend  the 
Classis,  the  Elders,  with  the  Ministers, 
have  alone  a  voice.  [1833,  50;  1874,  43.] 
Notwithstanding,  as  most  of  the  Con- 
sistories still  remain  small,  it  is  resolved 
that  the  respective  powers  may  remain 
blended;  and  the  Elders  and  Deacons 
continue  to  unite  in  executing  the  joint 
rights  of  a  Consistory  respecting  all  the 
objects  of  the  respective  offices  as  hither- 
to they  have  done;  and  no  change  in  any 
congregation  shall  in  this  matter  be  in- 
troduced, without  first  making  application 
for  that  purpose  to  the  Classis,  and  ob- 
taining an  express  regulation  for  the  dis- 
tinct and  separate  administration  of  the 
respective  powers  of  the  Elders  and 
Deacons. 

As  many  difficulties  are  Vown  to  have 
arisen  in  the  minds  of  Deacons,  respect- 
ing the  application  of  monies  collected  by 
them  in  the  churches,  to  any  other  pur- 
poses than  those  of  immediate  charity; 
it  becomes  necessary  to  explain  this  sub- 
ject, and  remove  the  difficulties,  by  de- 
claring that  the  design  and  object  of  the 
collection  are  not  only  the  relief  of  the 
poor,  but  also  the  necessities  of  the  con- 
gregation.— Charity  extends  to  the  souls 
of  men  as  well  as  their  bodies;  and 
procuring  the  gospel  for  the  poor  is  the 
highest  benefit.  If  the  abilities  of  the  con- 
gregation therefore,  are  not  adequate  to 
the  building  of  a  church,  or  maintaining 
a  Minister,  by  means  of  subscription,  or 
any  other  fund,  there  is  no  doubt,  but 
the  Deacons  may,  in  good  conscience  as- 
sist from  their  collections,  and  bestow  as 
mucn  as  can  be  spared  from  the  immedi- 
ate wants  of  the  suffering  poor.  Finally, 
as  the  Deacons  in  every  church  are  to  be 
considered  as  serving  the  church,  so 
they  are  in  that  service,  subordinate  to 
the  rule  and  government  of  the  church 
which  is  vested  in  the  Consistory,  (See 
Art.  25,  of  Syn.  Dord.)  and  they  ought 
to  submit  to  the  advice  and  direction  of 
the  same.  But  where  no  particular  direc- 
tions interfere,  the  Deacons  must  proceed 
agreeablv  to  their  own  discretion.  [1619, 
25.1 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


XXXI 


1833 


1874 


i 


31 

Sec.  2.  The  office  peculiar  to  the 
Deacons  is,  diligently  to  collect  the  alms 
and  other  moneys  appropriated  for  the 
use  of  the  poor,  and  with  the  advice  of 
the  Consistory,  cheerfully  and  faithfully 
to  distribute  the  same  to  strangers,  as 
well  as  to  those  of  their  own  household, 
according  to  the  measure  of  their  re- 
spective necessities;  to  visit  and  comfort 
the  distressed,  and  to  be  careful  that  the 
alms  be  not  misused;  of  the  distribution 
of  which,  they  shall  render  an  account 
in  Consistory,  at  such  time  as  the  said 
Consistory  shall  determine,  and  in  the 
presence  of  so  many  of  the  congregation 
as  may  choose  to  attend.  Should  more 
be  collected  than  the  necessities  of  the 
poor  may  require,  such  surplus  may,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Consistory,  be  devoted 
to  other  purposes,  connected  with  the 
wants  of  the  church. 
32 

Sec.  3.  In  all  cases  the  Elders  and 
Deacons  shall  be  chosen  from  the  male 
members  of  the  church,  in  full  com- 
munion, and  in  forming  new  churches, 
they  shall  be  chosen  by  the  male  com- 
municants; at  whose  election  a  neigh- 
bouring Minister  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  shall  preside;  and  notice  of  the 
time  and  place  of  such  election  shall  be 
published    at    least    two    Sabbaths,    in    the 


29 

Sec.  2.  The  office  peculiar  to  the  Dea- 
cons is  diligently  to  collect  the  alms  and 
other  moneys  appropriated  for  the  use 
of  the  poor,  and,  with  the  advice  of  the 
Consistory,*  cheerfully  and  faithfully  to 
distribute  the  same  to  strangers,  as  well 
as  to  those  of  their  own  household,  ac- 
cording to  the  measure  of  their  respec- 
tive necessities;  to  visit  and  comfort  the 
distressed,  and  to  be  careful  that  the 
alms  be  not  misused;  of  the  distribu- 
tion of  which  they  shall  render  an  ac- 
count in  Consistory,  at  such  time  as  the 
said  Consistory  shall  determine,  and  in 
the  presence  of  so  many  of  the  congre- 
gation as  may  choose  to  attend.  Should 
more  be  collected  than  the  necessities  of 
the  poor  may  require,  such  surplus  may, 
with  the  consent  of  the  Consistory,  be 
devoted  to  other  purposes,  connected  with 
the  wants  of  the  Church.  [1619,  25; 
1792,  27.] 

*"Consistory"    used    here    in    old    sense 
of    "Ministers    and    Elders;"    1792,    27. 
30 

Sec.    3.     In    all    cases    the    Elders    and 
Deacons    shall    be    chosen    from    the    male 
members    of    the    Church    in    full    commu- 
nion.     [1619,    22,    24;    1792,    26.] 
31 

Sec.  4.  In  forming  new  churches,  the 
Elders  and  Deacons  shall  be  chosen  by 
the  male  communicants,  who  shall  have 
attained  the  age  of  eighteen  years,*  and 
a  neighbouring  Minister  of  the  Reformed 
Church  shall  preside,  and  notice  of  the 
time  and  place  of  such  election  shall  be 
published,  at  least  two  Sabbaths,  in  the 
church,  or  usual  place  of  worship,  pre- 
vious to  the  election.      [Compare  Art.  44.] 

♦Amendment:    1889,   834;    1890,  114. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort   1619. 

ARTICLE    XXVI. 

Tlie  Deacons  shall  endeavour  to  main- 
tain a  good  correspondence  with  the 
Overseers  of  Poor-houses,  and  other  pub- 
lic Almoners,  in  order  that  the  alms  may 
be  the  better  distributed  among  those 
whose  necessities  are  the  greatest. 
ARTICLE  XXVIL 

The  Elders  and  Deacons  shall  serve 
two  years,  and  the  one  half  be  changed 
annually,  and  others  appointed  in  their 
room,  unless  the  situation  or  advantage 
of  some  particular  churches  should  other- 
wise require.      [1833,  52.] 


ARTICLE  XXVIIL 
As  it  is  the  duty  of  Christian  Magis- 
trates to  countenance  the  worship  of  God, 
to  recommend  religion  by  their  e.xample, 
and  protect  the  members  of  the  com- 
munity in  the  full  and  regular  exercise 
of  religious  liberty;  so  it  is  the  duty  of 
Ministers,  Elders,  and  Deacons,  zealous- 
ly and  faithfully  to  inculcate  upon  all 
their  congregations,  that  obedience,  love, 
and  homage,  which  they  owe  to  the 
Magistrates.  All  ecclesiastical  persons 
shall,  by  their  own  good  conduct,  in  this 
respect,  give  an  example  to  the  congre- 
gations; and,  by  a  becoming  reverence, 
endeavor  to  excite  and  maintain  the 
favourable  attention  of  government  to 
the  churches;  to  the  end  that  each  mu- 
tually fulfilling  their  respective  duties  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  all  suspicion  and 
jealousy  may  be  prevented,  and  a  happy 
confidence,  conducive  to  the  welfare  of 
the  churches,  be  preserved. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ARTICLE  XXVIIL 
In  order  to  lessen  the  burthen  of  a 
perpetual  attendance  upon  ecclesiastical 
duties,  and  by  a  rotation  in  office  to  bring 
forward  deserving  members,  it  is  the  es- 
tablished custom,  in  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  that  Elders  and  Deacons  remain 
only  two  years  in  service;  after  which 
they  retire  from  their  respective  offices, 
and  others  are  chosen  in  their  places;  the 
rotation  being  always  conducted  in  such 
a  manner,  that  only  one  half  of  the 
whole  number  retire  each  year.  (See  Syn. 
Dord.  Art.  27.)  But  this  does  not  for- 
bid the  liberty  of  immediately  choosing 
the  same  persons  again,  if  from  any  cir- 
cumstances it  may  be  judged  expedient  to 
continue  them  in  office,  by  a  re-election. 
ARTICLE  XXIX. 
When  matters  of  peculiar  importance 
occur,  particularly  in  calling  a  Minister, 
building  of  churches,  or  whatever  relates 
immediately  to  the  peace  and  welfare  of 
the  whole  congregation,  it  is  usual  (and 
it  is  strongly  recommended  upon  such 
occasions  always)  for  the  Consistory  to 
call  together  all  those  who  have  ever 
served  as  Elders  or  Deacons,  that  by  their 
advice  and  counsel  they  may  assist  the 
members  of  the  Consistory.  These,  when 
assembled,  constitute  what  is  called  tne 
great  Consistory.  From  the  object,  or 
design  of  their  assembling,  the  respective 
powers  of  each  are  easily  ascertained; 
Those  who  are  out  of  office,  have  only 
an  advisory  or  counselling  voice;  and, 
as  they  are  not  actual  members  of  the 
board  or  corporation,  cannot  have  a  de- 
cisive vote.  After  obtaining  the  advice, 
it  rests  with  the  members  of  the  Consis- 
tory to  follow  the  counsel  given  them, 
or  not,  as  they  shall  judge  proper.  But, 
unless  very  urgent  reasons  should  appear 
to  the  contrary,  it  will  be  prudent  and 
expedient  in  all  cases,  to  comply  with 
the  advice  of  those,  who  from  their  num- 
bers and  influence  in  the  congregation, 
may  be  supposed  to  speak  the  language 
of  the  people,  and  to  know  what  will  be 
most  for  edification  and  peace.  [1619,  10; 
1874,    57.] 

ARTICLE  XXX. 
An  office,  the  object  of  which  solely 
respects  keeping  in  repair  the  churches, 
the  parsonage,  and  school-houses,  and  ex- 
ecuting the  orders  which  the  Consistory, 
from  time  to  time,  may  make  in  regard 
to  them,  has,  in  most  congregations,  been 
appointed  by  the  title  of  Chutch-Masters. 
These  are  annually  elected  by  the  Con- 
sistory, and  may  be  continued  where  it 
has  b'^en  customary,  and  is  approved:  for 
the  Consistory  may  appoint  two  or  more 
of  their  own  body,  as  a  standing  com- 
mittee for  that  purpose,  at  their  own 
discretion,  and  as  they  shall  find  to  be 
most   convenient. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


XXXlll 


1833 

church    or    usual    place    of    worship,    pre- 
vious  to   the   election. 


1874 


r 


33 

Sec.  4.  The  manner  of  choosing  El- 
ders and  Deacons  in  churches  already 
organized,  shall  be  as  follows:  A  double 
number  may  be  nominated  by  the  Con- 
sistory, out  of  which  the  members  of  the 
church  in  full  communion,  may  choose 
those  who  shall  serve. — Or,  all  the  said 
members  may  unite  in  nominating  and 
choosing  the  whole  number  without  the 
interference  of  the  Consistory. — Or,  the 
Consistory,  for  the  time  being,  as  repre- 
senting all  the  members,  may  choose  the 
whole,  and  refer  the  persons  thus  chosen, 
by  publishing  them  in  the  church,  for  the 
approbation  of  the  people.  This  last 
method  has  been  found  most  convenient, 
especially  in  large  churches,  and  has  long 
been  generally  adopted.  But  where  that, 
or  either  of  the  other  modes  has  for 
many  years  been  followed  in  any  church, 
there  shall  be  no  variation  or  change, 
but  by  previous  application  to  the  Classis, 
and  express  leave  first  obtained  for  al- 
tering such  custom. 

34 

Sec.  5.  The  Elders  and  Deacons  shall 
be  chosen  to  serve  two  years,  except 
when  chosen  to  fill  a  vacancy  or  vacan- 
cies occasioned  by  death,  removal  out  of 
the  congregation,  resignation,  or  dismis- 
sion from  office,  by  the  sentence  of  the 
Consistory;  in  either  of  which  cases,  the 
person  or  persons  chosen  to  fill  such  va- 
cancy or  vacancies,  shall  serve  for  the 
residue  of  the  term  only. 
35 

Sec.  6.  In  order  to  avoid  the  incon- 
venience of  an  entire  change  at  one 
time,  the  first  Elders  and  Deacons  of 
new  congregations  shall,  at  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Consistory  after 
their  ordination,  be  put  into  two 
classes,  and  the  classes  be  marked  Num- 
bers 1  and  2,  and  the  names  to  be  put 
into  each  class  shall  be  determined  by 
ballot,  and  the  term  of  service  in  Con- 
sistory of  those  in  the  first  class  shall 
expire  at  the  end  of  the  first  year,  so 
that  one  half  of  the  whole  number  of 
Elders  and  Deacons  may  be  elected  an- 
nually. The  same  course  shall  be  pursued 
by  all  the  Consistories  when  they  shall 
deem  it  requisite  to  enlarge  the  number  of 
their  Elders  and  Deacons,  so  far  as  re- 
lates to  the  additional  number  of  members 
chosen  by  them.  But  this  does  not  forbid 
the  liberty  of  immediately  choosing  the 
same  persons  again,  if  from  any  circum- 
stances it  may  be  judged  expedient  to 
continue  them  in  Consistory  by  a  re-elec- 
tion. 


32 

Sec.  5.  In  churches  already  organized, 
the  manner  of  choosing  Elders  and  Dea- 
cons shall  be  as  follows: — A  double  num- 
ber may  be  nominated  by  the  Consistory, 
out  of  which  the  members  of  the  Church 
in  full  communion  who  shall  have  at- 
tained the  age  of  eighteen  years*  may 
choose  those  who  shall  serve; — or,  all 
the  said  members  may  unite  in  nominat- 
ing and  choosing  the  whole  number  with- 
out a  previous  nomination  by  the  Con- 
sistory;— or,  the  Consistory,  for  the  time 
being,  as  representing  all  the  members, 
may  choose  the  whole.  [1619,  22,  24.] 
The  result  of  such  choice  shall  be  pub- 
lished in  the  church,  or  usual  place  of 
worship  of  the  congregation,  three  suc- 
cessive Sabbaths  previous  to  their  or- 
dination, to  the  end  that  all  lawful  ob- 
jections to  such  ordination  may  be  of- 
fered to,  and  duly  adjudicated  by,  the 
Consistory.  [1833,  52.]  But  where  either 
of  these  modes  has  for  many  years  been 
followed  in  any  church,  there  shall  be  no 
variation  or  change  but  by  application  of 
the  Consistory,  or  upon  the  application  of 
a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  Church 
in  full  communionf  to  the  Classis,  and 
express  leave  first  obtained  for  altering 
such    custom. 

*Amendment:    1889,    834;    1890,    114. 

fAmendment:    1888,    608;    1889,    830. 

33 

Sec.  6.  The  Elders  and  Deacons  shall 
be  chosen  to  serve  two  years,  except  in 
cases  of  vacancy  occasioned  by  death, 
removal  out  of  congregation,  resignation, 
or  dismission  from  office  by  a  judicial 
sentence  of  the  Consistory;  in  either  of 
which  cases,  the  person  or  persons  chosen 
shall  serve  for  the  residue  of  the  term 
only. 

34 

Sec.  7.  In  order  to  avoid  the  incon- 
venience of  an  entire  change  at  one  time, 
the  first  Elders  and  Deacons  of  new  con- 
gregations shall,  at  the  first  meeting  of 
the  Consistory  after  their  ordination,  de- 
termine, by  lot,  who  of  their  number 
shall  serve  one  year,  and  who  shall  serve 
two  years;  so  that  one  half  of  the  whole 
number  of  both  Elders  and  Deacons  may 
thereafter  be  elected  annually.  The  same 
course  shall  be  pursued  in  enlarging  Con- 
sistories, so  far  as  relates  to  the  addi- 
tional members.  Elders  and  Deacons 
may  be  re-elected,  but  in  such  case  need 
not  be  re-ordained. 


xxxiv  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dori,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


II. 


OF 


ECCLESIASTICAL 
BLIES. 


ASSEM- 


II. 


ARTICLE    XXIX. 

The     ECCLESIASTICAL     ASSEMBLIES,     which 

shall  be    maintained,    are    of    four    kinds, 
viz.: 

1.  Consistorial. 

2.  Classical. 

3.  The  Particular  Synod. 

4.  The   General,   or  National  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XXX. 

In  those  Assemblies,  ecclesiastical  mat- 
ters only  shall  be  transacted,  and  that  in 
an  ecclesiastical  manner.  A  greater  As- 
sembly shall  take  cognizance  of  those 
things  alone  which  could  not  be  deter- 
mined in  a  lesser,  or  that  appertain  to 
the  churches  or  congregations  in  general, 
which  compose  such  an  assembly.  [1874, 
36.] 

ARTICLE  XXXI. 

If  any  person  conceive  himself  ag- 
grieved by  the  decision  of  a  lesser 
Assembly,  he  shall  have  the  liberty  and 
right  of  appealing  to  a  higher;  and  that 
which  is  determined  by  a  majority  of 
voices  in  such  Assembly,  shall  be  held 
decisive  and  binding,  unless  it  can  be 
demonstrated  to  be  contrary  to  the  word 
of  God,  and  these  articles.  [1833,  42; 
1874,   109-114.] 

ARTICLE   XXXII. 

The  tratxsactions  of  all  Ecclesiastical 
Assemblies  shall  begin  with  prayer,  and 
conclude  with  thanksgiving. 

ARTICLE  XXXIII. 

Those  who  are  delegated  to  attend  the 
Assemblies,  shall  bring  with  them  creden- 
tials, and  instructions,  signed  by  those 
who  send  them;  and  such  only  shall  be 
entitled    to    a    decisive    vote. 

ARTICLE  XXXIV. 

In  all  Assemblies  there  shall  be  a  Pres- 
ident, and  Secretary.  The  business  of 
the  Secretary  shall  be  to  register  what- 
ever is  deemed  worthy  of  being  entered 
on  the  minutes.  [1792,  33;  1874,  39.  48, 
49.] 

ARTICLE   XXXV. 

The  office  of  the  President  is  to  state 
and  explain  the  business  which  is  to  be 
transacted;  to  preserve  order;  to  silence 
the  captious,  and  those  who  are  too  ve- 
hement in  debate,  and  to  inflict  upon 
them  proper  censure  in  case  of  disobedi- 
ence. The  office  of  President  shall  cease 
when   the    Assembly    rises. 

ARTICLE  XXXVI. 

A  Classis  hath  the  same  jurisdiction 
over  a  Consistory,  which  a  Particular 
Synod  hath  over  a  Classis,  and  a  General 
Synod   over   a    Particular. 


OF    ECCLESIASTICAL    ASSEMB- 
LIES." 


ARTICLE   XXXL 

All  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies  possess  a 
right  to  judge  and  determine  upon  mat- 
ters within  their  respective  jurisdictions, 
and  which  are  regularly,  and  in  an  ec- 
clesiastical manner,  brought  before  them. 
As  every  individual,  who  judges  himself 
aggrieved,  has  a  right  of  appealing  from 
the  decision  of  a  lower  Assembly  to  an 
higher;  so  it  is  permitted  to  lower  As- 
semblies, when  difficult  or  important  cases 
are  brought  before  them,  to  postpone  a 
final  determination,  until  they  have  laid 
the  whole  before  an  higher  Assembly.  In 
all  such  references  from  a  lower  Assemb- 
ly to  an  higher,  tlie  latter  may  remit  the 
case,  with  proper  advice,  back  to  the 
former,  to  be  there  decided;  or,  if  it 
shall  appear  to  be  very  important,  and 
what  may  affect  in  its  consequences,  the 
general  w^elfare  of  the  churches,  the 
higher  Assembly  may  take  the  case  under 
its  own  immediate  cognizance,  and  pro- 
ceed in  the  same,  either  de  novo,  or  upon 
the  evidence  produced  in  the  records  of 
the  lower  Assembly.  [1833,  42;  1874,  109- 
114.) 


i833 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


XXXV 


CHAPTER  II. 

OF     ECCLESIASTICAL    ASSEMBLIES. 

ARTICLE    I. 
Of    Ecclesiastical    Assemblies    in    general. 
36 
Sec.    1.     The    Ecclesiastical    Assemblies 
which  shall  be  maintained,   are, 

1.  Consistorial. 

2.  Classical. 

3.  Synodical. 

37 
Sec.  2.  In  these  assemblies  ecclesiasti- 
cal matters  only  shall  be  transacted,  and 
that  in  an  ecclesiastical  manner.  A  great- 
er assembly  shall  take  cognizance  of 
those  things  alone  which  could  not  be  de- 
termined in  a  less,  or  that  appertain  to 
the  churches  or  congregations  in  general, 
which  compose  such  an  assembly. 

38 
Sec  3.     The  transactions  of  all  Eccles- 
siastical    Assemblies    shall   begin   and   con- 
clude  with  prayer. 

39 
Sec  4.  Those  who  are  delegated  to 
attend  the  assemblies  shall  bring  with 
them  credentials,  signed  by  those  who 
send  them;  and  such  only  shall  be  entitled 
to  a  vote. 

40 
Sec  5.  In  all  assemblies  there  shall 
be  a  President  and  Secretary.  The  busi- 
ness of  the  Secretary  shall  be  to  keep  a 
faithful  record  of  all  the  proceedings.  T?he 
office  of  the  President  is  to  state  and 
explain  the  business  which  is  to  be  trans- 
acted; to  preserve  order;  and  in  general 
to  maintain  that  decorum  and  dignity  be- 
coming a  judicatory  of  the  Church  of 
Christ. 

41 
Sec    6.     A   Classis   has   the  same  juris- 
diction  over  a  Consistory,   which  a  Parti- 
cular   Synod    has    over    a    Classis,    and    a 
General    Synod  over  a   Particular. 

42 
Sec  T.  Any  individual  conceiving  him- 
self to  be  personally  aggrieved  or  in- 
jured by  the  decision  of  a  lower  Judica- 
tory, may  appeal  therefrom  to  the  judg- 
ment of  an  higher  Judicatory;  and  any 
lower  Judicatory,  as  a  Consistory  or 
Classis,  esteeming  itself  aggrieved  by  the 
judgment  or  censure  of  a  higher,  enjoys 
the  same  privilege  [except  that  the  Parti- 
cular Synod  shall  be  a  Court  of  final 
appeal  for  all  causes  that  have,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  provisions  of  the  Con- 
stitution, been  tried  originally  in  the 
Consistory,  unless  as  many  members  of 
the  Particular  Synod  as  there  are  Classes 
composing  said  Synod  shall,  within  ten 
days  after  the  adjournment  of  the  same, 
file  with  the  President  of  the  Particular 
Synod  a  certificate  to  the  effect  that  in 
their  judgment  any  cause  originating  in 
the  Consistory  which  has  been  reviewed 
by  the  Particular  Synod,  is  a  proper  case 
for  the  action  of  the  General  Synod,  in 
which  case  an  appeal  may  be  taken  to 
the  higher  judicatory;  Amendment,  1869, 
633;    Adopted,    1871,    277;] 


1874 
ARTICLE    V. 

OF    ECCLESIASTICAL   ASSEMBLIES    IN    GENERAL. 

35 
Sec.    1.     The    Ecclesiastical    Assemblies 
which    shall   be   maintained    are: 

1.  Consistorial. 

2.  Classical. 

3.  Synodical, 

36 
Sec  2.  In  these  assemblies,  eccles- 
iastical matters  only  shall  be  transacted, 
and  that  in  an  ecclesiastical  manner.  A 
greater  assembly  shall  take  cognizance  of 
those  things  alone  which  could  not  be 
determined  in  a  less,  or  that  appertain 
to  the  churches  or  congregations  in  gen- 
eral which  compose  such  an  assembly. 
[1619,    30;    1792,    31.] 

37 
Sec    3.     The    transactions    of    all    Ec- 
clesiastical    Assemblies     shall     begin     and 
conclude   with   prayer. 

38 
Sec  4.  Those  who  are  delegated  to 
attend  the  assemblies  shall  be  admitted 
on  credentials,  signed  by  those  who  send 
them;  and  such  only  shall  be  entitled  to 
a    vote.      [1619,    33.] 

39 
Sec  5.  In  all  assemblies  there  shall 
be  a  President  and  Clerk.  The  duty  of 
the  President  shall  be  to  state  and  ex- 
plain the  business  which  is  to  be  trans- 
acted, to  preserve  order,  and,  in  general, 
to  maintain  that  decorum  and  dignity 
becoming  a  Judicatory  of  the  Church  of 
Christ.  The  duty  of  the  Clerk  shall  be 
to  keep  a  faithful  record  of  all  the  pro- 
ceedings. 

40 
Sec.    6.     A   Classis  has   the   same  juris- 
diction over  a  Consistory  which  a  Partic- 
ular  Synod    has    over   a   Classis,    and   the 
General    Synod    over    a    Particular. 


xxxvi  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort.  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 


1874 


but  in  such  case  the  appeal  must  be 
made  by  the  Judicatory  as  such  when 
regularly  convened,  and  not  by  any  in- 
dividuals belonging  to  it.  Every  individ- 
ual appealing,  is  bound  to  give  his  ap- 
peal, with  the  reasons  thereof,  in  writing, 
to  the  Judicatory  appealed  from,  or  to 
the  President  thereof,  at  the  most  in  ten 
days  after  notice  of  his  intention;  which 
notice  is  to  be  given  at  the  time  when 
he  conceives  himself  aggrieved;  and  on 
default  his   appeal   falls. 

The  appeal  of  a  Consistory  or  Classis 
may  be  made  after  the  session  of  the 
Judicatory  at  which  the  decision  appealed 
from  was  given,  but  it  must  be  made 
known  and  the  reasons  of  it  stated  in 
writing  to  the  President,  a  reasonable 
length  of  time  before  the  next  meeting  of 
the  higher  Judicatory  to  which  the  appeal 
is    made. 

If  the  appellant  give  notice  and  satis- 
factory reasons  to  the  President  of  the 
Judicatory  to  which  the  appeal  is  made 
that  he  cannot  attend  at  their  next  stated 
meeting,  his  appeal  shall  lie  over  to  their 
next  following  stated  meeting;  but  if  no 
such  notice  and  reason  be  given,  and 
he  does  not  appear  to  prosecute  his  ap- 
peal, it  shall  be  considered  as  relin- 
quished. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several  lower 
ecclesiastical  assemblies,  from  whose  acts, 
proceedings,  or  decisions  any  appeal  is 
made,  to  transmit  a  certified  copy  of  the 
act,  proceeding,  or  decision  so  appealed 
from,  signed  by  the  President,  and  coun- 
tersigned by  the  Clerk,  together  with  the 
appeal  and  reasons  accompanying  the  same 
to  the  assembly  appealed  to  at  the  next 
regular  meeting  thereof.  [1874,  109-114.] 
43 

Sec.  8.  No  member  of  an  ecclesiasti- 
cal assembly  shall  be  allowed  to  protest 
against  any  of  its  acts;  any  member  who 
dissents  from  any  such  acts,  shall  have 
a  right  to  require  the  names  of  all  the 
members  present,  who  vote  for  or  against 
the  same,  to  be  entered  in  the  minutes, 
and  published  therewith  for  the  informa- 
tion of  all  concerned. 
44 

Sec.  9.  In  order  to  prevent  vexation 
and  delay  in  the  judicial  proceedings  of 
any  ecclesiastical  assembly  by  means  of 
successive  appeals  in  the  progress  of  any 
trial  or  investigation,  the  party  who  may 
consider  himself  aggrieved  by  any  deci- 
sion, upon  any  incidental  question  which 
may  arise  before  a  final  pentence  is  pro- 
nounced, may  state  his  objections  to  such 
decision,  and  require  to  have  the  same 
noted  in  the  minutes  of  the  proceedings, 
to  the  end  that  he  may  avail  himself 
thereof  on  an  appeal  from  the  final  sen- 
tence, without  arresting  the  progress  of 
such  investigation  or  trial.  And  in  such 
cases   every   decision   objected    to,   as   well 


41 

Sec.  7.  No  member  of  an  Ecclesias- 
tical Assembly  shall  be  allowed  to  pro- 
test against  any  of  its  acts;  any  member 
who  dissents  from  any  such  acts  shall 
have  a  right  to  require  the  names  of  all 
the  members  present  who  vote  for  or 
against  the  same,  to  be  entered  in  the 
minutes,  and  published  therewith  for  the 
information  of  all  concerned.     [1833,  93.] 


xxxviii  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


ARTICLE  XXXVII. 
In  all  churches  there  shall  be  a  con- 
sistory composed  of  the  Ministers  and 
Elders,  who  shall  meet  together  at  least 
once  every  week;  and  when  met,  the 
Ministers  shall  preside  and  moderate  the 
business.  If  there  be  a  plurality  of  Min- 
isters, they  shall  preside  and  direct  in 
rotation. 


1.      OF     CONSISTORIES. 
ARTICLE   XXXII. 

The  particular  spiritual  government  of 
the  congregation  is  committed  to  the 
Consistory.  It  is  therefore  their  duty  at 
all  times  to  be  vigilant,  to  preserve  dis- 
cipline, and  to  promote  the  peace  and 
spiritual  interest  of  the  congregation. 
Particularly,  before  the  celebration  of 
the  Lord's  Supper,  a  faithful  and  solemn 
inquiry  is  to  be  made,  by  the  president 
of  the  Consistory;  whether  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  those  present,  any  member  in 
full  communion  had  departed  from  the 
faith,  or  in  walk  or  conversation  has  be- 
haved unworthy  the  Christian  profession? 
that  such  as  are  guilty  may  be  properly 
rebuked,  admonished,  or  suspended  from 
the  privilege  of  approaching  the  Lord's 
Table,  and  all  offences  may  be  removed 
out  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 
ARTICLE  XXXIII. 

Every  Consistory  shall  keep  a  record  of 
its  own  acts  and  proceedings.  And  in 
every  congregation,  a  distinct  and  fair 
register  shall  be  preserved  by  the  Minis- 
ter, of  every  baptism  and  marriage  there 
celebrated,  and  of  all  who  are  received 
as  members  in  full  communion.  [1619, 
34,   ()0;   1792.   57.1 

ARTICLE  XXXIV. 

Consistories  possess  the  right  of  call- 
ing Ministers  for  their  own  congregations. 
But  in  exercising  this  right  they  are 
bound  to  use  their  utmost  endeavours, 
either  by  consulting  with  the  great  Con- 
sistory, or  with  the  congregation  at  large, 
to  know  what  person  would  be  most  ac- 
ceptable  to  the  people. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


xxxix 


1833 


as  the  objections,  shall  be  distinctly  stated 
in  the  minutes  of  such  assembly,  and 
sent  up  with  the  appeal  to  the  appellate 
Judicatory  for  review.  [1874,  117.] 
45 
Sec.  10.  Individuals  who  have  voted 
in  a  lower  court  upon  a  case  which  is 
carried  up  by  appeal,  shall  not  be  at 
liberty  to  vote  upon  the  trial  of  the  ap- 
peal   in    the    higher   courts.      [1874,    118.] 


1874 


Sec.  11.  In  any  decision  or  adjudica- 
tion of  an  ecclesiastical  court  which  the 
minority,  or  any  member  of  the  minority 
may  regard  as  injuriously  affecting  the 
interests  of  truth,  or  of  vital  godliness, 
may  present  the  same  to  the  Classis,  Par- 
ticular or  General  Synod,  by  way  of  com- 
plaint, for  their  examination  and  super- 
vision.     [1874,    119.] 

47 
Sec.  12.     This  complaint,  if  entertained, 
brings  the   whole   proceedings   in  the   case 
under  the   review  of  the   superior   Judica- 
tory.     [1874,    120.] 

48 
Sec.    13.     No   person  shall   be   admitted 
to  a  seat  in   any  of  our  ecclesiastical   as- 
semblies  as    an   advisory   member. 
ARTICLE  II. 
Of   Consistories. 

49 
Sec.  1.  The  Elders  and  Deacons,  to- 
gether with  the  Minister  or  Ministers,  if 
any,  shall  form  a  Consistory,  and  the 
Minister  shall  preside  at  all  consistorial 
meetings;  but  in  the  absence  of  a  Minis- 
ter, the  Consistory  may  appoint  one  of 
the  Elders  to  be  their  president  pro  tern., 
and  it  shall  be  competent  for  the  several 
Consistories  to  prescribe  the  mode  and 
time  of  calling  their  meetings.  If  there 
be  a  plurality  of  Ministers,  they  shall 
preside  in  rotation. 

50 
Sec.  2.  The  Elders,  with  the  ministers 
of  the  word,  constitute  what  in  the  origi- 
nal Article  of  Church  Government  is 
properly  called  the  Consistory.  But  as 
the  Deacons  have  always  in  America, 
where  the  congregations  were  at  first 
very  small,  (See  Synod  Dord.  Art.  38,) 
been  joined  with  the  Elders;  and  wher- 
ever charters  have  been  obtained  are 
particularly  named,  as  forming  with  them 
one  Consistory,  it  is  necessary  to  define 
their  joint  as  well  as  respective  powers. 
From  the  form  of  their  ordination,  it  is 
evident,  that  to  the  Elders,  together  with 
the  Ministers  of  the  word,  is  committed 
the  spiritual  government  of  the  church; 
while  to  the  Deacons  belong  the  obtain- 
ing charitable  assistance,  and  the  distri- 
bution of  the  same,  in  the  most  effectual 
manner  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of  the 
poor. 


ARTICLE    VI. 

OF     CONSISTORIES. 
42 

Sec.  1.  The  Elders  and  Deacons,  to- 
gether with  the  Minister  or  Ministers,  if 
any,  shall  form  a  Consistory,  and  the 
Minister  shall  preside  at  all  consistorial 
meetings;  but,  in  the  absence  of  a  Min- 
ister, the  Consistory  may  appoint  one 
of  the  Elders  to  be  their  President  pro 
tern.,  and  it  shall  be  competent  for  the 
several  Consistories  to  prescribe  the  mode 
and  time  of  calling  their  meetings.  If 
there  be  a  plurality  of  Ministers,  they 
shall   preside   in   rotation. 


CONSTITUTION    OF   1792. 


Articxes  of  Dort,  1 6 19. 

ARTICLE  XXXVIII. 

No  new  Consistory  shall  be  constituted 
in  any  particular  place,  without  the  pre- 
vious advice  and  concurrence  of  the 
Classis;  and  where  the  number  of  Elders 
is  too  small,  the  Deacons  may  be  ad- 
mitted as  members  of  the  Consistory. 
ARTICLE  XXXIX. 

In  places  where  a  Consistory  hath  not 
yet  been  formed,  the  duties  otherwise 
imposed  by  this  constitution  upon  the 
Consistory,  shall  in  the  meanwhile,  be 
performed  by  the  Classis. 

ARTICLE  XL. 
•  The  Deacons  shall  likewise  meet  to- 
gether every  week,  in  order  to  transact 
the  business  relating  to  their  office;  and 
shall  open,  and  close  their  meeting  with 
prayer.  The  Minister  shall  carefully  in- 
spect their  proceedings;  and,  if  neces- 
sary,  attend   in  person. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ARTICLE  XXXV. 
A  neighbouring  Minister  (if  there  is 
none  belonging  to  the  Consistory)  must 
be  invited  to  superintend  the  proceedings, 
whenever  a  Consistory  is  desirous  of 
making  a  call.  The  instrument  is  to  be 
signed  by  all  the  members  of  the  Con- 
sistorj-,  or  by  the  president,  in  the  name 
of  the  Consistory;  and  if  the  church  is 
incorporated,  it  is  proper  to  affix  the  seal 
of  the  corporation.-  When  the  call  is 
completed,  it  must  be  laid  by  the  Con- 
sistory before  the  Classis,  and  be  ap- 
proved by  the  same,  before  it  can  be 
presented  to  the  person  called.*  And  if 
the  call  be  accepted,  the  approbation  of 
the  people  must  be  formally  obtained  by 
the  Consistory  (agreeably  to  Art.  iv.  of 
the  Church  Orders)  before  the  Minister 
may   be   ordained.    [1619,    4.] 


*In  the  United  States  of  America, 
where  civil  and  religious  liberty  are  fully 
enjoyed,  and  where  no  ecclesiastical  es- 
tablishments can  be  formed  by  civil  au- 
thority; the  approbation  of  magistrates  in 
the  calling  of  Ministers,  is  not  required 
or  permitted.  It  was  therefore  judged 
proper  in  the  translation  of  the  Church 
Orders,  to  omit  every  paragraph  which 
referred  to  any  power  of  the  magistrate, 
in  ecclesiastical  affairs,  as  a  matter  mere- 
ly local,  and  peculiar  to  the  European 
establishments. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


xli 


1833 

When  joined  together  in  one  board, 
the  Elders  and  Deacons  have  all  an  equal 
voice  in  whatever  relates  to  the  tem- 
poralities of  the  church,  to  the  calling  of 
a  Minister,  or  the  choice  of  their  own 
successors;  in  all  which  they  are  con- 
sidered as  the  general  and  joint  repre- 
sentatives of  the  people;  but  in  admitting 
members  to  full  communion;  in  exercis- 
ing discipline  upon  those  who  have  erred 
from  the  faith,  or  offended  in  morals; 
and  in  choosing  delegates  to  attend  the 
Classis,  the  Elders,  with  the  Ministers, 
have    alone   a   voice. 

51 

Sec.  3.  No  Consistory  shall  be  con- 
stituted in  any  place  without  the  previous 
advice  and  concurrence  of  Classis. 

52 

Sec.  4.  Elders  and  Deacons  shall  be 
chosen  annually,  and  the  result  of  such 
election  shall  be  published  in  the  church, 
or  usual  place  of  worship  of  the  congre- 
gation, three  successive  Sabbaths  previous 
to  their  ordination,  to  the  end  that  all 
lawful  objections  to  such  ordination  may 
be  offered  to,  and  duly  considered  and 
adjudicated   by    the    Consistory. 

A  majority  of  the  Consistory,  regularly 
convened,  shall  be  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business;  and,  in  like  man- 
ner, a  majority  of  Ministers  and  Elders, 
and  also  a  majority  of  Deacons  so  con- 
vened, shall  be  a  quorum  respectively.  It 
shall  be  competent  for  the  consistory, 
when  an  election  shall  have  been  omitted 
at  the  usual  time,  to  appoint  another 
time  for  that  purpose,  on  an  early  day, 
giving  the  like  notice  as  herein  above 
prescribed,  and  in  like  manner  for  filling 
vacancies  which  may  occur. 
53 

Sec.  5.  The  particular  spiritual  govern- 
ment of  the  congregation  is  committed  to 
the  Ministers  and  Elders.  It  is,  there- 
fore, their  duty  at  all  times  to  be  vigilant, 
to  preserve  discipline,  and  to  promote  the 
peace  and  spiritual  interest  of  the  con- 
gregation. Particularly  before  the  cele- 
bration of  the  Lord's  Supper,  a  faithful 
and  solemn  inquiry  is  to  be  made,  by  the 
President,  whether  to  the  knowledge  of 
those  present,  any  member  in  full  commu- 
nion has  departed  from  the  faith,  or  in 
walk  or  conversation  has  behaved  un- 
worthy the  Christian  profession?  that 
such  as  are  guilty  may  be  properly  re- 
buked, admonished,  or  suspended  from 
the  privilege  of  approaching  the  Lord's 
Table,  and  all  offences  may  be  removed 
out  of  the  church  of  Christ. 
54 
Sec.  6.  None  can  be  received  as  mem- 
bers in  full  communion,  unless  they  first 
shall  have  made  a  confession  of  their 
faith  before  the  Minister,  if  any,  and  the 
Elders,   or  have  produced   a   certificate   of 


1874 

43 

Sec.  2.  When  joined  together  in  one 
Board,  the  Elders  and  Deacons  have  an 
equal  voice  in  whatever  relates  to  the 
temporalities  of  the  Church,  to  the  call- 
ing or  dismission  of  a  Minister,  or  the 
choice  of  their  own  successors;  in  all 
which  they  are  considered  as  the  gen- 
eral and  joint  representatives  of  the  peo- 
ple. But  in  admitting  members  to  full 
communion,  and  in  dismissing  them  to 
other  churches;  in  exercising  discipline 
upon  those  who  have  erred  from  the 
faith,  or  offended  in  morals;  and  in  choos- 
ing delegates  to  attend  the  Classis,  the 
Elders,  with  the  Ministers,  have  alone 
a  voice.  [1792,  26,  27.] 
44 

Sec.  3.  No  Consistory  shall  be  con- 
stituted in  any  place  without  the  previous 
advice  and  concurrence  of  Classis.  [Com- 
pare   1874,    31.] 


45 

Sec.  4.  A  majority  of  the  Consistory, 
regularly  convened,  shall  be  a  quorum 
for  the  transaction  of  business;  and,  in 
like  manner,  a  majority  of  Ministers  and 
Elders  alone,  or  of  Deacons  alone,  so 
convened,  shall  be  a  quorum  respectively. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Consistory, 
when  an  election  shall  have  been  omitted 
at  the  usual  time,  to  appoint  another 
time  for  that  purpose,  on  an  early  day, 
giving  the  like  notice  as  herein  above 
prescribed;  and,  in  like  manner,  to  pro- 
vide for  filling  vacancies. 
46 

Sec.  5.  As  the  spiritual  government 
of  the  congregation  is  committed  to  the 
Ministers  and  Elders,  it  is  their  duty  at 
all  times  to  be  vigilant,  to  preserve  dis- 
cipline, and  to  promote  the  peace  and 
spiritual  interest  of  the  congregation. 
Particularly  before  the  celebration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  a  faithful  and  solemn 
inquiry  is  to  be  made  by  the  President, 
whether,  to  the  knowledge  of  those  pres- 
ent, any  member  in  full  communion  has 
departed  from  the  faith,  or  in  walk  or 
conversation  has  behaved  unworthy  the 
Christian  profession;  that  such  as  are 
guilty  may  be  properly  rebuked,  admon- 
ished, or  suspended  from  the  privilege 
of  approaching  the  Lord's  Table,  and  all 
offenses  mav  be  removed  out  of  the 
Church  of  Christ.  [Compare  1874,  84.] 
47 

Sec.  6.  None  can  be  received  as 
members  in  full  communion,  unless  they 
first  shall  have  made  a  confession  of 
their  faith  before  the  Minister  (if  any) 
and    the    Elders,   or   have  produced    a   cer- 


»1"  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  16 19.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


ARTICLE  XXXVI. 
The  forms  of  calls  have  hitherto  varied. 
In  many  it  has  been  customary  to  enumer- 
ate all  the  particular  duties  to  be  per- 
formed by  the  Minister:  but  as  those 
duties  are  sufficiently  ascertained,  it  is 
judged    unnecessary    to    burthen    the    in- 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


xliii 


1833 

their  being  members  in  full  communion 
of  some  Reformed  Church;  all  such  shall 
be  published  to  the  congregation,  and  be 
registered  as  regular  members  in  the 
church. 

55 
Sec.  7.  In  every  congregation,  a  dis- 
tinct and  fair  register  shall  be  preserved 
by  the  Minister  of  every  baptism  and 
marriage  there  celebrated,  and  of  all  who 
are  received  as  members  in  full  commu- 
nion. It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several 
Consistories  to  make  a  statistical  report 
to  the  Classis  at  their  meeting,  immediate- 
ly proceeding  the  annual  meetings  of  the 
Particular  and  General  Synod,  according 
to  such  formula  as  General  Synod  shall 
prescribe,  and  accompany  the  same  with 
such  remarks  on  the  spiritual  state  of  the 
congregation  as  they  may  deem  proper. 


56 

Sec.  8.  Every  Consistory  shall  keep 
regular  minutes  of  their  meetings  and 
proceedings,  and  shall  lay  such  minutes, 
so  far  as  the  same  relate  to  ecclesiastical 
proceedings,  at  least  once  a  year,  before 
the  Classis  with  which  they  are  con- 
nected, for  their  information. 
57 

Sec.  9.  It  shall  be  incumbent  upon 
members  of  the  church,  in  removing  from 
the  bounds  of  one  church,  to  another,  to 
obtain  a  certificate  of  membership  and 
dismission. 

58 

Sec.  10.  Consistories  possess  the  right 
of  calling  Ministers  for  their  own  con- 
gregations, except  where  otherwise  pro- 
vided for  by  charter.  But  in  exercising 
this  right,  they  are  bound  to  use  their 
utmost  endeavours,  either  by  consulting 
with  the  great  Consistory,  or  with  the 
congregation  at  large,  to  know  what  per- 
son would  be  most  acceptable  to  the 
people. 

59 

Sec.  11.  A  neighbouring  minister  (if 
there  be  none  belonging  to  the  Consistory) 
must  be  invited  to  superintend  the  pro- 
ceedings, whenever  a  Consistory  is  de- 
sirous of  making  a  call.  The  instru- 
ment is  to  be  signed  by  the  members  of 
the  Consistory,  or  by  the  President,  in 
the  name  of  the  Consistory;  and  if  the 
church  be  incorporated,  it  is  proper  to 
affix  the  seal  of  the  corporation.  When 
the  call  is  complete,  it  must  be  laid  by 
the  Consistory  before  the  Classis,  and  be 
approved  by  the  same,  before  it  can  be 
presented  to  the  person  called;  and  if 
the  call  be  accepted,  for  the  purpose  of 
receiving    the    approbation    of    the    people. 


1874 

tificate  of  their  being  members  in  full 
communion  of  some  Evangelical  Church; 
all  such  shall  be  published  to  the  con- 
gregation, and  be  registered  as  regular 
members  in  the  Church.  [1619,  61;  1792, 
62;    1833,    54.] 

48 

Sec.  7.  In  every  congregation,  a  dis- 
tinct and  fair  register  shall  be  preserved 
by  the  Minister  of  every  baptism  [1619, 
60,]  and  marriage  there  celebrated,  and 
of  all  who  are  received  as  members  in 
full  communion.  [1792,  57.]  It  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  several  Consistories 
to  make  a  statistical  report  to  the  Classis 
at  their  meeting  immediately  preceding 
the  annual  meetings  of  the  Particular 
and  the  General  Synod,  according  to 
such  formula  as  the  General  Synod  shall 
prescribe,  and  accompany  the  same  with 
such  remarks  on  the  spiritual  state  of 
the  congregation  as  they  may  deem  pro- 
per. 

49 

Sec.  8.  Every  Consistory  shall  keep 
regular  minutes  of  its  meetings  and  pro- 
ceedings, and  shall  lay  such  minutes, 
so  far  as  the  same  relate  to  ecclesiastical 
proceedings,  at  least  once  a  year,  before 
the  Classis  with  which  it  is  connected, 
for  their  information. 
50 

Sec.  9.  It  shall  be  incumbent  upon 
members  of  the  Church,  in  removing 
from  the  bounds  of  one  church  to  an- 
other, to  obtain  from  the  Consistory  a 
certificate  of  membership  and  dismission. 
[1619,  82;  1792,  62.] 
51 

Sec.  10.  Consistories  possess  the  right 
of  calling  Ministers  for  their  own  con- 
gregations, except  where  otherwise  pro- 
vided for  by  charter.  But,  in  exercis- 
ing this  right,  they  are  bound  to  use 
their  utmost  endeavors,  either  by  con- 
sulting with  the  Great  Consistory  or  with 
the  congregation  at  large,  to  know  what 
person  would  be  most  acceptable  to  the 
people. 

52 

Sec.  11.  A  Minister  of  the  Classis 
must  be  invited  to  superintend  the  pro- 
ceedings, whenever  a  Consistory  is  de- 
sirous of  making  a  call.  The  instrument 
is  to  be  signed  by  the  members  of  the 
Consistory,  or  by  the  President  in  the 
name  of  the  Consistory;  and  if  the 
Church  be  incorporated,  it  is  proper  to 
affix  the  seal  of  the  corporation.  When 
the  call  is  completed,  it  must  be  laid 
by  the  Consistory  before  the  Classis,  and 
be  approved  by  the  same,  before  it  can 
be  presented  to  the  person  called;  and 
if  the  call  be  accepted,  the  name  of 
such  Minister  shall  be  published  in  the 
church  three  Sabbaths  successively,  that 
opportunity     may     be     given     for     stating 


xliv  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


stiunient  with  a  repetition  of  what  the 
very  office  of  a  Minister  implies.  For  the 
sake  of  propriety  therefore,  as  well  as 
uniformity,  it  is  recommended  to  the 
churches,  for  the  future  to  adopt  the  fol- 
lowing   form    of   a   call:    viz. 

To  N.  N. 

Grace,    mercy    and   peace,    from    God    our 

Father,  and  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

"Whereas   the    Church   of  Jesus   Christ 

at    ,    is    at    present    destitute    of    the 

stated  preaching  of  the  word,  and  the 
regular  administration  of  the  ordinances, 
and  is  desirous  of  obtaining  the  means 
01  grace,  which  God  hath  appointed  for 
the  salvation  of  sinners,  through  Jesus 
Christ  his  Son:  And  whereas  the  said 
Church  is  well  satisfied  of  the  piety, 
gifts,  and  ministerial  qualifications  of  you 
N.  N.  and  hath  good  hope  that  your 
labours  in  the  Gospel  will  be  attended 
with  a  blessing;  Therefore,  we  [the  stile 
and  title  of  the  said  Church,]  have  re- 
solved to  call,  and  we  hereby  solemnly, 
and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  do  call  you 
the  said  N.  N.  to  be  our  pastor  and 
teacher,  to  preach  the  word  in  truth  and 
faithfulness,  to  administer  the  holy  sacra- 
ments agreeably  to  the  institution  of 
Christ,  to  maintain  Christian  discipline, 
to  edify  the  congregation,  and  especially 
the  youth,  by  catechetical  instruction; 
and,  as  a  faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ, 
to  fulfil  the  whole  work  of  the  Gospel 
ministry,  agreeably  to  the  word  of  God, 
and  the  excellent  rules  arfd  constitution 
of  our  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  estab- 
lished in  the  last  National  Synod,  held 
at  Dordrecht,  and  ratified  and  explained 
by  the  ecclesiastical  judicatory,  under 
which  we  stand,  and  to  which  you,  upon 
acepting  this  call,  must  with  us  remain 
subordinate. 

"In  fulfilling  the  ordinary  duties  of 
your  ministry,  it  is  expressly  stipulated, 
that  besides  preaching  upon  such  texts  of 
scripture  as  you  may  judge  proper  to  se- 
lect for  our  instruction,  you  also  explain 
a  portion  of  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism 
on  the  Lord's  days,  agreeably  to  the  es- 
tablished order  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church;  and  that  you  farther  conform  in 
rendering  all  that  public  service,  which  is 
usual,  and  has  been  in  constant  practice 
in  our  congregation.  The  particular  ser- 
vice which  will  be  required  of  you,  is 
[here  insert  a  detail  of  such  particulars, 
if  any  there  be,  which  the  situation  of 
the  congregation  may  render  necessary ; 
especially  in  case  of  combinations,  when 
the  service  required  in  the  respective  con- 
gregations, must  be  ascertained ;  or  when 
the  Dutch  and  English  languages  are  both 
requisite,  the  proportion  of  ea^h  may  be 
mentioned,  or  left  discretionary  as  may 
be   judged   proper.] 


i833 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


xlv 


1874 


the  name  of  such  Minister  shall  be  pub- 
lished in  the  church  three  Sabbaths  suc- 
cessively, that  opportunity  may  be  given 
for  stating  lawful  objections,  if  any  there 
be. 

60 

Sec.  12.  For  the  purpose  of  uniform- 
ity, the  form  of  a  call  shall  be  as  fol- 
lows:— 

"To    N.    N. 
"Grace,  mercy,  and  peace,   from  God   our 

jfATHER,  and  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

"Whereas  the   Church   of  Jesus   Christ 

at    ,    is    at    present    destitute    of    the 

stated  preaching  of  the  word,  and  the 
regular  administration  of  the  ordinances, 
and  is  desirous  of  obtaining  the  means 
of  grace,  which  God  hath  appointed  for 
the  salvation  of  sinners,  through  Jesus 
Christ  his  Son:  And,  whereas,  the  said 
Church  is  well  satisfied  of  the  piety,  gifts, 
and  ministerial  qualifications  of  you  N. 
N.,  and  hath  good  hope  that  your  labours 
in  the  Gospel  will  be  attended  with  a 
blessing:  Therefore  we  [the  style  and 
title  of  the  said  Church^  have  resolved 
to  call,  and  we  hereby  solemnly,  and  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  do  call  you,  the  said 
N.  N.,  to  be  our  pastor  and  teacher,  to 
preach  the  word  in  truth  and  faithful- 
ness, to  administer  the  holy  Sacraments 
agreeably  to  the  institution  of  Christ,  to 
maintain  Christian  discipline,  to  edify  the 
congregation,  and  especially  the  youth, 
by  catechetical  instructions;  and,  as  a 
faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  fulfil 
the  whole  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry, 
agreeably  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the 
excellent  rules  and  constitution  of  our 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  established  in 
the  last  National  Synod,  held  at  Dord- 
recht, and  ratified  and  explained  by  the 
ecclesiastical  judicatory  under  which  we 
stand,  and  to  which  you,  upon  accept- 
ing this  call,  must  with  us  remain  sub- 
ordinate. 

"In  fulfilling  the  ordinary  duties  of 
your  ministry,  it  is  expressly  stipulated, 
that  besides  preaching  upon  such  texts  of 
Scripture  as  you  may  judge  proper  to 
select  for  our  instruction,  you  also  ex- 
plain a  portion  of  the  Heidelbergh  Cate- 
chism on  the  Lord's  days,  agreeably  to 
the  established  order  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church;  and  that  you  farther  con- 
form in  rendering  all  that  public  service 
which  is  usual,  and  has  been  in  constant 
practice  in  our  congregation.  The  parti- 
cular service  which  will  be  required  of 
you  is,  [here  insert  a  detail  of  such  par- 
ticulars, if  any  there  he,  which  the  situa- 
tion of  the  congregation  may  render 
necessary ;  especially  in  case  of  combina- 
tions, when  the  service  required  in  the 
respective  congregations  must  he  ascer- 
tained; or  when  the  Dutch  and  English 
languages  are  hoth  requisite,  the  propor- 
tion of  each  may  he  mentioned,  or  left 
discretionary   as   may    he   judged   proper. "^ 


lawful  objections,  if  any  there  be.  When 
any  circumstances  shall,  in  the  judgment 
of  the  Consistory,  make  the  presiding 
of  their  own  Minister  at  its  own  sessions 
undesirable,  they  may,  on  the  request 
of  their  pastor,  invite  a  Minister  of 
their  own  Classis  to  preside  on  the  oc- 
casion. 

53 

Sec.    1.2.     For    the    purpose    of    unifor- 
mity,  the   form   of  a  call   shall  be   as   fol- 
lows: "To  N.  N. 
"Grace,  Mercy,  and  Peace,  from  God  our 

Father,  and  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

"Whereas,  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 

at   is    at    present    destitute   of    the 

stated  preaching  of  the  Word,  and  the 
regular  administration  of  the  ordinances, 
and  is  desirous  of  obtaining  the  means 
of  grace,  which  God  hath  appointed  for 
the  salvation  of  sinners,  through  Jesus 
Christ  his  Son:  And  Whereas,  the  said 
Church  is  well  satisfied  of  the  piety, 
gifts,  and  ministerial  qualifications  of 
you,  N.  N.,  and  hath  good  hope  that  your 
labors  in  the  Gospel  will  be  attended 
with  a  blessing:  Therefore,  we  {the  style 
and  title  of  the  said  Church)  have  re- 
solved to  call,  and  we  hereby  solemnly, 
and  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  do  call 
you,  the  said  N.  N.,  to  be  our  pastor 
and  teacher,  to  preach  the  Word  in 
truth  and  faithfulness,  to  administer  the 
holy  Sacraments  agreeably  to  the  insti- 
tution of  Christ,  to  maintain  Christian 
discipline,  to  edify  the  congregation,  and 
especially  the  youth,  by  catechetical  in- 
structions; and,  as  a  faithful  servant 
of  Jesus  Christ,  to  fulfill  the  whole  work 
of  the  Gospel  ministry,  agreeably  to 
the  Word  of  God,  and  the  excellent  Rules 
and  Constitution  of  our  Reformed 
(Dutch)  Church,  and  to  which  you,  upon 
accepting  the  call,  must  with  us  remain 
subordinate. 

"In  fulfilling  the  ordinary  duties  of 
your  ministry,  it  is  expressly  stipulated, 
that,  besides  preaching  upon  such  texts 
of  Scripture  as  you  may  judge  proper 
to  select  for  our  instruction,  you  also 
explain  a  portion  of  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  on  the  Lord's  Days,  agreeably 
to  the  established  order  of  the  Reformed 
(Dutch)  Church;  and  that  you  further 
conform  in  rendering  all  that  public 
service  which  is  usual,  and  has  been  in 
constant  practice  in  our  congregation. 
The  particular  service  which  will  be  re- 
quired of  you  is  (here  insert  a  detail 
of  such  particulars,  if  any  there  he, 
which  the  situation  of  the  congregation 
may  render  necessary ;  especially  in  case 
of  comhinations,  when  the  service  re- 
quired in  the  respective  congregations 
must  be  ascertained;  or  when  the  Dutch 
and  English  languages  are  hoth  requi- 
site, the  proportion  of  each  may  be  men- 
tioned or  left  discretionary,  as  may  he 
judged  proper). 


xlvi  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

"To  encourage  you  in  the  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  your  important  office, 
we  promise  you  in  the  name  of  this 
Church,  all  proper  attention,  love  and 
obedience  in  the  Lord;  and  to  free  you 
from  worldly  cares  and  avocations,  while 
you  are  dispensing  spiritual  blessings  to 
us,  we  [the  Elders  and  Deacons,  &c.  the 
stile  and  title  of  the  Church.]  do  promise 
and  oblige  ourselves  to  pay  to  you  the 
sum  of  ,  in  payments,  year- 
ly and  every  year  as  long  as  you  con- 
tinue the  Minister  of  this  church,  together 
with  [such  particulars  as  may  refer  to  a 
parsonage  or  other  emoluments.]  For  the 
performance  of  all  which,  we  hereby  bind 
ourselves,  and  our  successors  firmly  by 
these  presents.  The  Lord  incline  your 
heart  to  a  cheerful  acceptance  of  this 
call,  and  send  you  to  us  in  the  fulness  of 
the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  peace! 

Done  in  Consistory,  and  subscribed  with 

our   names,  this  day  of  in  the 

year   ." 

Attested  by  N.  N.,  Moderator  of  the  call. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


xlvii 


1833 


1874 


'"To  encourage  you  in  the  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  your  important  office,  we 
promise  you,  in  the  name  of  this  church, 
all  proper  attention,  love,  and  obedience 
in  tne  Lord;  and  to  free  you  from  world- 
ly cares  and  avocations,  while  you  are 
dispensing  spiritual  blessings  to  us,  we 
[the  Elders  and  Deacons,  &c.,  the  style 
and  title  of  the  Church]  do  promise  and 
oblige    ourselves    to    pay    to    you    the    sum 

of    ,    in    payments,    yearly    and 

every  year  as  long  as  you  continvie  the 
Minister  of  this  Church,  together  with 
[such  particulars  as  may  refer  to  a  par- 
sonage or  other  emoluments.]  For  the 
performance  of  all  which,  we  hereby  bind 
ourselves,  and  our  successors,  firmly  by 
these  presents.  The  Lord  incline  your 
heart  to  a  cheerful  acceptance  of  this 
call,  and  send  you  to  us  in  the  fulness  of 
the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  peace! 

"Done    in    Consistory,    and    subscribed 

with  our  names,  this  day  of  ,  in 

the   year  ." 

Attested  by  N.  N.,  Moderator  of  the 
call. 


61 
Sec.  13.  Since  it  is  deemed  of  the 
highest  importance  that  there  should  be 
regular  instruction  on  the  great  articles 
of  the  Christian  faith,  in  order  to  pre- 
serve the  truth,  and  to  promote  the 
prosperity  of  the  Church,  every  Minister 
shall,  in  the  ordinary  morning  or  after- 
noon service  on  the  Lord's  day,  explain 
the  system  of  the  Christian  doctrine  com- 
prehended in  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism 
adopted  by  the  Reformed  Churches,  so 
that,  if  practicable,  the  explanation  may 
be  annually  completed,  but  shall  never 
be  extended  beyond  the  term  of  four 
years.  The  several  Classes  shall,  at  their 
stated  meetings,  preceding  the  annual 
meeting  of  General  Synod,  make  strict  in- 
quiry whether  the  preceding  part  of  this 
section  has  been  fully  complied  with  by 
every  Minister,  and  if  any  Minister  shall 
be  found  deficient,  without  sufficient  rea- 
son, the  Classis  shall  inflict  such  censure 
as  they  in  their  wisdom  may  judge  the 
omission  to  merit;  and  the  several  Classes 
shall  make  a  full  and  faithful  report  of 
the  result  of  their  inquiries  nad  doings 
on  this  behalf  to  the  Particular  Synod. 


62 
Sec.  14.  When  any  Minister  shall  be 
duly  convicted  of  any  offence  which  im- 
plicates the  purity  of  his  clerical  char- 
acter, and  shall,  in  consequence  of  such 
conviction,  be  suspended  from  his  office, 
the  conviction  and  suspension  shall  be 
sustained  on  a  final  appeal,  his  pastoral 
connexion  with  the  congregation  in  which 
he  was  settled  shall,  if  the  consistory  so 
elect,  be  ipso  facto  dissolved. 


"To  encourage  you  in  the  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  your  important  office,  we 
promise  you,  in  the  name  of  this  Church, 
all  proper  attention,  love,  and  obedience 
in  the  Lord;  and  to  free  you  from 
worldly  cares  and  avocations,  while  you 
are  dispensing  spiritual  blessings  to  us, 
we  (the  Elders  and  Deacons,  etc.,  the 
style  and  title  of  the  Church)  do  promise 
and    oblige    ourselves    to    pay    to    you    the 

sum     of     ,     in     payments, 

yearly,  and  every  year  as  long  as  you 
continue  the  Minister  of  this  church, 
together  with  (such  particulars  as  may 
refer  to  a  parsonage  or  other  emolu- 
ments). For  the  performance  of  all 
which,  we  hereby  bind  ourselves,  and 
our  successors,  firmly,  by  these  pres- 
ents. The  Lord  incline  your  heart  to  a 
cheerful  acceptance  of  this  call,  and 
send  you  to  us  in  the  fullness  of  the 
blessing  of  the  Gospel  of  peace. 
,"Done  in  Consistory,  and  subscribed  with 

our    names,    this    day    of    , 

in   the   year   of  ■ — ." 

Attested  by  N.  N.,  Moderator  of  the 
call. 

54 

Sec.  13.  Since  it  is  deemed  of  the 
highest  importance  that  there  should  be 
regular  instruction  on  the  great  articles 
of  the  Christian  faith,  in  order  to  pre- 
serve the  truth,  and  to  promote  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Church,  every  Minister 
shall,  in  the  ordinary  morning  or  after- 
noon service  on  the  Lord's  Day,  ex- 
plain the  system  of  the  Christian  doc- 
trine comprehended  in  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  adopted  by  the  Reformed 
Churches,  so  that,  if  practicable,  the  ex- 
planation may  be  annually  completed, 
but  shall  never  be  extended  beyond  the 
term  of  four  years.  The  several  Classes 
shall,  at  their  stated  meetings,  preceding 
the  annual  meeting  of  General  Synod, 
make  strict  inquiry  whether  the  preced- 
ing part  of  this  section  has  been  fully 
complied  with  by  every  Minister,  and  if 
any  Minister  shall  be  found  deficient, 
without  sufficient  reason,  the  Classis  shall 
inflict  such  censure  as  they  in  their  wis- 
dom may  judge  the  omission  to  merit; 
and  the  several  Classes  shall  make  a  full 
and  faithful  report  of  the  result  of  their 
inquiries  and  doings  on  this  behalf  to  the 
Particular  Synod.  [1619,  68,  44;  1792,  36, 
44;  1833,  61,  72;  1874,  53,  64.] 
55 

Sec.  14.  When  any  Minister  shall  be 
duly  convicted  of  any  offense  which  af- 
fects the  purity  of  his  clerical  character, 
he  shall,  in  consequence  of  such  convic- 
tion, be  suspended  from  his  office;  and 
if  the  conviction  and  suspension  shall 
be  sustained  on  a  final  appeal,  his  pastoral 
connection  with  the  congregation  in  which 
he  was  settled  shall  be,  ipso  facto,  dis- 
solved. [1619.  79;  1792.  71.  72;  1833, 
100,   101;    1874,    59,   92-94.] 


xlviii 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ARTICLE  XXXVII. 

Consistories  which  have  hitherto  com- 
bined with  one  or  more  neighbouring 
Consistories,  in  making  calls  and  having 
a  Minister  to  serve  in  common,  may  not 
at  pleasure  break  such  combination;  but 
whenever  their  situation  and  circum- 
stances render  them  capable  of  severally 
calling  a  Minister,  a  representation  there- 
of must  be  made  to  the  Classis,  and 
leave  be  first  requested  and  obtained, 
before  their  former  connections  can  be 
dissolved. 


ARTICLE  XLI. 
The  CLASSICAL  ASSEMBLIES  shall  be  com- 
posed of  neighbouring  churches;  each  of 
which  shall  send  one  Minister,  and  one 
Elder,  with  proper  credentials,  to  the 
place,  and  at  the  time  agreed  upon  at  the 
rising  of  the  preceding  Classis:  provided 
always,  that  the  intervals  between  the 
Classical  Meetings  shall  not  exceed  three 
months.  [1833,  71;  1874,  63.]  In  those 
Assemblies  the  Ministers  shall  preside  in 
rotation,  or  otherwise  a  Praeses  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  Members,  so  that  the 
same  person,  however,  be  not  chosen 
twice  successively.  The  Praeses  shall 
moreover  enquire  of  the  Members  re- 
spectively, whether  they  observe  their 
Consistorial  Meetings;  whether  Church 
Discipline  be  exercised;  whether  the 
Poor,  and  the  Schools  are  properly  taken 
care  of;  and,  whether  they  stand  in  need 
of  the  advice  and  assistance  of  the  Clas- 
sis,   in    any    thing    respecting    the    regula- 


IL  CLASSIS. 
ARTICLE  XXXVIII. 
The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  holds  the 
middle  station  between  two  extremes.  On 
the  one  hand,  she  denies  all  superiority 
of  one  Minister  of  Christ  over  another; 
[1619,  17,  84.]  and  on  the  other,  con- 
siders independent,  unconnected  congre- 
gations, as  unsafe  and  inconvenient.  In 
oruer  therefore  to  unite  both  council  and 
energy  for  the  promotion  of  the  spiritual 
interests  of  the  church,  consistent  with 
the  liberty  and  dignity  of  the  Gospel  Dis- 
pensation, her  government  is  administered 
by  Classes  and  Synods.  A  Classis  con- 
sists (Art.  41.  Church  Orders)  of  all  the 
Ministers,  with  each  an  Elder,  and  one 
Elder  from  every  vacant  congregation 
within  a  particular  district.  In  this  As- 
sembly, an  immediate  representation  of 
all  the  churches  within  those  limits  is 
formed;  and  a  power  of  regvilating  the 
common   measures   for  promoting   religion. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


xlix 


1833 

63 

Sec.  15.  Consistories  which  have  hith- 
erto combined  with  one  or  more  neigh- 
bouring Consistories,  in  making  calls  and 
having  a  Minister  to  serve  in  common, 
may  not  at  pleasure  break  such  combina- 
tion; but  whenever  their  situation  and 
circumstances  render  them  capable  of 
severally  calling  a  Minister,  a  representa- 
tion thereof  must  be  made  to  the  Classis, 
and  leave  be  first  requested  and  obtained, 
before  their  former  connexions  can  be 
dissolved. 

64 

Sec.  16.  When  matters  of  peculiar  im- 
portance occur,  particularly  in  calling  a 
Minister,  building  of  churches,  or  what- 
ever relates  immediately  to  the  peace  and 
welfare  of  the  whole  congregation,  it  is 
usual  (and  it  is  strongly  recommended 
upon  such  occasions  always)  for  the  Con- 
sistory to  call  together  all  those  who 
have  ever  served  as  Elders  or  Deacons, 
that  by  their  advice  and  counsel  they 
may  assist  the  members  of  the  Consistory. 
These,  when  assembled,  constitute  what 
is  called  the  Great  Consistory.  From  the 
object,  or  design  of  their  assembling,  the 
respective  powers  of  each  are  easily  as- 
certained. Those  who  are  out  of  office 
have  only  an  advisory  or  counselling 
voice;  and,  as  they  are  not  actually  mem- 
bers of  the  board  or  corporation,  cannot 
have  a  decisive  vote.  After  obtaining 
the  advice,  it  rests  with  the  members  of 
the  Consistory  to  follow  the  counsel 
given  them,  or  not,  as  they  shall  judge 
proper.  But,  unless  very  urgent  reasons 
should  appear  to  the  contrary,  it  will  be 
prudent  and  expedient,  in  all  cases,  to 
comply  with  the  advice  of  those  who, 
from  their  members  and  influence  in  the 
congregation,  may  be  supposed  to  speak 
the  language  of  the  people,  and  to  know 
what  will  be  most  for  edification  and 
peace. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Of  the  Classis. 

65 

Sec.  1.  A  Classis  consists  of  all  the 
Ministers,  and  an  Elder  delegated  from 
each  Consistory  within  the  bounds  pre- 
scribed by  Particular  Synod.  Collegiate 
Churches  shall  be  entitled  to  an  Elder 
for  each  ordinary  worshipping  assembly. 
To  constitute  a  Classis,  at  least  three 
Ministers  and  three  Elders  are  required. 
66 

Sec.  2.  Classis  shall  have  the  power  of 
approving  or  disapproving  calls;  ordain- 
ing, suspending,  and  deposing  Ministers, 
or  dismissing  them  when  called  elsewhere. 
They  shall  have  the  power  of  forming 
new    congregations,    and    determining    the 


1874 

56 
Sec.  15.  Consistories  which  have  hith- 
erto combined  with  one  or  more  neigh- 
boring Consistories,  in  making  calls,  and 
having  a  Minister  to  serve  in  common, 
may  not  at  pleasure  break  such  combina- 
tion; but  whenever  their  situation  and 
circumstances  render  them  capable  of 
severally  calling  a  Minister,  a  represen- 
tation thereof  must  be  made  to  the  Clas- 
sis, and  leave  be  first  requested  and  ob- 
tained, before  their  former  connections 
can   be   dissolved. 

57 
Sec.  16.  As  in  calling  a  Minister, 
Consistories  are  bound  to  consult  with 
the  Great  Consistory,  or  with  the  con- 
gregation at  large,  so  when  other  matters 
of  peculiar  importance  occur,  relating  to 
the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  whole  con- 
gregation, they  are  strongly  recommended 
to  seek  such  advice.  All  who  have  ever 
served  as  Elders  or  Deacons,  constitute, 
when  assembled,  what  is  called  the  Great 
Consistory;  but  being  out  of  office,  and 
not  actually  members  of  the  Board  of 
Corporation,  they  have  only  an  advisory 
voice.      [1792,    29.] 


ARTICLE    VII. 

OF     THE     CLASSIS. 
58 

Sec.  1.  A  Classis  consists  of  all  the 
Ministers,  and  an  Elder  delegated  by  each 
Consistory  within  the  bounds  prescribed 
by  Particular  Synod.  Collegiate  Churches 
shall  be  entitled  to  an  Elder  for  each 
ordinary  worshiping  assembly.  To  con- 
stitute a  Classis,  at  least  three  Ministers 
and  three  Elders  are  required. 

59 

Sec.  2.  Classis  shall  have  the  power 
of  approving  or  disapproving  calls;  con- 
stituting and  dissolving  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion; ordaining,  installing,  suspending, 
deposing,  and  dismissing  Ministers.  They 
shall  have  the  power  of  forming  and  dis- 
banding  congregations,   of   approving   and 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  16 19. 

tion  of  their  churches.  The  Minister 
who  was  appointed  by  the  last  preceding 
Classis,  shall,  at  the  opening  of  the  ses- 
sion, deliver  a  sermon,  of  which  the 
other  Members  are  to  judge,  and  to  point 
out  its  defects,  if  any  there  be.  Lastly, 
the  Classis  shall,  at  their  meeting  next 
preceding  that  of  the  Particular  Synod, 
appoint  Delegates  to  attend  the  said 
Synod.      [1619,   44.] 

ARTICLE  XLII. 

In  churches  where  there  are  more  Min- 
isters than  one,  each  Minister  shall  have 
liberty  to  ai)pear  in  the  Classis,  and  be 
entitled  to  a  deciding  voice;  such  cases 
excepted,  which  particularly  affect  their 
persons,    or   congregations. 

ARTICLE    XLIIL 

At  the  close  of  the  Classical,  and  other 
higher  Assemblies,  a  censura  morum 
shall  be  held  with  respect  to  those  who 
have  been  guilty  of  any  censurable  con- 
duct in  the  Assembly,  or  who  have  de- 
spised the  admonitions  of  the  lesser 
Tudicatories. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

preventing  error,  and  preserving  peace 
within  such  district  is  lodged.  To  consti- 
tute a  Classis  are  required  at  least  three 
Ministers   and    three    Elders. 

ARTICLE  XXXIX. 

Classes  are  invested  with  the  power  of 
approving  or  disapproving  calls,  and  of 
ordaining  or  deposing  Ministers,  or  dis- 
missing them  when  called  elsewhere.  They 
have  cognizance  of  whatever  respects  the 
welfare  of  their  particular  churches,  for 
the  management  of  which  the  Consistories 
may  be  incompetent.  To  the  Classes  also 
appertain  the  receiving  and  determining 
all  appeals  from  consistorial  adjudications, 
as  well  as  all  cases  respecting  either  Min- 
isters or  people  which  may  arise  within 
their  jurisdiction,  and  are  regularly 
brought  before  them:  The  forming  new 
congregations,  and  determining  the  boun- 
daries, when  contested  between  congre- 
gations already  formed;  the  continuing 
combinations,  or  the  dissolution  or  change 
of  the  same,  as  may  be  requested  by  the 
people,  or  be  judged  necessary  among  the 
respective   congregations. 

Among  the  proper  powers  of  Classes, 
that  of  examining  students  of  Theology 
for  their  becoming  candidates  for  the 
ministry,  and  of  candidates  for  their  be- 
coming Ministers,  is  very  important,  and 
must  always  be  attended  to  with  great 
prudence,  zeal,  and  fidelity.  This  power 
(which  for  certain  reasons,  has  hither- 
to been  exercised  only  by  the  Synod,) 
shall,  agreeably  to  the  government  and 
discipline  of  the  church,  for  the  future, 
be  also  exercised  by  the  respective 
Classes. 

ARTICLE  XL. 

It  shall  be  left  to  the  discretion  of 
every  student  in  Theology,  to  apply  either 
to  the  Synod  or  to  any  Classis  he  may 
choose,  for  examination.*  But  a  candi- 
date who  has  received  a  call,  must  be  ex- 
amined by  the  Classis  under  whose  juris- 
diction the  church  that  has  made  the  call 
is  placed;  unless  such  candidate  should 
prefer  being  examined  by  the  Synod. 
ri792.    47.] 


•Substitute:  "It  shall  be  obligatory  upon 
all  students  in  Theology,  after  they  shall 
have  completed  their  course  of  study,  to 
return  to  their  respective  Classes  for 
examination  and  licensure,  unless  liberty 
be  obtained  from  the  Classis  to  which 
they  belong,  to  be  examined  and  licensed 
in  some  other  Classis."  Adopted  [1820, 
14.   701.      See   also   [1819,   32,   41]. 

ARTICLE  XLI. 
At  every  examination  of  a  student  or 
candidate  by  a  Classis,  two  of  the  Depu- 
tati  Synodi  shall  be  present,  who  shall 
see  that  the  examination  is  performed 
with  strictness,  propriety,  and  justice. 
That   the   Deputati   may   obtain   proper   and 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


1833 

boundaries  of  congregations  when  such 
boundaries  are  contested;  of  continuing 
combinations  of  two  or  more  congrega- 
tions, the  dissolution  and  change  of  the 
same;  and  a  general  supervising  power 
in  cases  of  appeal  over  the  acts  and 
proceedings  of  the  Consistories  within 
their  bounds,  which  relate  to  the  spiritual 
concerns  of  their  particular  churches,  and 
the  conduct  of  any  of  the  officers  thereof. 
67 
Sec.  3.  The  peculiar  prerogative  of 
Classes,  that  of  examining  students  of 
theology  for  their  becoming  candidates 
for  the  ministry,  and  of  candidates  for 
their  becoming  Ministers,  is  very  impor- 
tant, and  must  always  be  attended  to  with 
great  prudence,  zeal,  and  fidelity.  Every 
student  of  theology,  when  he  shall  have 
become  prepared  for  examination  for  li- 
censure, shall  present  himself  for  such 
examination  to  the  Classis  within  whose 
bounds  he  resided  when  he  entered  upon 
his  preparatory  studies,  and  a  candidate 
who  has  received  a  call,  must  be  examined 
by  the  Classis  under  whose  jurisdiction 
the  church  that  has  made  the  call  is 
placed. 


1874 

dissolving  combinations  of  two  or  more 
congregations;  and  of  exercising  a  gen- 
eral superintendence  over  the  spiritual 
interests  and  concerns  of  the  several 
churches,  and  an  appellate  supervising 
power  over  the  acts,  proceedings,  and 
decisions  of  the  Consistories  relating  to 
Christian    discipline. 

60 

Sec.  3.  The  peculiar  prerogative  of 
Classes,  that  of  examining  students  of 
Theology  for  their  becoming  candidates 
for  the  ministry,  and  of  candidates  for 
their  becoming  Ministers,  is  very  import- 
ant, and  must  always  be  attended  to  with 
great  prudence,  zeal,  and  fidelity.  Eve»y 
student  of  Theology,  when  he  shall  have 
become  prepared  for  examination  for  li- 
censure, shall  present  himself  for  such 
examination  to  the  Classis  within  whose 
bounds  he  resided  when  he  entered  upon 
his  preparatory  studies,  and  a  candidate 
who  has  received  a  call  must  be  ex- 
amined by  the  Classis  under  whose  juris- 
diction the  church  that  has  made  the  call 
is  placed.      [See  amendment  to  1792,  40.] 

[See  Mints.  Gen.  Syn.  1872,  §  4,  for 
proposed  article  on  the  Deputati  Synodi. 
This  article  was  submitted  to  the  Classes 
separately  and  rejected.  1872,  489;  1873, 
722;  1874,  108.     See  note  to  1874,  67.] 


68 

Sec.  4.  At  every  examination  of  a 
student  or  candidate  by  a  Classis,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  two  of  the  Deputati  Synodi 
to  be  present,  and  no  examination  shall 
in  any  case  proceed  without  the  attend- 
ance of  one  Deputatus  from  another 
Classis,  who  shall  see  that  the  examina- 
tion is  performed  with  strictness,  pro- 
priety,   and    justice,    and    duly    report    the 


Hi 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 


ARTICLE  XLIV. 
Each  Classis  shall  authorize  two  or 
more  of  the  eldest,  most  experienced, 
and  best  qualified  of  its  members,  an- 
nually to  visit  all  the  churches  belonging 
to  its  jurisdiction,  both  in  the  cities,  and 
in  the  country;  whose  business  it  shall 
be  to  enquire,  whether  the  Ministers, 
Consistories,  and  School-masters  do 
faithfully  discharge  their  offices;  whether 
they  adhere  to  sound  doctrine;  whether 
they  observe,  in  all  things,  the  received 
discipline;  and  promote,  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, by  word  and  deed,  the  edification 
of    the    congregation    in    general,    and    of 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

timely  notice,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
president  of  the  last  preceding  Classis, 
upon  application  being  made  to  him  for 
an  examination,  to  send  immediate  in- 
formation to  the  Deputati,  and  com- 
municate the  time  and  place  when  and 
where  the  same  is  to  be  held,  in  such 
manner  that  the  Deputati  shall  be  notified 
at  least  two  weeks  before  such  exami- 
nation.   [1619,  49;   1833,  79.] 

ARTICLE    XLII. 

Every  Classis  shall  keep  a  book,  in 
which  the  forms  of  subscriptions  for  can- 
didates and  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  are 
fairly  written,  which  those  who  are  ex- 
amined and  approved,  shall  respectively 
subscribe  in  the  presence  of  the  Classis. 
It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  every  Classis, 
annually  to  report  to  the  Synod,  all  per- 
sons who  have  been  examined  and  licensed, 
as  well  as  those  who  have  been  ordained; 
and  also,  all  removals  of  Ministers  from 
one  place  to  another,  or  by  death,  which 
may  have  happened  within  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  such  Classis,  since  the  last  ses- 
sion  of  Synod. 

ARTICLE  XLIIL 

Whenever  the  examination  of  a  candi- 
date for  the  Ministry,  the  approbation  of 
a  call,  or  any  other  ordinary  business 
which  could  not  be  transacted  at  the 
stated  meeting,  shall  render  an  extraordi- 
nary meeting  of  the  Classjs  necessary,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  of  the 
last  Classis,  upon  application  being  made 
to  him  for  that  purpose,  to  call  by  cir- 
cular letters,  the  members  together.  And, 
whenever  two  Ministers  and  two  Elders 
belonging  to  the  Classis  shall,  upon  any 
occasion,  request  in  writing  under  their 
hands,  an  extlraordinary  meeting,  the 
president  of  the  last  Classis  may  not 
refuse  calling  the  same;  provided  that 
the  expenses  attending  all  extraordinary 
meetings  of  the  Classis  shall  be  always 
supported  by  the  persons  or  congregation, 
at  whose  request,  or  for  whose  benefit, 
such   session  is  held. 

ARTICLE    XLIV. 

Once  every  year  the  Classis  shall  direct 
what  shall  be  deemed  necessary  and  prac- 
ticable with  regard  to  the  visitation  of 
the  churches,  within  their  respective  juris- 
dictions, and  report  the  same  to  the  Syn- 
od. For  the  more  uniform  and  proper 
execution  of  this  important  duty,  such 
particular  questions  and  inquiries  as  shall 
be  agreed  upon,  in  any  General  Synod 
for  that  purpose,  shall  be  inserted  in  the 
book  of  records  of  every  Classis,  and  by 
the  visitors  be  faithfully  proposed  to  the 
Minister,  Elders,  and  Deacons  of  every 
congregation  in  their  respective  visita- 
tions.   [1833,    72;    1874,   64.] 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


liii 


1833 


1874 


same  to  the  next  Particular  Synod.  That 
the  Deputati  may  obtain  proper  and  timely 
notice,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Classis,  upon  application  being 
made  to  him  for  an  examination,  (which 
application  shall  be  made  at  least  four 
weeks  before  the  contemplated  meeting 
of  Classis,)  to  send  immediate  informa- 
tion to  the  Deputati,  and  communicate 
the  time  and  place  when  and  where  the 
same  is  to  be  held,  in  such  manner  that 
the  Deputati  shall  be  notified  at  least 
three  weeks  before  such  examination. 
69 

Sec.  5.  Every  Classis  shall  keep  a 
book,  in  which  the  forms  of  subscriptions 
for  candidates  and  Ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel are  fairly  written,  which  those  who 
are  examined  and  approved,  shall  respec- 
tively subscribe  in  the  presence  of  the 
Classis.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of 
every  Classis,  annually  to  report  to  the 
Synod  all  persons  who  have  been  exam- 
ined and  licensed,  as  well  as  those  who 
have  ben  ordained;  and  also,  all  removals 
of  Ministers  from  one  place  to  another, 
or  by  death,  which  may  have  happened 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  such  Classis, 
since  the  last  session  of  Synod. 
70 

Sec.  6.  Whenever  the  examination  of 
a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  the  appro- 
bation of  a  call,  or  any  other  special 
business  shall  render  an  extraordinary 
meeting  of  the  Classis  necessary,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  President  of  the  Clas- 
sis, upon  application  being  made  to  him 
for  that  purpose,  to  call,  by  circular  let- 
ters, the  members  together.  And,  when- 
ever two  Ministers  and  two  Elders  be- 
longing to  the  Classis  shall,  upon  any 
occasion,  request  in  writing,  under  their 
hands,  an  extraordinary  meeting,  the 
President  of  the  Classis  may  not  refuse 
calling  the  same;  provided  that  the  ex- 
penses attending  all  extraordinary  meet- 
ings of  the  Classis  shall  be  always  sup- 
ported by  the  person  or  congregation  at 
whose  request,  or  for  whose  benefit,  such 
session  is  held. 

71 

Sec.  7.  The  meetings  of  the  Classis 
shall  be  semi-annual,  at  such  times  as 
they  may  respectively  determine;  and  at 
every  ordinary  session,  a  sermon  shall  be 
preached. 

72 

Sec.  8.  The  Classis  shall  at  their  meet- 
ing next  preceding  that  of  the  Particular 
Synod,  appoint  delegates  to  attend  the 
said  Synod,  and  nominate  delegates  to 
the  General  Synod;  and,  as  the  same 
meeting,  shall  put  to  the  Ministers  and 
Elders,  respectively,  the  following  in- 
quiries, and  enter  in  detail  the  several 
answers  given  by  each  Minister  and 
Elder,  on  the  minutes,  for  the  informa- 
tion of  the  higher  judicatories: — 


61 

Sec.  4.  Every  Classis  shall  keep  a 
book,  in  which  the  forms  of  subscriptions 
for  candidates  and  Ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel are  fairly  written,  which  those  who 
are  examined  and  approved  shall  respec- 
tively subscribe  in  the  presence  of  the 
Classis.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of 
every  Classis,  annually,  to  report  to  the 
Synod  all  persons  who  have  been  ex- 
amined and  licensed,  as  well  as  those 
who  have  been  ordained;  and  also,  all 
removals  of  Ministers  from  one  place  to 
another,  or  by  death,  which  may  have 
happened  within  the  jurisdiction  of  such 
Classis,  since  the  last  session  of  Synod. 
62 

Sec.  5.  Whenever  the  examination  of 
a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  the  appro- 
bation of  a  call,  or  any  other  special 
business,  shall  render  an  extraordinary 
meeting  of  the  Classis  necessary,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  President  of  the  Clas- 
sis, upon  application  being  made  to  him 
for  that  purpose,  to  call,  by  circular  let- 
ters, the  members  together.  And,  when- 
ever two  Ministers  and  two  Elders  be- 
longing to  the  Classis  shall,  upon  any 
occasion,  request  in  writing,  under  their 
hands,  an  extraordinary  meeting,  the 
President  of  the  Classis  may  not  refuse 
calling  the  same;  provided  that  the  ex- 
penses attending  all  extraordinary  meet- 
ings of  the  Classis  shall  be  paid  by  the 
person  or  congregation  at  whose  request, 
or  for  whose  benefit,  such  session  is  held, 
63 

Sec.  6.  The  meetings  of  the  Classis 
shall  be  semi-annual,  at  such  times  as 
they  may  respectively  determine;  and 
at  every  ordinary  session  there  shall  be 
a  sermon,  or  other  devotional  services, 
or  both.  [1619,  41.] 
64 

Sec.  7.  The  Classes  shall,  at  their 
meeting  next  preceding  that  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synod,  appoint  delegates  to  at- 
tend the  said  Synod,  and  nominate  dele- 
gates to  the  General  Synod;  and,  at  the 
same  meeting,  shall  put  to  the.  Minis- 
ters and  Elders,  respectively,  the  follow- 
ing inquiries,  and  enter  in  detail  the 
several  answers  given  by  each  Minister 
and  Elder,  on  the  minutes,  for  the  in- 
formation of  the  higher  Judicatories: 
[1792,     44.] 


liv  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  or  Dort.  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

the  youth  in  particular:  that  so  they 
may  seasonably,  and  in  a  brotherly  man- 
ner, admonish  those  who,  in  either  of 
these  particulars,  may  be  found  negli- 
gent; and,  by  their  counsel  and  conduct, 
assist  in  directing  all  things  to  the  edifi- 
cation and  prosperity  of  the  churches 
and  schools.  Each  Classis  may  continue 
their  Visitors  in  office  during  pleasure, 
except  when  the  Visitors  themselves  (for 
reasons  of  which  the  Classis  shall  judge) 
request  to  be  dismissed.  [1833,  61; 
1874,   54.] 

ARTICLE  XLV. 
The  churches  in  which  either  the 
Classis,  the  Particular,  or  General  Synod 
assembles,  shall  be  careful  to  provide 
them  with  the  minutes  of  the  last  pre- 
ceding Assembly. 

ARTICLE  XLVI. 
Instructions  respecting  matters  to  be 
treated  of  in  higher  Assemblies,  are  not 
to  be  recorded  until  the  resolutions  of 
the  foregoing  Synod  have  been  read,  to 
the  end  that  such  things  which  have  been 
determined,  may  not  be  again  resumed, 
unless  some  alteration  is  conceived  neces- 
sary. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Iv 


1833 

1st.  Are  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel 
preached  in  your  congregation  in  their 
purity  agreeably  to  the  word  of  God,  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  and  the  Catechisms 
of  our  church? 

2d.  Is  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  reg- 
ularly explained,  agreeably  to  the  con- 
stitution of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church? 

.3d.  Are  the  catechising  of  the  children 
and  the  instruction  of  the  youth  faith- 
fully attended   to? 

4th.  Is  family  visitation  faithfully  per- 
formed? 

5th.  Is  the  5th  Sec.  2d  Art.  2d  Chap, 
in  the  constitution  of  our  church  care- 
fully obeyed? 

6th.  Is  the  temporal  contract  between 
Ministers  and  people  fulfilled  in  your 
congregation? 


73 

Sec.  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
several  Classes  to  require  from  the  re- 
spective Consistories  a  statistical  table 
filled  up  according  to  such  formula  as 
General  Synod  shall  prescribe,  accompan- 
ied with  such  remarks  on  the  spiritual 
state  of  the  congregation  as  they  may 
deem  proper. 

74 

Sec.  10.  For  the  regular  obtaining  of 
dismissions  of  Ministers,  it  is  required 
that  a  neighbouring  Minister  of  the  same 
Classis  to  which  the  congregation  belongs, 
be  invited  to  be  present,  and  superintend 
the  dismission  of  the  Minister  from  his 
congregation,  countersign  the  instrument 
of  dismission,  and  consider  it  as  his  duty 
to  deliver  the  same,  with  a  report  upon 
the  subject,  to  the  Classis;  which  report 
and  document  shall  serve  as  a  basis  upon 
which  the  final  dismission  and  certificate 
of  the  Classis  shall  be  founded.  [See  20, 
above.  ] 

75 

Sec.  11.  When,  in  the  circumstances 
of  Foreign  Mission  Fields,  it  shall  be  im- 
practicable for  a  Classis  to  comply  with 
all  the  ordinary  requirements  of  the  Con- 
stitution, General  Synod  shall  have  full 
power  to  grant  such  dispensations  as  the 
wants  of  the  case  may  demand.  [1874,  74.] 


1874 

1st.  Are  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel 
preached  in  your  congregation  in  their 
purity,  agreeably  to  the  Word  of  God, 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  the  Cate- 
chisms of  our  Church?  [1619,  44;  1833, 
61;    1874,    54.] 

2d.  Is  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  regu- 
larly explained  agreeably  to  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church?* 
[1619,  68;   18.33,  61;   1874,  54.] 

3d.  Are  the  catechising  of  the  child- 
ren and  the  instruction  of  the  youth 
faithfully    attended    to?      [1792,    61.] 

4th.  Is  family  visitation  faithfully 
performed?      [1619,    23;    1792,   63.] 

5th.  Is  the  5th  Sec,  6th  Art.,  in  the 
Constitution  of  our  Church,  relating  to 
the  conduct  of  Church  members,  care- 
fully obeyed,  previous  to  each  commu- 
nion?     [1619,    41;    1792,    61,    63.] 

6th.  Is  the  temporal  contract  between 
Ministers  and  people  fulfilled  in  your 
congregation? 

7th.  Is  a  contribution  made  annually 
by  your  congregation  to  each  of  the 
Benevolent  Boards  and  Funds  of  the 
Church?  [Compare  1619,  41;  see  also 
1813,    13;    1845,    510.] 

*This  question  was  submitted  sepa- 
rately to  the  Classis.  1872,  489;  1873, 
722;    and    retained,    1874.    108-9. 


Ivi 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 


ARTICLE  XLVII. 
Once  every  year  (unless  an  extraordi- 
nary session  shall  be  judged  necessary) 
two  Ministers,  and  two  Elders,  delegated 
from  four  or  more  neighbouring  Classes, 
shall  meet  and  constitute  a  particular 
SYNOD.  At  the  rising  of  every  Synod, 
the  time  and  place  of  their  next  meeting 
shall   be   ascertained.      [1874,    69.] 


ARTICLE  XLVIII. 

Every  Synod  shall  be  at  liberty  to 
solicit,  and  hold  correspondence  with  its 
neighbouring  Synod,  or  Synods,  in  such 
manner  as  shall  be  judged  most  conducive 
to  general  edification.  [1792,  50,  53.] 
ARTICLE  XLIX. 

Every  Synod  shall  depute  some  of  its 
members  to  put  in  execution  whatever 
has  been  ordained  by  such  Synod,  as 
well  in  matters  of  a  general  concern,  as 
in  what  relates  to  the  respective  Classes 
in  particular,  that  are  subject  to  its  juris- 
diction; which  deputies,  or  at  least  some 
of  them,  shall  also  be  present  at  the  ex- 
amination of  all  candidates  for  the  min- 
istry; and  shall  moreover  afford  the 
Classis  their  advice  and  assistance  in 
whatever  difficulties  may  occur,  to  the 
end  that  uniformity,  order,  and  purity 
of  doctrine,  may  be  maintained  and  es- 
tablished. They  shall  also  keep  a  faithful 
record  of  their  proceedings,  that  they 
may  report  the  same  to  the  Synod,  to 
■whom  they  shall  produce  the  reasons 
of  their  conduct,  if  thereunto  required; 
nor  shall  they  be  dismissed  from  their 
commission,  until  the  Synod  shall  dis- 
charge them.  [1792,  39,  44,  47.  49;  1833, 
68,   79.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

III.     PARTICULAR     SYNODS. 
ARTICLE    XLV. 

A  particular  Synod  consists  of  a  dele- 
gation of  two  Ministers  and  two  Elders 
from  a  number  of  Classes,  (Church  Or- 
ders, Art.  47.)  and  constitutes  a  repre- 
sentation of  all  the  particular  churches 
within  those  respective  Classes. 
ARTICLE    XLVI. 

Synods  have  power  to  receive  and  de- 
termine all  appeals  and  references  proper- 
ly brought  from  the  Classes;  and  to  take 
original  cognizance  of  such  cases  as  are 
not  merely  local,  and  which  in  their  con- 
sequences are  supposed  to  affect  the  gen- 
eral welfare  of  the  church. 


ARTICLE   XLVII. 

Notwithstanding  the  power  of  exami- 
nation is  conferred  upon  the  Classes,  the 
Particular  Synods,  (until  it  be  otherwise 
determined  in  the  General  Synod)  will 
continue,  as  heretofore,  to  examine  and 
license;  and  it  shall  still  remain  in  the 
choice  of  any  student  in  Theology,  or  of 
any  candidate  who  has  received  a  call, 
to  be  examined  by  the  Synod:  but  with 
this  express  declaration,  that  the  examina- 
tions held  by  any  Classis,  and  the  certi- 
ficate given  by  the  president  of  a  Classis, 
shall  be  considered  as  equally  proper, 
authentic  and  valid,  as  those  done  and 
conferred  by  a  Synod.  [1792,  40.] 
ARTICLE  XLVIII. 

A  copy  of  the  minutes  of  every  session 
of  the  Classis,  held  since  the  last  session 
of  Synod,  shall,  at  the  opening  of  the 
Synod,  be  produced  and  laid  upon  the 
table  for  the  inspection  of  the  members. 
The  reports  of  each  Classis,  respecting 
the  candidates.  Ministers,  ordinations,  and 
removals  made  within  their  jurisdictions, 
shall  not  only  be  mentioned  in  the  min- 
utes of  the  Synod,  but  be  regularly  in- 
serted by  the  scriba  of  the  Synod,  in  a 
register  preserved  for  that  purpose  by 
the   Synod. 

ARTICLE  XLIX. 

When  any  particular  business  cannot  be 
finished  at  the  annual  session  of  Synod, 
or  when  any  matter  is  foreseen  to  claim 
their  attention,  which  ought  to  be  dis- 
patched before  the  next  usual  time  of 
meeting,  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  Syn- 
od to  adjourn  to  any  future  day,  and  hold 


CONSTITUTIONS  OF 


Ivii 


1833 


1874 


ARTICLE  IV. 

Of  the  Particular  Synod. 
76 

Sec.  1.  Every  Particular  Synod  shall 
comprehend  a  certain  number  of  Classes, 
to  be  designated  by  the  General  Synod, 
and  shall  consist  of  a  delegation  of  two 
Ministers  and  two  Elders,  from  every 
Classis  within  its  bounds;  and  seven  Min- 
isters and  seven  Elders,  when  regularly 
convened,  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  business,  excepting 
those  Synods  which  may  consist  of  not 
more  than  five  Classes,  in  which  cases 
five  Ministers  and  five  Elders  may  form 
a   quorum* 

*Amendment:  1860,  548;  '61,  71.  [Also 
the  members  composing  the  Synod,  and 
a  quorum,  have  varied  at  times:  1869, 
633;  '71,  277-8.] 

77 

Sec.  2.  To  the  Particular  Synod  be- 
longs exclusively  the  power  to  form  new 
Classes,  to  transfer  a  congregation  from 
one  Classis  to  another;  to  exercise  a 
general  supervising  power  in  case  of  ap- 
peal over  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the 
Classis  within  its  bounds,  and  have  cog- 
nizance of  such  matters  as  appertain  to 
the  spiritual  welfare  of  all  the  churches 
within  its  jurisdiction. 
78 

Sec.  3.  Every  Synod  shall  be  at  liberty 
to  solicit  and  hold  correspondence  with 
its  neighbouring  Synod  or  Synods,  in 
such  manner  as  shall  be  judged  most 
conducive  to  general  edification. 
79 

Sec.  4.  Every  Synod  shall  appoint  a 
Deputatus  primarius  and  secundus,  from 
each  Classis  within  its  bounds,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  superintend  the  examination 
of  students  in  theology,  and  candidates 
for  the  ministry,  to  add  a  solemnity  to 
the  important  work,  and  see  that  no  un- 
due liberty,  superficial  proceedings,  or  un- 
necessary rigour,  be  practised.  And  it 
shall  also  be  their  duty,  as  Commissioners 
of  Synod,  to  advise,  exhort,  and  endeav- 
our to  persuade  the  Classis  in  all  that 
respects  the  strict  fulfilment  of  the  im- 
portant duty  of  examinations;  but  they 
are  not  invested  with  any  authority  to 
arrest  the  proceedings  of  any  Classis  who 
may  act  contrary  to  their  advice;  neither 
may  they  vote  upon  any  question  respect- 
ing any  candidate  that  may  be  examined; 
but  they  are  to  keep  regular  minutes  of 
the  proceedings  at  their  different  exami- 
nations where  they  are  present,  and  im- 
partially report  to  the  Synod  whatever 
they  may  judge  improper  or  wrong. 
80 

Sec.  5.  A  copy  of  the  minutes  of 
every  session  of  the  several  Classes  held 
since  the  last  session  of  Synod,  shall,  at 
the  opening  of  the  Synod,  be  produced 
and    laid   on    the   table    for   the   inspection 


ARTICLE   VIIL 

OF    THE    PARTICULAR    SYNOD. 
65 

Sec.  1.  Every  Particular  Synod  shall 
comprehend  a  certain  number  of  Classes 
to  be  designated  by  the  General  Synod, 
and  shall  consist  of  four  Ministers  and 
four  Elders  from  every  Classis  within 
its  bounds;  and  six  Ministers  and  six 
Elders,  when  regularly  convened,  shall 
constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction 
of   business. 


66 

Sec.  2.  To  the  Particular  Synod  be- 
longs the  power  to  form  new  Classes, 
to  transfer  a  congregation  from  one 
Classis  to  another,  to  exercise  a  general 
superintendence  over  the  spiritual  inter- 
ests and  concerns  of  the  several  Classes 
within  its  bounds,  and  an  appellate  super- 
vising power  over  their  acts,  proceed- 
ings, and  decisions  relating  to  Christian 
discipline.  [See  below,  73.] 
67 

Sec.  3.  Every  Synod  shall  be  at  lib- 
erty to  solicit  and  hold  correspondence 
with  its  neighboring  Synod  or  Synods,  in 
such  manner  as  shall  be  judged  most 
conducive  to  general  edification.  [See 
1792,  53.  The  original  reason  for  this 
article  does  not  now  exist.  See  note 
after     1874,     60.] 


68 
Sec.  4.  A  copy  of  the  minutes  of 
every  session  of  the  several  Classes  held 
since  the  last  session  of  Synod,  shall, 
at  the  opening  of  the  Synod,  be  produced 
and    laid    on    the   table    for   the   inspection 


Iviii 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 


ARTICLE  L. 

A  GENERAL  SYNOD  shall  be  held  ordi- 
narily every  three  years  (unless  a  press- 
ing necessity  shall  require  a  shorter  re- 
cess). To  this  Synod,  two  Ministers  and 
two  Elders  shall  be  delegated  from  every 
Particular  Synod,  both  of  the  Dutch  and 
Walloon  churches.  Moreover,  the  church 
charged  with  nominating  the  time  and 
place  for  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Synod,  in  case  of  its  being  called  to- 
gether within  three  years,  shall  assemble 
the  Particular  Synod  to  which  it  belongs, 
and  give  notice  of  the  same  to  the  next 
adjacent  church  that  uses  a  different  lan- 
guage; which  church  shall  send  thither 
four  persons,  in  order,  with  general  con- 
sent, to  fix  upon  a  proper  time  and 
place.  [1792,  53,  54;  1833,  83;  1874, 
72.] 

ARTICLE  LL 

Whereas,  two  languages  are  used  in 
the  Netherlands,  it  is  judged  proper  that 
the  Dutch  and  Walloon  churches  shall 
have  their  distinct  Consistories,  Classical 
Assemblies,  and  Particular  Synods. 
ARTICLE  LII. 

It  is  notwithstanding  judged  proper, 
that  in  those  cities  where  the  above- 
mentioned  Walloon  churches  are,  some 
Ministers,  and  Elders  of  both  descrip- 
tions, should  assemble  together  monthly, 
in  order  to  preserve  unity  and  mutual 
good  correspondence;  and  as  much  as 
possible,  according  to  circumstances, 
with   counsel   to   assist   each   other. 


Explanatory  Aktrles,  1792. 

an  extraordinary  session.  Whenever,  also 
two  of  the  Deputati  Synodi  shall  repre- 
sent to  the  president  of  the  last  Synod, 
the  necessity  of  calling  an  extraordinary 
Synod,  and  shall  in  writing  request  him 
so  to  do,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such 
president,  by  circular  letters  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  last  Synod,  to  summon  an 
extra  session,  for  the  express  purpose 
suggested  by  the  Deputati;  which  busi- 
ness, and  no  other  whatever,  shall  then 
be  transacted.  [1619,  69.] 
ARTICLE    L. 

The  Particular  Synods  shall  continue  to 
exchange  every  year  a  copy  of  their  Acts 
with  the  Synod  of  North-Holland,  and 
express  in  their  letters  the  desire  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America,  to  pre- 
serve a  connection,  and  cultivate  a  cor- 
respondence, which  they  highly  esteem, 
and  have  found  to  be  beneficial.  [1619, 
49;    1792,   53.] 

IV.     GENER.XL    SYNOD. 
ARTICLE    LI. 

A  General  Synod  represents  the  whole 
body.  It  is  the  highest  judicatory,  and  the 
last  resort  in  all  questions,  which  relate 
to  the  government,  peace,  and  unity  of 
the  churchy  To  this  is  committed  the 
superintending  the  interests  of  religion, 
the  maintaining  harmony,  and  faithfully 
preserving  the  Churches  in  the  principles 
and  practice  of  their  body  religion.  [1833, 
84;    1873,   73.] 

ARTICLE  LII. 

To  the  General  Synod  albne  shall  ap- 
pertain the  power  of  nominating  and  ap- 
pointing Professors  of  Theology;  of  con- 
stituting them  emeriti,  and  declaring  their 
places  vacant;  of  calling  them  to  an  ac- 
count for  their  doctrines  or  conduct,  and 
when  found  guilty,  of  punishing  them  by 
admonition,  suspension  or  total  removal, 
as    the    case   may   require. 

To  the  General  Synod  is  referred  the 
right  of  corresponding  with  other 
Churches;  and  particularly  of  superin- 
tending and  preserving  the  correspond- 
ence which  has  long  been  maintained 
between  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
Netherlands  and  this  Church.  For 
which  purpose  a  copy  of  the  letters  sent 
by  the  Particular  Synod,  and  those  re- 
ceived by  them,  with  the  state  of  the 
correspondence  since  the  last  recess  of 
every  General  Synod,  shall  be  reported 
by  the  Particular  Synod,  at  every  ordi- 
nary session   of  the  General   Synod. 

To  the  General  Synod  belongs  the  re- 
ceiving and  issuing  all  appeals  from  Par- 
ticular Synods;  and  proceeding  and  de- 
termining in  all  references  which  are 
regularly  brought,  agreeably  to  such  reg- 
ulations and  restrictions,  as  shall  for 
that    piiri>ose   be   made   and   determined. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


lix 


1833 

of  the  members;  the  Particular  Synod, 
from  the  several  reports  of  the  Classes, 
on  the  state  of  religion,  shall  prepare  a 
Synodical  report,  to  be  presented  to  the 
General  Synod,  accompanied  with  the 
statistical  tables  of  said  Classes. 
81 
Sec.  6.  The  Particular  Synod  shall 
meet  annually,  at  such  time  and  place  as 
they  may  determine,  and  special  meet- 
ings may  be  held  for  the  transaction  of 
any  extraordinary  business,  upon  the  writ- 
ten request  of  four  Ministers  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Synod;  and  in  such  case  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  such  President  to 
give  notice  to  the  members  of  Synod  of 
such  meeting  three  weeks  previous  there- 
to, stating  the  particular  object  for  which 
the    Synod   is  to   be   convened. 


ARTICLE    V. 

The  General  Synod. 
82 
Sec.  1.  The  General  Synod  shall  con- 
sist of  three  Ministers  and  three  Elders 
from  each  of  the  Classes,  to  be  nominated 
by  the  Classes  to  the  Particular  Synod  to 
which  they  belong,  who  shall  have  power 
to  appoint  the  persons  so  nominated  dele- 
gates to  the  General  Synod;  but,  for 
good  cause,  may  appoint  other  persons 
than  those  so  nominated;  or  in  case  no 
nomination  is  maae,  may  appoint  the 
delegates  for  the  Classis  or  Classes  who 
shall   have   omitted  to  nominate. 


83 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Synod  shall  meet 
annually,  at  such  time  and  place  as  they 
may  determine;  and  twelve  Ministers  and 
twelve  Elders,  when  regularly  convened, 
shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business. 

84 

Sec.  3.  The  General  Synod  shall  have 
original  cognizance  of  all  matters  relat- 
ing to  the  Theological  School,  the  ap- 
pointment of  Professors,  and  their  course 
of  instruction,  the  appointment  of  Su- 
perintendents of  the  said  school,  and  the 
regulations  thereof;  and  shall  possess  the 
power  of  regulating  and  maintaining  a 
friendly    correspondence    with    the    highest 


1874 

of  the  members.  TTie  Particular  Synod, 
from  the  several  reports  of  the  Classes, 
on  the  state  of  religion,  shall  prepare  a 
Synodical  Report,  to  be  presented  to  the 
General  Synod,  accompanied  with  the  sta- 
tistical tables  of  said  Classes. 
69 
Sec.  .5.  The  Particular  Synod  shall 
meet  annually,  at  such  time  and  place 
as  they  may  determine;  and  special  meet- 
ings may  be  held  for  the  transaction  of 
any  extraordinary  business,  upon  the 
Attested  by  N.  N.,  Moderator  of  the  call. 
written  request  of  four  Ministers  and 
four  Elders  to  the  President  of  the  Sy- 
nod; and,  in  such  case,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  such  President  to  give  notice  to 
the  members  of  Synod  of  such  meeting 
three  weeks  previous  thereto,  stating  the 
particular  object  for  which  the  Synod 
is  to  be  convened.  [1619,  47.] 
ARTICLE    IX. 

OF      THE      GENERAL      SYNOD. 
70 

Sec.  1.  The  General  Synod  shall  con- 
sist of  three  Ministers  and  three  Elders 
from  each  of  the  Classes,  composed  of 
fifteen  or  less  than  fifteen  churches;  and 
an  additional  representation  of  one  Min- 
ister and  one  Elder  shall  be  allowed  for 
each  additional  five  churches.  [1619, 
.50.]  These  persons  shall  be  nominated 
by  the  Classes  to  the  Particular  Synod  to 
which  they  belong,  who  [which?]  shall 
have  power  to  appoint  them  delegates  to 
the  General  Synod;  [1792,  53,]  but,  for 
good  cause,  it  may  appoint  other  persons 
than  those  so  nominated;  or,  in  case  no 
nomination  is  made,  may  appoint  the 
delegates  for  the  Classis  or  Classes  who 
shall  have  omitted  to  nominate.  The 
body  thus  constituted  shall  be  called 
"The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church    in   America."      [1833,    85    (2).] 

71 
Sec.  2.  The  removal  of  any  delegate, 
during  the  period  for  which  he  was  ap- 
pointed, from  the  Classis  which  he  was 
commissioned  to  represent,  shall  vacate 
his   seat    in    the    General    Synod. 

72 
Sec.  3.  The  General  Synod  shall  meet 
annually,  at  such  time  and  place  as  they 
may  determine;  and  twelve  Ministers  and 
twelve  Elders,  when  regularly  convened, 
shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business.      [1619,     50;      1792,     53,     54.] 

73 
Sec.  4.  The  General  Synod  shall  have 
original  cognizance  of  all  matters  relat- 
ing to  the  Theological  Schools,  the  ap- 
pointment of  Professors,  and  their  course 
of  instruction;  the  appointment  of  Su- 
perintendents of  said  schools,  and  the 
regulation  thereof;  and  shall  possess  the 
power  of  regulating  and  maintaining  a 
friendly   correspondence,    with   the    highest 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 
Articles  of  Dort,  i6ig.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

Finally,  to  the  General  Synod  belongs 
the  forming  of  new  Particular  Synods, 
and  properly  organizing  the  same;  the 
ascertaining  their  boundaries,  and  judg- 
ing and  determining  all  disputes  that 
may  arise  at  any  time  respecting  such 
boundaries. 

ARTICLE    LIII. 

As  the  holding  a  General  Synod 
(agreeably  to  Article  50  of  the  Church 
Orders)  has  been  found  to  be  inconve- 
nient in  the  Netherlands,  and  the 
Churches  there  have  adopted  a  mutual 
correspondence  from  the  Particular  Syn- 
ods as  a  substitute  [1619,  48;  1874,  67]; 
so  the  situation  and  particular  circum- 
stances of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
in  America,  render  an  alternative  in  the 
organization  of  a  General  Synod,  equally 
necessary.  It  is,  therefore,  resolved, 
that,  instead  of  being  composed  of  Del- 
egates from  the  Particular  Synods,  the 
General  Synod  shall  continue  as  hereto- 
fore, to  consist  of  all  the  Ministers,  with 
each  an  Elder;  and  also,  an  Elder  from 
every  vacant  congregation.  [1619,  50.] 
-  This  mode  of  constituting  a  General 
Synod  shall  remain,  until  some  other  sub- 
stitute, or  the  obtaining  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  Delegates  from  Particular  Synods 
shall  be  found  practicable,  and  by  a 
formal  resolution  of  the  General  Synod 
for  the  time  being  shall  be  regularly 
adopted.  And  all  the  powers  and 
rights  before  recited,  are  and  shall  con- 
tinue to  be  vested  in  the  General  Synod 
organized   agreeably  to   the   present  form. 

[A  new  Particular  Synod  formed,  and 
classes  divided  and  churches  rearranged 
1800,  301-3;  and  the  following  new  or- 
ganization  of   General   Synod  effected.] 

4th.  In  the  last  place,  that  a  delega- 
tion of  eight  ministers  and  eight  elders 
from  each  Particular  Synod  shall  (until 
such  time  as  the  state  of  the  Church 
will  admit  of  the  arrangement  specified 
in  the  Constitution)  constitute  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  of  this  Church;  provided  that, 
in  such  delegations,  no  more  than  two 
ministers  and  two  elders  shall  be  taken 
from  the  same  Classis.      [1800,  279,  303.] 

But  this  plan  was  not  satisfactory,  and 
the  Classes  were  asked  for  an  expression 
of  opinion  on  the  matter  [1806,  357-8]. 
Reports  [1809,  390-1].  The  following 
Plan  was  submitted  to  the  Classes  [1809, 
392]: 

1.  With  regard  to  numbers — The  Gen- 
eral Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  in  North  America  shall  consist 
of  tJiree  ministers  and  three  elders  from 
each  Classis. 

2.  With  regard  to  the  mode  of  delega- 
tion— That  the  delegates  to  the  General 
Synod  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Partic- 
ular Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany. 
In  order,  however,  to  avoid  the  incon- 
veniences arising  from  the  appointment 
of    members,    it    is    hereby    recommended 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixi 


1833 


1874 


Judicatories  or  Assemblies  of  other  re- 
ligious denominations,  for  the  purpose 
of  promoting  union  and  concert  in  gen- 
eral measures  which  may  be  calculated 
to  maintain  sound  doctrine,  prevent  con- 
flicting regulations  relative  to  persons 
under  church  censure  by  the  judicatories 
of  either  denomination,  and  to  produce 
concert  and  harmony  in  their  respective 
proceedings  to  promote  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion and  piety. 

To  the  General  Synod  belongs  the 
power  to  constitute  Particular  Synods, 
and  to  make  any  changes  in  the  same,  to 
exercise  a  general  superintendence  over 
the  spiritual  interests  and  concerns  of 
the  whole  church,  and  an  appellate  super- 
vising power  over  the  acts,  proceedings, 
and  decisions  of  the  lower  assemblies, 
relating  to  Christian  discipline  or  the 
interests  of  religion,  and  the  general  wel- 
fare and  government  of  the  church. 


85  (1) 
Sec.  4.  If  circumstances  should  re- 
quire a  meeting  of  the  General  Synod 
previous  to  the  next  ordinary  meeting, 
the  President  shall,  on  a  joint  applica- 
tion of  six  or  more  Ministers  requesting 
the  same,  call  an  extraordinary  meeting 
at  the  place  where  the  next  ordinary 
meeting  is  appointed  to  be  held,  notice 
of    which    meeting   shall    be    given    to    the 


judicatories  or  assemblies  of  other  relig- 
ious denominations,  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  union  and  concert  in  general 
measures  which  may  be  calculated  to 
maintain  sound  doctrine,  prevent  conflct- 
ing  regulations  relative  to  persons  under 
Church  censure,  by  the  judicatories  of 
either  denomination,  and  to  produce  con- 
cert and  harmony  in  their  respective  pro- 
ceedings to  promote  the  cause  of  reli- 
gion and  piety.      [1792,   51,   52.] 

To  the  General  Synod  belongs  the 
power  to  constitute  Particular  Synods, 
and  to  make  any  changes  in  the  same; 
to  exercise  a  general  superintendence 
over  the  spiritual  interests  and  concerns 
of  the  whole  Church,  and  an  appellate 
supervising  power  over  the  acts,  pro- 
ceedings, and  decisions  of  the  lower  as- 
semblies, relating  to  Christian  discipline.* 
[See    above,    66.] 

To  the  General  Synod  also  belong  the 
power  and  duty  to  institute  and  organize 
such  general  agencies  as  shall  best  enable 
the  church  to  fulfil  the  command  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  which  He  has  en- 
joined on  all  His  disciples  the  duty  of 
teaching  all  nations  and  preaching  the 
gospel  to  every  creature;  to  maintain, 
supervise  and  direct  such  agencies  when 
erected  in  the  conduct  of  missionary 
operations  at  home  and  abroad;  and  to 
recommend  such  methods  in  the  churches 
as  shall  effectively  sustain  such  agencies 
and  tend  to  secure  the  largest  possible 
dissemination    of    the    gospel,  f 

*An  attempt  to  amend  by  adding  here 
— "The  action  of  Synod  on  all  matters 
which  shall  have  been  submitted  by  it  to 
the  Classes,  that  the  mind  of  the  Church 
may  be  fully  ascertained,  shall  be  de- 
clarative only" — was  lost:  1894,  127; 
1895,    132. 

fAmendment:  1900,  838;  1901,  1124. 
A  previous  effort  to  secure  this  same 
amendment  was  lost;  1888,  609;  1889, 
830. 

74 

Sec.  5.  When,  in  the  circumstances 
of  missionary  fields,  it  shall  be  imprac- 
ticable for  a  Classis  to  comply  with  all 
the  requirements  of  the  Constitution,  the 
General  Synod  shall  have  full  power  to 
grant  such  dispensation  as  the  wants  of 
the  case  may  demand.  [1833,  75.] 
75 

Sec.  6.  If  circumstances  should  re- 
quire a  meeting  of  the  General  Synod 
previous  to  the  next  ordinary  meeting, 
the  President  shall,  on  a  joint  applica- 
tion of  six  Ministers  and  six  Elders  re- 
questing the  same,  call  an  extraordinary 
meeting  at  the  place  where  the  next 
ordinary  meeting  is  appointed  to  be  held, 
or  at  such  other  place  as  may  be  de- 
termined    by    the     President,     Vice-Presi- 


Ixii 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  16 19. 


Til. 


OF   DOCTRINES,   SACRAMKNTS 
AND  USAGES. 


ARTICLE    LIII. 

The   MINISTERS  of  the  word  of  God,  as 

also    fhc     I'ROFESSORS    of    Tlieology,    shall 

subscribe    the    confession    of    faith    of    the 

Reformed     Church     of     the     Netherlands; 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

that  each  of  the  Particular  Synods  re- 
quest their  respective  Classes,  at  their 
last  sessions  immediately  preceding  the 
meeting  of  General  Synod,  to  recom- 
mend such  of  their  classical  members 
who  upon  inquiry  it  shall  be  found  con- 
venient to  attend;  and  on  such  recom- 
mendation, if  the  Particular  Synod 
should  approve  thereof,  to  appoint  the 
same,  or  such  others  as  they  think 
proper. 

3.  That  any  ten  ministers  and  ten 
elders,  when  met  by  proper  delegation, 
shall   form   a   constitutional   quorum. 

4,  That  in  order  to  avoid  disappoint- 
ments originating  from  pecuniary  consid- 
erations, it  is  further  recommended  to 
the  Particular  Synods  to  enjoin  it  on 
their  respective  Classes  to  make  suitable 
provisions  for  defraying  the  expenses  of 
their  delegates. 

Your  committee  conceive  that,  by  the 
above  arrangements,  the  inconveniences 
arising  from  the  paucity  of  members, 
and  the  present  mode  of  delegation,  will 
be  obviated.  And  if  the  above  plan 
should  be  approved,  they  recommend  the 
same  through  the  medium  of  the  Partic- 
ular Synods  to  the  different  Classes  for 
their  consent,  which,  if  obtained,  at  the 
next  ordinary  session  of  General  Synod, 
shall  then  be  adopted  as  the  future  mode 
of  delegation.  Adopted  1812,  421.  See 
also   1792,   Article   54. 

ARTICLE   LIV. 

The  General  Synod  shall  assemble 
once  every  three  years,*  on  such  days, 
either  in  the  months  of  May  or  June, 
and  at  such  place  as  shall,  at  every  pre- 
ceding ordinary  General  Synod,  be  de- 
termined. Any  ten  Ministers,  and  ten 
Elders  or  more,  from  a  majority  of  the 
several  Classes  being  met  on  the  day,  and 
at  the  place  appointed,  shall  be  deemed 
sufficient  to  form  a  General  Synod  and 
proceed  upon  business.  [1619,  50;  1792, 
53;   1874,   72.] 

*  Amendment:  "Shall  assemble  annu- 
ally"   [1812,   441;   adopted,   1813,   9]. 

ARTICLE  LV. 
The  General  Synod  shall  keep  a  regu- 
lar and  distinct  record  of  all  its  proceed- 
ings; and  may  adjourn  or  make  such 
regulations  from  time  to  time,  for  calling 
an  extraordinary  session,  as  shall  be 
judged  convenient  and  necessary.  [1619, 
34.] 

III.     OF  USAGES  AND  CUSTOMS. 


ARTICLE  LVI. 
Tlie  zeal  of  the  Reformed  Church,  for 
initiating  children  early  in  the  truth  [ex- 
pressed. Art.  54th  of  the  Church  Orders, 
where  care  is  taken  that  Schoolmasters 
shall    be   of   the    Reformed    religion],   can- 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF  Ixiii 

1833  1874 

members    of    Synod    at    least    three    weeks  dent,    and    Stated    Clerk    of    the    General 

previous    to    the    time    of    such    meeting,  Synod;*    notice    of    which    meeting    shall 

stating   the   particular   business    for   which  be    given    to    members    of    Synod    at    least 

it    is    called,    not    however    excluding    the  three  weeks  previous  to  the  time  of  such 

transaction  of  such   other  business  as  the  meeting,    stating    the    particular    business 

Synod   may   deem   proper.  for   which   it   is   called,    not,    however,    ex- 

85    (2)  eluding     the     transaction     of     such     other 

Sec.     5.     The     Body     thus     constituted  business  as   the    Synod  may  deem  proper, 

shall    be    called:    The    General    Synod    of  *Amendment;    1894,    129;    1895,    132. 
the  Reformed  Church  in  America.*  [1870, 
Art.   70.] 

♦Amendment:     1867,     240;     Nov,     1867, 
321-4. 


CHAPTER  III.  ARTICLE    X. 

OF     CUSTOMS     AND     USAGES.  OF     CUSTOMS     AND     USAGES. 


Ixiv 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 


and  Ministers  who  refuse  so  to  do,  shall 
immediately  be  suspended  from  their 
service,  either  by  the  Consistory,  or  by 
the  Classis,  until  they  shall  have  fully 
explained  themselves:  and  if  they  con- 
tinue obstinate  in  their  refusal,  they  shall 
be  wholly  deposed  from  the  ministry. 
[1792,  5,  11,  22;  1874,  6,  12,  24.] 
ARTICLE  LIV. 

In  like  manner  shall  the  School-mas- 
ters, under  the  immediate  care  of  the 
Consistory,  be  obliged  to  subscribe  the 
aforesaid  articles;  or,  instead  thereof,  the 
Heidelbergh  Catechism.  [1619,  21.] 
ARTICLE  LV. 

No  person  professing  the  Christian  re- 
ligion shall  undertake  to  publish,  or  cause 
to  be  published,  any  book  or  writing  on 
a  religious  subject,  composed,  or  trans- 
lated by  himself,  or  another,  without  the 
previous  inspection  and  approbation  of 
the  Ministers  of  his  Classis,  or  of  the 
Particular  Synod,  or  of  the  Professors 
of  Theology  in  that  province,  with  the 
consent  of  the  Classis.  [1792,  64.] 
ARTICLE  LVI. 

The  covenant  of  God  shall  be  sealed  by 
Baptism,  to  the  infants  of  Christians,  in 
the  public  assembly,  when  the  word  of 
God  is  preached,  and  as  early  as  the  ad- 
ministration thereof  can  be  obtained.  In 
places  where  no  stated  service  is  per- 
formed, a  certain  day  shall  be  appointed 
in  the  week,  for  the  extraordinary  cele- 
bration of  baptism,  but  not  without  a 
sermon  previously  delivered. 
ARTICLE  LVII. 

The  Ministers  shall  exert  their  utmost 
endeavours  that  the  father  present  his 
child  to  baptism,  and  in  those  congrega- 
tions where  it  is  customary,  besides  the 
father,  to  have  sponsors,  or  witnesses, 
(which  practice  being  in  itself  indifferent, 
is  not  causelessly  to  be  altered)  it  is  ex- 
pedient that  such  only  be  admitted,  as 
are  sound  in  the  faith,  and  of  exemplary 
lives.      [1792,  60.] 

ARTICLE  LVIII. 

Ministers,  in  baptising  infants,  as  well 
as  adults,  shall  make  use  of  the  adopted 
forms  in  which  the  institution,  and  de- 
sign of  baptism,  are  for  that  purpose  par- 
ticularly explained. 

ARTICLE    LIX. 

Adults,  by  baptism,  are  initiated  into 
the  Christian  church,  and  received  as 
members  thereof  in  full  communion;  and 
therefore  are  bound  to  partake  of  the 
Lord's  supper,  which  they  shall  promise 
at  their  baptism.  [1619,  61.] 
ARTICLE   LX. 

A  faithful  register  shall  be  kept  of  the 
names  of  all  those  who  are  baptised,  and 
also  of  the  parents,  and  witnesses,  as  well 
as  of  the  time  of  baptism.  [1792,  33, 
67;   1874,   48.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

not  be  evidenced  in  the  same  manner 
in  America,  where  many  denominations 
of  Christians,  and  some  who  do  not 
even  profess  the  Christian  religion,  in- 
habit promiscuously;  and  where  School- 
masters can  seldom  be  found  who  are 
members  of  the  church.  In  such  a  situ- 
ation, it  is  recommended  to  parents  to 
be  peculiarly  attentive  to  the  religious 
education  of  their  children,  not  only  by 
instructing  them,  and  daily  praying  with 
them  at  home,  but  by  never  employing 
Schoolmasters  whose  characters  are  un- 
ascertained or  suspicious,  and  especially 
none  who  scoff  at  the  holy  scriptures  or 
whose  conduct  is  immoral. 

It  is  also  further  recommended,  that 
parents  endeavour  to  prevail  upon 
School-masters  to  make  the  children  be- 
longing to  the  Dutch  Church,  commit  to 
memory,  and  publicly  repeat  in  the 
school,  one  section  of  the  Heidelbergh 
Catechism,  at  least  once  every  week. 
[1619,    21,   54.] 

ARTICLE  LVIL 

As  a  register  must  be  kept  by  every 
Minister  of  all  the  baptisms  celebrated 
in  his  church  [See  Exp.  Art.  33],  it  is 
necessary  for  all  who  desire  to  have 
their  children  baptised,  previously  to  ap- 
ply to  their  Minister  for  that  purpose. 
Such  applications  also  afford  an  oppor- 
tunity to  the  Minister  of  explaining  the 
nature  of  the  o|rdinance  of  baptism, 
and  pressing  upon  the  conscience  of  the 
parent,  the  duties  incumbent  upon  him 
as  a  professing  Christian;  and  to  which, 
in  particular,  by  this  holy  sacrament,  he 
is  obliged.  The  custom  which  has  pre- 
vailed in  some  congregations  of  applying 
to  the  clerk  of  the  Church,  for  regis- 
tering infants  who  are  to  be  baptised, 
shall  be  abolished;  and  for  the  future, 
none  but  Ministers  shall  perform  that 
service.      [1619,    60;    1792,   33;    1874,    48.] 

ARTICLE  LVIII. 

The  sacrament  of  baptism  ought  al- 
ways to  be  administered  in  the  Church, 
at  the  time  of  public  worship  [  See 
Church  Ord.,  Art.  56],  and  the  forms 
adopted  for  baptism,  consider  it  as  cele- 
brated in  public.  Baptising  in  private 
families,  is  therefore  to  be  discounte- 
nanced; and  as  much  as  possible  avoided. 
In  cases,  however,  of  the  sickness  of 
the  parents,  and  especially  of  the  infant, 
it  is  lawful  to  administer  this  sacrament 
in  private.  In  other  cases  which  may 
have  something  singular  in  their  circum- 
stances, it  is  left  to  the  conscientious  dis- 
cretion of  the  Minister,  to  comply  with 
the  requests  of  parents  for  private  bap- 
tism or  not,  as  he  shall  judge  proper. 
In  this,  however,  he  is  to  consider  him- 
self    responsible     to     his     Consistory,     if 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixv 


1833 


1874 


ARTICLE  I. 
86 
Sec.  1.  The  sacrament  of  Baptism 
shall  always  be  administered  in  the 
church,  or  some  other  place  of  public 
worship,  at  the  time  of  public  worship, 
and  the  form  adopted  for  baptism  hither- 
to in  use,  shall  in  every  case  be  retained. 
In  cases,  however,  of  the  sickness  of  the 
parents,  and  especially  of  the  infant,  it 
is  lawful  to  administer  this  sacrament  in 
private.  But  no  private  baptism  shall  be 
administered  without  the  presence  of  at 
least  one  Elder,  who  shall  accompany 
the  Minister  for  that  purpose,  and  the 
same  form  and  solemnity  shall  be  always 
used  as  in  public  baptism. 


7« 

Sec.  1.  The  Sacrament  of  Baptism, 
shall,  if  posible,  be  administered  in  the 
church,  or  some  other  place  of  public 
worship,  at  the  time  of  public  worship; 
and  the  Form  for  Baptism  shall  in  every 
case  be  retained.  But  it  is  recommended 
that  no  private  baptism  shall  be  admin- 
istered without  the  presence  of  at  least 
one  Elder,  who  shall  accompany  the  Min- 
ister   for   that    purpose. 

[There  is  no  distinctive  allusion,  in 
Constitution  of  1874,  to  the  baptism  of 
"infants"  and  "adults;"  and  the  allusion 
to  the  "form"  instead  of  "forms"  is,  per- 
haps, not  very  accurate.  Such  distinction 
was  made  1619,  arts.  56-60;  1792,  57-60; 
and  the  "infant"  is  distinctively  men- 
tioned in  1833,  86;  but  even  this  is  omit- 
ted in  1874,  76.  The  Liturgy,  contain- 
ing the  two  Forms  of  Baptism,  is  barely 
alluded  to  on  the  Title  page.] 


Ixvi  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  16 19.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

questioned  thereon.  But  no  private  bap- 
tism shall  be  administered  without  the 
presence  of  at  least  one  Elder,  who  shall 
accompany  the  Minister  for  that  purpose, 
and  the  same  form  and  solemnity  shall 
be  always  used  as  in  public  baptism. 
ARTICLE  LIX. 

In  the  Church  there  is  no  difference 
between  bond  and  free,  but  all  are  one 
in  Christ.  Whenever  therefore,  slaves 
or  black  people  shall  be  baptised  or  be- 
come members  in  full  communion  of  the 
Church,^  they  shall  be  admitted  to  equal 
privileges  with  all  other  members  of  the 
same  standing;  and  their  infant  children 
shall  be  entitled  to  baptism,  and  in  every 
respect  be  treated  with  the  same  atten- 
tion that  the  children  of  white  or  free 
parents  are  in  the  Church.  Any  Minis- 
ter who,  upon  any  pretence,  shall  refuse 
to  admit  slaves  or  their  children  to  the 
privileges  to  which  they  are  entitled, 
shall,  upon  complaint  being  exhibited  and 
proved,  be  severely  reprimanded  by  the 
Classis  to  which  he  belongs. 
ARTICLE  LX. 

With  respect  to  god-fathers  and  god- 
mothers, or  witnesses,  as  they  are  called 
[See  Art.  57,  Church  Orders],  the  mean- 
ing of  the  Reformed  Church  is  sufficient- 
ly explained  in  the  Synod,  held  at  Wisel, 
in  the  year  1568,  Chap.  I,  Art.  10:  "We 
hold  it  among  matters  which  are  to  be 
accounted  indifferent  whether  any  wit- 
nesses are  taken  in  baptism,  or  whether 
to  the  parents  alone,  together  with  the 
whole  congregation,  the  charge  of  bap- 
tised children  is  committed."  And  again. 
Chap.  VI,  Art.  3:  "The  custom  of  hav- 
ing particular  witnesses  who  are  called 
god-fathers  and  god-mothers,  is  left  to  be 
followed  or  not,  as  each  one  shall 
choose."      [1619,   57.] 

ARTICLE  LXI. 

Great  attention  shall  always  be  paid  by 
all  the  Ministers  of  the  gospel  to  the 
instruction  of  youth  and  others,  in  their 
respective  congregations,  in  order  to 
prepare  them  to  make  a  confession  of 
their  faith,  and  from  proper  principles 
and  right  views,  as  members  in  full  com- 
munion, to  approach  the  Lord's  Table. 
If  any  Minister  shall  habitually  neglect 
to  catechise  the  children  and  youth  of 
his  congregation,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Elders  to  urge  him  to  it;  and  if  he 
shall  without  a  sufficient  reason,  not- 
withstanding the  remonstrance  of  his 
Elders,  continue  to  neglect  the  same  for 
one  whole  year,  he  shall  be  reported  by 
his  Elders  to  the  Classis;  that  measures 
may  be  taken  to  oblige  him  to  fulfil, 
what  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  has 
always  considered,  a  very  important  and 
necessary  part  of  the  ministerial  duty. 
[1619,   81;   1874,  64.] 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF  l^vii 

1833  1874 


Ixviii 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 


ARTICLE    LXI. 

No  person  shall  be  admitted  to  the 
Lord's  supper,  but  those  who  make  a 
confession  of  their  faith  in  the  Reformed 
religion,  agreeably  to  the  practice  of  the 
churches  to  which  they  are  joined,  and 
who  also  have  the  testimony  of  a  pious 
deportment;  without  which  also,  none 
coming  from  other  churches,  shall  be  re- 
ceived. [1619,  59,  82;  1874,  47,  50.] 
ARTICLE  LXII. 

Every  church  shall  observe  such  a 
mode  in  administering  the  Lord's  supper 
as  shall  be  judged  most  conducive  to  edi- 
fication; provided,  however,  that  the  ex- 
ternal ceremonies  prescribed  in  the  word 
of  God,  be  not  altered,  and  that  all  su- 
perstition be  avoided.  After  the  sermon, 
and  usual  public  prayers  are  ended,  the 
form  for  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  supper,  together  with  the  prayer 
suited  to  the  occasion,  shall  be  read  before 
the  members  approach  the  tables. 
ARTICLE  LXIII. 

The  Lord's  supper  shall  be  celebrated 
once  every  two  months,  if  the  same  shall 
be  convenient;  and  it  will  be  expedient 
where  the  circumstances  of  the  church 
admit,  that  it  be  administered  at  Easter, 
Whitsuntide,  and  Christmas.  In  places 
where  no  church  is  yet  organised.  Elders 
and  Deacons  shall  be  previously  ap- 
pointed. 

ARTICLE  LXIV. 

As  the  evening  service  has  been  found 
beneficial  in  many  places,  every  church 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  adopt  such  measures 
in  this  respect  as  shall  be  judged  most 
conducive  to  edification;  but  where  such 
service  has  been  customary,  it  shall  not 
be  laid  aside  without  the  approbation  of 
Classis. 

ARTICLE   LXV. 

In  places  where  funeral  sermons  are 
not  in  use,  they  shall  not  be  introduced; 
and  where  they  have  already  obtained, 
endeavours  shall  be  used  to  abolish  them 
in  the  best  manner  possible.  [1792,  68.] 
ARTICLE  LXVI. 

In  times  of  war,  pestilence,  famine, 
severe  persecutions  of  the  church,  and 
other  general  calamities,  the  Ministers 
of  the  churches  shall  petition  the  civil 
Rulers,  that  by  their  authority  and  com- 
mand, days  of  public  fasting  and  prayer 
may  be  set  apart,  and  sanctified.  [1792, 
66.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ARTICLE  LXIL 

None  can  be  received  as  members  in 
full  communion,  or  be  suffered  to  partake 
at  the  Lord's  Table,  unless  they  first  shall 
have  made  a  confession  of  their  faith, 
or  have  produced  a  certificate  of  their 
being  members  in  full  communion  of 
some  Reformed  Church.  All  such  shall 
be  reported  by  the  Minister  to  the  Con- 
sistory, and  be  approved  by  them,  and 
published  to  the  congregation,  before 
they  can  be  registered  as  regular  mem- 
bers in  the  Church.  Members,  who  are 
known  to  be  such  from  other  congrega- 
tions, may  be  admitted  to  occasional  com- 
munion, upon  application  to  the  Minister. 
ARTICLE  LXIII. 

In  Article  23,  of  the  Church  Orders, 
it  is  mentioned  as  a  duty  incumbent  upon 
Ministers  and  Elders,  to  visit  the  mem- 
bers in  full  communion  of  their  respec- 
tive congregations,  previous  to  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Lord's  Supper.  These 
visitations,  when  performed  with  pru- 
dence and  proper  solemnity,  have  been 
found  to  be  productive  of  many  good  and 
happy  consequences.  It  is  therefore  ex- 
pected that  every  Minister,  accompanied 
with  an  Elder,  will  (unless  it  be  judged 
impracticable  by  the  Consistory)  at  least 
once  in  every  year,  visit  all  the  members 
of  his  Church,  and  endeavor  to  remove 
all  animosities  that  may  have  arisen,  and 
excite  them  to  peace  and  proper  exer- 
cises of  faith  and  holiness.  Ministers 
and  Elders  who  shall  h^itually  neglect 
this  duty,  shall  be  called  to  account  in 
their  respective  Classes,  and  be  prompted 
to  attend  to  the  same.  And  all  Classes 
are  enjoined  to  make  particular  inquiry 
whether  this  duty  is  punctually  fulfilled 
in  the  respective  congregations  within 
their  district.  [1619,  23;  1874,  28,  64.] 
ARTICLE  LXIV. 

If  any  member  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  shall  choose  to  submit  any  book 
or  writing  on  religious  subjects,  previous 
to  its  publication,  to  the  approbation  of 
Synod,  and  makes  application,  for  that 
purpose;  the  Synod  may  appoint  the  Pro- 
fessor of  Theology,  or  any  number  of 
their  members,  as  a  special  committee  for 
revising  such  book  or  writing,  and  ap- 
proving and  recommending  the  same,  if 
it  shall  be  deemed  proper.  The  55th 
Article  of  the  Church  Orders  is  to  be  no 
further  extended,  nor  is  it  in  any  other 
mode  practised  upon  by  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  in  America.  [1619,  55.] 
ARTICLE  LXV. 

No  Psalms  or  Hymns  may  be  publicly 
sung  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches, 
but  such  as  are  approved  and  recom- 
mended by  the  General  Synod.  [Church 
Orders,  Art.  69.1  In  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  in  .America,  the  following 
are    approved    and    recommended,    viz. : 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixix 


1833 


1874 


87 
Sec.  2.  Every  church  shall  observe 
such  a  mode  in  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  as  shall  be  judged  most 
conducive  to  edification;  provided,  how- 
ever, after  the  sermon  and  usual  public 
prayers  are  ended,  the  form  for  the 
administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  shall 
be  read,  and  a  prayer  suited  to  the  oc- 
casion shall  be  offered,  before  the  mem- 
bers participate  of  the  ordinance. 


88 
Sec.  3.  The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  shall  be  administered  at  least 
twice  a  year,  and  it  is  recommended  that 
the  same  be  administered  once  every 
three  months. 

89 
Sec.   4.     For  the  purpose  of  uniformity 
in  the  order  of  worship,  the   following  is 
to  be  observed  by  all  the  churches: — 

1st.     After    a    space    for    private   devo- 
tion,    the     Minister     shall     introduce     the 
public    worship    in    the    morning    by    in- 
voking the  Divine  presence  and  blessing. 
2d.       Salutation. 

3d.  Reading  the  ten  commandments, 
or  some  other  portion  of  Scripture,  or 
both. 

Singing. 

Prayer. 

Singing. 

Sermon. 

Prayer. 

Collection    of   Alms. 

Singing. 

Pronouncing  the  Apostolic  Bene- 


4th. 

5th. 

6th. 

7th. 

8th. 

9th. 
10th. 
11th. 
diction. 

The  order  of  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing services  shall  be  the  same  as  the 
morning,  excepting  the  reading  of  the  ten 
commandments.  The  last  service  on  the 
Lord's  day  shall  conclude  with  the  Christ- 
ian   Doxology. 


77 

Sec.  2.  Every  church  shall  observe 
such  a  mode  in  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  as  shall  be  judged  most 
conducive  to  edification;  provided  that 
the  Form  for  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  shall  be  read,  and  a  prayer 
suited  to  the  occasion*  shall  be  offered, 
before  the  members  participate,  in  the 
ordinance. 

*See  Preface  to  Constitution  of  1792 
under  "Mode  of  Worship":.,  "where 
forms  of  several  prayers  are  given,  with- 
out any  idea,  however,  of  restraining  her 
members  to  any  particular  terms  or  fixed 
standards    for  prayer;"   etc. 

78 
Sec.  3.  The  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  shall  be  administered  at  least 
twice  a  year,  and  it  is  recommended  that 
the  same  be  administered  once  every  two 
or    three    months. 

79 
Sec.  4.     For  the  purpose  of  uniformity 
in  the  order  of  worship,  it  is  recommend- 
ed that  the  following  order*  be  observed 
by   all   the   Churches: 
1st.     Invocation. 
2d.       Salutation. 

3d.  Reading  the  Ten  Commandments, 
or  some  other  portions  of  Scripture,  or 
both. 

4th.      Singing. 
5th.     Prayer. 
6th.     Singing. 
7th.     Sermon. 
8th.     Prayer. 

9th.     Collection    of    Alms. 
10th.     Singing. 
11th.     Benediction. 

The  order  of  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing services  to  be  the  same  as  the  morn- 
ing, excepting  that  the  Apostles'  Creed 
or  the  Nicean  Confession  of  Faith  he 
substituted  for  the  reading  of  the  Ten 
Commandments. ■^ 


•Substitute  for:  "the  following  is  to 
be"   observed,  etc.   1900,  840;    1901,   1124. 

fSubstitute  for  the  phraseology  of  1883, 
89.  (11),  which  remained  until  1900, 
840;    1901,    1124. 

[.\n  effort  to  eliminate  this  whole  sec- 
tion, 79  was  lost;  1872,  489;  1873,  722; 
1874.   108.] 


Ixx 


CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 

ARTICLE   LXVII. 


Besides  the  Sabbath  day,  the  congrega- 
tions shall  likewise  observe  Christmas, 
Easter,  and  Whitsuntide,  with  the  day 
succeeding  each:  and  whereas  in  most  of 
the  cities,  and  provinces  of  the  Nether- 
lands, it  is  moreover  customary  to  ob- 
serve the  day  of  the  circumcision,  and 
ascension  of  our  Lord,  the  Ministers 
where  such  practice  has  not  been  adopted, 
shall  endeavour  to  prevail  with  the  Civil 
Authority  to  establish  a  conformity  with 
the    other    churches. 

ARTICLE  LXVIII. 

Every  Minister  shall,  in  the  ordinary 
afternoon  service  on  the  Lord's  day, 
briefly  explain  the  system  of  the  Chris- 
tian doctrine  comprehended  in  the  cate- 
chism, adopted  by  the  Reformed  churches; 
so  that  if  practicable,  the  explanation 
may  be  annually  completed,  according  to 
the  sections  made  for  that  purpose  in 
said  catechism.  [1619,  44;  1792,  36,  44; 
1874,  53,  54,  64.] 

ARTICLE  LXIX. 

The  150  psalms  of  David;  the  ten 
commandments;  the  Lord's  prayer;  the 
12  articles  of  the  Christian  faith;  the 
songs  of  Mary,  Zacharias,  and  Simeon, 
versified,  only,  shall  be  sung  in  public 
worship.  The  churches  are  left  at  liberty 
to  adopt,  or  omit  that  entitled,  "O  thou, 
who  art  our  Father,  God!"  All  others 
are  prohibited;  and  where  any  have  been 
already  introduced,  they  shall  be  discon- 
tinued as  soon  as  possible.  [1792,  65; 
1874,   80.] 

ARTICLE  LXX. 
In  matters  relating  to  matrimony,  the 
churches  shall  abide  by  those  usages 
which  they  have  hitherto  observed,  con- 
formably to  the  word  of  God,  and  former 
ecclesiastical  ordinances,  at  least  until 
the  civil  government  shall  institute  some 
general  ordinance  for  that  purpose. 
[1792,  33;   1874,  48.] 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

In  the  Dutch  language,  the  version  of 
Dathenus,  and  the  new  version  of 
Psalms  and  Hymns,  compiled  and  adopt- 
ed in  the  Netherlands,  in  the  year  1773. 
In  the  English  language,  the  Psalms  and 
Hymns  compiled  by  Professor  Living- 
ston, and  published  with  the  express  ap- 
probation and  recommendation  of  the 
General  Synod,  in  the  year  1789.  In  the 
French  language,  the  Psalms  and  Hymns, 
compiled  by  Theodore  De  Beza  and  La 
Moret.  And  in  the  German  language, 
the  Psalms  and  Hymns,  published  at 
Marburgh  and  Amsterdam,  and  now  used 
in  the  Reformed  Churches  in  Germany, 
in  the  Netherlands,  and  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. [1619,  69;  1874,  80.] 
ARTICLE  LXVI. 

The  Church  of  Christ  is  the  best  dis- 
cerner  of  the  times,  and  of  the  duties, 
to  which  the  providence  of  God  may  call 
his  people.  The  Church  ought  therefore, 
when  it  is  judged  proper,  not  only  to  re- 
quest the  civil  rulers  to  set  apart  days  of 
fasting  and  prayer  or  thanksgiving,  but 
it  may  in  its  respective  judicatories,  call 
the  people  to  those  duties,  either  within 
the  limits  of  a  congregation,  a  Classis,  or 
a  Synod.      [1619,  66.] 

ARTICLE  LXVII. 

That  the  Reformed  Church  does  not 
believe  the  days  usually  called  holy-days, 
are  of  divine  institution,  or  by  preaching 
on  those  days  [see  Art.  67,  of  Church 
Orders]  intends  any  thing  more  than  to 
prevent  evil,  and  promote  the  edification 
of  the  people,  is  evident  from  the  con- 
tents of  the  53d  Art.  of  the  Synod  of 
Dordrecht,  held  in  the  year  1574. 
"With  regard  to  feast-days,  upon  which, 
besides  the  Lord's  day,  it  has  been  cus- 
tomary to  abstain  from  labour,  and  to 
assemble  in  the  Church,  it  is  resolved 
that  we  must  be  contented  with  the 
Lord's  day  alone.  The  usual  subjects, 
however,  of  the  birth  of  Christ,  of  his 
resurrection,  and  sending  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  may  be  handled  and  the  people 
be  admonished,  that  these  feast-days  are 
abolished."  In  the  National  Synod,  held 
at  Middleburgh,  in  Zealand,  in  the  year 
1581,  Art.  50,  it  is  said:  "In  places 
where  the  feast-days  are  celebrated,  the 
Ministers  shall  endeavour,  by  preaching 
at  such  times,  to  change  the  unnecessary 
and  hurtful  idleness  of  the  people  into 
holy   and   edifving   exercise." 

ARTICLE  LXVIII. 

In  consequence  of  abuses  which  have 
frequently  arisen  from  the  practice  of 
preaching  funeral  sermons,  the  65th 
Article  of  the  Church  Orders  is  strictly 
adhered  to;  but  as  it  is  often  found  to 
answer  a  good  purpose,  to  speak  a  word 
of  exhortation  at  the  time  of  funerals, 
the  right  of  addressing  the  people  upon 
such  occasions  is  left  to  be  exercised  by 
cvcr\'  Minister  at  his  own  discretion. 
[1619,   65.1 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixxi 


1833 

90 
Sec.   5.     No  Psalms  or  Hymns  may  be 
publicly    sung    in    the    Reformed    Dutch 
Churches,   but  such   as  are   approved   and 
recommended    by    the    General    Synod. 


1874 

80 

Sec.  5.  No  Psalms  or  Hymns  may  be 
publicly  sung  in  the  Reformed  (Dutch) 
Churches  but  such  as  are  approved  and 
recommended  by  the  General  Synod. 
[1619,  69;  1792,  65;  1833,  90.] 
81 

Sec.  6.  No  Catechisms  shall  be  used 
in  the  Sabbath-schools  of  the  Church  but 
such  as  are  approved  and  recommended 
by  the  General   Synod.* 


*An     amendment;     added     1887,     366; 
1889,  330. 


Ixxii  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

IV.       OF     CHRISTIAN     DISCIPLINE. 


ARTICLE  LXXI. 

As  CHRISTIAN  DISCIPLINE  is  Spiritual, 
and  exempts  no  person  from  the  judg- 
ment and  punishment  of  the  civil  power, 
so  it  is  requisite  that  without  any  refer- 
ence to  civil  punishment,  ecclesiastical, 
or  spiritual  censure  should  be  exercised; 
in  order  to  reconcile  the  delinquent  with 
the  church,  and  with  his  neighbour,  and 
that  oflfences  may  be  removed  out  of 
the   church   of   Christ. 

ARTICLE  LXXII. 

When  any  person  offends  either  against 
purity  of  doctrine,  or  of  morals,  and 
such  offence  is  private,  and  has  given 
rise  to  no  public  scandal;  in  such  case 
the  method  shall  be  pursued  which  is 
pointed  out  by  our  Lord,  in  the  18th 
chapter   of   Matthew. 

ARTICLE  LXXIIL 

Secret  sins  shall  not  be  brought  before 
the  Consistory,  when  the  offender  has 
discovered  proofs  of  repentance,  on  being 
admonished  by  a  single  person  in  private, 
or  before  two  or  three  witnesses. 
ARTICLE  LXXIV. 

If  any  person,  guilty  of  a  private  of- 
fence, shall  reject  the  friendly  admoni- 
tion given  him  before  two  or  three  wit- 
nesses, or  shall  have  committed  a  crime 
puhlickly  known,  the  same  shall  be  re- 
ported to   the   Consistory. 

ARTICLE  LXXV. 

The  satisfaction  for  such  offences, 
■which  are  in  their  own  nature  public,  or 
are  become  notorious  by  the  contempt  of 
ecclesiastical  admonitions,  shall,  when 
evident  proofs  of  repentance  are  given, 
be  made  in  a  public  manner,  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Consistory.  In  the  coun- 
try, and  in  villages  where  there  is  but 
one  Minister,  the  satisfaction  shall  be 
made  with  the  advice  of  two  neighbour- 
ing churches,  in  such  manner  and  form 
as  shall  appear  most  edifying. 
ARTICLE  LXXVL 

Such  as  obstinately  reject  the  admoni- 
tions of  the  Consistory,  or  have  com- 
mitted a  public,  or  otherwise  gross 
offence,  shall  be  suspended  from  the 
Lord's  supper;  and  being  suspended,  and 
repeatedly  admonished,  without  discover- 
ing marks  of  repentance,  the  church  shall 
then  proceed  to  the  last  remedy,  namely, 
Excommunication,  agreeably  to  the 
adopted  form,  and  conformably  to  the 
word  of  God.  But  no  person  shall  be  ex- 
communicated without  the  previous  ad- 
vice of  the  Classis.      [1874,  106.] 


IV.     DISCIPLINE. 
ARTICLE  LXIX. 

No  accusation  or  process  is  admissible 
before  an  ecclesiastical  judicatory,  but 
when  offences  are  alleged  which,  agree- 
ably to  the  word  of  God,  deserve  the 
censure  of  the  Church.  Nor  shall  any 
complaint  of  a  private  nature  be  noticed, 
unless  the  rules  prescribed  by  the  Lord 
Jesus,  Matt,  xviii,  have  been  strictly  fol- 
lowed. Neither  shall  complaint  in  cases 
of  scandal  be  admitted,  unless  such  com- 
plaints are  brought  forward  within  the 
space  of  one  year  and  four  months  after 
the  crime  shall  be  alleged  to  have  been 
committed;  excepting,  when  it  shall  ap- 
pear that  unavoidable  impediments  pre- 
vented the  bringing  an  accusation  sooner. 
[1833,   95.    112;    1874,    86,   104.] 


CONSTITU 
1833 

CHAPTER    IV. 

OF    DISCIPLINE. 

ARTICLE  I. 
Of  Discipline  in   General. 
91 
Sec.    1.     Discipline    is    the    exercise    of 
the   authority   and   the   application   of   the 
system    of    laws,    which    the    Lord    Jesus 
Christ    has    appointed    in    his    church.     Its 
objects    are    the   removal    of   offences;    the 
vindication   of   the    honour   of   Christ;   the 
promotion   of    purity    and    general    edifica- 
tion  of  the   church;    and   also   the   benefit 
of  the  oflfender. 

92 
Sec.     2.       All     Christian     discipline      is 
spiritual,    and    nothing    shall    be    admitted 
as  matter  or  accusation,  or  considered  an 
offence,    which    cannot    be    proved    to    be 
such  from  Scripture,  or  the  regulations  of 
the  church  founded  on  Scripture. 
93 
Sec.  3.     All  baptized  persons  are  mem- 
bers   of    the    church,    are    under    its    care, 
and    subject  to   its   government   and   disci- 
pline. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Of  Private  Offences. 

94 

Sec.  1.     Private  offences  are  those  that 

are    known   to    an    individual    only,    or    at 

most  to  a  very  few. 

95 
Sec.  2.  Such  offences  are  not  to  be 
immediately  presented  before  a  church 
judicatory,  but  the  offender  shall  be  dealt 
with  according  to  the  mode  pointed  out 
by  our  Lord,  in  Matt,  xviii.  The  same 
course  shall  be  adopted  in  cases  of  per- 
sonal or  private  injuries;  but  if,  on  due 
forbearance,  these  tender  and  Christian 
proceedings  are  unavailing,  the  whole 
matter  shall  be  represented  to  the  judica- 
tory to  which  the  offender  is  amenable. 
96 
Sec.  3.  Informers  who  have  not  taken 
these  previous  steps,  shall  be  considered 
as  guilty  of  an  offence  against  the  peace 
and  order  of  the  church,  and  be  censured 
accordingly. 

ARTICLE   IIL 
Public  Offences. 
97 
Sec.   1.     Public  offences  are  those   that 
require  the  cognizance  of  a  church  judica- 
tory, as  when  they   are  so  notorious  and 
scandalous,     that      no     private      measures 
would    obviate    their    injurious    effects,    or 
when,    though    originally    known    to    one, 
or  a  few,  the  private  measures  taken  have 
been   ineffectual. 

98 
Sec.  2.  When  any  person  is  charged 
with  a  crime,  not  by  an  individual,  but 
by  general  rumour,  the  previous  steps 
prescribed  by  our  Lord  in  case  of  pri- 
vate offences  are  not  necessary,  but  the 
proper  judicatory  is  bound  to  take  im- 
mediate  cognizance   of  the  matter. 


TIONS    OF  Ixxiii 

1874 

ARTICLE   XL 

OF    DISCIPLINE    IN    GENERAL. 
82 

Sec.  1.  Discipline  is  the  exercise  of 
the  authority  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
has  given  to  His  Church.  Its  objects  are 
the  vindication  of  the  honor  of  Christ, 
the  promotion  of  the  purity  and  general 
edification  of  the  church,  and  the  benefit 
of  the  offender. 

83 

Sec.  2.  Nothing  shall  be  admitted  as 
matter  of  accusation,  or  considered  an 
offense,  which  cannot  be  shown  to  be 
such  from  Scripture,  or  the  laws  and 
regulations  of  the  Church. 
84 

Sec.  3.  All  baptized  persons*  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Church,  are  under  its  care, 
and  subject  to  its  government  and  dis- 
cipline.   [Compare   1874,  46.] 


*AIthough   not  in   full  communion. 
ARTICLE  XII. 

OF    OFFENSES. 
85 

Sec.   1.     Private  offenses  are  those  that 
are    known    to    an    individual    only,    or    at 
most   to   a  very   few. 
86 

Sec.  2.  Such  offenses  are  not  immedi- 
ately to  be  presented  before  a  Church 
Judicatory,  but  the  offender  shall  be 
dealt  with  according  to  the  mode  pointed 
out  by  our  Lord  in  Matt,  xviii.  The 
same  course  shall  be  adopted  in  cases  of 
personal  or  private  injuries;  but  if,  on 
due  forbearance,  these  tender  and  Chris- 
tian proceedings  are  unavailing,  the  whole 
matter  shall  be  represented  to  the  Judi- 
catory to  which  the  offender  is  amenable. 
[1619,  72;  1792,  69.] 
87 

Sec.  3.  Informers  who  have  not  taken 
these  previous  steps  shall  be  considered 
as  guilty  of  an  offense  against  the  peace 
and  order  of  the  Church,  and  be  censured 
accordingly. 


88 

Sec.  4.  Public  offenses  are  those  that 
require  the  cognizance  of  a  Church  Judi- 
catory; being  so  notorious  and  scandalous 
that  no  private  measures  would  obviate 
their  injurious  effects. 
89 

Sec.  5.  When  any  person  is  charged 
with  an  offense,  not  by  an  individual,  but 
by  general  rumor,  the  previous  steps  pre- 
scribed by  our  Lord  in  case  of  private 
offenses  are  not  necessary,  but  the  proper 
Judicatory  is  bound  to  take  immediate 
cognizance   of  the   matter. 


Ixxiv  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ARTICLE    LXXVII. 

Before  the  church  proceeds  to  Excom- 
munication, the  obstinacy  of  the  offender 
shall  be  publickly  notified  to  the  congre- 
gation, declaring  his  offences,  together 
with  the  particular  care,  and  attention 
bestowed  on  him,  by  admonition,  sus- 
pension from  the  Lord's  table,  and  by 
repeated  remonstrances.  The  congrega- 
tion shall  also  be  exhorted  farther  to 
admonish  the  delinquent,  and  to  pray 
for  him.  This  procedure  shall  be  com- 
prised in  three  several  steps.  In  the  first 
instance,  the  name  of  the  offender  shall 
not  be  mentioned,  that  he  may  in  some 
measure  be  spared.  In  the  second,  with 
the  advice  of  Classis,  his  name  shall  be 
expressed.  In  the  third,  the  congregation 
shall  be  informed,  that  unless  he  repent- 
eth,  he  will  be  excluded  from  the  com- 
munion of  the  church  so  that  if  he  re- 
main obstinate,  his  excommunication  may 
take  place  with  their  tacit  approbation. 
The  interval  between  these  notifications 
shall  be  at  the  discretion  of  the  Consis- 
tory.    [1804,  107.] 

ARTICLE  LXXVIII. 
When  an  excommunicated  person  be- 
comes penitent,  and  is  desirous  of  being 
again  reconciled  to  the  church,  such  de- 
sire shall  be  publickly  declared  to  the 
congregation,  either  before  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Lord's  supper,  or  at  some 
other  seasonable  opportunity;  that  if  no 
objections  are  offered,  he  may,  on  declar- 
ing his  repentance,  be  publicly  readmit- 
ted to  a  participation  of  the  Lord's 
supper,  agreeably  to  the  form  appointed 
for  that  purpose.  [1874,  108.] 
ARTICLE  LXXIX. 
If  Ministers  of  the  word.  Elders  or 
Deacons,  have  committed  any  public 
gross  sin,  which  is  scandalous  to  the 
church,  or  punishable  by  the  civil  magis- 
trate; the  Elders,  or  Deacons  shall  imme- 
diately be  removed  from  their  office,  by 
the  previous  determination  of  the  Con- 
sistory of  their  own,  and  next  adjacent 
church.  But  the  Ministers  shall  be  sus- 
pended, and  it  shall  be  left  to  the  de- 
cision of  the  Classis,  whether  they  shall 
be  wholly  deposed,  or  not.  [1792,  72; 
1874,  92-94.] 

ARTICLE  LXXX. 
The  following  are  to  be  considered  as 
the  principal  offences  that  deserve  the 
punishment  of  suspension,  or  removal 
from  office,  viz.:  False  Doctrine  or 
Heresy,  public  schisms,  open  Blasphemy, 
Simony,  faithless  desertion  of  Office,  or 
intruding  upon  that  of  another.  Perjury, 
Adultery,  Fornication,  Theft,  acts  of  Vio- 
lence, Brawlings.  habitual  Drunkenness, 
and  scandalous  Traffic;  in  short,  all  such 
sins,  and  gross  offences  which  render  the 
perpetrators  infamous  before  the  world, 
and  which  in  a  private  member  of  the 
church  would  be  considered  as  deserving 
excommunication.      [1874,    91.] 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixxv 


1833 


Sec.  3.  To  constitute  a  general  ru- 
mour,  or  fama  clamosa,   it  is   necessary — 

1st.  That  it  specify  some  particular 
sin   or   sins. 

2d.  That  it  should  have  obtained  gen- 
eral circulation. 

3d.      That  it  be  not  transient. 

4th.     That     it      be      accompanied      with 
strong  public  presumption  of  its  truth. 
100 

Sec.  4.  In  admitting  accusations 
against  a  Minister  or  Elder,  the  rule 
prescribed  in  1  Tim.  v.  19,  shall  always 
be  observed,  and  accusers  must  come  for- 
ward openly  to  support  the  charge. 
101 

Sec.  5.  If  Ministers  of  the  word  have 
committed  any  public  gross  sin,  which 
would  render  their  appearance  in  the 
pulpit,  under  such  circumstances,  highly 
offensive,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Con- 
sistory, in  order  to  prevent  scandal,  to 
shut  the  door  against  such  criminal,  and 
refer  him  to  be  tried  by  the  Classis  as 
soon  as  possible.  The  proceedings  of  the 
Consistory  in  such  cases  are  at  their  peril, 
and  are  not  to  be  considered  as  a  trial, 
but  only  a  prudent  interference  and  bind- 
ing over  the  person  accused  to  the  judg- 
ment of  his  peers.  In  case  of  like  of- 
fences by  the  Elders  and  Deacons,  they 
shall,  upon  trial  and  conviction,  immedi- 
ately be  removed  from  their  office  by  the 
Consistory. 

102 

Sec.  6.  The  following  are  to  be  con- 
sidered as  the  principal  offences  that  de- 
serve the  punishment  of  suspension,  or 
removal  from  office,  viz.  False  Doctrine 
or  Heresy,  Public  Schisms,  open  Blas- 
phemy, Simony,  faithless  Desertion  of 
Office,  or  intruding  upon  that  of  another, 
Perjury,  Adultery,  Fornication,  Theft, 
Acts  of  Violence,  Brawlings,  Drunken- 
ness, and  scandalous  Traffic;  in  short,  all 
such  sins  and  gross  offences  as  render  the 
perpetrators  infamous  before  the  world, 
and  which  in  a  private  member  of  the 
church  would  be  considered  as  deserving 
excommunication.    [1619,   80,   1874,  91.] 


1874 

90 

Sec.  6.  To  constitute  a  general  rumor, 
or  fama  clamosa,   it  is  necessary — 

1st.  That  it  specify  some  particular  sin 
or    sins. 

2d.  That  is  should  have  obtained  gen- 
eral  circulation. 

3d.    That  it  be  not  transient. 

4th.  That  it  shall  be  accompanied  with 
strong  presumption   of  its   truth. 
91 

Sec.  7.  The  following  are  to  be  con- 
sidered as  the  principal  offenses  that  de- 
serve the  punishment  of  suspension  or 
removal  from  office,  viz:  Heresy,  Public 
Schisms,  open  Blasphemy,  Simony,  faith- 
less Desertion  of  Office  or  intruding 
upon  that  of  another.  Slander,  Lying, 
Perjury,  Adultery,  Fornication,  Theft, 
Forgery,  Acts  of  Violence,  Drunkenness, 
Scandalous  Traffic;  in  short,  all  such 
sins  and  gross  offenses  as  render  the  per- 
petrators infamous  before  the  world,  and 
which,  in  a  private  member  of  the  Church, 
would  be  considered  as  deserving  excom- 
munication.*  [1619,  80;  1833,  102.] 


103 

Sec.  7.     If  any  member  of  the  church 

shall    be    duly    convicted    of    an    infamous 

crime    by    any    civil    court,   he    shall,    ipso 

facto,    be    debarred    from    the    exercise    of 


*Perhaps  this  ought  to  have  read  "sus- 
pension or  excommunication."  Fraud  and 
Bribery  might  also  now  well  be  added. 

92 
Sec.  8.  In  admitting  accusations 
against  a  Minister  or  Elder,  the  rule  pre- 
scribed in  1  Tim.  v.  19  shall  always  be 
observed,  and  accusers  must  come  for- 
ward openly  to  support  the  charge.  [1792, 
71;    1833,   100.] 

93 
Sec.  9.  If  Ministers  of  the  Word  have 
committed  any  public,  gross  sin,  which 
would  render  their  appearance  in  the 
pulpit  under  such  circumstances  highly 
offensive,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Con- 
sistory, in  order  to  prevent  scandal,  to 
close  the  pulpit  against  such  criminal, 
and  refer  him  to  be  tried  by  the  Classis 
as  soon  as  possible.  The  proceedings  of 
the  Consistory  in  such  cases  are  at  their 
peril,  and  are  not  to  be  considered  as 
a  trial,  but  only  a  prudent  interference, 
and  binding  over  the  person  accused  to 
the  judgment  of  his  peers.  [1619,  79,  81; 
1792,  72;  1833,  101;  1874,  59.] 

94 
Sec.  10.  In  case  of  like  offenses  by  an 
Elder  or  Deacon,  the  Consistory  shall 
immediately  proceed  to  his  trial,  and, 
upon  conviction,  he  shall  be  forthwith 
suspended  from  his  office,  and  excluded 
from  the  privileges  of  the  Church.  [1619, 
79;   1792,  71,   72;   1833,  100,   101.] 

95 
Sec.  11,     If  any  member  of  the  Church 
shall    be    duly    convicted    of    an    infamous 
crime   by    any    civil    court,    he    shall,    ipso 


Ixxvi  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dori,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ARTICLE  LXXXI. 

The  Ministers,  Elders,  and  Deacons 
shall  exercise  Christian  discipline  amongst 
themselves,  and  exhort  one  another  in  a 
friendly  manner,  respecting  the  discharge 
of  their  offices. 

ARTICLE  LXXXIL 

The  Minister,  with  the  approbation  of 
Consistory,  shall  furnish  those  members, 
who  remove  out  of  the  congregation,  with 
a  certificate  of  their  behaviour,  sealed 
with  the  seal  of  the  church;  or  where 
there  is  no  seal,  signed  by  the  Minister, 
or  by  two  of  the  Elders.  [1619,  61; 
1792,   62;    1874,   47,   50.] 

ARTICLE  LXXXIII. 

When  indigent  m,emhers,  for  sufficient 
reasons,  remove  out  of  the  congregation, 
they  shall  be  assisted  by  the  Deacons  in 
such  measure  as  they  shall  think  proper; 
taking  care,  however,  that  the  place  to 
which  they  are  going,  and  the  assistance 
which  has  been  afforded  them,  be  en- 
dorsed upon  their  testimonials. 
ARTICLE   LXXXIV. 

No  church  shall  exercise  authority  over 
another,  nor  any  Minister  over  his  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry;  nor  shall  Elders  and 
Deacons  rule  over  other  Elders  and 
Deacons.  [1619,  17;  1792,  18;  1833,  21; 
1874,   18.] 

ARTICLE  LXXXV. 

In  things  indifferent,  foreign  churches 
shall  not  be  rejected,  whose  customs  and 
usages   vary   from  ours. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixxvii 


1833 


1874 


the  peculiar  functions  of  any  ecclesiasti- 
cal oflfice  with  which  he  may  be  invested, 
and  excluded  from  the  privileges  of  the 
church,  until  he  shall  have  established  his 
innocence,  or  manifested  by  repentance 
to  the  ecclesiastical  judicatory  to  which 
he   is  amenable. 

ARTICLE   IV. 
Of  Process   and    Trial. 
104 
Sec.    1.     Offences   may    be    brought    be- 
fore   a    judicatory    by    individual    accusa- 
tion   or    common    fame.     In    the    former 
case,    the    process    must    be    in    the    name 
of  the  accuser  or  accusers.     In  the  latter, 
no  person  need  be  named  as  the  accuser. 
105 
Sec.     2.     In     exhibiting      charges,      the 
time,    place,    and    circumstances    shall    be 
accurately   stated   in   writing,   that   the   ac- 
cused   may   be    enabled    the    better    to    de- 
fend himself. 

106 
Sec.  3.  Great  caution  is  to  be  exer- 
cised in  receiving  accusations  where  there 
is  good  reason  to  believe  that  they  are 
preferred  through  passion  or  improper 
and  unchristian  motive;  or  where  the  ac- 
cuser is  under  censure,  or  not  of  good 
character,  or  has  the  prospect  of  temporal 
advantage. 

107 
Sec.  4.  All  citations  shall  be  issued 
and  signed  by  the  President  or  Clerk, 
who  shall  also  furnish  citations  for  such 
witnesses  as  may  be  required  on  either 
side. 

108 
Sec.  5.  A  copy  of  the  accusation  shall 
be  furnished  to  the  accused,  at  the  time 
when  the  citation  is  served;  which  cita- 
tion shall  designate  the  time  when,  and 
place  where,  the  accused  shall  put  in  his 
answer.  Not  less  than  ten  days  shall 
be  allowed  to  intervene  between  the  time 
appointed  for  receiving  the  answer  of 
the  accused  and  the  trial  of  the  case,  un- 
less by  consent  of  all  parties  interested. 

109 
Sec.  6.  When  the  accused  refuses  to 
obey  the  citation,  he  shall  be  cited  a 
second  time,  which  second  citation  shall 
always  be  accompanied  by  a  notice,  that 
if  he  still  refuses  to  appear,  at  the  time 
and  place  appointed,  he  shall  not  only 
be  liable  to  censure  for  contumacy,  but 
that  the  judicatory  will  proceed  to  the 
trial  and  decision  of  his  case  as  if  he 
were  present. 


facto,  be  suspended  from  any  ecclesiasti- 
cal office  with  which  he  may  be  invested, 
and  excluded  from  the  privileges  of  the 
Church,  until  he  shall  have  established 
his  innocence,  or  manifested  his  re- 
pentance to  the  Ecclesiastical  Judicatory 
to  which  he  is  amenable.  [1619,  71,  75; 
1833,   62;   1874,  55.] 

ARTICLE  XIIL 

OF     PROCESS     AND     TRIAL. 
96 

Sec.  1.  Offenses  may  be  brought  be- 
fore a  Judicatory  by  individual  accusa- 
tion or  common  fame.  In  the  former 
case,  the  process  must  be  in  the  name  of 
the  accuser  or  accusers.  In  the  latter, 
no  person  need  be  named  as  the  accuser. 
97 

Sec.  2.  In  exhibiting  charges,  the  time, 
place,  and  circumstances  shall  be  accur- 
ately stated  in  writing,  that  the  accused 
may  be  enabled  the  better  to  defend  him- 
self. 

98 

Sec.  3.  Great  caution  is  to  be  exer- 
cised in  receiving  accusations  where  there 
is  good  reason  to  believe  that  they  are 
preferred  through  passion  or  improper 
and  unchristian  motive;  or  where  the  ac- 
cuser is  under  censure,  or  not  of  good 
character,  or  has  the  prospect  of  temporal 
advantage. 

99 

Sec.  4.  All  citations  shall  be  issued  and 
signed    by    the    President    or    Clerk,    who 
shall   also   furnish    citations    for   such   wit- 
nesses as  may  be  required  on  either  side. 
100 

Sec.  5.  A  copy  of  the  accusation  shall 
be  furnished  to  the  accused  at  the  time 
when  the  citation  is  served;  which  cita- 
tion shall  designate  the  time  when,  and 
place  where,  the  accused  shall  put  in  nis 
answer.  Not  less  than  ten  days  shall 
be  allowed  to  intervene  between  the 
time  when  the  citation  is  served  and  the 
answer  received;  and  no  shorter  period 
shall  be  allowed  between  receiving  the 
answer  of  the  accused  and  the  trial  of 
the  case,  unless  by  consent  of  all  the 
parties    interested. 

101 

Sec  6.  When  the  accused  refuses  to 
obey  the  citation,  he  shall  be  cited  a 
second  time,  which  second  citation  shall 
always  be  accompanied  by  a  notice,  that, 
if  he  still  refuses  to  appear  at  the  time 
and  place  appointed,  he  shall  not  only 
be  liable  to  censure  for  contumacy,  but 
that  the  Judicatory  will  proceed  to  the 
trial  and  decision  of  his  case  as  if  he 
were  present. 

102 

Sec  7.  In  cases  where  it  is  demanded 
by  either  party,  a  commission  of  the 
Judicatory    may    be    appointed    by    it    to 


Ixxviii  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


ARTICLE  LXX. 

To  establish  an  accusation  against  any 
member  of  the  Church,  the  testimony  of 
more  than  one  witness  is  required. 
Their  witness  shall  be  given  under  a  sol- 
emn declaration  upon  the  faith  and  cred- 
ibility of  a  Christian,  or  of  an  oath  taken 
before  a  magistrate,  at  the  discretion  of 
the  judicature.  Every  trial,  in  all  judi- 
catories, from  the  highest  to  the  lowest, 
shall  be  deliberate  and  impartial.  The 
sum  of  the  evidence  shall  be  faithfully 
minuted.  The  sentence  shall  always  be 
entered  at  large  on  the  records.  And 
all  the  parties  shall  immediately  be  al- 
lowed copies  of  the  testimony  and  sen- 
tence, and  of  the  whole  proceedings,  if 
they  demand  the  same.  [1833,  110; 
1874,   103,   113.] 

ARTICLE  LXXL 

Ministers  of  the  gospel  must  be  an  ex- 
ample to  believers,  and  much  of  their 
success  will  usually  depend  upon  their 
good  character,  and  their  hcUy  walk  and 
conversation.  Their  conduct  must  there- 
fore be  watched  over  with  great  atten- 
tion, and  their  crimes  punished  with 
impartiality  and  severity.  In  admitting 
accusations  against  a  Minister,  the  rule 
prescribed  by  the  Apostle,  1  Tim.  v.  19, 
shall  always  be  observed;  and  accusers 
must  come  forward  openly  to  support  the 
charge,  unless  where  common  fame  has 
rendered  a  scandal  so  notorious,  that  the 
honour  of  religion  shall  require  an  in- 
vestigation. [1619,  79,  81;  1874,  92,  93.] 
ARTICLE   LXXIL 

When  it  is  said  (Art.  79  of  Church 
Orders)  that  Ministers  guilty  of  atrocious 
crimes  shall  be  suspended  from  the  ex- 
ercise of  their  office  by  the  Consistory, 
until  they  are  tried  by  the  Classis,  it  is 
only  intended,  that  in  certain  public  and 
notorious  oflFences,  which  would  render 
the  appearance  of  a  ^Minister  in  the  pul- 
pit in  such  a  situation,  highly  offensive; 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Consistory, 
in  order  to  prevent  scandal,  to  shut  the 
door  against  such  criminal,  and  refer  him 
to  be  tried  by  the  Classis,  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. The  proceedings  of  the  Consistory 
in  such  cases,  is  at  their  peril,  and  is  not 
to  be  considered  as  a  trial,  but  only  a 
prudent  interference,  and  binding  over 
the  person  accused,  to  the  judgment  of 
his  peers.      [1619,  79,  81;   1874,  93.] 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixxix 


1833 


1874 


110 

Sec.  7.  The  trial  shall  be  impartial. 
The  witnesses,  after  being  sworn,  or 
solemnly  affirmed,  shall  be  examined  in 
the  presence  of  the  accused,  and  he  shall 
be   permitted   to   cross-examine    them. 


Ill 

Sec.  8.  To  establish  an  accusation 
against  any  member  of  the  church,  the 
testimony  of  more  than  one  witness  is 
required.  The  evidence  shall  be  faithful- 
ly minuted,  and  with  the  sentence,  or 
decision,  be  entered  on  the  records,  and 
the  parties  shall  be  allowed  copies  of  the 
same   at   their   own  expense,   if  desired. 


112 

Sec.  9.  No  complaints  in  cases  of 
scandal  shall  be  admitted,  unless  brought 
forward  within  the  space  of  one  year 
and  four  months  after  the  crime  shall  be 
alleged  to  have  been  committed;  except- 
ing when  it  shall  appear  that  unavoidable 
impediments  prevented  the  bringing  an 
accusation  sooner. 

113 

Sec.  10.  No  professional  counsel  shall 
be  permitted  to  appear  and  plead  in  cases 
of  process  in  any  of  the  ecclesiastical 
courts.  But  if  any  accused  person  feel 
unable  to  represent  and  plead  his  own 
cause  to  advantage,  he  may  request,  or 
the  President  may  appoint  any  Minister 
or  Elder,  belonging  to  the  judicatory  be- 
fore which  he  appears,  to  prepare  and 
conduct  his  cause  as  he  may  judge  proper. 
But  the  Minister  or  Elder  so  engaged 
shall  not  be  allowed,  after  pleading  the 
cause  of  the  accused,  to  sit  in  judgment 
as    a   member   of  the    judicatory. 


114 

Sec.  11.  Such  as  obstinately  reject  the 
admonitions  of  the  Consistory,  or  have 
been  found  guilty  of  the  commission  of  a 
public  or  otherwise  gross  offence,  shall 
be  suspended  from  the  Lord's  supper, 
which  act  of  suspension  may  be  published 
at  the  discretion  of  the  Consistory;  and 
being  suspended  and  repeatedly  admon- 
ished without  discovering  marks  of  re- 
pentance, the  church  shall  then  proceed 
to    the   last   remedy,   namely.   Excommuni- 


take  testimony  at  a  distance;  of  which 
commission,  and  of  the  time  and  place 
of  their  meeting,  due  notice  shall  be 
given  to   all   the   parties. 

103 
Sec.  8.  To  establish  an  accusation 
against  any  member  of  the  Church,  the 
testimony  of  more  than  one  witness  is 
required.  The  witnesses,  after  being 
sworn  or  duly  affirmed,  shall  be  examined 
in  the  presence  of  the  accused,  and  he 
shall  be  permitted  to  cross-examine  thena. 
Yet,  if  two  or  more  witnesses  bear  testi- 
mony each  to  different  acts  of  the  same 
general  nature,  this,  if  not  disproved, 
shall  be  considered  sufficient  to  establish 
the  accusation.  The  evidence  shall  be 
faithfully  minuted  and  subscribed  by  the 
witness,  and  in  this  final  form,  with  the 
sentence  or  decision,  be  entered  on  the 
records;  and  the  parties  shall  be  allowed 
copies  of  the  same,  at  their  own  expense, 
if  desired.    [1792,   70.] 

104 
Sec.  9.  No  accusation  shall  be  admit- 
ted unless  brought  forward  by  the  ac- 
cuser within  the  space  of  two  years  after 
the  crime  shall  be  alleged  to  have  been 
committed;  excepting  when  it  shall  ap- 
pear that  unavoidable  impediments  pre- 
vented the  bringing  an  accusation  sooner, 
and  at  the  trial  the  accuser  shall  not  sit 
in  judgment  upon  the  case.  [1792,  69; 
1833,    95,    112.] 

105 
Sec.  10.  No  professional  counsel  shall 
be  permitted  to  appear  and  plead  in  cases 
of  process  in  any  of  the  ecclesiastical 
courts;  but,  in  the  trial  of  any  case  be- 
fore a  Consistory,  a  member  of  the  Classis 
may  be  employed  to  prepare  and  con- 
duct the  case  on  either  side.  And,  in 
the  higher  courts,  if  any  accused  per- 
son feel  unable  to  represent  and  plead 
his  own  case  to  advantage,  he  may  re- 
quest, or  the  President  may  appoint,  any 
Minister  or  Elder  belonging  to  the  Judi- 
catory before  which  he  appears,  to  pre- 
pare and  conduct  his  case  as  he  may 
judge  proper.  But  the  Minister  or 
Elder  so  engaged  shall  not  be  allowed, 
after  pleading  the  case  of  the  accused, 
to  sit  in  judgment  as  a  member  of  the 
Judicatory. 

106 
Sec.  11.  Such  as  obstinately  reject  the 
admonitions  of  the  Consistory,  or  have 
been  found  guilty  of  the  commission  of 
an  otherwise  gross  offense,  shall  be  sus- 
pended from  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  act 
of  suspension  may  be  published  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  Consistory:  and,  being 
suspended  and  repeatedly  admonished 
without  discovering  marks  of  repentance, 
the  Church  shall  then  proceed  to  the  last 
remedv,  namely.  Excommunication;  agree- 


Ixxx  CONSTITUTION   OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  1619.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

ARTICLE  LXXIII. 
The  forms  and  proceedings  in  the  re- 
spective judicatories  shall  always  be,  as 
far  as  possible,  agreeable  to  established 
precedents  and  usages.  In  cases  which 
appear  to  be  new  and  difficult,  it  is  rec- 
ommended to  the  lower  judicatories  to 
refer  their  difficulties  to  the  higher,  for 
direction;  and  to  the  higher,  as  well  as 
to  the  lower,  to  proceed  with  peculiar  de- 
liberation, and  always  agreeable  to  the 
word  of  God,  and  the  ordinances  and 
Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixxxi 


1833 


1874 


cation,  agreeably  to  the  adopted  form, 
and  conformably  to  the  word  of  God. 
But  no  person  shall  be  excommunicated 
without  the  previous  advice  of  the  Classis. 
115 

Sec.  12.  Before  the  church  proceeds 
to  excommunication,  the  obstinacy  of 
the  offender  shall  be  publicly  notified  to 
the  congregation,  declaring  his  offences, 
together  with  the  particular  care  and  at- 
tention bestowed  on  him,  by  admonition, 
suspension  from  the  Lord's  table,  and 
by  repeated  remonstrances.  The  congre- 
gation shall  also  be  exhorted  farther  to 
admonish  the  delinquent,  and  to  pray  for 
him.  This  procedure  shall  be  comprised 
in  three  several  steps.  In  the  iirst  in- 
stance, the  name  of  the  offender  shall  not 
be  mentioned,  that  he  may  in  some  mea- 
sure be  spared.  In  the  second,  with  the 
advice  of  Classis,  his  name  shall  be  ex- 
pressed. In  the  third,  the  congregation 
shall  be  informed,  that  unless  he  rcpen- 
teth,  he  will  be  excluded  from  the  com- 
munion of  the  church;  so  that  if  he  re- 
main obstinate,  his  excommunication  may 
take  place  with  their  tacit  approbation. 
The  interval  between  these  notifications 
shall  be  at  the  discretion  of  the  Consis- 
tory. 

116 

Sec.  13.  When  an  excommunicated 
person  becomes  penitent,  and  is  desirous 
of  being  again  reconciled  to  the  church, 
such  desire  shall  be  publicly  declared  to 
the  congregation,  either  before  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  at 
some  other  seasonable  opportunity;  that 
if  no  objections  are  offered,  he  may,  on 
declaring  his  repentance,  be  publicly  re- 
admitted to  a  participation  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  agreeably  to  the  form  appointed 
for   that   purpose. 


ably  to  the  adopted  form,  and  conform- 
ably to  the  Word  of  God.  But  no  person 
shall  be  excommunicated  without  the  pre- 
vious approval  of  the  Classis.    [1619,  76.1 

107 
Sec.  12.  Before  the  Church  proceeds 
to  excommunication,  the  obstinacy  of  the 
offender  shall  be  publicly  notified  to  the 
congregation,  declaring  his  offenses,  to- 
gether with  the  particular  care  and  at- 
tention bestowed  on  him,  by  admonition, 
suspension  from  the  Lord's  Table,  and 
by  repeated  remonstrances.  This  pro- 
cedure shall  be  comprised  in  three 
several  steps.  In  the  first  instance,  the 
name  of  the  offender  shall  not  be  men- 
tioned, that  he  may  in  some  measure  be 
spared.  In  the  second,  with  the  advice 
of  Classis,  his  name  shall  be  expressed. 
In  the  third,  the  congregation  shall  be 
informed,  that,  unless  he  repenteth,  he 
will  be  excluded  from  the  communion 
of  the  Church;  so  that,  if  he  remain  ob- 
stinate, his  excommunication  may  take 
place  with  their  tacit  approbation.  The 
interval  between  these  notifications  shall 
be  at  the  discretion  of  the  Consistory. 
[1619,    77.] 

108 
Sec.  13.  When  an  excommunicated 
person  becomes  penitent,  and  is  desirous 
of  being  again  reconciled  to  the  Church, 
such  desire  shall  be  publicly  declared  to 
the  congregation,  either  before  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  at 
some  other  seasonable  opportunity;  that, 
if  no  objections  are  offered,  he  may,  on 
declaring  his  repentance,  be  publicly  re- 
admitted to  a  participation  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  agreeably  to  the  form  ap- 
pointed   for  that  purpose.    [1619,   78.] 

ARTICLE    XIV. 

OF    -APPEALS    AND     COMPLAINTS. 
109 

Sec.  1.  Any  member  of  the  Church,* 
conceiving  himself  to  be  personally  ag- 
grieved or  injured  by  the  decision  of  a 
Judicatory,  may  appeal  therefrom  to  the 
next  higher  Judicatory.  Also,  a  Consis- 
tory or  Classis  considering  itself  ag- 
grieved by  the  judgment  or  censure  of  a 
higher  Judicatory,  enjoys  the  same  right 
of  appeal.     [1619,  31;  1792,  31;  1833,  42.] 


•Perhaps  "or  minister,"  should  have 
been    added    here. 

110. 

Sec.  2.  Any  one  intending  to  appeal 
from  an  act  or  decision  of  a  Judicatory, 
must  at  the  time  of  the  action,  or  within 
ten  days  thereafter,  give  notice  of  such 
intention  to  the  President  of  the  body 
from  whose  action  he  intends  to  appeal. 
Within  ten  days  after  such  notice  he 
shall  send  to  said  President  in  writing 
the  appeal,  with  the  reasons  thereof.  On 
default   of  this,   the   appeal    falls. 


Ixxxii  CONSTITUTION  OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort,  16 19.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF  Ixxxiii 

1833  1874 

111 

Sec,  3.  An  appeal  made  by  a  Judica- 
tory must  be  made  by  it  as  such  regularly 
convened,  and  the  appeal,  with  the  rea- 
sons thereof,  must  be  sent  in  writing  to 
the  President  of  the  body  appealed  from, 
within  twenty  days  of  the  action  from 
which  the  appeal  is  taken.  On  default  of 
this,  the  appeal  falls.  [1833,  42.] 
112 

Sec.  4.  If  an  appellant  give  notice 
and  satisfactory  reasons  to  the  President 
of  the  Judicatory  to  which  the  appeal  is 
made,  that  he  cannot  attend  at  the  next 
stated  meeting  of  that  body,  his  appeal 
shall  lie  over  to  the  next  following  stated 
meeting.  But  if  he  fail  to  appear,  and 
prosecute  his  appeal  without  such  notice 
and  reasons,  it  is  to  be  considered  as 
relinquished.  [1833,  42.] 
113 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every 
Judicatory  that  has  tried  a  case  originally 
or  by  appeal,  in  recording  its  decision, 
to  set  forth  at  length  the  reasons  thereof, 
that  the  record  may  exhibit,  as  far  as 
practicable,  everything  that  had  an  in- 
fluence on  its  judgment.  [1792,  70.] 
114 

Sec.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  any 
Judicatory  from  whose  act  or  decision 
an  appeal  is  made,  to  transmit  a  certified 
copy  of  the  action  appealed  from,  signed 
by  the  President,  and  countersigned  by 
the  Clerk,  together  with  the  appeal  and 
reasons  accompany  the  same,  to  the  Judi- 
catory appealed  to,  at  the  next  regular 
meeting  thereof,  and  the  papers  thus 
transmitted  shall  be  considered  the  docu- 
ments in  the  case.  [1833,  42.] 
115 

Sec.  7.  An  inferior  Judicatory  shall 
be  permitted  to  send  a  commissioner  to 
the  one  appealed  to,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  explanations  relative  to  the  case; 
it  being  expressly  understood,  that  the 
original  parties  in  the  case  shall  have 
the  same  right  of  being  heard  in  every 
stage  of  the  trial,  from  one  court  to 
another. 

116 

Sec.  8.  For  all  cases  that  have  origi- 
nated in  the  Consistory,  the  Particular 
Synod  shall  be  the  Final  Court  of  Ap- 
peal, except  when  as  many  members  of 
the  Particular  Synod  as  there  are  Classes 
connected  with  the  Synod  shall,  within 
ten  days  of  its  adjournment,  declare  in 
writing  to  the  President  that  the  case 
adjudicated  is  a  proper  one  for  appeal 
to  the  General  Synod.  In  such  case,  an 
appeal,  if  constitutionally  made,  shall 
be  entertained  by  the  General  Synod. 
[1833,    42.] 

117 

Sec.  9.  In  order  to  prevent  vexation 
and  delay  in  the  judicial  proceedings  of 
any  Ecclesiastical  Assembly  by  means  of 
successive  appeals  in  the  progress  of  anjr 


l^^xiv  CONSTITUTION'  OF   1792. 

Articles  of  Dort.  16 iq.  Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 
1833  1874 


trial  or  investigation,  the  party  who  may 
consider  himself  aggrieved  by  any  deci- 
sion, upon  any  incidental  question  which 
may  arise  before  a  final  sentence  is  pro- 
nounced, may  state  his  objections  to  such 
decision,  and  require  to  have  the  same 
noted  in  the  minutes  of  the  proceedings, 
to  the  end  that  he  may  avail  himself 
thereof  on  an  appeal  from  the  final  sen- 
tence, without  arresting  the  progress  of 
such  investigation  or  trial.  And  in  such 
cases  every  decision  objected  to,  as  well 
as  the  objections,  shall  be  distinctly  stated 
in  the  minutes  of  such  assembly,  and 
sent  up  with  the  appeal  to  the  appellate 
Judicatory    for   review.      [1833,    44.] 

118 
Sec.  10.  Individuals  who  have  voted 
in  a  lower  court  upon  a  case  which  is 
carried  up  by  appeal,  or  who  have  pre- 
pared and  conducted  such  case,  shall  not 
be  at  liberty  to  vote  upon  the  trial  of 
the  appeal  in  the  higher  courts.  [1833, 
45.] 

119 
Sec.  11.  If  a  minority  or  any  member 
of  a  minority  of  any  inferior  Church 
Judicatory  shall  consider  any  subordinate 
decision  or  any  part  of  the  formal  pro- 
ceedings to  have  been  so  erroneous,  as 
injuriously  to  affect  the  interests  of  truth 
or  of  vital  godliness,  they  may  present 
the  same  by  way  of  complaint  to  the 
next  higher  Judicatory  for  its  examina- 
tion and  decision.      [1833,   46.] 

120 
Sec.  12.     This  complaint,  if  entertained, 
brings  the  whole  record  of  the  case  under 
the    review    of    the    superior     Judicatory. 
[1833,    47.] 

121 
Sec.  13.  No  such  complaint  shall  be 
entertained  except  after  notice  given  to 
the  President  of  the  body  complained  of, 
and  the  sending  of  the  complaint,  and 
reasons  for  it,  as  prescribed  in  cases  of 
appeal.     1874,110. 


Ixxxvi 


CONSTITUTION  OF  1792. 


Articles  of  Dort,  1619. 

ARTICLE   LXXXVI. 

These  Articles,  relating  to  the  regular 
government  of  the  church,  have  been 
formed,  and  adopted  by  common  con- 
sent in  such  manner,  that  if  the  interest 
of  the  church  should  require  it,  they  may 
and  ought  to  be  altered,  enlarged,  or  di- 
minished; this,  however,  shall  not  be  at- 
tempted by  any  particular  congregation, 
Classis,  or  Synod;  but,  on  the  contrary,  a 
careful  observance  of  them  is  enjoined, 
until  it  be  otherwise  ordained  by  a  suc- 
ceeding general,   or   national    Synod. 

The  preceding  Ecclesiastical  Ordinances 
were  made  and  decreed  in  the  national 
Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  the  28th  day 
of  May,  in  the  year  1619. 

And  were  signed, 

JOHANNES      BOGERMANNUS, 

Synodi  Praeses. 
JACOBUS    ROLANDUS, 

Assessor. 
HERMANUS    FAUKELIUS, 

Paesidis  Assessor. 
SEBASTIANUS  DAMMON, 

Synodi   Scriba. 
FESTUS   HOMMIUS, 

Synodi  Scriba. 


Explanatory  Articles,  1792. 

Respecting  these  Explanatory  Articles, 
the  General  Synod  declare,  that  they  con- 
tain the  principal  outlines  of  the  practice 
of  their  Church;  agreeably  to  which  the 
ecclesiastical  ordinances  of  the  National 
Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  in  the  years 
1618,  and  1619,  and  which  were  solemnly 
and  formally  recognised  and  adopted,  at 
the  convention,  held  at  New-York,  in  the 
year  1771,  are  proceeded  upon,  and  exe- 
cuted. And  the  General  Synod  further 
declare,  that  these  articles  are  to  be  con- 
sidered as  subjected  to  such  additional 
explanations  and  alterations  as  shall  be 
found  necessary  to  throw  light  upon  any 
article  of  the  Church  Orders  of  the  Synod 
of  Dordrecht  aforesaid,  or  be  judged 
proper  to  remove  any  doubts  or  difficulties. 
With  this  express  provision,  however,  that 
no  alterations,  or  explanations  shall  ever 
be  made,  but  by  previous  recommenda- 
tions from  the  General  Synod  to  the  re- 
spective Classes,  and  the  consent  of  a 
majority  of  the  same  to  such  proposed 
alterations,  or  explanations,  together  with 
the  final  determination  and  resolution  of 
the  General  Synod  for  the  time  bei'^g. 

The  preceding  Explanatory  Articks 
were  ratified  in  the  General  Synod,  held 
at  New-York,  the  10th  day  of  October, 
1792,  and  were  signed, 

SOLOMON    FRAELICH,    Prxses, 
JOHN  BASSETT,  Scriba, 
PETER   STRYKER,   Scriba. 


At  a  Convention  of  Ministers  and  Elders  delegated  for  the  express  pi'rpose  of 
removing  certain  difficulties,  which  had  arisen  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in 
America,  and  for  establishing  an  uniform  discipline  throughout  the  same,  held  at 
New- York,  in  the  month  of  October,  1771,  the  Rules  of  Church  Government,  made 
and  decreed  in  the  National  Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  1618  and  1619,  were  recog- 
nised, and  expressly  adopted  as  the  Constitution  of  the  said  churches,  as  far  as  their 
local  circumstances  would   render  the  same  practicable. 

The  Articles  of  Union  [founded  upon  this  adoption,  and  expressing  in  general 
terms  what  is  specified,  and  more  particularly  applied  to  the  local  circumstances  of 
the  churches,  in  the  following  Explanatory  Articles!  were  ratified  and  established  on 
the  18th  day  of  October,  1771. 


And  were  signed. 


JOHN    H.    LIVINGSTON,    Praeses. 
ISAAC    RYSDYCK,    Scriba. 
EILARDUS    WESTERLO,    Scriba. 


CONSTITUTIONS   OF 


Ixxxvii 


1833 


117 

Sec.  14.  The  General  Synod  shall  have 
power  to  make  all  such  rules  and  regula- 
tions as  may  be  necessary  for  carrying 
the  foregoing  articles  into  execution,  ex- 
cept where  provision  is  thereby  made  for 
that  purpose. 

118 

Sec.  15.  No  alteration  shall  ever  be 
made  to  the  foregoing  articles,  but  by 
previous  recommendation  from  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  to  the  respective  Classes,  and 
the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  same 
to  such  proposea  alteration,  together 
with  the  final  determination  and  reso- 
lution of  th'e  General  Synod  for  the  time 
being. 


1874 


ARTICLE  XV. 

OF    RULES    AND    AMENDMENTS. 
122 

Sec.  1.  The  General  Synod  shall  have 
power  to  make  all  such  rules  and  regu- 
lations as  may  be  necessary  for  carry- 
ing the  foregoing  articles  into  execution, 
except  where  provision  is  hereby  made 
for   that   purpose. 

123 

Sec.  2.  No  alteration  shall  ever  be 
made  to  the  foregoing  articles  but  by 
previous  recommendation  from  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  to  the  respective  Classes,  and 
the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  same 
to  such  proposed  alteration,  together 
with  the  final  declarative  resolution  of 
the  General  Synod  for  the  time  being; 
[see  note  to  1874,  73.]  and  the  articles 
as  thus  determined  and  declared  shall 
be  and  are  the  authoritive  and  only  Con- 
stitution of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America.* 


*Perhaps  there  should  have  been  added 
here — "in  conjunction  with  the  Doctrinal 
Standards  and  the  Liturgy." 

[These  Rules  of  Government,  or  Con- 
stitution, adopted,  June,  1874,  107-109. 
Proposals  to  revise,  1871,  278,  279;  re- 
port: 1872,  488-9;  the  Constitution  as 
proposed:  571-602;  referred  to  the  Classes, 
489-490;  action  of  the  Classes,  1873, 
721-2;  referred  back  to  the  Classes,  722-3; 
adoption   by    the    Classes,    1874,    107-9.] 


DIGEST  OF  CONSTITUTIONAL  AND 
SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 


Abbe  Margaret  L.  (Mrs.)-  Scholarships,  $5,000  for  Hope  College. 
1878,  113. 

Abbreviations.     1902,  158. 

Abeel,  David,  (Rev.  Dr.).  His  visit  to  America,  1833,  232;  '35,  432; 
requested  to  visit  Holland  in  reference  to  founding  a  mission  in  the 
Dutch  East  Indies,  '34,  329,  330;  preaches  the  annual  missionary  sermon 
before  Synod,  '35,  429;  success  of  his  visit  to  Holland,  '35,  432-3;  recom- 
mended to  the  churches,  '35,  435  ;  beneficial  results  of  his  tour  among  the 
churches,  36,  513;  his  feeble  health,  '2)7,  86;  his  missionary  stations  and 
employments,  '40,  414;  his  labors,  '42,  132;  44,  385;  his  final  return  to 
America,  '45,  498.  His  death  on  Sept.  3,  1846,  1847,  189.  See  China- 
Sketch,  and  authorities,  in  Manual. 

Abeel,  Gustavus.  President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1852 ;  on  many  impor- 
tant committees  especially  in  relation  to  Rutgers  College,  from  '45  until 
his  death,  '87.     Sketch,  1888,  677. 

Absentees.  At  first,  these  virere  fined;  Coetus,  1748,  19;  elaborate 
complaint  and  exhortation  to,  1782,  98;  1783,  104;  may  be  censured,  Con- 
stit.  1792,  Art.  15;  example,  1794,  259;  the  President  of  Synod  to  censure 
them  at  the  following  Synod,  1800,  276;  their  names  to  be  inserted  under 
article  "Grievances,"  1815,  36;  to  be  cited,  '15,  36,  '16,  28;  roll  to  be  called 
at  close  of  session,  and  names  of  absentees  to  be  recorded,  '30,  231;  '31, 
396.     See  Leave  of  Absence. 

Absolution.  Term  occurs  only  once,  namely,  in  the  form  for  read- 
mitting excommunicated  persons.     See  Form. 

Abstract  Questions.  Synod  has  always  refused  to  legislate  on; 
but  will  decide,  judicially,  any  concrete  case  regularly  brought  before  it. 
Many  examples  of  such  refusals.  1906,  346,  349;  '14,  40;  '24,  46;  '60,  507; 
'97,  688;  1902,  123,  etc.     See  Advice. 

Academies.  Word  formerly  used  in  the  sense  of  College  or  Univer- 
sity. Coetus  proposed  an  "Academy";  1755,  94;  1764,  116,  118;  1767,  131; 
1771,  14.  The  last  reference  refers  to  Columbia  College  and  Princeton 
College.  See  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York  for  many  examples,  1755-1771. 
— Academies  in  the  sense  of  Preparatory  Schools  were  early  founded  in 
New  York,  1660;  also  at  Flatbush,  Hackensack,  Albany,  Kingston,  Schen- 
ectady and  New  Brunswick ;  also  later,  at  Holland,  Orange  City,  Cedar 
Grove,  Pleasant  Prairie,  etc.     See  these  names. 

Resolved :  That  Synod  recommends  the  establishment  of  Academies 
within  the  limits  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago,  under  the  supervi- 
sion of  that  Synod,  provided  that  such  Academies  shall  depend  for  their 
support  upon  the  churches  and  people  of  the  vicinity.     1900,  832,  835. 

Resolved,  That  the  Article  7th,  on  page  835,  Minutes  of  General 
Synod  of  1900,  need  not  be  construed  as  debarring  our  Academies,  when 
recommended  by  their  Classes,  from  receiving  aid  through  the  regular 
channels  of  our  Church.     1901,  1068. 


2  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Access  to  God.     Belgic.  Conf.,  Art.  26. 

Accounts.  Before  the  incorporation  of  General  S)aiod,  all  its  finan- 
cial affairs  are  included  under  "Accounts";  1818,  57;  '19,  65;- but  "Ac- 
counts" as  now  understood,  began  in  '2^,  when  a  "Committee  of  Finance" 
was  appointed,  to  which  all  "accounts''  should  be  committed.  '27,  7.  Name 
changed  to  "Committee  on  Accounts,"  '29,  151.  Reports  found  under 
Art.  2Z,  in  '27-8 ;  under  Art.  24,  '29-'54 ;  Art.  25.^  '55-'85 ;  Art.  23-'86-'87, 
and  under  Art.  24,  since  '88.  The  business  un3er  this  head  has  gen- 
erally been  to  audit  all  incidental  expenses  of  Synod,  and  since  '57,  191, 
to  report  on  expenses  of  western  delegates.  In  '27  it  reported  on  repairs 
and  purchase  of  Rutgers  College.  In  '29  it  offered  a  special  resolution 
about  expenses  of  Corresponding  Delegates.  In  '31  and  '40-1,  even  the 
^'accounts"  of  the  Board  of  Direction  were  put  under  this  head,  (hav- 
ing generally  been  referred  to  Com.  on  Professorate)  ;  and  in  '31,  the 
Educational  Funds.  In  1836  the  Com.  on  Accounts  recommended  that 
the  traveling  expenses  of  Bd.  of  Superintendents  be  paid.  From  '69-72, 
this  Com.  also  reported  on  "Contingent  Expenses." — Its  only  proper  busi- 
ness now  is  to  audit  current  incidental  expenses.  These  have  in  late 
years  been  about  $800.  In  1884,  1895,  1904,  when  the  Synod  met  in  the 
West,  there  were  no  expenses  for  western  delegates.  An  effort  in  '95,  55, 
222,  to  secure  payment  of  traveling  expenses  by  Synod,  of  all  delegates, 
failed  of  approbation.  Action  is  now  pending  respecting  some  readjust- 
ment in  paying  expenses  of  western  delegates.     1905,  289. 

Accusations.     Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  82-108. 

Accusers.     Constit.  of  1874.    Arts.  26-98. 

Acker  Catharine.  Leaves  $300  for  support  of  colporteurs  of  R.  D. 
C.  Sab.  S.  Union.  As  said  Board  had  been  abolished,  Synod  directed 
Bd.  of  Dir.  to  pay  the  money  to  Bd.  Dom.  Miss,  to  be  expended  accord- 
ing to  donor's  wish.     1864,  399,  433. 

Acta  Synodi.  An  expression  often  recurring  in  the  early  minutes, 
and  in  the  Correspondence  with  Holland.  It  refers  to  the  Acts  of  the 
Synod  of  North  Holland  to  which  the  classis  of  Amsterdam  belonged. 
These  Acts  were  multiplied  by  transcription,  and  copies  sent  to  all  the 
Dutch  colonies,  yearly,  and  then  passed  around.  About  a  dozen  copies 
now  remain  in  the  Archives.  See  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York,  Vol.  i. 
24-27.  Several  complete  sets,  in  manuscript,  exist  in  the  Archives  of  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Acts  of  Ecclesiastical  Bodies.  Not  to  be  unnecessarily  repeated; 
— Acts  of  Particular  Synods  to  be  executed  by  the  Deputati  Synodi ; 
which  see ;  Acts  of  Classes  to  be  executed  by  the  Visitors ;  which  see. 
Constit.  of  1619,  Arts.  44,  46,  49. 

Acts  of  the  General  Synod,  R.  C.  A.  These  are  not  kept  in  jour- 
nalistic form,  but  are  arranged  under  an  order  of  27  Articles  or  Lem- 
mata. See  Lemmata.  Only  Acts  actually  adopted,  as  a  rule,  are  printed; 
hut  matters  "laid  on  the  table"  are  also  printed,  as  well  as  "Constitu- 
tional amendments"  recommended  to  the  Classes.  [Several  entire  revi- 
sions of  the  Liturgy  which  were  not  finally  adopted,  have  thus  found  a 
permanent  place  among  the  "Acts  of  the  Synod,"  the  propriety  of  which 
may  be  questioned.  On  several  occasions,  such  proposed  "revisions  '  have 
been  printed  separatel)'-,  and  thus  sent  down  to  the  Classes.] 

Acts  of  Violence.     Deserve  suspension.     Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  91. 

Actual  Sin.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  36;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  10;  Canons 
of  Dort,  i.  I,  15 ;  ii.  8. 

Additional  Hymns.  A  small  i6mo.  Hymn  Book  was  printed  in  1848, 
with  318  Additional  Hymns,  which  was  used  in  connection  with  the  larger 
Book  for  several  years.     See  Hymnology ;  and  Minutes  1842-48. 

Address  to  God — in  prayer;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  120-1. 


ADJOURNED  SESSIONS  3 

Adjourned    Sessions.     Expressly    referred    to,    as    such,    in    Constit. 

of  1792,  Arts.  49,  55;  not  referred  to,  as  such,  in  Constitutions,  of   1833, 

1874;  but  method  of  calHng  an  extraordinary  session  prescribed,  1874,  75. 

See  Extra  Session.     Yet  any  Synod  has  the  inherent  right  to  adjourn 

to  another  time  and  place. 

Adjournment.  The  last  formal  Lemma  or  Article  in  the  Minutes 
of  Gen.  Synod,  since  1813.  It  also  fixes  the  time  and  place  of  the  next 
meeting  of  Synod,  and  more  recently  mentions  the  final  devotional  ex- 
ercises and  expressions  of  courtesy  connected  with  the  adjournment. 

Admission  of  Members — to  the  Church.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  27-29; 
Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  69-74,  as  to  baptized  non-communicants ;  and  75-77, 
81,  82,  as  to  full  communicants.  See  also  final  paragraph  of  Compendium, 
and  Articles  of  Religion.     Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.  of  1874,  Art.  47. 

Admission  of  Ministers  from  other  Churches.  Constitution  of 
1874,  Art.  21.  [Compare  Constitutions  of  1833,  Art.  24,  and  of  1619, 
Art.  9.]  Some  objected  to  receiving  ministers  from  the  Congregation- 
alists.  as  Rev.  Winslow  Paige,  1792,  237;  1793,  247;  the  rules  were  strin- 
gent. 1806,  359,  360,  364;  1814,  36;  and  these  rules  were  incorporated  in 
Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  24,  with  some  enlargement.  With  the  development 
of  New  Schoolism,  rules  were  made  requiring  increased  strictness  in  re- 
ceiving other  ministers ;  1834,  283,  291-3 ;  '2)1^  58-59.  Additional  rules, 
eight  in  number,  were  made  in  1840 ;  among  other  things,  requiring  for- 
eign ministers  to  spend  a  year's  probation  before  being  received,  '40, 
387-8.     Additional  rules  of  '45,  469,  were  repealed  '46,  69. 

With  the  recent  coming  of  the  Hollanders  to  this  country,  1846  on- 
ward, in  large  numbers,  the  Rules  of  1840  were  declared  not  to  apply 
to  them,  if  they  brought  'proper  testimonials,  '69,  634.  When  Dr.  Or- 
miston  was  about  to  be  called  to  the  Collegiate  Church,  from  Canada, 
a  resolution  was  passed  exempting  him  from  the  year's  probation  re- 
quired of  foreign  ministers,  '70,  loi.  With  the  revision  of  the  Consti- 
tution in  1874,  all  former  legislation  on  this  subject  was  superseded  by 
the  following :  "If  any  application  be  made  for  the  admission  of  a  Li- 
centiate or  Minister  from  Other  Churches,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Classes  to  subject  him  to  such  examination  as  shall  enable  them  to  pro- 
ceed with  freedom  in  his  case."     Constit.  1874,  Art.  21. 

Admonitions.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  85 ;  Sacramental  Forms ;  Canons, 
iv.  17;  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts  86-89.  Admonitions  were  formerly 
to  be  given  by  the  "Classical  Visitors,"  (which  see,)  to  ministers,  churches, 
or  schoolmasters,  if  found  delinquent  in  their  duties;  Constits.  1619,  Art. 
44;  1792,  x\rt.  44.  These  "Visitors"  are  now  superseded  by  the  Classical 
Questions. 

Adoption.  Heid.  Cat.,  Ques.  2>2>  5  Form  of  Baptism,  second  para- 
graph ;  Canons,  i.  7,  10 ;  v.  6. 

Adoption  of  the  Netherlands  Church  Constitution,  in  America. 
(i)  By  the  Coetus,  1738:  (2)  By  the  Union  Convention,  1771 ;  (3)  by 
General  Conventions,  1788-92;  when  the  86  Rules  of  Church  Govern- 
ment of  Holland,  with  "jz  Explanatory  Articles  relating  to  the  same,  and 
the  Belgic  Confession,  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  with  its  Compendium, 
and  the  Liturgy,  were  adopted.     See  "Constitution." 

Adrain,  Robert.  Appointed  Professor  of  Mathematics  in  Rutgers 
College,  1826,  50.     Resigns,  '28,  125. 

Adsessor.  An  occasional  officer,  only,  until  1812.  Term  first  oc- 
curs in  Coetus,  1751,  54:  again  1754,  89;  not  again,  until  1800,  275,  when 
the  elected  President,  Dr.  Ira  Condict,  wished  to  be  excused  from  tak- 
ing the  Chair,  on  account  of  illness ;  and  it  was  determined  that  the  per- 
son having  the  next  highest  number  of  votes,  be  Adsessor.  No  Adsessor 
was  again  appointed  until  1812,  401,  after  which  the  office  was,  informally 
continued. 


4  DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

President  and  Adsessor  to  be  elected  by  a  majority  of  all  the  mem- 
bers present,  and  if,  after  the  first  vote,  there  is  no  election,  the  choice 
shall  be  made  from  the  two  having  the  highest  number  of  votes,  '40,  329. 
— Term  Adsessor  changed  to  Vice-President,  '82,  115;  1883,  295. 

Adult  Baptism.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  69-74; 
Form  of  Adult  Baptism;  (first  adopted,  1604);  Rules  of  Government, 
1619,  Arts.  58,  59.  There  are  no  specific  allusions  to  Adult  Baptism,  as 
such,  in  the  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.  of  1792,  (Arts.  58-61)  ;  of  1833,  (Art 
86)  ;  or  of  1874,   (Art.  76).     See  Baptismal  Forms. 

Adultery.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  108-9  -  deserves  suspension ;  Constit. 
of  1874,  Art.  91.     See  also  Form  for  Lord's  Supper;  Divorce. 

Adults.  How  received  into  full  communion ;  Constit.  1619,  59,  61. 
No  distinctive  reference  to  'Adults,"  as  such  in  the  Constitutions  of  1792, 
1833,  1874;  except  the  Form  for  "Adult  Baptism"  in  Liturgy. 

Advice.  The  lower  ecclesiastical  assemblies  may  seek  advice  from 
the  higher  assemblies,  when  the  case  may  be  referred  back  wnth  instruc- 
tions ;  or  the  higher  may  take  the  case  into  its  own  hands.  Constitution 
of  1792,  31,  yT^.  This  particular  feature  was  eliminated  from  the  Con- 
stitutions of  1833  and  1874;  but  see  Appeals;  Complaints;  Supervision. 
Examples  of  advice  asked:  1774,  52;  1775,  63;  1787,  168;  1797,  271;  advice 
asked  whether  the  marriage  of  slaves,  after  their  manner,  and  acknowl- 
edged at  their  confession  of  faith,  should  hinder  their  joining  the  church. 
Answer, — No.  1788,  183;  whether  the  consent  of  masters  and  mistresses 
is  necessary  to  a  slave's  uniting  with  the  church ;  Answer :  the  Scrip- 
tures make  no  such  conditions ;  yet  it  is  proper  to  consult  masters  as 
to  the  character  of  the  slave,  and  seek  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the 
household;  1788,  183.  Other  references  to  "Advice";  1791,  226;  1800.  293, 
297;  1804,  328,  330;  1804,  330,  2>Z7,  340;  1806,  358;  '12,  404,  406,  428;  '14, 
29,  37-40;  '24,  44,  46;  '60,  507.     See  Abstract  Questions. 

Advisory  Members.  Elders  appearing  in  Ccetus  from  congregations 
having  only  occasional  services,  have  only  an  advisory  voice,  unless  their 
church  is  about  to  call  a  minister,  1738,  7;  ministers  of  the  Presbyterian 
and  Associate  Reformed  Churches,  may  sit  in  General  Synod  as  advisory 
members,  1800,  279.  See  Correspondence.  All  ministers  of  the  Dutch 
Church,  attending  its  Synod,  may  sit  as  advisory  members,  (altho'  not 
delegates),  1803,  318,  319.  Examples:  1804,  329;  1806,  343;  1809,  384; 
'12,  408,  410,  419;  '13,  7,  10,  25,  26;  '14,  5;  (in  Digest,  '14,  69.) — In  1815, 
ten  ministers  of  the  Dutch  Church,  two,  of  the  Presbj'terian,  and  one,  of 
the  Associate  Reformed,  were  present  as  advisory  members.  "Resolved, 
That  from  and  immediately  after  the  present  meeting  of  Synod,  the 
Lemma  respecting  Advisory  Members'  shall  cease."  1815,  6.  [It  will 
be  observed  that  Dr.  Livingston  was  present  at  this  session  as  an  advisory 
member,  and  Dr.  Froeligh  as  a  regular  delegate.] 

In  the  Articles  of  Correspondence  with  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  the  plan  of  "Advisory  Members''  was  again  proposed  by  that 
Church  for  each  Body.  The  Dutch  Synod  agreed  to  the  entire  plan 
except  the  article  on  'Advisory  Members,"  and  on  this  one  point,  the 
whole  plan  failed;  '17,  17;  Oct.,  1817,  11.  In  the  Constitution  of  1833.  Art. 
48,  "Advisory  Members"  were  constitutionally  prohibited.  The  Consti- 
tution of  1874  omits  all  reference  to  the  matter. 

Advocate.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  46,  49,  50.  See 
Intercession. 

Affections.     Canons  of  Dort.  iii.  and  iv.  i. 

Affirmation.  May  be  allowed,  instead  of  oaths,  in  trials.  Constit. 
1874,  Art.  103. 

Africa.     See  South  Africa,  Am.  Colonization  Soc. 

Agents,  Classical.     The  different  Classes  have,  in  recent  times,  ap- 


AGENTS,    FINANCIAL  5 

pointed  Agents  within  their  bounds  to  represent  the  several  Boards  or 
other  interests  of  Church  work. 

Agents,  Financial.  In  former  times  Queens  College  appointed 
Agents  to  raise  moneys  for  the  Professorial  Fund  of  the  Theological 
Professors  and  for  College  purposes.  The  General  Synod  has  also  fre- 
quently appointed  Financial  Agents  to  raise  money  for  endowments  and 
other  purposes,  and  the  Board  of  Corporation  has  often  done  the  same. 
The  details  of  their  work  belong  under  other  heads. 

Agents,  Missionary.  The  Synod  or  the  Boards  have  often  appointed 
such  Agents  in  the  interests  of  Missions,  Domestic  and  Foreign,  to  give 
information,  to  make  appeals,  to  arouse  enthusiasm,  and  to  raise  money. 
The  details  of  their  operations  belong  elsewhere. 

Ainslee,  Jane  Christian.  Bequeaths  $250  to  Bd.  of  Education, 
through  Bd.  of  Direction,  1874,  15. 

Alabama;  Industrial  Missionary  Association  of  1894,  117.  See  Col- 
ored People. 

A'Lasco,  John.     See  Lasco. 

Albany  Academy.  Chartered  by  the  Regents  of  State  of  New  York, 
1813.     See  Fernow's  History  of    1886;  Murray's  Hist,  of    1900. 

Albany,  Church  of.  Memorializes  General  Synod  against  reading 
of  sermons.  Allowed  to  withdraw  their  memorial;  1812,  438. — Offers  to 
give  $750  per  year,  for  six  years  toward  the  Professorate,  '14,  6,  21,  43, 
44;  '15,  42. — Sends  reasons  to  Synod  why  they  call  away  Rev.  John  Lud- 
low from  the  Professorship,  Feb.  '2^,  5,  6;  '23,  16. — Founds  a  scholarship 
of  $2,000  in  Arcot  Seminary,  1895,  51. 

Albany,  Circle  of.     See  next  article. 

Albany,  Classis  of.  The  Circle  of  Albany  embraced  the  ministers 
and  churches  of  Albany,  Schenectady  and  Schoharie;  Coetus,  1747,  xii. 
The  churches  in  these  territories  afterward  became  the  Particular  Body 
of  Albany,  according  to  the  Articles  of  Union,  1771,  Art.  11,  (p.  10),  em- 
bracing the  counties  of  Albany,  Gloucester  and  Cumberland.  To  these 
were  added  a  year  later,  the  counties  of  Tryon  and  Charlotte,  1772,  Art. 
IX,  (p.  25).  In  1784  the  name  "Particular  Body  of  Albany,"  was  changed 
to  that  of  "Classis  of  Albany";  1784,  128;  and  the  following  churches 
then  belonged  to  it,  namely : 

Albany,  Albany-German,  Schenectady,  Conewago,  [Caughnewaga?], 
Niskayuna,  Norman's  Kill,  Upper  and  Lower  Schoharie,  Stone  Arabia, 
Canajoharie,  Great  Flats,  Catskill,  Coxsackie,  Manor  of  Livingston, 
Greenbush  and  Taghkanick,  Claverack,  Kinderhook,  Schodack,  Half- 
Moon,  Saratoga,  Schagticoke,  22  in  all;  1784,  114.  In  1800,  314,  it  con- 
tained more  than  fifty  churches.  The  General  Synod  then  divided  it  into 
the  three  classes  of  Rensselaer,  Montgomery  and  Albany;   1800,  301-3. 

In  the  same  year  the  Classis  of  Albany  was  directed  to  assume  the 
superintendence,  under  the  direction  of  the  General  Synod,  of  the  [Do- 
mestic] Missionary  business  in  the  North,  1800,  308,  and  report  the  prog- 
ress of  the  work,  annually,  to  the  Particular  Synods.  Little  was  done 
for  awhile,  although  some  efforts  were  put  forth.  But  in  1804  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  appointed  the  Classis  of  Albany  to  be  its  Committee  on  [Do- 
mestic] Missions;  and  the  executors  of  Sarah  De  Peyster,  (who  left  the 
first  bequest  by  will  to  the  cause  of  Missions),  were  informed  that  the 
Classis  of  Albany  was  the  Synod's  Standing  Committee  for  Missions,  and 
is  the  only  Missionary  Society  of  the  Dutch  churches.  1804,  331,  340-1. 
Two  years  later  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  requested  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  to  resume  management  of  its  Missions,  1806,  352.  This 
was  done  by  the  appointment  of  a  general  Standing  Committee  on  Mis- 
sions. See  Missions.  The  treasurer  of  the  Classis  of  Albany,  Rev.  John 
Bassett,  was  directed  to  pay  over  all  mission  funds  in  his  hands,  ($345.26) 
to  the  treasurer  of  Synod's  Standing  Committee ;  1806,  354. 


6  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  subsequently  set  off  from  the  Clas- 
sis  of  Albany,  the  following  Classes:  Washington,  1818;  Schenectady, 
1826;  Schoharie,  1826;  Greene,  1834;  Watervleit,  1845;  Saratoga,  1857. 
See  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  p.  133. 

Albany,  Madison  Avenue  Church,  founds  scholarship  of  $2,000  in 
Arcot  Seminary,  India,  1895,  51. 

Albany,  Particular  Body  of,  1771,  10,  14;  1772,  25.  See  Albany 
Classis  of. 

Albany,  Particular  Synod  of.  The  original  General  Body  or  Pro- 
visional Synod  of  the  Church,  (1771-1800),  was  divided  into  the  Par- 
ticular Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany  in  1800,  by  the  recently  con- 
stituted General  Synod.  To  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  were  as- 
signed the  Classes  of  Albany,  Montgomery,  Rensselaer  and  Ulster.  1800, 
303- 

Alcove  Endowments.     See  Sage  Library. 

Alexandria  Bay,  Church  of.     See  Thousand  Isles. 

Alida  Meenk  Scholarship.     See  Meenk. 

Alienation  of  Property.  Churches  aided  in  purchasing  land  or 
other  property  for  church  uses,  must  secure  such  property  to  R.  D.  C, 
in  case  of  their  uniting  with  some  other  denomination,  to  the  amount 
received,  i860,  575.  Attempts  to  prevent  alienation  oi  property  by  any 
Consistory,  by  a  Constitutional  amendment,  proposed ;  1872,  489,  581 ;  but 
rejected,  722.  See  Church  Building  Fund. — For  certain  Civil  Law^s  re- 
lating to  the  illegality  of  alienating  Church  property,  see  Mints,  of  Gen- 
eral Synod,  1880,  585-6;  1881,  788-9;  1882,  162;  1884,  561-2,  and  503.  See 
also  Civil  Legislation. 

Allegheny,  Pa.  Allusion  to  a  new  Presbyterian  Seminary  estab- 
lished there.     1827,  ^7. 

Allen,  John  S.  (Mrs.).  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Woman's 
Executive  Committee  of  Bd.  of  Dom.   Missions ;   1904. 

Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  throughout  the  World  Hold- 
ing THE  Presbyterian  System. 

The  following  communication  was  received  from  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the 
subject  of  an  Oecumenical  Council  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches  of  this 
and  other  lands,  and  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence : 
To    the   Moderator   of   the   General   Synod    of   the   Reformed    Church    in 

America. 

The  last  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  in  session  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  May  27th,  1873,  adopted 
the  following  preamble  and  resolution : 

Whereas,  There  is  substantial  unity  of  faith,  discipline  and  worship 
among  the  Presbyterian  Churches  in  this  and  other  lands,  and  whereas 
it  is  important  to  exhibit  this  union  to  the  Churches  and  to  the  World ; 
and  whereas  a  desire  has  been  expressed  in  many  places  for  closer  union 
among  all  branches  of  the  great  and  widely  scattered  family  of  Presby- 
terian Churches ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  consisting  of  the  Moderator  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  the  Rev.  James  McCosh,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
be  appointed  to  correspond  with  sister  Churches  holding  by  the  West- 
minster Standards,  with  the  view  of  bringing  about  an  (Ecumenical  Coun- 
cil of  such  Churches  to  consider  subjects  of  common  interest  to  all,  and 
especially  to  promote  harmony  of  action  in  the  mission  fields  at  home 
and  abroad. 

In  accordance  with  this  action,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  through  its  Committee, 
respectfully  proposes  to  your  honorable  body,  the  consideration  of  the  ex- 


ALLIANCE  OF  REFORMED  CHURCHES  7 

pediency  of  such  an  (Ecumenical  Council  with  the  request  that 
if  such  Council  be  deemed  expedient,  a  Committee  be  appointed  with  power 
to  determine  through  correspondence  or  conference  with  like  Commit- 
tees of  other  Presbyterian  bodies,  the  time,  place  and  manner  of  holding 
said  Council.  In  commending  this  invitation  to  your  regard,  the  Com- 
mittee would  mention,  among  the  many  advantages  sought  by  such  a 
Presbyterian  conference,  the  strength  that  would  thus  be  imparted  to  or- 
ganizations that  may  be  feeble,  because  of  their  smallness,  or  their  dis- 
tance from  evangelic  centres,  the  unity  of  spirit  that  would  be  emphasized 
throughout  our  different  bodies,  the  more  perfect  system  that  would  be 
introduced  into  our  processes  of  evangelization,  and  the  powerful  tes- 
timony to  the  truth  that  would  be  lifted  up  against  the  many  forms  of 
error  with  which  the  Church  of  Christ  has  to  contend. 

Earnestly  urging  this  matter  upon  you  as  a  work  for  the  progress 
of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom,  we  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  ourselves 
your  faithful  servants  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

HOWARD   CROSBY,   Moderator   of   the   General  Assembly   of   the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 
-     EDWIN  F.  HATFIELD,  Stated  Clerk,  General  Assembly  Prcsb.  Ch, 
United  States  of  America. 

JAMES  McCOSH,  President  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  Princeton. 

1874,  10-12. 

Report  of  Committee. 

A  letter  has  been  received  from  a  Committee  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  appointed 
"to  correspond  with  sister  Churches  holding  by  the  Westminster  Stand- 
ards, with  the  view  of  bringing  about  an  ((Ecumenical  Council  of  such 
Churches  to  consider  subjects  of  common  interest  to  all,  and  especially 
to  promote  harmony  of  action  in  the  mission  fields  at  home  and  abroad." 
The  Committee  of  the  Assembly  proposes  to  this  Synod,  which  is  regarded 
as  "holding  by  the  Westminster  Standards,"  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  cor- 
respond or  confer  "with  like  Committees  of  other  Presbyterian  bodies, 
as  to  the  time,  place  and  manner  of  holding  such  council." 

The  following  action  is  proposed  to  the  Synod : 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five  persons  be  appointed  by  the 
President  of  this  Synod  to  represent  the  Synod  in  arranging  the  time,, 
place,  and  manner  of  holding  such  council.     1874,  61. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  as  the  Committee  to  repre- 
sent the  General  Synod  in  arranging  the  time,  place,  and  manner  of 
holding  an  (Ecumenical  Council :  Rev.  Mancius  S.  Hutton,  Rev.  A.  P. 
Van  Gieson,  Rev.  Philip  Peltz,  and  Elders  William  J.  Bacon  and  John  W.. 
Ferdon.     1874,  62. 

1875. 

The   Committee  appointed   by   the   last    General    Synod,    to    represent 
the  Synod,  in  arranging  the  time,  place  and  manner  of  holding  an  (Ecu- 
menical Council,  presented  the  following  report  which  was  accepted  and 
adopted : 
To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  represent  the  General  Synod  in  ar- 
ranging the  time,  place  and  manner  of  holding  an  (Ecumenical  Coun- 
cil, begs  leave  to  report  that  the  whole  Committee,  with  the  exception  of 
Judge  Bacon,  who  was  prevented  from  attendance  by  official  duties,  met 
with  the  Committees  representing  the  American  and  Canadian  Pres- 
byterian Churches,  on  Dec.  3d,  1874,  in  the  City  of  Xew  York.  At  this 
meeting  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted,  as  declara- 
tive of  the  nature  and  ends  of  the  Federation  : 

"i.  In  the  opinion  of  the  Churches  represented  at  this  meeting,  it 
is  desirable  to  form  a  Confederation   of  the   Reformed   Churches  hold- 


8  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ing  to  the  Presbyterian  system,  in  order  to  manifest  the  substantial  unity 
of  these  Churches,  and  to  combine  them  in  the  accomplishment  of  the 
great  work  committed  to  them  by  the  Head  of  the  Church. 

2.  While  furnishing  to  the  Presbyterian  Churches  a  means  of  enter- 
ing into  closer  fellowship  with  one  another,  this  Confederation  is  not 
meant  to  separate  them  in  any  way  from  other  Churches  which  hold  by 
Christ,  the  Head,  with  which  Churches  it  will  always  be  ready  to  co- 
operate. 

3.  This  Confederation  does  not  propose  to  form  or  to  adopt  a  new 
Confession  of  Faith,  but  will  require  every  Church  proposing  to  join  it 
to  submit  its  Creed,  and  will  admit  only  the  Churches  whose  Creed  is  in 
conformity  with  the  consensus  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

4.  It  shall  not  interfere  with  the  internal  order  and  discipline  of 
any  Church. 

5.  It  shall  hold,  from  time  to  time,  a  General  Council,  composed 
of  representatives  of  all  the  Churches  constituting  the  Confederation. 

6.  The  representatives  to  this  Council  shall  always  consist  of  an 
equal  number  of  Ministers  and  Elders. 

7.  The  General  Council  shall  take  up  only  such  subjects  as  have 
been  committed  to  the  Church  by  her  great  Head. 

8.  The  General  Council  shall  seek  to  guide  public  sentiment  aright 
in  various  countries  by  papers  and  addresses  delivered,  by  information 
collected  in  order  to  publication,  by  the  exposition  of  sound  scriptural 
principles  and  defences  of  the  truth. 

9.  The  decisions  come  to  by  this  Council  shall  be  laid  before  the 
several  Churches,  and  be  entitled  to  receive  from  them  a  respectful,  a 
prayerful  and  careful  consideration. 

10.  It  will  labor  to  promote  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  Churches. 
J  I.    It  will  ever  rejoice  to  support  weak  and  struggling  Churches  which 

"have  to  carry  on  their  operations  amid  infidel  or  anti-Christian  opposi- 
tion. 

12.  It  will  defend  by  all  lawful  means,  those  who  in  any  ct)untry  are 
persecuted  for  conscience'  sake. 

13.  It  will  strive  to  procure  for  the  Churches  that  freedom  of  gov- 
ernment and  of  action,  which  Christ  has  given  to  such  as  their  inalien- 
able privilege. 

14.  It  wil  employ  all  moral  means  so  to  distribute  the  Mission  work 
of  the  Churches  on  the  foreign  field,  as  to  prevent  Missionary  enterprises 
from  interfering  with  or  hindering  each  other, — that  Missionaries  be 
sent  to  every  nation,  and  our  Lord's  command  be  fulfilled  by  the  gos- 
pel being  preached  to  every  creature. 

15.  It  will  encourage  the  Churches  to  combined  efforts  to  provide 
for  the  religious  wants  of  great  cities  and  other  destitute  portions  of 
the  home  field. 

16.  It  will  press  upon  all  the  Churches  the  imperative  duty  of  se- 
curing the  adequate  instruction  of  the  young  in  the  Scriptures  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testaments. 

17.  It  will  make  every  effort  to  protect  the  Sabbath  as  a  Divine  in- 
stitution, fitted  to  convey  so  many  blessings,  temporal  and  spiritual. 

18.  It  will  Endeavor  to  combine  the  Churches  in  their  efforts  to  sup- 
press intemperance,  and  the  other  great  prevailing  vices  of  the  age,  and 
generally  to  promote  the  moral  improvement  and  elevation  of  mankind. 

19.  It  will  aim  to  foster  among  Christians  systematic  beneficence  for 
the  furtherance  of  Christian  objects. 

20.  It  will  make  systematic  efforts  to  meet  prevailing  forms  of  in- 
fidelity all  over  the  world. 

21.  It  will  seek  to  combine  the  Protestant  Churches  in  opposing  the 
errors  and  inroads  of  Romanism. 

22.  In  order  to  organize  the  Confederation,  a  Sub-committee  shall 
i)e  appointed  to  correspond  with  the  Committees  of  the  British  Churches, 


ALLIANCE  OF  REFORMED  CHURCHES  9 

and  with  other  Churches  throughout  the  world  holding  to  the  Presby- 
terian system.  This  Sub-committee,  in  correspondence  with  the  Com- 
mittees of  the  British  Churches,  shall  call  a  preparatory  meeting  of  the 
Committees  of  all  the  Churches  joining  in  this  Confederation,  to  be  held 
in  London  or  elsewhere  in  1875. 

This  preparatory  meeting  is  expected  to  agree  upon  and  circulate  in 
proof  a  constitution  of  the  Confederation,  to  be  laid  before  a  General 
Council  of  the  Federal  Churches,  to  be  held,  if  possible,  in  1876.  This 
preparatory  meeting  shall  agree  upon  a  provisional  plan  of  representa- 
tion— that  is,  upon  the  number  of  deputies  to  be  sent  by  each  Church 
to  the  General  Council." 

A  second  meeting  was  held  April  8th,  1875,  at  which  it  was  stated 
that  a  conference  had  been  called  of  the  Committees  of  all  the  Churches 
of  Great  Britain,  and  her  colonies  in  America,  the  European  continent 
and  elsewhere,  that  are  favorable  to  the  project.  This  conference  will 
meet  in  London,  on  Wednesday,  July  21st,  1875,  and  will  prepare  a  draft 
constitution  for  the  proposed  Confederation,  and  determine  when  and 
where  the  First  General  Council  of  the  Confederated  Churches  shall  as- 
semble. At  this  meeting  the  following  interim  draft  of  a  constitution 
was  proposed  to  be  submitted  to  the  Conference  in  London : 

"preamble. 

Whereas.  The  Church  of  God,  though  composed  of  many  members, 
is  one  body  in  Christ;  and  Whereas,  The  Reformed  Churches  holding  the 
Presbyterian  principles,  are  substantially  one  in  Doctrine,  Government, 
and  Discipline ;  it  is  therefore  agreed,  to  form  a  Presbyterian  Alliance,  to 
meet  in  General  Council  from  time  to  time,  in  order  to  manifest  the  one- 
ness of  these  Churches,  and  to  combine  them  in  furthering  the  great 
ends  for  which  they  have  been  instituted  by  their  Head ;  it  being  under- 
stood, that  in  thus  uniting,  the  Presbyterian  Churches  do  not  mean  to 
separate  from  other  Churches  which  hold  by  Christ,  but  will  be  ready 
to  join  such  in  Christian  fellowship,  and  in  promoting  the  cause  of  the 
Redeemer. 

ARTICLES. 

1.  Designation. — This   Alliance  shall  be   called   The   Confederation 

2.  Bond  of  Union. — The  Bond  of  Union  is  Christ,  and  the  Scrip- 
of  the  Reformed  Churches,  holding  to  the  Presbyterian  System.' 

tures  of  the  Old  and  Xew  Testaments. 

3.  Membership. — Any  Church,  whose  creed  is  in  accordance  with 
the  consensus  of  the  Reformed  Churches — such  only  being  admissible, 
may,  on  expressing  by  its  Supreme  Court,  a  wish  to  join  the  Confedera- 
tion, be  admitted  into  membership  therein,  by  a  vote  of  the  General 
Council. 

4.     the   council. 

1.  Its  Constituency. — The  Council  shall  consist  of  Delegates  appointed 
by  the  Churches  forming  the  Confederation ;  the  number  from  each 
Church  being  regulated  by  a  plan  sanctioned  by  the  Council,  and  pro- 
ceeding on  the  principle  of  the  number  of  congregations  in  the  Churches ; 
the  Delegates,  moreover,  from  each  Church,  always  consisting  of  an  equal 
number  of  ministers  and  elders.  The  Council  may,  on  the  recommenda- 
tion of  a  Committee  on  Overtures,  choose  Associates  not  Delegates,  and 
invite  them  to  sit  and  to  deliberate,  to  offer  suggestions,  to  deliver  ad- 
dresses, and  to  read  papers. 

2.  Its  Powers. — The  Council,  while  it  has  the  power  to  determine 
what  Presbyterian  Churches  shall  be  allowed  to  join  the  Confederation, 
shall  not  interfere  with  the  internal  order  or  discipline  of  any  Church. 
It  shall  take  up  only  such  evangelistic  subjects  as  have  been  committed 
to  the  Church  by  her  great  Head.  Topics  may  be  brought  before  it  by 
any   Church   which   is   a   member   of   the    Confederation,   or   by   members 


lo  DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

of  the  Council,  on  being  transmitted  by  the  Committee  on  Overtures.  The 
decisions  and  recommendations  of  the  Council,  shall  be  transmitted  to 
the  Supreme  Courts  of  the  several  Churches,  and  be  entitled  to  receive 
from  these  a  respectful  and  prayerful  consideration. 

3.  Its  Objects. — The  Council  shall  seek  to  help  weak  and  struggling 
Churches,  to  promote  freedom  of  Church  action,  to  gather  and  disseminate 
information  concerning  the  Church  at  large,  to  commend  the  Presby- 
terian system  as  combining  simplicity,  efificiency,  and  adaptation  to  all 
times  and  conditions,  and  shall  entertain  all  subjects  that  are  directly 
concerned  with  the  work  of  evangelization,  as  the  following :  The  peace 
of  the  Churches;  the  distribution  of  Mission  work;  the  combination  of 
Church  energies — especially  in  reference  to  our  great  cities  and  destitute 
districts ;  the  religious  Instruction  of  the  Young ;  the  sanctification  of  the 
Sabbath ;  the  suppression  of  Intemperance  and  other  great  prevailing 
vices ;  Systematic  Beneficence ;  and  the  overthrow  of  Infidelity  and  Roman- 
ism. 

4.  Its  Methods. — The  Council  shall  seek  to  guide  and  stimulate  pub- 
lic sentiment  by  papers  read,  by  addresses  delivered,  by  publishing  and  cir- 
culating information  about  the  state  of  the  Churches  and  of  Missions, 
and  by  the  exposition  of  sound  Scriptural  Principles  and  Defenses  of  the 
truth. 

5.      CHANGE    OF    CONSTITUTION. 

This  Constitution  shall  not  be  changed,  except  on  a  motion  made 
at  one  meeting  of  Council,  and  carried  by  a  two-thirds  vote  at  the  next 
meeting." 

At  this  meeting  the  following  Resolution  was  also  unanimously 
adopted,  viz. :  'That  we  recommend  the  Committees  of  the  various 
Churches,  to  nominate  Delegates  to  attend  the  Conference,  in  the  col- 
lege of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Queen's  Square,  London,  on  Wed- 
nesday, the  2 1  St  day  of  July,  1875,  and  to  submit  the  names  of  these  Dele- 
gates, to  their  respective  Supreme  Church  Courts,  for  their  special  ap- 
proval." 

In  accordance  with  this  recommendation,  your  Committee  beg  leave 
to  nominate  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Vermilye  and  Mr.  Gamaliel  G.  Smith, 
now  in  Europe,  Rev.  E.  P.  Rogers  and  Rev.  PhiHp  Peltz,  whom  they  hope 
might  be,  thereby  induced  to  go.  Your  Committee  would  also  suggest 
that  General  Synod  add  to  this  list  the  names  of  others,  (especially  of 
Elders,)   who  might  possibly  attend. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

M.  S  HUTTON,  Chairman. 

New  York,  June  4th,  1875.     1875,  260-5. 

1876. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  (Dr.  M.  S.  Hutton)  reported  that 
at  the  late  meeting  in  London,  the  title  assumed  was  that  of  "Presbyterian 
Alliance" ;  that  Rev.  Dr.  E.  P.  Rogers  was  the  only  representative  of 
R.  C.  A.  present ;  that  the  next  meeting  was  to  be  held  in  Edinburgh,  July 
4,  1876.  This  day  was,  however,  changed,  at  the  request  of  the  American 
Committee,  on  account  of  the  American  Centennial,  to  July  4th, 
'77,  and  all  the  Churches  were  requested  to  appoint  delegates 
to  '  the  Edinburgh  Council  for  '77 ;  and  that  the  R.  C.  A. 
appoint  four  Primarii  and  four  Secundi,  '76,  444-5-  The  Minutes  of  the 
London  Conference  of  1875  were  received,  with  Introductory  Narrative 
and  Appendix;  and  the  report  of  Dr.  Rogers.  Ten  were  appointed,  of 
whom  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Ormiston  was  Chairman,  '76,  450;  '77,  645. 

First  Council  of  the  Alliance,  Edinburgh,  1877.  Only  six  of  the 
delegates  of  R.  C.  A  took  their  seats.  Rev.  Dr.  David  Inglis  addressed 
the  Council  on  "Co-operation  in  Missions,"  setting  forth  the  extent  and 
spirit  of  the  Mission  Work  of  R.  C  A.     The  proceedings  are  published. 


ALLIANCE  OF  REFORMED  CHURCHES  ii 

SS3  delegates  were  present,  representing  40  different  Bodies,  and  25  dif- 
ferent countries.  Many  large  Bodies  of  Reformed  Churches  exist  on  the 
Continent,  hardly  known  to  many  before.  The  weaker  Churches  on  the 
Continent  were  gladdened  by  the  sympathy  shown  them.  The  Foreign 
Mission  Work  was  especially  emphasized  in  the  Council.  The  next  meet- 
ing is  to  be  held  in  Philadelphia  in  Sept.  1880.  R.  C.  A.  is  entitled  to 
12  delegates.     '78,  47,  48. 

Names  of  delegates  appointed ;  '79,  238 ;  '80,  484. 

SECOND    COUNCIL,    PHILADELPHIA,     1880. 

Nearly  all  the  delegates  of  R.  C  A.  were  present.  The  Council  sug- 
gested that  the  several  churches  of  the  Alliance  appoint  a  small  Standing 
Committee,  with  whom  the  clerks  of  the  Council  may  correspond.  The 
next  Council  to  meet  in  Belfast,  May,  1884.  A  copy  of  the  Council's  Pro- 
ceedings, and  also  of  its  Minutes,  were  received;  '81,  683-4. 

In  1882,  no  action.  In  '83,  12  delegates  were  appointed,  of  whom  Dr. 
T.  W.  Chambers  was  Chairman.    '83,  251-2.    In  '84  no  action. 

THIRD   COUNCIL,   BELFAST,    MAY,    1884. 

Rev.  Dr.  G.  D.  Mathews,  Sec.  of  the  Ex.  Com.  of  the  Alliance,  sent  a 
copy  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Belfast  Council  to  the  Synod,  and  called  atten- 
tion to  a  resolution,  asking  for  an  appropriation  for  the  current  expenses 
of  the  Council.  This  was  further  explained  by  Dr.  Chambers :  that  to 
carry  on  the  work  of  the  Alliance,  a  large  Executive  Commission,  in  two 
sections,  one  European,  the  other  American,  was  appointed  to  act  during 
the  intervals.  (Dr.  Chambers  was  made  Chairman  of  the  American  sec- 
tion). It  is  the  purpose  of  the  Commission  to  appoint  a  Secretary  to  de- 
vote his  whole  service  to  the  Alliance.  The  proportion  of  R.  C.  A.  is  $205. 
This  was  ordered  paid.     1885,  653-4. 

1886-7. 
Communication  from  Sec.  Mathews  received.  Fourth  Council  to  meet 
in  London,  June  26th,  '88.  R.  C.  A.  entitled  to  12  delegates.  Their  selec- 
tion postponed  till  next  year;  '86,  135.  Their  names;  '87,  377.  Request 
from  the  Second  Congregation  in  Prague  for  financial  help  in  establishing 
itself.  Commended  to  the  whole  Church,  '88,  615.  Dr.  Chambers  gave 
notice  that  he  had  received  $663  toward  the  Bohemian  Fund,  '88,  490. 

FOURTH    COUNCIL,    AT    LONDON,    1888. 

Dr.  Chambers  presented  the  report.  This  Council  represented  a 
larger  number  of  constituent  Bodies  than  any  previous  one.  Its  sessions 
were  harmonious  and  influential.  The  business  was  put  in  a  better  shape 
through  the  appointment  of  a  Secretary,  (Rev.  Dr.  G.  D.  Mathews) 
Recommended,  that  the  Treasurer  of  Synod  pay  the  quota  of  R.  C.  A., 
$180;  that  when  the  next  delegation  is  appointed,  that  a  Chairmj^n  be 
named,  who  shall  have  authority  to  convene  the  members ;  that  the  Presi- 
dent and  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  fulfill  vacancies  which  may  occur 
in  the  delegation ;  that  one  or  two  members  should  be  taken  from  those 
who  have  attended  previous  Councils ;  that  the  question  should  be  con- 
sidered whether  it  was  not  time  to  have  a  distinct  American  Branch  of 
the  Alliance.     Signed  by  eight  members.     '89,  765,  842. 

1890. 
Rev.   Dr.    George   D.   Mathews,   the   Sec.   of  ithe   Alliance,   was   wel- 
comed,  and  addressed  the  Synod.     The   Synod   expressed   its   attachment 
to  the  Alliance,  its  confidence  in  the  principles  upon  which  it  was  founded, 
and  its  interest  in  the  great  work  committed  to  its  charge.     '90,  124. 

1891. 

WESTERN    SECTION    OF  THE   ALLIANCE. 

Dr.  Chambers  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  sum  of  $3,500  was 


12  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

the  quota  of  the  American  Churches  toward  the  expenses  of  the  Alliance, 
and  $i8o,  the  share  of  R.  C.  A.     This  was  ordered  paid. 

Sec.  Mathews  notified  Synod  that  the  Fifth  Meeting  of  the  Council 
would  be  held  in  Toronto  in  1892,  and  requested  the  appointment  of  dele- 
gates, and  that  some  of  them  should  be  those  who  had  attended  previous 
Councils.  24  were  appointed.  See  their  names.  Request  was  also  made 
that  the  Synod  would  appoint  the  week  beginning  Nov.  24,  as  a  week  of 
special  prayer  for  Foreign  Missions.     This  was  done  '91,  346-7. 

1892. 

Report  of  the  work  of  the  Western  Section  of  the  Alliance  was  made, 
and  the  usual  quota  of  R.  C.  A.,  $180,  ordered  paid,  '92,  573. 

FIFTH    COUNCIL    AT   TORONTO,    1892. 
1893. 

A  report  on  behalf  the  Western  Section  of  the  Alliance  was  received 
from  Dr.  Chambers,  and  Dr.  Roberts,  Sec.  of  Western  Section.  '93,  710. 
The  Western  Branch  has  commissioned  Rev.  Dr.  M.  H.  Hutton  as  its 
delegate.     '93,  812. 

1894. 

A  communication  from  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Western  Sec- 
tion of  the  Alliance,  reported  the  success  of  meetings  held  under  the  new 
policy  of  visiting  great  centres  throughout  the  country ;  that  Rev.  Dr. 
Wm.  H.  Roberts  was  appointed  to  bear  the  greetings  of  the  Western  Sec- 
tion to  the  Synod ;  and  requesting  the  appointment  of  delegates  to  the 
Sixth  Council  to  meet  in  Glasgow  in  July  ,1896.  Selection  deferred  until 
1895.  "94.  136.  The  usual  quota.  $180,  ordered  paid.  '94,  56.  See  "Fed- 
eral Union"  under  dates,  1893-4. 

1895. 

Sec.  G.  D.  Mathews  addressed  the  Synod.  He  brought  ako  the  salu- 
tations of  the  Reformed  Churches  of  South  Africa.  Ordered  that  greet- 
ings to  South  Africa  be  sent  by  President  and  Clerk ;  '95,  139,  142. 

The  usual  quota,  $180,  ordered  paid.  24  delegates  were  appointed  to 
attend  the  Glasgow  Council.     '95,  140- 1. 

1896. 

A  communication  from  the  Western  Section  of  the  Alliance  reports 
the  favorable  progress  of  the  work,  but  laments  the  death  of  Dr.  Cham- 
bers, the  President  of  the  Alliance.  A  Plan  of  Co-operation  in  Domestic 
Mission  Work  had  been  agreed  upon  as  follows  : 

PLAN    OF   CO-OPERATION. 

The  Boards  and  Committees  of  Home  Missions,  Church  Erection, 
Freedmen's  Missions  and  Sabbath-school  Work  of  the  American  Churches 
in  "The  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System,"  both  in  the  United  States  and  Canada,  recognizing  with  grati- 
tude to  God  their  substantial  unity  both  in  faith  and  polity,  do  agree  upon 
the  following  principles  of  action  for  their  guidance  in  their  work,  viz. : 

1.  That  in  the  work  of  all  these  Boards  as  related  to  each  other  the 
authority  of  the  Church  Courts  is  to  be  recognized  as  final. 

2.  That  there  shall  be  no  interference  with  Churches,  Missions  or 
Sabbath-schools  at  present  existing,  unless  by  voluntary  agreement  be- 
tween the  denominations  directly  concerned. 

3.  That  ordinarily,  no  Churches,  Missions  or  Sabbath-schools  shall 
be  established  in  small  communities  where  the  field  is  fully  occupied  by 
other  Presbyterian  or  Reformed  Churches. 

4.  That  the  Supreme  Judicatories  of  the  several  Churches  recom- 
mend their  Church  members  when  moving  into  new  communities  in  which 


ALLIANCE  OF  REFORMED  CHURCHES  13 

there  is  no  congregation  of  their  own  Church,  to  unite,  for  the  time 
being,  with  some  other  Presbyterian  or  Reformed  Church,  if  such  there 
be. 

5.  That  in  cases  of  difference  of  opinion  arising  in  connection  with 
the  work,  they  shall  be  referred  for  consideration  and  amicable  adjust- 
ment to  the  missionary  authorities  of  the  denominations  directly  concerned. 

Resolved,  That  this  plan  of  co-operation  be  approved. 

It  has  also  been  requested  that  a  sum  of  money  be  appropriated  to 
help  defray  the  expenses  of  the  Western  Section  of  the  Alliance  amount- 
ing to  $15  for  each  delegate,  therefore  we  recommend  the  following  reso- 
lution : 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  $180  be  appropriated  to  the  Western 
Section  of  the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  to  be  paid  out  of  such 
funds  as  are  available  for  this  purpose.  1896.  401,  417-419.  Printed  also 
in  Dom.  Miss.  Report,  '96,  25-27. 

SIXTH    COUNCIL,   GLASGOW,    1896. 

1897. 

Report  of  Council  of  1896,  received ;  also  the  report  of  Rev.  Dr.  David 
Waters  on  behalf  of  the  delegates  of  R.  C.  A. ;  also  the  report  of  the 
Executive  Commission  of  the  Western  Section.  Rev.  Dr.  D.  J.  Burrell 
was  appointed  to  convey  the  salutations  of  the  Council  to  the  Synod. 
'97,  689-690. 

The  Plan  of  Co-operation  of  1896  has  been  adopted  by  the  Presby- 
terian Assemblies,  North  and  South,  by  that  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  by  the  Synod  of  R.  C  A.,  and  the  Synod  of  the  R.  C  in 
U.  S.,  and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Canada. 
Request  that  delegates  be  appointed  to  attend  the  Seventh  Council,  to 
meet  in  Washington  in  the  Fall  of  1899.  Appointment  of  delegates  de- 
ferred.    '97,  691. 

1898. 

Ordered  that  the  usual  quota,  $180,  be  paid  toward  the  expenses  of 
the  Council.     Appointment  of  delegates  deferred  until  1899. — '98,  160,  162. 

1899. 

Report  of  the  Executive  Commission  of  the  Western  Section,  received, 
and  a  printed  Manual  of  the  Alliance,  with  a  brief  history  of  the  same, 
by  the  American  Secretary,  Rev.  Dr.  W.  H.  Roberts.  12  delegates  were 
appointed  for  the  Washington  Council  to  meet  in  September.     '99,  470. 

ARBITRATION. 

Your  Committee  desire  to  read,  in  the  presence  of  Synod,  the  sec- 
tion of  this  communication  bearing  upon  the  important  subject  of  ar- 
bitration. 

"During  the  past  year  the  Alliance  has  been  privileged  to  exercise  its 
influence  in  a  marked  way  in  favor  of  arbitration  as  a  method  of  settle- 
ment for  all  difficulties  arising  between  nations.  A  movement  to  that 
end  was  inaugurated  by  one  of  the  Churches  of  the  Alliance,  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States.  The  General  Assembly  of  that 
Church,  in  1891,  requested  the  co-operation  of  General  Assemblies,  Synods, 
Conferences,  and  other  governing  bodies  of  the  Christian  Churches 
throughout  the  world,  with  a  view  to  advancing  the  great  interests  of 
International  Arbitration.  The  result  of  the  movement  has  been  the 
presentation  of  a  petition  having  that  end  in  view  to  the  rulers  of  all  the 
civilized  nations  of  the  world.  The  presentation  of  the  petition  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  was  entrusted  to  a  Committee  of  the  Al- 
liance composed  of  the  American  Secretary,  Rev.  Wm.  Henry  Roberts, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  as  Chairman,  with  Rev.  Dr.  Wallace  Radcliffe,  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Drury,  D.D.,  of  the  Re- 


14  DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

formed  Church  in  America,  Rev.  A.  W.  Pitzer,  D.D.,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States,  and  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Barr,  D.D.,  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  Committee  wslS  given  audience  by  the 
President  on  Dec.  29,  1898;  the  members  v^ere  most  cordially  received 
by  him,  and  he  said  that  he  had  recommended  to  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  arbitration  as  a  method  of  settling  difficulties  with  Great  Britain, 
and  that  he  hoped  for  its  ultimate  adoption  by  both  nations.  He  also 
said  that  he  had  responded  promptly  to  the  Czar's  proposal  for  disarma- 
ment, but  that  under  present  circumstances,  the  armament  of  the  United 
States  could  not  be  lessened,  but  would  in  any  event  be  smaller  than 
would  satisfy  European  nations."  It  was  evident  that  President  McKin- 
ley  was  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  objects  of  the  petition. 

Certain  of  the  facts  connected  with  the  petition  are  worthy  of  special 
mention.  As  a  paper,  it  stood  in  a  remarkable  way  for  the  unity  of  Chris- 
tian sentiment  on  the  subject.  The  signatures  attached  thereto  were  rep- 
resentative of  all  denominations  and  countries.  The  Church  of  England 
was  represented  by  the  names  of  seventeen  prominent  dignitaries,  includ- 
ing the  Bishops  of  Durham  and  Ripon ;  the  Church  of  Scotland,  by  the 
Moderator  of  its  General  Assembly,  and  twenty-nine  other  Churches  in 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland  signified  their  official  approval,  while  the  Sal- 
vation Army  signed  through  its  General.  In  addition  it  was  adopted  by 
two  Churches  in  Belgium,  two  in  Switzerland,  six  in  Holland,  twelve  in 
Australia,  and  twenty-eight  in  the  United  States  of  America.  In  the  lat- 
ter are  included  the  Baptist,  Congregational,  Lutheran,  Methodist  Epis- 
copal as  well  as  the  Presbyterian  and  Reiformed  Churches.  All  the 
Churches  in  this  Alliance  also,  are  to  be  regarded  as  having  sustained 
the  petition  and  among  the  signers  are  the  representatives  of  two  Ro- 
man Catholic  organizations.  The  total  number  of  Christian  denomina- 
tions supporting  it,  therefore,  was  one  hundred  and  forty-five,  represent- 
ing more  than  ninety  millions  of  Protestant  Christians.  It  is  suggested 
in  this  connection  that  your  venerable  body  take  action  recommending 
the  offering  of  public  prayer  in  the  congregations  under  your  care,  that 
the  blessing  of  God  may  rest  upon  the  Conference  of  accredited  repre- 
sentatives of  the  Nations  which  will  meet  May  18,  1899,  at  the  Hague, 
Holland,  at  the  request  of  the  Czar  of  Russia,  to  consider  the  question 
of  disarmament.  The  Conference  will  gather  in  a  land  whose  people  and 
sovereign  are  professors  of  the  faith  and  upholders  of  the  church  order 
of  the  Churches  of  this  Alliance. 

To  give  expression  to  the  fraternal  sentiments  of  Christian  affection, 
which  bind  together  in  real  union  the  several  churches  of  the  Alliance, 
the  American  Section  has  appointed  the  Rev.  D.  J.  Burrell,  D.D.,  as  its 
delegate  to  convey  to  you  its  cordial  greetings. 

With  best  wishes  for  the  prosperity  of  the  cause  of   Christ  in  your 
midst  as  a  Church  and  through  you  to  all  the  world,  we  are, 
In  behalf  of  the  Alliance, 

WM.  CAVEN,  Chairman. 
WM.  HENRY  ROBERTS. 

As  requested,  we  recommend  that  the  following  resolution  be  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  public  prayer  be  offered  in  all  our  congregations  for 
the  blessing  of  God  to  rest  upon  the  Peace  Conference  of  the  Nations, 
now  in  session  at  the  Hague,  Holland,  considering  the  great  questions  of 
disarmament  and  International  Arbitration. 

The  Rev.  D.  J.  Burrell,  D.D.,  was  commissioned  by  the  American 
section  of  the  Alliance  to  convey  to  this  body  its  cordial  greetings,  and 
Dr.  Burrell  has  sent  a  letter  requesting  Elder  John  S.  Bussing  to  ren- 
der this  service,  as  he  is  unable  to  be  present. 

Your    Committee    recommended    that    Mr.    Bussing    be    heard.     1899, 

470-3- 

See  "Arbitration." 


ALLIANCE  OF  REFORMED  CHURCHES  15 

SEVENTH   COUNCIL,    WASHINGTON,    1899. 
1900. 

Printed  report  of  the  Washington  Council  received;  also  a  report  of 
the  Executive  Commission  of  the  Western  Section,  with  salutations.  The 
usual  quota  of  R.  C.  A.,  ordered  paid.  Also  that  there  is  great  need  of 
English  services  on  the  Continent  of  Europe,  especially  in  the  larger  cities 
where  merchants  and  travellers  in  large  numbers  are  found,  and  efforts 
are  being  made  to  establish  summer  stations  in  Europe,  where  the  Re- 
formed and  Presbyterian  type  of  worship  will  be  introduced.  Such  sum- 
mer station  may  be  maintained  at  a  minimum  cost  of  $300,  and  the  Con- 
tinental Committee  of  the  Alliance,  Rev.  Jas.  J.  Good,  D.D.,  Reading, 
Pa.,  Chairman,  will  give  information. 

That  the  Alliance  reports  hopeful  signs  of  Church  union  between 
ecclesiastical  bodies  of  like  faith,  order,  and  name,,  notably  the  union  of 
the  Presbyterian  Churches  of  South  Africa  and  the  union  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.     1900,  779,  780. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Drury,  representing  the  Western  Section  of  the  Al- 
liance, addressed  the  Synod,  1900,  778. 

190 1. 

The  usual  quota,  $180,  of  R.  C.  A.,  ordered  paid. — Attention  was 
called  to  the  need  of  earnest  united  effort  for  the  evangeliza- 
tion of  the  United  States  in  view  of  the  perils  from  immigra- 
tion, and  from  ignorance ;  to  the  fortitude  of  the  native  Christians  in 
China  under  persecution ;  to  the  great  success  and  expected  results  of 
the  Ecumenical  Missionary  Conference  of  1900,  and  to  other  matters  of 
religious  interest,  which  have  been  brought  to  our  notice  by  their  dele- 
gate and  by  other  communications. 

Rev.  James  I.  Good,  D.D.,  addressed  Synod  as  the  representative  of 
the  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches,  and  called  special  attention  to  the 
desirability  of  establishing  English  preaching  in  European  cities. 

Also  that  our  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  inquire  into  the  cost  and 
possibility  of  establishing  and  maintaining  English  preaching  and  wor- 
ship during  July  and  August  of  each  year,  in  at  least  one  station  at  The 
Hague  in  Holland,  or  at  some  other  point  on  the  continent.     1901,  1126. 

A  petition  from  the  church  of  Porsoney,  Hungary,  asking  for  finan- 
cial aid  in  building  a  church,  was  declined,  1901,  1127.. 

1902. 

Executive  Commission  had  commissioned  Rev  .Dr.  D.  J.  Burrell  to 
bear  brotherly  greetings  to  the  Synod.  The  usual  quota  of  R.  C.  A., 
$180,  was  ordered  paid.  24  delegates  were  appointed  to  attend  the  Eighth 
Council,  to  meet  at  Liverpool,  in  June,  1904. 

The  Alliance  asks  for  a  Committee  to  be  known  as  a  Correspondence 
Committee  to  communicate  with  the  Rev.  James  I.  Good,  relative  to  work 
on  the  European  Continent  in  Aid  of  the  Reformed  Churches  located 
there. 

We  recommend  the  following:  Rev.  James  M.  Farrar,  D.D.,  Rev.  J. 
Douglas  Adam,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Fagg. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  G.  D.  Matthews,  of  London,  England,  the  Secretary 
of  the  Alliance,  who  has  recently  returned  from  Poland  and  Russia,  ad- 
dressed Synod  and  spoke  of  the  progress  made  by  the  Stundist  movement 
in  these  countries  and  urged  that  America,  the  land  of  religious  and 
personal  freedom,  join  with  England  in  sending  Missionaries  to  help 
these  brave  reformers.     1902.  127. 

The  Rev.  D.  J  .Burrell,  D.D.,  also  addressed  the  Synod  representing 
the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  through  the  world,  holding  the 
Presbyterian  system.     1902,  129. 


i6  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1903. 

Report  of  the  Western  Section  of  the  AUiance,  received.  1903,  267. 
— Delegates  already  appointed  to  the  Liverpool  Council,  in  1902.  The 
Western  Section  of  the  Alliance  sends  its  Annual  Report.  The  usual 
quota,  $180,  of  R.  C.  A.,  was  ordered  paid.  The  union  of  the  various  Pres- 
byterian Bodies  in  India  into  a  single  Church  is  noticed  as  already  ef- 
fected.    1903,  396-7. 

1904. 

The  Annual  Report  of  the  Western  Section  of  the  Alliance  was  re- 
ceived.    Mention  is  made  of  the  Toronto  meeting  to  be  held  in  Oct.,  1904. 

Topics  presented  for  consideration :  The  spiritual  welfare  of  Amer- 
icans and  Europeans  in  foreign  ports,  and  the  necessity  of  evangelistic 
work  among  them.  The  Board  of  Missions  requested  to  draw  the  at- 
tention of  our  foreign  missionaries  to  this  matter. — The  use  of  the  Bible 
in  the  Public  Schools.  Synod  expressed  its  gratification  at  the  general  prac- 
tice, and  set  apart  the  second  Lord's  day  in  Sept.  as  a  day  of  prayer 
for  the  Public  Schools. — On  an  advanced  course  of  Sabbath  School  les- 
sons ;  lesson  helps  for  Hungarian  Sunday-Schools ;  the  publication  of  a 
Normal  S.  S.  Manual :  all  referred  to  Synod's  Standing  Com.  on  S.  Ss. ; 
on  the  relation  of  the  U.  S.  Government  to  religious  work  in  the  Phil- 
ippines and  in  Porto  Rico ;  nothing  possible  therein  for  R.  C.  A.  at  pres- 
ent.    The  usual  quota  of  R.  C.  A.  of  $180,  ordered  paid.     1904,  744-5. 

1905. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Alliance,  calling  attention 
to  the  celebration  of  certain  important  Reformation  events.  Documents 
from  the  Alliance:  (i)  Annual  report  of  the  Executive  Com.  of  the 
Western  Section.  (2)  Report  of  Com.  on  Fraternal  Associate  Member- 
ship in  the  Evangelical  Churches.  (3)  Printed  reports  of  a  special  com- 
mittee on  candidates  for  the  ministry.  (4)  Bound  copy  of  Proceedings 
of  the  Eighth  Council  at  Liverpool.     1905,  143. 

Rev.  Drs.  Mason  and  Good  reported  concerning  English  preaching 
services  at  the  Hague.  Only  a  few  voluntary  services  could  be  arranged 
for  last  year,  at  the  trifling  cost  of  $86.  A  larger  work  proposed  for 
the  summer  of  1905.  $230  have  been  raised,  and  the  work  put  in  the  care 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Evert  Van  Slyke.  The  Synod  endorsed  the  scheme  and  con- 
tinues the  representatives  of  R.  C.  A.  in  the  Alliance,  as  the  Committee 
to  have  charge  of  said  services,  and  the  work  is  commended  to  the 
churches.     1905,  144. 

It  was  recommended  that  the  first  Sabbath  of  November,  1905,  be  ob- 
served as  Reformation  Day,  in  commemoration  of  the  birth  of  John 
Knox,  of  the  death  of  Theodore  Beza,  the  colleague  and  successor  of 
Calvin.     1905,   145. 

In  reference  to  the  small  number  of  candidates,  ministers  were  urged, 
by  precept  and  example,  to  set  forth  the  claims  of  Christ,  and  the  privi- 
leges and  blessings  of  the  Gospel  ministry;  that  parents  be  urged  to  con- 
secrate their  sons  thereto. 

Resolutions  respecting  the  Churches'  responsibility  and  duty  toward 
the  colored  people  were  passed.     1905,  146-7.     See  Church  Union. 

Alm.anac  and  Year  Book.  As  early  as  1863,  the  Bd.  of  Publication 
was  requested  by  Synod  to  publish  such  a  work,  and  full  latitude  was 
given  them  as  to  its  contents,  1863,  355-6;  1864,  503;  1865,  645;  but  funds 
did  not  prove  available.  In  1900,  the  Committee  on  the  State  Church  again 
brought  up  the  matter: 

Resolved,  That  General  Synod,  in  order  to  make  the  entire  church 
better  acquainted  with  our  Educational  Institutions,  hereby  authorizes 
the  publication  of  a  Denominational  Year-Book,  and  that  the  Acts  and 
Proceedings  of  General  Svnod  be  provided  with  an  Annual  Index.  1900, 
834. 


ALMIGHTY,   THE  17 

Your  Committee  recommend  that  in  the  annual  Church  Year-Book, 
already  mentioned  under  "Education,"  the  Mission  Boards  have  ade- 
quate representation  along  with  that  given  to  the  other  organzations  under 
the  care,  or  having  a  claim  to  the  interests  and  affections  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America.     1900,  839,  840. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  I.  W.  Gowen,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Publication,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  DeHart,  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod,  and  Rev.  J.  B.  Drury,  be  appointed  to  prepare  and  publish, 
if  possible,  before  January  ist,  1901,  the  Year  Book  as  provided  for  by 
the  General  Synod,  and  to  report  to  the  next  General  Synod  a  plan  for 
future  publication.     1900,  845. 

The  Committee  on  the  Year  Book  respectfully  reports : 

That  they  have  given  the  subject  committed  to  them  careful  atten- 
tion by  frequent  meetings.  It  seemed  to  them,  however,  wise  in  view 
of  the  necessity  of  haste  and  consequently  danger  of  unsatisfactory  re- 
sults, to  avail  themselves  of  General  Synod's  indulgent  "if  possible"  and 
not  attempt  the  publication  of  a  YEAR  BOOK  on  January  i,  1901. 

A  new  venture  to  commend  itself  to  the  Reformed  Church,  must  be 
a  success  from  the  start.  To  secure  such  a  reception  for  the  YEAR 
BOOK,  which  our  Committee  trust  may  become  an  established  annual 
of  the  Reformed  Church,  it  seemed  good  to  bring  before  the  Synod  a  re- 
port of  plans  rather  than  of  performances. 

Our  Committee  lays  before  Synod  sample  pages  of  YEAR  BOOK 
with  table  of  contents,  cost  of  production  and  supply,  which  it  feels  will 
not  only  be  of  service  to  the  Church,  but  which  if  not  in  the  first  year, 
will  in  a  short  time,  be  self-supporting.  Our  plan,  briefly  stated,  con- 
templates a  royal  octavo  volume,  of  about  70  pages,  illustrated,  contain- 
ing the  following: — (Here  follows  Table  of  Contents)  ;  1901  ,1113-15. 

The  first  "Almanac  and  Year  Book  of  R.  C.  A.,  was  issued  in  sum- 
mer of  1901,  and  has  been  yearly  continued;  1902,  no;  1903,  379;  and  it 
was  urged  that  efforts  should  be  made  to  place  a  copy  in  every  family. 
1905,  122. 

Almighty,  The.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23,  26-28,   128. 

Alms.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  30;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  103;  Form  for  Or- 
daining Deacons ;  duty  of  Deacons ;  Constit  of  1874,  Art.  29.  May  be 
used  for  current  expenses,  if  not  needed  for  the  poor,  1874,  29. 

Altar.  This  word  does  not  once  occur  in  the  Standards,  the  Liturgy, 
or  the  Rules  of  Church  Government  of  R.  C.  A.  Nevertheless,  we  have 
an  Altar,  etc.     Heb.  13 ;  10. 

Alto,  Wis.  Board  of  Corporation  authorized  to  invest  certain  moneys 
in  their  hands,  belonging  to  the  Church  Building  Fund,  in  a  bond  of 
said  Church.     1857,  150. 

Alumni  Association  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  Formally 
organized,  1853.  Enrolls  in  its  membership  not  only  graduates  of  said 
Seminary,  but  all  ministers  of  R.  C.  A.  At  first  it  held  its  meeting  on 
some  evening  during  the  sessions  of  General  Synod ;  but  in  1886,  it 
requested  the  Bd.  of  Superintendents  to  be  allowed  a  place  on  the  Semi- 
nary's Program  in  Commencement  week.  The  afternoon,  previous  to 
the  public  exercises  of  the  Seminary,  was  set  apart  for  this  purpose,  after 
the  approbation  of  Synod  had  been  secured ;  but  Synod  refused  to  make 
an  appropriation  of  $50  for  expenses;  '86,  17,  59,  60.  Great  success  of 
first  meeting,  '87,  255,  299.  See  Article  "Alumni"  in  index  of  Centennial 
of  Seminary. — In  Oct.,  1855,  the  Alumni  proposed  starting  a  Review,  and 
a  Committee  was  appointed  to  report  a  Plan  and  nominate  an  Editor,  and 
$1,000  were  subscribed;  but  success  did  not  crown  the  effort.  See  New 
Brunswick  Review,  1853 ;  Evangelical  Quarterly,  1859. 

Alumni  Endowment  Fund,  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  The 
Association  paid  in  to  the  Bd.  of  Corporation,  $1,200  in  1900;  $1,000  more 


i8  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

in  1901  ;  and  $r,ooo  more  in  1902;   since  which  time  this  fund  has  stood 
at  $3,200  in  the  Annual  Digest. 

Amelia  Institute,  Va.     A  new  Institution,  1870,  104. 

Amendments  to  the  Constitution.  .  How  made:  Constit.  of  1874, 
Art.  123;  (of  1833,  Art.  18;  of  1792,  the  final  paragraphs;  of  1619,  Art. 
86.)  Observe  the  differences  in  the  phraseology  of  these  Articles.  The 
actual  amendments  will  be  exhibited  in  connction  with  the  Constitution, 
which  see. 

American  and  Foreign  Christian  Union.  [Constituted  by  the 
union  (1849)  of  "The  American  Protestant  Society"  and  Baird's  "Evan- 
gelical Society"]  Copies  of  the  Annual  Reports  sometimes  distributed 
in  Synod,  (1856,  120,)  and  resolutions  commending  the  Society,  were  oc- 
casionally passed,  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  recommend  this  Society,  and  its  interest- 
ing and  important  work  among  the  Romanists  of  our  own  country  and 
in  Papal  lands  abroad,  to  the  cordial  and  liberal  support  of  the  churches 
under  its  care  and  supervision,  and  recommend  that  annual  and  effective 
contributions  be  made  in  them  in  its  behalf.     '58,  363. 

The  claims  of  the  American  and  Foerign  Christian  Union  were  pre- 
sented by  its  Corresponding  Secretary,  Rev.  Joseph  Scudder. 

Resolved,  That  the  American  and  Foreign  Christian  Union  be  com- 
mended to  the  Christian  sympathy  and  co-operation  of  the  entire  Church, 
and  that  the  Synod  would  hail  with  great  delight  the  intelligence  of  a 
liberal  contribution  from  all  our  Churches  to  the  treasury  of  this  highly 
important  Society.     '65,  649. 

Similar  resolutions,  '66,  114;  '67,  286;/68,  500;  '69,  664,  etc. 

American  Arcot  High  School.  An  institution  preceding  the  Lay 
Agents'  Class,  in  Arcot.     1895,  68,  74. 

American  Bible  League.  Organized,  1903,  by  the  friends  of  the 
Bible,  to  promote  a  more  thorough  reverential  and  constructive  study  of 
the  Sacred  Volume,  and  to  maintain  the  historic  faith  of  th^  Church,  in 
its  divine  inspiration,  and  supreme  authority  as  the  Word  of  God. 

American  Bible  Society.     Organized,   1816. — 

First  appears  before  Synod  in  1829,  in  reference  to  supplying  every 
family  in  the  U.  S.  with  a  Bible  within  two  years.  Synod  heartily  en- 
dorsed this  proposal,  and  urged  all  ministers  and  churches  to  co-operate ; 
and  whereas,  the  main  obstacle  was  to  find  suitable  agents,  Synod  sug- 
gested, that  if  any  ministers  felt  called  to  this  work,  the  Classes  should 
take  measures  to  supply  their  pulpits  during  their  absence,  '29,  210,  211. 

In  1832  a  delegation  from  the  Society  presented  the  condition  and 
necessities  of  the  Society.  Synod  again  pressed  its  claims  for  support 
on  the  churches,  and  urged  co-operation  of  all,  to  the  extent  of  their 
means,  to  meet  the  call  for  the  Word  of  Life  from  heathen  lands ;  '2)^,  93 ; 
94. 

In  1834  the  Com.  on  the  State  of  Religion  placed  this  Society  at  the 
head  of  all  charities.  It  had  issued  nearly  111,000  copies  of  the  Scriptures, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  during  the  year,  in  English,  Spanish,  French,  Ger- 
man, Welsh,  Irish,  Gaelic,  and  modern  Greek;  making  an  aggregate  of 
1,644,500  copies,  since  its  formation;  etc.,  '34,  270. 

The  representatives  of  this  Society  continued  to  appear  in  Synod  oc- 
casionally, and  similar  action  was  always  cheerfully  taken.  See  '41,  535; 
'43,  278,  when  the  importance  of  the  Bible  to  counteract  Romanism,  is 
emphasized ;  in  '49,  508-9,  when  Dr.  S.  I.  Prime  referred  to  the  unparal- 
leled increase  of  translations  and  distributions  of  the  Bible,  and  to  the 
formation  of  local  organizations,  as  well  as  to  the  necessity  of  increased 
contributions  to  meet  the  growing  work;  similar  action  in  '51,  200;  '52, 
286-7 ;  '53,  282 ;  at  the  extra  session  of  the  Synod  in  1855,  in  New  York, 
the  invitation  was  accepted  to  visit  the  new  (1852)   Bible  House,  Oct.,, 'S5, 


AMERICAN    BOARD  19 

25;  in  1862,  our  own  late  Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor  was  elected  one  of 
the  secretaries,  who  reviewed  the  history  of  the  Society  before  Synod 
in  a  most  eloquent  manner,  showing  that  notwithstanding  the  War,  the  re- 
ceipts of  this  Society  were  undiminished ;  and  appropirate  resolutions  were 
passed,  '62,  213,  214;  similar  action,  '64,  208;  '66,  113;  '67,  286;  '68,  501; 
'69,  664.  Then  for  several  years,  no  action  seems  to  have  been  taken, 
1870-1880;  but  in  1881,  the  following: — 

Resolved,  That  we  gladly  renew  the  commendation  often  expressed 
in  former  years  of  the  work  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  and  now  urge 
its  claims  afresh  upon  the  liberality  of  all  our  people,  believing  that  the 
printed  Word  is  an  indispensable  adjunct  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel, 
and  the  successful  use  of  the  ordinary  means  of  grace.     '81,  790. 

Similar  action,  '82,  165 ;  in  '83,  it  is  reported  that  the  Society  is  en- 
tering on  its  Fourth  General  Supply  of  the  country  with  the  Bible.  331 
colporteurs  were  employed.  The  circulation  in  foreign  lands  had  been 
largely  increased.  Proper  resolutions  were  passed,  '83,  363 ;  '85,  779 ;  '87, 
378;  '88,  620;  '89,  846;  '90,  134;  '91,  360;  '92,  586,  when  the  Synod  expresses 
its  pleasure  that  the  issues  for  the  year  have  reached  a  million  and  a^ quar- 
ter volumes.  The  work  of  the  Society  continued  to  be  commended  each 
year  to  all  the  churches;  '93,  823;  '94,  142;  '95,  142;  '96,  421-2;  enlarged 
contributions  were  urged,  '97,  695-6.  In  1898  the  following  action  was 
taken : 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Hunt,  the  Secretary  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  ap- 
peared before  your  Committee,  and  stated  that  the  Society  had  employed 
for  seventy-five  (75)  years  District  Superintendents  to  labor  in  various 
parts  of  the  United  States  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  and  stimulating 
auxiliary  societies,  and  in  other  ways  advancing  the  interests  of  the  Bible 
cause.  The  expenses  of  this  system  amounted  during  recent  years  to  about 
thirty  thousand  dollars  ($30,000)  annually.  This  outlay,  especially  for 
the  past  few  years,  has  not  been  met  by  satisfactory  results.  These  Dis- 
trict Superintendents,  twenty-one  (21)  in  number,  have  now  been  retired 
from  service.  And  it  is  proposed  to  divide  the  country  into  seven  dis- 
tricts, and  place  each  under  the  oversight  of  a  Field  Secretary,  whose  chief 
duty  shall  be  to  present  to  ecclesiastical  bodies,  churches,  and  individuals 
the  increasing  claims  of  the  Society. 

The  work  of  the  American  Bible  Society  is  essentially  and  always 
benevolent.  Its  avowed  aim  being  to  encourage  a  wider  circulation  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  Society  deems  it  destructive  to  its  benevolent 
purpose  to  compete  in  the  high-priced  bindings  of  Oxford,  Bagster  and 
other  publishers. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  great  importance  of  the  work  conducted 
by  the  American  Bible  Society,  and  in  view  of  its  being  a  cause  so  pecu- 
liarly worthy  to  be  remembered  with  offerings,  30ur  Committee  urges  in- 
creased contributions  to  this  blessed  Bible  cause.     "98,   1634. 

The  usual  resolutions  of  commendation  of  the  work  were  passed. — '99, 
474;  1900,  784;  1901,  1132;  1902,  130;  1903,  403,  405;  1904,  752;  and  in 
1005  the  Synod  expressed  its  grief  that  its  operations  were  hindered  by 
lessened  receipts,  and  the  churches  were  urged  to  celebrate  in  May,  1906, 
the  90th  anniversary  of  the  Society.     1905,  155. 

American  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Foreign  Missions,  1810.  The 
United  Missionary  Society,  through  which  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church 
carried  on  its  work  among  the  Heathen,  1816-26,  was  amalgamated  with 
the  American  Board,  1826-32;  after  which  the  Church  established  its 
own  independent  Board,  but  co-operated  with  the  American  Board,  1832- 
57,  when  it  resolved  to  carry  on  its  work  in  entire  independence  of  any 
other  Societies.  See  Corvjin's  Manual,  Ed.  1902,  240-5 ;  also  Article 
"Foreign  Missions"  in  this  Digest. — 1826,  58-61;  '27,  74-77;  '31,  380-1; 
'32,  88-90,  138-141,  232;  '57,  223-236;  for  deeds  of  property  in  Asia,  from 
Am.  Board,  1859,  378;  1862,  120;  see  also  1889,  808;  also  Report  of  Board 


20  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

of  Foreign  Missions,  R.  C.  A.,  1897,  for  review  of  40  years;  and  Report 
of  Committee  on  State  of  the  Church,  1900,  814,  821-2. 

American  Classis,  The.  The  Coetus  declared  itself  to  be  a  Clas- 
sis,  and  assumed  all  Classical  powers,  1754-71 ;  see  Minutes  of  Coetus,  pp. 
89-93 ;  ''ind  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York,  under  dates  1754-71. 

American  Colonization  Society.  Organized  1817,  with  the  design 
of  colonizing  in  Africa,  the  colored  people  of  the  U.  S.  Its  objects  were 
first  brought  before  the  Synod  in  1820.  It  appeared  to  the  Synod  to  be 
benevolent  in  design,  and  if  supported,  and  judiciously  executed,  calculated 
to  be  useful  here  and  in  Africa,  and  to  the  cause  of  humanity.  It  was  com- 
mended to  the  churches.  1820,  17,  18. — A  few  years  later  when  its  docu- 
ments were  examined,  the  Synod  declared  the  institution  one  of  the  most 
interesting  and  important  in  the  country.  Reference  was  made  to  the 
starting  of  the  colony  of  Liberia,  and  of  the  numbers  who  had  settled 
there,  and  who  were  opening  the  door  for  the  Gospel  to  enter  Africa. 
Most  of  the  Denominations  had  spoken  favorably  of  the  enterprise,  and 
Synod  commended  it  to  the  churches,  and  that  collections  be  taken  up 
on  the  4th  of  July,  in  its  behalf.  1824,  12,  13;  '25,  9;  '26,  63;  'Z'^,  94. — 
In  1834  Synod  declared  that  the  Society  was  meeting  the  expectation  of 
its  friends,  in  providing  an  asylum  for  the  emancipated  colored  people 
of  America ;  was  developing  a  healthy  sentiment  concerning  the  curse  of 
slavery  ;  and  was  providing  a  point  of  departure,  in  Liberia,  for  extensive 
missionary  labor  in  Africa,  '34,  272.  The  Synod  warmly  commended  the 
Society  as  an  institution  calculated  to  promote  the  cause  of  humanity,  and 
to  spread  the  Gospel  thro'  Africa;  and  that  collections  for  it  be  taken  up 
on  or  about  the  4th  of  July,  '34,  334;  '35,  397;  and  similar  resolutions 
almost  every  year  down  to  1848.     In  1849  the  following  action  was  taken : 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  minute  expressive  of  the  sen- 
timents of  Synod  on  the  subject  of  colonizing,  with  their  own  consent, 
persons  of  color  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  respectfully  submit  the  follow- 
ing :— 

Resolved,  That  the  value  of  the  colonization  enterprise,  as  conserva- 
tive of  the  peace  and  harmony  of  our  country,  as  adapted  practically  to 
meliorate  the  condition  of  the  free  people  of  color,  as  auxiliary  to  the 
missionary  work  in  Africa,  and  as  the  most  effective  and  economical 
agency  for  suppressing  the  slave  trade,  has  been  eminently  manifested 
in  the  events  of  the  past  year. 

Resolved,  That  we  have  learned  with  pleasure  that  an  increased  num- 
ber of  churches  are,  from  year  to  year,  making  collections  to  aid  the 
Society,  and  that  the  Synod  reiterate  the  recommendation  often  expressed 
by  former  Synods,  that  annual  collections  be  made  in  our  churches  in 
its  behalf,  on  a  Sabliath  near  the  fourth  of  July.     1849,  509. 

Commendatory  action  continued  to  be  taken,  '50,  107;  '51,  200-1;  '52, 
287;  '53,  383;  '55,  621;  '57,  245;  '58,  363;  '60,  583;  '61,  103.  In  the  years 
of  the  Rebellion,  the  following  is  found : 

Whereas,  The  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  has  in  common 
with  some  other  evangelical  denominations  of  this  country,  felt  a  deep 
and  abiding  interest  in  the  subject  of  providing  suitable  and  efficient 
ways  and  means  whereby  such  portions  of  the  colored  population  of  the 
several  States,  who  should  attain  their  freedom  by  emancipation  or  other- 
wise, and  who  were  willing  and  desirous  of  returning  to  their  father 
land ;  and,  whereas,  many  of  our  most  distinguished  statesmen,  philan- 
thropists and  Christians,  have  for  many  years  been  engaged  in  the  benev- 
olent work  of  colonizing  the  free  colored  population  of  this  country  in 
the  Republic  of  Liberia,  Africa,  which  Republic  is  said  to  be  in  a  healthy 
and  prosperous  condition ;  and,  whereas,  the  leading  nations  of  Europe 
have  long  since  recognized  the  Republic  of  Liberia  as  a  nation  extant, 
and  the  Government  of  the  United  States  of  America  are  now  about  to 
do  the  same,  therefore, 


AMERICAN    EDUCATION   SOCIETY  21 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  philanthropy  of  the  past,  and  the  necessity 
of  greater  and  more  extensive  Christian  efforts  for  the  future  protection 
of  this  class  of  our  population,  arising  from  the  prospect  of  the  immediate 
emancipation  of  many  thousands,  this  Synod  commend  the  interest  of 
the  American  Colonization  Society  to  the  sympathy  and  cordial  support 
of  all  the  Churches  under  their  care,  and  to  all  the  other  Christians,  phil- 
anthropists and  statesmen  of  the  nation. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  respective  Churches  under 
the  care  of  this  Synod,  to  take  up  a  collection  for,  and  in  behalf  of  the 
American  Colonization  Society  during  the  year,  and,  if  practicable,  about 
the  fourth  of  July.     1862,  212-213. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  have  continued  confidence  in 
the  Colonization  Society,  and  believe  it  to  be  an  instrumentality  prepared 
by  the  providence  of  God  for  a  great  work  in  the  future  history  of  the 
colored  race  in  this  country,  and  recommend  it  to  the  continued  sup- 
port of  our  Churches.     1864,  507. 

After  the  close  of  the  War  there  is  but  a  single  allusion  to  this  So- 
ciety : 

Resolved,  That  the  success  of  the  Colonization  Enterprise,  as  mani- 
fested in  the  existence  of  a  Christian  repubhc  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  is 
most  gratifying  and  encouraging. 

Resolved,  That  the  large  numbers  of  freedmen  now  sending  applica- 
tions for  a  passage  to  and  settlement  in  the  Republic  of  Liberia,  demand 
of  the  colonization  societies  and  the  friends  of  the  African  race,  increased 
activity. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod,  now,  as  in  former  years,  recommend  the 
New  York  State  Colonization  Society  to  its  Churches  and  people  as 
worthy  of  their  liberal  support.  1868,  500-1.     See  Slavery;  Colored  People. 

American  Education  Society.  Helps  students  preparing  for  the 
ministry.     1832,  59,  70. 

American  Inter-Seminary  Missionary  Alliance.  This  movement 
originated  simultaneously  among  theological  students  in  the  Seminaries 
of  Princeton  and  Hartford.  The  design  was  to  promote  co-operation 
among  theological  students  in  the  cause  of  missions.  A  preliminary 
Conference  was  held  in  New  York  on  April  9,  1880,  at  which  22  dele- 
gates, representing  12  seminaries,  were  present,  with  letters  of  approba- 
tion from  other  institutions.  It  was  determined  to  hold  an  Inter-Semi- 
nary Convention  for  the  discussion  of  themes  bearing  on  the  relation 
which  students  sustain  to  the  work  of  Missions,  whether  at  home  or 
abroad.  An  Executive  Committee  was  appointed  to  carry  out  the  scheme. 
The  first  meeting  was  held  in  New  Brunswick,  in  1880,  and  meetings  have 
been  held  annually  since  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  See  Student 
Volunteer  Movement. 

American  Missionary  Register.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended 
to  the  churches  under  the  care  of  this  Synod  to  patronize,  as  extensively 
as  possible,  "The  American  Missionary  Register,"  printed  in  New  York, 
inasmuch  as  this  is  an  ofiticial  organ  of  missionary  information,  and  its 
avails  are  cast  into  the  treasury  of  this  Society.  [The  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  R.  D.  C]    1823,  61. 

American  Peace  Society.  A  communication  was  received  from  the 
Secretary  of  the  Am.  Peace  Soc,  requesting  ministers  of  the  Gospel  to 
preach  a  sermon  once  a  year  on  the  subject  of  "Peace  and  War,"  and 
also  in  relation  to  the  circulation  of  the  "Calumet,"  a  periodical  published 
by  them.     1832,  93.     See  Arbitration. 

American  Protestant  Society.  Organized,  1843.  A  Society  for  the 
advancement  of  Protestantism,  and  the  exposure  of  Romanism,  with  ef- 
forts to  convert  Romanists.  Merged  in  Am.  and  Foreign  Christian  Union, 
1849.     See  Brownlee,  Wm.  C,  in  Corwin's  Manual,  1902. 


22  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

American  Revolution.  Meeting  of  Synod  in  New  York,  Ap.,  1775. 
This  Body  taking  to  heart  the  present  sad  and  perilous  condition  of  our 
land,  and  considering  that  our  muhiplied,  aggravated,  long-continued, 
and  unlamented  sins,  have  afforded  reason  to  God  to  give  up  our  land 
to  the  most  deplorable  calamities,  judge,  that  its  inhabitants  are  in  the 
clearest  manner  called  to  repentance  and  conversion,  and  they  thus  rec- 
ommend to  all  the  Reformed  Churches  of  their  communion  in  the  two 
Provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  to  set  apart  Wednesday,  7th 
May  next,  as  a  day  of  solemn  humiliation,  with  fasting  and  prayer,  for 
the  forgiveness  of  sins  and  the  averting  of  deserved  miseries.     1775,  57. 

Meeting  of  Synod  at  New  Paltz,  1778. 

The  Particular  Assembly  of  New  York  having  been  scattered  by  the 
War,  have  not  been  able  to  meet  since  the  year  1775,  and  have  not,  there- 
fore, been  able  to  appoint  any  members  to  attend  the  meeting  of  this  Rev. 
Body;  as  also. 

The  Particular  Body  of  Albany,  having  for  a  considerable  time  here- 
tofore been  disturbed  by  intestine  foes  and  the  barbarous  Indians,  as  in- 
stigated by  the  enemy,  have  not  been  able,  as  this  Rev.  Body  on  good 
grounds  judge,  either  to  assemble  or  to  send  members  to  this  Rev.  Body. 
1778,  65. 

Rev.  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn  being  present,  but  without  credentials,  on 
account  of  an  irruption  of  the  enemy  upon  his  field  of  labor,  [Hacken- 
sack],  was  admitted  to  a  seat  without  credentials,  1778,  65,  66.  Action 
was  taken  to  assist  those  of  the  Reformed  Church  who  had  been  driven 
by  the  war  from  their  homes  and  employments,  67. 

SETTING    APART    A    DAY    OF    FASTING    AND    PRAYER. 

The  Rev.  Body  with  sorrowful  hearts  contemplate  the  pitiful  condi- 
tion of  land  and  Church :  some  of  our  cities  being  desolated,  our  villages 
and  boroughs  subverted,  many  of  our  houses  of  worship  and  their  fur- 
niture burned,  desecrated,  plundered  and  cast  to  the  ground;. many  dear 
pledges  of  the  loving  Jesus,  together  with  the  faithful  ambassadors  of 
His  Cross,  driven  from  their  peaceful  homes  and  compelled  to  roam 
through  the  land,  so  that,  with  respect  to  these  once  flourishing  congre- 
gations, we  may,  even  weeping,  take  up  the  lamentation  of  the  Cluirch 
of  old,  and  say :  "The  ways  of  Zion  do  mourn  because  none  come  to 
the  solemn  feasts;  all  her  gates  are  desolate;  her  priests  sigh,  her  vir- 
gins are  afflicted,  and  she  is  in  bitterness."  And  what  increases  our  grief 
is,  that  although  the  Lord  smites,  we  yet  seem  so  little  affected;  for  our 
youth,  upon  the  brink  of  ruin,  indulge  in  vices  heretofore  unknown ;  the 
professors  of  the  precious  doctrines  of  the  Cross  are,  in  general,  incon- 
siderate in  discourse  and  careless  in  their  walk;  and  (which  grieves  the 
Rev.  Body  in  their  inmost  soul)  even  the  followers  of  the  crucified  Lamb, 
as  well  Ministers  as  members,  have  abated  in  their  zeal,  lost  their  wonted 
tenderness,  having  in  many  cases  left  their  first  love  and  made  themselves 
chargeable  with  many  iniquities.  For  all  which  reasons,  therefore,  (not- 
withstanding the  wonderful  instances  of  Divine  help  experienced  by  our 
land  and  Church,)  the  Rev.  Body  regard  themselves  in  conscience  and 
before  God,  solemnly  bound  to  set  apart  a  day  for  our  humiliation  before* 
the  Lord,  and  for  the  confession  as  well  of  those  sins  and  departures 
from  God  which  have  been  enumerated,  as  those  which  have  not  been  men- 
tioned ;  that  with  fasting  and  mourning  we  may  humbly  beseech  Him 
graciously  to  blot  out  the  transgressions  of  the  land,  and  in  sovereign  love 
heal  our  backslidings  and  recover  us  from  our  wanderings,  by  pouring 
out  his  Spirit  and  commanding  his  blessing  upon  all  classes  in  our  land, 
both  civil  and  military,  rulers  and  subjects ;  especiallj.',  that  the  great 
King  of  Zion  will  graciously  have  compassion  upon  us.  causing  our  cities, 
villages,  and  towns  to  be  rebuilt;  but.  above  all.  that  he  will  again  gather 
togetlicr    and    restore    our    now    desolated    and    dispersed    congregations, 


AMERICAN    REVOLUTION  23 

break  in  pieces  the  kingdom  of  darkness,  and  renew  and  confirm  among 
us  the  kingdom  of  the  King  of  Kings,  and  so  effect  the  desired  turning 
to  the  Lord,  that  we,  remembering  our  first  love,  may  also  do  our  first 
works ;  that  our  schools  and  seminaries  may  truly  be  nurseries  of  the 
Lord's  dear  vineyard ;  and  that  he  will  renew  his  favor  and  kindness  to 
us  as  in  days  of  old:  Thursday,  the  12th  November,  approaching,  being 
appointed  for  that  purpose. 

The  Clerk  of  this  Rev.  Body  is  directed  to  prepare  and  send  a  copy 
of  this  article  to  the  respective  Particular  Bodies,  or  at  least  to  one  of 
the  members  of  the  same,  with  the  accompanying  request,  that  he  com- 
municate it  to  the  respective  ministers  and  congregations  pertaining  to 
them;  as  also  to  such  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  as  have  to  this  time  not  yet 
come  in.     1778,  68. 

Meeting  of  Synod  at  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.     1780. 

Request  of  the  Synod  to  the  Government  respecting  the  Sins  of  the 
Land. 

The  Rev.  Body  having  taken  into  consideration  the  high-handed  and 
continually  advancing  wickedness  of  this  land,  whereby  the  righteous 
displeasure  of  God  is  more  and  more  excited  against  it,  have  been  led 
to  conclude  to  present  to  the  present  authorities  of  this  land  a  memorial, 
with  a  request  to  the  same  to  employ  their  influence  to  suppress  all  scan- 
dalous and  heaven-provoking  improprieties ;  Messrs.  Dirck  Romeyn  and 
Solomon  Froeligh  being  commissioned  to  prepare  a  draft  for  that  pur- 
pose, which,  examined  and  approved  by  the  Rev.  Body,  reads  as  follows  : 

To  his  Excellency,  George  Clinton,  Esquire,  Governor  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  the  Militia,  and 
Admiral  of  the  Navy  of  the  same,  and  to  the  honorable  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Assembly  of  said  State  :* 

The  Memorial  and  Petition  of  the  Reverend  Synod  of  the  Low  Dutch 
Reformed  Church  in  America  humbly  sheweth, 

That  the  beneficent  Ruler  of  the  Universe  has,  at  divers  times  and 
occasions,  given  the  most  indubitable  proofs  of  his  Divine  and  benevo- 
lent interposition  for  the  good  of  these  United  States,  and  this  State  in 
particular,  by  which  Christians  of  every  denomination  are  called  upon 
in  the  most  striking  manner  to  make  proper  acknowledgments  for  favor 
conferred. 

That  they  behold  with  the  utmost  satisfaction,  that  a  great  part  of 
their  fellow-Christians,  at  least  of  those  who  have  fallen  under  their 
cognizance,  continue  to  answer  the  wonders  of  Providence,  by  attending 
with  a  degree  of  assiduity  to  their  religious  and  social  duties. 

That  the  unwearied  exertions  of  these  United  States,  and  of  this 
State  in  particular,  and  especially  the  unparalleled  perseverance  of  the 
American  army  exhibited  in  the  prosecution  of  the  present  just  and  nec- 
essary war,  from  whatever  personal  motives  it  may  otherwise  proceed^ 
cannot  but  be  considered  as  national  virtues;  such  as  have  been  usually 
owned  and  accepted  of  by  the  Deity  in  the  issue. 

That  the  Magistrates  and  other  officers  of  Government  have  from  time 
to  time  exerted  their  influence  and  authority  for  obtaining  the  end  which 
an  overruling  Providence  so  evidently  pointed  out  as  worthy  of  the  best 
efforts  of  the  citizens  of  those  States,  which,  as  far  as  we  know,  have 
been  answered  with  equal  alacrity  by  a  great  part  of  our  fellow-citizens, 
being  subjects  of  these  States. 

That  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  of  every  denomination,  as  far  as 
we  know,  and  especially  those  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Synod  of  the 
Low  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  America,  have,  for  the  most  part,  not- 
withstanding many  discouragements  of  different  nature,  continued,  with 
unwearied  application,  to  inculcate  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability,  both  by 
precept  and  example,  the  great  duties  enjoined  upon  Christians  by  the 
Gospel  of  Peace. 


24  DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

That  the  ultimate  object  of  the  wishes  of  every  good  man,  being 
frequently  held  out  to  these  States  by  the  benevolent  Disposer  of  human 
events,  as  nearly  within  their  reach,  an  antecedent,  at  least  external  prep- 
aration of  the  temper  and  disposition  of  their  fellow-Christians  to  a  con- 
duct less  offensive  than  that  which  at  present  prevails,  is  at  least  re- 
quired, that  the  wished-for  blessing,  when  received,  may  not  in  the  event 
be  changed  into  a  curse. 

That  notwithstanding  the  above  pleasing  reflection,  the  sensibility  of 
every  good  man  cannot  but  be  affected  in  the  most  feeling  manner,  to 
find  that  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  all  who  wish  well  to  the  cause 
of  morality,  have  proved  ineffectual  to  a  great  part  of  the  community ; 
at  least,  your  Memorialists  cannot  l)ut  observe,  with  the  deepest  re- 
gret, 

That  vices  of  the  first  magnitude  are  patronized  and  practiced  by 
many  with  a  boldness  and  audacity  heretofore  unknown,  to  the  perver- 
sion of  good  order  in  society,  and  the  discouragement  and  depression  of 
our  holy  religion;  vices  which  sound  policy  cannot  but  point  out  as  de- 
structive  in  the  event   to   every   notion  of  a  well-regulated  government : 

That  the  exertions  of  the  Magistrate,  the  faithful  and  unremitted 
admonitions  and  warnings  of  Gospel  ministers  and  others  who  wish 
well  to  mankind,  have  hitherto,  for  the  most  part,  proved  ineffectual  for 
suppressing  the  spirit  of  licentiousness  and  reclaiming  the  refractory  from 
the  evil  of  their  ways : 

That  hence,  the  Lord's  day  is  wantonly  profaned,  the  awful  name  of 
God  vainly  used  and  abused  on  the  most  trivial  occasions ;  gaming  and 
other  such  practices  as  are  contrary  to  the  well-being  of  society,  and  of 
their  own  nature  sinful,  and  therefore,  altogether  offensive  in  the  eyes 
of  perfect  rectitude,  are  carried  on  with  unrestrained  freedom :  all  of 
which  cannot  fail  of  at  least  continuing  the  judgments  of  the  Almighty, 
if  not  of  bringing  down  renewed  tokens  of  the  Divine  displeasure  on 
these  United  States,  and  this  State  in  particular : 

That  your  Memorialists,  although  conscious  of  that  Divine  maxim  of 
policy,  that  righteousness  exalts  a  nation,  and  that  sin  is  a  reproach  to 
any  people,  observe  with  the  utmost  concern,  that  some  defect  is  exist- 
ing, either  in  the  laws  directed  against  vice  and  immorality,  or  the  ex- 
ecution thereof,  the  effects  of  which  have  already  been  too  severely  felt 
both  in  Church  and  State : 

That  your  Memorialists  do  not  presume  to  point  out  where  the  defect 
lies,  but  desire,  in  pursuance  of  the  example  of  their  Lord  and  Master, 
the  Holy  Jesus,  to  bestow  all  their  labor  and  abilities  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  real  happiness  of  mankind ;  and  therefore 

Pray,  that  the  honorable  the  Legislative  Authority  of  the  State  of 
New  York  would,  in  their  wisdom,  use  their  authority  to  investigate, 
and,  as  far  as  can  be,  determine  the  causes  of  the  prevailing  deficiency, 
and  to  apply  proper  remedies  for  removing  this  pressing  evil,  either  by 
framing  such  salutary  laws  as  shall  be  judged  necessary  for  the  purpose, 
or  putting  those  already  in  being  into  execution,  etc.,  etc.     1780,  83-85. 

REPORT    RESPECTING    THE    DELIVERY    OF    THE    REQUEST    TO    THE    AUTHORITIES    FOR 
THE  SUPPRESSION   OF  THE   SINS   OF  THE  LAND. 

In  regard  to  the  Memorial  of  this  Rev.  Body  to  the  authorities  in 
relation  to  the  suppression  of  the  sins  of  the  land,  resolved  upon  by  this 
Rev.  Body  in  the  year  1780,  Dr.  Isaac  Rysdyk  reported,  that  the  same 
was  placed  by  him  in  the  hands  of  two  members  of  the  government  of 
this  State,  with  some  hope  that  it  would  have  the  desired  issue ;  and  he 
was  thanked  for  his  trouble  and  care  in  relation  to  it.     1781,  90. 

Meeting  of  Synod,   1782,  at  Millstone,  N.  J. 

SINS    OF   THE   LAND. 

3.     Whether  it  would   not  be  advisable,   in  order  to  prevent   further 


AMERICAN   SABBATH    UNION  25 

corruption  of  morals  among  the  rising  generation  and  others,  that  this 
Rev.  Body  present  to  the  honorable  Government  an  expose,  setting  forth 
briefly,  but  distinctly,  the  sins  and  disorders  punishable  by  the  civil  magis- 
trate, with  the  accompanying  desire,  that  their  Excellencies  please  to  take 
such  order  in  relation  to  this  point,  that  the  salutary  laws  of  the  land 
may  be  faithfully  executed  for  the  suppression  of  such  evils,  and  the 
avoidance  of  further  and  greater  judgments  of  the  Most  High. 

This  Rev.  Body  approve  the  proposition,  but  desiring  that  the  other 
Particular  Bodies  also  represent  their  wishes,  postpone  a  decision  until 
the  next  General  Meeting.     1782,  98. 

American  Sabbath  Union.  Organized,  Dec.  12th,  1888,  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.     Incorporated,  Dec.  1890,  in  New  York. 

1888. 

A  communication  from  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  has  been  received,  requesting  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  to  unite  with  them  in  forming  a  National  Sabbath  Committee, 
to  make  a  deliverance  on  the  Sabbath  question,  in  behalf  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Church  at  large — appointing  at  least  one  minister  and  one  lay- 
man for  this  purpose.  Cordially  approving  of  this  object,  your  Com- 
mittee would  recommend  as  the  representative  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
the  following  as  its  co-operative  members : 

Ministers — Rev.  George  S.  Bishop,  Rev.  Ed.  A.  Collier.  Elders — 
R.  N.  Perlee,  S.  R.  W.  Heath.     '88,  615. 

1889. 

Report  of  the  Committee  of  Conference  appointed  last  year  : 

The  undersigned,  appointed  at  the  last  session  of  the  General  Synod 
members  of  a  Committee  of  conference  and  co-operation  with  similar 
committees  of  other  churches  with  reference  to  the  promotion  of  Sab- 
bath observance,  beg  leave  to  report : 

Your  Committee  attended  a  meeting  in  the  City  of  New  York,  in 
November  last,  at  which  representatives  of  other  churches  were  present, 
and  at  which,  after  due  deliberation,  The  American  Sabbath  Union 
was,  organized.  The  Constitution  then  adopted  and  subsequently  rati- 
fied, with  slight  alterations,  at  a  much  larger  meeting,  is  herewith  sub- 
mitted. The  Union  has  already  rendered  excellent  service  and  may  be 
expected  to  accomplish  in  the  future. 

Your  Committee  suggests  the  following  action  : 

Resolved,  That  the  plan  of  the  American  Sabbath  Union  be  and  is 
hereby  commended. 

Resolved,  That  two  ministers  and  two  elders  be  appointed  as  Synod's 
representative  members  of  the  Union,  to  retain  their  position  until  others 
are  appointed  in  their  place.     '89,  872. 

EDWARD  A.   COLLIER. 
R.  N.   PERLEE. 

As  a  matter  of  convenience,  for  reference,  and  because  of  the  great 
importance  of  the  subject,  we  here  insert  some  points  of  the  Constitution : 
Name,  as  above  given.  Basis  :  the  Divine  authority,  and  universal  and 
perpetual  obligation  of  the  Sabbath.  Object:  to  preserve  the  Christian 
Sabbath  as  a  day  of  rest  and  worship.  Representative  members  from 
each  Denomination  are  desired;  Honorary  members;  corresponding  mem- 
bers ;  annual  members.  Arrangements  are  inserted  for  the  usual  nec- 
essary Officers ;  for  officers  throughout  the  country ;  for  a  General  Sec- 
retary ;  Secretary  of  Publication,  and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  for  va- 
rious Committees ;  the  division  of  the  whole  country  into  districts ;  for 
Meetings  ;  Voting  and  Amendments. 

The  Synod,  having  heard  Rev.  William  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.D.,  Sec.  of 
Am.  S.  U.,  on  the  American  Sabbath  Union,  desires  to  express  its  hearty 
sympathy  with  the  Union,  and  its  recognition  of  the  services  it  has  ren- 


26  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

dercd  to   the  preservation  of  the   weekly  day  of   rest  and  worship.     '90, 
151- 

Resolved,  I.  That  we  approve  the  object  and  methods  of  the  Amer- 
ican Sabbath  Union,  and  that  we  commend  it  to  the  confidence  and  sup- 
port of  our  churches.  '90,  360-1.  Earnest  resolutions  on  this  subject 
were  passed  in  '95,  159-161 ;  '96,  442.  In  1887  the  Am.  Sab.  Union  sent 
the  following  communication  to  Synod : 

To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 

A    COMMUNICATION    FROM    THE   AMERICAN    SABBATH    UNION    ON    "SABBATH    OB- 
SERVANCE." 

We  believe  that  there  never  was  a  time  in  the  history  of  our  coun- 
try or  of  our  Church  when  there  was  more  need  of  earnest  and  faithful 
endeavor  on  the  part  of  the  Christian  Church  to  stem  the  tide  of  Sab- 
bath desecration,  and  to  promote  the  proper  observance  of  the  Sabbath 
day,  than  now.  Very  many  of  the  advances  of  applied  science  to  the 
needs  and  for  the  benefit  of  mankind  appear  to  be  used  as  instruments 
for  further  misuse  of  the  Sabbath  day,  for  the  further  over-riding  of 
its  moral  and  religious  uses,  and  to  convert  it  into  a  day  of  social  pleas- 
ure and  sensuous  indulgence. 

The  Sunday  newspaper,  the  bicycle  clubs,  the  trolley  cars,  the  League 
baseball  games,  the  excursion  by  boat  and  car,  the  open  saloon  on  the 
Lord's  day,  have  already  in  our  cities  impaired  our  beloved  American 
Sabbath,  have  largely  depopulated  our  Churches,  debauched  the  moral 
sense  of  communities,  and  caused  our  American  Sabbath  to  outrival  the 
Continental  Sabbath  as  a  day  given  over  largely  to  physical  recreation 
and  debasing  vice,  destructive  of  all  that  pertains  to  the  worship  of  Al- 
mighty God,  and  that  which  makes  for  righteousness  and  the  perpetuity 
of  the  Christian  Church  and  all  civil  and  rehgious  liberty. 

We  do,  therefore,  ask  this  General  Synod  to  speak  in  most  earnest 
terms,  calling  attention  to  the  real  dangers  that  threaten  this  divinely  or- 
dered and  graciously  given  day  of  rest  and  worship,  only  by  the  proper 
Biblical  use  of  which,  all  that  is  best  in  our  civilization,  together  with 
the  interest  of  man's  immortal  being,  can  be  conserved. 

L  Hathaway, 
General  Secretary  of  the  American  Sabbath  Union. 

In  connection  with  this  subject  we  present  the  following  resolutions: 

1.  Resolved,  That  General  Synod  reaffirms  its  belief  that  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Fourth  Commandment  is  of  perpetual  binding  obligation 
upon  all  men. 

2.  Resolved,  That  we  call  upon  all  members  of  our  Churches,  mem- 
bers of  Young  People's  Societies  and  Sunday-schools,  together  with  all 
friends  of  God's  law,  to  use  their  personal  influence  to  promote  the  Bi- 
blical observance  of  this  holy  day  ,and  to  abstain  from  everything  in- 
imical to  the  attainment  of  this  end. 

3.  Resolved,  That  while  our  ministers  are  faithful  to  their  duty  in 
preaching  on  the  Fourth  Commandment,  as  required  by  the  Constitution 
of  the  Church,  they  are  reminded  of  the  necessity  of  renewed  diligence 
in  the  defense  and  proper  observance  of  the  day. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  American  Sabbath  Union  and  the  Woman's 
National  Sabbath  Alliance  receive  our  cordial  endorsement  and  approval, 
and  that  we  heartily  commend  them  to  the  liberality  of  our  people      '97. 

695-7 

Similar  action,  '98,  163,  165. 

1899. 
Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  reaffirms  its  belief  in  the  continued 
and  binding  authority  of  the  fourth  commandment  upon  all  men. 

That    it    urges    upon    the    ministers,    officers     and     members     of    our 


AMERICAN   SABBATH   UNION  27 

churches,  members  of  young  people's  societies  and  Sabbath-schools,  the 
necessity  of  personal  obedience  and  example  in  Sabbath  observance  by 
refraining  from  the  purchase  and  reading  of  the  Sunday  newspaper ;  un- 
necessary traveling  or  visiting,  and  from  all  things  that  are  detrimental 
to  spiritual  life  and  Christian  morals,  or  that  destroy  the  sacred  char- 
acter of  the  day,  and  that  shall  detract  from  the  privilege  of  divine  wor- 
ship. 

That  we  most  earnestly  deprecate  Sunday  excursions  either  by  steam- 
boat, steam  or  electric  cars  or  by  other  means,  and  we  call  upon  all  of- 
ficers of  said  corporations  to  use  their  best  efforts  to  prevent  said  Sun- 
day excursions  and  at  all  times  to  forbid  the  alternative  for  the  employee, 
of  work  or  dismissal. 

For  every  American  citizen  has  the  inalienable  right  to  his  Sabbath 
rest  day — to  rob  him  of  this  is  not  an  evil,  but  a  sin. 

It  is  estimated  that  there  are  3,000,000  of  employees  in  this  country 
who  are  compelled  to  labor  every  Sabbath  day,  and  with  a  large  propor- 
tion of  these  the  alternative  is  work  or  dismissal. 

That  the  Sunday  newspaper  is  a  most  powerful  and  growing  menace 
to  the  American  Christian  Sabbath,  which  evil  we  hope  may  soon  be 
abolished. 

We  rejoice  that  the  late  attempt  to  transplant  this  evil  to  British  soil 
has,  by  the  power  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  sentiment  of  the  city  of  Lon- 
don, England,  proved  a  failure. 

That  each  pastor  of  our  Church  shall,  on  some  Sabbath  in  the  month 
of  October  next,  preach  a  sermon  on  some  phase  of  this  all  important 
subject  of  Sabbath  observance,  and  shall  at  that  time,  or  as  soon  there- 
after as  convenient,  secure  an  offering  for  the  American  Sabbath  Union, 
whose  work  we  most  cordially  approve  and  endorse. 

The  proceeds  of  said  offering  to  be  sent  to  the  treasurer,  Col.  A.  S. 
Bacon,  34  Wall  Street,  New  York  City. 

Your  Committee  respectfully  recommends  that  these  resolutions  be 
carried  out.     '99,  475-6. 

Similar  action,  1900,  784;   1901,  1132. 

1902. 

Among  the  many  problems  that  confront  the  Church  of  Christ,  there 
is  none  more  important  than  that  of  the  proper  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath. The  Church  is,  to-day,  in  many  places,  a  Samson  shorn  because  of 
the  secularized  Sabbath.  Therefore,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  desires  to  place  itself  on  record,  wMth  reference  to 
the  Lord's  Day,  as  follows : 

Whereas,  Almighty  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  has  in  his  infinite 
wisdom  and  love,  given,  to  the  human  family,  one  day  in  seven  for  rest 
and  worship  and 

Whereas,  The  history  of  mankind  has  demonstrated  that,  as  the 
lamp  needs  to  be  replenished  with  oil,  and  as  the  life  of  man  cannot  be 
sustained  without  food,  so  the  physical,  intellectual  and  spiritual  life  can- 
not be  maintained  without  the  observance  of  the  Divinely  appointed  day 
of  rest,  and 

Whereas,  We  view  with  alarm  the  greatly  increasing  tendency  to 
secularize  the  holy  day  contemplated  for  man's  highest  elevation,  there- 
fore be  it 

Resolved.  First,  That  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  is  a  divine  law  of  per- 
petual and  binding  obligation  upon  all  men ;  that  the  authority  of  the 
Christian  Sabbath  is  found  in  the  universal  Sabbath  law  as  generically 
expressed  in  the  Decalogue,  and  confirmed  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
when  he  said,  "The  Sabbath  was  made  for  man." 

Second,  Resolved,  That  the  nature  and  design  of  the  Christian 
Sabbath  shall  be  intelligently  set  forth  in  our  pulpits  and  frequently 
brought  to  the  remembrance  of  the  congregations  within  the  bounds  of 


28  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

our  Church,  and  that  the  sacred  character  of  the  day  shall  be  impressed 
upon  the  minds  and  consciences  of  parents  and  children. 

Third,  Resolved,  That  we  bear  public  testimony  against  Sabbath  des- 
ecration in  its  manifold  forms,  such  as  the  publication  and  encouragement 
of  the  Sunday  newspapers,  unnecessary  Sunday  travel,  Sunday  visiting, 
and  the  playing  of  golf,  baseball  and  other  games  on  the  Lord's  Day. 

Fourth,  Resolved,  That  we  express  our  unqualified  disapproval  of 
all  political  conferences  on  the  day  of  which  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  man- 
kind has  said,  "Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  Holy." 

Fifth,  Resolved,  That  we  pledge  ourselves  solemnly  and  anew  to  ex- 
alt the  day,  with  its  tender  and  hallowed  associations,  wherever  our  in- 
fluence may  extend,  for  the  abiding  weal  of  our  beloved  land  and  the 
honor  and  glory  of  Almighty  God  and  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Sixth,  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hathaway  be  invited  to  our 
pulpits,  whenever  feasible,  to  present  the  cause  of  the  American  Sabbath 
Union,  and  that  an  offering  for  this  very  important  work  be  made  in  all 
our  churches.     1902,  130-1. 

Similar  action,  1903,  405-6;   1904,  751;   1905,   156. 

See  Sabbath  Observance. 

American  Seaman's  Friend  Society.  Founded  1826.  Rev.  Joshua 
Leavitt,  agent,  explained  the  objects  and  design  of  said  Society,  and  fur- 
nished copies  of  First  Annual  Report.  The  first  systematic  efforts  to  ad- 
vance the  interests  of  seamen  were  begun  in  1819.  Their  temptations 
were  very  great.  In  Jan.,  1826,  "The  Am.  Seamen's  Friend  Society" 
was  instituted,  in  order  "to  improve  the  social  and  moral  condition  of 
Seamen,  by  uniting  the  efforts  of  the  wise  and  good,  in  their  behalf,  by 
promoting  in  every  port,  boarding-houses  of  good  character,  savings 
banks,  registers  offices,  libraries,  reading-rooms  and  schools,  and  also 
the  ministrations  of  the  Gospel  and  other  religious  blessings."  The  So- 
ciety publishes  a  monthly — "The  Sailors'   Magazine  and  Naval  Journal." 

"Resolved,  That  this  Synod  have  heard  with  deep  interest,  the  state- 
ments of  Rev.  Mr.  Leavitt  ....  and  while  hailing  with  gratitude 
the  means  now  employed  for  the  redemption  ....  of  sea-faring 
men,  they  will  bear  up  this  long-neglected  people  on  their  hearts  before 
the  throne  of  grace,  give  them  a  share  in  their  affections,  not  forgetting 
the  Magazine  which  has  been  recommended  to  their  patronage." 

In  1834  this  cause  is  earnestly  advocated.  Chaplains  have  been  ap- 
pointed in  all  the  principal  ports,  and  chaplaincies  established  in  the 
Sandwich  Islands,  Canton  and  Havre.  '34,  271.  Rev.  David  Abeel  was 
one  of  its  chaplains  in  China,  1829-30.  This  Society  has  been  frequently 
commended  to  the  churches;  as  in  1845,  514;  '46,  97;  '51,  200;  '57,  245; 
'68,  501 ;  '90,  34 ;  1902,  130 ;  1905,  i55- 

American  Society  for  Ameliorating  the  Condition  of  the  Jews. 
This  Society  invited  Rev.  H.  H.  Herschel  of  London,  to  visit  America,  in 
its  interests.  He  was  invited  to  address  the  Gen.  Synod,  and  the  follow- 
ing action  was  taken : 

"The  Republic  of  Holland  was  among  the  first  powers  of  Europe 
to  extend  protection  and  political  rights  to  the  Jewish  race.  The  il- 
lustrious pensionary  of  Holland,  De  Witt,  visited  London  in  company 
with  an  eminent  Jew,  in  order  to  exert  his  influence  with  the  Protector, 
Cromwell,  in  their  behalf;  and  this  interposition  resulted  in  the  grant 
of  important  political  privileges  to  the  Jews  in  Great  Britain.  The  Jews 
retain  to  this  day  a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  sympathy  and  protec- 
tion thus  extended  to  them  in  the  hour  of  their  adversity,  and  Amster- 
dam bears  among  them  the  title  of  "Jerusalem  of  the  West." 

I.  Resolved,  That  the  Synod  have  listened  with  deep  interest  to  the 
statements  of  Mr.  Herschell,  and  cordially  rejoice  in  the  evidence  they 
afford,  that  Israel  has  begun  to  "turn  unto  the  Lord,"  and  that  "the 
veil"  has,  according  to  the  promise,  been  in  some  measure  "taken  away 


AMERICAN   SOCIETY  OF  CHURCH    HISTORY       29 

from  their  hearts,"  and  that  from  all  the  signs  of  the  times  we  are  per- 
mitted to  infer  that  the  promised  day  of  Zion's  redemption  and  glory  has 
begun  to  dawn. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Synod  recommends  to  the  confidence  and  co- 
operation of  our  churches,  the  American  Society  for  meliorating  the 
condition  of  the  Jews,  as  worthy  of  a  liberal  share  in  their  contributions. 
1845,  514,  515- 

American  Society  of  Church  History.  Organized  Mar.  23,  1888, 
including  many  members  of  R.  C.  A.  Since  merged  in  Am.  Hist.  Asso- 
ciation. 

American  Sunday  School  Union.     See  Sunday  Schools. 

American  Systematic  Beneficence  Society.  See  Systematic  Bene- 
ficence. 

AmjiRIcan  Tract  Society.  Organized,  1825.  Frequently  commended 
by  Gen.  Synod,  on  account  of  its  great  usefulness  in  circulating  religious 
literature.     We  give  only  two  or  three  specimens : 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  commend  to  all  our  people  the  claims  of 
the  American  Tract  Society,  as  an  admirable  instrument  for  supplying 
an  undenominational  Christian  literature,  and  for  doing  an  evangelistic 
work  which  the  separate  churches  cannot  reach,  and  we  do  this  the  more 
readily  as  the  recent  action  of  the  Society  seems  to  promise  a  still  greater 
activity,  and  a  more  exact  adaptation  to  the  wants  of  the  wide  field 
which  this  Institution  was  intended  to  meet.     '87,  378. 

I.  Resolved,  That  the  work  of  the  American  Tract  Society  in  pre- 
paring a  spiritual  and  evangelical  literature  in  so  many  languages,  and 
in  circulating  the  same  among  the  neglected,  remote  and  foreign  popula- 
tions of  our  country,  through  its  own  commissioned  colporteurs  and  other 
Christian  workers ;  in  assisting  by  grants  of  money  and  electrotypes  the 
foreign  missionaries,  and  in  making  a  Gospel  literature  in  the  languages 
of  the  people  among  whom  they  labor ;  by  its  grants  of  Christian  litera- 
ture to  pastors,  home  and  foreign  missionaries,  chaplains  and  lay-workers 
for  gratuitous  distribution  to  soldiers,  sailors  and  prisoners  in  our  hos- 
pitals, asylums  reformatories,  as  well  as  among  the  impenitent  and  in- 
different, thereby  stimulating  the  piety  and  zeal  of  Christians,  and  serv- 
ing, in  its  undenominational  and  catholic  character,  as  a  bond  of  union 
between  Christians  of  whatever  name ;  is  deserving  of  the  fullest  con- 
fidence and  co-operation  of  all  our  churches,  and  is  again  commended  to 
our  pastors  and  members  as  an  ally  to  be  used,  and  a  benevolence  worthy 
of  our  prayers  and  benefactions.     '94,  141-2. 

Whereas,  The  American  Tract  Society  has  just  commemorated  its 
seventy-fifth  anniversary,  showing  a  record  of  almost  unparalleled  suc- 
cess in  carrying  the  gospel  message  to  the  churchless  millions,  through 
its  colportage  and  grants  to  home  missionaries  and  other  Christian  work- 
ers, its  effort  in  behalf  of  immigrants  in  many  languages  or  dialects;  its 
invaluable  aid  to  foreign  missions  in  creating  a  native  Christian  litera- 
ture, and  the  unusual  work  among  the  Spanish  speaking  people,  notably 
in  the  newly  acquired  islands.     Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  again 
commends  this  time-honored  Society  to  the  liberality  of  its  churches  and 
urges  both  pastors  and  people,  so  far  as  practicable,  to  make  an  offer- 
ing during  the  year  for  this  important  missionary  work.     1900,  783. 

See  also  1902,  130;  1903,  405;  1904,  752;  1905,  156. 

Amerman,  James  L.  (Rev.  Dr.),  Missionary  to  Japan,  1876-93;  Prof. 
of  Theolog>%  at  Tokyo,  1877-93;  Financial  Sec.  of  Bd.  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, R.  C.  A.     1893 — 

Amoy,  Classis,  or  Presbytery  of.  [Taihoey  of.]  Organized,  1862, 
then  consisting  of  eight  Chinese  churches,  part  of  them  under  the  care 
of  the  English   Presbyterian  Mission,  and  part  of  them   under  the  care 


30  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

of  the  American  Dutch  Reformed  Mission.  [The  American  Missionaries 
in  1863  refused  to  break  this  happy  arrangement  by  forming  a  distinctive 
Reformed  Dutch  Classis,  even  tho  directed  to  do  this.]  In  1892  this  Tai- 
hoey  was  divided  into  two,  the  Chiu-chiu,  or  Northern  Classis,  and  the 
Chiang-chiu,  or  Southern  Classis.     See  Amoy  Mission. 

Amoy  Mission.  Founded  1842.  Three  Protestant  Missions  work 
here  harmoniously.  Besides  the  American  Reformed  Mission,  there  are 
the  London  Mission,  Congregational,  1844,  and  the  English  Presbyterian, 
1850.  In  1842,  Rev.  David  Abeel  informed  Synod  that  China  was  about 
to  be  opened ;  '42,  132.  The  American  Board  was  favorable  to  the  trans- 
fer to  China  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Missionaries  in  Borneo;  '43,  255; 
General  Synod  approved  of  the  transfer  of  Messrs.  Doty  and  Pohlman; 
'43,  257.  Dr.  Abeel  sent  cheering  intelligence  from  China,  and  appealed 
for  help;  '44,  385;  brightening  look  of  Chinese  Missions;  '45,  435,  494; 
deaths  of  Mrs.  Doty  and  Mrs.  Pohlman  within  a  week  of  each  other, 
(184s),  '46,  84;  Mr.  Doty  visits  America;  '46,  84;  the  licentiate,  John  V. 
N.  Talmage  offers  to  go  to  China,  '46,  85 ;  the  Alission  wants  $3,000  to 
build  a  Chapel  at  Amoy;  Rev.  J.  V.  N.  Talmage  embarks  in  April,  1847, 
in  company  with  Rev.  Mr.  Doty  and  wife;  Rev.  Dr.  David  Abeel  has 
died;  '47,  189,  190;  the  building  of  Chapel  at  Amoy  commended  to  the 
churches ;  '47,  195. 

Death  of  Mr.  Pohlman ;  '49,  500 ;  Amoy  chapel  completed,  501 ;  chapel 
very  useful ;  Rev.  J.  V.  N.  Talmage  and  wife  on  way  to  Amoy,  '50,  93, 
94;  8  Chinese  converts;  school  well  attended;  appeals  for  laborers,  '51, 
193;  Amoy,  most  successful  Mission  in  China,  (says  Missionary  Herald)  ; 
10  received  into  the  church,  '52,  277 ;  21  members,  '53,  372,  great  necessity 
of  more  laborers ;  33,  in  all  have  united  with  the  church ;  Mr.  Talmage 
engaged  in  translating  and  publishing  portions  of  the  Scripture  and  Pil- 
grims Progress  ;  Amoy  has  been  captured  by  the  insurgents  and  retaken 
by  the  imperial  troops ;  missionaries  safe,  '54,  473-4 ;  69  added  to  the 
church  during  the  year,  '55,  605-6. 

Great  success;  Rev.  John  S.  Joralmon  and  wife  have  joined 
the  Mission ;  75  baptized  and  received  into  the  *  communion 
during  1885,  and  50  in  1854 ;  recently,  10  more,  5  being  at 
Chioh-be ;  '56,  113,  114.  The  Mission  at  Amoy  sends  a  Memorial  to  Synod, 
reviewing  its  history;  their  intimate  relations  with  other  missionaries  on 
the  field ;  the  importance  of  combining,  and  forming  a  Classis, 
Synod,  insisted  on  a  strictly  denominational  Classis,  and  directed 
the  missionaries  to  apply  to  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  to  organize 
them  into  a  Classis,  so  soon  as  circumstances  warranted  it ;  "57,  223-4. — 
Separation  from  the  American  Board  now  took  place,  '57,  227-236. 

Mrs.  Doty  dies;  3  missionaries,  two  of  them  having  wives,  living;  19 
had  been  received  into  the  church  at  Amoy,  and  35  at  Chioh-be ;  137 
communicants  in  all ;  157  from  the  beginning.  '58,  354. — Rev.  Daniel 
Rapalje  and  Rev.  A.  C.  Ostrom  and  wife  had  joined  the  mission;  18  had 
been  added  to  the  Amoy  church,  and  3  to  the  Chioh-be;  185  members 
in  all,  3  parochial  schools,  and  4  theological  students.  '59,  455. — New 
church  at  Chioh-be :  new  house  of  worship  at  Amoy.  Rev.  Mr.  Doty  vis- 
iting America,  '60,  564. 

Details  in  Minutes  of  Synod  begin  to  be  given  less  fully,  '61,  85;  Hon. 
Theodore  Frelinghuysen,  President  of  the  Board,  has  died ;  Mrs.  John 
V.  N.  Talmage  has  also  died,  and  Rev.  John  E.  Watkins  and  wife,  on 
their  way  to  China,  have  perished  at  sea ;  native  churches  have  chosen 
two  men,  whom  they  wish  to  have  ordained  as  their  pastors ;  necessity 
of  native  ecclesiastical  organization,  '62,    195-7. 

Special  Committee  of  five  appointed  "to  whom  this  whole  matter 
of  the  Amoy  Mission  be  referred,  to  report  such  recommendations  to 
Synod  as  they  in  their  judgment  think  fit  for  adoption,  and  also  suggest 
some  additional  principles  of  administration,  as  may  be  deemed  necessary 


AMOY    MISSION  31 

for  the  future  conduct  of  our  Foreign  Missionary  operations."  Dr.  E.  S. 
Porter  was  Chairman. — Elaborate  report :  General  principles  of  Church 
Government ;  great  success  of  Amoy  Mission ;  has  now  6  organized 
churches,  3  of  which  are  under  the  care  of  the  English  Presbyterian  Mis- 
sion, and  3  under  the  care  of  the  American  Reformed  Mission ;  they  have 
a  Council  of  their  own  already ;  this  claimed,  in  England  to  be  a  Pres- 
bytery, in  America,  a  Classis ;  the  missionaries  are  members  of  it,  and 
also  of  their  own  Classes  at  home ;  but  the  Chinese  members  belong 
neither  to  the  English  Presbyterian  or  the  American  Reformed  Church. 
— The  American  missionaries  have  declined  forming  a  Classis  of  their 
own  Denomination,  distinctively;  but  the  action  of  1857  (see  above)  re- 
mains unrepealed.  The  brethren  should  not  be  rudely  coerced  to  obey 
that  action ;  yet  the  Synod  passed  resolutions  that  it  could  see  no  reason 
for  changing  the  action  of  1857 ;  that  the  missionaries  should  be  fur- 
nished with  copies  of  this  report ;  and  that  the  London  Mission  should 
be  notified  of  this  action.     '63,  333-340. 

The  regular  report  of  1863  simply  refers  to  the  happy  co-operation 
of  the  two  missions  at  Amoy,  and  the  remarkable  success  of  the  native 
agency  created,  and  of  two  Chinese  preachers.     '63,  341-2. 

;^8  have  been  added  to  the  churches ;  two  native  pastors  have  been 
ordained ;  12  native  evangelists  have  been  employed ;  Miss  Caroline  Adri- 
ance  has  died.  '64,  486-7. — The  Board  also  sent  to  Synod  a  Special  Re- 
port on  the  Ecclesiastical  Relations  of  the  Amoy  Mission,  with  letters 
from  all  the  missionaries,  and  a  pamphlet  from  Dr.  Talmage — "Hist,  and 
Ecc.  Relations  of  the  Churches  of  the  Presbyterial  Order,  at  Amoy, 
China."  8vo.  pp.  74;  1863.  This  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee. 
Two  reports  there  from  on  the  subject, — both  of  which  were  finally  laid 
on  the  table,  and  the  following  resolution  passed  as  a  substitute  for  the 
action  proposed  in  the  Minority  Report ;  "Resolved,  That  while  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  does  not  deem  it  necessary  or  proper,  to  change  the  missionary 
policy  defined  and  adopted  in  1857,  yet  in  consideration  of  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  Mission  at  Amoy,  the  brethren  there  are  allowed  to 
defer  the  formation  of  a  Classis  of  Amoy,  until,  in  their  judgment,  such 
a  measure  is  required  by  the  wants  and  desires  of  the  churches  gathered 
by  them  from  among  the  heathen."  The  English  Presbyterian  Society  in 
London  was  to  be  notified  of  this  action ;  '64,  490. — Death  of  Rev.  Elihu 
Doty,  '65,  632. 

After  thjs  the  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  are  bound 
up  with  the  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod,  (1864,  488),  and  few  details  of  the 
separate  Missions  are  given  in  the  Synodical  Reports.  These  thenceforth 
deal  largely  with  the  finances  of  the  Board,  the  necessity  of  more  laborers, 
etc.  For  further  history  of  the  Amoy  Mission  see  the  Leaflets  published 
by  the  Board,  by  Revs.  Talmage,  Fagg  and  others ;  Reports  of  the  Board ; 
Reports  of  the  Neerbosch  Hospital;  the  Kolongsu  Boys'  Academy; 
Pitcher's  Hist,  of  the  Amoy  Mission ;  Fagg's  Life  of  Dr.  J. 
V.  X.  Talmage;  Cobb's  Century  of  Missions;  Corwin's  Manual, 
1902,  pp.  251-256,  and  sketches  of  the  missionaries  under  their  names. 

The  following  have  been  the  missionaries  sent  to  China  by  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  America  : 

MISSIONARIES  OF  THE  "REFORMED  CHURCH  IN  AMERICA" 

TO  AMOY,  CHINA.           ^^^^  QuL  Retired. 

Rev.  David  Abeel,  D.D 1842  1845* 

Rev.   Elihu   Doty 1844  1865* 

Mrs.   Elihu  Doty 1844  1845* 

Mrs.  Mary   (Smith)    Doty 1847  1858* 

Rev.    W.    J.    Pohlman 1844  1849* 

Mrs.  Theodosia  R.  (Scudder)   Pohlman 1844  1845* 

Rev.  J.  V.  N.  Talmage,  D.D 1847  1892* 

Mrs.   Abby   F.    (Woodruff)    Talmage 1850  1862* 


32  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Mrs.  Mary  E.   (Van  Deventer)   Talmage 1865  

Rev.    J.    S.    Joralmon 1855  i860 

Mrs.   J.    S.   Joralmon 1855  i860 

Rev.     Daniel     Rapalje 1858  1899 

Mrs.  Alice  (Ostrom)   Rapalje 1878  1889 

Rev.    Alvin    Ostrom 1858  1864 

Mrs.    Susan    (Webster)    Ostrom 1858  1864 

Rev.    John    E.    Watkins i860  i86ot 

Mrs.  John  E.  Watkins i860  i86ot 

Miss  Caroline  E.  Adriance i860  1863 

Rev.  Leonard  W.  Kip,  D.D 1861  1899 

Mrs.    Helen    (Culbertson)    Kip 1861  

Rev.    Augustus    Blauvelt 1861  1864 

Mrs.  Jennie   (Zabriskie)    Blauvelt 1861  1864 

Rev.   J.    Howard   Van   Doren 1864  1873 

Rev.  John  A.   Davis 1868  1871 

Mrs.  Emma  C.    (Wyckoff)   Davis 1868  1871 

Miss   Helen    M.   Van   Doren 1870  1877 

Miss  Mary  E.  Talmage 1874  

Miss   Katharine   M.    Talmage 1874  .... 

Rev.  David  M.  Talmage 1877  1880 

Rev.  Alexander  S.  Van  Dyck 1882  1897 

Mrs.  Alice    (Kip)    Van  Dyck 1886  1897 

Rev.    Philip   W.    Pitcher 1885 

Mrs.   Anna   F.    (Merritt)    Pitcher 1885  

Miss    Y.    May    King,    M.D 1887  1889 

Rev.  John  A.  Otte,  M.D 1887 

Mrs.    F.   C.    (Phelps)    Otte 1887 

Rev.  John  G.  Fagg 1887  1894 

Mrs.  Margaret  (Gillespie)   Fagg 1889  1894 

Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Cappon 1891  

Miss    Nellie    Zwemer 1891  .... 

Miss   Margaret  C.   Morrison 1892  

Miss  Lilv  N.  Duryee 1894  .... 

I.  S.  F.  Dodd,  M.D 1894  1895 

Mrs.  Mary   (Carpenter)    Dodd 1894  1895 

Rev.  A.  D.  D.  Eraser 1895  1898 

F.  T  B.  Fest,  M.D 1896  1898 

Mrs.   Emmy   M.    (Hartwig)    Fest 1896  1898 

Rev.    Hobart    E.    Studley 1896  1903 

Mrs.  Edith  J.    (Holbrow)    Studley 1898  1903 

Miss   M.   Van   B.    Calkoen 1896  1899 

C  Otto  Stumpf,  M.D 1899 

Mrs.  Eleanor  (Barwood)   Stumpf 1899 

Miss   Angie    M.    Myers,    M.D 1899 

Miss   Louise  Brink 1899 

Rev.  A.  Livingston  Warnshuis 1900 

Mrs.  Anna  (De  Vries)  Warnshuis 1900 

Rev.   Douwe   Cornelius   Ruigh 1901  1905$ 

Mrs.   Ruigh    1904  1905$ 

Rev.  Henry  P.  Boot 1903 

Mrs.  Netty  Klein  Hexel)    Boot 1903 

Rev.    Frank    Eckerson 1903 

Miss    Susan   Duryee 1903  1905 

Miss  Alice  Duryee 1903 

Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Blauvelt,  M.D 1905 

*Deceased. 

tRev.  John  E.  Watkins  and  his  wife  sailed  from  New  York  to  join 
the  mission  in  i860  and  were  never  heard  from. 

+Transferred  to  Japan. 


AMOY,  SYNOD  OF  33 

Amoy,  Synod  of.  Organized  1892.  Styled  in  Chinese  Chiang-choang 
Chong-hoe.  All  the  ordained  missionaries  and  all  the  native  clergy  are 
members. 

A  message  of  Greeting  from  the  Synod  of  Amoy,  China,  to  the  Gen- 
eral Synod — the  original  in  both  the  Chinese  character  and  Romanized 
colloquial,  and  a  translation  by  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Fagg,  was  received  and 
read,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence.     1895,  14. 

With  respect  to  the  salutation  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Amoy, 
China,  signed  by  its  President,  lap-Han-Chiong,  and  its  Secretary,  Li- 
Ki-Che,  your  Committee  recommend  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  express 
its  hearty  appreciation  of  the  successful  work  of  the  missionaries,  native 
ministry  and  membership  in  the  Amoy  district,  and  extend  to  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  Amoy,  with  its  nineteen  organized  self-supporting 
churches,  its  more  than  two  thousand  communicants,  and  its  twenty  na- 
tive pastors,  our  prayerful  Godspeed,  and  that  a  copy  of  this  resolution, 
signed  by  the  President  and  Stated  Clerk,  be  sent  to  the  Particular  Synod 
of  Amoy.     1895,  141. 

Amoy  "Union  Theological  Seminary."  In  1858  a  Theological 
School  was  started,  for  the  training  of  Chinese  preachers,  by 
the  American  Mission  of  R.  C.  A.  In  1866  this  school  was 
moved  over  to  the  island  of  Kolongsu,  and  a  building  was  put 
up  at  a  cost  of  $300,  in  1870,  and  named  the  "Thomas  De  Witt  Theolog- 
ical Hall."  In  1885  the  English  and  American  Missions  united  the  the- 
ological departments  of  their  educational  work,  the  English  Mission  pro- 
viding the  Seminary  Building,  and  the  American  Mission,  the  Academy 
Building.  The  Seminary  was  completed  in  1892,  and  from  it  have  gone 
forth  scores  of  evangelists,  and  about  fifty  native  pastors. 

Amsterdam,  Classis  of.  This  renowned  Classis  was  organized  in 
1578,  and  its  records  are  complete  since  1582.  In  September,  1903,  it  cele- 
brated its  325th  Anniversary,  and  published  a  large  Memorial  Volume, 
styled  "Gedenkboek,"  of  470  pages,  a  copy  of  which  was  kindly  sent  over 
to  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin.  He  has  had  a  translation  of  the  same  made, 
by  private  subscription,  and  has  presented  both  to  the  General  Synod. 

Besides  attending  to  its  own  local  affairs,  this  Classis  was  the  great 
Missionary  Classis  of  Holland  from  about  1615,  onward.  Most  of  the 
Offices  (or  Chambers)  of  both  the  East  and  West  India  Companies  be- 
ing at  Amsterdam,  the  missionary  work  of  the  Church  of 
Holland  fell  naturally  into  the  hands  of  this  Classis,  altho  not 
without  protests  from  the  other  Classes,  which  wished  to  have 
a  share  therein.  See  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  20-23,  and  Ec- 
clesiastical Records  of  New  York,  1630-1650.  Constant  Correspondence 
was  carried  on  between  this  Classis  and  the  Dutch  ministers  and  churches 
in  America  from  1620-1800;  and  a  few  letters  of  Christian  courtesy  have 
been  exchanged  since.  After  1747,  the  correspondence  was  chiefly  with 
the  Coetus,  and  more  or  less  with  the  other  party,  1755-1771,  styled  the 
Conferentie.  After  1771,  it  was  with  the  General  Body,  (styled  Synod, 
after  1784),  and  with  the  Particular  Synod,  after  1793.  In  1810  the  Ar- 
ticle "New  York  and  New  Jersey,"  was  dropped  from  their  Minutes. 

The  correspondence  was  renewed  for  a  short  time  in  1845,  257,  425; 
and  one  letter  of  this  Classis  is  printed  in  the  Appendix  of  Minutes,  1845, 
519-522. 

In  1903  this  Classis  invited  the  General  Synod  to  send  a  delegate  to 
attend  the  325th  anniversary  of  the  Classis.  Synod  appointed  Rev.  Drs. 
Coe,  Corwin  and  Oltmans.  1903,  397.  In  1904  the  Classis  requested  as- 
sistance from  the  Synod  in  their  misison  work  in  the  East  Indies;  but 
the  Synod's  own  vvork  prevented  the  rendering  of  the  assistance  asked 
for,  1904,  742-3- 


34  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL^  LEGISLATION 

Amsterdam  Correspondence.  The  Correspondence  carried  on  between 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  and  all  her  colonial  churches ;  but,  as  used  here, 
especially  with  the  Dutch  Churches  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  For 
a  pretty  full  history  of  this  Correspondence,  see  Introduction  to  "Ec- 
clesiastical Records  of  State  of  New  York,"  1902 ;  Vol.  I. ;  also  Cor- 
win's  "Amsterdam  Correspondence"  in  Vol.  VIII.  of  "Papers  of  Am.  Soc. 
of  Ch.  History',''  pp.  81-107;  printed  also  separately;  also  "Abstract  of 
Report  of  General  Synod's  Agent,  on  his  searches  in  Ecclesiastical 
Archives  in  Holland,"  1897-8;  a  fuller  account  in  "Journal  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Historical  Society,  Dec,  1901,  (Vol.  I.,  No.  2). 

The  hrst  allusion  to  the  old  Amsterdam  Correspondence  in  the  Min- 
utes of  Gen.  Synod,  is  in  Oct.,  1841,  when  Rev.  Dr.  Thos.  DeWitt  noti- 
fied Synod  that  J.  Romeyn  Brodhead  had  informed  him  that  there  were 
many  valuable  documents  in  the  Archives  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
relating  to  the  history  of  the  Dutch  Church  in  America.  Discretionary 
power  was  given  to  Dr.  DeWitt  to  hav^  translations  made  at  the  ex- 
pense of  Synod.     Oct.,  1841,  42. 

This  was  not  done,  but  Mr.  Brodhead  secured  transcripts  of  most 
■of  the  letters  written  by  the  Classis  to  America,  and  the  loan,  for  four 
years,  of  the  original  American  letters  to  the  Classis.  The  thanks  of 
Synod  were  given  to  the  Classis  and  to  Mr.  Brodhead,  '42,  143.  Dr.  De- 
Witt  had  the  transcripts  bounds  in  a  substantial  manner,  '43,   167. 

In  1843  Dr.  DeWitt  makes  a  lengthy  report  to  Synod  about  the  early 
Church  Minutes ;  the  efforts  made  to  secure  additional  material ;  the  re- 
covery of  the  Minutes  of  the  Ccetus,  and  other  documents ;  and  the  labors 
of  Mr.  Brodhead  in  Holland,  '43,  271-5.  The  Synod  earnestly  requested 
Dr.  DeWitt  to  write  a  history  of  the  Church ;  '43,  276-7. 

In  1845  Dr.  DeWitt  attended  the  Evangelical  Alliance  in  London, 
and  Synod  warmly  commended  him  to  the  ecclesiastical  judicatories  in 
Holland,  and  requested  him  to  try  to  secure  for  the  Synod  the  owner- 
ship of  the  loaned  letters ;  '46,  7,  28.  He  was  successful  in  this ;  and 
also  received  a  bound  set  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Holland  General  Synod, 
1816-45.— 1847,  133-4-  .         .  •  . 

The  manuscript  documents  remained  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  DeWitt  and 
Mr.  Brodhead  for  nearly  30  years.  Mr.  Brodhead  used  them  in  prepar- 
ing his  History  of  New  York;  and  Dr.  DeWitt  translated  letters,  from 
time  to  time,  and  published  them  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  mostly 
about  1850-2.  In  1866  the  Synod  requested  the  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  to  trans- 
late and  publish  all  this  material,  '66,  112,  113;  but  nothing  was  accom- 
plished. A  committee  was  appointed  to  suggest  a  plan  for  collecting  and 
preserving  all  documents  relating  to  the  history  of  the  Church,  '66,  112, 
113;  and  re-appointed,  '69,  677.  In  1870,  for  the  first,  all  this  material 
came  into  the  hands  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  Rev.  Dr.  D.D.  Demarest,  and 
the  Synod  thanked  Dr.  DeWitt  and  Mr.  Brodhead  for  caring  so  long  for 
these  documents,  '71,  356.  In  1875,  these  documents  were  placed  in  the 
Archives,  in  the  Sage  Library. 

In  1876,  the  Committee  of  Co-operation  with  the  Professors  to  select 
books  for  the  Sage  Library,  (Rev.  Drs.  Chambers,  Hartranft  and  Cor- 
win),  asked  permission  to  have  this  Amsterdam  Correspondence,  etc., 
translated,  and  paid  for  out  of  the  Library  Fund.  This  was  granted, 
'76,  528,  and  translations  were  made  in  part.  Synod  authorized  this  Com- 
mittee to  publish  these  translations,  but  without  expense  to  Synod.  '78, 
99,  224;  '79,  362,  369;  but  the  translations  were  not  yet  in  the  best  form, 
and  nothing  was  immediately  accomplished. 

In  1887,  Rev.  R.  RandallHoes,  a  chaplain  in  the  navy,  informed  Synod 
that  there  was  a  large  number  of  additional  documents  in  the  Archives 
at  Amsterdam,  which  had  more  recently  come  to  light.  The  Synod  au- 
thorized Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin,  who  was  about  to  visit  Holland,  to  nego- 
tiate for  this  material,  and  bring  it  to  America,  if  possible ;  and  that  Drs. 
Chambers,  Demarest  and  Corwin  be  made  the  custodians  of  said  manu- 


AMSTERDAM    CORRESPONDENCE  35 

scripts,  and  with  Rev.  R.  R.  Hoes,  have  the  same  translated ;  and  that  the 
same  take  charge  of  the  other  material,  and  have  all  prepared,  by  trans- 
lation, and  otherwise,  for  publication.     '87,  440-2,  446. 

Dr.  Corwin  reported  the  results  of  his  efforts  the  next  year.  The 
Classis  would  not  sell  or  loan  the  documents,  but  would  afford  every  facil- 
ity for  transcriptions.  The  Committee  had  entrusted  all  these  documents 
to  Mr.  B.  Fernow,  Keeper  of  the  State  Records  at  Albany,  to  complete 
the  translations,  '88,  685-6;  progress  reported,  '89,  920-1;  and  the  Com- 
mittee was  empowered  to  have  them  published,  if  possible,  either  by  some 
existing  Society,  or  by  a  periodical  issue,  '90,  196. 

In  1892  the  Presbyterian  Hist.  Soc.  offered  to  take  charge  of  any  his- 
torical documents,  for  preservation.  The  Synod  thanked  said  Society,  and 
appointed  Rev.  Dr.  Corwin  and  others  to  take  charge  of  all  such  docu- 
ments.     92,  575. 

In  1895  Dr.  Chambers  requested  a  cop}^  of  Dr.  Corwin's  Calendar, 
made  in  1878,  of  these  documents  in  the  Archives,  for  the  Collegiate 
Church  Library,  but  before  it  was  completed,  Dr.  Chambers  died.  Rev. 
Mr.  Hoes  now  informed  the  Committee  that  the  Historical  Commission 
of  New  Jersey  had  indicated  a  willingness  to  print  this  material.  These 
circumstances  led  to  the  call  of  a  meeting  by  the  remaining  members 
of  the  Committee.  (Revs.  D.D.  Demarest,  E.  T.  Corwin,  R.  R.  Hoes,) 
of  a  number  of  gentlemen  interested  in  historical  pursuits,  to  consider  the 
practicability  of  securing  copies  of  the  material  relating  to  America  yet 
remaining  in  the  Archives  at  Amsterdam.  This  meeting  was  held  June 
I  St,  1896,  and  it  was  then  decided  to  appoint  a  competent  Agent  to  go  to 
Holland,  and  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  raise  the  necessary  funds 
therefor.  Dr.  E.  B.  Coe  was  selected  to  take  Dr.  Chambers'  place  on 
the  Committee. 

A  report  was  made  to  the  General  Synod,  briefly  reviewing  the  facts, 
and  stating  the  discovery  of  much  new  material  in  Holland,  and  the  action 
of  this  meeting;  and  Synod  also  appointed  Dr.  Coe  on  the  Synodical 
Committee,  in  place  of  Dr.  Chambers.  The  Committee  was  requested  to 
0ress  forward  the  matter,  and  the  President  and  Stated  Clerk  were  di- 
rected to  give  the  proper  credentials  to  the  Agent  who  might  be  serit 
to  Holland,  '96,  499,  500.  Additional  meetings  were  held  of  the  gentle- 
men interested,  and  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Drury  was  requested  to  present  the  cause 
to  the  next  Synod.  The  Committee  also  reported  to  Synod  that  they  had 
requested  Dr.  Corwin  to  visit  Holland  on  this  business,  and  that  funds 
were  being  gathered  for  this  purpose.  Synod  endorsed  the  enterprise, 
and  also  appointed  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin  as  its  official  Historiographer  to 
gather,  arrange  and  edit  all  its  historical  material,  '97,  774-6. 

The  Committee  reported  in  1898,  that  Dr.  Corwin  had  sailed  for  Hol- 
land in  August,  1897,  and  that  he  had  been  very  successful  in  gathering 
material ;  that  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  gave  him  every  facility,  and 
the  Synod  expressed  its  thankfulness  to  said  Classis,  '98,  250-2. 

In  November,  1898,  Dr.  Corwin  returned  with  a  large  amount  of 
material.  The  Legislature  of  New  York,  through  the  State  Historian, 
now  took  charge  of  the  work  of  translating,  editing  and  publishing  the 
same,  '99,  572-4. 

In  1903,  Vols.  i.  and  ii.  (1620-1700)  of  the  "Ecclesiastical  Records  of 
New  York"  were  presented  to  the  Synod,  which  were  accepted  with  thanks, 
1903.  379>  380;  in  1904,  Vols.  iii.  and  iv.,  (1701-1750,)  were  presented,  1904, 
603;  Vols.  v.  and  vi.,  (1751-1800),  are  in  print  and  are  about  to  be  is- 
sued, 1906.  These  volumes  include  all  the  material  in  the  official  rec- 
ords in  Holland,  relating  to  churches  in  America,  together  with  much  col- 
lateral material  of  the  same  kind,  already  possessed  in  this  country.  The 
six  volumes  now  need  indexing. 

Amusements,  [Dancing,  Betting,  Gambling]  :  Whereas,  the  min- 
gling in  promiscuous  assemblies  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  in  the  amuse- 


36  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ment  of  dancing,  as  usually  conducted,  is  exclusively  worldly  in  its  na- 
ture and  tendency ;  and,  on  the  part  of  professors  of  religion,  is  calculated 
to  dissipate  seriousness,  unfit  the  mind  for  devotion,  and  lower  the  dig- 
nity and  spirituality  of  the  Christian  character  and  profession:  is  adverse 
to  the  growth  of  grace  and  the  abiding  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
the  churches ;  is  calculated  to  conform  the  Church  to  the  world,  grieve 
and  offend  its  members,  and  place  a  stumbling-block  in  the  way  of  the 
conversion  of  sinners ;  while  such  practice  is  generally  regarded  in  the 
light  of  a  dividing  line  between  the  Church  and  the  world ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  regard  it  as  inconsistent  with  the  nature 
and  design  of  the  Christian  profession,  and  ought  neither  to  be  indulged 
in  by  professors  of  religion  nor  countenanced  in  others. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  pastors  and  consistories,  with  all 
kindness  and  fidelity,  and  by  all  suitable  means,  to  discountenance  the 
practice  of  this  and  all  similar  amusements  at  variance  with  the  dignity 
and  sobriety  of  Christian  deportment.     1844,  344. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  enjoined  on  all  ministers,  in  their  public  ministry, 
to  set  forth  the  unscriptural  character  of  betting  and  all  games  of  chance, 
and  the  evils  which  naturally  flow  from  them,  and  that  Consistories  be 
enjoined  to  act  in  their  official  position  to  discountenance  and  prevent  the 
use  of  lotteries  in  disposing  of  goods  at  church  fairs.     1866,  86. 

See  Sabbath  Observance,  1896. 

Analysis  of  Theology.  By  Rev.  Dr.  S.  M.  Woodbridge.  Prepared, 
while  temporarily  occupying  the  vacant  Chair  of  Didactic  Theology ;  and 
printed  at  the  expense  of  the  Committee ;    1872,  510. 

Anderson,  James,  Memorial  Fund.  Gives  $400,  as  the  first  contribu- 
tion toward  a  fund  of  $5,000  for  training  theological  students  in  elocution. 
Interest  to  be  paid  on  order  of  the  Dean  (President)  of  the  Faculty; 
the  Faculty  to  appoint  the  Instructor,  1885,  731-2.  Committees  were  ap- 
pointed to  solicit  the  increase  of  the  Fund,  but  with  small  results,  '86,  61 ; 
'87,  300.  It  was  at  first  called  'The  Elocution  Fund,"  '86,  50,  but  sub- 
sequently, "The  James  Anderson  Memorial  Fund,"  '87,  300..  It  has  been 
allowed  to  accumulate  at  compound  interest,  until  in  1905,  it  stood  at 
$681.08. — Dr.  Anderson  also  gave  $1,000  toward  Librarv.  Centennial  of 
N.  B.  Sem.     385. 

Anderson,  James  (Mrs.)  founds  a  Scholarship  in  Hope  College  of 
$1,000;  1878,  113.  In  '83,  318,  she  gives  $100  toward  the  beginning  of  an- 
other scholarship,  but  in  '85,  724,  the  two  seem  to  be  continued.  In  '93, 
779,  it  is  reported  at  $1,355.     In  1903,  340,  at  $1,000. 

Angelina  Silvern  ail  Fund.     See  Silvernail. 

Angels.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  12. 

Annual  Digest — for  1818,  1819,  before  the  Incorporation  of  General 
Synod.  Resolved,  That  the  Permanent  Clerk  and  the  Special  Treasurer 
be  a  committee,  during  the  pleasure  of  Synod,  to  prepare  and  present 
to  Synod  at  every  meeting,  a  Digest  of  the  debts  and  credits,  and  proba- 
ble receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  General  Synod,  together  with  such 
suggestions  as  may  be  deemed  expedient  by  said  committee,  in  relation 
to  the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  Church,  Oct.,  1817,  16. 

Accordingly,  they  presented  the  first  Annual  Digest  the  following 
year,  1818,  48-59.  The  Synod  was  not  incorporated  until  1819,  and  the 
Trustees  of  Queens  College  held,  for  the  Synod,  several  of  the  funds. 

From  1819  onward  the  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation  have 
prepared  the  Annual  Digests.     First  example  in  1820. 

Annual  Digest — of  the  Missionary  Society;  1822,  t6-i8;  henceforth 
required,  '22,  65;  '23,  9-12;  '24,  11,  12;  '25,  8,  9. 

Annual  Meetings — of  (General  Synod.  These  have  been  held  yearly, 
])eginning  1812,  with  about  23  extra  or  adjourned  sessions.  From  i794- 
1812  they  were  triennial.  Annual  sessions  were  first  suggested  1806,  358; 
proposed  1809.  384;  adopted,  1812,  404,  406,  441  ;  1813,  9. 


ANNUAL  REPORTS  37 

Annual  Reports — of  the  Benevolent  Boards,  to  be  bound  up  with  the 
Minutes  of  the  General  Synod ;  1863,  345 ;  '64,  488. 

Anthony,  Sarah  W.  (Mrs.)-  Bequeaths  $200  to  Gen.  Synod  for 
Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions.     1874,  15. 

Antichrist.  Magistrates  should  destroy  the  Kingdom  of.  Belg.  Conf., 
Art.  36. 

Antinomianism.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  24,  36;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.,  64, 
87;  Canons,  i.  13;  v  .13;  and  the  Conclusion.     See  Law  of  God. 

Antiquities.     See  Museum  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary. 

Antonides,  John — of  Flatbush,  L.  I.  In  1891  the  Bd.  of  Corporation 
intimated  that  the  will  of  John  Antonides  would  probably  soon  yield  the 
Church  $30,000;   1891,  240-1. 

In  1892,  the  Board  reported  as  follows  : 

Less  legal  fees. 

Education  Fund  $12,039.97  2,717.30  9,322.67 

Theological  Seminary  Fund 2,408.00  543-50  1,864.50 

Foreign  Mission  Fund  2,408.00  543-50  1,864.50 

Domestic  Mission  Fund 2,408.00  543-50  1,864.50 

Church  Building  Fund 2,408.00  543-50  1,864.50 

Board  Publication  Fund  481.57  108.70  372.S7 

$22,153.54  5,000.00  17,153-54 

1892,  471,  474,  478. 

Apocrypha.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  6.  Passage  from,  quoted  in  the  adopted 
Form  of  ''Consolation  of  the  Sick,"  Ed.  of  1793,  200 ;  omitted  in  Ed.  of 
1815. 

Apostles'  Creed.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  9 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23 ;  ex- 
pounded in  Quests.  24-64.  Quoted  in  full  in  Form  for  administering  the 
Lord's  Supper.     See  also  Compendium,  20-42. 

In  connection  with  reports  concerning  a  Critical  Edition  of  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  and  report 
on  the  text  of  "The  Apostles'  Creed"  as  found  in  the  Catechisms  and 
Liturgy  of  the  Church,  by  the  following  resolution : 

"Whereas,  It  is  highly  desirable  for  the  avoidance  of  confusion  in 
the  Liturgical  recitation  of  our  Creed,  and  for  historic  accuracy,  that 
there  should  be  a  verbal  uniformity  in  that  Creed,  as  the  communicant 
in  our  Reformed  Church  is  taught  it  in  his  youth,  receives  it  before  en- 
tering our  membership,  is  required  to  repeat  it  at  every  communion  sea- 
son (finding  the  three  copies  bound  together  in  one  small  volume),  and 
as  it  is  used  by  other  branches  of  the  Church  of  Christ  as  a  symbol  of  a 
common  faith,  and 

Whereas,  There  is  a  want  of  uniformity  in  three  places  between  the 
Creed  of  the  Catechism  and  Compendium,  and  that  of  the  Liturgy,  and  a 
discrepancy  between  these  three  and  the  version  in  use  by  other  churches ; 
therefore 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  A.  R.  Thompson,  D.D.,  Rev.  T.  W.  Chambers, 
D.D.,  and  Elder  H.  D.  Van  Orden,  be  a  Committee  to  investigate  the  sub- 
ject thoroughly,  decide  what  verbal  alterations  are  necessary  to  make  the 
Creed  of  the  Catechism,  the  Compendium,  and  the  Liturgy,  verbally  iden- 
tical and  historically  accurate,  and  report  the  result  of  their  labors  to  the 
next  General  Synod  for  their  action,  and  if  approved,  for  the  adoption  of 
such  constituional  measures  as  will  make  these  verbal  alterations  of  author- 
ity in  all  subsequent  publications  of  the  Catechism,  Compendium  and 
Liturgy."     1881,  786-7. 

In  1882,  they  made  the  following  Report  which  was  adopted : 

The  want  of  uniformity  referred  to  in  the  preamble  to  this  resolution, 
consists  in  the  term  used  in  the  second  article  of  the  Creed  to  describe  the 
Sonship  of  our  Blessed  Lord.    The  term  used  in  the  Communion  Office  is 


38  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

"His  Only  Son."  The  term  used  in  the  Catechism  is  "His  Only-Begotten 
Son."  The  Committee  are  directed  to  investigate  which  of  these  terms  is 
historically  accurate. 

To  which  the  repl}'  must  be,  both. 

Pearson's  well-known  treatise  on  the  Creed,  Sir  Peter  King's  History 
of  the  Apostle's  Creed,  and  especially  Dr.  Philip  Schafif's  full  and  scholarly 
treatise  on  the  Creeds  of  Christendom,  give  the  history  of  the  gradual 
growth  of  this  most  ancient  Christian  confession.  And  Drs.  Pearson  and 
Schaff  give,  from  the  earliest  memorials  extant,  exact  copies  of  it,  both 
in  the  Greek  text  of  it  in  use  in  the  Eastern  Church,  and  in  the  Latin 
text  of  it  in  use  in  the  Western  Church,  during  this  long  and  gradual 
growth.  By  the  close  of  the  fourth  century  it  had  taken  in  the  main  the 
shape  which  it  has  since  retained.  That  form,  in  the  Latin  text  of  it, 
comes  to  us  in  the  writings  of  Rufinus,  who  writes  it  down  as  it  was  in  use 
in  the  Church  of  Aquileia  about  A.  D.  390,  and  who  gives  it  also  in  an 
earlier  form  in  use  fifty  years  before  in  the  Western  Church.  Tertullian, 
born  about  A.  D.  160,  recites  it  in  a  tract  of  his  as  the  rule  of  faith  in 
nis  day.  And  in  each  of  these,  both  the  earlier  and  the  later,  the  term  in 
question  is,  unicum,  only.  The  expository  writings  of  Augustine  give  us 
the  Creed  as  it  was  in  use  in  the  North  African  Church  at  the  close  of 
the  fourth  and  the  beginning  of  the  lifth  century.  And  in  this  the  term 
in  question  is,  unigenitum,  only  begotten.  In  the  centuries  immediately 
succeeding,  as  the  Creed  took  definitely  and  finally  the  shape  which  it  has 
since  retained  in  the  Liturgical  use  of  the  Church,  the  term  in  question 
kept  the  most  ancient  form  of  it,  as  we  have  it  to  this  day,  viz. :  unicum, 
only. 

And  yet,  as  in  the  older  expository  writings,  so  in  the  later,  the  form 
unigenitum,  only  begotten,  prevailed.  Wherefore  it  seems  natural  and 
proper  that  this  form  of  it  should  be  found  in  the  Catechisms  of  the 
Church ;  and  that  we  should  be  following  the  ancient  usage,  viz. :  in  all 
recitation  of  the  Creed  in  worship,  to  use  the  term  only.  And  in  the  ex- 
pository standards  of  the  Church  to  retain  the  fuller  term,  only  begotten. 

This  was  the  practice  of  the  Churches  of  the  Reformation,  including 
our  ow^n.  The  standards  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  given  in  the  first  edition 
of  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  issued  by  the  General 
Synod  in  1792,  repeating  the  affirmation  of  the  Convention  of  1771.  fol- 
low this  ancient  order.  And  the  successive  editions  of  the  standards,  as 
viz.:  that  appended  to  the  Hymn  Book  of  1768,  and  that  in  the  Hymn 
Book  of  1789,  follow  it  likewise. 

The  Committee  cannot  see  any  reason  for  disturbing  this.  The  fuller 
term  includes  the  briefer.  For  use  in  worship,  especially  at  the  Holy  Sup- 
per, the  immemorial  usage  sanctions  the  terms — His  only  Soil  And  for 
use  in  exposition  the  ancient  usage  holds  the  terms — His  only  begotten 
Son.  Your  Committee  recommend  no  change.  The  slight  possibility  of 
confusion,  it  seems  to  them,  can  be  easily  avoided  by  suitable  instruction 
to  catechumens,  and  by  making  sure  that  a  copy  of  the  proper  Sacramental 
service  is  in  the  hands  of  every  communicant.     1882,  159- 161. 

See  "Articles  of  our  Christian  Faith.'' 

[In  Oct.  and  Nov.,  1862,  there  is  a  discussion  in  the  Christian  In- 
telligencer whether  the  churches  had  formerly,  in  this  country  repeated, 
in  concert,  the  Apostles'  Creed.  It  is  there  asserted  by  several  writers 
that  there  was  no  such  custom ;  and  they  are  correct.  But  about  that  time 
a  Liturgical  tendency  developed,  and  the  Creed  is  now,  more  or  less  gen- 
erally, repeatetd  at  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  at  certain  other 
services,  of  certain  churches,  and,  more  or  less,  in  Sabbath  Schools.] 

Appeals  and  Complaints.  In  the  Constitution  pf  1874,  these  topics 
are  put  at  the  close  of  that  instrument,  by  themselves;  Constit.  1874,  Arts. 
109-121  ;  while  in  the  preceding  Constitutions,  they  are  found  under  the 
general  head  of  "Ecclesia.stical  Assemblies";  (Constit.  of  1833,  Arts.- 42- 
48;  of  1792.  Arts.  31,  39,  46,  52;  of  1619,  Art.  31.) 


APPEALS  AND  COMPLAINTS  39 

In  the  Rules  of  1619,  the  mode  of  procedure  in  Appeals  is  not  speci- 
fied. In  the  Articles  of  the  Coetus,  Appeals  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 
were  permitted,  1738,  Art.  6;  but  these  were  made  by  letter,  and  the  method 
was  inexpressibly  tedious  and  unsatisfactory.  In  the  Articles  of  Union, 
1771,  the  right  of  Appeal  to  the  judicatories  in  Holland  was  yet  recognized, 
in  reference  to  doctrine  and  ministerial  discipline,  (1771,  Arts.  21-24,) 
but  this  right  was  never  used,  and  was,  no  doubt,  only  inserted  to  con- 
ciliate the  Conferentie  party.  There  were  not  a  few  cases  which  were  re- 
ferred to  the  old  Provisional  Synod,  (1771-1793,)  for  Advice;  and  Com- 
plaints were  sometimes  made  to  the  same.  See  Advice ;  Complaints ; 
Memorials  ;   References  ;   Supervision. 

With  the  adoption  of  the  first  American  Constitution  in  1792,  (see 
Explanatory  Articles,)  the  right  of  Appeal  remained  the  same,  while 
References  from  lower  courts  to  higher  are  specifically  mentioned ;  Con- 
stit.  of  1792,  Arts.  31,  39,  46,  52.  Power  is  also  now  given  to  the  higher 
court  to  remit  the  case  to  the  lower,  with  instructions,  or  to  act  under  the 
general  right  of  Supervision  upon  the  merits  or  the  technicalities  of  the 
case ;  but  the  method  of  procedure  was  not  yet  formally  prescribed.  But, 
generally  speaking,  the  Classes  had  the  right  of  determining  all  Appeals 
from  Consistories  respecting  either  ministers  or  people,  1792,  Art.  39; 
while  Particular  Synods  had  a  general  appellate  supervising  power  over 
all  Classical  acts,  which  affected  the  general  welfare  of  the  Church,  and 
were  not  merely  local,  1792,  Art.  46;  and  General  Synod  had  the  right 
of  receiving  and  issuing  all  Appeals  from  Particular  Synods,  1792,  Art.  52. 
In  the  Form  of  Call  of  ministers,  1792,  they  promised  to  acquiesce  in 
any  sentence  imposed,  reserving  to  themselves  the  right  of  appeal  from 
the  decision  of  the  Consistory,  Classis,  or  Particular  Synod,  1792,  Art. 
11;  1833,  Art.  12;  but  in  the  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  12,  this  right  is 
limited  to  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  a  Consistory  or  Classis,  only, 
and  not  from  that  of  a  Particular  Synod,  except  under  the  conditions 
specified,  Constit.  of   1874,  Art.   116. 

The  right  of  protesting  members  to  appeal,  is  referred  to  in  the  Min- 
utes, 1800,  311.  See  Protests. — In  1806,  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany 
objected  to  a  higher  court  expressing  an  unfavorable  opinion  on  the  pro- 
ceedings of  any  lower  court,  unless  the  facts  were  regularly  brought  be- 
for  them  by  Appeal  or  Reference,  1806,  346.  A  Committee  was  accord- 
ingly appointed  to  report  Rules  and  Modes  of  Bringing  up  Appeals,  Pro- 
tests, etc.,  and  this  was  the  first  effort  to  formulate  the  method  of  Judicial 
Business.     It  was  as  follows : 

MODE  OF  JUDICIAL  BUSINESS. 

The  committee  appointed  to  report  rules  and  modes  of  bringing  up 
appeals,  protests,  and  such  subjects  as  may  be  connected  with  them,  to 
the  higher  tribunals,  reported  as  follows  : 

Protests  being  the  acknowledged  privilege  of  the  minority  in  any 
judicature,  whereby  they  eJconerate  themselves  from  what  they  conceive 
to  be  an  unjustifiable  decision  of  the  majority,  cannot  be  taken  up  by 
that  or  any  higher  judicature  as  the  ground  of  judicial  inquiry.  Con- 
sistently with  the  established  discipline  and  according  to  the  uniform  prac- 
tice of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  any  individual,  conceiving  himself 
to  be  personally  aggrieved  or  injured  by  the  decision  of  a  lower  judicature, 
may  appeal  therefrom  to  a  judgment  of  a  higher  judicature.  And  any 
lower  judicature,  as  a  Consistory  or  Classis,  esteeming  itself  aggrieved  by 
the  judgment  or  censure  of  a  higher,  enjoys  the  same  privilege;  but  in  such 
case,  the  appeal  must  be  made  by  the  judicature  as  such  when  regularly 
convened,  or  by  its  legal  representatives  in  the  judicature  whose  decision 
is  appealed  from,  and  not  by  any  individuals  belonging  to  it. 

The  appeal  of  individuals  must  be  made  during  the  session  of  the 
judicature  at  which  the  decision  appealed  from  is  made;  but  they  have 
the  privilege  of  a  resonable  time  for  drawing  up  their  reasons  of  appeal. 


40  DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

to  be  delivered  to  the  President,  before  the  next  meeting  of  the  judicature 
to  which  the  appeal  is  to  be  preferred. 

The  appeal  of  a  Consistory  or  Classis  may  be  made  after  the  decision 
of  the  judicature  at  which  the  decision  appealed  from  was  given;  but  it 
must  be  made  known  and  the  reasons  of  it  stated  in  writing,  to  the  Presi- 
dent, a  reasonable  length  of  time  before  the  next  meeting  of  the  higher 
judicature  to  which  the  appeal  is  made. 

If  the  appellant  give  notice  and  satisfactory  reasons  to  the  President 
of  the  judicature  to  which  the  appeal  is  made,  that  he  cannot  attend  at 
their  next  stated  meeting,  his  appeal  shall  lie  over  to  their  next  fol- 
lowing stated  meeting ;  but  if  no  such  notice  and  reasons  be  given,  and  he  do 
not  appear  to  prosecute  his  appeal,  it  shall  be  considered  as  relinquished. 

In  cases  of  references  from  lower  to  higher  judicatories  for  advice  and 
direction,  the  references  shall  be  presented  in  the  form  of  a  resolution  of 
the  judicature  making  the  same,  stating  distinctly  the  whole  subject-matter 
of  the  reference,  which  resolution  shall  be  certified  by  the  President  of  the 
lower  judicature;  and  all  such  references  in  cases  of  discipline  shall  be 
governed  by  the  rules  which  have  been  or  may  be  adopted  relative  to  ap- 
peals, so  far  as  the  same  may  be  applicable. 

(Signed,)  IRA  CONDICT,  Chairman. 

The  above  report  was  read  by  sections,  when,  after  a  small  amend- 
ment, the  whole  was  adopted.  1806,  349,  350.  Printed  also  in  Digest,  1814, 
70,  71 ;  with  the  revision  of  the  Constitution  of  1833,  (the  fusion  of  the 
Rules  of  1619  and  1792,)  the  above  Plan  of  Procedure,  was  incorporated, 
with  modifications,  in  the  Constitution  of  1833,  Arts.  41-47,  while  "Protests'' 
were  absolutely  prohibited.  But  the  subject  was  placed  in  the  Constitution 
under  the  general  head  of  "Ecclesiastical  Assemblies.'" 

In  1838  certain  resolutions  were  offered  concerning  the  appointment 
of  Commissioners,  on  the  part  of  lower  judicatories  to  defend  their  decis- 
ions.    The  following  action  was  then  adopted : 

(I.)  Any  appeal,  complaint,  or  other  judicial  business,  which  shall  be 
presented  or  reported  to  the  Synod,  shall  be  first  referred,^ with  all  the 
papers  and  documents  appertaining  thereto,  to  the  Committee  on  Over- 
tures, (which  Committee  shall  hereafter  be  entitled  the  "Committee  on 
Overtures  and  Judicial  Business"),  who  shall  inquire  whether  the  same 
has  been  regularly  brought  before  the  Synod,  and  whether  all  the  con- 
stitutional steps  in  the  case  have  been  taken,  and,  if  the  same  shall  be 
found  in  order,  they  shall  digest  and  arrange  all  the  papers  and  docu- 
ments connected  therewith,  that  the  subsequent  proceedings  in  the  case 
before  the  Synod  may  be  regular  and  systematic;  provided,  nevertheless, 
that  the  said  committee  shall  be  required  to  report  upon  every  matter 
that  may  be  referred  to  them. 

(2.)  Whenever  any  case  thus  reported  shall  be  taken  up  for  trial, 
the  President  shall  solemnly  announce  from  the  Chair  that  the  Synod  is 
about  to  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  judicial  business,  and  enjoin 
on  the  members  to  recollect  and  regard  their  character  as  judges  of  the 
highest  court  of  Jesus  Christ  on  earth,  known  to  the  Constitution  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church ;  after  which  it  shall  not  be  in  order,  during 
the  pending  of  such  trial,  to  transact  any  legislative  business  bearing  on 
the  case. 

(3.)  In  recording  their  decision,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  court 
who  have  tried  any  judicial  business  in  the  original  case,  or  by  appeal, 
to  set  forth  at  length  the  reasons  thereof,  that  the  record  may  exhibit, 
as  far  as  practicable,  everything  that  had  an  influence  on  their  judgment; 
a  certified  copy  of  which,  with  the  act  of  proceeding  appealed  from,  shall 
be  sent  up  by  them  to  the  court  to  whom  the  appeal  may  be  taken.  Such 
inferior  court  shall  also  be  permitted  to  send  a  commissioner  to  the  Synod, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  any  explanations  relative  to  said  case  that  may 
be  required ;  it  being  expressly  understood  that  in  every  case  the  original 
parties  be  not  lost  sight  of  in  any  stage  of  trial. 


APPEALS  TO  THE  HOUSE  41 

(4.)  In  taking  up  an  appeal,  after  having  ascertained  that  the  ap- 
pellant has  conducted  it  regularly,  the  following  shall  be  the  order  of 
trial ; 

[i.]     The   sentence  appealed   from   shall   be   read. 

[2.]     The  appeal  and  reasons  of  appeal  shall  be  read. 

[3.]  All  the  documents  in  the  case  shall  be  read,  in  the  order  pre- 
scribed by  the  Committee  on  Overtures  and  Judicial  Business. 

[4.]  The  original  parties  shall  be  heard,  commencing  with  the 
appellant. 

[5. J  The  commissioner  of  the  inferior  judicatory  which  has  tried 
the  appeal  may  be  heard  in  explanation  of  the  grounds  of  their  decision, 
and  of  the  manner  of  their  proceeding  in  the  case. 

[6.]     The  appellant  may  be  heard  in  reply. 

(5.)  After  all  the  parties  shall  have  been  fully  heard,  and  all  the 
information  gained  by  the  Synod  which  shall  be  deemed  necessary,  the 
parties  shall  withdraw,  when  the  roll  shall  be  called,  that  every  member 
may  have  an  opportunity  to  express  his  opinion  on  the  case,  after  which 
the  final  votes  shall  be  taken. 

(6.)  The  decision  may  be  either  to  confirm  or  reverse,  in  whole  or 
in  part,  the  judgment  of  the  inferior  judicatory,  or  to  remit  the  cause, 
with  instructions  or  for  a  new  trial. 

(7.)  In  the  trial  of  all  judicial  business  brought  before  the  Synod 
by  complaint  or  reference,  the  same  order  of  proceeding  shall  be  observed, 
as  far  as  practicable,  as  in  cases  of  appeal,  but  no  complaint  shall  be 
entertained  unless  notice  of  the  same  shall  have  been  given  before  the 
rising  of  the  judicatory  whose  act  is  complained  of,  or  within  ten  days 
thereafter.     1839,  253-4. 

This  was  reprinted  in  the  Digest  of  1848,  382-3. — In  1841.  after  an 
exciting  case,  a  committee  was  again  appointed  to  report  on  Rules,  etc., 
when  acting  on  Appeals,  1841,  504,  but  no  report  appears.  The  Mode  of 
Procedure  in  Appeals  remains  the  same  to  the  present  time.  A  few  ver- 
bal changes,  of  no  importance,  have  crept  into  this  Plan.  See  Rules  of 
General  Synod.  This  whole  subject  of  Appeals  was  taken  from  its  po- 
sition under  "Ecclesiastical  Assemblies,"  in  1833,  and  relegated  to  the 
close  of  the  Constitution  of  1874. 

Appeals  to  the  House.  In  the  first  draft  of  Rules  for  the  Govern- 
ment of  Gen.  Synod,  we  read :  "The  duties  of  the  President  shall  be 
to  decide  questions  of  order,  subject,  however,  to  an  ap- 
peal to  the  House  by  any  two  members,  1800,  276;  same,  1866,  126,  and 
in  later  revisions  of  the  Rules. 

Appendix.  Used  in  the  sense  of  "Digest  of  the  Laws  of  Gen.  Synod," 
covering  the  yearns,  1794-1814.  This  Digest  was  printed  as  an  Appen- 
dix to  the  Minutes  published  in  1814,  pp.  59-83 ;  additions,  1815,  73,  74. 
See  Digest. 

Appendix  to  the  Constitution.  This  improper  phrase  was  first 
used  in  the  then  new  edition  of  the  Constitution  of  1833.  It  embraced 
various  Forms  of  Certificates  :  as  "Appointments  of  Professors" ;  "Forms 
of  Licensure  and  Ordination" ;  "Certificates  of  Dismission"  of  ministers 
or  church-members ;  Forms  for  "Registering  Baptisms" ;  "Consistorial  Re- 
ports" ;  Certificates  of  Marriage" ;  "Classical  Reports" ;  "Citations" ; 
"Rules  for  Government  of  General  Synod,"  but  the  expression  "Appen- 
dix to  the  Constitution"  is  a  misnomer  in  itself,  and  was,  probably,  used 
through  lack  of  proper  editorial  supervision.  These  Forms  are  not  obliga- 
tory "Constitutional  Certificates,"  but  only  "Rules  of  Synod"  for  general 
guidance,  and  can  be  modified  to  suit  circumstances.  The  use  of  the 
word  '"Appendix"  on  the  Title  page  of  the  Constitution  from  1833- 1867, 
was  also  unauthorized.  A  formal  Title-page  for  the  "Constitution"  was 
adopted  in  1867,  down  to  the  word  "Liturgy,"  eliminating  all  reference 
to  an  "Appendix."  Nevertheless,  in  some  editions  since,  unauthorized 
words  have  crept  in.     See  1832,  134;  '33,  204;  '34,  288-9,  where  the  words 


42  DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

"Appendix"  and  "appended"  are  carelessly  used.  Synod  corrected  these 
expressions,  declaring  that  all  sections  of  the  so-called  "Constitutional 
Forms"  are  only  Synodical  resolutions ;  1869,  634 ;  ''/2,  489. 

Apportionments,  (i)  For  Contingent  Expenses  and  Deficiency  of 
Revenue.  From  1837-47,  the  income  from  the  Permanent  Professorial 
Fund,  met  all  expenses  of  Gen.  Synod;  1847,  116- 117.  But  owing  to 
heavy  repairs  in  Rutgers  College,  failure  of  interest,  and  of  about  $10,000 
of  the  principal  of  subscriptions  to  Third  Professorship,  and  arrearages 
of  several  Classes  for  Synodical  Minutes,  a  debt  began  to  accumulate. 
Therefore  the  Bd.  of  Direction  was  ordered  to  assign  to  each  Classis 
a  sum  proportionate  to  its  abilit}',  to  defray  contingent  expenses ;  '48, 
277',  '50,  91-2.  In  1850,  105,  an  apportionment  of  $5,000  was  laid  on  the 
Classes  to  meet  the  debt  and  contingent  expenses.  The  sum  of  $4,131 
was  received,  '51,  190;  and  in  '52,  273-4,  the  debt  was  entirely  liquidated, 
and  all  contingent  expenses  were  again  met  until  1855,  from  the  income 
of  the  Permanent  Fund;  '64,  474. 

In  Oct.,  1855,  20,  Synod  added  $800  to  the  salaries  of  the  Professors, 
without  any  adequate  provision  to  meet  the  expense,  '56,  41,  101-2.  This 
money  was  borrowed.  Collections  were  proposed  for  raising  this  amount. 
These,  however,  proved  inadequate.  Hence  the  deficiency  was  again  ap- 
portioned among  the  Classes,  '57,  212;  '58,  342;  but  with  not  satisfactory 
results.  It  was,  therefore,  ordered  that  each  pastor  should  be  questioned 
whether  his  church  had  paid  its  assessment,  '59,  447. 

Subsequently  this  assessment  was  laid  on  the  Particular  Synods, 
(New  York,  two-thirds;  Albany,  one  third),  '62,  189,  190,  and  the  Synods 
were  to  apportion  the  amounts  needed  among  the  Classes.  In  '63,  332,  the 
additional  sum  of  $1,400  was  also  apportioned  among  the  Classes  for  re- 
pairs of  Rutgers  College. 

This  whole  subject  is  elaborately  reviewed  in  '64,  474-9,  and  the  use 
of  the  word  "Assessment"  deprecated.  The  income  of  the  Permanent 
Fund  is  henceforth  to  be  limited,  (except  the  expense  of  caring  for  it,) 
to  the  support  of  the  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  '64,  479-480;  and  an 
Apportionment  of  $20,000  is  to  be  made  to  increase  this  Fund.  The  de- 
ficiency of  income  is  temporarily  to  be  apportioned  to  the  two  Particular 
Synods  as  before;  and  the  regular  contingent  expenses,  (as  defined, 
'64,  475-9),  are  to  be  apportioned,  (except  for  Synodical  Minutes)  upon 
the  Particular  Synods,  as  in  '62,  190 ;  and  no  further  effort  is  to  be  made 
to  accumulate  a  "Permanent  Contingent  Fund."  (For  the  actual  Ap- 
portionment for  the  $20,000,  see  1864,  480-1).  Only  $6,785  of  this  amount 
was  collected  during  first  year,  '65,  624;  and  up  to  '68,  412,  only  $15,778 
had  been  received.  By  the  failure  of  some  Classes  to  pay,  complaints 
were  made,  and  subsequent  apportionments  became  complicated,  '66,  95, 
96.  This  led  to  the  appointment  of  a  Committee,  to  which  this  whole 
subject  of  Apportionment  was  referred;  Nov.,  1867,  324-6;  and  an  elaborate 
review  was  presented,  '68,  403-414.  See  "Contingent  Expenses,"  1868. 
The  Classes  which  had  paid  their  quotas  were  not  to  be  assessed  again 
for  deficiencies  of  others ;  the  delinquent  Classes  were  to  pay  up 
arrears  with  interest.  All  apportionments  for  the  New  Brunswick  Semi- 
nary were  to  be  kept  distinct  from  apportionments  for  Contingent  Ex- 
penses, which  were  about  $900  per  year,  '68,  412,  413.  It  was  now  made 
the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Accounts  to  give  a  detailed  estimate  of 
all  contingent  expenses  for  eAch  current  year.  This  was  done  1869-72. 
The  Treasurer  of  Synod  must  assess  this  amount  directly  on  the  Classes 
(except  Arcot,),  thereby  repealing  the  action  of  '62,  190.  (See  above.) 
The  basis  of  this  assessment  was  to  be  the  number  of  communicants.  In 
1870,  46,  attention  was  drawn  to  the  fact  that  the  Income  and  Expense 
Account  was  not  printed  in  '69,  according  to  order  of  Synod,  '68,  411. 
Since  '71,  215  such  account  has  been  regularly  printed,  and  Contingent 
Expenses    are    kept    separate    from    lack    of    revenue    from    Endowments. 


APPROBATION  OF  BOOKS  43 

Other  occasional  special  apportionments  or  assessments  have  been  made. 
See  Contingent  Expenses. 

2.  Apportionments  for  Benevolent  Operations.  While  churches  and 
individuals  had  often  been  urged  to  give  according  to  their  means, 
preparations  for  a  regular  system  of  Apportionments  began,  when  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  separated  from  the  American  Board  in  1857. 
Soon  after,  (i860)  the  regular  tabulation  of  receipts  began  to  be  made, 
according  to  Churches,  Classes  and  Synods.  This  furnished  a  basis  for 
Apportionments.  Another  important  step  was  taken  in  this  matter,  when 
the  Tabulation  of  the  receipts  for  Benevolence  of  all  the  Boards  began 
to  be  made  in  1863.  This  was  ordered,  1862,  212.  See  Tabulation;  As- 
sessments. 

Approbation  of  Books.  In  Holland,  before  the  19th  centurj-,  minis- 
ters were  not  legally  allowed  to  publish,  or  translate  for  publication,  books 
on  theological  or  religious  subjects,  unless  they  had  first  been  approved 
by  ecclesiastical  authority.  Constitution,  1619,  Art.  55.  On  the  strength 
of  this,  even  in  America,  Visitatores  Librorum  were  appointed  to  exam- 
ine a  Catechism  prepared  by  Rev.  Theodore  Frelinghuysen,  of  Albany ; 
1748,  23 ;  1749,  43,  45 ;  see  Corwin's  ^Manual,  1902,  pp.  470-2 ;  again,  such 
"Visitors"  were  appointed  to  examine  Laidlie's  Sermons  on  the  Catechism, 
1786,  149,  but  there  is  only  a  report  of  progress,  1787,  163;  but  the  same 
Visitors  approved  Prof.  Meyers'  book  on  Baptism,  1785,  155,  1787,163. 

In  the  Constitution  of  1792  the  above  Art.  55,  of  1619  is  declared  to 
be  inapplicable  in  America  ;  but  if  any  one  chooses  to  submit  a  book  for 
approbation,  the  Synod  will  appoint  a  Committee  for  that  purpose.  Const. 
1792,  Art.  64. 

In  signing  the  Formula,  however,  ministers  promise  not  to  contradict 
the  Doctrines  of  the  Church  by  their  public  teachings  or  writings ;  Con- 
stit.  of  1792,  Art.  11;  of  1833,  Art.  12;  of  1874,  Art.  12 ;  and  Professors 
of  Theology-  make  similar  promises;  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  24;  (of 
1833,  Art.  27;  of  1792,  Art.  22;  of  1619,  53.) 

The    original    Particular    Svnod    also    took    the    following    action    in 

1799: 

Information  being  communicated  to  Synod  that  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
John  Bassett,  Samuel  Smith,  G.  A.  Kuypers,  and  John  B.  Johnson  are 
engaged  in  translating  into  the  English  language  the  valuable  annota- 
tions attached  to  the  Dutch  Bible : 

Resolved,  That  Synod  highly  approve  of  said  measure,  and  recom- 
mend to  the  gentlemen  concerned  to  prosecute  the  same  with  all  diligence. 
Partic.  Syn.     1799,  488. 

The  General  Synod,  still  sometimes  commends  books  of  a  general 
character,  such  as  Fisher's  Catechism,  (which  see;)  and  historical  and 
other  works,  when  presented  to  them.     See  also  Hymnology. 

Arabi.^x  Mission.  A  communication  from  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  in  relation  to  a  pioneer  Mission  among  the  Moslems  in  Arabia 
was  received,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions,  and  it 
was  resolved  that  Professor  John  G.  Lansing,  D.D.,  of  the  Seminary  at 
New  Brunswick,  be  heard  on  the  subject.     1889,  734. 

Action  of  Synod:  That  the  whole  matter  relating  to  the  Mission 
proposed  by  Prof.  Lansing,  and  the  students  associated  with  him,  be 
remitted  to  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  with  the  instruction  care- 
fully to  consider  the  whole  question,  and  should  the  Board  see  their  way 
clear,  that  they  be  authorized  to  inaugurate  the  Mission  proposed.  1889, 
810. 

action  of  the  board. 

At  the  last  meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  a  proposition  to  estab- 
lish a  new  Mission  among  some  Arabic  speaking  people,  emanating  from 
Professor  Lansing  and  three  students  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
New    Brunswick,    was    laid    before    the    Synod    and    its    advice    sought 


44  DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

in  the  matter.     By  tlie  Synod  the  whole  matter  was  referred  to  this  Board. 
(See  Minutes,  1889,  page  810.) 

The  Board  carefully  considered  the  subject  anew  at  its  first  subse- 
quent meeting,  June  26th.  Statements  were  heard  from  Professor  Lan- 
sing, and,  after  prayer,  the  following  action  was  taken : 

"Resolved,  That,  while  the  Board  is  greatly  interested  in  the  proposi- 
tion to  engage  in  Mission  work  among  the  Arabic  speaking  peoples,  the 
w^ork  in  which  the  Board  is  already  engaged  is  so  great  and  so  con- 
stantly growing,  and  the  financial  condition  of  the  Board  is  such  (its 
debt  at  that  time  being  $35,000),  that  the  Board  feels  constrained  to  de- 
cline to  assume  any  responsibility  in  the  matter. 

"If,  however,  during  the  next  four  months,  such  a  degree  of  inter- 
est in  Foreign  Missions  should  be  developed  in  the  churches  as  to  reduce 
the  amount  to  which  the  Treasury  is  now  overdrawn  to  a  small  frac- 
tion, then  the  Board  would  feel  inclined  to  favor  that  important  enter- 
prise." 

This  action  was  fully  laid  before  the  Church  in  the  Church  papers, 
and  its  aid  invoked  to  make,  if  it  so  desired,  this  proposed  Mission  a 
reality.  It  is  proper  to  say  that  almost  no  response  was  received.  At 
this  juncture,  or  soon  after,  there  appeared  in  the  public  prints  the  for- 
mal prospectus  of  an  organization  for  carrying  out  the  propositon  inde- 
pendently of  any  action  of  the  Synod  or  of  this  Board.  The  Board,  con- 
ceiving that  the  matter  had  now  passed  beyond  its  province,  adopted  and 
published  the  following,  September  i8th : 

'The  Executive  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 
Reformed  Church,  having  had  its  attention  called  to  the  appeals  in  our 
Church  papers  for  aid  to  the  recently  formed  'Arabian  Mission,'  would 
make  this  expression  of  its  views : 

■"I.  The  action  of  Professor  Lansing  and  his  associates  in  the  for- 
mation of  an  independent  society  for  carrying  on  Missions  to  the  Mos- 
lems, which  the  circular  of  Professor  Lansing  declares  is  'of  necessity  un- 
denominational in  its  personel  and  working,'  relieves  our  Board  from  any 
further  consideration  of  the  subject  as  proposed  by  the  General  Synod. 

"2.  The  committee  heartily  sympathizes  in  the  idea  of  this  new 
Mission,  namely,  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  to  Mahometans.  Yet  it 
trusts  that  all  in  our  own  Church  interested  in  the  matter  may  remem- 
ber the  obligations  resting  on  us  for  work  now  carried  on  in  the  foreign 
field,  and.  hopes  that  special  emphasis  may  be  given  to  that  part  of  the 
appeals  of  the  new  Mission  which  asks  that  'no  gift  to  it  may  interfere 
with  regular  denominational  contributions.'  " 

Xo  further  action  has  been  taken,  or  seemed  to  be  called  for,  by  the 
Board.     Report  of  Board,  1890,  17,  18. 

Action  of  General  Synod,  1890. 

The  report  of  our  Board  sets  forth  its  action  relative  to  the  new 
Mission  among  Arabic  speaking  people,  proposed  at  the  last  Synod.  While 
the  Board  could  not  see  its  way  clear  to  establish  such  a  Mission,  and  we 
approve  their  action,  we  are  pleased  to  learn  that  the  Mission  has  been 
independently  established  by  private  subscriptions ;  and  two  young  men 
have  gone  forth  from  our  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick  to  engage  in  the 
movement.  We  bid  them  God-speed,  and  pray  for  a  blessing  upon  their 
enterprise.  We  are  glad  that  the  enthusiasm  which  has  been  awakened 
among  so  many  students  in  the  Colleges  and  Theological  Seminaries  of 
our  land  in  behalf  of  Foreign  Missions  is  found  also  in  our  own  insti- 
tutions, both  East  and  West.     1890,  86. 

Action  of  the  Synod,  1892. 

The  missionary  enterprise  know^n  as  the  Arabian   Mission,   which  is 

self-supporting  and  is  now  busily  engaged  in  carrying  the  Gospel  to  the 

Arabs  of  the  desert,  has  for  its  workers  in  the  field  the  sons  of  our  ovm 

Seminary ;  is  supported  principally  by  contributions  from  our  own  Church 


ARABIAN  MISSION  45 

members,  and  is  essentially,  though  not  corporately,  a  part  and  parcel 
of  our  denomination.  It  was  once  offered  to  our  Church,  yea,  it  prayed 
to  be  received  under  our  control.  The  opportunity  for  entering  this 
tield  and  thus  enlarging  our  sphere  in  foreign  lands  may  not  yet  have 
passed  beyond  recall,  and  if  it  were  possible  to  have  the  Arabian  Mis- 
sion with  us,  as  indeed  it  is  of  us,  would  it  not  lire  the  heart  of  the 
Church  with  greater  zeal  and  call  forth  more  intense  consecration  in  the 
glorious  work  of  winning  the  world  for  Christ. 

7.  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  and  hereby  is  authorized 
to  open  negotiations  with  the  Arabian  Mission  looking  toward  the  re- 
ceiving of  that  enterprise  under  the  care  of  our  Church,  and  if  the  way 
be  clear  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  that   Mission.     1892,   549,   550. 

Action  of  the  Board. 

The  action  of  the  last  Synod  in  regard  to  the  Arabian  Mission,  has 
received  careful  and  repeated  attention  at  the  hands  of  this  Board.  Sev- 
eral conferences  have  been  held  with  those  representing,  though  not  of- 
ficially, that  Mission.  With  the  deepest  sense  of  the  importance  of  the 
Mission,  and  the  utmost  desire  to  meet  the  evident  wish  of  the  Synod, 
the  Board  has  not  seen  its  way  clear  to  take  the  step  authorized  and  rec- 
ommended, ''to  open  negotiations  with  the  Arabian  Mission  looking  to- 
ward the  receiving  of  that  enterprise  under  the  care  of  our  Church,  and, 
if  the  way  be  clear,  to  assume  the  responsibihty  of  that  Mission." 

The  Board  has  been  unable  to  forget,  first,  that  it  is  not  simply  a 
question  of  assuming  responsibility  for  that  Mission  in  its  present  ex- 
tent and  cost,  in  men  and  money — which  seem  to  be  fully  provided  for, 
but,  the  far  larger  question  of  meeting  the  immediate  and  constantly  in- 
creasing demands  which  it  is  now  making  (for  five  new  men)  and  must 
continue  to  make,  if  vigorously  prosecuted,  upon  its  resources,  and  for 
which  no  adequate  guarantees  have  been  or  could  be  given  by  the  Mis- 
sion as  now  constituted ;  nor,  second,  that  those  resources  are  entirely 
inadequate  for  the  work  the  Board  already  has  in  hand.  It  cannot  over- 
look the  fact  that  a  sum  less,  my  many  thousands,  than  the  amount  au- 
thorized by  General  Synod  has  come  into  its  treasury  for  its  own  proper 
work.  Until  this  disparity  shall  be  removed,  or  show  evident  promise 
of  removal,  the  Board,  unless  expressly  directed  by  the  Synod  to  that  ef- 
fect, cannot  see  its  way  clear  to  a  step  which,  notwithstanding,  it  has 
been,  from  the  very  beginning  of  the  Arabian  Mission  not  only  willing 
but  desirous  to  take  if  it  could  properly  do  so.     Report  of  Board,  1893,  15. 

Action  of  General  Synod. 

The  Board  "  has  not  seen  its  way  clear  to  take  the  step  authorized 
and  recommended,"  1892,  550.  Its  reasons  are,  in  substance,  no  sufficient 
prospect  from  the  churches,  financially  or  otherwise,  of  ability  to  fulfill 
the  responsibility  if  assumed. 

On  this  matter  your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  Board  and 
church  together  have  been  slow  to  recognize  a  trust  from  God  in  not 
assuming  the  care  of  this  Mission  from  its  very  birth. 

It  is  a  child  of  the  church,  wholly  so.  It  was  born  of  the  church,  all 
its  Missionaries  are  members  of  the  church,  and  all  the  money  at  pres- 
ent annually  expended  on  it  is  given  by  members  of  the  church,  excepting 
only  $600,  of  which  amount  $300  at  least  would  not  be  alienated  if  the 
mission  should  be  taken  under  the  care  of  the  church  as  it  has  from  the 
first  desired  to  be.  Why  should  it  not  be  so  received,  and  at  once?  To 
be  assured  in  advance  of  ability  to  support  it  would  be  what  no  father 
and  mother  were  ever  yet  assured  of  since  babies  began  to  be  born.  To 
keep  it  and  ourselves  waiting  for  that  impossible  assurance  is  to  deprive 
it  of  the  parental  care  it  needs,  and,  as  a  matter  of  still  greater  im- 
portance, of  the  incentive  to  nobler  exertion  which  new  children  when 
thankfully  owned  as  such  by  their  fathers  and  mothers  always  bring 
into  worthy  homes. 


46  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Your  committee  earnestly  hope  that  our  fruitful  mother  in  her  old  age 
will  not  longer  pose  before  us  her  older  children  in  this  unnatural  atti- 
tude.    We  therefore  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  and  hereby  is  di- 
rected as  soon  as  practicable  to  open  negotiations  with  the  Arabian  Mis- 
sion, looking  toward  the  speedy  acceptance  of  that  Mission,  and  its  in- 
corporation with  the  other  Missions  of  our  church.     1893,  793M- 

It  is  good  tidings  to  all,  that  in  accordance  with  the  direction  of  the 
last  General  Synod,  the  negotiations  of  the  year  have  just  proved  success- 
ful in  the  transfer  of  the  Arabian  Mission  to  the  management  and  super- 
vision of  our  Board,  and  that  the  continuance  of  the  annual  contribution 
of  the  syndicates  heretofore  maintaining  said  Mission  is  assured,  with  but 
a  trifling  diminution  of  income.  This  Mission  is,  however,  not  merged 
in  our  Board,  but  continues  its  distinct  organization  and  preserves  its  own 
funds,  though  placed  under  control  through  a  committee  of  our  Board. 

The  Reformed  Church  is  to  be  congratulated  upon  this  happy  con- 
summation. May  this  3'outhful,  vigorous  and  promising  Mission,  as 
our  own,  henceforth  be  the  more  prayerfully  and  generously  remembered 
throughout  our  denomination. — 1894,    107-8. 

For  later  history,  see  pamphlets  of  the  Foreign  Board  on  this  Mission, 
and  Corwin's  Manual  of  Ref.  Ch.  1901,  pp.  248-9,  277-281.  See  also  Ar- 
ticle Foreign  Missions. 

MISSIONARIES  TO  ARABIA. 

Appointed.     Retired. 

Rev.  James   Cantine 1889  .... 

Rev.  Samuel  M.  Zwemer 1890  

Mrs.  Samuel  M.  Zwemer 1895  .... 

C.    E.    Riggs,    M.D 1892  1893 

Rev.    Peter   J.    Zwemer 1892  1898* 

James   T.    Wyckoff,    M.D 1894  1894 

H.  R.  L.  Worrall,  M.D 1895 

Mrs.  Emma   (Hodge)   Worrall,  M.D 1991  

Rev.  F  J.  Barney  1897 

Mrs.    F.   J.    Barney 1898 

Rev.    George    E.    Stone 1898  1899* 

Sharon  J.   Thoms,   M.D 1898 

Mrs.  Sharon  J.  Thoms,  M.D 1898  1905* 

Rev.   H.   J.   Wiersum 1899  1901* 

Rev.    J.    E.    Moerdyk 1900         •    

Rev.    John    Van    Ess 1902  

Miss  Jennie  A.   Scardefield 1903  

Miss  Fannie  Lutton    1904  •  •  •  • 

Arthur   K.   Bennett 1904  

Mrs.   Jessie    M.    Bennett 1904  1905* 

Mrs.  Martha  C.  Vogel 1905  

♦Deceased. 

Arbitration.  An  overture  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States,  asking  this  Synod  to  join  them  in 
petitioning  all  the  governments  of  Christian  countries  to  take  measures 
to  banish  warfare  as  the  means  of  settling  the  strifes  that  arise  between 
nations,  and  to  substitute  a  more  rational  and  christian  tribunal. 

This  overture  is  accompanied  with  a  copy  of  the  petition  which  the 
General  Assembly  proposes  to  address  to  these  several  governments,  and 
which  petition  the  Assembly  asks  to  adopt  if  it  meets  our  approval.  The 
overture  also  requests  us  to  appoint  a  delegate  to  meet  like  delegates 
from  other  bodies  addressed,  at  a  time  and  place  to  be  afterward  desig- 
nated. 

Your  committee   recommend  the   following  action: 

Resolved.  That  this  General  Synod  heartily  concur  with  all  who  de- 


ARCHEOLOGY  47 

sire  and  seek  the  settlement  of  national  disputes  by  arbitration  instead 
of  the  sword. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  authorize  its  President  and  Stated  Clerk 
to  sign  the  petition  on  behalf  of  the  Synod  and  to  forward  it  to  the 
Committee  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin,  the  President  of  General 
Synod,  be  appointed  our  delegate  to  meet  like  delegates  from  other 
churches,  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Ten  Eyck  be  his  secundus.     1891, 

334-5 

The  names  of  these  delegates  did  not  reach  the  Secretary  m  time 
to  notify  them  of  the  time  and  place  of  the  Conference.  The  same  dele- 
gates were  re-appointed,  Dr.  Ten  Eyck  becoming  Primarius,  '92,  574.  In 
1893,  Dr.  Corwin  was  appointed  delegate,  '93,  813.  See  Evangelical  Free 
Churches  of  England;  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches,  1899;  American 
Peace  Society;  Berry,  Chs.  A. 

Arch-^ology.  Notice  taken  of  Prof.  Lansing's  "Notes  on  the 
Archaeology'  of  the  Old  Testament,"  recently  published;   1897,  612. 

Archangel,  The.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  37. 

Archibald  Laidlie  Memorial  Fund.     See  Laidlie. 

Archives.  It  is  ordained  that  letters  which  have  been,  or  shall  here- 
after be  written  to  and  from  the  Rev.  Body,  shall  be  recorded  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  Rev.  Body,  in  a  particular  book,  which  the  Rev.  Questor  will 
please  to  provide  for  that  purpose.  The  care  of  which  matter  is  in- 
trusted to  the  Deputati.     1785,  135. 

On  proposal,  it  is  recommended  to  the  Rev.  Classes  to  make  careful 
inquiry  after,  and  bring  to  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body,  at  their  next  as- 
sembling, all  books  and  papers  of  the  old,  as  well  as  the  subsequent 
Ccetus  and  Conferentie  Bodies,  which  are  found  within  their  jurisdiction; 
as  also  an  accurate  and  definite  account  of  the  time  of  the  formation 
of  the  congregations,  and  of  the  persons  by  whom  it  was  effected,  with 
an  accompanying  historic  narrative  of  the  most  noteworthy  events  which 
have  occurred  from  time  to  time,  to  the  end  that  the  same  may  be  pre- 
served among  the  papers  of  the  Rev.  Synod,  as  the  historical  documents 
of  our  Church.     Oct.  1792,  241. 

All  the  Classes  are  directed  to  lay  before  the  Synod,  from  time  to 
time,  extracts  from  their  Minutes  of  subjects  of  importance  which  have 
occurred  in  their  churches;  Oct.,  1793,  251. —  [In  1794,  the  one  Particular 
Synod  urges  care  for  ecclesiastical  books  and  papers;  1794,  450.]  Com- 
mittee appointed  to  prepare  an  article  respecting  the  safe  keeping  of  the 
Synodical  Records  ;  1800,  278. 

SAFE    KEEPING    OF    THE    RECORDS. 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  draft  of  rules  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  this  Synod,  and  who  were  directed  to  bring  in  an  additional 
rule  as  to  the  safe  keeping  of  the  records  of  this  Synod,  report  the  fol- 
lowing : 

That  the  minister,  or  the  eldest  minister,  where  there  is  more  than 
one.  of  that  congregation  where  the  meeting  of  General  Synod  is  next 
to  be  held,  be  considered  as  a  Stated  Clerk;  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
transcribe  and  transmit  a  fair  copy  of  the  minutes  of  Synod  to  the  Presi- 
dents of  the  several  Classes,  and  also  to  transcribe  them  into  the  book 
of  records ;  which  he  is  safely  to  keep,  and  to  produce  the  same  to  the 
Synod  at  their  next  meeting.  That  the  Clerks  appointed  at  the  meet- 
ing of  Synod  furnish  the  Stated  Clerk,  as  soon  as  possible  after  adjourn- 
ment, with  a  fair  copy  of  the  minutes,  in  order  to  be  thus  transcribed ; 
and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  considered  as  responsible  to  Synod  for 
a  fair  copy  of  the  minutes,  with  all  the  records  and  papers  belonging 
to  the  General  Synod,  and  receive  for  his  services  such  compensation  as 
the  Synod  shall  judge  reasonable.     1800.     311,  312. 


48  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn  be  the  Stated  Clerk  of 
this  Synod,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  call  on  Mr.  Brouwer,  and  receive 
from  him  all  papers,  books,  records,  &c.,  and  safelv  keep  the  same. — 1806, 
360. 

In  1814,  Dr.  Livingston  presented  to  Synod  a  copy  of  the  second 
edition  of  "Psalms  and  Hymns";  ordered  that  it  be  placed  in  the  Archives, 
'14,  18.  A  trunk,  containing  papers,  etc.,  was  produced.  The  Stated  Clerk 
directed  to  report  on  its  contents  at  next  Synod,  '14,  55.  He  reported 
that  it  contained  papers  and  records  of  the  old  Classis  of  Hackensack. 
Ordered,  that  the  contents  be  deposited  in  the  Archives,  '15,  53. 

Resolved,  That  a  new  Lemma  be  inserted,  to  be  called  "Synodical 
Archives";  '15,  51. — This  begins  in  1816,  Art.  23. 

In  1816  Dr.  Livingston  presented  a  copy  of  his  book — "A  Dissertation 
on  the  Marriage  of  a  Man  with  his  Sister-in-law."  '  Ordered  that  it  be 
deposited  in  the  Archives,  '16,  43. 

In  1823  under  "Synodical  Archives"  occurs  the  following:  Resolved, 
That  the  Committee  who  have  collected  the  subscriptions  in  the  south- 
ern sections  of  the  Church  for  the  endowment  of  a  Professorship,  be 
authorized  to  cause  the  names  of  the  subscribers  to  be  placed  conspicu- 
ously in  the  hall  of  the  Theological  College.  '23,  64. — After  Oct.,  1820,  the 
Lemma  "Svnodical  Archives  becomes  Art.  22,  instead  of  23.  See  Library, 
1831-3. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  procure  a  suitable  case  in  which 
to  keep  the  Synodical  Archives,  and  the  surplus  copies  of  the  Minutes 
of  General  Synod,  and  that  the  treasurer  of  Synod  be  authorized  to  pay 
for  the  same,  '41,  535. 

In  1843,  Rev.  Dr.  Thos.  DeWitt,  in  his  report  to  the  Synod  in  ref- 
erence to  his  appointment  to  write  a  history  of  the  Church,  quotes  the 
above  given  action  of  the  Synod  of  1792.  He  then  refers  to  the  long  loss 
of  the  Ccetus  Minutes,  and  their  recovery  in  1841,  and  to  other  long  lost 
documents ;  and  also  to  the  recent  success  of  J.  Romeyn  Brodhead  in  re- 
covering certain  material  from  Holland,  '43,  271-5.  See  Amsterdam  Cor- 
respondence. 

The  following  communication  was  received  from  the  Stated  Clerk, 
and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate : 

The  undersigned  would  respectfully  report — That  in  accordance  with 
the  authority  granted  to  him  by  the  resolution  of  the  General  Synod, 
passed  in  June,  1841,  he  has  procured  a  suitable  case  in  which  to  keep 
the  Synodical  Archives.  With  the  permission  of  the  consistory  of  the 
Church  of  New  York,  he  has  had  this  case  put  up  in  one  of  the  rooms 
of  the  new  consistory  building  in  the  rear  of  the  North  Dutch  Church. 
The  several  MSS.  volumes  of  the  Minutes  of  Synod,  the  various  docu- 
ments and  papers,  together  with  the  surplus  copies  of  the  printed  Min- 
utes of  the  General  Synod  for  numerous  years  past,  have  all  been  de- 
posited in  this  case,  and  regularly  filed  and  arranged.  The  Archives  of 
the  Synod  are  now  placed  in  a  fire-proof  building,  where  they  may  be 
preserved  in  safety. 

As  application  is  frequently  made  for  sets  of  the  Minutes  of  Gen- 
eral Synod,  the  undersigned  would  respectfully  ask  of  the  Synod  to 
fix  the  rates  or  conditions  on  which  copies  of  the  surplus  Minutes  may 
be  disposed  of. 

THOS.  M.   STRONG,  Stated  Uerk.     1845,  S^^- 

The  Synod  expressed  its  gratification  that  thro  the  liberality  of  the 
New  York  Consistory,  which  has  so  often  been  shown  heretofore,  a  suit- 
able and  permanent  place  has  been  obtained  for  the  important  papers, 
etc.,  of  the  General  Synod,  in  the  fire-proof  building  recently  erected 
in  the  rear  of  the  North  [Dutch]  Church,  New  York.  In  availing  hirn- 
self  of  the  kindness  of  the  Consistory,  the  Stated  Clerk  has  shown  his 
well-known  taste  and  love  of  order,  in  the  erection  of  fixtures,  which  do 


ARCHIVES  49 

credit  to  the  Synod,  and  deserve  their  thanks."  1845,  487.  Surplus 
copies  of  the  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod  were  also  deposited  here,  and  could 
be  purchased  at  half  the  regular  price. 

[These  Archives  were  in  the  ante-room,  over  the  stairway  at  103 
Fulton  street,  opening  into  the  room  where  the  famous  Fulton  St.  Prayer- 
Meeting  was  started,  in   1857.     E.   T.   C] 

From  1845-61,  not  a  word  occurs  under  the  Article  "Synodical  Arc- 
hives."    It  became  Article  23,  until   1854;  afterward,  Art.  24. 

In  i860  occurs  the  following: 

The  Board  of  Direction  respectfully  report,  that  the  storehouse  of 
their  Treasurer  [John  I.  Brower,]  was  consumed  by  fire  on  the  third 
of  January  last,  and  that  some  of  the  books  and  papers  of  Synod  were 
destroyed,  and  others  injured.  It  is,  however,  supposed  that  no  incon- 
venience will  arise  therefrom,  as  most  of  them  were  very  old,  an(i  pos- 
sessed no  pecuniary  value,     i860,  486. 

These  losses  related  to  the  business  books,  receipts,  etc.,  of  the  Board 
of  Direction,  and  not  to  the  other  kind  of  records  of  the  Church.  The 
items  of  business  had  also  been  printed  each  year  in  the  Minutes  of  Synod. 
But  these  circumstances  led  to  increased  interest  in  the  preservation  of  all 
records  and  documents,  even  those  of  a  mere  business  kind. 

Therefore  in  1862  we  find  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  make  some  provi- 
sion for  the  permanent  deposit  and  preservation  of  the  archives  of  the 
General  Synod,  if  possible  in  the  rooms  103  Fulton  Street,  New  York 
City.     1862,  215. 

It  was  ordered  that  a  set  of  the  Minutes  be  bound  for  use  of  Synod ; 
'62,   215.     [Former   legislation    forgotten.]     See    Minutes    of    Gen.    Synod. 

The  Stated  Clerk  reported  that  the  archives  of  Synod  had,  by  the 
kindness  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  been  long  kept  in  the  Consistory  Rooms, 
at  103  Fulton  street,  from  which  he  had  not  considered  it  expedient, 
without  further  directions,  to  remove  them ;  also,  that  he  had  procured 
one  full  set  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod,  and  another  nearly  so,  and  had 
them  bound  for  the  use  of  Synod.     1863,  367- 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  suggest  a  plan  for  the 
collection  and  preservation  of  documents  relating  to  the  past  history 
of  the  Church. 

Rev.  Messrs.  John  Forsyth  and  Charles  Scott,  and  the  Elder  R.  H. 
Pruyn  were  appointed.     1866,    112,   113. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  by  General  Synod  in  1866 
in  reference  to  preservation  of  documents  relating  to  the  past  history  of 
the  Church,  be  continued,  with  power  to  add  to  their  number. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  be  directed  to  request  any  Minister 
of  our  Church,  or  other  person,  who  has  written  a  historical  work  con- 
nected with  the  Church,  to  send  a  copy  of  the  same  to  the  Theological 
School  at  New  Brunswick,  for  preservation  in  the  Library  of  that  In- 
stitution,    1869.  677. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Synod  be  given  to  Rev. 
Dr.  Thomas  DeWitt,  and  Hon.  J.  Romeyn  Brodhead,  for  the  care  taken 
by  them  for  several  years  of  the  correspondence  between  the  Churches  of 
this  country  and  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized  to  make  arrangements 
for  depositing  the  Minutes  and  important  papers  of  the  General  Synod, 
together  with  the  old  seal,  in  the  fire-proof  Library  Building  at  New 
Brunswick,  when  it  shall  be  erected.     1871,  356. 

The  Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Synod  of  North  Holland,  of  1772,  in 
the  Dutch  language,  were  presented  to  the  Synod  by  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin» 
on  behalf  of  the  family  of  the  late  Rev.  Peter  Labagh,  and  accepted  with 
thanks.     1873,  767. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  instructed  to  secure  a  suitable 
place  for  the  Synodical  Archives  in  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library  build- 


50  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ing,  and  remove  the  books  and  papers  of.  the  General  Synod,  now  at  the 
Synod's  Rooms,  to  such  place  of  safety  as  soon  as  possible.     1874,  165. 

The  Stated  Clerk  reported  that  a  double  fire-proof  room  for  the 
Archives  of  the  General  Synod  had  been  provided,  and  will  be  fitted 
up  by  Mr.  Sage,  in  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library  Hall,  where  the  books 
and  papers  of  the  Synod  will  be  deposited  as  soon  as  practicable.  1875, 
369. 

The  Stated  Clerk  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  ac- 
cepted : 

The  Stated  Clerk  would  respectfully  report,  that  in  obedience  to 
the  instructions  of  the  General  Synod  of  1874,  he  has,  with  the  assistance 
of  the  Permanent  Clerk,  removed  the  books  and  papers  of  the  Synod, 
to  the  fire-proof  Library  building  at  New  Brunswick.  Mr.  Gardner  A. 
Sage,  with  wise  and  generous  forethought,  provided  in  the  plan  of  the 
Hall  that  bears  his  name,  a  room  perfectly  secure,  and  ample  for  all  the 
Synod's  wants,  which  he  has  fitted  up  with  shelves  and  other  .  appur- 
tenances, for  the  proper  arrangement  and  deposit  of  the  Synod's  Arc- 
hives. The  papers  have  been  overhauled  and  stored  in  compartments  ac- 
cording to  their  dates.  We  are  sorry  to  find  that  many  old  papers  have 
no  dates.  We  have  to  report  also  that  the  original  Minutes  of  several 
sessions  of  the  General  Synod  are  wanting.  Publications  referred  to  in 
the  Minutes  of  Synod  as  having  been  presented  to  the  Synod  from  time 
to  time  cannot  be  found.  The  papers  of  Synod  have  been  packed  and 
unpacked,  and  removed  from  place  to  place  so  often  during  several  years 
past  that  we  fear  some  of  them  have  been  lost.  The  Archives  were  in  a 
deplorable  condition,  perfectly  confused,  permeated  with  the  dust  of  years, 
and  only  partially  preserved.  This  is  not  owing  to  the  carelessness  of 
former  Stated  Clerks,  evidences  of  whose  system  and  care  in  arranging 
papers  are  manifest,  but  to  the  fact  that  the  Archives  have  never  been 
deposited  in  a  safe  place,  and  that  they  have  been  mixed  up  with  other 
less  valuable  papers  whose  fate  they  have  shared. 

There  are  found,  among  the  General  Synod's  papers,  old  Minutes 
of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  and  fragments  of  the.  Minutes  of 
some  of  the  Classes.  It  has  occurred  to  the  Stated  Clerk  that  it  would 
be  well  for  the  General  Synod  to  request  the  Particular  Synods,  and 
perhaps  the  Classes  also  to  deposit  their  volumes  of  Minutes  when  filled, 
and  no  longer  required  for  frequent  reference,  in  the  Synod's  fire-proof 
room. 

The  Boards  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  have  papers  depos- 
ited in  this  room,  and  it  would  seem  proper  that  the  important  documents 
of  the  several  Boards  might  very  appropriately  be  placed  for  safe  keep- 
ing in  the  same  secure  repository.  It  is  the  intention  of  the  Stated 
Clerk  to  complete  the  arrangement  of  the  Archives  as  soon  as  practica- 
ble, and  also  to  endeavor  to  recover  as  many  as  possible  of  the  missing 
papers  and  documents. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

PAUL  D.  VAN  CLEEF,  Stated  Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Synod  be  given  to  the  Stated 
and  Permanent  Clerks  for  their  attention  to  this  matter,  and  that  they 
be  requested  to  continue  their  labors. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  requested  to  make  a  list  of 
the  records  and  papers  which  belong  to  the  Archives,  which  information, 
may  be  derived  from  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod  and  other 
sources,  and  thus  ascertain  what  records  and  papers  may  be  missing. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  hereby  offer  to  the  Particular  Synods,  the 
Classes,  and  any  of  our  Churches  who  may  wish  it,  a  place  in  the  Arc-, 
hives  of  the  Synod  in  the  Sage  Library  building  for  any  documents 
which  may  require  to  be  safely  preserved.     1876,  568-9. 

Resolved.  That  the  sermons  hereafter  preached  by  the   Presidents  Oif 


ARCHIVES  SI 

the  Synod,  and  those  on  the  subject  of  Benevolence,  beginning  with  this 
year,  and  also  the  sermons  of  former  Presidents  and  preachers  on  Benev- 
olence, so  far  as  they  can  be  obtained,  be  requested  for  preservation  in 
the  archives.     1877,  748. 

Inasmuch  as  the  Stated  Clerk  has  been  in  the  habit  hitherto  of  tran- 
scribing into  MSS.  volumes  the  full  Minutes  of  this  General  Synod,  and 
inasmuch  as  this  seems  to  be  useless  labor,  as  from  1,000  to  1400  copies 
are  annually  printed,  Therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  no  longer  required  to  make  such 
transcriptions,  but  that  a  copy  of  the  printed  minutes,  signed  by  the  Stated 
Clerk,  be  considered  as  an  official  copy;  and  that  the  original  Minutes, 
signed  by  the  officers  of  the  Synod,  together  with  all  the  original  papers 
adopted  by  Synod,  be  carefully  preserved  in  the  archives.     1879,  421. 

The  Stated  Clerk  reported  that  the  Particular  Synods  and  several 
of  the  Classes,  had  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  secure  their 
old  records  by  placing  them  in  the  Synod's  Archives  at  New  Brunswick. 
It  was  therefore 

Resolved,  That,  in  order  to  prevent  the  loss  of  valuable  Church  rec- 
ords, all  the  Classes  be  advised  to  deposit  their  books  of  Minutes,  which 
have  been  filled,  and  which  may  no  longer  be  needed  by  them  for  fre- 
quent reference,  in  the  Archives  of  the  General  Synod,  unless  they  have 
facilities  for  their  preservation  in  fire-proof  vaults.     1880,  609. 

Whereas,  The  unsold  numbers  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod, 
stored  at  the  Synod's  rooms,  are  liable  to  destruction  by  fire;  and 

Whereas,  It  is  important  that  there  should  be  preserved  a  sufficient 
number  for  future  use  in  making  up  sets,  and  for  exchange  with  other  ec- 
clesiastical bodies ; 

Resolved,  That  the  stated  clerk  be  authorized  to  deposit  every  year 
100  copies  of  the  Minutes  in  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library. 

A  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Second  General  Council  of  the 
Presbyterian  Alliance  was  received,  together  with  the  Minutes  of  the 
Council.  The  Stated  Clerk  was  directed  to  return  the  thanks  of  the 
Synod  to  the  Clerks  of  the  Council,  and  to  deposit  the  volume  in  the 
Archives.     1881,  812. 

The  stated  Clerk  reported  that,  according  to  the  order  of  the  General 
Synod,  he  had  deposited  in  the  Archives  at  New  Brunswick,  copies  of 
all  the  Minutes  to  be  found  at  the  Synod's  rooms. 

Also,  that  he  had  received  and  deposited  copies  of  several  sermons 
preached  before  Synod  by  the  Presidents  thereof,  and  by  the  preachers 
on  Benevolence. 

Also,  that  the  Particular  Synod  and  the  Classes  are  sending  their 
original  records  for  preservation  in  the  Archives,  which  are  thus  becom- 
ing every  year  richer  in  historical  documents.     1882,  177. 

REPORT    ON    THE    ARCHIVES. 

The  Stated  Clerk  begs  leave  to  report  that  since  the  last  meeting 
of  General  Synod,  extensive  improvements  have  been  made  in  the  ar- 
rangements for  preserving  the  records  and  papers  of  the  General  Synod, 
and  of  the  Particular  Synods  and  Classes.  By  the  kindness  of  the  Stand- 
ing Committee  on  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property,  additional  shelves 
have  been  built,  and  facilities  now  exist  for  the  systematic  arrangement 
and  the  preservation  of  any  valuable  records  which  the  judicatories  may 
wish  to  deposit  in  the  Archives  for  safe  keeping. 

A  large  number  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod  have  been 
stored  in  the  basement  of  the  Library,  which  will  be  fitted  up  as  need 
may  require.  Through  the  diligent  efforts  of  the  Permanent  Clerk,  Rev. 
Dr.  Ten  Eyck,  who  has  devoted  a  great  deal  of  time  and  labor  to  the 
object,  additional  sets  of  the  Minutes  are 'being  completed.  He  has  also 
assorted  and  arranged  in  systematic  order  the  papers  belonging  to  the 
various  ecclesiastical  bodies  and  Boards  of  the  Church.     We  are  endeav- 


52  DICxEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

oring  to  secure  full  sets  of  all  the  reports  of  the  Benevolent  Boards  from 
the  beginning,  as  well  as  the  older  Minutes  of  the  General  and  Particular 
Synods.  These  documents  are  often  found  stowed  away  in  the  garrets 
of  the  descendants  of  Ministers  and  Elders  of  the  Church,  to  whom  they 
are  of  no  value.  If  those  who  have  any  such  documents  will  take  the 
trouble  to  send  them  to  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library,  addressed  to  either 
the  Stated  or  Permanent  Clerk  of  General  Synod,  a  great  favor  will  be 
conferred,  and  many  valuable  papers  will  be  preserved  for  future  genera- 
tions. 

P.  D.  VAN  CLEEF,  Stated  Clerk. 

Rev.  C  Van  Santvoord,  on  behalf  of  Mr.  J.  Livingston  Switz,  pre- 
sented a  manuscript  copy  of  the  Theological  Lectures  of  Rev.  Dr.  John 
H.  Livingston,  and  also  two  manuscript  volumes  of  Lectures  on  Church 
Government,  by  Prof.  John  Schureman,  D.D.,  whereupon  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Synod  be  presented  to  Mr. 
Switz  for  his  very  valuable  and  acceptable  gift,  which  the  Stated  Clerk 
is  hereby  directed  to  deposit  in  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library  at  Xew 
Brunswick.     1883,  377-8. 

The  following  paper  was  adopted  : 

Whereas,  it  is  desirable  that  our  Church  should  preserve  some  per- 
manent record  of  her  ministers  deceased,  other  than  the  mere  list  of 
names  which  is  usually  appended  to  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the 
State  of  Religion,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  henceforward  Synod  have  a  Standing  Committee  on 
Necrology,  to  exist  during  the  year,  and  to  report  at  the  succeeding  reg- 
ular Session  of  Synod  such  biographical  notice  of  ministers  deceased 
that  year,  as  they  shall  deem  fitting. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod  be  the  permanent 
Chairman  of  said  Committee ;  and  that  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  receive, 
collate,  expand  or  abbreviate  according  to  his  judgment  such  necrological 
memorials  as  he  shall  receive  during  the  year  from  the  other  members 
of  the  Committee  or  from  the  Classes,  or  from  whatever,  source ;  that 
in  cases  where  he  does  not  promptly  receive  such  memorial  he  shall  hirn- 
self  prepare  it,  or  direct  some  member  of  his  committee  to  do  so ;  in 
order  that,  year  by  year,  he  may  submit  to  Synod  for  publication  in  the 
Minutes,  upon  approval,  a  necrological  record  for  the  year,  as  suitable 
and  complete  as  circumstances  will  permit. 

Resolved,  That  upon  the  death  of  any  one  of  our  ministers  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Classis  to  which  he  last  belonged 
to  transmit  notice  of  the  fact  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod,  and, 
at  least  within  a  week  after  the  next  meeting  of  the  Classis,  to  transmit 
also  a  copy  of  such  memorial  record  as  the  Classis  may  have  made,  to- 
gether with  any  facts  in  the  case  which  may  help  to  form  the  basis  of 
the  necrological  report  to  Synod.     1884,  576. 

The  Stated  Clerk,  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Necrology  ap- 
pointed last  year,  presented  a  report  containing  notices  of  all  the  Minis- 
ters who  have  died  during  the  past  year.  The  report  was  accepted  and 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion.     1885,  794. 

In  1886,  Article  24,  called  "Synodical  Archives"  became  the  Article 
to  receive  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  "Necrology,"  1886,  195-7 ;  and 
so  it  continues  to  the  present  time.  See  "Necrology" ;  Amsterdam  Cor- 
respondence ;    Presbyterian   Historical   Society. 

Arcot,  Classis  of.  In  1852  the  report  on  Foreign  Missions  suggests 
the  propriety  of  organizing  Classes  in  Amoy,  China,  and  in  Arcot.  India ; 
1852.  279,  280.  In  1853,  Rev.  Dr.  John  Scudder,  with  his  sons.  Revs. 
Henry  M.,  William  W..  and  Joseph,  requested  the  Particular  Synod 
of  New  York  to  organize  the  Classis  of  Arcot.  The  request  was  granted, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  John  Scudder  was  appointed  to  perform  the  service;  '53, 
^72.     The  Classis  was  accordingly  constituted,  three  native  brethren   from 


ARCOT,  CLASSIS  OF  53 

Madras,  representing  the  eldership ;  '54,  474 ;  and  its  Classical  Reports 
regularly  appear  in  Minutes  of  Synod,  1854- 1902.  The  Foreign  Mission 
Report  of  1855  alludes  to  the  fact  of  this  first  ecclesiastical  body  on 
heathen  soil;  and  Synod  does  the  same;  '55,  605.  Synod  authorized  this 
Classis  to  represent  itself  regularly,  in  Synod,  by  letter;  '55,  609. 

In  1856,  112,  113,  this  Classis  consisted  of  the  seven  Scudder  broth- 
ers. It  has  had  a  regular  and  healthy  growth  ever  since ;  and  altho' 
often  hampered  by  lack  of  means,  has  been  peculiarly  blessed  of  God. 
The  desirability  of  Union  among  the  Churches  of  the  Presbyterian  Faith 
and  polity  in  India  was  early  recognized,  and  such  Union  was  anticipated 
for  a  generation,  as  appears  from  the  following : 

Your  Committee  have  also  had  under  consideration  a  communica- 
tion from  Rev.  E.  C.  Scudder,  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  en- 
closing a  letter  and  circular  from  certain  Presbyterian  brethren  in  India, 
proposing  that  a  convention  of  all  the  different  Presbyterian  bodies  in 
that  country  be  held  about  November,  1868,  for  the  purpose  of  consider- 
ing the  expediency  of  uniting  Presbyterians  generally  in  one  General  As- 
sembly in  India. 

The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot  lays  the  case  before  the 
Synod  without  the  expression  of  any  wish  in  the  matter. 

Your  committee,  therefore,  beg  leave  to  say,  that  while  they  desire 
to  promote  everything  conducive  to  the  fraternal  spirit  and  highest  wel- 
fare of  the  missionary  interests  of  India,  they  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  following  resolution,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  sees  no  reasons  why  the  missionaries  of 
our  Church  in  India  should  not  hold  themselves  open  to  any  suggestions 
which  may  be  made  on  the  subject  of  Presbyterial  relations  between 
the  several  mission  Churches  in  India ;  but  that  the  whole  matter  be  en- 
trusted to  the  discretion  of  our  missionaries,  with  the  understanding 
that  they  are  to  commit  themselves  to  no  practical  scheme,  without  the 
formal  approbation  of  the  Synod.     1867,  276-7. 

In  1886,  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  asks  Synod  to  adopt  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Classis  of  Arcot  be  permitted  and  advised  to 
initiate  such  measures  as  shall  tend  to  bind  together  the  churches  of  the 
Presbyterian  polity  in  India." 

Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  Synod  to  its  for- 
mer deliverances  upon  the  subject  involved  in  the  above  resolution. 

As  far  back  as  June,  1867,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 
"Resolved,  That  this  Synod  sees  no  reason  why  the  missionaries  of  our 
Church  in  India  should  not  hold  themselves  open  to  any  suggestions  which 
may  be  made  on  the  subject  of  Presbyterial  relations  between  the  several 
mission  churches  in  India,  but  that  the  whole  matter  is  entrusted  to  the 
discretion  of  our  missionaries,  with  the  understanding  that  they  are  to 
commit  themselves  to  no  practical  scheme  without  the  formal  approba- 
tion of  the  Synod." 

Again  in  June,  1875,  when  considering  a  plan  of  co-operation  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church   (South),  Synod  used  this  language: 

"And  this  argument  is  made  not  only  for  the  purpose  of  expressing, 
as  it  does,  the  confidence  which  these  two  American  churches  have  in 
each  other,  but  chiefly  with  the  view  of  contributing  to  the  establishment 
in  each  mission  country  of  a  National  Church  that  shall  groiv  from  its 
own  root." 

Your  Committee  cannot  suppose  for  one  moment  that  Synod  has 
any  desire  to  recede  from  these  carefully  considered  utterances,  and  they 
recommend,  therefore,  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  i.  That  the  Classis  of  Arcot  be  permitted  and  advised 
to  initiate  such  measures  as  shall  tend  to  bring  together  the  churches 
of  the  Presbyterian  polity  in  India ; 

And  2.     That  the  Classis  of  Arcot  will  endorse  the  union  of  the  Clas- 


54  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

sis  of  Arcot  with  such  a  union  Church  of  Christ  in  India  composed  of 
those   holding   the    Reformed    faith   and    Presbyterian   pohty. 

Inasmuch  as  it  is  understood  that  Dr.  Chamberlain  is  expecting  to 
pass  through  Great  Britain  on  his  return  to  India,  about  the  time  of  the 
meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  General  Assemblies  in  1887, 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  Jacob  Chamberlain,  D.D.,  be  commissioned  to 
present  to  such  of  the  Presbyterian  General  Assemblies  as  he  may  be 
able  to  visit,  the  Fraternal  Greetings  of  this  body,  and  to  draw  their  at- 
tention to  the  unanimous  action  taken  by  this  body  in  favor  of  Organic 
Union  on  Mission  Fields  of  those  holding  the  Reformed  Faith  with  the 
Presbyterian  Polity,  in  the  hope  that  similar  permissive  action  may  be 
taken  by  their  respective  bodies  authorizing  their  missions  in  India  to 
take  part  in  such  a  union.     1886,  122-3. 

See  also,   1886,   124,  concerning  Dispensations. 

In  1900,  a  Memorial  from  the  Board  of  Missions  to  the  General 
Synod,  referred  to  the  development  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Arcot, 
and  traced  the  action  of  the  Synod  from  1867  onward  in  reference  to 
Union  with  other  Bodies.  See  Arcot,  Theological  Seminary,  1900,  708- 
711. 

That  with  reference  to  the  memorial  from  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  we 
approve  the  proposed  Union  of  Native  Churches  in  South  India  along 
the  lines  indicated  in  the  memorial,  as  marking  a  notable  advance  toward 
the  fulfillment  of  our  Lord's  prayer,  "that  they  all  may  be  one,  that  the 
world  may  believe  that  thou  hast  sent  me."     1901,  1099. 

Transfer  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot  to  the  Synod  of  South  India : 

With  reference  to  the  communication  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot  and 
the  communication  from  the  provisional  Synod  of  the  South  Indian 
Church,  both  of  which  have  relation  to  the  subject  of  church  union  in 
India,  your  committee  begs  leave  to  submit  the  following: 

From  the  documents  relating  to  this  matter,  it  appears  that  repre- 
sentatives of  the  uniting  churches  in  South  India,  met  in  the  Reformed 
Church  in  Vellore  on  the  21st  of  October.  1901,  and  constituted  the  pro- 
visional Sj^nod  of  South  India.  In  accordance  with  paragraphs  i  and  5 
of  the  '"scheme"  submitted  to  this  Synod  in  June,  1901,  the  Synod  of  South 
India  w^as  constituted  provisionally  pending  the  formal  transfer  to  it  by 
the  General  Synod  R.  C.  A.  of  its  Classis  of  Arcot,  and  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  United  Free  Church  of  Scotland  of  its  Presbytery  of 
Madras.  Both  the  General  Synod  R.  C.  A.,  and  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  United  Free  Church  of  Scotland  having  approved  the  "scheme"  for 
the  proposed  union  of  the  native  churches  in  South  India,  the  Classis 
of  Arcot  requests  that  its  formal  transfer  from  the  Synod  of  New  York 
to  the  Synod  of  South  India  take  place,  the  latter  uniting  with  the  Clas- 
sis of  Arcot  in  this  request,  at  the  same  time  intimating  that  it  is  now 
ready  to  receive  the  Classis  under  its  care. 

In  article  12  of  the  Constitution  of  the  South  Indian  United  Church 
it  is  provided  that  "In  view  of  the  peculiar  relation  that  missionaries  sus- 
tain to  both  the  Home  and  the  Native  Churches,  they  shall  while  remain- 
ing connected  with  the  Home  Church  and  subject  to  its  jurisdiction  alone, 
be  recognized  by  the  Presbyteries  or  Classes  as  assessors,  with  voice  and 
vote  and  eligibility  to  office  and  to  election  as  delegates  to  the  Synod. 
Such  relation  to  continue  until  such  time  as,  by  mutual  arrangement  be- 
tween the  United  Church  and  the  missionary  authorities  in  the  Home 
lands,  such  relationship  shall  be  modified,  or  shall  cease."  This  provision 
terminates  the  membership  of  the  American  missionary-  members  of  the 
Classis  of  Arcot,  from  the  moment  in  which  said  Classis  is  transferred 
from  the  Synod  of  New  York  to  the  Synod  of  South  India.  Consequently 
our  missionaries  belonging  to  the  Classis  of  Arcot  make  the  additional 
request,  that,  when  the  above  mentioned  transfer  takes  place,  the  Gen- 
eral  Synod  direct  that   their  names  be   re-enrolled   in  the   membership  of 


ARCOT,  CLASSIS  OF  55 

those  Classes  in  America  from  which  they  respectfully  took  their  letters 
of  dismission  to  join  the  Classis  of  Arcot. 

The  proposed  transfer  does  not  affect  the  authority  of  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Theological  Seminary  in  South  India,  or  disturb  the  rela- 
tion of  the  Mission  and  the  missionaries  to  our  Board,  while  our  rights 
in  the  property  of  the  Arcot  Mission  will  remain  intact.  The  native 
church  of  India  calls  for  an  indigenous  church,  which  shall  root  deeply 
in  its  native  soil.  The  people  of  India  should  not  be  allowed  to  labor 
under  the  impression  that  it  is  an  exotic. 

Since  this  is  the  logical  outcome  of  a  movement  started  over  30 
years  ago,  and  since  the  General  Synod  in  1867,  1875,  1886,  and  1901,  has 
taken  action  favoring  this  movement,  and  since  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  cordially  approves  the  request  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot  and  of 
our  missionaries  belonging  to  that  Classis,  we  recommend, 

(a.)  That  the  Classis  of  Arcot  be  and  is  hereby  transferred  to  the 
Synod  of  South  India. 

(b.)  That  the  names  of  our  missionaries  now  belonging  to  the 
Classis  of  Arcot  be  re-enrolled  in  the  membership  of  those  Classes  from 
which  they  were  dismissed,  viz. :  Jacob  Chamberlain  and  Lewis  R. 
Scudder,  Classis  of  New  York ;  J.  H.  Wyckoff,  Wm.  I.  Chamberlain,  L. 
B.  Chamberlain,  and  Henry  J  .Scudder,  Classis  of  New  Brunswick; 
James  A.  Beattie,  Classis  of  Montgomery,  and  Walter  T.  Scudder,  North 
Classis  of  Long  Island.     1902,  99,  100. 

It  was  moved  and  carried,  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed 
to  draft  a  paper  to  accompany  the  action  of  the  Synod  in  dismissing 
the  Classis  of  Arcot,  including  salutations  to  the  church  in  South  India, 
and  that  the  President  be  Chairman  of  the  Committee. 

The  President  appointed  on  the  Committee,  Revs.  Henry  N.  Cobb 
and  Jacob  P.  De  Jong. 

This  Committee  reported  as  follows : 
To  the  Classis  of  Arcot. 
Beloved  Brethren : — 

In  consenting  to  your  request  that  the  Classis  of  Arcot  be  set  off 
from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  and  dismissed  to  the  Synod 
of  South  India,  the  General  Synod  desires  to  express  the  warm  affec- 
tion which  it  entertains  for  that  Classis. 

No  selfish  consideration  induces  us  to  consent  to  the  separation.  All 
such  considerations  would  rather  lead  us  to  retain  our  hold  upon  it. 
For  nearly  fifty  years  the  Reformed  Church  has  watched  its  growth  with 
parental  solicitude,  affection  and  satisfaction.  Were  it  to  consult  its 
own  feeling  it  would  not  consent  to  sever  the  tie  that  has  bound  it  so 
long  and  firmly  to  its  heart,  growing  stronger  with  the  years.  So  many 
precious  lives  and  devoted  labors,  so  many  prayers,  so  much  of  con- 
secrated wealth  have  been  given  to  it  and  such  rich  rewards  of  divine 
blessing  received  through  it  as  to  make  its  separation  from  it  a  real  sac- 
rifice to  the  parent  Church. 

Yet  the  occasion  is  such  as  to  fill  our  hearts,  also,  with  gratitude  ta 
God.  That  he  has  so  smiled  upon  our  efforts, — all  too  small  in  His 
service, — as  to  enable  us  to  make  so  precious  a  contribution  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  new  and  independent  Church  of  Christ  in  India,  of  our  own 
faith  and  order,  henceforth  to  "grow  from  its  own  root"  and  in  its  na- 
tive soil,  is  a  matter  of  devout  thanksgiving  and  praise  to  Him  who  only 
doeth  wonderous  things.  With  all  the  love  and  all  the  precious  memories 
of  the  past  fresh  in  our  minds  and  hearts,  we  bid  God-speed  to  this  child 
of  our  affection.  We  assure  it  of  the  continuance  of  our  abiding  inter- 
est and  love  and  prayers.  The  blessing  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you.  We 
bless  you  out  of  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

We  also  beg  you  to  convey  to  the  Synod  of  South  India  the  assurance 
of  the  deep  interest  with  which  this  Synod  recognizes  its  entrance  among; 


56^  DIGEST    OF    SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

the  great  family  of  churehes  to  which  we  with  it  belong,  and  of  our 
earnest  prayer  that  Christ  the  Lord  may  ever  dwell  with  it,  fill  it  with 
His  peace,  establish  it  in  His  truth,  inspire  it  with  loving,  evangelical  and 
evangelistic  zeal  and  crown  its  work  with  His  effectual  blessing,  thus 
making  it  a  potent  factor  in  the  redemption  of  India's  millions  and  the 
establishment  throughout  that  great  Empire  of  His  own  Kingdom  of 
Righteousness  and  Peace  and  Joy. 

Signed,  A.  E.  KITTREDGE,  President. 

;  WM.  H.  DE  HART,  Stated  Clerk. 

Resolved  that  this  letter  be  signed  by  the  President  and  the  Stated 
Clerk  and  forwarded  to  the  Classis  together  with  the  resolution  adopted 
bv  the   Synod. 

Signed,  A.  E.  KITTREDGE, 

HENRY   N.  COBB, 
J.    P.    DEJONG.     1902,102-3. 

A  communication  from  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  concerning  its  transfer 
to  the  Synod  of  the  South  Indian  United  Church,  also  one  from  the 
Synod  of  the  South  Indian  United  Church,  concerning  the  same  matter. 
Both  communications  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Overtures.     1903,  267. 

Said  Committee  on  Foreign  Mission :  "The  communication  on  the 
transfer  of  the  Classis,  informs  us  of  the  fact  of  the  transfer,  and  calls 
for  no  action  on  our  part,  beyond  an  expression  of  joy  at  the  privilege 
of  contributing  a  Classis,  with  10,000  Christian  souls,  to  the  formation 
of  a  native  Church,  which  is  the  hope  of  a  Christian  India,"  1903,  364. 
For  details  of  churches  and  men  actually  transferred,  see  Corwin's  Man- 
ual, 1902,  pp.  974-7 ;  also  pp.  256-265 ;  for  last  Statistical  Table  of  the 
Classis,  while  in  the  R.  C.  A,  see  Minutes  1902,  160 ;  see  also  Report  of 
Bd.  of  For.  Missions,  1905,  pp.- 17-46. 

Arcot  Mission.  Rev.  Dr.  John  Scudder,  after  laboring  in  Ceylon, 
1819-36,  removed  to  Madras,  in  or  near  which  city  be  labored,  1836-54. 
His  sons  as  they  completed  their  studies  went  to  India 'to  share  in 
his  work.  Dr  Scudder  had  labored  under  the  American  Board.  He  now 
desired  to  cultivate  a  field  among  the  neglected  Taniils.  He  and  his  sons 
were  therefore  authorized  to  occupy  the  Arcot  district  west  of  Madras. 
Rev.  Henry  M.  Scudder  accordingly  located  near  the  city  of  Arcot  in 
Jan.,  185 1.  The  report  to  Synod  in  1852,  refers  to  Dr.  John  Scudder's 
labors  among  the  Tamils,  together  with  those  of  his  son  William ;  and 
that  another  son,  Joseph,  was  soon  to  join  them.  The  Synod  suggested 
that  as  soon  as  Providence  should  open  up  the  way.  Classes  ought  to  be 
established  at  Amoy,  China,  and  at  Arcot,  India.  Dr.  Scudder  was  con- 
gratulated by  the  Synod  on  the  devotion  of  his  sons  to  the  work  of  Mis- 
sions, 1852,  279,  280.     See  Arcot,  Classis  of. 

In  1853  the  Synod  again  refers  to  the  rare  spectacle  of  a  father,  with 
six  sons,  engaged  in  or  preparing  for  mission  work.  Another  son,  de- 
voted to  the  same  work,  had  died.  Dr.  Scudder  expressed  his  earnest 
desire  for  a  Classis,  1853,  372;  '54,  473.  On  Jan.  13,  1855,  Dr.  Scudder, 
who  had  gone  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  for  his  health,  died  while  there. 
Mrs.  Wm.  Scudder  had  also  died,  1855.  603.  Churches  had  been  estab- 
lished at  Vellore,  Chittoor  and  Arnee.  There  were  in  1856,  34  church 
members,  3  catechists,  and  4  Christian  schools  ;  while  12  young  men  were 
in  training,  to  become  assistants  to  the  missionaries.  The  Gospel  Prop- 
agation Society  were  negotiating  to  transfer  their  stations  at  Vellore 
and  Chittoor  to  the  care  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Board.  Revs.  Jared 
and  Ezekiel  Scudder  had  recently  arrived.  More  men  were  urgently 
needed.     The  appropriations   for    1855.   were  $5,121.58. — 1856,    112-114. 

During  the  following  year  the  churches  at  Arcot  and  Connoor  were 
organized,  and  the  Classis  of  Arcot  sent  Rev.  Wm.  W.  Scudder  as  its 
delegate  to  General  Synod.     .\  railroad  was  in  course  of  construction  to 


ARCOT  MISSION  57 

Madras,  90  miles.  Rev.  Wm.  W.  Scudder  appeared  in  General  Synod 
in  1857,  as  the  first  delegate  from  a  Classis  in  heathen  lands,  1857,  224-5. 
Arrangements  were  made  at  this  Synod  for  separation  from  the  American 
Board.  See  Synodical  Report  on  Bd.  of  For.  Missions,  1857,  235.  The 
deeds  of  property  were  transferred  from  the  American  Board  to  Gen- 
eral Synod;  1859,  378;  1862,  120. 

After  this  few  details  of  the  separate  Missions  are  given  in  the 
Synodical  Reports.  For  the  further  history  of  the  Arcot  Mission,  see 
the  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions ;  the  sketches  of  the  Mis- 
sion by  Rev.  Drs.  Scudder,  Wyckoff  and  Chamberlain,  and  printed  by 
the  Board;  and  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  pp.  240-1,  243,  256-265.  The  25 
churches  which  have  been  founded  by  this  Mission,  with  their  dates 
of  organization,  and  the  names  and  dates  of  all  their  pastors,  native  and 
foreign,  with  the  out-stations,  are  given  in  the  Manual,  pp.  973-5.  For 
the  transfer  of  this  Mission  to  the  Synod  of  South  India,  see  Arcot,  Clas- 
sis of ;  for  sketches  of  the  individual  missionaries,  see  their  names  in 
the  Manual. 

The  following  have  been  the  missionaries  sent  to  India : — 

Joined    Retired 

the      from  the 

Mission.  Mission. 

Rev.  Henry  Martyn  Scudder,  M.D.,  D.D 1851  1864 

Mrs.    Fanny    (Lewis)     Scudder 1851  1864 

Rev.  William  W.   Scudder,  D.D 1852  1894 

Mrs.    Elizabeth   O.    (Knight)    Scudder 1852  1854* 

Mrs.  Frances  Ann    (Rousseau)    Scudder 1858  1894 

Miss    Harriet    Scudder    1854  1856 

Rev.    Joseph    Scudder    1853  i860* 

Mrs.    Sarah   A.    (Chamberlain)    Scudder 1853  i860* 

Rev.  Jared  W.  Scudder,  M.D.,  D.D 1855 

Mrs.   Julia   C.    (Goodwin)    Scudder 1855  .... 

Rev.  Ezekiel  C.  Scudder,  M.D.,  D.D 1855  1876 

Mrs.   Sarah  R.    (Tracy)    Scudder 1855  1876 

Miss  Louisa  Scudder   1855  1861 

Rev.  Joseph   Mayou    1858  1870 

Mrs.    Margaret    ( Shultz    )  Mayou 1858  1870 

Rev.  Jacob  Chamberlain,  M.D.,  D.D 1859  

Mrs.  Charlotte  C   (Birge)   Chamberlain 1859  .... 

Rev.    Silas    D.    Scudder,    M.D.' i860  1874* 

Mrs.    Marianne    ( Conover )    Scudder i860  1874 

Rev.   John   Scudder,    M.D 1861  1900* 

Mrs.   Sophia    (Weld)    Scudder 1861  .... 

Miss    Martha   J.    Mandeville 1869  1881 

Miss  Josephine  Chapin    1869  1874 

Rev.  Enne  J.  Heeren 1872  1877* 

Mrs.  Aleida  Maria   (Venncma)    Heeren 1872  1877* 

Rev.  John  H.  Wyckoff 1874  1886 

Mrs.  Emmeline  F.  L.    (Bonnev)    Wyckoff 1876  1886 

Henrv    Martyn    Scudder.    Jr.,    M.D 1876  1882 

Mrs.    Bessie    M.    Scudder .      1876  1882* 

Miss  JuHa   C.   Scudder 1879  

Rev.  John   W.   ConkHn 1880 

Mrs.  Jane  Ehzabeth    (Lindsley)    Conklin 1880  

Rev.   Lambertus   Hekhuis.   M.D 1881  1888* 

Rev.    Ezekiel    C.    Scudder.   Jr 1882  1900 

Mrs.   Minnie  E.    (Pitcher)    Scudder 1882  1883* 

Mrs.  Mabel   (Jones)    Scudder 1889  1900 

Miss    M.    Kitty    Scudder 1883  .... 

Rev.  William  L  Chamberlain 1887 

Mrs.  Mary   ( Anable)   Chamberlain 1891  .... 


58  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Rev.  Lewis  R.  Scudder,  M.D 1888 

Mrs.  Ethel  T.    (Fisher)    Scudder 1888 

Miss  Ida  S.  Scudder 1890  1894 

Mrs.  Mary  (Anable)   Chamberlain  (W.  I.  C.) 1891 

Rev.   Lewis   B.   Chamberlain 1891 

Mrs.  Julia    (Anable)    Chamberlain 1897 

Rev.  John  H.  Wyckoff,  D.D.   (2d  time) 1892 

Mrs.   Gertrude    (Chandler)    Wyckoff 1892 

Miss    Lizzie    von    Bergen 1893  1900 

Rev.   James   A.    Beattie 1894 

Mrs.  Margaret   (Dall)    Beattie 1894 

Miss  Louisa  H.   Hart,   M.D 1895 

Rev.   Henry   Huizinga    1896  1899 

Mrs.    Susie    (Antvelink)    Huizinga 1896  1899 

Rev.  Henry  J.  Scudder   (2d  time) 1897 

Mrs.    Margaret    (Booraem)    Scudder 1897 

Mr.    Wm.    H.    Farrar 1897 

Mrs.   Elizabeth    (Walther)    Farrar 1897 

Rev.   Walter  T.   Scudder 1899 

Mrs.    Ellen    (Bartholomew)    Scudder 1899 

Miss  Ida  S.  Scudder,  M.D.    (2d  time) 1899 

Miss   Annie   E.    Hancock 1899 

Miss  Alice  B.  Van  Doren 1903 

Miss   Lillian    N.    Hart 1904 

Rev.   Ezekiel  C.   Scudder 1904 

Mrs.   Ezekiel   C.   Scudder 1904 

Mr.  Arthur  C.  Cole 1905 

Mrs.  Arthur  C.   Cole 1905 

*Died. 

Arcot  Theological  Seminary.  The  Arcot  Seminary  had  already  had 
a  Theological  Department  for  several  years,  when  in  1886  it  was  sug- 
gested that  a  Theological  Seminary  should  be  founded.  Report  of  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions,  1886,  p.  15. — The  Synod  of  that  year  emphasized 
the  importance  of  raising  up  a  native  ministry  as  the  only  effectual  means 
of  evangelizing  India.  The  Mission  was,  therefore,  authorized  to  set 
apart  one  of  their  number  for  theological  instruction  and  the  training 
of  a  native  ministry,  the  expense  of  such  school  to  be  temporarily  fur- 
nished by  the  Board.  The  attention  of  the  churches  was  called  to  the 
necessity  of  an  endowment  of  $50,000  for  such  an  Institution,  to  be  vested 
in  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  The  Board  was  authorized  to  take 
such  steps  as  to  them  seemed  proper  for  this  purpose,  1886,  93. — 

The  Board  reported  in  1887,  5,  that  Rev.  Wm.  W.  Scudder  had  been 
set  apart  to  teach  Theology ;  that  one  permanent  Scholarship  of  $2,000 
had  been  founded  and  the  income  of  two  others  pledged  for  a  term  of 
years.  Dr.  Chamberlain  had  been  commissioned  to  secure  the  endow- 
ment for  two  Professorships  of  $10,000  each,  and  15  Scholar- 
ships of  $2,000  each. — The  Synod  emphasized  these  points,  and 
it  was  stated  that  15  young  men  were  ready  to  enter  upon  a 
theological  course  as  soon  as  facilities  permitted,  1887,  325-6.  The  Synod 
reaffirmed  the  action  of  1886,  and  earnestly  commended  Dr.  Chamberlain 
and  his  mission  to  the  liberality  of  the  churches,  1887,  329. 

In  1888  the  Board  reported  the  success  of  the  endowment ;  that  the 
Theological  School  had  been  opened,  March  7,  1888,  with  appropriate 
exercises,  before  a  large  concourse  of  people,  and  that  Rev.  Dr.  W.  W. 
Scudder  was  in  charge ;  that  $45,435.06  had  been  collected  in  cash ;  and 
the  subscriptions  amounted  to  $9,663.22.  Total,  $55,098.28.  Nearly  7,000 
books  had  been  given  toward  a  Library.  The  Arcot  Mission  now  re- 
quested General  Synod  to  elect  Rev.  Drs.  Wm.  W.  Scudder  as  Professor 
of  Theology  in  the  Arcot  Theological  Seminary,  which  was  heartily  en- 


ARCOT  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  59 

dorsed  by  the  Board  of  Missions,  1888,  489,  549.  Dr.  Wm.  W.  Scudder 
was  accordingly  so  elected,  550,  552.  The  Synod  later  referred  to  the 
success  of  the  Endowment  and  the  election  of  a  Professor,  as  a  new 
departure,  bright  with  promise,  1888,  585. 

Dr.  Scudder  was  duly  installed  and  the  Institution  opened  with  14 
students,  1889,  7.  But  some  informalities  having  occurred  in  the  pro- 
ceedings, the  Synod  took  the  following  action : 

1.  That  a  Theological  Seminary  be  hereby  estabhshed  in  connection 
with  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  India,  and  that  as  far  as  may  be,  it  be  placed 
on  the  same  basis  as  the  other  Theological  Schools  of  the  Synod. 

2.  That  said  Seminary  be  under  instruction  of  Rev.  W.  W.  Scud- 
der, D.D.,  and  such  teachers  as  may  be  appointed  by  its  Board  and  the 
Synod. 

3.  That  for  the  present  the  Classis  of  Arcot  be  authorized  to  ap- 
point a  Board  of  Superintendents,  consisting  of  three  ministers  and  two 
elders.  That  the  Professor  of  Theology  be  ex-officio  a  member  of  the 
Board,  except  in  passing  on  examinations  and  certificates,  and  that  they 
be  so  arranged  as  that  the  term  of  one  member  shall  expire  every  fifth 
year. 

4.  That  the  Arcot  Mission  and  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be 
instructed  to  report  to  the  next  General  Synod  a  curriculum  of  study  and 
a  regular  constitution  for  the  Seminary. 

5.  It  has  usually  been  considered  that  moneys  raised  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  Theological  School  must  be  under  direction  of  Synod.  In  the 
report  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  for  1887  said  Board  had  on 
hand  for  the  Seminary  at  Arcot,  in  cash,  $45,435.06,  and  in  subscriptions 
$9,663.22,  or  $55,098.28  in  all. 

Resolved,  That  until  further  action  be  taken  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  be  authorized  to  hold  the  above  and  other  funds  of  said  Semi- 
nary in  trust,  reporting  in  full  to  the  General  Synod  annually  as  to  its 
condition  and  employment.     1889,  775-7. 

A  class  for  catechists  was  also  established. 

The  first  Curriculum  of  studies  is  given  in  report  to  Synod,  1890,  52. 
The  first  report  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents  excited  great  interest; 
15  had  been  in  attendance,  and  6  received  Professorial  certificates.  The 
Synod  sent  its  warmest  congratulations  to  the  Arcot  Mission ;  confirmed 
its  Board  of  Superintendents,  and  approved  the  curriculum  and  the  ac- 
tion of  the  Superintendents  in  sustaining  the  examinations  of  6  students, 
1890,   59. 

Annual  reports  have  come  from  this  Seminary  to  Synod  regularly 
since  its  institution,  and  are  printed  in  the  Minutes.  In  1891,  Rev.  Prof. 
Scudder  having  been  providentially  laid  aside  from  work  by  illness,  Rev. 
Dr.  Jacob  Chamberlain  was  put  in  charge  of  the  Institution,  temporarily. 
Dr.  Chamberlain  was  requested  to  give  a  course  of  lectures  on  the  proph- 
ecies, in  the  Tamil  language,  and  to  teach  the  students,  and  to  take  them 
through  a  course  on  Biblical  Antiquties,  in  English;  1891,  279-281.  Synod 
confirmed  all  that  had  been  done,  and  upon  the  suggestion  of  the  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions,  appointed  Dr.  Chamberlain  as  "Lector  on  Biblical 
Languages  and  Literature  and  Exposition  of  Prophecy."     1891,  288-9. 

The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  in  their  Report,  1892,  14,  requested 
General  Synod  to  define  the  status  of  the  Arcot  Theological  Seminary, 
and  decide  who  is  to  control  its  endowment  and  income.  This  had  been 
intrusted  to  that  Board,  (1888,  552;  1889,  777);  but  the  Arcot  Mission 
was  made  the  agent  to  distribute  the  funds  needed  by  students,  (1886, 
1887).  But  when  the  General  Synod  formally  founded  the  Institution, 
(i8i89,  775,7),  it  was  put  on  the  same  basis  as  the  other  Seminaries.  The 
Synod  now  harmonized  matters  by  relieving  the  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions of  the  charge  of  the  Endowment  Funds ;  by  reaffirming  that  the 
Arcot  Seminary  was  to  stand  in  the  same  relation  to  Synod  as  the  other 


6o  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Seminaries ;   and  that   the   Funds  and   the  payment  of  all   salaries   be  put 
under  the  control  of  the  Board  of   Direction.     1892,  545-6. 

In  1893  the  Board  and  the  Arcot  Mission  as  joint  Trustees  of  cer- 
tain funds  for  organizing  a  special  course  for  the  training  of  lay  agents, 
adopted  a  certain  plan  of  studies,  1893,  761-3,  769-770.  The  Board  of 
Missions  now  requested  the  Synod  to  define  the  relation  of  this  Board 
to  the  Seminary,  and  to  take  such  action  in  regard  to  the  Seminary  and 
the  Professorship  as  may  best  promote  the  interests  of  both. 

"Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  instructed  to  pay  the 
income  of  the  Fund  held  for  this  Seminary  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Mis- 
sion, to  be  applied  under  the  direction  of  the  mission  to  the  payment  of 
the  expenses  of  the  Seminary,  including  the  salary  of  the  professor,  so 
far  as  it  may  suffice. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  directed  to  supply 
any  further  amount  due  the  professor,  as  part  of  his  salary,  through  the 
Treasurer  of  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  so  far  as  the  function  of  the  Board  of  Superintend- 
ents of  this  Seminary  in  the  matter  of  making  provision  to  fill  temporary 
vacancies  is  concerned,  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  associated  with 
the  Board  of  Superintendents."     1893,  770-1. 

The  Bd.  of  Direction  made  the  following  statement : 

A  resolution  of  the  last  Synod  directed  that  the  Arcot  Seminary  Fund, 
and  the  payment  of  the  salaries  of  the  professors,  should  be  transferred 
to  the  Board  of  Direction.  This  transfer  has  been  made.  But  a  deficiency 
exists  in  the  case  of  one  salary  which  is  made  up  by  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions. It  is  desirable  that  this  sum,  also,  should  go  through  the  treas- 
urer of  this  Board,  and  that  the  Board  of  Missions  be  authorized  to 
pay  it  to  him.     1893,  7^4- 

Received  from  Peter  Donald,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions  on  account  of  the  Arcot  Theological  Seminary  Fund: 

Securities  to  the  amount  of  $48,100.00  par  value;  cash  on  account 
of  Principal,  $3,519.07.  and  accrued  interest  $1,427.75.  The  Fund  at  the 
present  time  amounts  to  $51,677.57.  There  has  been  but  otie  change  in 
the  investments,  viz.,  the  sale  of  Flatbush  Gas  Light  Co.  stock,  upon 
which  a  gain  was  made  as  per  statement  above.  The  sum  realized, 
with  part  of  cash,  principal  has  been  invested  in  bonds  and  mortgages, 
leaving  $527.57  uninvested.  During  ,the  twelve  months  just  closed 
$2,921.68  have  been  remitted  to  the  Arcot  Mission,  amount  being  inter- 
est received  on  the  invested  fund. 

FRANK  R.  VAN  NEST,  Treasurer,  pro  tern. 

New  York,  May  i,  1893.     1893,  745- 

The  Committee  on  the  Board  of  Direction  reported  the  following, 
which  was  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  Arcot  Seminary  Fund,  and  the  payment  of  the  salaries 
of  its  Professors  have  been  transferred  to  the  Board  of  Direction,  but 
a  deficiency  exists  in  the  case  of  one  salary,  w^hich  is  made  up  by  the 
Board  of  Missions,  and 

Whereas,  It  is  desirable  that  this  sum,  also,  should  go  through  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Board. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Missions  be  authorized  to  pay  it  to  the 
Treasurer  of  General   Synod.     1893.  751. 

Nothing  special  occurs  in  1894,  64,  65,  68,  69,  except  that  Rev.  Wm. 
Brush  endows  a  Scholarship  of  $2,000  for  the  Arcot  Seminary.  1894,  18; 
1896,  289. 

Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  W.  Scudder  had  resigned  his  Professorship,  and  Rev. 
Jared  W.  Scudder  had  been  requested  to  take  charge,  and  to  change  his 
residence  to  Palmaner.  Until  such  removal.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H.  Wyckoff  took 
charge.  Six  pupils  of  the  American  Arcot  High  School  were  admitted 
into  the  Lay  Agents'  Class.     Meantime   Dr.   Wm.   W.   Scudder  had  died. 


ARCOT  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  6i 

Rev.  Dr.  Jared  W.  Scudder  was  elected  Professor  of  Theology.  1895, 
64-69,  80-1.  The  Semelink  Family  founded  a  Scholarship  of  $1,000.  1895, 
18. 

Rev.  Dr.  Jared  W.  Scudder  was  duly  installed  Professor  of  Theology 
on  Jan.  11,  1896.  As  the  language  of  the  Seminary  is  Tamil,  but  some 
students,  who  know  only  Telugu,  wish  to  study,  permission  was  asked 
to  send  these  young  men  to  a  Telugu  Theological  Seminary  of  a  sister 
Church,  and  to  pay  their  expenses  until  Telugu  can  be  introduced  into 
the  Arcot  Seminary.  The  founders  of  four  of  the  Scholarships  are  will- 
ing to  this  arrangement.  Permission  was  given.  It  was  suggested  that 
Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Chamberlain  be  nominated  by  the  Classes  next  year  to 
a  Professorship  of  Exegetical  Theology  or  some  kindred  subject.  1896, 
349-351.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  E.  Olcott  founded  "The  Erskine  Memorial 
Scholarship,"  in  memory  of  Eben  Erskine  Olcott,  of  $2,000.     1896,  289. 

A  number  of  Classes  sent  up  nominations  to  Synod  of  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob 
Chamberlain  for  the  Professorship  above  alluded  to ;  but  the  action  was 
found  to  be  informal  and  premature.     1897,  625-6. 

Seven  of  the  ten  students  admitted,  were  from  the  Mission  of  the 
Free  Church  of  Scotland.  Topics  examined  in,  given.  There  is  also  a 
Bible  Woman's  Class  of  13.     1898,  79-81,  85. 

Two  new  native  assistant  teachers  employed.  Dr.  J.  W.  Scudder's 
Tamil  Lectures  on  Theology  have  been  printed.  The  Madras  Free 
Church  Mission  propose  to  send  13  candidates  to  Arcot  for  a  full  four 
years'  course.  25  students  have  gone  forth  this  year,  counting  full  course, 
lay  course  and  Bible  Woman's  Course.     1899,  379-383,  388. 

Ten  students  are  from  the  Mission  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 
Plans  are  under  consideration  for  further  co-operation  on  the  part  of 
the  two  Missions,  on  lines  recommended  by  the  Pan-Presbyterian  Coun- 
cil. 1900,  694-6.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  also  sent  a  Memorial 
to  the  Synod  in  reference  to  plans  of  closer  co-operation,  as  follows  : 

MEMORIAL  AS  TO  CO-OPERATION   IN   INDIA. 

The  Memorial  first  recites  the  building  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
in  the  Arcot  Mission,  India. 

In  the  year  1886  the  General  Synod  authorized  the  Arcot  Mission, 
"as  soon  as  practicable,  to  set  apart  one  of  their  number  for  the  specific 
work  of  Theological  instruction  and  the  training  of  a  native  ministry." 
At  the  same  time  measures  were  taken  to  solicit  from  the  churches  an 
endowment  of  $50,000  to  thoroughly  equip  and  support  such  Theological 
Seminary,  without  drawing  upon  the  missionary  funds.  This  action  was 
reaffirmed  at  the  succeeding  session,  and  the  Rev.  Jacob  Chamberlain, 
D.D.,  was  commended  to  the  liberality  of  the  churches  in  his  efforts  to 
secure  the  necessary  amount.  By  the  Synod  of  1889,  the  Rev.  W.  W. 
Scudder,  D.D.,  of  the  Arcot  Mission,  was  elected  professor  in  said  Semi- 
nary, and  the  Classis  of  Arcot  authorized  to  appoint  a  Board  of  Super- 
intendents. In  1892,  by  the  act  of  Synod,  the  Endowment  Funds  were 
transferred  to  the  care  of  the  Board  of  Direction  of  our  church.  Since 
that  date  the  income  from  such  endowment,  now  amounting  to  over 
$60,000  has  been  regularly  paid  by  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  to 
the  Arcot  Mission,  and  by  that  body  has  been  administered  according  to 
the  necessities  of  the  Theological  Seminary  from  year  to  year. 

An  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents  is  also  regularly 
presented  to  the  General  Synod. 

On  the  death  of  the  R'ev.  W.  W.  Scudder,  D.D.,  his  brother,  the  Rev. 
Jared  W.  Scudder,  D.D.,  was,  in  1895,  elected  by  the  General  Synod,  as 
his  successor,  according  to  the  methods  presented  by  the  constitution. 

Secondly,  the  memorial  sets  forth  the  fact,  that  beginning  with  the 
year  1867  a  consistent  line  of  Synodical  legislation  may  be  traced,  ad- 
vocating co-operation  with  the  several  mission  churches  in  India.  In  1886 
the  General  Synod  resolved  "That  the  Classis  of  Arcot  be  permitted  and 


62  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

advised  to  initiate  such  measures  as  shall  tend  to  bring  together  the 
churches  of  the  Presbyterian  policy  in  India,  and  that  this  Synod  will  en- 
dorse the  union  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot  with  such  a  Union  Church  of 
Christ  in  India,  composed  of  those  holding  the  Reformed  faith,  and  Pres- 
byterian polity." 

At  the  same  time  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chamberlain  was  commissioned  to 
present  the  fraternal  greetings  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  to 
the  churches  in  Scotland  whose  missions  are  situated  in  the  Arcot  Dis- 
trict, and  to  draw  their  attention  to  this  action  of  our  General  Synod. 

Thirdly,  the  Memorial  sets  forth  the  fact  that  negotiations  between 
the  missionaries  of  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland,  the  Free  Church 
of  Scotland,  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  have  reached  an  ad- 
vanced stage. 

While  organized  union  is  not  at  present  contemplated,  co-operation 
along  certain  lines  has  been  tentatively  arranged.  One  of  these  lines  is 
Educational,  with  the  Theological  Seminary  at  the  climax  of  an  elaborate 
system  of  schools. 

The  only  Theological  Seminary  in  the  mission,  is  that  which  has  up 
10  the  present  time  remained  under  the  exclusive  jurisdiction  of  this  Gen- 
eral Synod  through  its  Board  of  Superintendents. 

The  Arcot  Mission  is  unanimously  agreed,  and  the  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions  is  in  hearty  accord  with  the  opinion,  that,  in  order  to  elect 
this  most  desirable  co-operation,  looking  toward  organic  union,  the  The- 
ological Seminary  in  the  Arcot  Mission  should  become  One  Institution  of 
Ministerial  Training  for  these  co-operating  or  united  churches. 

Both  Mission  and  Board  however  are  unwilling  to  commit  them- 
selves to  any  practical  scheme  without  the  formal  approbation  of  the 
General  Synod. 

Two  questions  are  submitted  to  this  Synod,  for  immediate  answer, 
such  answer  to  guide  the  Arcot  Mission  in  dealing  with  the  whole  mat- 
ter at  their  semi-annual  meeting  in  August  next. 

First,  would  the  Synod  in  carrying  out  the  principle  distinctly  avowed 
by  their  action  of  1886,  be  willing  to  unite  with  other  ecclesia'stical  bodies 
of  similar  faith  and  order  in  the  maintenance  and  control  of  such  an  in- 
stitution ? 

Secondly.  Would  such  action,  if  approved  by  the  Synod,  in  any 
way,  effect  the  title  of  the  General  Synod  to  the  funds  contributed  for 
the  support  of  the  Theological  Seminary  as  now  held  by  the  Board  of 
Direction  for  its  benefit,  and  administered  by  the  Arcot  Mission  as  the 
representatives  of  the  General  Synod? 

Your  Committee  unanimously  approve  of  the  course  hitherto  pur- 
sued by  the  Arcot  Mission,  under  the  sanction  of  successive  Synods, 
looking  towards  a  closer  co-operation  of  missionaries  in  India.  A  native 
Church  of  Christ  in  every  country  we  believe  to  be  the  logical  outcome 
of  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen.  The  organization  of  such 
a  church  would  mark  an  advance  in  missions  and  must  become  the  theme 
of  congratulation  and  thanksgiving. 

Your  Committee  are  also  agreed  that  this  Theological  Foundation, 
the  first  in  the  field,  ought,  if  the  way  be  clear,  be  made  to  serve  the 
United  Church. 

Concerning  the  title  to  the  funds  now  held  by  the  Board  of  Direction 
for  the  use  of  the  Arcot  Seminary,  your  Committee  are  fully  persuaded 
that  there  is  nothing  in  the  terms  or  conditions  of  any  portion  of  these 
funds,  which  will  prevent  the  application  of  the  annual  income,  to  the 
support  of  the  Theological  Seminary  in  the  Arcot  Mission,  in  any  way 
which  the  General  Synod  may  approve.  We  have  the  testimony  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Chamberlain,  who  laid  his  documents  before  the  Committee, 
that  at  the  time  subscriptions  to  the  endowment  were  received,  he  dis- 
tinctly stated  that  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  future  would  be  z. 
Union  Seminary,  and  urged  the  Reformed  Church  to  secure  the  Profes- 


ARCOT  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  63. 

sorship   in   Theology   in  order   to   make   certain   the   perpetual   orthodoxy 
of  its  doctrine. 

The  terms  of  the  subscription,  and  receipts  given  therefor,  were 
general  in  terms,  carefully  avoiding  phrases  which  might  limit  its  sphere 
of  usefulness  in  the  future. 

This  testimony  is  confirmed  b}^  statements  of  the  Treasurer  of  Gen- 
eral Synod,  who  is  custodian  of  the  Endowment,  and  the  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  who  is  familiar  with  the  whole  matter 
from  the  beginning.  Your  Committee,  having  all  these  facts  before 
them  would  recommend  the  following  action  : 

Resolved, 

First,  That  the  General  Synod  in  carrying  out  the  principle  distinctly 
avowed  by  previous  action,  is  willing  to  unjte  with  other  ecclesiastical 
bodies  of  similar  faith  and  order,  in  the  maintenance  and  control  of  the 
Theological  Seminar}^  in  the  Arcot  Mission,  India ;  provided  that  both 
soundness  of  faith,  and  security  of  endowment  shall  be  safe  guarded. 

Secondly,  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  be  directed  to  consult 
with  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  the  Arcot  Mission  and  the  co-operating  mis- 
sions, in  working  out  the  details  of  the  proposed  union  of  the  co-operat- 
ing churches  in  India,  holding  the  Reformed  faith  and  Presbyterian  or- 
der, in  the  maintenance  and  control  of  the  Theological  Seminary  in  the 
Arcot  Mission,  India,  provided  that  the  vested  interests  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  in  said  Seminary,  shall  be  preserved  inviolate  and  provided  fur- 
ther that  such  detailed  plan  shall  be  reported  to  the  General  Synod,  be- 
fore it  be  carried  into  effect.     1900,  708-711. 

On  Jan  24th,  1901,  the  Arcot  Mission  recommended  to  the  Bd.  of 
Superintendents  of  the  Arcot  Seminary,  that  a  Catechist's  class  be  opened, 
embracing  a  three  years'  course ;  and  that  the  Principal  prepare  a  cur- 
riculum for  such  course.  At  the  same  meeting  of  the  Board  Rev.  J. 
H.  Maclean,  B.A.,  of  the  Mission  of  the  United  Church  of  Scotland,  at 
Madras,  was  invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory  member.  Seven  of  the  full 
course  students  were  from  the  Scotch  Mission;  1901,  1026,  1050-1. 

An  overture  from  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  for  permission  to  adopt  the 
plan  proposed  at  the  last  Synod  of  co-operation  with  churches  in  India, 
holding  the  Reformed  faith  and  Presbyterian  order,  for  the  maintenance 
and  control  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Arcot  Mission.  1901, 
1 120. 

The  overture  from  the  Classis  of  Arcot  for  permission  to  co-operate 
with  other  churches  for  the  maintenance  and  control  of  the  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  Arcot  Mission,  contains  a  detailed  plan  for  the  same, 
in  which  the  vested  interests  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  said  Seminary, 
are  preserved  inviolate.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  our  Church 
has  endorsed  the  plan.  It  is  the  opinion  of  your  Committee,  that,  these 
two  bodies  being  the  best  judges  of  the  wisdom  of  it,  and  having  given 
it  most  careful  consideration :  the  General  Synod  should  also  endorse 
the  plan,  and  does  so  recommend.     1901,  1121. 

In  Dec,  1901,  44  students  had  been  examined.  One  was  licensed 
to  preach.  7  were  advanced  to  the  Senior  Class,  and  6  to  the  Middle 
Class.  7  members  of  the  Tamil  Lay  Class  had  taken  a  one  year's  special 
Biblical  course,  to  fit  them  the  better  for  village  Christian  schoolmasters, 
and  Readers  and  Leaders  of  small  congregations ;  also  of  the  Telugu 
Lay  Class.  A  Bible  Woman's  Class,  wives  of  students,  had  been  taught 
by  Miss  Julia  C.  Scudder.     1902.  60,  61  ;  72,  -j:*^- 

In  1903  there  were  28  students  in  attendance,  besides  a  Bible  Wo- 
man's Class  of  II.  Also  4  Telugu  students.  7  seniors  received  Profes- 
sorial certificates,  most  of  them  being  of  the  Scotch  Mission.  1903,  319- 
320. 

A  communication  from  Rev.  John  H.  Wyckoff  of  our  Arcot  Mission, 
concerning  the  appointment  of  members  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents 
in  the  Theological  Seminary,  Arcot  Mission,  India,  indicates  that  by  the 


64  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

action  of  General  Synod  in  transferring  the  Classis  of  Arcot  to  the  Synod 
of  South  India,  the  Old  Arcot  Classis  has  become  extinct 
and  a  new  body  has  been  brought  into  being  which  is  not  organically  re- 
lated to  this  General  Synod,  and  which  is  organized  to  comprise  churches 
also  belonging  to  the  co-operating  missions,  and  the  question  therefore 
arises,  how  shall  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Arcot  Seminary 
be  constituted  in  the  future? 

Your  committee  in  harmony  with  Dr.  Wyckoff's  suggestion  would 
recommend  the  following: 

That  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Arcot  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  India  consist  for  the  present  of  nine  members  to  be  appointed  as 
follows : 

1.  That  the  Arcot  Mission  be  authorized  to  appoint  three  Missiona- 
ries and  two  Native  Assistants  of  the  Mission  to  be  members  of  the 
Board,  and  that  they  be  so  arranged  that  the  term  of  one  member  shall 
expire  every  fifth  year.  That  the  Professor  of  Theology  shall  be  ex  of- 
ficio a  member  of  the  Board,  except  in  passing  on  examination  and  cer- 
tificates. 

2.  That  the  Madras  United  Free  Church  of  Scotland  Mission,  the 
Madras  Church  of  Scotland  Mission  and  the  Synod  of  South  India,  be 
invited  to  each  appoint  one  member  to  serve  on  the  Board  for  such 
length  of  term  as  they  choose. 

3.  That  each  of  the  co-operating  Missions  or  Churches  be  invited 
to  provide  an  endowment  for  a  professorship,  the  incumbent  thereof 
to  be  chosen  by  it ;  and  in  the  event  of  such  provision  that  the  Church 
or  Mission  so  providing  be  entitled  to  further  representation  on  the 
Board  of  Superintendents.     1903,  334-5. 

Endozvment  Fund: 

The  introduction  of  new  and  outside  elements  into  the  management 
and  staff  of  the  Arcot  Theological  Seminary,  as  reported  in  the  last 
Synod  Minutes,  has  led  the  Board  to  examine  the  status  of  its  endow- 
ment fund.  From  Dr.  Vermilye's  report  as  a  Committee  on  Ihe  Subject,  it 
appears  that  the  original  plan  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  in  1886  was 
to  endow  two  native  professorships  at  $10,000  each,  and  fifteen  scholar- 
ships at  $2,000  each — a  fund  of  $50,000.  Under  the  impression  that,  in 
that  year.  Synod  had  approved  the  endowment  in  the  above  form,  the 
fund,  when  raised,  took  such  direction ;  so  that  when,  in  1889,  Dr.  W.  W. 
Scudder  became  Synod's  Professor,  regularly  elected  and  installed  in  a 
Seminary  regularly  established  "on  the  same  basis  as  other  (Reformed) 
Seminaries,"  he  had  no  endowment  and  "no  claim"  upon  any — only  what- 
ever "excess"  there  might  be  over  the  salaries  of  the  native  teachers.  Nor 
when,  in  1892,  Synod  placed  the  "endowment  funds  and  the  payment  of 
all  salaries  under  the  control  of  the  Board  of  Direction,"  was  any  in- 
dependent examination  made,  and  no  change  from  what  had  been  under 
the  F.  M.  Board.  It  simply  held  and  invested  the  fund  and  transmitted 
the  income  to  be  distributed  in  the  usual  way. 

The  Minutes  of  Synod,  however,  show  that  its  purpose  in  1886  was 
a  "Theological  School"  to  "train  a  native  minislry ;"  that  it  requested  the 
Mission  to  set  apart  one  of  its  number  for  this  special  work;  and  also 
addressed  churches  and  the  wealthy  upon  the  "desirability  of  an  endow- 
ment for  the  permanent  support  of  such  institution ;"  and  that  in  1887  it 
re-affirmed  this  action  and  especially  the  "speedy  importance  of  $50,000 
for  the  permanent  endowment  of  such  Theological  Seminary."  This  en- 
dowment fund,  raised  by  Dr.  Chamberlain  as  agent,  amounts  to  $56,000; 
but  additional  amounts  from  certain  bequests  held  by  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board  make  it  $70,000.  That  it  was  not  intended  for  "two  native"  teach- 
ers, exclusive  of  the  regular  Professor,  seems,  indeed,  to  have  been  rec- 
ognized by  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Foreign  Board  when  arrang- 
ing for  the  new  Union  Seminary;  and  when   (Nov..   1900)    it  passed  this 


ARCOT  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  65 

resolution,  viz. :  "That  inasmuch  as  the  present  endowment  was  pro- 
vided exclusively  by  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  therefore  the 
Chair  of  Theology  originally  founded  by  it  should  permanently  remain 
at  the  disposition  of  General  Synod,  and  the  relation  of  the  Professor 
to  the  Synod  remain  unchanged."  To  him  it  is,  in  fact,  that  the  church 
looks  for  "soundness  of  faith"  under  the  new  arrangement. 

As  a  conclusion,  then,  the  Board  of  Direction  holds  that  the  fund, 
in  that  part,  belongs  to  the  teaching  staff  of  the  Seminary,  in  regular 
connection  with  the  Reformed  Churches  and  regularly  appointed  to  their 
places ;  and  that  the  "scholarships"  are  for  pupils  of  the  Mission  of  that 
church,  and  since  the  mission  remains  and  is  incorporated,  though  the 
Classis  of  Arcot  is  defunct,  the  Board  considers  it  safe  and  proper  to  re- 
mit to  its  treasurer — now  Rev.  James  A.  Beattie,  he  to  furnish  the  list 
of  recipients  entitled  to  income,  with  the  amounts  thereof  to  each,  both 
teachers  and  scholars.     1903,  271-2. 

Action   of  Synod: 

The  committee  having  considered  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rection relating  to  the  Arcot  Theological  Seminary,  recommend  the  fol- 
lowing action  : 

Resolved,  That  the  arrangement  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Direction 
for  remitting  the  funds  necessary  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Theological 
Seminary  in  the  Arcot  Mission,  and  arising  from  the  income  of  the 
Endowment  Fund  of  the  Seminary,  be  approved.     1903,  310. 

THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IX  INDIA. 

Endowment  Fund. 

Professorships. 

The   General   Synod $8,027.24 

The   Collegiate   Church 13,109.82 

$21,137.06 

Scholarships'   Church. 

Church   at   Hudson $2,000.00 

Collegiate  Church  of  Harlem. 2.001.00 

First    Church,    Albany 400.00 

Madison   Ave.    Church,    Albany 2,000.00 

First  and   Fair   Sts.    Churches,   Kingston 782.00 

Clinton    Ave.    Church,    Newark 1,255.00 

Flatbush   Church    2,000.00 

$10,438.00 

Scholarships'  Individuals. 

A    Missionary    Friend's    half $1,000.00 

The    Family    Semelink 2,000.00 

Ormiston    Memorial 2,000.00 

S.    Talmage    Mather    2,000.00 

Greenwood     2,000.00 

Donald    Memorial    2,000.00 

Katharine    A.    Rockwell 2,000.00 

In    His    Name     2,000.00 

Gamaliel  G.   Smith    2,000.00 

Thomas  and   Sarah  A.  Jessup •  2,000.00 

William  Brush    2,000.00 

The  Erskine   Memorial    2,000.00 

$23,000.00 

Total  endowments  paid  in $54,575.16 


66  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Brought  forward $54o75.i6 

Railroad  bonds  bought  below  par,  difference 44.01 

Gain  on  12  shares  Flatbush  Gas  Light  Co.  stock 5850 

Gain  on  sale  of  Brooklyn  City  R.  R.  Co.  Stocks  and 

Bond    I  8qi  87 

Gain  on  sale  of  One  Bond  Cedar  Falls  and  Minne- 
sota  R.    R 46.25 

-D  .  ,  ,  $56,615.69 

ii'aid   assessment   6  per    cent,    on   two    Bonds,    $1,000 

each,  St.  Joseph  and  Grand  Island  R.  R $120.00 

Scholarships  unpaid 2,000.00 


$58,615.69 


The  Fund  at  the  present  time  amounts  to  $56,615.69. 
During  the  year  just  closed  $1,500.00  have  been  remitted  to  the  Arcot 
Mission,  amount  being  interest,  etc.,  received  on  the  invested  Fund. 

FRANK  R.  VAN  NEST,  Treasurer. 
New  York,  May  ist,  1905. 
1905,  46,  47. 

Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Arcot  Seminary,  1889.  A  Board 
of  Superintendents  is  referred  to  as  already  existing,  1888,  548;  1889,  776, 
but  there  was  some  informality  about  their  appointment.  But  in  1889, 
the  Gen.  Synod  authorized  the  Classis  of  Arcot  to  appoint  a  Board  of 
Superintendents,  consisting  of  three  ministers  and  two  elders,  and  that 
the  Prof,  of  Theology  be  ex-officio  a  member  of  the  Board.  This  Board 
was  confirmed,  1890,  59. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Arcot  Seminary, 
India,  shall  remain  as  at  present  constituted,  until  there  shall  be  manifest 
reasons  for  change.     1894,  79. 

In  connection  with  the  union  of  the  Arcot  Mission  with  other  Pres- 
byterian Bodies,  in  1903,  the  Board  was  made  to  consist  of  nine  mem- 
bers ;  the  Arcot  mission  to  appoint  three  ministers  and  two  elders,  with 
the  Prof,  of  Theology  a  member,  ex-officio ;  and  that  one  member  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  "Madras  Free  Church  of  Scotland  Mission" ;  by  the 
^'Madras  Church  of  Scotland  Mission"  ;  and  by  the  "Synod  of  South  In- 
dia,"  1903,  335. 

Argentina.  Dutch  emigrants  in,  ask  for  help  to  build  a  church 
there.     Request  indefinite ;  cannot  comply.     1904,  744. 

Armenians,  Persecution  of:  Assembled  in  Annual  Meeting  at 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  the  ancient  pages 
of  whose  Church  history  are  saturated  with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs, 
cannot  refrain  from  placing  on  record  her  heartfelt  sympathy  with  the 
persecuted  followers  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  Turkish  Armenia,  nor 
from  voicing  our  horror  and  indignation  at  the  murderous  hate  visited 
on  these  members  of  the  ancient  Armenian  Church,  by  the  Mohammedan 
Turks  and  Kurds,  the  worst  atrocities  of  which  is  made  known  by  the 
public  press,  have  been  fully  verified  upon  investigation,  by  the  representa- 
tives of  the  European  powers,  gathered  at  Moosh. 

And  we,  further,  heartily  approve  of  the  proposition  just  made  by 
those  representatives,  to  the  Turkish  Government  for  the  future  repres- 
sion of  such  outrages ;  and  hereby  earnestly  request  our  National  Gov- 
ernment to  do  all  within  its  power,  to  make  such  repression  successful  and 
permanent. 

Resolved,  That  an  official  copy  of  this  action,  be  sent  to  the  Honora- 
ble Grover  Cleveland,  President  of  the  United  States.     1895.  225. 


ARMINIANISM  67 

1896. 

The  following  were  appointed  a  Special  Committee  to  draft  resolu- 
tions expressing  the  sympathy  of  the  members  of  Synod  with  the  suffer- 
ing Armenians :  The  Rev.  David  J.  Burrell,  James  F.  Zwemer,  F.  S.  Scud- 
der  and  Elder  Thomas  Bell.  This  committee  reported  as  follows,  and 
the  report  was  accepted  and  adopted: 

Whereas,  In  the  Turkish  Empire  thousands  of  Christians  have  been 
massacred,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  are  in  danger  of  starvation  be- 
cause of  the  destruction  of  their  homes  and  property,  and 

Whereas,  the  treaty  rights  of  American  citizens  have  been  flagrantly 
violated  in  the  destruction  of  their  property  and  the  endangering  of  their 
lives,  and 

Whereas,  The  Turkish  Government  does  not  afford  protection  to  its 
Christian  subjects  nor  to  American  Citizens  within  its  domains. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  do  manifest  our  sympathy  with  the  suffering  Armenians,  and 
commend  them  to  the  benevolence  of  their  follow-Christians  in  the 
churches  of  our  denomination,  and 

Resolved,  That  the  Government  of  the  United  States  be  hereby  peti- 
tioned to  take  vigorous  measures  for  the  protection  of  American  Citizens 
in  Turkey,  and  (with  that  end  in  view),  to  secure  prompt  investigation 
of  the  charges  of  sedition  made  against  Rev.  Mr.  Knapp,  and  other  mis- 
sionaries who  are  citizens  of  our  country,  to  require  punishment  for  crimes 
committed,  prompt  and  full  payment  of  the  indemnity  long  since  de- 
manded for  property  destroyed,  and  to  establish  and  sustain  the  Con- 
sulates at  Erzeroum  and  Harpoot,  as  provided  for  by  Congress,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1894,  and 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  the  Secretary  of  State,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Foreign  Affairs  in  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  and  the 
religious  and  secular  press.     1896,  504-5. 

Arminianism.  During  the  truce  between  Spain  and  the  Nether- 
lands. 1609-1621,  sprung  up  the  famous  Arminian  controversy,  which  led 
to  the  calling  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19,  which  see.  This  was  just 
at  the  time  that  the  Dutch  were  beginning  to  settle  at  New  Amsterdam. 
The  Canons  adopted  by  this  Synod  were  in  opposition  to  the  doctrinal 
views  of  Arminius.  They  treat  of  Predestination  in  18  Articles ;  of  the 
Death  of  Christ  and  the  Redemption  of  Men  thereby,  in  9  Articles  ;  of  the 
Corruption  (or  Depravity)  of  man,  his  conversion  to  God,  and  the  man- 
ner thereof,  in  17  Articles :  of  the  Perseverance  of  the  Saints,  in  15  Ar- 
ticles ;  and  a  Concluding  Article  concerning  the  uncharitable  construction 
of  these  Doctrines  by  certain  parties ;  and  that  they  are  intended  only  to 
magnify  the  Grace  of  God. 

The  Secession  of  1822,  claimed  that  its  object  was  to  maintain  the 
purity  of  these  Canons  against  the  Arminianism  in  the  Dutch  Church ;  but 
the  history  shows  that  many  other  reasons  led  to  that  Secession,  which 
see.     Also  1902,  122-125. 

Articles  of  Faith.  This  phrase  occurs  with  greater  or  less  expan- 
sion of  meaning,  in  different  places.  In  the  Preface  to  the  Constitution 
of  1792  it  is  once  used  of  all  the  Standards  of  Doctrine:  "it  has  been 
found  necessary  to  explain the  "Articles  of  Faith  and  Dis- 
cipline" ;  and,  again,  in  same  Preface,  it  is  restricted  to  the  Belgic  Con- 
fession alone : — "The  Doctrines  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  are  com- 
prised in  the  Articles  of  Faith,  the  Catechism  and  Compendium,  and  in  her 
Canons.''  "Articles  of  Faith"  are  the  truths  to  be  believed.  These  are 
objective;  while  the  "Articles  of  Religion"  refer  to  the  inward  spiritual 
state,  experience  and  practice,  which  correspond  to  those  truths. 
These     are     subjective.       Not     only     is     faith     in     Christian     truth     re- 


68  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

quired  of  tlie  candidate  for  church  membership,  but  also  the  in- 
ward experience,  or  the  possession  of  truth  in  the  heart.  See  "Articles 
of  the  Christian  Religion." 

Articles  of  Faith  and  Di.scipline.  This  title  refers  to  the  stand- 
ard of  Doctrine  and  the  Rules  of  Church  Government  taken  together. 
See  preceding  Article. 

Articles  of  Religion.  See  Articles  of  Faith;  Articles  of  the  Chris- 
tian Religion. 

Articles  of  Our  Undoubted  Christian  Faith.  This  phrase  oc- 
curs in  Question  22  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  and  in  the  parac^raph 
preceding  the  Apostles'  Creed,  in  the  Form  for  Administering  the  Lord's 
Supper.     In  both  instances  it  refers  to  the  Apostles'  Creed;  1883,  300. 

Articles  of  the  Catholic  Christian  Faith.  Used  in  Question  20 
of  the  Compendium,  referring  to  the  Apostles'  Creed. 

Articles  of  the  Christian  Faith.  Used  in  the  sense  of  the  Doc- 
trines of  the  Bible  in  general,  especially  as  understood  by  the  Reformed 
Church  in  particular;  occurs  in  Second  Question  of  Form  of  Infant 
Baptism. 

Articles  of  the  Christian  Religion.  Used  in  the  Fourth  Question 
of  Form  of  Adult  Baptism  referring  chiefly  to  the  experience  of  Christian 
Truth  in  the  heart.  Hence  also  the  Compendium,  expressing  truth  in  its 
simplest  form,  is  called  "The  Compendium  of  the  Christian  Religion.  This 
requires  us  to  understand  our  sinfulness ;  the  method  of  deliverance  by 
Jesus  Christ ;  and  the  duties  of  a  Christian  life.  See  hnal  paragraph  of 
Compendium,  where  candidates,  after  assenting  to  the  Christian  Faith,  in 
general,  are  to  be  asked — "Whether  they  have  experienced  the  power  of 
the  truth  in  their  hearts,  and  are  willing  to  be  saved  by  Jesus  Christ  from 
their  sins"?     Compare  1881,  730,  1883,  300. 

Articles  of  Union.  Several  ineffectual  attempts  were  made  to  unite 
the  Coetus  and  Conferentie  parties  before  1771.  See  Minutes  of  1760,  106; 
1764,  III,  112;  1767,  127,  129,  131.  Also  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New 
York,  Vol.  VI.  to  be  issued  during  T 906.  For  a  concise  history  of  these 
efforts,  see  Corwin's  Manual,  3rd  ed.  pp.  45-56;  4th  ed.  pp.  105-117. 

Articles  of  Union,  1771-2.  By  these  articles,  the  two  parties,  the 
Ccetus  and  the  Conferentie,  into  which  the  Church  was  split  for  17  years 
(1754-1771,)  were  united,  with  a  sort  of  semi-independence  of  the  church 
of  Holland.  These  Articles  were  first  translated  into  English  by  Drs. 
Dirck  Romeyn  and  Eilardus  Westerlo  in  1790,  (page  210,)  in  connection 
with  the  preparation  of  the  Explanatory  Articles,  or  first  American  Con- 
stitution of  the  Church.  1792:  but  this  translation  is  not  now  known  J:o  be 
in  existence.  In  1813  the  Synod  requested  Rev.  G.  A.  Kuypers  to  trans- 
late these  Articles,  18 13,  32,  and  his  translation  was  appended  to  the  Min- 
utes of  Gen.  Synod,  1815.  pp.  57-74;  and  again,  they  were  added  to  the 
Digest  of  1848,  pp.  397-405,  with  a  preliminary  note.  They  are  also  printed 
in  the  two  editions^  of  Dr.  Gunn's  Life  of  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  1829, 
1856;  but  none  of  these  copies  had  the  signatures  attached.  In  1857,  243, 
the  Synod  ordered  the  translation  of  all  its  Dutch  Minutes,  1771-1794. 
The  work  was  done  by  Rev.  William  Demarest,  who  gave  a  new  transla- 
tion of  these  Articles  of  Union  in  connection  with  his  more  extensive  en- 
terprise. They  are  published  in  the  so-called  Vol.  1.  of  Minutes  of  Generat 
Synod,  pp.  5-20,  including  the  signatures  of  most  of  the  ministers  down  to 
1792,  when  the  new  Constitution  of  the  Church  was  adopted.  For  the 
ministers  and  churches  which  refused  to  subscribe  these  Articles  of 
Union,  see  "Outstanding  Congregations".  Each  Classis,  of  those  days,  had 
a  copy  of  these  Articles,  and  some  of  them  required  subscriptions  long 
after  1792,  when  the  American  Constitution  was  adopted. 

As  these  Articles  have  been  frequently  printed,  they  are  not  repeated 
here.     Thev  were  adopted  Oct.  15-18.  1771.  and  sent  to  Holland  for  ratifica- 


ARTICLES    OF  UNION,   1771-72  69 

tion.  They  were  ratified  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  Jan.  14,  1772.  This 
ratification  was  received  by  another  Convention  held  in  New  York,  June, 
1772,  when  the  following  occurs: 

LETTER  FROM  THE  CLASSIS  OF  AMSTERDAM. 

The  Letter  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  14th  Jan.,  1772, 
was  also  read  to  the  Rev.  Body,  and  listened  to  throughout  with  great  at- 
tention, respect,  and  thankful  recognition,  each  one  heartily  rejoicing  at 
its  goodly  and  animating  contents,  and  the  love  and  care  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  over  our  Church  thus  evinced ;  the  countenances  and  manner  of 
all,  without  exception,  indicating  their  joyful  approbation.  June,  1772, 
24. 

For  this  letter,  see  Corwin's  Manual  of  1902,  pp.  123-5.  The  brethren 
present  now  signed  the  Articles  of  Union  anew,  as  follows : 

Joannes  Ritzema,  Lambertus  De  Ronde,  Archibald  Laidlie,  J.  H. 
Livingston,  Ministers  at  New  York. 

Theodore  Van  Wyck,  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Abraham 
P.  Lott,  Elders  ibidem. 

Ulp.  Van  Sinderen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Flatbush,  and  Joh.  Casp.  Rubel,  Min- 
ister in  Kings  County. 

Engelbart  Lott,  and  John  Rapalje,  Elders  ibidem 

Benjamin  Du  Bois,  V.  D.  M.  at  Freehold  and  Middleton,  and  Tunis 
Bonis,  Elder. 

Hermanus  Meyer,   (for  myself.). 

Joanness  Schunema,  V.  D.  M.  at  Coxsackie  and  Catskill,  and  Joan- 
ness  Overbagh,  Elder. 

David  Marinus,  V.  D.  M.  at  Aquackanonck,  and  Petrus  Poulisse, 
Elder.  1 

Martinus  Sclioonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Harlem  and  Gravesend,  and 
Benjamin  Bensin,  Elder. 

J.  M.  Van  Harlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Millstone  and  N.  Schinick,  and 
Simon  Von  Aersdalen,  Elder. 

Gerrit  Lydekker,  V.  D.  M.  in  the  English  Neighborhood,  and  Abra- 
ham Montanye,  Elder. 

Christian  Fred.  Peering,  V.  D.  M.  at  the  German  congregation  in  New 
York,. and  Henry  Whiteman,  Elder. 

D.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.  at  Marbletown,  Rochester,  and  Wawassink, 
and  Levi  Pawling,  Elder. 

Samuel   Verbryk,   V.    D.    M.   at   Tappan    and    Kakiet,   and    William 
Nagel,  Elder. 

J.  Henricus  Goetschius,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack  and  Schraalenburgh, 
and  Peter  Zabriskie,  Elder. 

Henry  Sclioonmaker,  V.  D.  M.  at  Poughkeepsie  and  Fishkill,  and 
Peter  Montfoort,  Elder. 

William  Jackson,  V.  D.  M.  at  Bergen  and  S.  Island,  and  Hendrick 
Van  Wagenen,  Elder. 

Warmoldus  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  at  Hackensack  and  Schraalenburgh, 
and  Nikasi  A.  K.  Kip,  Elder. 

Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  V.  D.  M.  at  Raritan,  N.  Branch,  and  Bed- 
minster,  and  Derrick  Sutphen,  Elder. 

Joan.  Leydt,  V.  D.  M.  at  New  Brunswick  and  Six  Mile  Run,  and 
Hendrick    Fisher,  Elder. 

Ben.  Van  Der  Linde,  V.  D.  M.  at  Paramus  and  Panne,  and  Hendrick 
Zabriskie,  Elder. 

J.  Fryenmoet,  oet.  51,  V.  D.  M.  at  Kinderhook  and  Schodack,  and 
Peter  Vosburgh,  Elder. 

Izaac  Rysdyk,  V.  D.  M.  at  Poughkeepsie,  Fishkill,  and  cum  annexis, 
and  Rodolves  Swartwout,  Elder. 

Joannes  Hardenbergh,  Elder  at  New  Paltz. 

Cornelius  Vernovy,  Elder  at  New  Hurley. 


70  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Joannes  Jansen,  Jr.,  Elder  at  Shavvangunk. 

Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Elder  at  Manor  Van  Cortlandt. 

Benjamin  De  Puy,  Elder  at  Mahakemack,  Neversink,  and  Walpeck. 

Nychlaes  Vanarsdalen,  Cornelius  Hoogland,  Jacob  Rapelje,  Joris 
Rapelye,  and  Nicholas  Wyckof,  Elders  at  Jamaica,  Oyster  Bay,  New- 
town and  Success. 

Noah  Eltinge,  Elder  at  Harlem. 

Congregation  of  the  Clove  by  letter  fully  empowering  me. 

Dr.  I.  Rysdyk. 

Oct.  13,  1772.  Congregation  of  Schaghticoke,  by  letter  fully  empow- 
ering me.  Dr.  E.  Westkrlo. 

Peter  Schenck,  Elder  from  New  Millstone;  Robert  P.  Van  Deusen, 
Conrad  Ham,  Elders  from  the  Manor  of  Livingston ;  Dierck  Van  Gicsen, 
Elder  from  Totowa ;  Jacobus  Bayoo,  Elder  from  Pompton ;  Cornelius  Cor. 
Smith,  Elder  from  Tappan. 

1774.  J.  Gabriel  Gebhard,  V.  D.  M.  German,  New  York ;  Solomon 
FroeHgh,  V.  D.  M.  New  Millstone. 

1780.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  V.  D.  M.Fishkill  and  Hopewell;  Nicholas  Lan- 
sing, V.  D.  M.  Manor  Livingston. 

1773   (?).     Elias  V.  Bunschooten,  V.  D.  M.  Schodack. 

1784.     Joh.  Duryee,  V.  D.  M.  Raritan. 

1786.  Joannes  M.  Van  Harlingen,  V.  D.  M.  at  Six  Mile  Run  and  New 
Millstone. 

1778  (  ?).     Petrus  De  Wit,  V.  D.  M.  Red  Hook  and  Flatts. 

1787.  John  Basset,  V.  D.  M.  Albany;  Peter  Lowe,  V.  D.  M.  Flat- 
bush,  etc. ;  Peter  Studdiford,  V.  D.  M.  North  Branch ;  Jac.  V.  Romeyn, 
V.  D.  M.  Schodack  and  Green  Bush ;  G.  A.  Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  Paramus. 

1788.  Moses  Froeligh,  V.  D.  M.  Shawangunck,  etc. ;  Jeremiah  Ro- 
meyn, V.  D.  M.  Manor  Livingston ;  P.  Stryker,  V.  D.  M.  N.  and  S.  Hamp- 
ton ;  Brandt  Schuyler  Lupton,  V.  D.  M.  Lansingburg ;  Isaac  Labagh,  Jr.,  V. 
D.  M.  Kinderhook;  Petrus  Leydt,  V.  D.  M.  at  Panne,  etc. 

1789.  George  G.  Brinkerhoff,  V.  D.  M.  at  Conewago ;  Samuel  Smith, 
V.  D.  M.  Saratoga;  Abraham  Van  Home,  V.  D.  M.  Rochester;  John 
Demarest,  V.  D.  M.  Niskayuna. 

1790.  Andrew  Gray,  V.  D.  M.  Poughkeepsie ;  John  Jackson,  V.  D. 
M.  Harlem,  etc. ;  Nicholas  Van  Vranken,  V.  D.  M.  Fishkill. 

1792.  David  S.  Bogart,  Stephen  Ostrander,  V.  D.  M.  Pompton  and 
Persippany;  William  Provoost-Kuypers,  V.  D.  M.  Paramus;  John  Cor- 
nelison,  V.  D.  M.  Bergen ;  Winslow  Paige,  V.  D.  M.  Schaghticoke  and 
St.  Caik. 

The  seoarate  members  of  .Consistory  are  not  required  to  sign  the 
Articles  of  Union ;  1774,  52.  Articles  amended :  the  General  Body  to  be 
called  "Synod";  and  the  Particular  Bodies,  "Classes";  1784,  128;  1785,  141. 
Some  of  the  Classes,  even  after  1792,  continued  to  require  subscriptions 
to  the  Articles  of  Union.  Review  of  the  matter;  1813,  32.  In  1815  the 
following  action : 

Resolved,  That  as  these  articles  were  framed  to  answer  a  temporary, 
though  at  that  time  highly  valuable  purpose,  they  ought  to  be  preserved, 
as  an  important  link  in  the  history  of  our  Church,  but  contain  no  regula- 
tions, which  make  it  necessary  at  this  period  for  Ministers  to  subscribe 
the  same.     1815,  36. 

Articles  of  Union — between  General  Synod  and  Rutgers  College, 
1825.  See  Rutgers  College ;  Covenants ;  and  especially  the  Index  on  these 
topics  in  the  Centennial  Volume  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary. 

AsBURY  Park.  The  General  Synod  met  for  the  first  time  at  this 
place  in  1890,  and  since  then  in  '91,  '92,  '93,  '94,  '97,  '98,  1900,  1902,  1903. 
1905.  On  account  of  the  frequency  of  the  meetings  in  that  place,  the  Con- 
sistorv  resolved  to  build  a  Lecture  Room,  partly  for  the  accommodation 


ASCENSION  DAY  71 

of   Synod.     The    Synod    suggested   that   contributions    ought    to    be   made 
to  the  same,  1897,  780. 

In  1898,  the  amount  of  the  Entertainmnet  Fund  being  larger  than 
necessary,  the  Bd.  of  Direction  suggested  that  Synod  appropriate  $1,000, 
from  this  fund,  which  would  be  about  half  the  cost,  and  such  appropria- 
tion was  made ;  1898,  19,  64.  The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  took  ob- 
jection to  this  act;  but  Synod  asserted  that  it  was  the  recognition  of  a 
moral  obligation  for  many  favors  received  and  yet  expected ;  1899,  465-6 ; 
see  also  pages  319,  320. 

Ascension  Day.  Xo  reference  to,  in  the  Constitutions  of  1874  and 
1833.  In  that  of  1792,  Art.  67,  observance  of  such  so-called  Holy  Days 
is  discouraged,  but  may  be  observed  to  prevent  idleness  and  to  promote 
edification.     See  also  1619,  Art.  67. 

Ascension  of  Christ.  Belgic  Conf.,  implied  in  Art.  26;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.    23,  46-49. 

Assembly's  Digest.  The  Gen.  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
sent  the  Synod  25  copies  of  the  "Assembly's  Digest."     1828,  iii. 

Assembly  Subordinate  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  A  title  as- 
sumed by  the  Conferentie  Party,  1764-1770.     See  Conferentie. 

Assessments.  These  have  frequently  been  made  upon  the  churches, 
thro  the  Classes  or  Particular  Synods,  to  meet  contingent  expenses  or  de- 
ficiencies of  revenue ;  but  the  word  was  at  first  unpopular.  See  Collec- 
tions ;  Apportionments.  In  1850,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  assess 
upon  each  Classis,  a  sum  proportionate  to  its  ability,  to  meet  the  existing 
debt  and  contingent  expenses,;  .1850,  22,  91,  105-7.  The  debt  is  nearly  ex- 
tinguished; '51,  131-2,  189-190;  the  debt  fully  paid;  '52,  273-4.  See  Con- 
tingent Expenses ;  Twenty  Thousand  Dollar  Assessment ;  see  1864,  474- 
480;  1868,  403-418;  1873,  650-665,  for  history  of  Asseessments ;  also.  Cor- 
poration, Bd.  of  Direction  of ;  Accounts ;  Entertainment  Fund. 

Assets — of  General  Synod.  The  sum  total  of  these  is  not  given  in 
the  printed  reports,  until  i860,  506.  They  are  then  given  in  the  Annual 
Digest,  at  its  close,  down  to  1880,  after  which  they  are  given  on  the 
Balance  Sheet.  These  Assets  do  not  include  certain  Funds,  belonging  to 
General  Synod,  such  as  the  Van  Bunschoten  and  Knox  Funds,  which 
were  entrusted  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  (Rutgers)  College,  before  the 
Synod  was  incorporated ;  but  they  do  include  Col.  Rutgers'  donation  of 
$5,000,  which  was  given  to  the  Synod,  in  trust  for  Rutgers  College.  To 
show  the  growth  of  these  Assets  since  i860,  the  amount  is  given  at  in- 
tervals of  five  yaers. 

assets. 
Years.  Amounts. 

i860 $150,590.68 

1865 200,892.99 

1870 335,006.04 

1875 437,101.28 

1880 464,763.81 

1885 746,259.65 

1890 785,454.09 

1895 - 986,592.95 

1900 1,046,168.22 

1905 • 1,203,856.96 

Associate  Presbyterian  Church.  This  body,  under  this  name,  once 
alluded  to,  as  constituting,  with  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  the  new 
"United  Presbyterian  Church  of  N.  A."  This  union  was  effected  in  1858". 
— 1864,  424.     See  under  respective  titles. 

Associate  Reformed  Church,  or  United  Reformed  Scotch  Church. 
Invited  by  Refd.  Dutch  Church,  "to  devise  foundations  for  fra- 
ternal   intercourse";    1784,    121.     Committees    appointed.      Matter    treated 


72  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

under  "Presbyterian  Church,"  which  united  with  the  other  two  in  pre- 
paring Articles  of  Correspondence,  1784- 1804.  See  also  Magazine  of  R. 
p.  C.  iv.,  2>7^- — Certain  complaints  of  irregular  action  of  the  Dutch  Church, 
•in  receiving  Rev.  Thos.  G.  Smith;  1803,  3^0 ;  1804,  332,  T^y]  \  1806.  359. 

Effort  to  renew  intercourse  with,  1812,  428,  433,  436.  Synod  declared 
there  was  already  a  plan  for  friendly  intercourse,  1812,  439.  [Somewhat 
doubtful  whether  the  plan  of  1800  was  actually  ratified.]  Further  efforts 
to  promote  fraternal  intercourse,  1816,  12-16.  Report  of  Committees,  181 7, 
6,  15-18.  Slight  differences  about  "Advisory  Members";  Oct.,  1817,  11, 
12;  1818,  16  delegates,  1819,  16,  17.  Complaints  of  Assoc.  Refd.  Ch.  of 
the  organization  of  a  Dutch  Church  at  Bloomingburgh,  N.  Y.  1820,  20; 
Oct.,  1820,  14,  15;  1821,  43. — Propositions  for  actual  Union,  1820,  7,  54, 
55.     Committees  appointed  : 

These  committees  reported  as  follows  : 

1.  The  two  Churches  to  be  united  under  the  style  and  title  of  "The 
Reformed  Protestant  Church  in  North  America." 

2.  The  Confessions  of  Faith  and  Catechisms  are  acknowledged  to  be 
equally  pure,  and  may  either  of  them  be  used  by  churches  or  individuals, 
at  option. 

3.  The  government  of  the  Church  shall  be  administered  by  Consisto- 
ries, Classes  and  Synods. 

4.  The  worship  of  the  Church  shall  be  conducted  in  the  order  here- 
tofore in  use  in  either  of  the  Churches,  at  the  option  of  the  congregation. 

5.  The  old  version  of  the  Psalms,  commonly  called  the  Scots  Ver- 
sion or  the  Psalms  and  Hymns  authorized  in  the  Dutch  Church,  shall  be 
used  according  to  the  preference  of  each  particular  congregation. 

6.  The  usages  and  customs  of  the  churches  shall  be  left  free,  and  not 
be  meddled  with  in  anything  which  does  not  clash  with  general  edifica- 
tion. 

7.  The  Theological  Seminaries  of  the  two  Churches  ought  to  be 
consolidated. 

8.  A  Committee  from  each  General  Synod  shall  be  appointed  to  pre- 
pare from  the  different  books  of  government  and  discipline*  of  the  two 
•Churches,  a  system  for  their  common  regulation ;  care  being  taken  to  ad- 
mit as  few  alterations  as  may  be  compatible  with  their  actual  circum- 
stances. 

Ref.  D.  Church.  Assoc.  Refd.  Ch. 

J.   M.  Bradford,  John  M.  Mason, 

Paschal  X.  Strong,  Robt.  B.  E.  McLeod, 

J.  H.  Livingston,  Peter  M'Cartee, 

Henry  Rutgers,  Silas  E.  Weir. 
Cor.  Heyer. 

Oct.,  1820,  12,  13. 

This  report  was  referred  to  another  committee  (Revs.  Gosman, 
Sickles,  Labagh,  and  elders  Cowan  and  Dr.  Van  Dyke),  whose  report  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  proposals  of  a  union  be- 
tween the  Associate  Reformed  Church  and  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
as  adoptd  by  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  respective  Synods,  beg 
leave  to  report, 

That  they  have  considered  the  subject  referred  to  them,  and  view 
it  as  a  measure  intimately  connected  with  the  peace  and  future  prosperity 
of  the  Church.  Whatever  has  a  tendency  to  unite  the  efforts  of  the 
Church  of  God,  glorifies  the  Redeemer,  and  is  therefore  an  object  of 
great  importance. 

As  to  the  advantages  which  may  result  from  the  proposed  union, 
from  the  consideration  that  there  is  a  cordial  agreement  in  the  doctrines 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  a  disposition  has  been  evinced  to  yield  minor 
.differences,   and   that   by   comnmmg  the   resources   of  the   two   denomina- 


ASSOCIATE  REFORMED  SEMINARY  73 

tions,  additional  means  might  be  furnished  for  the  extension  of  our  bound- 
ary, and  thus  a  weight  given  us  in  the  Christian  Church,  which,  in  a  de- 
tached state,  we  do  not  possess ;  however  important  in  a  decision  on  the 
terms  of  union  ;  your  Committee  do  not  deem  it  proper  to  express  any  opin- 
ion :  viewing  it  as  a  matter  of  deep  interest  to  the  Churches,  they  submit 
to  Synod  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  terms  of  union  as  agreed  upon  between  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  and  the  Associate  Reformed 
Church,  be  transmitted  to  the  Classes  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Synod, 
for  their  consideration  and  approbation,  and  that  they  report  to  the  next 
ordinary  meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

JOHN  GOSMAX,  Chairman. 

The  Classes  of  Poughkeepsie,  Rensselaer,  Washington,  Albany,  Mont- 
gomery, Ulster,  Xew  Brunswick  and  Philadelphia,  (8)  voted  in  favor  of 
this  union;  and  those  of  Xew  York  and  Bergen  (2)  against  it;  from 
those  of  Paramus  and  Long  Island.  (2)  no  report;  1821,  42.  But  all 
this  was  immediately  annulled  by  the  following : — 

Extract  from  Minutes  of  Assoc.  Refd.  Syjiod:  "Resolved,  That  it 
will  not  promote  as  was  intended  by  this  Synod,  the  ends  of  common 
edification,  to  press  the  question  of  the  aforesaid  union,  and  that  this 
Synod  decline,  for  the  present,  all  further  proceedings  relative  thereto ; 
resting  satisfied  with  the  continuance  of  the  established  plan  of  intercourse 
and  correspondence.''     1821,  42. 

Xo  delegates  were  exchanged  for  many  years  thereafter.  Meantime 
new  terms  of  Correspondence  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  (1822)  had 
been  adopted,  and  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  suggested  that  an 
overture  be  again  extended  to  open  a  Correspondence  with  the  Assoc. 
Refd.  Ch.  on  the  same  basis  ;  1827,  37 ;  but  this  was  not  sent  until  1829, 
178;  the  notice  was  not  received  in  time  for  their  action;  1830,  255-6;  in 
183 1,  it  was  favorably  reported  on,  but  laid  on  the  table  for  more  delibera- 
tion, 1831,  345-7. Xothing  further  is  mentioned  until  1836,  when  it  was  again 
proposed  to  open  Correspondence  with  the  Assoc.  Refd.  Church,  and  the 
Church  of  Scotland  in  Upper  Canada  ;  1836,  467.  The  efforts  of  R.  D.  C. 
in  183 1  are  referred  in  the  communication  as  well  as  the  action  of  the  As- 
soc. Synod  at  that  time,  and  inquiries  made.  Xo  official  answer  was  re- 
turned, but  a  Committee  of  Assoc.  Refd.  Ch.  appeared  to  confer  on  Cor- 
respondence. 1837.  27.  A  Plan  of  Correspondence  was  now  prepared,  and 
signed  by  both  Committees,  and  Rev.  Dr.  John  Knox  was  appointed  dele- 
gate, primarius.  and  Rev.  Dr.  A.  X.  Kittle,  secundus.  in  case  said  Plan 
was  adopted,  by  Assoc.  Refd.  Ch.  But  a  letter  was  received,  that  they  pre- 
ferred a  Correspondence  by  letter,  1838.  125-6.  As  no  important  ends 
could  be  gained  by  correspondence  by  letter,  between  close  neighbors,  the 
Synod  of  R.  D.  C.  refrained  from  any  further  action,  1838,  127. 

In  1847  the  Presbyterian  Church  suggested  a  Conference  of  all  Pres- 
byterian Bodies,  including  the  Assoc.  Refd.  Ch. ;  Refd.  Presbyt. ;  Assoc. 
Presbyt. ;  with  the  Dutch  and  German  Churches,  to  devise  plans  of  more 
intimate  fellowship,  to  meet  in  Reading,  Pa.,  in  Aug.,  1847.  Delegates  were 
appointed,  1847,  141-2.  On  the  question  of  continuing  such  Convention 
the  next  vear,  it  was  negatived;  1848,  i^^z-;^.  See  United  Presbvt.  Ch.  of 
X.  A. 

Associ.\TE  Reformed  Semin.ary.  Founded  in  Xew  York  City,  1805, 
by  Rev.  John  M.  Mason.  D.D.,  pastor  of  Assoc.  Refd.  Ch.  in  Xew  York 
City,  1 793-1821,  and  Prof,  in  said  Seminary,  1805-21.  Synod  permitted  Dr. 
Mason's  students  to  submit  their  Professorial  certificates  to  Dr.  Livingston, 
and  if  he  found  them  qualified,  to  give  them  his  certificate,  to  admit  them 
to  an  examination  for  licensure  before  a  Classis  of  Refd.  Dutch  Church; 
1809,  388-9.  There  were  several  examples,  1809- 18 16.  Sec  sketch  of 
Mason  in  2nd  ed.  of  Corwin's  Manual,  1869,  pages  152-4. 


74  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South.  Enters  into  the  plans  of 
Federal  Union;   1894,   138-9. 

Associate  Synod  of  Scotland  and  the  North  of  Ireland.  Com. 
on  Correspondence  recommended  the  opening  of  a  Correspondence  with; 
1830,  256. 

Assurance.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  21,  44.  49, 
67,  7Z,  1^',  Canons,  i.  12,  16;  v.  9-15. 

AssYRiOLOGY.     Professorship  of,  suggested,  1888,  545. 

Athanasian  Creed.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  9.  It  is  generally  printed 
in  the  Liturg}-. 

Atonement.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  20-26;  Heid.  Cat..  Quests.  12-85,  in 
general;  especially,  Quests.  18,  19,  34-46.  Canons,  ii.  1-9.  See  Redemp- 
tion.— Referred  to,  Oct.,   1820,   17,  23-31. 

Attendance  on  Divine  Worship.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  28;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  54,  55,  103. 

Attributes  of  God.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts,  i,  20;  Canons,  i.  11. 

Auditing  Accounts.  Accounts  of  Board  of  Direction  must  be  au- 
dited;  1819,  47;  must  be  audited  before  presenting  them  to  Synod;  1831, 
394;  Board  asserts  they  have  always  been  audited;  '32,  28;  accounts  are 
audited  monthly,  and  President  of  Board  also  keeps  a  memorandum,  of 
all  checks,  amounts,  to  whom  paid,  etc.,  '87,  267 ;  Resolved.  That  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  hereby  appoint  an  Auditor  to  act  in  connection  with  the  Au- 
ditor appointed  by  the  Board  of  Direction,  to  audit  the  annual  accounts 
of  said  Board  before  its  presentation  to  the  General  Synod,  1895,  55>  56- 

AusT-iN  Friars,  Church  of,  in  London.  In  1546  some  Dutch  mer- 
chants fled  to  England  to  escape  the  persecutions  of  the  edict  of  1540. 
In  the  interests  of  commerce  they  settled  in  London,  and  formed  them- 
selves into  a  congregation.  Their  membership,  owing  to  continued  per- 
secutions in  Holland,  soon  reached  4,000.  Edward  VI.  gave  them  the 
capacious  church  of  the  Austin  Friars  in  1550.  Under  the  superintendence 
of  a  Lasco,  the  church  had  the  service  of  four  pastors.  Here*  the  Nether- 
lands Liturg>-  was  prepared.  See  Rev.  Dr.  John  B.  Thompson's  "Heir- 
looms of  Faith  and  Order,"  in  Centennial  Discourses,  1876,  pp.  309-350; 
and  Rev.  Dr.  D.D.  Demarest's  "Liturgical  Features  and  Spirit,"  in  same, 
pp.  359-393 ;  Hansen's,  "Reformed  Church  in  the  Netherlands,"  66.  The 
history  of  this  Church  has  recently  been  published — "The  Register  of  the 
Dutch  Ch.,  Austin  Friars,  London,"  1884;  and  its  Documents,  in  four 
very  large  volumes  styled  "Ecclesiae  Londino-Batavae  Archivum."  There 
are  copies  in  Sage  Library,  New  Brunswick,  and  in  Library  of  Collegiate 
Church,  5th  Ave.  and  48t'h  St.,  New  York. 

Austria.     Needs  of  the  Reformed  Church  there:  1903,  397. 

Author  of  Sin.  Not  God;  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  13;  Canons,  i.  5.  15,  and 
the  Conclusion. 

AuxiLi.\RiES — to  Missionary  Societies.  Ministers  and  congregations 
requested  to  form  Auxiliaries  to  the  Committee  on  (Domestic)  Missions, 
and  to  the  United  Foreign  Missionar>-  Society;  1822,  65;  some  formed; 
agents  to  visit  jchurches  to  organize  auxiliaries,  1823.  11,  59;  1824,  33.  59; 
1826,  61 ;  1829,  207.  When  the  Woman's  Union  ^lissionary  Society  was 
formed,  many  Woman's  Auxiliaries  attached  themselves  to  that  Society, 
(1861  and  onward)  ;  and  later,  to  the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions ;  and  to  the  Woman's  Executive  Committee  of  the  Domestic  Board ; 
and  now  such  societies  exist  in  almost  every  church. 

Ayes  and  Noes.  The  right  to  call  the  Ayes  and  Noes,  and  have  them 
recorded,  took  the  place  of  the  "Protests,"  once  common,  which  see  The 
first  example  of  calling  them  was  in  reference  to  a  resolution  forbidding 
the  reading  of  sermons.  See  Sermons.  First  adopted  in  the  Constitu- 
tion, 1833,  Art.  43;  in  Constit.  1874.  Art.  41. 


BACHELOR  OF  DI\'IXITY  75 

Bachelos  of  DivoiiTY'.  (B.  D.)  The  Facnlty,  in  coojmictioa  with 
the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  Collide;  hare  adopted  the  foUowmg  rules  re- 
specdng  a  course  of  stn<fy  in  the  Seminary,  enfitlifig  ffae  students  pnrsu- 
htg  it  to  the  degree  of  Bachdor  of  Divinity  (B.D.),  the  same  to  be  con- 
ferred by  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  Coll^ie: 

1.  Any  r^iular  student  in  the  Seminary  in  good  standing  as  to  his 
class-room  work  shall  be  entitled  to  pursue  the  spedal  course  for  the  de- 
gree of  B-D^  with  the  permission  of  the  Faculty. 

2.  The  work  of  this  special  course  diall  be  in  addition  to  the  regular 
class-room  work  required  of  all,  and  shall  be  pursued  throngliont  two 
years  of  the  Seminary  coursei 

3.  The  applicant  for  this  course  sbaXL  be  at  liberty  to  choose  the 
particular  department  in  winch  he  shall  take  it,  and  in  pursuiug  it  be 
shall  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Professor  of  that  department,  who  also 
shall  outline  the  course  to  be  taken. 

4.  An  examination  shall  be  held  at  the  dose  of  each  of  the  two 
years,  the  second  examination  oorerii^  the  work  of  both  years.  This 
examination  shall  be  conducted  by  a  ^edal  committee  of  the  Board  of 
Superintendents  and  the  Professor  in  whose  department  the  special  course 
has  been  pursued. 

5.  Each  examination  shall  be  two-fold,  oral  and  written:  an  oral 
examination  upon  the  woik  coTer^  and  a  written  examinatimi,  ocmsist- 
mg  of  one  or  two  essays  upon  a  given  subject  containmg  a  certam  num- 
ber of  words  and  requiring  a  certain  high  grade  in  order  to  pass.  An 
applicant  failing  upon  the  first  shall  be  entitled  to  a  seocmd  examination. 

6l  The  unanimous  vote  of  the  committee  on  examination  diaU  be 
necessary  in  order  to  entitle  the  applicant  to  a  reconnnendation  to  the 
Trustees'  of  Rutgers  College  that  he  receive  the  degree  of  B.D.  1893.  75*- 
5.766. 

Committee  of  Bd.  of  Superintendents  conferred  with  a  Com.  of  the 
Collie  Trustees  and  the  Theological  Facnlty,  as  to  some  modification 
of  these  Rules;  '94,  39,  67.    The  following  was  adopted: 

Your  committee  recommend  that  Rule  i,  as  priitfed  in  the  Catalogue 
(p.  21)  be  changed  to  read  as  follows.  Any  r^nlar  student  in  the  Semi- 
nary in  such  standing  as  to  his  dass-room  work  as  may  be  prescribed  fay 
the  Facnlty,  shall  be  entitled  to  pursue  the  fecial  course  for  the  d^ree 
of  B.D.,  with  the  permission  of  the  Facnli^. 

Your  connnittee  further  reoonunend  the  following  additional  rules: 
A.  Beginning  with  the  class  enteiing  as  juniors  in  1897,  the  BJ).  course 
shall  b^:in  not  earlier  than  January  i,  of  the  junior  year. 

B.  Applicants  for  this  course  diall  file  their  applications  widi  tdse 
Secretary  of  the  Facuhy. 

C.  The  committee  (or  cxnmrattees)  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Su- 
perintendents to  conduct  the  examinations  in  the  BJ>.  course,  shall  meet 
at  such  time  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  committee  (or  oounnittecs)  and 
the  Facnlty.     1896,' 334. 

Names  of  those  receiving  the  degree;  185^  60,  Jo;  18961,  332-4,  345; 
1897,  611,  622;  18^  73;  1899,  369;  1900!,  688;  1901,  1020-1;  1902.  55;  1903. 
313;  19014,  647- 

That  the  bestowal  of  the  BT).  degree  shall  be  cmiditknied  i^on  the 
successful  completion  of  a  post-graduate  course  of  one  year,  according 
to  the  curriculum  annonnced  in  the  catalogue.  The  Facnlty  will  sedc  the 
approval  of  tibe  tmstees  of  Rutgers  College.     1904,  6go;  no  degrees,  1905. 

BACKBrnxG.    Heid.  Cat,  Quest  112.     See  also  False  Witnesses. 

Backsudixg.     Canons,  v.  1-8,  13,  15. 

Bakek,  J.  W.    Treas.  of  Bd.  For.  Missions,  1863,  345 

B.u_\xCE  Sheet.  Since  1878  the  Treas.  of  Gen.  St>ti-  hs?  inserted  a 
Balance  Sheet  in  ccHuiection  with  his  anunal  report.  187S,  37.  At  that 
time  the  funds  footed  up  $451,411.    In  1905,  49,  at  $1,203^56. 


76  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Baldwin,  Eli,  (Rev.).  Sec  of  Bd.  of  Corporation,  1826,  16;  repre- 
sents the  Board  in  Synod,  1827,  31,  y2\  represents  Bd.  of  Missions  in 
Synod,  1831,  379. 

Baldwin,  Henry  R.  (M.D.).  Gen.  Synod  recognizes  his  long  and 
gratuitous  services  as  Medical  Adviser  of  Bd.  of  For.  Missions,  1902,  102. 

Ballagh,  Jas.  H.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Missionary  in  Japan  from  1861  to  pres- 
ent time.  Letter  from,  in  behalf  of  United  Ch.  of  Christ  in  Japan,  1879, 
277. 

Ballantine,  Peter.     Gives  $1,000  to  Hope  College,  1879,  342. 

Ballots.  The  President,  Adsessor  and  Clerks  of  General  Synod  to 
be  chosen  by  ballot.  1800,  275-6;  1806,  346;  '66,  126.  Professors  to  be 
elected  by  ballot.  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  22.  [Balloting  was  not  specified 
for  election  of  Professors  in  the  Constitutions  of  1833  or  1792,  altho  that 
method  was  certainly  employed.]  Vedder  Lecturers  to  be  elected  in  the 
same  way  as  Professors,  'yz,  7Z7-^\  '80,  560.  Corresponding  delegates  to 
be  elected  by  ballot,  '31,  346.  The  Committees  on  the  several  Boards,  and 
on  Correspondence  henceforth  to  propose  names  of  members  or  dele- 
gates, and  if  confirmed  by  Synod,  they  shall  be  considered  elected.  1886, 
205. 

Banta,  Wm.  S.  Legacy  of  $3,000  toward  Endowment  Fund  of  New 
Brunswick  Seminary,  1901,  979. 

Baptism.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  15,  2>2,^  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  68-74; 
Liturgy — Forms  for  Infant  and  Adult  Baptism.  See  Adult  Baptism. — 
References  to,  in  Rules  of  Ch.  Government :  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  48, 
76.  See  Modes  of  Baptism;  Forms  of  Baptism;  Romish  Baptism;  Sub- 
jects of  Baptism ;  Nicene  Creed. 

Baptismal  Forms.  See  Liturgy.  Committee  appointed,  1853,  357, 
make  a  brief  report  on  the  Baptismal  Forms,  '54,  452;  report  re-committed, 
453;  second  report,  recommitted,  '55,  578-580;  authorized  to  print  their 
amended  Forms,  Oct.,  '55,  16;  slight  changes  suggested  in  Baptismal 
Forms,  '56,  92 ;  were  adopted,  and  recommended  to  the  Classes  to  re- 
port on,  at  next  Synod,  '56,  94,  95  ;  '57,  188-9 ;  only  I3  out  of  30  Classes 
report,  5  approving  and  8  disapproving  the  changes,  '57,  193 ;  yet  Synod 
authorized  the  printing  and  use  of  the  amended  Forms,  to  test  the  sense 
of  the  Church,  193-4 ;  Classes  requested  to  send  lists  of  any  changes  de- 
sired, 194;  resolution,  authorizing  the  use,  rescinded,  Oct.,  '57  256; 
amended  Forms,  not  adopted,    1858,  330-1. 

Committee  again  appointed  to  revise  these  Forms  (and  the  whole 
Liturgy),  1868,  467;  change  in  Committee,  '70^  102;  partial  report,  '71, 
281-2;  report  recommitted,  '73,  723;  revised  Forms  printed,  and  sent  to 
each  Consistory,  '74,  no;  Synod  gives  permission  to  use  revised  Baptismal 
Forms,  no;  this  resolution  rescinded,  '75,  313. 

In  188 1,  649,  a  communication  was  received  from  Classis  of  Po'keep- 
sie  about  some  alleged  ambiguous  expressions  in  the  Baptismal  Forms, 
such  as  "wholly  incapable  of  any  good  and  prone  to  all  evil'' ;  and — 
"Dost  thou  assent  to  all  the  Articles  of  the  Christian  Religion  as  they  are 
taught  here  in  this  Christian  Church"?  etc.,  etc.  Matter  ably  discussed 
in  report,  and  Classis  allowed  to  withdraw  their  Memorial,  '81,  730-6. 

Similar  Memorial  from  same  Classis  in  1882,  31  ;  whole  subject  re- 
ferred to  a  special  Committee,  n3;  their  report,  'S2>,  295-9,  suggesting  an 
"alternative  question,"  not  adopted. — Another  Memorial  from  the  Clas- 
sis of  Newark  on  the  same  general  subject,  '83,  219;  report  on  this  com- 
munication, 299-303 ;  questions  in  Form  for  Infant  Baptism  to  be  al- 
lowed also  for  Adult  Baptism;  references  to  other  parts  of  the  stand- 
ards, to  be  given,  to  explain  alleged  ambiguities;  and  a  foot-note  to  be 
added,  as  to  the  meaning  of  the  expression  "Articles  of  the  Christian 
Religion."  This  report  was  adopted  as  a  substitute  of  the  other  report, 
on  the  communication  from  Classis  of  Po'keepsie.     But  in   1884,  419,  501- 


BAPTISMAL   FORMS  77 

2,  upon  the  Memorials  of  several  Classes,  this  action  of  '83,  302,  was  re- 
scinded;  but  it  was  resolved  to  send  down  the  marginal  references  and 
foot-notes  suggested,  to  the  Classes,  for  Constitutional  adoption. 

But  the  Classes  refused  thus  to  amend  the  Constitution,  '85.  702-6 ; 
and  Synod  now  appointed  a  Committee  to  issue  a  "Critical  Edition  of 
the  [whole]  Constitution,'*  706;  names,  713.  Their  report  is  found  in 
1886,  150-6;  presenting,  in  the  first  place,  a  proper  arrangement  of  the 
different  parts  of  the  Constitution ;  and  in  the  second  place,  improved  ver- 
sions of  the  Questions  in  the  Baptismal  Forms,  incorporating,  editorially, 
foot-notes,  and  marginal  references  to  other  parts  of  the  Standards,  to 
explain  alleged  ambiguities.  These  changes  in  the  Baptismal  Forms, 
were  adopted  by  the  following  resolution : 

3.  'Resolved,  That  the  version  for  the  questions  in  the  Forms  for 
Baptism,  given  in  the  above  report  to  General  Synod  in  1886,  be  adopted 
as  the  authorized  one,  and  that  henceforth,  it  be  substituted  for  the  old 
version,  in  all  future  editions.''  1886,  156,  (3).  See  also  1886,  121-2.  [But 
no  edition  was  ever  published  with  this  version  of  the  questions.] 

In  1900,  828,  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church  suggested 
some  change  in  the  Baptismal  Forms,  and  the  following  action  was  taken : 

8th.  Resolved:  That  a  Special  Committee  be  charged  with  the  duty 
of  revising  the  Baptismal  Forms ;  and  that  this  same  Committee  be  in- 
structed to  prepare  a  Form  which  may  be  used  in  the  reception  of  mem- 
bers who  come  by  certificate  from  other  churches.     1900,  830. 

To  revise  Baptismal  Forms,  Resolution  8 :  Revs.  G.  S.  Bishoo,  F.  S. 
Schenck,  J.  B.  Drury.  E.  T.  Corwin,  H.  E.  Dosker.  Elders  J.  S.  Bussing, 
David  Murray.     1900,  845. 

In  1901,  this  Committee  presented  the  following  report,  which  was 
adopted  : 

I.     HISTORY  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  FORMS. 

So  far  as  the  history  of  these  Forms  is  concerned  it  is  pertinent  and 
important  to  observe 

1.  That  all  the  Liturgical  Forms  of  the  Church  in  their  first  casting, 
were  moulded  in  conformity  with  the  original  Standards  of  the  Dutch 
Church  as  represented  by  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  and  the  Belgic  Con- 
fession;  the  well-known  principle  being  recognized  that  the  Forms  must 
supplement  the  Doctrine,  that  they  must  be  so  cast  as  everywhere  to  sus- 
tain the  Doctrine  so  that  to  change  the  Forms  in  any  essential  statement 
or  feature  would  be  to  change  the  doctrines  of  the  Church,  the  Church 
everywhere  being  regarded  as  a  Teacher  not  only  in  her  faith-confessions 
but  in  her  Liturgy  as  well.  This  was  the  principle  pursued  by  Peter 
Dathenus  in  the  first  draft  of  the  Forms  for  Church  Service,  published 
in  1566,  and  confirmed  by  the  Synod  of  Wesel  two  years  later,  in  the  for- 
mal declaration  "that  it  is  necessary  to  arrange  a  perfect  correspondence 
between  all  parts  of  doctrine,  ceremonies  and  discipline'" — dat  van  noden 
zvas  een  eenparige  voet  te  beramen,  en  te  onderhouden  in  Leer,  Ceremo- 
nien  en  Discipline.  This  declaration  of  the  Synod  of  Wesel  was  reaf- 
firmed in  165 1,  one  hundred  years  later,  by  the  General  Synod  held  ac 
the  Hague  after  the  death  of  Prince  William  the  II. 

2.  The  three  oldest  Forms  according  to  the  first  publication  by  Dathe- 
nus,  were  Baptism,  the   Communion   and   Marriage.     The   Form   of   Bap 
tism  had  reference  to  Infant  Baptism  only.     In  this  Form  we  distinguish 
two   parts :     First   the   Preface   or   doctrinal    statement :    and    second,    the 
Questions  put  to  the  parents  or  sponsors. 

The  first  part  was  translated  word  for  word  from  the  Liturgy  of 
Heidelberg — one  half  of  it  having  come  down  from  the  Genevan  Liturgy- 
prepared  and  supervised  by  Calvin.  The  old  form  was  somewhat  longer 
than  that  now  in  use  which  was  authorized  by  the  Provincial  Synod  of 
Holland  and  Zealand  held  at  Dort  in  the  year  1574,  but  the  present  Form 
differs  in  no  expression  from  the  other,  being  only  condensed. 


78  DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  Prayer  between  the  preface  and  the  questions  is  word  for  word 
a  translation  from  the  Liturgy-  of  Zurich,  and  was  written  by  the  learned 
and  the  martyred  Lavater  in  the  year  1559. 

The  questions  as  they  stand  in  the  Form  must  in  all  probability  be 
referred  to  Dathenus  from  whom  we  receive  them  and  who  again  took 
them  from  a  Lasco. 

3.  The  Form  for  the  Baptism  of  Adults  was  first  prepared  in  1604, 
but  adopted  and  authorized  by  the  National  Synod  of  Dort.  If  one  should 
ask  why  it  was  adopted  at  so  late  a  date,  an  answer  is  that  no  National 
Synod  was  holden  between  the  years  1586  and  1619  and  therefore  no  of- 
ficial imprimatur  could  be  given  to  a  new  form.  A  more  conclusive  an- 
swer is  that  given  by  Johannes  Ens  in  his  "Kort  Berigt  van  de  Puhlieke 
Schriften,'  etc.,  "or  Brief  Account  of  the  Liturgy  of  the  Netherlands 
Churches" — viz.  that,  at  first,  all  were  baptized  persons  or  were  regarded 
as  such  in  coming  out  from  Rome.  No  provision  was  needed,  therefore, 
save  for  infants.  Nor,  after  the  sect  of  the  Mennonites  arose,  was  it 
immediately  felt  to  be  needed,  for  those  of  them  w^ho  came  over  to  the 
Reformed  Church  had  either  been  baptized  in  their  infancy  or  after- 
wards, as  adults,  by  immersion ;  so  that  the  necessity  of  such  a  Form  did 
not,  at  first,  impress  itself  on  the  Church,  but  when  it  did  so  impress  itself, 
the  Synod  gave  its  best  attention  to  the  subject  and  the  result  is  our  ad- 
mirable Form  or  rather  supplement  to  the  Preface  of  the  Form  for 
Infant  Baptism  which  was  already  in  existence. 

For,  the  Form  for  Adult  Baptism,  not  being  complete  in  itself,  is  in- 
tended, of  course,  to  be  read  in  connection  with  the  General  Preface,  be- 
ginning with  the  words,  "The  principal  parts  of  the  Doctrine  of  Holy 
Baptism  are  these  three,"  and  ending  with  the  words — "a  seal  and  an  un- 
doubted testimony  that  we  have  an  eternal  covenant  of  grace  with  God," 
and,  thus  read,  the  whole  is  symmetrical  beautiful  and  harmonious.  1900. 
1 177-8. 

II.     HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISMAL  FORMS  IN  THIS  COUNTRY. 

The  Liturgy  as  used  in  Holland  was  also  used  on  this  side  of  the  At- 
lantic until  1792,  and  with  the  final  independence  of  the  Church  in  that 
year,  it  was  adopted  without  change  and  incorporatd  as  part  of  the  New 
Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America.  It  had  already 
been  translated  into  English  by  Domine  LaidJie  in  1767. 

There  was  no  suggestion  of  any  change  in  the  Liturgy  until  1840 
when  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  requested  some  liberty  in  the 
use  of  certain  of  the  Forms.  This,  however,  was  refused  by  the  General 
Synod. 

Nothing  further  of  any  importance  occurred  until  1853  when  a  com- 
mittee of  ten  was  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  whole  subject  of  the  Liturgj^  and  report  what  in  their  judgment 
might  be  deemed  an  improvement — but  without  any  doctrinal  changes. 
The  work  of  this  committee — which  was  continued  with  recommitments 
during  the  succeeding  six  years — resulted  in  the  proposal  of  certain  new 
forms,  but  with  the  exception  of  slight  verbal  amendments,  of  no  change 
in  the  Forms  already  existing  and  no  change  at  all  in  the  Baptismal 
Forms. 

In  1868  another  committee  was  appointed  which,  after  long  delay,  in 
1874  made  a  final  report  in  which — after  referring  to  two  opposite  ten- 
dencies in  the  Church,  one  to  multiply  the  Liturgical  Forms  and  the  other 
to  shorten  them,  they  went  on  to  suggest  that  the  Forms  now  in  use  were 
so  excellent,  and  so  imbedded  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  that  any  possible 
advantage  gained  by  a  change  would  not  compensate  for  the  loss  of  pres- 
tige, and  therefore  they  should  advise  as  few  alterations  as  possible. 
The  work  of  this  Committee  was  continued  altogether  ten  years  with  no 
practical  result  save  the  adoption  of  a  New  Form  for  Marriage,  and  the 


BAPTISMAL  FORMS  79 

change  of  a  single  grammatical  error  of  translation  in  the  Communion 
Form. 

In  1881  a  communication  was  received  from  the  Classis  of  Pough- 
keepsie  touching  certain  alleged  ambiguous  and  perplexing  expressions 
in  the  Baptismal  Form  which  were  a  burden  to  the  tender  consciences  of 
some.  The  first  of  these  including  the  words  ''wholly  incapable  of  do- 
ing any  good  and  prone  to  all  evil.''  It  was  requested  that  this  be  changed 
or  the  reading  of  it  made  optional.  The  second  included  the  words  "Dost 
thou  assent  to  all  the  Articles  of  the  Christian  religion,  as  they  are  taught 
here  in  this  Christian  Church  ?"  The  Synod  was  requested  to  explain  this 
as  referring  only  to  the  Apostles'  Creed.  The  subject  was  ably  discussed 
in  the  Synod,  and  it  was  shown  that  these  expressions  were  sufficiently 
defined  in  other  parts  of  the  Standards  and  that  the  "tender  consciences" 
referred  to  required  more  spiritual  and  deeper  instruction.  The  matter 
was  dismissed  but  renewed  again  the  next  year  and  took  final  shape  as 
follows : 

In  1886,  a  special  committee,  appointed  the  preceeding  year,  "to  pre- 
pare a  critical  edition  of  the  Constitution,  accurate  as  to  translation,  ar- 
rangements, etc.,''  made  a  report  embracing,  among  other  particulars,  an 
improved  version  of  the  Questions  in  the  Baptismal  Forms  with  the  ad- 
dition of  marginal  references  to  other  parts  of  the  Standards.  The  report 
of  this  committee  was  adopted  and  still  stands,  but  nothing  further  than 
printing  it  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  of  1886  has  ever  been  done. 

Since  1886  the  whole  subject  of  Liturgical  Revision  has  been  left 
to  slumber.  So  far  as  the  Baptismal  Forms  are  concerned  the}^  are,  as 
they  appear  in  our  Liturg}'  to-day ;  what  they  were  when  first  adopted  in 
1792  with  the  single  exception  of  a  bracketed  clause  in  the  Prayer  before 
Infant  Baptism.,  which — as  being  cumberous  and  superfluous  has.  since  the 
edition  of  181 5.  but  without  legislation,  been  omitted.  It  is  free  to  con- 
clude from  all  this  that  the  Church  has  never  found  it  an  easy  or  a  safe 
thing  to  tamper  with  her  ancient  and  time  honored  Forms:     1900.  1179-80. 

III.     CONCLUSIONS  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS  OF  THE  COM- 
MITTEE. 

Such  is  a  brief  resume  of  Synodical  legislation  with  regard  to  the 
Liturg}-.  So  far  as  the  Baptismal  Forms  are  concerned,  the  only  change 
hitherto  authorized  has  been  that  made  in  the  wording  of  the  Questions 
and  in  the  appending  of  marginal  references  by  the  Synod  of  1886.  but 
this,  owing  to  the  existence  of  portions  of  old  editions  remaining  on  hand 
and  the  cost  of  new  plates  has  never  been  embodied  in  the  copies  of  the 
Liturgy  in  common  use.  To  ascertain  the  character  and  nature  of  these 
changes  it  is  necessary  to  refer  to  the  successive  volumes  of  the  Minutes 
of  the  Synod  which  are  not  in  the  hands  of  all. 

Your  committee,  after  much  and  mature  consideration,  has  decided  to 
recommend  to  the  Synod  the  following  action  in  regard  to  the  Baptismal 
Forms  : 

This  action  was  embraced  in  six  resolutions,  proposing  certain  trans- 
positions of  paragraphs,  and  certain  Scriptural  references,  and  references 
to  other  parts  of  the  Standards.     See  the  action  in  full.  1901.   1182. 

Results  of  the  action  of  the  Classes  :  Only  7  approved  of  the  Forms 
as  revised.  Many  suggestions  made.  A  new  Committee  was  appointed, 
which  v^as  instructed  to  prepare  amended  Forms  as  near  as  may  be,  ac- 
cording to  th^  suggestions  of  the  Classes,  and  that  two  copies  be  sent 
to  each  Church  in  time  for  consideration  before  the  Spring  meetings  of 
the  Classes.  Rev.  Dr.  M.  H.  Hutton  was  made  chairman  of  this  Com- 
mittee. 1902,  119-121. 

The  Forms  of  Baptism,  as  revised  by  this  Committee,  may  be  seen 
in  1903,  434-440;  these  were  recommended  to  the  Classes  for  adoption. 
1903.  427.     The  Classes  rejected  the  revision.  1904,  773,,  as  presented;  yet 


8o  DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

many  expressed  a  desire  for  some  revision.  A  new  Committee  was  ap- 
pointed, of  which  Rev.  Dr.  E.  B.  Coe  was  made  chairman,  to  make  a  fur- 
ther revision,  in  accordance  with  the  views  expressed,  and  to  send  copies 
to  every  minister  before  the  Spring  meetings  of  the  Classes,  1904,  773-4. 

Their  report  is  found  in  1905.  177-183.  The  report  was  adopted,  and 
recommended  to  the  Chisses  for  their  approval,   1905,  216. 

Baptismal  Rkgeneration.  Classis  of  Schenectady  asks  whether 
Form  of  Infant  Baptism  does  not  teach  Baptismal  Regeneration?  1855, 
516.  CI.  of  Westchester  requested  change  in  said  Form,  to  remove  ap- 
pearance of  such  teaching.  1855,  574.  Laid  on  table  until  Report  on  Re- 
vised Liturgy  is  received,  1855,  580.  See  Liturgy,  Revised  of  1855.  573-4, 
579- 

Baptists.  The  Baptists  of  America  are  not  alluded  to  iii  Art.  34  of 
the  Belgic  Confession  of  Faith.  See  Preface  to  Constitution  of  1792. — 
Their  labors  in  Canada,  alluded  to,  1806,  353. — Unite  with  other  Bodies  in 
a  Joint  Conference  on  Divorce  and  Remarriage,  1903,  396;  different  Bap- 
tist Bodies  seeking  Federation  or  Union,  1905,  150-1. 

Baptized  Members.  All  baptized  persons  are  members  of  the  Church. 
Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  84.  See  Infant  Baptism;  Infant  Church  Member- 
ship; Full  Communion;  Baptized  Non-Communicants.  See  also  1814,  29, 
37-40. 

Baptized  Non-Communicants.  The  Classis  of  Paramus,  through 
Partic.  Syn.  of  N.  Y.  asks  the  following  question:    ( 1812,  404.) 

"Are  adult  persons  living  within  the  bounds  of  a  congregation,  who 
have  been  initiated  by  the  ordinance  of  baptism  in  infancy,  but  who  are 
not  members  in  full  communion,  to  be  considered  as  subjects  of  disci- 
pHne,  and  dealt  with  as  such  ?"     And  the   following  resolution,  viz. : 

"Resolved,  That  as  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America  has  ever 
considered  such  persons  proper  subjects  of  that  discipline  which  their  re- 
lation to  the  Church  of  Christ  admits  of,  and  has  uniformly  exercised  such 
discipline  towards  them,  the  General  Synod  deem  it  unnecessary  to  give 
any  other  answer  to  the  question  proposed  than  that  which  may  be  drawn 
from  the  invariable  practice  of  the  churches  under  its  care,"  be  referred 
to  a  committee  of  three.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Schureman,  Cannon,  and  Cuy- 
ler  were  appointed  on  said  committee.     1812,  404,  406. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Westbrook,  and  the  Elder,  Peter  Loucks, 
be  added  to  the  Committee  on  the  Discipline  of  Baptized  Persons.  1812, 
426.     See  Advice,  1814. 

DISCIPLINE   OF    baptized    ADULTS. 

The  Committee  on  the  subject  of  disciplining  baptized  adults  not  in 
full  communion  made  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted,  viz. :  They 
conceive  the  subject  which  has  been  referred  to  them  to  be  of  great  im- 
portance. The  right  of  self-government  is  inherent  in  every  organized  so- 
ciety, and  the  right,  we  believe,  is  moreover  expressly  delegated  to  the 
Church  by  Christ  in  the  i8th  chapter  of  the  Gospel  according  to  Matthew. 
Our  form  for  the  administration  of  baptism  supposes  baptism  to  initiate 
into  the  Church.  And  if  so,  the  right  of  discipline  follows  as  a  necessary 
consequence.  How  far  discipline  ought  to  be  carried,  or  whether  it  ought 
to  be  exercised  directly  or  indirectly,  are  other  questions,  which  must  nec- 
essarily in  some  measure  involve  the  exercise  of  discretionary  power  in  the 
government  of  every  particular  church.  If  this  right  belong  not  to 
churches,  order  is  at  an  end. 

Resolved,  That  the  question,  be  answered  in  the  affirmative,  as  far  as 
it  respects  those  who  have  been  baptized  in  the  Dutch  Church,  or  have 
acknowledged  themselves  members  of  the  congregation.     1812,  4.28. 

Partic.  Syn.  of  N.  Y.  asked  in  relation  to  the  manner  and  extent  of 
dealing  with  baptized  members.  1840,  379,  380.  Referred  to  a  committee 
to  report  at  next  Synod,  1841.  505.     Their  report  was  referred  to  another 


BAPTISMAL   FORMS  8i 

committee,  who  reported,  and  the  two  reports  were  referred  to  a  Special 
Committee  to  report  to  next  Synod. 

The  matter  was  brought  up,  and  laid  on  the  table,  and  the  committee 
discharged.     1841,  152-3,  107. 

With  regard  to  the  overture  from  the  Classis  of  Berg^,  requesting 
General  Synod  to  take  some  action  with  reference  to  baptized  children, 
so  that  they  may  be  recognized  in  the  transfer  of  their  parents  from  one 
Church  to  another,  according  to  the  4th  Chapter,  ist  Article,  3d  Section 
of  the  Constitution,  [1833,  Art.  93,]  viz.:  'All  baptized  persons  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Church,  are  under  its  care,  and  subject  to  its  government  and 
discipline,"'  your  Committee  would  report :  That  not  only  the  Constitution 
of  our  Church,  but  also  the  word  of  God  recognizes  the  covenant  relation 
which  the  offspring  of  God's  people  sustain  to  the  Church.  If  members 
of  the  Church,  they  should  be  recognized  and  treated  as  such,  and  not  as 
aliens.  They  should  be  taught  the  fact  that  they  stand  in  this  relation — 
the  nature  of  that  relation,  and  the  obligations  resting  upon  them.  Hence, 
in  their  passing  from  under  the  care  and  watch  of  one  part  of  the  Church 
to  another,  they  should  bear  with  them  the  testimony  to  which  they  are 
entitled,  and  not  be  allowed  to  go  forth  as  aliens.  The  recognition  of  this 
great  principle  of  our  Faith  should ;  be  set  forth  in  our  practice ;  there- 
fore your  Committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolu- 
tion, viz. : 

Resolved,  That  in  the  transfer  of  the  parents  from  one  section  of  the 
Church  to  another,  the  membership  of  their  baptized  children  be  recog- 
nized, and  they  be  included  in  such  transfer.     1857,  135,  190. 

In  reference  to  the  care  of  the  Church  for  her  baptized  children,  of 
whom  4,291  are  on  the  lists  of  the  year  just  closed,  it  may  be  important 
to  some  to  learn,  that  great  interest  and  profit  have  followed  the  practice 
in  one  of  our  large  churches,  of  having  special  services  each  year  for 
the  baptized  youth  of  ten  years  before — as  in  1875  for  those  baptized  in 
1865 — in  which  their  obligations  are  forcibly  set  forth,  and  at  the  close  of 
which  a  Bible  containing  a  suitable  inscription  by  the  Pastor,  is  presented 
to  each  of  them.  Other  modes  will  suggest  themselves,  to  those  who  are 
in  earnest  in  their  endeavors  to  have  the  Church  of  Christ  fulfil  her  obliga- 
tions to  her  baptized  children. 

That  the  Churches  be  again  admonished  of  the  care  due  to  those  of 
their  baptized  children,  who  have  come  to  years  of  accountability.  1875, 
270. 

CI.  of  Michigan  asks  for  a  column  in  the  Statistical  Tables  for  the 
number  of  baptized  mem^bers  in  the  Church.  Refused,  as  being  imprac- 
ticable as  to  facts,  and  inconvenient  to  enlarge  the  tables.  But  finally  the 
matter  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  to  report  to  next  Synod.  1878, 
97-8,  100,  322-3.  They  reviewed  the  Constitutional  position  and  past  ac- 
tion of  Synod  on  this  matter,  and  the  following  was  the  action. 

Resolved,  That  on  and  after  the  year  1880,  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General 
Synod  leave  an  additional  blank  column  in  the  Statistical  Table  of  the 
Classes,  between  that  for  baptism  of  Adults,  and  that  for  Catecluimens, 
and  give  to  it  the  heading,  "Total  of  Baptized  Members." 

Resolved,  That  the  Consistory  of  each  Church  be  directed  to  report 
annually  to  its  Classis,  as  nearly  as  possible,  the  number  of  its  baptized 
members  not  in  full  communion. 

Resolved,  That  each  Consistory  be  directed  to  give  letters  dismissory 
to  its  baptized  members,  upon  removal  from  its  bounds,  as  far  as  is  prac- 
ticable, and  that  they  give  all  diligence  to  give  practical  effect  to  this  reso- 
lution. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  renewedly  calls  the  attention  of 
pastors,  Consistories,  and  members,  to  the  exceeding  importance  of  the 
baptismal  Covenant,  with  its  solemn  responsibilities,  and  holy  privileges, 
for  both  parents  and  children.     1879,  323. 


82  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

In  1889,  it  was  stated  in  Report  on  State  of  Religion  that  307  of  our 
546  churches  do  not  fill  out  the  column  in  Statistical  Tables  "Baptized 
Non-Communicants."'  Difficult  to  make  up.  Not  useful  or  trustworthy. 
Introduced  at  suggestion  of  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  but  now  aban- 
doned by  them.  No  suggestion;  as  an  overture  on  the  subject  was  in 
hands  of  ancJther  committee.     1889,  875. 

Request  of  Classis  of  Philadelphia  to  abolish  said  column.  Not 
granted;  1889,  833.  Similar  request  of  Classis  of  Paramus.  Not  granted: 
1891,  339.     Again  requested;  not  granted;  1896,  443 

The  Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick  requests  a  definition  of  "Bap- 
tized non-communicants." 

Resolved,  That  by  the  phrase  "baptized  non-communicants"  be  under- 
stood all  those  whose  names  appear  upon  the  roll  of  baptized  members 
of  the  church  who  have  not  been  received  intofull  communion. 

We  further  recommend  that  in  dismissing  members  Consistories  be 
directed  to  record  on  the  certificates,  also  the  names  and  dates  of  birth, 
as  far  as  possible,  of  all  baptized  members  of  the  household  who  are  not 
communicants,  and  that  Consistories  also  keep  a  record  of  these  baptized 
members.     1897,  683-4. 

Proposed  Form  for  the  Public  Recognition  of,  on  their  Confession 
of  Faith,  1901,  1 183. 

Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick  again  asked  for  a  definition 
of  the  class  of  persons  to  be  enumerated  as  "Baptized  non-communicants." 
Most  of  the  churches  make  no  report  in  this  column.  Synod  abolished 
it.     1901,  1121,  1122. 

The  Committee  recommended  the  restoration  of  the  column,  "Bap- 
tized Non-Communicants"  in  the  Statistical  Tables,  giving  at  length  their 
reasons  for  so  doing.  The  Synod  refused  to  adopt  the  recommendation 
by  a  standing  vote,  65  ayes,  75  nays.     1902,  115-117. 

This  column  restored;  review  of  the  subject.  Churches  exhorted  to 
report.     1903,  267,  388. 

The  column  "Baptized  Non-Communicants"  disappoints.  No  uniform- 
ity of  practice.  Design  to  bring  out  the  numerical  strength  of  the  family; 
to  count  all  the  baptized  members  of  the  family,  not  in  full  communion. 
Churches  requested  to  report  on  this  basis,  1905,  224.  See  Statistical 
Tables. 

Barbour,  Prof.  E.  L.  Teacher  of  elocution  in  the  Theolog.  Sem.  at 
New  Brunswick,  since  1892 ;  referred  to  in  Reports  of  Bd.  of  Superintend- 
ents. 

Barrows,  Elizabeth,  (Mrs.).  Gives  $5,000  (less  $300  U.  S.  tax),  for 
maintenance  and  support  of  Domestic  Missions.     1867,  161. 

Bassett,  Rev.  John.  Elected  Professor  of  the  Hebrew  Language, 
1804,  (14)  339;  resigned,  1812,  (44)  426. 

Bastards.  Can  they  be  presented  for  baptism?  1753,  83.  No  an- 
swer; 1779,  75;  mother  must  make  public  confession  and  promise  of 
amendment,  1780,  82.  See  also,  1804,  333.  Same  question,  1839,  251;  re- 
ferred to  answer  in  1804.     See  Illegitimate  Children. 

Battle  Creek,  ;Mich.  $2,300  loaned  to,  by  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions. 
1863,  253. 

Bayley,  Sarah.     Bequests  to  the  Widows'  Fund: 
$15,098.83,  on  account,  1898,  pp.     19,  139. 
375.00,  on  account,  1899,  PP-  321,  457- 
625.00,  on  account,  1901,  pp.  979,  11 16. 
500.00,  on  account,  1902,  pp.     13,  112. 


Total,  $16,598.83. 

Beadle,  Edward  A  ,  (M.D.).     Legacy  to  the  Education  Fund,  $3,500; 


BEARDSLEE,  JOHN  W.  83 

1901,  pp.  979,  1064.     To  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  $4,300;  1901,  p.  979. 
Not  alluded  to  in  Report,  1901,  11 19. 

Beardslee,  Johx  W.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Professor  of  Biblical  Lan- 
guages, Literature  and  Exegesis  in  Western  Theological  Seminary,  at  Hol- 
land, Mich.     1888,  553. 

Beck,  Lewis,  (Dr.).  Elected,  Oct.  29,  1830,  Prof,  of  Natural  His- 
tory and  Chemistry  in  Rutgers  College;  1831,  369.  Theological  students 
allowed  to  attend  his  lectures. 

Beck,  T.  Romeyx,  (Rev.).  Appointed  Lector  in  Theological  Depart- 
ment of  Hope  College,  1870,  116;  reappointed,  1873,  734;  resigns  1876,  206; 
reappointed  as  Lector  in  Exegetical  Theolog\%  Sacred  Philology,  Biblical 
Criticism  and  Hermeneutics.  1875,  335  i  accepts  on  certain  conditions,  1876, 
404,  529 ;  resigns,  1885,  619,  743. 

Beebe,  Hannah  O.  Gives  $408  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund ;  $300  to 
Widows'  Fund,  1893,  714,  803,  805.  Balance,  to  Dis.  Mins.  Fund,  $70. 
1898,  19,  139. 

Beekman,  Gerard.  Died,  July,  1833.  Left  $500  for  establishment 
of  S.  Ss.  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi.  See  extract  of  will.  Paid  to 
the  Board  of  Missions.     1837,  8,  9. 

Beekman,  Gerard.  Makes  gifts  to  New  Brunswick  Seminary  Mu- 
seum.    1904,  649. 

Belgic  Confession  of  Faith.  The  oldest  Standard  of  Doctrine  of  the 
Reformed  Church  of  Holland.  It  was  first  written  in  1559,  by  Guido  de 
Bres,  a  native  of  Belgium.  In  1566  the  Reformed  elements  adopted  this 
Symbol  as  their  rallying  cry,  after  certain  verbal  changes,  and  the  short- 
ening of  Art.  16  on  Election.  It  was  intended  as  a  "Symbol  of  Accord," 
and  not  as  an  authoritative  Rule  of  Faith,  which  was  the  Word  of  God 
alone.  It  was  subscribed  to  by  the  ministers  present  at  the  Synod  of 
Embden,  1571,  and  thus  it  began  to  give  unity  to  the  scattered  elements 
of  the  Reformation  in  Holland.  The  adoption  was  reaffirmed  by  suc- 
ceeding Synods  in  1576,  1579,  1581,  and  it  was  finally  adopted  at  the  Synod 
of  Dort.  1618-19.  It  was  acknowledged  as  one  of  the  Standards,  by  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America,  1771,  p.  9 ;  and  formally  adopted 
as  a  part  of  the  Constitution,  1791,  217,  218;  1792,  235-6. 

The  Topics  treated  in  this  Confession  are  as  follows : 
confession  of  faith. 

ARTICLE. 

•  I.     One  only  God, 

II.     By  what  means  God  is  made  known  unto  us, 
HI.     Of  the  written  word  of  God, 
IV.     Canonical  books  of  the  Holy  Scriptures, 

V.     From  whence  the  Holy  Scriptures  derive  their  dignity  and  au- 
thority, 
VI.     The  difference  between  the  canonical  and  apocryphal  books. 
VII.     The  sufficiency  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  to  be  the  only  rule  of 

faith, 
VIII.     That   God   is  one   in   essence,    nevertheless    distinguished    in 
three  persons, 
IX.     The  proof  of  the  Trinity  of  persons, 
X.     Jesus  Christ  is  true  and  eternal  God, 
XL     The  Holv  Ghost  is  true  and  eternal  God, 
XII.     Of  the  Creation, 

XIII.  Of  Divine  Providence. 

XIV.  Creation  and  Fall  of  Man,  and  his  incapacity  to  perform  what 

is  trulv  good, 
XV.     Original  Sin. 
XVI.     Eternal  election. 


84  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

XVII.  Man's  Recovery, 

XVIII.  Incarnation  of  Jesus  Christ, 

XIX.  Union   and   distinction   of   the   two   natures   in   the   person   of 

Christ, 

XX.  God  hath  manifested  his  righteousness  and  mercy  in  Christ, 

XXI.  Satisfaction  of  Christ,  our  only  High  Priest,  for  us, 

XXII.  Justification  through  faith  in  Christ, 

XXIII.  Our   justification   consists   in   the   forgiveness   of   sin,   and  the 

imputation  of  Christ's  righteousness, 

XXIV.  Sanctification  and  good  Works, 
XXV.     The  ceremonial  Law  abolished, 

XXVI.  Christ's  Intercession, 

XXVII.  The  Cathohc  Church, 

XXVIII.  Every  one  is  bound  to  join  the  true  Church, 

XXIX.  ]\Iarks  of  the  true  Church,  and  wherein  she  differs  from  the 

false  Church, 

XXX.  Government  and  Offices  in  the  Church, 

XXXI.  Of  Ministers,  Elders,  and  Deacons, 

XXXII.  Order  and  Discipline  of  the  Church, 

XXXIII.  Of  Sacraments, 

XXXIV.  Baptism. 
XXXV.  The  Lord's  Supper, 

XXXVI.     Of  Magistrates, 
XXXVII.     Of  the  last  Judgment, 

The  rules  of  Church  Government  adopted  at  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619, 
required  Ministers  and  Teachers  of  Theology  to  subscribe  this  Confession, 
1619,  Art.  53 ;  and  also  Schoolmasters  must  subscribe  the  same,  or  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism,  1619,  54.  In  the  Constitution  of  1792  it  was 
acknowledged  that  school  teachers'  subscriptions  thereto  could  not  be 
enforced  in  America,  1792,  Art.  56.  In  the  Reformed  Church  in  America, 
Ministers  and  Candidates  for  the  ^Ministr}^  are  required  to  subscribe  to 
this  Confession;  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts,  6,  12;  (of  1833,  Arts.  6,  12;  of 
1792,  Arts.  5,  11;)  also  Professors  of  Theology;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  24; 
(of  1833,  Art.  27;  of  1792,  Art.  22.) 

The  original  Preface  to  the  Belgic  Confession  is  not  printed  in  English 
editions.  Several  excellent  and  lengthy  histories  of  this  Confession  have 
been  printed  from  time  to  time  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  by  Rev.  Drs. 
W.  C.  Brownlee,  Messier,  and  others.  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  DeWitt  also  wrote 
several  shorter  articles  on  the  same.  The  subject  is  treated  by  Dr.  A.  P. 
Van  Gieson  in  Centennial  Discourses,  1876,  246 ;  and  by  Dr.  John  B. 
Thompson,  in  same,  page  311.  See  Hansen's  Refd.  Ch.  in  the  Netherlands. 
Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers  also  treated  the  topic  exhaustivelv,  in  Presbvt.  Rev., 
Jan.,  1885. 

Ordered  to  be  printed  in  the  Hymn  Books,  1812,  424;  Preaching  must 
be  in  harmony  with  the  Confession  of  Faith.    Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  64. 

A  Tricentennial  Celebration  of  the  adoption  of  the  Belgic  Confession, 
1563,  by  the  Church  of  Holland  proposed,  1862,  118,  178;  second  Sabbath  of 
September,  1862  designated :  "^'when  all  our  churches  be  requested  to  hold 
a  special  service  at  their  usual  hour  of  morning  worship,  on  which  occa- 
sion every  pastor  be  requested  to  preach  a  sermon  appropriate  to  the  com- 
memoration of  that  historical  event."     1862,  179. 

Beliex-ers.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  27,  28,  35;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  10-82; 
Canons,  i.,  3,  4;  ii.  7;  and  iv.,  6,  12,  14;  v.,  9,  11,  see  Faith. 

Beneficence.     See  Systematic  Beneficence. 

Beneficiaries.  In  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  19,  we  read :  The  con- 
gregations shall  endeavor  to  raise  public  funds  for  the  support  of  stu- 
dents in  theology.  [This  is  not  alluded  to  in  any  subsequent  revision 
of  the  Constitution.] — In  the  Covenant  between  Synod  and  Queens  Col- 
lege, funds  secured  by  the  Trustees  in   New  York  state  were  to  be  mu- 


BENEFICIARY  ENDOWMENT  OR  FUNDS  85 

tually  for  the  Theological  Professor,  for  needy  students,  and  for  a  Li- 
brary ;  1807,  363,  365 ;  collections  for  the  Institution  to  be  divided  in 
same  way,  '12,  418,  429,  430,  432. — Proceeds  from  copyright  of  Hymn  Books 
for  students;  '13,  17,  18.  In  1814  the  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest  was  made, 
(which  see),  but  was  not  at  once  available;  '14,  13;  $100  appropriated  for, 
'14,  19;  $667  received  for;  1815,  15,  17;  agents  appointed  in  every  Clas- 
sis  to  raise  funds  for  Professors,  students  and  a  Library,  '15,  42;  Knox 
Fund  (which  see)  given  for  students,  but  not  at  once  available;  '15,  43. 
Beneficiaries,  leaving  the  Church  within  ten  years,  must  repay.  About 
$400  now  appropriated  annually  to  students;  '16,  11,  12;  $500  put  at  dis- 
posal of  Bd.  of  Superintendents  for  this  object;  '17,  8,  44;  Oct.,  '17,  9, 
10 ;  written  obligations  to  repay,  required,  except  from  those  on  Van  Bun- 
schooten Fund ;  '18,  13,  32,  S3,  52,  60.  Many  applications  ;  $1,315  had  been  ap- 
propriated ;  economy  demanded;  '19,  7,  11;  beneficiaries  must  produce 
certificates  from  his  Consistory  of  his  necessity,  '19,  40,  65,  66,  70;  in- 
come of  Van  Bunschooten  and  Knox  Funds  becoming  available;  '19,  76,77; 
Bd.  of  Direction  to  collect  back  moneys  from  students  leaving  the  Church ; 
'20,  16,  17,  40,  69;  about  $800  now  distributed;  '21,  6,  7,  35;  Synod  begins 
to  assign  students  to  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  for  their  whole  course,  '21, 
55 ;  '22,  7,  39,  63 ;  '23,  13,  26 ;  government  of  beneficiaries ;  must  have  cer- 
tificates of  character  and  attainments,  and  be  subject  to  Bd.  of  Superin- 
tendents ;  '23,  42,  S3 ;  Classes  to  make  special  examinations  of  those  apply- 
ing; '24,  10,  54;  '25,  17,  22,  34;  Committees  appointed  in  all  the  Classes 
to  raise  funds  for;  Oct.,  '25,  29,  31;  the  Classes  requested  to  establish 
"Education  Societies"  within  their  bounds,  for  raising  moneys  for ;  '26,  52 ; 
'27,  15,  71.  First  Scholarship  given  for  students,  $2500,  by  Isaac  Heyer; 
'28,  30.  See  Scholarships.  Board  of  Education  founded  by  private  par- 
ties;  '28,  131;  Beneficiaries  on  Van  Bunschooten  and  Knox  Funds  limited 
to  $90 ;  "29,  193 ;  raised  to  $100 ;  '30,  278,  288 ;  to  pay  half  tuition  fees ;  '30, 
281 ;  representative  of  Bd.  of  Education  to  confer  with  the  students ;  '30, 
292. 

Rules  for  Beneficiaries  made  by  Synod's  Bd.  of  Education;  '32,  71- 
72 ;  if  supported  by  others,  still  to  be  under  Bd.  of  Education ;  '34,  298 ; 
if  examined  by  their  Classis,  need  not  be  re-examined  by  Board,  '2^,  468. 
See  Education,  Board  of. 

Beneficiary  Endowments  or  Funds;  called  also  Educational  Funds; 
(altho'  this-  latter  title  is  sometimes  wrongly  applied  to  Professorial 
Funds).  These  Beneficiary  Funds  in  1850,  had  reached  the  sum  of  $56,000, 
assisting  32  students;  in  1900,  they  amounted  to  more  than  $300,000;  1900, 
814,  819. 

Benevolence.  First  form.  Alms  for  the  poor;  see  also  Deacons;  also 
for  needy  students ;  see  Beneficiaries.  Collections  for  missionaries  to  the 
Indians  began  to  be  taken  up  a  little  before  the  Revolution;  also  for  For- 
eign Missions,  especially  after  1796.  The  first  "Committee  on  Missions" 
was  the  Classis  of  Albany,  which  see;  but  the  first  Standing  Committee 
on  Missions,  in  General  Synod,  was  appointed  in  1806,  354,  altho  Special 
Synodical  Committees  had  arranged  for  missionary  tours  of  ministers 
from  1786,  150,  onward.  In  1796  the  New  York  Missionary  Society  was 
formed,  and  there  speedily  followed  a  succession  of  Benevolent  Societies 
and  Boards,  for  carrying  on  the  great  work  of  the  Christian  Church. 
See  Boards,  Benevolent.  Through  these  the  benevolence  of  the  Church 
has  been  largely  developed. 

In  1829,  209,  210,  a  new  Lemma  or  Article  was  introduced  in  the  Min- 
utes of  Gen.  Synod,  called  "Benevolent  and  Religious  Institutions,"  and 
under  this  has  generally  been  presented  the  action  of  Synod  in  reference 
to  all  the  great  Union  Benevolent  Societies.  See  Classical  Questions ; 
Beneficiaries ;  Apportionments.  Questions  now  began  to  be  asked  as  to 
whether  the  churches  had  attended  to  its  duties  of  benevolence,  1813,  30; 


86  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1845,  510;  and  these  questions  were  incorporated  in  the  Constitution,  1874, 
Art  64,  (7). 

Before  there  were  any  Corresponding  Secretaries  of  Boards,  Pastoral 
Agencies  existed,  by  which  the  causes  of  Education,  and  Domestic  and 
Foreign  Missions  were  presented  by  neighboring  pastors,  and  collections 
taken ; 

Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Synod  all  pastors  and  con- 
sistories are  under  solemn  obligation  to  the  Church,  and  those  looking  to 
her  for  aid,  to  carry  out  faithfully,  and  in  the  most  efficient  way  prac- 
ticable, this  arrangement  for  meeting  the  calls  of  our  benevolent  opera- 
tions. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  highly  approve  and  commend  to  the 
churches,  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  means  of  collecting  the  charities  of 
the  Church,  the  plan  of  dividing  each  congregation  into  sections,  and  ap- 
pointing persons  (both  males  and  females)  to  call  upon  every  member 
in  each  section,  periodically,  for  contributions  to  benevolent  objects.  Sept., 
1841,  29,  30.  , 

Resolved,  That  the  different  Classes  be  directed  to  have  a  Lemma 
called  "Benevolent  Institutions,"  and  that  at  every  annual  meeting  of  the 
Classes,  each  minister  and  elder  shall  be  interrogated  whether  they  have 
taken  up  the  several  collections  recommended  by  General  Synod,  and 
make  a  record  of  the  same.     1845,  510. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  upon  pastors  and  consistories  of 
churches  to  give  increased  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  this  grace, 
[Benevolence],  in  which  they  ought  to  abound;  that  all  proper  efforts 
should  be  promptly,  systematically  and  perseveringly  made  to  raise  the 
actual  beneficence  of  all  the  churches  to  the  scriptural  standard,  i860, 
572. 

Resolved,  That  the  Classes  be  urged  to  take  such  steps  as  shall  in- 
sure that  the  claims  of  all  our  Boards  be  statedly  presented  to  each  of 
the  churches  under  their  care,  and  collections  taken  for  them. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  be  and  are  hereby  requested  to  sug- 
gest to  their  churches  to  prepare  a  programme  of  the  different  objects  of 
benevolence  as  recommended  by  the  General  Synod,  and  specify  and  adopt 
as  a  standing  rule,  certain  Sabbaths  when  these  contributions  shall  be 
annually  made.     1862,  212. 

Resolved,  That  the  practice  of  systematic  benevolence  is  an  impor- 
tant part  of  the  early  training  of  youth,  and  should  be  especially  incul- 
cated from  the  pulpit  as  one  of  the  best  exponents  of  Christian  character. 
1865,  636. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretaries  of  the  benevolent  Boards  of  this 
Church  be  directed  to  report  to  General  Synod,  each  year,  the  names  of 
all  churches,  with  the  names  of  the  pastors,  that  have  not  contributed  to 
the  funds  of  their  respective  Boards  for  two  years  consecutively.  1868, 
501. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  settled  minister,  and  of  every 
Consistory  where  there  is  no  settled  pastor,  to  see  to  it  that  the  collections 
ordered  by  Synod  are  regularly  taken  up  in  the  churches  under  their  care. 
1868,  504. 

Resolved,  That  Synod  affectionately  calls  the  attention  of  our  Classes 
to  the  small  proportion  of  benevolent  contributions  given  to  our  own 
Boards,  as  compared  with  the  gross  amount  reported,  and  request  them 
to  use  their  influence  as  may  seem  to  them  best  adapted  to  secure  a  change 
in  this  respect.     1868,  505. 

See  Systematic  Benevolence. 

Benevolence,  Classical  Board  of.     See  Classical  Bd.  of  Benevolence. 

Benevolent  and  Religious  Institutions.  New  Lemma,  under  this 
name,  introduced.     1829,  209,  210. 


BENEVOLENT  BOARDS  87 

Benevolent  Boards.  See  under  Education,  Domestic  Missions,  For- 
eign Missions,  Publication,  Direction,  etc. 

Benevolent  Contributions.     See  Offerings. 

Benevolent  Funds.  In  an  elaborate  "Statement"  of  the  finances 
of  the  Synod,  the  Board  of  Corporation  argues  that  only  the  Parochial 
School  Fund  and  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund  can  be  strictly  classed 
as  Benevolent  Funds ;  that  the  Church  as  such,  is  not  a  Charitable  In- 
stitution, but  a  Religious  Incorporation,  for  the  administration,  on  busi- 
ness principles,  of  the  other  funds.     1873,  652 ;  the  whole  report,  650-665. 

Benevolent  Institutions.  A  Standing  Committee  on,  appointed. 
1879,  320-1. 

Benevolent  Operations  of  the  Church.  Committee  on  Nomina- 
tions directed  to  present  names,  from  which  Synod'  may  annually  choose 
preachers  on  "Benevolent  Operations  of  the  Church";  i860,  581.  This  was 
continued  until  1880. 

Benevolent  Societies.  See  American  Bible  Society;  Am.  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions ;  Am.  Colonization  Society ;  Am. 
Education  Soc. ;  Am.  Missionary  Register ;  Am.  Peace  Soc. ;  Am.  Prot- 
estant Soc. ;  Am.  Sabbath  Union ;  x\m.  Seaman's  Friend  Soc. ;  Am.  Soc. 
for  Ameliorating  the  Condition  of  the  Jews ;  Am.  Soc.  for  Colonizing 
Free  People  of  Color ;  Am.  Sunday  School  Union ;  Am.  Temperance 
Society ;  Am.  Tract  Society ;  the  National  Temperance  Soc.  and  Publica- 
tion House ;  see  also  under  Benevolence  ;  Boards,  Benevolent. 

Your  committee  notice  with  consternation  that  the  tendency  of  Synod 
to  open  the  door  to  discussion  of  the  very  interesting  work  of  the  mul- 
titudinous societies  which  increase  and  abound  in  this  age  of  organiza- 
tions for  advancing  the  interests  of  every  imaginable  object,  is  making- 
serious  inroads  in  the  time  that  Synod  needs  for  the  thoughtful  and  de- 
liberate consideration  of  those  serious  questions  that  are  vitally  impor- 
tant to  our  growth  and  increase  as  a  Denomination,  and  the  following  ad- 
ditional Lemma  is  submitted: 

Resolved,  That  Representatives  of  all  societies  and  organizations  not 
directly  connected  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  (except  cor- 
responding delegates  of  other  ecclesiastical  bodies)  who  may  desire  to 
personally  address  the  Synod  in  behalf  of  the  causes  they  represent,  be 
permitted  to  do  so,  at  the  convenience  of  the  Synod,  during  the  Friday 
or  Saturday  of  the  opening  week  of  Synod's  session,  and  not  upon  any 
other  day.     1897,  697-8. 

Benevolent  Societies.  Art.  17  of  Minutes  of  General  Synod  since 
1888;  before  that.  Art.  16. 

Berachah  Scholarship.  $1,279.67,  Held  by  the  Bd.  of  Education. 
1903. 

Berean   Scholarship.     $2,000  to  Bd.  of  Education,   1890. 

Berean  Society.  Organized  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary  in  1811,  for 
the  study  and  development  of  Missions.  In  1820  name  changed  to  "So- 
ciety OF  Inquiry,"  which  see. 

Berg,  Joseph  F.,  (Rev.  Dr.),  Corresponding  Delegate  from  the  Ger- 
man Refd.  Church,  1839,  225;  joins  the  Refd.  Dutch  Church;  his  "Prot- 
estant Review"  commended  to  the  churches,  '52,  286;  elected  Adsessor 
of  Synod,  '53,  294;  preaches  opening  sermon  before  Synod,  '54,  387; 
preaches  Missionary  Sermon  before  Synod,  '54,  472 ;  elected  Professor 
of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  '61,  82- 
3;  desires  to  be  relieved  from  duties  in  Rutgers  College,  '65,  550,  627-8; 
his  residence,  631;  '67,  272;  '68,  417;  '69,  580;  his  death  on  July  20,  1871. 
See  Sept.,  1871,  9,  10. 

Bergen,  Classis  of.  Formed,  by  Gen.  Synod  dividing  the  Classis- 
of  Hackensack  into  the  Classes  of  Bergen  and  Paramus,  in   1800,  p.  302. 


88  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

.  It  was  then  made  to  include  the  nine  churches  of  Schraalenberg,  Hack- 
ensack,  Second  River,  Bergen,  Horseneck,  Pompton,  EngHsh  Neighbor- 
hood, Ponds,  Boonton.  In  1839  the  Classis  of  Passaic  was  set  off;  in 
1872,  the  Classis  of  Newark;  in  1873,  the  Classis  of  South  Bergen.  See 
Taylor's  Annals  of  Classis  of  Bergen,  1857,  244,  also  Hist,  of  Classis  of 
Paramus. 

Bergen  County  Turnpike  Stock.     See  Eltinge. 

Bergen,  Isaac  E.     Scholarship  of  $2,000,  to  Bd.  of  Education;   1892. 

Bergen,  John  T,  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Prof,  of  Ethics  and  Evidences 
of  Christianity  in  Hope  College;  1896,  358. 

Berry,  Chs.  A.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Delegate  from  National  Council  of 
Evangelical  Free  Churches  of  England,  to  the  American  Churches,  in 
the  interests  of  International  Arbitration;   1898,  160-1. 

Berry,  J.  Romeyn,  (Rev.  Dr.).  President  of  General  Synod,  1890. 
Often  on  important   Committees. 

Berry,  Rachel,  (Mrs.).  Bequeaths  $1,000  (less  $60  income  tax,) 
for  maintenance  and  support  of  Foreign  Missions ;   1864,  553,  557- 

Bethune,  George  W.  President  of  General  Synod,  1839;  elected 
Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist,  Ch.  Gov.  and  Pastoral  Theology,  New  Brunswick 
Sem. ;  declines ;  Oct.,  '57,  258-9 ;  requested  to  deliver  lectures  on  Pulpit 
Eloquence,  '57,  260;  1858,  328-9;  report  on  same,  338-341;  final  report, 
'59,  450;  (1867,  255);  his  death,  '62,  145;  bequest  to  New  Brunswick 
Seminary  of  his  Library  on  certain  conditions,  '63,  251 ;  accepted  on  said 
conditions,  330-1;  reports  on  the  bequest,  '64,  506;  '65,  548,  627;  gift  of 
marble  bust  of,  by  Mrs.  Bethune ;  placed  in  Library,  '66,  10,  98 ;  '72,  503 ; 
Bethune  Memorial  Church  in  Philadelphia  recommended  to  the  benefac- 
tions of  the  churches,  '69,  664 ;  gift  of  mosaic  portrait  of,  by  Bethune 
Memorial  Church;  placed  in  Sage  Library;  '97,  610,  621;  1898,  153-4. 
I         Betting.     See  Amusements. 

Beza,  Theodore.  Commemoration  of  the  300th  anniversary  of  his 
death  recommended  on  first  Sabbath  of  Nov.,  1905. — 1905,  145. 

Bible.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts,  s-7-  These  Articles  treat  of  the  Inspira- 
tion, Canon,  Authority,  and  Sufficiency  of  Scripture,  as  the  only  Rule  of 
Faith. 

reprinting  of  the  word  of  god. 

The  Rev.  Prof.  Livingston  presented  at  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body 
a  resolution,  with  an  accompanying  friendly  letter  from  a  certain  com- 
mittee of  ministers  of  the  associated  churches  of  the  State  of  Massachu- 
setts, desiring  us  with  them,  by  writing  or  otherwise,  to  request  that  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  of  this  country,  seeing  the  Holy  Bible 
is  beginning  to  be  reprinted  in  America  in  the  English  language,  it  may 
please  Congress,  by  the  employment  of  the  most  suitable  means,  to  pro- 
vide that  such  printing  of  the  Word  of  God  be  executed  with  all  fidelity 
and  care,  and  under  proper  oversight.  The  Rev.  Synod  thereupon  or- 
dained to  appoint  a  committee  to  ascertain  whether  the  Rev.  Brethren  of 
the  two  Synods  in  correspondence  with  us  have  received  a  like  letter, 
in  order,  provided  the  same  have  received  and  acceded  to  the  request 
therein  contained,  to  co-operate  with  them  on  the  subject;  at  all  events, 
the  Rev.  Professor  is  requested  in  the  most  friendly  and  speedy  man- 
ner to  answer  said  letter.  The  ministers  in  New  York  are  furthermore 
named  as  a  committee  on  the  subject.     1790,  209. 

[As  early  as  1777,  in  the  heat  of  the  war,  Congress  considered  the 
matter  of  either  importing  type  and  paper  for  the  printing  of  the  Bible, 
or  of  importing  Bibles  from  Holland  and  Scotland.  It  was  estimated 
that  type  and  paper  for  an  edition  of  30,000  Bibles  would  cost  £10,272. 
Congress  finally  resolved  to  import  20,000  Bibles.  In  1782  was  published 
the  first  American  edition  of  the  English  Bible.     A  Memorial  on  the  sub- 


BIBLE  89 

ject  by  Aitkin,  the  publisher,  was  presented  to  Congress  in  1781.  Action 
of  Congress  in  their  Journal,  Sept.  12,  1782.  The  publisher  was  author- 
ized to  use  the  Congressional  recommendation. 

In  1789  Matthew  Carey,  editor  of  "The  American  Museum,"  an- 
nounced therein  on  Jan.  26,  1789,  that  he  intended  to  publish  the  Douai 
Bible,  in  numbers,  in  that  Magazine.  The  work  was  begun  on  Dec.  12, 
1789,  but  soon  relinquished.  Then  Challoner's  Revision  of  the  Douai  Bible 
of  the  edition  of  1763-4,  was  issued  in  two  volumes,  4to.,  Dec,  1790,  by 
Carey,  Stewart  and  Co.,  of  Philadelphia ;  and  hence,  probably,  the  anxiety 
above  manifested  by  the  Synod,  about  the  issue  of  correct  editions  of 
the  Bible.  Editions  of  the  A.  V.  multiplied  rapidly,  after  1791.  The 
Douai  Bible  of  1805,  was  long  considered  the  first  edition  of  that  ver- 
sion in  America,  until  Mr.  Shea  recently  brought  out  the  fact  of  an 
earlier  edition,  in  his  life  of  Archbishop  Carroll,  p.  374.]  See  American 
Bible  Society. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  each  pastor  to  preach  .... 
on  the  subject  of  the  "Bible,  as  the  only  infallible  Rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice ;  1843,  278. 

When  the  Revised  Version  of  the  New  Testament  appeared,  the  Synod 
took  the  following  action : 

In  view  of  the  importance  of  the  revision  of  the  authorized  version  of 
the  Scriptures  which  has  recently  been  issued — 

Resolved,  That  the  President,  Adsessor  and  Stated  Clerk  of  this  body, 
together  with  Professors  Woodbridge  and  Demarest,  President  Camp- 
bell and  Dr.  John  Forsyth,  be  a  committee  to  consider  the  merits  of  the 
revision  and  report  to  the  next  General  Synod  whether  it  be  wise  and 
expedient  for  the  Church  to  recomm^end  it  to  the  people  for  use  in  pub- 
lic and  private  worship.     1881,  789. 

Xo  report  appears.     On  the  completion  of  the  Revision : 

Whereas,  The  revision  of  the  English  Bible,  which  has  been  in  prog- 
ress for  fifteen  years  is  now  completed,  and  the  book  is  published,  there- 
fore 

Resolved,  That  John  Forsvth,  D.D.,  Prof.  D.D.  Demarest,  D.D., 
President  M.  E.  Gates,  Ph.D.,  M.  H.  Hutton,  D.D.,  A.  P.  Van  Geison, 
D.D.,  and  E.  A.  Collier,  D.D.,  be  a  Committee  to  examine  the  book  and 
report  to  the  next  Synod  whether  it  be  wise  and  expedient  for  this  body 
to  recommend  the  same  for  use  in  public  worship  or  private,  or  in  both. 
1885.  778-9. 

The  Committee  reported,  and  their  report  was  adopted : 

That  they  have  carefully  considered  the  subject  referred  to  them. 
While  we  recognize  the  merits  of  the  Revised  Version  as  giving  in  many 
places  a  more  exact  rendering  of  the  original  Scriptures  than  the  one 
now  in  use,  and  therefore  well  worthy  to  be  studied  by  our  ministers  and 
people,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  time  has  not  yet  come  for  such 
a  Synodical  recommendation  of  it  as  a  whole,  as  the  resolution  appoint- 
ing the  Committee  would  seem  to  contemplate. 

As  we  are  informed  there  has  been  up  to  this  time  no  action  in  re- 
gard to  the  Revised  Version  by  the  Anglican  Convocation  of  Canter- 
bury— the  body  with  which  the  Revision  movement  originated.  We  are 
also  told,  by  one  of  the  Revisers,  that  it  is  possible  that  the  Convoca- 
tion may  refer  the  work  back  to  the  Companies  of  Revisers  for  specific 
modifications,  or  for  a  final  standard  edition. 

We  also  learn  that  there  are  still  some  important  unadjusted  differ- 
ences between  the  English  and  the  American  companies.  The  latter  have 
resolved  to  keep  up  their  organization  and  to  continue  their  work  by 
perfecting  their  Appendix.  When  finally  matured,  it  is  to  be  sent  to  the 
English  University  presses  for  such  use  as  they  may  choose  to  make  of 
it.  But  whatever  its  fate  in  England,  it  will  be  in  some  way  utilized  for 
an  American  Standard  Edition  of  the  Revised  Version.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances we  think  that  our  proper  course  is  to  wait  the  issue  of  events 


90  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

before  there  is  any  formal  Synodical  action  on  the  subject.  At  the  same 
time  we  deem  that  it  would  be  quite,  proper  for  Synod  to  urge  all  our 
ministers  and  all  our  members,  who  are  familiar  with  original  languages 
of  Scripture,  to  make  the  Revised  Version  as  it  now  is,  or  as  it  may  be 
modified  hereafter,  the  subject  of  careful  study,  so  that  when  the  proper 
time  arrives  for  Synodical  action,  the  voice  of  the  General  Synod  will 
be  substantially  the  voice  of  our  whole  Church. 

Meanwhile,  as  we  are  not  aware  of  any  act  of  General  Synod  requir- 
ing the  exclusive  use  of  our  present  version  in  the  public  services  of  the 
Church,  your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  our  pastors  are  at  perfect 
liberty  to  make  such  use  of  the  Revised  Version,  in  the  pulpit,  or  else- 
where, as  they  may  deem  proper.     1886,  202. 

In  1892,  the  Classis  of  New  York  urged  Synod  to  interest  itself  in 
behalf  of  the  sale  of  the  Revised  Version  in  depositories  of  the  American 
Bible  Society.  Synod  considered  such  action  unnecessary.  1892.  568. — 
See  Bible  in  the  Public  School. 

Bible  Classes.  Formation  of,  recommended  to  Pastors,  1824,  33; 
much  attention  given  to,  '34,  269;  well-sustained,  '35,  2)7Z\  and  frequently 
alluded  to,  as  one  of  the  most  efficient  means  of  success  in  Gospel  labors, 
in  succeeding  reports  on  the  State  of  Religion. 

Bible  House,  The.  Completed  in  1852;  Synod  invited  to  visit,  and 
examine  its  presses,  machinery,  bindery,  etc.  Invitation  accepted.  Oct., 
1855,  25. 

Bible  in  the  Public  Schools.     See  Public  Schools. 

Bible  Manual.  The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  requested  that  there 
should  be  prepared  a  System  of  Bible  Questions.  1841,  491 ;  design ;  to 
comprise  a  historical  and  chronological  arrangement  of  the  Bible,  together 
with  a  comprehensive  and  well-arranged  system  of  Bible  Questions.  Rev. 
Dr.  Isaac  Ferris  was  requested  to  prepare  such  a  Manual,  '41,  494. — In 
'43,  157,  Dr.  Ferris  wished  to  resign  his  appointment,  but  Synod  associated 
Rev.  Dr.  T.  M.  Strong  with  him.  '43,  157-8. — Report:  Proposed  that  the 
plan  should  comprise  three  series :  one  of  a  general  character,  and  very 
simple,  on  the  historical  Scriptures,  for  juveniles;  a  second,  more  ad- 
vanced, for  the  next  grade  of  Sunday  scholars ;  the  third,  for  Pastors* 
Bible  Classes.  The  first  series  was  ready  to  the  close  of  the  Gospel 
history — 149  lessons ;  for  the  second,  after  careful  examination,  they  rec- 
ommend that  Synod  adopt  the  "Union  Questions,"  of  the  Am.  S.  S. 
Union ;  the  third  series  they  hope  to  have  ready  next  year.  This  report 
was  adopted.     1844,  353,  and  referred  to  S.  S.  Bd.  to  publish. 

Bible  Questions.  While  very  valuable,  not  to  be  used  to  the  neglect 
of  the  Catechisms  of  the  Church.     1830,  278.     See  Bible  Manual. 

Biblical  Criticism.     Fuller  instruction  in,  needed,  1884,  418. 

Biblical  Instruction.  See  Bible  Manual.  Synod  emphasized  im- 
portance of  instruction  directly  from  the  Bible  as  a  text-book.     1866,  80. 

Biblical  Introduction.     Fuller   instruction   in,   needed,   1884,   418. 

Biblical  Literature.     Chair  of,  so  named,  1868,  417. 

Biblical  Museum.  The  Committee  of  Co-operation  with  the  Pro- 
fessors on  the  Sage  Library,  authorized  to  estabhsh  a  Biblical  Museum, 
1877,  713.     See  Museum. 

Biblical  Theology.     Suggestion  of  a  Professorship  of,  1888,  545. 

Biblical  Theology  and  Sacred  History.  If  funds  allow,  provision 
to  be  made  for  special  instruction  in  ,1904,  668;  money  appropriated 
therefor,  by  Board  of  Education ;  committee,  conditionally  appointed  to 
select  a  temporary  instructor  in,  1905,  57,  58. 

Bibliography  of  R.  C.  A.  The  Committee  on  the  selection  of  books 
for  the  Sage  Library,  appointed  1875,  326,  issued  the  following  Circular: 


BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  REF.  (DUTCH)  CHURCH       91 

Bibliography  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)   Church. 


OUR    THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARY. 


The  General  Synod,  at  its  last  session,  strongly  recommended  the  pro- 
posed plan  of  collecting  all  the  publications  issued  by  the  ministers  or 
members  of  our  church.  A  first  step  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  ob- 
ject was  the  preparation  of  a  Bibliography.  This  has  been  approximately 
completed,  and  its  publication  begun  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer.  The 
amount  of  material  proves  to  be  much  larger  than  was  anticipated,  and 
it  has  seemed  best  to  adopt  a  more  systematic  plan  in  order  to  reach  the 
end,  and  also  to  include  whatever  relates  to  the  ecclesiastical  history 
of  the  Dutch  colonists  or  more  recent  settlers. 

Accordingly  the  Committee  on  the  Seminary  Library  determined  to 
send  out  this  circular  to  ministers  and  laymen,  asking  their  co-operation 
in  the  following  methods  : 

1.  To  prepare  a  list  in  chronological  order  of  their  own  publications, 
whether  volumes  or  pamphlets,  important  articles  in  Reviews,  magazines 
or  newspapers,  or  Reports  in  the  Minutes  of  Synod.  References  to  im- 
portant unpublished  MSS.  are  also  desired. 

2.  To  make  a  similar  list  of  the  publications  of  any  of  our  deceased 
ministers  or  laymen,  or  to  suggest  where  they  may  be  found. 

3.  To  refer  the  Committee  to  any  printed  matter  which  throws 
light  upon  the  history  of  our  church. 

4.  To  send  copies  of  any  of  these  which  they  have  and  can  spare 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chambers,  Synod's  Rooms,  N.  Y.,  for  the  Library  of  our 
Seminary  at  New  Brunswick. 

It  need  hardly  be  said  that  an  adequate  history  of  our  church  cannot 
be  prepared  until  a  complete  index  to  all  its  literature  has  been  made,  and 
the  greater  part  of  this  material  actually  brought  together.  It  is  expected 
that  the  Bibliography  now  issued  piece-meal  in  a  newspaper,  will  hereafter 
be  published  in  pamphlet  form. 

It  may  be  added  as  an  item  of  information  that  several  hundred 
Dutch  letters,  being  the  official  correspondence  of  the  Colonial  churches 
with  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  as  well  as  a  couple  of  important  historical 
Dutch  volumes,  relating  to  our  early  ecclesiastical  history,  are  now  in 
course  of  translation.  May  we  not  hope  that  some  good  brother  will 
furnish  means  for  their  publication? 

Communications  in  reference  to  the  Bibliography  may  be  addressed 
to  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin,  Millstone,  N.  J.,  who  has  special  charge  of  this 
department  of  the  committee's  work. 

T.  W.  CHAMBERS,  Library  Committee, 

C.  D.  HARTRANFT,  in  .conjunction 

E.  T.  CORWIN,  ivith  the  Professors. 

This  Bibliography  pubHshed  in  the  Intelligencer  for  several  months, 
in  1876,  from  A  to  G.,  was  finally  incorporated  in  3rd  and  4th  editions  of 
the  Manual,  so  far  as  the  publications  of  the  ministers  were  concerned. 
That  portion  of  the  Bibliography  published  in  the  Intelligencer,  included 
the  writings  of  the  laymen  of  the  Church,  the  names  being  arranged  al- 
phabetically from  A  to  G. 

Biennial  Sessions.  A  proposition  to  appoint  a  committee  to  report 
on  expediency  of  Biennial  Sessions  of  Gen.  Synod.  Laid  on  Table.  1877, 
735.     Taken  up,  but  the  change  not  considered  advisable.     1878,  99,  100. 

Biography.  See  Corwin's  Manuals  of  Refd.  Ch.  in  America,  espe- 
cially 4th  ed.,  1902.  In  3rd  ed.,  1879,  the  names  of  ministers  of  German 
Refd.  Ch.,  down  to  1792  are  included.     See  also  Necrology. 

Bishop,  David.  Gives  four  lots,  for  Seminary  Plot  (for  erection  of 
Hertzog  Hall.     Oct.,  1855,  10,  18.     His  death,  1876,  401. 


92  DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

BisHoi',  George  S.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Appointed  delegate  to  Christian 
Refd.  Ch.  of  the  Netherlands,  1882,  65;  elected  Vedder  Lecturer  for  1886; 
1884,  533;  Lectures  delivered,  1886,  59;  President  of  General  Synod,  1899. 
Chairman  of  Committee  on  State  of  the  Church,  1900. 

Bishop,  The  Universal.  Christ,  the  only  Universal  Bishop  and  Head 
of  the  Church.     Belg.  Conf.  Art.  31. 

Bishops.  All  ministers  of  the  Gospel  are  equal  in  rank  and  author- 
ity, and  all  are  Bishops  in  the  Church.  Constitutions  of  1874,  Art.  18; 
1833,  Art.  21;  of  1792,  Art.  18;  in  that  of  1619,  Art.  17,  the  word  Bishop 
is  not  used,  as  there  was  no  hierarchy  among  the  Reformed  Churches  on 
the  Continent ;  but  the  equality  of  all  ministers  is  emphasized. 

Blasphemy.  Deserves  suspension.  Constitutions  of  1874,  9^  I  (oi 
1833,  102;  of  1619,  80.) 

Blauvelt,  Garret  J.  Legacy  of  $1,000;  to  Bd.  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions. 

Blauvelt,  Isaac,  (Rev.),  President  of  the  Provisional  Synod,  1790, 
204;  Synod  removes  censure  inflicted  on  him  by  Classis  of  Hackensack; 
May,  1792,  230;  Classis  appeals  to  Synod  to  review  its  own  act;  the  ap- 
peal of  the  Classis  sustained,  Oct.,  1792,  238-9;  General  Synod,  (newly 
constituted),  reverses  the  act  of  the  [Provisional  or  Particular]  Synod, 
in  removing  the  censure  of  the  Classis;  1794,  259;  later  appeal  of  Rev. 
Blauvelt,  with  cogent  reasons,  1804,  326-7 ;  report  on  the  case,  but  noth- 
ing accomplished;  finally  restored  to  church  membership,  but  not  to  the 
ministry,  1824,  8. 

Bleecker,  John  N.  Treas.  of  Com.  of  Missions;  1812,  402,  426,  441; 
1815,  7;  1816,  7. 

Blois,  Ernest.  Scholarship  of  $2,500  founded  by  Mrs.  Hannah  Maria 
Blois.     1867,  162. 

Blood  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  70,  71; 
Canons,  ii.,  8,  9 ;  v.,  7. 

Bloomfield  Theological  Seminary.  1882,  30,  126;  irregular  applica- 
itons  of  students  from,  to  be  received  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary. 

Boarding  of  Students  in  Commons.  1819,  11.  Committee  appointed 
to  solicit  funds  to  erect  a  building  for  this  purpose;  1829,  193-4;  or  to  buy 
a  certain  building,  west  of  the  College,  for  not  more  than  $2,300,  '30,  283- 
4.  Not  successful;  '31,  318;  Committee  to  seek  information  of  cost  of 
board  at  other  Institutions;  Oct.,  's^,  136-8;  favorable  conditions  as  to 
cost  of  board;  '33,  211;  erection  of  a  building  still  under  consideration; 
'36,  506-7 ;  ground  may  be  leased,  by  Synod,  in  rear  of  College,  for  such 
a  building;  '36,  508;  further  considerations;  '39,  280-1. 

Board,  Mary,  (Mrs.).  Gave  note  for  $10,000  to  Dr.  J.  A.  H.  Cornell 
for  repairs  of  Seminary  Property  at  New  Brunswick.  Paid  $4,200  on 
said  note,  leaving  balance  of  $5,800  unpaid.  Some  interest  has  been  paid  on 
this  balance.  Believing  it  good.  Board  of  Corporation  advanced  $2,426.99 
to  Hertzog  Hall  Committee  for  repairs.  Mrs.  Board  became  financially 
unable  to  pay  the  balance  ($5,800)  and  asks  for  return  of  note.  She  has 
also  paid  $3,000  to  the  increase  of  the  Library,  or  $7,200  in  all.  In  view  of 
her  advanced  age,  and  her  perturbation  of  mind.  Synod  compHed  with 
her  request.     1876,  406,  441 ;  '77,  610. 

Board  of  Agency — in  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  to  be  continued 
and  enlarged,  1827,  76;  to  be  appointed  by  the  (regular)  Missionary  So- 
ciety, '28,  135 ;  communication  from,  as  to  the  enlargement  of  their  pow- 
ers, and  the  removal  of  the  General  Agent  by  the  Missionary  Society, 
293-4;  view  of  the  Committee  on  their  communication,  295;  a  second 
Board  of  Missions  constituted  at  Albany.  '30,  298;  their  report,  '31,  37i; 
ordered  to  be  published,  383;  certain  resolutions,  2  and  3,  of  '30,  297-8, 


BOARD  OF  CORPORATION  93 

respecting  the  constitution  of  the  Bd.  of  Missions,  rescinded,  '31,  383 ; 
General  Synod  appoints  a  Board  of  ^Missions  of  its  own,  '31,  383-387. 
See  Domestic  Missions. 

Board  of  Corporation.  This  title  to  be  inserted  as  a  new  Lemma, 
and  as  Article  IV.,  taking  the  place  of  "Questorate,"  Art.  XXL,  1820,  20. 
See  next  Article. 

Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation.  This  title  substituted  for 
that  of  Bd.  of  Corporation,  in  1877,  Art.  IV. 

Board  of  Missions — in  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  1830,  298. 
See  Board  of  Agency;  also,  Albany,  Classis  of. 

Boards  of  Superintendents  : 

1.  Of  Arcot  Theological  Seminary,  1889;  which  see. 

2.  Of  New  Brunswick  Theological  Seminary,  1807 ;  which  see. 

3.  Of  Rutgers  College,  1825  ;  which  see. 

4.  Of  Western  Theological  Seminary,  1867;  which  see. 

Boards,  Benevolent.  General  :  The  following  is  a  chronological 
list  of  the  several  Agencies,  Boards,  Funds  or  Societies,  thro'  which  the 
R.  C.  A.,  or  its  members,  have  extensively  operated.  Some  of  these  were 
of  a  union  character,  but  in  which  there  were  always  many  members  of 
R.  C  A.  Some  Societies  were  formed  by  the  members  of  the  Church, 
without  formal  ecclesiastical  action,  and  were  subsequently  adopted  by 
the  SA^nod ;  while  some  were  formally  organized  by  the  Synod.  The 
starred  Titles  are  denominational  Boards  of  R.  C.  A. 

1.  General  Synod,  at  first,  sent  out  ministers  on  horseback,  on  preach- 
ing tours,  thro'  New  York  State  and  Canada,  and  occasionally  to  more 
distant  fields,  as  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  (See  the  names  of  Jennings  and 
Labagh,  Peter,  in  Corwin's  Manual.)     1786-1806. 

2.  New  York  Missionary  Society,  (consisting  of  individuals  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch,  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  Churches,)  for  labors  chiefly 
among  the  Indians  ;  1796-1816. 

3.  Northern  Missionary  Society,  being  a  branch  of  No.  2.     1797-1830. 
4.*     Classis  of  Albany  was  formally  made  General  Synod's   Standing 

Committee  on  Missions:   1800-1806. 

5.*  General  Synod  appointed  a  new  Standing  Committee  on  Mis- 
sions, consisting  of  4  ministers  and  4  elders;  located  at  Albany,  1806-1819; 
operations  chiefly  in  New  York  State  and  Canada;  located  in  New  York 
City,  1819-22,  with  operations  in  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

6.  The  American  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Foreign  Missions, 
1810.     The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  operated  thro'  this  Board,  1826-57. 

7.*  The  United  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  (Presbyterian  and 
Refd.  Dutch  Churches),   1816-26. 

8.  The  American  Bible  Society,  1816. 

9.  The  American  Colonization  Society,   1817. 

10.*  The  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation  of  Reformed  Church 
in  Ameirca,  1819.  Manages  the  Benevolent  Agencies  of  the  Widows' 
Fund,  and  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund ;  and  as  the  Agency  of  General 
Synod  has  charge  of  the  Professorial  Endowments,  certain  of  the  Scholar- 
ships and  other  Educational  Funds.     Incorporated,  1819. 

II.*  The  Missionary  Society  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  1822-32. 
See  Domestic  Missions. 

12.  The  American   Sunday  School  Union,   1824. 

13.  The  American  Tract  Society,  1825. 

14.  The  Am.   Seamen's  Friends'   Society,   1826. 

15.  Sunday  School  Union  of  R.  D.  C,  1828-39.  independent. 
Adopted  by  Gen.  Synod,  1839. 

See  No.  22. 


94  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

i6.*  Board  of  Education  of  R.  D.  C,  1828-32,  independent.  Adopted 
by  Gen.  Synod,  1832.     Incorporated,  1862. 

17.     The  City  Missionary  Society,  1829. 

18.*  The  Northern  Board  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  R.  D.  C. 
1829-32.  ■  Called  also  Board  of  Agency;  which  see. 

19.*  The  Board  of  Missions  of  R.  D.  C,  1832.  From  1844,  onward, 
called  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions.     See  No.  25.     Incorporated,  1867. 

20.*  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  R.  D.  C,  1832-57.  In  co- 
operation with  the  American  Board.     See  No.  27. 

21.*  The  Widows'  Fund,  1838.  In  charge  of  the  Board  of  Direction 
of  the  Corporation.     See  No.  10. 

22.*  The  Board  of  Sab.  School  Union  of  R.  D.  C,  1839-63,  when  it 
was  abolished.     See  No.  15. 

23.     American  and  Foreign  Christian  Union,   1849. 

24.*     The  Board  of   Publication,  R.  D.  C,   1854.     Incorporated   1855. 

25.*    The  Church  Building  Fund,  1854.     See  No.  19. 

26.*  The  Sustentation  Fund,  1855.  Called  The  Disabled  Ministers' 
Fund  after  1863.     In  charge  of  Board  of  Direction.     See  No.  10. 

27.*  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  R.  C.  A.,  1857.  See  No.  20.  In- 
corporated, i860. 

28.     Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society,   i860.     Incorporated     .     .     . 

29.*  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  R.  C.  A.,  1875.  Incor- 
porated, 1892. 

30.*  Woman's  Executive  Committee  [of  Domestic  Missions,  R.  C. 
A.],  1882. 

31.  American  Sabbath  Union,  1888. 

32.  The  Arabian  Mission,  1889.     See  No.  27.     Incorporated,  1889. 
See  each  of  these  Societies  under  their  respective  titles. 

Boards,  Denominational  :  These  were  organized  and  exist  under 
that  general  provision  of  the  Constitution  that  the  General  Synod  is  *to 
exercise  a  general  superintendence  over  the  spiritual  interests  and  con- 
cerns of  the  whole  Church";  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  73;. (of  1833,  Art. 
84;  of  1792,  Arts.  51,  52.)  But  the  Constitution  not  being  considered 
definite  enough  in  these  particulars,  it  was  amended  in  1901,  by  the  fol- 
lowing additional  paragraph  : 

"To  the  General  S3'nod  also  belong  the  power  and  duty  to  institute 
and  organize  such  general  agencies  as  shall  best  enable  the  church  to 
fulfil  the  command  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  which  he  has  enjoined 
on  all  His  disciples  the  duty  of  teaching  all  nations  and  preaching  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature ;  to  maintain,  supervise  and  direct  such  agencies 
when  erected  in  the  conduct  of  missionary  operations  at  home  and  abroad ; 
and  to  recommend  such  methods  in  the  churches  as  shall  effectively  sus- 
tain such  agencies  and  tend  to  secure  the  largest  possible  dissemination 
of  the  gospel."     Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  j'})- 

The  strictly  Denominational  Boards  of  R.  C.  A.  are  designated  by 
an  asterisk  in  the  preceding  Article. 

See  also  the  elaborate  Review  of  the  Boards  and  Agencies  of  the  R. 
D.  C,  by  the  Committee  on  the  "State  of  the  Church,"  1848,  308-324. 

Resolved,  That  the  Boards  of  Education,  Foreign  Missions,  Domestic 
Missions,  Sabbath  School  Union,  and  Publication,  be  and  are  hereby 
directed  and  authorized  to  present  hereafter  a  printed  annual  report  to 
the  Synod ;  and  that  the  expense  of  the  same  be  paid  out  of  the  funds 
in  their  respective  charge.     1854,  493.     Rescinded,  1855,  619. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Boards  of  the  Church  be  requested  to  hold 
their  meetings  on  such  days  of  the  week  as  will  give  all  the  members  an 
opportunity  to  attend;  giving,  when  practicable,  at  least  one  week's  no- 
tice through  the  Christian  Intelligencer.     1855,  618. 

Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  each 
of  our  Boards  be  ex-of!icio  members  of  said  Boards.     1857,  244. 


BOARDS,    DENOMINATIONAL  95 

Whereas,  The  communication  of  the  Classis  of  New  York  indicates 
the  existence  of  a  misunderstanding  upon  the  part  of  that  Classis  which 
the  Synod  feels  it  desirable  to  remove, 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod,  in  the  formation  of  its  Boards,  and  its 
recommendation  of  various  charities  to  the  several  churches  under  its 
care,  never  has  claimed  to  impose  upon  these  churches,  and  the  Classes 
in  which  they  are  embraced,  an  imperative  obligation  to  contribute  to 
such  causes. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  recognizes  the  unquestionable  right  of  every 
Classis  to  express  to  the  Synod  its  views  of  the  feasibility  and  desirable- 
ness of  every  plan  of  Church  action  which  the  Synod  may  have  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  recognizes  with  pleasure  the  constant  and 
generous  contributions  of  the  Classis  of  New  York  to  the  charities  of 
our  Church,  and  expresses  its  cordial  hope  that  that  Classis  will,  in  time 
to  come,  hold  the  same  place  in  its  hearty  co-operation  with  this  Synod 
which  it  has  in  time  past.     1856,  38,  39. 

Resolved,  That  the  financial  year  of  the  Board  of  Direction,  and  of 
the  several  other  Boards  under  the  charge  of  the  Synod,  terminate  with 
the  30th  of  April  of  each  year,  and  that  the  Treasurers  make  up  their 
yearly  accounts  accordingly.     1859,  465. 

Resolved,  That  the  names  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the  sev- 
eral Boards  of  the  Church  be  hereafter  published  annually  in  the  Minutes 
of  the  General  Synod.     1859,  465. 

Resolved,  That  in  all  cases  where  a  member  of  any  one  of  our  benevo- 
lent Boards  shall  fail  to  attend  the  stated  meetings  of  such  Board  for  a 
twelvemonth,  continuously,  such  failure  shall  be  deemed  a  resignation  of 
his  office,  and  the  Board  shall  have  liberty  to  fill  his  place  by  a  new  ap- 
pointment for  the  unexpired  term,     i860,  582. 

Resolved,  That  the  various  Boards  of  our  Church  be  requested,  if 
practicable,  to  have  their  reports  printed  and  ready  for  distribution  at  the 
opening  of  the  meetings  of  Synod,     i860,  582. 

Resolved,  That  the  Reports  of  each  of  our  Boards,  when  printed,  be 
done  up  with  the  Minutes  of  Synod,  and  thus  distributed  through  the 
churches.     1863,  345. 

See  Civil  Legislation.     1875,  246-7;  1872,  486-7. 

A  paper  relating  to  the  consolidation  of  the  Boards  of  the  Church 
was  presented  by  Elder  James  Anderson,  and  referred  to  a  committee 
consisting  of  James  Anderson,  Wm.  H.  Van  Orden,  David  Bingham,  F. 
J.  Hosford,  and  George  Van  Nostrand,  to  report  to  the  next  General 
Synod.     1878,  148. 

This  proposition  is  thoroughly  discussed  in  a  majority  and  minority 
report,  1879,  401-410.  As  a  result,  the  minority  report  was  adopted,  with 
the  following  resolutions : 

1.  Resolved,  That  it  is  not  expedient  to  make  any  changes  in  the 
corporate  organization  of  the  benevolent  Boards  of  the  denomination. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  same  attention  as  heretofore  given,  be  faith- 
fully continued  by  the  Boards,  with  the  purpose  of  reducing  expenses,  as 
far  as  may  be  compatible  with  the  best  interests  of  the  objects  they  repre- 
sent.    1879,  407. 

I.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  hereby  expresses  its  hearty 
confidence  in  the  administration  of  the  benevolent  affairs  of  the  Church 
by  the  respective  Boards,  and  commends  them  to  the  confidence  and  gen- 
erous and  constant  co-operation  of  the  Churches.     1879,  409. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  desirable  to  have  four  members  elected  to  each 
Board  who  are  not  retiring  members  of  that  Board. — The  S.  C.  to  bring 
this  resolution  to  the  attention  of  Committee  on  Nominations.     1885,  778. 

Your  Committee  recommend  the  following  action  which  pertains  to 
the  order  and  method  of  business  :  ' 


96  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Resolved,  That  hereafter  the  nominations  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  sev- 
eral Boards  of  the  Church  be  made  by  the  Synod's  Standing  Committee 
on  the  respective  Boards. 

Resolved,  That  the  persons  nominated  by  the  Committees  on  the  sev- 
eral Boards  to  fill  the  vacancies  in  the  same,  and  those  nominated  by  the 
Committee  on  Correspondence  shall,  on  the  Synod's  confirming  the  re- 
spective nominations,  be  considered  elected.     1886,  205. 

Body  and  Blood  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  35 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
76-78. 

BoGARDus,  Mary  A.  Gives  $3,000  for  "James  W.  Bogardus  Scholar- 
ship."    1893,  714. 

Bogardus,  William.     President  of  the  Board  of  Direction,  1882-7. 

BoGART,  Jas.,  Jr.  Gift  toward  Rutgers  College  Library,  1830,  281; 
gives  $200  for  Indigent  Students'  Permanent  Fund,  1828,  103,  107; 
passed  into  the  general  scholarship  fund,  '35,  424,  '36,  453,  517.  Adds 
$1,500  to  make  a  $1,700  Scholarship,  '38,  106-7,  163;  makes  his  Scholar- 
ship $2,000,  '40,  336,  390,  392 ;  wishes  entire  interest  to  go  to  one  student, 
'43,  223,  228-9. — Founds  the  Jas.  Bogart,  Jr.,  Second  Scholarship,  of  $2,000, 
on  conditions  of  orthodoxy,  '50,  23,  70,  71 ;   1853,  367-8. 

BoGGS,  Chs.  S.,  (Rear  Admiral  of  U.  S.  Navy),  gives  an  antique  mar- 
ble slab,  with  a  Greek  uncial  inscription.  1872,  503.  Deposited  in  base- 
ment of  Sage  Library. 

Bohemian  Reformed  Church.  Communication  from,  concerning  the 
Centennial  of  the  Edict  of  Toleration  in  their  land ;  with  greetings.  Synod 
sends  regrets  at  not  receiving  the  invitation  in  time  to  respond  with  hearty 
sympathy  with  them,  in  their  brave  struggle  to  sustain  the  cause  of  truth ; 
with  salutations.     1882,  65. 

Dr.  Chambers  reported  that  he  had  received  from  R.  D.  C.  $633  for 
the  Bohemian  Fund  of  the  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs.     1888,  490. 

BoNAR,  John,  (Rev.  Dr.).  Letter  from  Free  Ch.  of  ^Scotland,  by; 
Oct.,  1855,  12,  15;  1857,  151. 

Bond  of  Treasurer  of  General  Synod.  Isaac  Young,  the  Treas.  of 
Gen.  Synod,  entered  into  bonds  with  two  sureties  approved  by  the  Bd.  of 
Corporation  in  the  sum  of  $5,000.     1828,  103. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  execute,  every  year 
to  the  General  Synod,  a  bond  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties, 
in  such  amount  and  form,  and  with  such  sureties  as  shall  be  approved  by 
the  Board  of  Direction,  1893,  749. 

Bonds  to  be  required  of  Beneficiaries,  to  repay  under  certain  condi- 
tions. See  under  Beneficiaries,  1816,  11,  12;  1818,  13,  60;  1820,  16.  17,  69; 
1832,  72,  73. — Requirement  of  bonds,  for  repayment,  to  be  discontinued, 
1836,  499,  502. — Treasurer  of  Rutgers  College  directed  to  recover  on  cer- 
tain bonds,  forfeited  by  incumbents  on  the  Van  Bunschooten  and  Knox 
Funds,  1839,  283. — See  again,  under  Beneficiaries,  1848. — 

BooKMAKiNG.     See  Gambling;  Horse-racing. 

Books.     See  Approbation  of  Books. 

Books  of  the  Bible.    Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  4. 

Booth,  Eugene  S.  (Rev.)  Missionary  in  Japan  since  1879;  visits 
America,  1886,  82;  invited  to  sit  with  Synod,  207;  presents  a  Shinto 
Shrine,  1897,  610,  621. 

Borneo  Mission.  Borneo,  a  suitable  field,  1838,  186-7;  '39,  292-3;  two 
missinoary  stations  established ;  additional  needs,  '40,  414,  415 ;  state  of  the 
Mission — '41,  470;  privileges  granted,  '41,  470;  missionaries  concentrate  at 
Pontianak;  additional  missionaries  on  the  field;  '42,  131-2;  missions 
among  the  Dyaks,  '43,  253-7 ;  transfer  of  Revs.  Doty  and  Pohlman  to 
China,  approved;  '43, '257 ;  letters  from;  Memorial  of  the  Borneo  Mission 


BOSWORTH,  ARABELLA  M.  97 

to  the  Governor-General  of  Netherland,  India,  '44,  376;  condition  of  the 
Mission,  '44,  382-5;  difficulties  of,  '45,  434;  removal  of  Revs.  Doty  and 
Pohlman  to  China ;  position  of  the  remaining  missionaries  in  Borneo ;  494- 
8 ;  weakened  conditioned  of  '46,  '45,  84-85 ;  '47,  189 ;  Appeal  for  Borneo, 
'48,  285;  no  response;  Sept.,  '48,  421-2;  the  Mission  to  be  abandoned,  '49, 
500-1.     See  Corwin's  Manual,   1902,  243-5. 

BoswoRTH,  Arabella  M.  Bequeaths  $1000.  to  Bd.  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions to  support  a  missionary  for  a  time  in  Rush,  Susquehanna  Co.,  Pa. 
Oct.,  1855,  ID,  23,  24. 

BouDiNOT,  Catharine,  (Mrs.)  Gives  $500.  toward  the  Permanent 
Fund.     1840,  336,  341. 

Boundaries  of  Congregations.  After  European  precedents,  Synodical 
legislation  sometimes  attempted  to  fix  the  boundaries  of  congregations. 
Oct.  1780,  80,  81  ;  and  this  principle  got  into  the  Constitution  of  1792,  Art. 
39,  and  was  not  yet  eliminated  in  that  of  1833,  Art.  66.  In  the  Revision  of 
1874  it  was  omitted. 

Boxer  Massacres  in  China.  Allusions  to,  1896,  391;  1900,  752,  917; 
1901,  pp.  1093,  1099,  iioOj  1 126. 

Bradford,  John  M.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Appointed  Stated  Clerk  of  Gen. 
Synod,  1812;  resigns,  1818,  40;  President  of  General  Synod,  twice,  1814, 
1819;  appeals  from  decision  of  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  1821,  45; 
action  of  Gen.  Synod,  46,  47;  his  case  referred  to  Gen.  Synod,  1822,  53,  55; 
does  not  prosecute  his  appeals,  55. 

Brazil,  Presbyterian  Churches  in.  Rev.  Geo  .W.  Chamberlain  dele- 
gate from ;  addressed  Synod,  request  that  delegates  be  sent  to  the  con- 
vention organizing  the  Synod  of  Brazil,  Aug.  30,  1888.  Appointed.  1888, 
614 ;  greetings  sent ;  reply,  1889,  837.  The  appointment  of  delegates  to 
attend  the  Triennial  Synod  of  Brazil  in  1891,  deferred  until  1890.  1889, 
841.     No  action  in  1890. 

Bread  and  Wine.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  35;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  78-80. 

Brett,  Cornelius,  (Rev.  Dr.).     President  of  General  Synod,  1893. 

Brinkerhoff,  Jane,  (Miss).  Gives  $5,000  for  Scholarships.  1883,  221, 
245- 

Brinkerhoff,  Richard.  Business  Agent  of  Board  of  Publication,  1876- 
1901,  died  Jan.  10,  1901,  mo. 

Brodhead,  Isaac.     Gives  $1,000  for  bed  in  Ranipetti  Hospital. 

Brodhead,  Jacob,  (Rev.  Dr.).  President  of  General  Synod  twice, 
1816,  1825;  minute  on  his  death,  Oct.,  1855,  617,  618. 

Brodhead,  John  Romeyn.  Synod  thanks  him  for  the  documents  and 
transcripts  secured  by  him  from  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  1842,  143 ; 
Dr.  Thos.  De Witt's  references  to  him,  in  his  report  on  the  early  docurnents 
of  the  Church ;  had  requested  him  to  examine  the  Archives  of  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  1843,  273-4 ;  presents  to  Gen.  Synod  a  copy  of  his  History  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  Vol.  i.  1853,  377;  Synod  thanks  him  for  the  care 
taken  by  him  of  the  Amsterdam  documents,  for  many  years,  1866,  112. 

Brodhead,  Sarah  A.  Bequest  of  $158.33,  to  Bd.  of  Education.  See 
Report  of  Board,  1905,  10,  16. 

Bronk,  Robert,   (Rev.).     President  of  General  Synod,  1835. 

Broome  St.  Church,  New  York  City.  Land  given  in  1824.  on  con- 
dition that  the  Church  erected  thereon  should  always  remain  a  R.  D.  C. ; 
else  the  property  to  go  to  Gen.  Synod.  Request  of  Consistory  that  Synod 
would  unite  with  them  in  deed,  to  facilitate  sale ;  1854,  398,  467-8.  Quit 
claim  deed  given ;  interest  transferred  to  34th  St.  Church.  Request  that 
Synod  would  join  in  mortgage  to  extent  of  $25,000.  Granted,  i860,  486- 
1,   555-6. — Consistory  of,   wish   to   convey   34th    St.    Church   to    Collegiate 


98  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Church   to   hquidate  mortgage  thereon,   if   General   Synod   will   waive   its 
claim.     Granted.     1895,   16,  132-4.     Deed  of  Synod,  134-5. 

Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Philip.  Organized  at  Reading,  Pa., 
May,  1888.  ( 

The  more  recent  organization,  the  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Philip, 
has  at  present  23  chapters  in  our  denomination,  with  a  membership  of  about 
500.  To  quote  from  its  constitution:  "The  sole  object  of  the  Brother- 
hood is  the  spread  of  Christ's  kingdom  among  young  men."  One  of  its 
enthusiastic  officers  in  our  own  church  writes  :  "In  general  character  it 
is  a  small  Y.  M.  C.  A.  inside  and  for  the  local  church  under  direction 
of  the  pastor."  1895,  99;  1896,  379,  503;  1897,  778;  1899,  430,  578;  1900, 
825. 

Resolved,  That  General  Synod  recognizes  the  value  of  the  Brother- 
hood of  Andrew  and  Philip  in  its  work  among  men  and  boys,  and  rec- 
ommends the  Brotherhood  Star  as  a  lesson  help  for  Young  Men's  Bible 
Classes.     1900,  785. 

Whereas,  the  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Philip  is  represented  in 
many  of  our  churches,  and  whereas,  it  seems  to  be  the  only  organization 
which  works  for  the  winning  of  men. 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  we  urge  our  Pastors  to  inquire  into  its 
workings,  and,  where  it  may  be  expedient,  to  start  chapters  of  this  sim- 
ple and  scriptural  organization.     1901,   1071,   1133.     1902,  89,  90. 

Brouwer,  Cornelius,  (Rev.).  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod,  1800- 
1806. 

Brouwer,  John  I.  Treasurer  of  Bd.  of  Direction  of  Corporation, 
1858-79. 

Brown,  Samuel  R.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Missionary  to  Japan,  1859.  See 
name  in  Manual. 

Brownlee,  Katharine  B.,  ;Memorial.  A  gift  of  $2,000  to  Bd.  of 
Domestic  Missions. 

Brownlee,  William  C.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Appointed  Prof,  of  Languages 
at  Rutgers  College ;  resigns,  to  settle  in  New  York,  1826,  50 ;  appointed 
to  preach  Annual  Missionary  Sermon,  1827,  74;  delegate  to  Gen.  Assem- 
bly, 1829,  179;  requested  to  edit  and  publish  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston's  Theo- 
logical Lectures,  1832,  23;  discharged  from  that  duty,  Oct.,  1832,  100;  ap- 
pointed delegate  to  General  Assembly,  1837,  29 ;  addresses  the  Synod  on 
the  subject  of  Romanism,  1837,  60;  again  requested  to  preach  a  sermon 
on  Romanism,  1842,  143 ;  President  of  General  Synod,  1843 ;  preaches  an- 
other sermon  on  Romanism,  1843,  277 ;  see  "Magazine  of  R.  D.  C." 

Brown's  Cathechism.  This  was  composed  1764  by  Rev.  Dr.  John 
Brown,  of  Haddington,  Scotland.  Largely  used  in  the  R.  D.  C.  for  many 
years ;  but  ultimatelv  led  to  the  Constitutional  Amendment,  1874,  Art.  81. 
1889,  830. 

Brunswick,  III.,  Church  of.  Complains  of  Presbytery  of  Peoria, 
for  receiving  Church  of  Brunswick  under  its  care,  1849,  440,  457-8;  Gen- 
eral Synod's  right  in  the  property,  1850,  20,  21,  37,  38;  legality  of  transfer 
of  property  from  one  denomination  to  another,  1851,  143-4;  Agents  ap- 
pointed to  take  possession  of  the  property  for  Synod,  1852,  214;  274;  of- 
fer to  purchase,  1855,  5I7>  595-  the  property  sold,  1856,  40,  loi ;  1857,  135-6. 

Brunswick,  Particular  Body  of.  1771,  10,  14;  1772,  25.  See  New 
Brunswick,  Classis  of. 

Brush,  Wm.,  (Rev.),  Scholarship.  $2,000  for  Hope  College  and 
Seminary,  held  by  Board  of  Education.  1891 ;  gives  $1,500  for  Scholarship 
in  Arcot  Seminary,  1894,  18,  52;  and  $500  more,  making  the  Arcot  Schol- 
arship, $2,000.     1896,  289,  S22. 

Brush  ^Memorial  Fund.  $3,000  for  students  preparing  for  ministry 
in  Rutgers  College  and  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1883. 


BUFFALO,  CHURCH  OF  99 

Buffalo,  Church  of.     1839,  251 ;  1840,  413,  414.     See  Manual,  944. 

Building  Fund.     See  Church  Building  Fund. 

Building  Fund.  $12,000  received  from  sale  of  Rutgers  College.  To 
be  used  for  Professorial  Residences.     1865,  569. 

Bulletin,  The.  Commended,  1894,  120-1 ;  after  17  months'  issue, 
discontinued.     1895,  124. 

Burgess,  Margaret,  (Mrs.).  Endows  a  Scholarship,  1835,  405,  414; 
1836,  497;  $1,700,  1837,  16. 

Burial  of  Christ.     Heid.  Cat.  Quests.  23,  41. 

Burns,  Jas.  C.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Delegate  of  Free  Church  of  Scotland; 
1874,  76. 

Burroughs,  Charles.     Gives  $250  for  Disabled  Ministers.     1876,  405. 

Bushxell,  III.  $1,000  given  to,  from  Church  Building  Fund.  1863, 
253- 

Business  Agents.     See  Bd.  of  Publication. 

Bussing,  John  S.  Treasurer  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions,  since  1885; 
member  of  Standing  Committee  on  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property  since 
1899.  Thanks  of  Synod  given  him  for  his  admirable  "Historical  Sketch, 
prepared  and  published  at  his  own  expense,  in  the  interest  of  Domestic 
Missions,  '96,  401 ;  repeated  resolutions  of  thanks  for  his  generosity  and 
valuable  gifts  to  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  and  improvement  of 
the  property;  1900,  687;  '01,  1049;  '02,  70;  '04,  667-8;  '05,  70,  117. 

Butler,  Thornton,  (Rev.).  Commissioner  from  the  German  Refd. 
Classis  of  North  Carolina,  which  sought  union  with  R.  D.  C  on  account 
of  Nevinism  in  German  Church.     1855,  53i- 

By-Laws  of  the  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation.  1819,  48; 
1827,  32-35,  39;  see  Corporation,  Bd.  of  Direction  of. 

Cadmus,  Richard.  Scholarship.  Only  $1,751  realized  for  it.  Al- 
lowed to  accumulate  to  $2,000.  1839,  205-6,  268;  1841,  510,  512;  1842,  57; 
1844,  298. 

Calderwood,  Henry,  (Rev.  Dr.).  He  and  Rev.  Dr.  John  Eadie,  re- 
ceived as  Corresponding  Delegates  from  the  United  Presbyt.  Ch.  of  Scot- 
land.    1873,  668. 

Called,  The.     Canons,  i.  7;  ii.  6;  iii.  and  iv.  8,  10,  15;  v.  i,  8. 

Call,  Form  of.  There  was  no  regular  Form  in  Constitution  of  1619. 
Before  1792,  calls  varied,  in  x-\merica,  in  their  phraseology  and  require- 
ments. (Several  specimens  given  in  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York.)  In  the 
Articles  of  the  Coetus,  1737,  we  find  the  following  allusion : 

As  to  calls,  whether  from  Holland  or  from  particular  congregations 
in  these  provinces,  they  shall  be  conducted  according  to  the  Church  Or- 
ders;  and  where  there  is  no  minister,  two  Consiilenten  shall  be  employed. 
Henceforth,  it  shall  be  expressly  stipulated  in  all  calls  that  the  minister 
shall  belong  to  the  Coetus,  and  hold  himself  subject  to  it;  and  those  con- 
gregations which  have  calls  outstanding,  are  hereby  bound  to  urge  their 
ministers,  when  they  arrive,  to  do  the  same.     1737,  viii. 

In  the  Articles  of  Union,  1771,  the  following  occurs  : 

Article  25. — Approval  of  Calls. 

Upon  this  subject,  it  is  determined  that  the  decision  respecting  Calls 
upon  candidates  shall  be  made  in  connection  with  the  final  examination  by 
the  General  Body  [or  Synod]  ;  but,  on  account  of  the  great  need  of  the 
churches,  those  upon  Ministers  may  be  approved  in  the  Particular  Body 
[or  Classis]  to  which  the  calling  congregation  belongs.  1771,  13.  See 
Form  of  Call. 


loo         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Since  the  Rev.  Synod  notice  that  some  calls  which  are  presented  at 
this  table  do  not  specifically  express  the  subordination  of  the  congrega- 
tions calling  the  ministers,  and  of  the  ministers  called,  to  the  established 
Classical  and  Synodic  Bodies,  which  is  yet,  for  weighty  reasons,  and  es- 
pecially the  observance  of  uniformity  in  the  calls,  judged  highly  neces- 
sary, the  Rev.  Synod  decree,  that  a  commission  be  appointed  to  frame  a 
general  Form  for  calls,  and  present  it  to  the  next  Synod,  in  accordance 
with  which,  when  approved,  calls  shall  hereafter  be  framed.  As  mem- 
bers of  this  commission  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  J.  H.  Living- 
ston, and  Hermanns  Meyer  are  appointed.     1787,  155. 

FORM   OF  CALLS. 

The  committee  upon  this  subject  brought  to  this  table  the  form  of  a 
call,  which  being  read  and  approved,  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Synod  to 
the  Committee  on  Church  Order,  to  be  placed  by  them  among  the  Rules  of 
our  Church  Government.  1790,  205.  [For  intermediate  and  final  steps, 
see  1788,  178;  1789,  196;  May,  1791,  215;  Oct.,  1791,  222;  1792,  239.]  For 
the  Form  adopted  in  1790,  from  which  there  has  been  no  change,  see  Con- 
stitutions of  1792,  Art.  36;  of  1833,  Art.  60;  of  1874,  Art.  53. 

Calls,  Approbation  of.  By  the  Constitution  of  1792,  the  power  was 
given  to  the  Classes,  equally  with  the  Particular  Synod,  to  approve  all 
Calls,  Arts.  30,  40,  47. — Henceforth  limited  to  the  Classes ;  Constit.  1833, 
Art.  66;  of  1874,  Art.  59.  For  list  of  Calls  approved  by  the  Coetus.  1747- 
1771,  see  Manual  of  1902,  p.  1047;  of  those  approved  by  the  General 
Body,  or  Provisional  Synod,  1771-1796,  see  Manual,  p.  1048. 

Calls,  Combined.     See  Combined  Calls. 

Call  upon  a  Candidate.  Concerning  time  allowed,  for  consideration 
of,  and  duty  of  accepting,  if  only  one ;  see  Constits.  of  1619,  Arts.  4,  5  ;  of 
1792,  Arts.  9,  10;  of  1833,  Art.  10. — These  things  omitted  in  Constit.  of 
1874. 

Call  upon  a  Minister  or  Candidate.  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  43, 
51,  52,  57;  (of  1833,  Arts.  50,  58,  59,  64,  66;  of  1792,  Arts.  27,  29,  34,  35, 
39;  of  1619,  Arts.  4,  5.) 

Call  to  the  Ministry.  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  3 ;  [of  1833,  Art.  3 ;  of 
1792,  Art.  I ;  of  1619,  Arts.  3,  4.)  Form  of  Ordination,  ist  question:  "Dost 
thou  feel  in  thy  heart  that  thou  art  lawfully  called  of  God's  Church,  and 
therefore  of  God  Himself,  to  this  holy  ministry"?     See  Ministers. 

Calvin,  John.  Synod  recommends  the  observance  of  "Reformation 
Day,"  in  connection  with  the  birth  of  John  Knox,  1505;  the  death  of 
Beza,  1505  ;  and  the  birth  of  Calvin ;  a  little  later,  1509 ;  on  the  first  Sab- 
bath in  November.     1905,  145. 

Campbell,  Alan  D.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Vedder  Lecturer  for  1889. 
1887,  304. 

Campbell,  William  H.  (Rev.  Dr.).  President  of  General  Synod, 
1846;  Elected  Prof,  of  Bib.  Lit.  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  185 1,  188- 
191;  buys  books  for  his  department,  '53,  365,  368;  preaches  a  sermon  be- 
fore Synod  on  Education,  '59,  434;  resigns  as  Professor,  1863,  326-7;  ad- 
dresses Synod  in  behalf  of  the  endowment  of  the  College,  "63,  322 ;  eccle- 
siastical relations  of,  '66,  13,  83,  84;  addresses  Synod  m  the  mterests  of 
Rutgers  College,  '73,  750;  on  Committee  to  prepare  a  critical  edition  of  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism,  '76,  548;  report  on,  '78,  145,  201-2;  elected  Ved- 
der Lecturer  for  1885;  '84,  533;  address  at  Centennial  of  New  Bruns- 
wick Seminary,  '85,  736;  on  Committee  to  publish  simplified  questions  and 
answers  of  Heidelberg  Catechism,  '80,  786;  excused  from  serving,  Oct.,  '81, 
9.     Death,  Dec.  7,  1890.     Sketch,  1891,  414. 


CANADA 


[OI 


Canada.  Churches  in,  belong  to  the  Classis  of  Albany,  1800,  301  ; 
missions  to,  1800,  307-310;  Classis  of  Albany  to  send  missionaries  to,  1804, 
331;  the  missionaries  sent,  1806,  356;  1809,  385;  1812,  425;  1816,  8,  35;  the 
pulpits  of  the  missionaries  to  be  supplied,  1806,  356;  1809,  385;  letter  from 
Rev.  Robt.  McDowell  on  the  Canadian  churches,  1806,  352-3 ;  account  of 
said  missions,  1817,  9-1 1;  Classis  proposed,  1818,  34-36.  See  McDowell, 
Rev.  Robt. ;  Corwin's  Manual,  ed.  of  1901,  266,  944. 

Canada,  French  Evangelical  Church.  Rev.  R.  P.  DuClos,  delegate 
from,  to  R.  C  A.,  1875,  252. 

Canada,  Presbyterian  Churches  in.  Rev.  Mr.  McNaughton  of  the 
Church  of  Scotland  in  Upper  Canada,  appeared  in  Synod.  He  stated  the 
condition  of  said  Church ;  46  settled  clergymen,  but  entirely  dependent  on 
Scotland  for  ministers.  They  wished  to  enjoy  the  advantages  of  our  Semi- 
nary. The  Synod  proposed  a  Correspondence  with  that  Body  on  the 
same  terms  as  we  correspond  with  the  Presbyterian  and  German 
churches  in  this  country;  1836,  467-8.  Letters  and  Minutes  were  ex- 
changed, 1837,  27;  1839,  225-6;  1841,  465-6. 

In  1869,  Rev.  Wm.  Gregg  of  the  Canada  Presbyterian  Church  ap- 
peared, and  requested  the  opening  of  a  correspondence  again,  between 
the  two  Churches,  and  that  a  delegate  be  appointed.  This  was  granted, 
and  delegates  have  been  appointed  yearly  since;   1869,  583. 

A  communication  from,  on  Sabbath  desecration,  1887,  375.  See  Sab- 
bath. 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  OF  CANADA. 


delegates  to. 

delegates,  from. 

1869. 

Rev.  Sam.  J.  Rogers, 
M.  L.  Berger, 

Rev.  Wm.  Gregg, 

1870. 

John  Minor, 
••       J.  H.  Carroll, 

"     R.  H.  Thornton, 

I87I. 

"      R.  W.  Clark, 
••       C.  N.  Waldron, 

1872. 

•'       A.  P.  Reeke, 
"       M.  L.   Berger, 

1873. 

•'      G.  J.  Van  Neste, 
"       S.  W.   Strong, 

1874- 

Wm.   Ormiston,* 

Rev.   I.   M.   King, 

1875. 
1876. 

David  Inglis, 

••      A.  P.  Van  Geison,* 

Rev.  J.   Laing, 

*•       P.  D.  Van  Cleef, 

Elder,  Jas.  Croil, 

1877. 

C.  Van  Sautuvord, 
Ch.  Van  der  Vecen, 

1878. 

••       Everet  Van  Slyke,* 
••       C   N.  Waldron, 

1879. 

••      J.  F.  Mesick,* 
Wm.   Reiley, 

1880. 

E.   P.  Livingston,* 
"      W.  H.  Vroom, 

I88I. 

•'       I.   S.   Hartley, 

Letters  from  Officers  of  Gen.  Assem- 

John A.  Todd, 

bly, 

1882. 

"      Wm.  Smith, 

Rev.   Dr.   MacVicar, 

John   H.    Smock, 

"     Wm.  Reed, 

1883. 

"       N.  H.  Van  Arsdale, 
"      C  S.   Hageman,* 

1884. 

Jas.  LeFevre, 

Letter  from  Officer  of  Gen.  Assem 

•'      W.  H.  Clark, 

bly. 

102         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 


Rev.  Wm.  AIcLarenj 


Rev.  J.   K.   Smith, 

Rev.  W.  T.  McMullen,t 
Rev.  G.  M.  Grant,t 


Rev.   Robt.   Campbel 


1885.  Rev.  J.  H.  Karstcn,* 

F.  V.  Van  Vranken, 

1886.  1;      J.  W.  Beardslee, 

J.    G.    Smart, 

1887.  "      A.  Vennema, 
H.   M.   Voorhees,* 
J.   P.   Searle,*t 
Jos.   R.    Duryee, 
David  Waters,* 
J.   C.   Van   Deventer, 
T.   W.   Welles,*  t 
Cor.   Schenck, 
W.  J.  Skillman,* 
Wm.  Moerdyk, 
David   Waters, 

"      C.  E.  Crispell, 

1894.  "  W.  H.  DeHart, 
"  E.    P.  Johnson, 

1895.  "  John   Vander    Alenlen, 
"  H.   G.   Birchbv, 

1896.  "  A.   C.   Sewall,  * 
"  P.    Crispell, 

1897.  "  W.   J.   Leggett,* 

J.   M.   Dickson, 

1898.  "  A.  J.  Sebring,* 
"  J.   H.    Karsten, 

1899.  "  I.    P.   Brokaw, 
"  A.   C.   Sewall, 

1900.  "  T.   E.   Inglis,* 
"  J.  E.  Lyall, 

1901.  "  P.  Lepeltak, 

"      J.  A.  Van  Neste, 

1902.  "      P.  Lepeltak, 

"  J.  A.  Van  Neste, 

1903.  "  E.   W.   Florence, 
"  O.  L.  F  Mohn, 

1904.  "  Thos.  H.  Mackensie, 

1905.  "  E.  W.  Florence, 
"  J.   C.   Forbes. 

♦Reported  fulfillment  of  appointment. 
fFulfilled  by  letter. 

Candidates.  These  were  at  first  called  "Proponents"  in  Holland. 
"Ministers"  were  those  who  were  authorized  to  preach  and  administer 
the  sacraments ;  and,  "prophets"  were  those  allowed  to  explain  some  por- 
tion of  Scripture.  But  these  "prophets"  were  soon  abolished, 
and  "proponents"  substituted  in  their  place.  These  were  gradu- 
ates from  the  Universities,  having  the  ministry  in  view.  They  were 
examined  by  a  Theological  Faculty  or  Classis,  and  if  approved,  were 
licensed  proponerc,  "to  make  propositions"  from  the  pulpit,  or  preach, 
but  not  to  administer  the  sacraments.  This  examination  was  called  pre- 
paratory; a  second  examination,  when  they  received  a  call,  was  called 
peremptory,  and  ordination  and  installation  took  place.  See  Murphy's  An- 
thology', 81,  82 ;  also  specimens,  in  Dutch,  of  this  usage,  in  Manual  of  1902, 
330,  under  Bogardus ;  and  732,  under  Selyns. 

Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  3-13,  exhibit  the  steps,  for  becoming  a 
candidate  for  the  ministry.  [Constitution  of  1833,  Arts.  3-13,  are  sub- 
stantially  the   same,   except   "Dispensations"   is   omitted;    which   see;   that 


Letter       received 
Church. 


from      Canadian 


CANON   OF  SCRIPTURE  103 

of  1792,  Arts.   1-12,  are  the  same,  except  different  phraseology  in  Arts. 
1-3;  that  of  1619  is  brief,  having  only  Arts.  3,  4.] 

Synodical  Legislation:  The  words  "candidates"  and  "licentiates"  are 
often  used  interchangeably  altho'  "candidate"  is  the  proper  word ;  but 
herein,  the  phraseology  as  found  will  be  used. — Classis  of  Hackensack 
requests  Synod  to  enjoin  the  licentiates  to  serve  the  vacant  congregations ; 
Synod  unwilling  to  enjoin;  1782,  97,  98;  subsequently  Synod  does  enjoin 
them  1792,  240;  1794,  264-5;  upon  receiving  a  call,  they  decide  by  the  next 
meeting  of  Classis  or  Synod;  1794,  265;  must  attend  meetings  of  Classis, 
if  possible,  1797,  271 ;  candidates  from  Congregational  churches  must  be 
examined,  1814,  29,  35;  to  awaken  a  missionary  spirit  in,  1817,  14;  Classes 
may  refrain  from  charging  candidates  for  expenses  of  meetings  called  in 
their  behalf,  1818,  26,  27 ;  must  notify  President  of  Classis  four  weeks  be- 
fore they  desire  examination,  1831,  363;  reasons  for  small  number  of 
candidates;  an  elaborate  report,  1836,  498,  510-516;  mode  of  receiving  can- 
didates from  other  Denominations,  1837,  58;  action  modified,  1839,  255; 
new  superseding  legislation,  seven  resolutions,  on  the  whole  subject,  1840, 
387-8;  [this  superseded  by  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  20,  21;]  by  Articles  of 
Agreement,  candidates  in  the  Dutch  and  German  Churches  to  have  the 
same  rights  in  either  Church,  1845,  427-430;  no  licentiate  to  be  receive*! 
from  another  denomination,  unless  he  has  studied  three  years  in  a  Semi- 
nary of  a  Church  with  which  R.  D.  C  is  in  Corresspondence,  1845,  469 ; 
names  of  candidates  to  be  inserted  in  lists  of  ministers,  1862,  208,  22,0: 
phraseology  changed  to  "Ministers  and  Licentiates,"  1885,  without  au- 
thority ;  "Ministers  and  Candidates"  ordered  to  be  used ;  all  Stated  Clerks 
ordered  to  use  the  word  "Candidates" ;  Classes  to  require  annual  reports 
from  all  Candidates,  1897,  687 ;  Synod  refuses  to  provide  a  "Form  of  Dis- 
missal" of  a  candidate,  from  his  local  church  to  a  Classis,  1894,  128-9 ; 
decline  of  candidates,  1905,  145-6. 

Canon  of  Scripture.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  4-6. 

Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort.  (See  Dort,  Synod  of.)  One  of 
the  Standards  of  Doctrine  of  R.  C  A.  They  treat  of  Divine  Predestina- 
tion, in  18  Articles;  of  the  Death  of  Christ  and  the  Redemption  of  Men 
thereby,  in  9  Articles ;  of  the  Corruption  of  Man,  his  Conversion  to  God, 
and  the  manner  thereof,  in  17  Articles;  and  of  the  Perseverance  of  the 
Saints,  in  15  Articles. — A  "Conclusion"  denies  that  God  is  the  author  of 
sin,  or  that  He  has  predestinated  men  to  destruction,  but  that  the  above 
doctrines  magnify  the  Grace  of  God.  See  Van  Gieson's  and  Thomp- 
son's "Centennial  Discourses,"  1876,  on  these  topics ;  and  Van  Gieson's 
Paper  on  "The  Canons  of  Dort,"  at  Conference  on  Union  with  German 
Refd.  Ch.   1888.     See  also  "Rejection  of  Errors"  in  this  Digest. 

Cannon,  James  S.  (Rev.  Dr.).  President  of  Gen.  Synod,  twice,  1813, 
1820;  appointed  by  Bd.  of  Superintendents  to  teach  Ecc.  Hist.,  etc.  in 
New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1819,  9,  11;  elected  Professor  of  Ecc.  History, 
Church  Government  and  Pastoral  Theolog}^  March,  1826,  6,  7 ;  June,  1826, 
52 ;  his  great  affliction — loses  three  grown-up  children,  1839,  272 ;  his  stu- 
dents present  his  portrait,  1843,  161,  his  family  health,  1852,  270-1 ;  de- 
clared Emeritus,  272-3;  his  death,  (1852)  noticed,  1853,  325,  370;  a  monu- 
ment to  be  erected,  370 ;  cost  of,  1854,  397>  45^ ;  epitaph  on,  504 ;  his  lec- 
tures on  Pastoral  Theology  to  be  published,   1855,  613. 

Cape  Colony.     See  South  Africa. 

Cape  of  Good  Hope.     See  South  Africa. 

Castree,  John  W.     Member  of  Board  of  Direction,  1902,  12,  13,  53. 

C.'VTALOGUES  OF  MINISTERS  AND  CANDIDATES.  Thesc  began  to  be  regu- 
larly printed,  each  year,  in  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  in  1862,  208,  230. 
Title  was  changed,  without  authority  to  "Ministers  and  Licentiates,"  1885- 
1896,  but  restored  to  proper  form,  1897,  687.  Lists  were  made  at  close 
of  the   Revolution,    1784,    112-114;    again,   in    1800,   313-316;    and   in    1829, 


I04         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

215-224.     For   complete   lists,   alphabetical   and   chronological,    see   4th   ed. 
of  Manual. 

Catalogues  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  A  General  Triennial 
Catalogue  was  printed  from  1839- 1854,  giving  P.  O.  addresses  of  the  liv- 
ing graduates,  but  the  names  extended  back  only  to  1812,  the  date  of  first 
class  graduating  in  New  Brunswick.  (See  Centennial  of  N.  B.  Seminary, 
1884,  pp.  479-480.)  The  annual  catalogues  began  to  be  published  about 
1857.  The  first  and  third  editions  of  Corwin's  Manuals,  give  the  complete 
list  of  graduates  from  1784.  Another  list,  in  Centennial  of  N.  B.  Semi- 
aiary,  1885.     A  list  down  to  1902,  in  Manual,  pp.  1048-1071. 

Catechetical  Instruction.  In  the  Form  of  Call,  ministers  promise 
especially  to  edify  the  youth  by  catechetical  instructions,  Constitution  of 
1874,  Art.  53 ;  and  once  a  year  he  is  asked  whether  the  catechising  of  the 
children  and  the  instruction  of  the  youth  are  faithfully  attended  to;  Con- 
stit.  of  1874,  Art.  64;  and  in  the  Form  for  Infant  Baptism,  parents  promise 
to  instruct  their  children  in  Christian  doctrine. — In  the  Constitution  of 
1619,  Consistories  were  to  provide  school-masters  who  should  instruct 
the  children  in  the  Catechism  and  in  the  first  principles  of  religion,  1619, 
Arts.  21,  54.  The  difficulty  of  carrying  out  these  measures  in  America, 
as  alluded  to,  in  the  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  56;  and  hence  the  special  duty 
of  the  officers  of  the  Church  to  do  this,  1792,  61. 

The  Synods  of  Wesel,  1568,  and  of  Embden,  1570,  prepared  rules  for 
the  instruction  of  children  in  Christian  truth,  and  these  were  amended 
at  the  Synod  of  Dort,  at  its  i8th  session,  Nov.  30,  1618,  and  are  so  ex- 
cellent and  suggestive  that  they  are  worth  preserving: 

Rules  Adopted  by  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618. 
In  order  that  the  Christian  youth  may  be  diligently  instructed  in  the 
principles  of  religion,  and  be  trained  in  piety,  three  modes  of  catechizing 
■should  be  employed :  I.  In  the  houses,  by  the  parents.  II.  In  the  schools, 
^by  school-masters.  III.  In  the  churches,  by  ministers,  elders,  and  cat- 
•echizers,  those  specially  appointed  for  the  purpose.  That  these  may  dili- 
;gently  discharge  their  trust,  the  Christian  magistrates  shall  be  requested 
to  promote  by  their  authority  so  sacred  and  necessary  a  work,  and  all 
who  have  the  oversight  and  visitation  of  the  churches  and  schools  shall 
be  required  to  pay  special  attention  to  this  matter. 

1.  The  office  of  parents  is  diligently  to  instruct  their  children  and 
their  whole  household  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  in  a  man- 
ner adapted  to  their  respective  capacities ;  earnestly  and  carefully  to  ad- 
monish them  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fear  of  God  and  true  piety;  to  en- 
gage their  punctual  attendance  on  family  worship,  and  take  them  also  to 
the  hearing  of  the  Word  of  God.  They  should  require  their  children  to 
give  an  account  of  the  sermons  they  hear,  especially  those  on  the  Catech- 
ism ;  assign  them  some  chapters  of  Scripture  to  read,  and  certain  passages 
to  commit  to  memory,  and  then  impress  and  illustrate  the  truths  con- 
tained in  them  in  a  familiar  manner  adapted  to  the  tenderness  of  youth. 
Thus  they  are  to  prepare  them  for  the  catechizing  in  the  schools,  and  by 
their  attendance  on  these  to  encourage  them  and  promote  their  edifica- 
tion. Parents  are  to  be  exhorted  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  this  duty, 
not  only  by  the  public  preaching  of  the  Word,  but  specially  at  the  ordinary 
period  of  family  visitation  previous  to  the  administration  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  and  also  at  other  proper  times  by  the  minister,  elders,  etc. 
Parents  who  profess  religion,  and  are  found  negligent  in  this  work,  shall 
he  faithfully  admonished  by  their  ministers,  and,  if  the  case  requires  it, 
shall  be  censured  by  the  Consistory,  in  order  that  they  may  be  brought 
to  a  discharge  of  their  duty. 

2.  Schools,  in  which  the  young  shall  be  properly  instructed  in  the 
principles  of  Christian  doctrine,  shall  be  instituted,  not  only  in  cities,  but 
also  in  towns  and  country-places,  where  heretofore  none  have  existed. 
The  Christian  magistracy  shall  be  requested  to  provide  the  schoolmasters 


CATECHETICAL  INSTRUCTION  105 

with  suitable  salaries,  that  well-qualilied  persons  may  be  employed,  and 
be  enabled  to  devote  themselves  to  the  service,  and  especially  that  the 
children  of  the  poor  may  be  gratuitously  instructed,  and  not  be  excluded 
from  the  benefit  of  the  schools.  In  this  office  none  shall  be  employed  but 
such  as  are  members  of  the  Reformed  Church,  bearing  certificates  of  an 
upright  faith  and  pious  life,  and  of  being  well  versed  in  the  truths  of 
the  Catechism.  He  is  to  sign  a  document  professing  his  belief  in  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Heidelberg  Catechism,  and  promising  that  he  will 
give  catechetical  instruction  to  the  young  in  the  principles  of  Christian 
truth  according  to  the  same.  The  schoolmasters  shall  instruct  their 
scholars,  according  to  their  age  and  capacity,  at  least  two  days  in  the 
week,  not  only  by  causing  them  to  commit  to  memory,  but  by  instilling 
into  their  minds  an  acquaintance  with  the  truths  of  the  Catechism.  For 
this  end,  three  forms  of  the  Catechism,  adapted  to  the  three-fold  circum- 
stances and  ages  of  the  young,  shall  be  used.  The  first  shall  be  for  the 
young  children,  comprising  the  Articles  of  Faith,  or  Creed,  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments, the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Institution  of  the  Sacraments,  and 
Church  Discipline,  with  some  short  prayers  and  plain  questions  adapted 
to  the  three  parts  of  the  Catechism.  The  second  shall  be  a  short  com- 
pendium of  the  Catechism  of  the  Palatinate  (or  Heidelberg)  used  in  our 
churches,  in  which  those  who  are  somewhat  more  advanced  than  the  for- 
mer shall  be  instructed.  The  third  shall  be  the  Catechism  of  the  Pala- 
tinate (or  Heidelberg)  adopted  by  our  churches  for  the  youth  still  more 
advanced  in  years  and  knowledge.  The  Walloon  churches  of  the  Nether- 
lands, who  have  long  been  accustomed  to  the  use  of  the  Geneva  Catechism, 
may  still  continue  them  in  their  schools  and  churches,  but  the  schoolmas- 
ters shall  not  employ  any  other  formularies  than  these  in  their  schools. 
The  magistrates  shall  be  requested  to  exclude  from  the  schools  all  Popish 
Catechisms,  and  all  other  books  which  contain  errors  and  impurities.  The 
schoolmasters  shall  take  care  that  the  scholars  not  only  commit  these 
Catechisms  to  memory,  but  that  they  suitably  understand  the  doctrines 
contained  in  them.  For  this  purpose  they  shall  clearly  explain  to  every  one, 
in  a  manner  adapted  to  his  capacity,  the  topics,  and  diligently  and  fre- 
quently inquire  if  they  understand  them.  The  schoolmasters  shall  bring 
each  one  of  the  pupils  committed  to  their  charge  to  the  hearing  of  the 
preached  Word,  and  particularly  the  preaching  on  the  Catechism,  and 
require  from  them  an  account  of  the  same. 

3.  In  order  that  due  knowledge  may  be  obtained  of  the  diligence 
of  the  schoolmasters  and  the  improvement  of  the  youth,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  ministers,  together  with  an  elder,  and  (if  necessary)  also  one 
of  the  magistrates,  to  visit  all  the  schools,  private  as  well  as  public,  fre- 
quently, in  order  to  excite  the  teachers  to  earnest  diligence,  to  encourage 
and  counsel  them  in  the  manner  of  catechizing,  and  to  furnish  an  exam- 
ple by  questioning  them,  addressing  them  in  a  friendly  and  affectionate 
manner,  kindly  commending  the  deserving  to  some  small  rewards,  and 
exciting  them  to  early  piety  and  diligence.  If  any  of  the  schoolmasters 
should  be  found  neglectful  or  perverse,  they  shall  be  earnestly  admonished 
by  the  miinsters,  and  if  necessary  by  the  Consistory,  in  relation  to  their 
office.  If  these  exhortations  produce  no  effect,  the  magistrates  shall  be 
requested  to  exercise  their  authority  in  leading  them  to  the  discharge 
of  their  duty,  or  to  appoint  others  more  qualified  and  faithful  in  their 
places.  The  ministers,  in  the  discharge  of  their  public  duty  in  the  church, 
shall  preach  on  the  Catechism.  These  sermons  shall  be  comparatively 
short,  and  accommodated  as  far  as  practicable  to  the  comprehension  of 
children  as  well  as  adults.  The  labors  of  those  ministers  will  be  praise- 
worthy who  diligently  search  out  the  wants  of  country-places,  and  see 
that  catechetical  instruction  be  supplied  and  faithfully  preserved.  Expe- 
rience teaches  that  the  ordinary  instruction  in  the  church,  catechetical  and 
other,  is  not  sufficient  for  many  to  instill  that  knowledge  of  the  Christian 
religion  which  should  among  the  people  of  God  be  well  grounded;   and 


io6         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

also  testifies  that  the  living  voice  has  very  great  influence,  and  that  familiar 
and  suitable  questions  and  answers,  adapted  to  the  comprehension  of  each 
individual,  is  the  best  mode  of  catechizing  in  order  to  impress  the  prin- 
ciples of  religion  upon  the  heart.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  ministers 
to  go  with  an  elder  to  all  capable  of  instruction,  and  collect  them  either 
in  their  houses,  the  Consistory-chamber,  or  some  other  suitable  place,  (a 
number,  particularly,  of  those  more  advanced  in  years,)  and  explain 
familiarly  to  them  the  articles  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  catechize  them 
according  to  the  circumstances  of  their  differing  capacity,  progress,  and 
knowledge.  They  shall  question  them  as  to  the  matter  of  the  public 
sermons  on  the  Catechism,  that  every  one  may  attain  a  clear  and  compre- 
hensive knowledge  of  the  Catechism.  Those  who  desire  to  unite  with  the 
church  shall,  for  three  or  four  weeks  before  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  be  frequently  and  more  carefully  instructed,  that  they  may 
be  better  qualified,  and  more  free  to  give  a  satisfactory  account  of  their 
faith.  The  ministers  shall  employ  diligent  care  to  ascertain  those  who  give 
any  hopeful  evidence  of  serious  concern  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls, 
and  invite  them  to  them,  assembling  together  those  with  like  impressions, 
and  encouraging  them  to  friendly  intercourse  and  free  conversation  with 
each  other.  These  meetings  shall  commence  and  close  with  prayer  and 
appropriate  exhortation.  If  all  this  shall  be  done  by  the  ministers  with 
that  cordiality,  watchfulness,  faithfulness,  zeal,  and  discretion  that  be- 
come those  who  must  give  an  account  of  the  flock  committed  to  their 
care,  it  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  in  a  short  time  abundant  fruit  of  their 
labors  shall  be  found  in  growth  in  religious  knowledge  and  holiness  of 
life,  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  prosperity  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

[Other  translations  of  this  action  may  be  found  in  Rev.  Dr.  J.  F. 
Berg's  translation  of  Von  Alpen's  History  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism, 
pp.  140-3 ;  in  Dunshee's  Hist,  of  the  School  of  the  New  York  Collegiate 
Church,  ist  ed.  pp.  10-14;  2nd  ed.  pp.  3,  4.  Extracts  may  also  be  seen  in 
Mints,  of  Gen.  Synod,  1809,  pp.  25-30;  or  in  edition  of  1S59,  Vol  i.  of 
Mints,  of  Gen.  Synod,  396-8;  and  in  Digest  of  1814,  pp.  79-83..*] 

In  the  Rules  of  the  Coetus,  the  President  was  directed  to  ask  whether 
the  catechising  of  the  children  was  attended  to,  1748,  20.  This  same  year, 
on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  books  in  America,  Rev.  Theodore  Freling- 
huysen,  of  Albany,  published  a  small  Catechism,  which  soon  went  to  a 
second  edition.  See  his  name,  in  Manual,  470-2.  In  1763,  Rev.  Lambertus 
DeRonde  published  an  Abstract  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  in  Eng- 
lish, especially  for  youth.  See  his  name,  in  manual.  Rev.  Archibald 
Laidlie  was  requested  to  revise  the  English  of  DeRonde's  Catechism  in 
1794.  A  Dutch  edition  of  the  Hellenbroek  Catechism  was  published  in 
New  Brunswick  as  late  as  1790,  by  Abraham  Blauvelt,  a  copy  of  which 
now  lies  before  me.  In  1765,  the  Collegiate  Church  of  New  York  issued 
an  edition  of  500  copies  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  in  English;  and  the 
following  year,  an  edition  of  1800  copies,  containing  also  the  Psalter 
and  Liturgy,  in  English.  See  Ecc.  Documents  of  New  York,  Vol.  6,. 
under  dates,  for  documents. 

The  Rev.  Delegates  of  the  Rev.  Particular  Ecclesiastical  Body  of  New- 
Brunswick  had  in  charge  to  bring  to  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body  the  con- 
sideration whether,  in  view  of  the  great  want  of  catechising  books,  this 
Rev.  Body  should,  or  would  not,  recommend  to  the  respective  Rev. 
Particular' Bodies  the  reprinting  and  translating  of  the  Catechism  of  Abr. 
Hellenbroek,  with  the  request  that  a  timely  report  of  the  number  of  copies 
desired  be  pleased  to  be  made  to  Dr.  Leydt.  The  Rev.  Body,  having 
taken  this  proposition  into  consideration,  conclude  that,  since  the  various 
congregations  have  in  use  various  Catechisms,  different  from  that  of 
Abr.  Hellenbroek,  and  there  is  little  hope  of  obtaining  uniformity  in 
this  respect,  such  recommendation,  in  their  judgment,  would  be  of  little 
advantage.     1 781,  92. 


CATECHETICAL  INSTRUCTION  107 

But  a  translation  of  Hellenbroek's  Catechism  was  soon  afterward 
made  by  a  certain  Peter  Lowe,  and  published  in  New  Brunswick,  in  a 
first  edition,  and  frequently  afterward ;  and  was  extensively  used  in  R. 
D.  C.  down  to  within  recent  times. 

The  Synod  also  now  began  to  take  action  to  print  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  in  English,  as  appears  from  the  following : 

Whether  it  would  not  be  good,  in  order  to  correct  the  neglect  in 
the  schools,  to  have  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  and  Compendium,  with 
some  questions  and  answers,  by  way  of  illustration  upon  the  latter,  printed 
in  English,  to  be  used  in  schools  as  a  text-book  for  children,  that  from 
their  youth  they  may  be  instructed  in  Divine  truth. 

This  Rev.  Body  give  their  full  assent  and  approbation  to  this  salu- 
tary purpose,  and  leave  the  execution  of  it  to  the  Particular  Body  of 
Hackensack,  in  accordance  with  the  plan  they  propose.     1782,  98. 

The  subject  of  catechetical  instruction  was  still  further  elaborated  in 
the  Constitutions  of  1792,  1833,  1874,  as  indicated  above. 

While  appreciating  the  value  of  "Bible  Questions,"  the  Synod  rec- 
ommended the  introduction  of  the  standard  Catechisms  of  the  Church 
into  the  Sunday  Schools  provided  it  interfere  not  with  the  weekly  catech- 
etical instruction  of  the  pastor,  1830,  278. 

The  passing  allusions  to  Catechetical  Instruction  in  the  Minutes  of 
Gen.  Synod  are  very  numerous.  We  can  only  refer  to  some  of  the  more 
important : 

Whereas,  it  appears  from  the  statistical  tables  of  the  different  Classes, 
that  catechetical  instruction  is  greatly  neglected  in  certain  sections  of 
the  Church,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  different  Classes  be  directed  to  give  their  special 
attention  to  this  subject,  so  that,  as  far  as  possible,  the  youth  in  all  our 
congregations  may  enjoy  the  benefit  of  pastoral  catechetical  instruction, 
according  to  the  provisions  of  the  standards  of  our  Church.     1837,  59,  60. 

In  1841,  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  requested  Synod  to  have  prepared 
a  Catechism  and  a  System  of  Bible  Questions.  See  the  elaborated  state- 
ment. Design  to  be,  to  illustrate  the  Heidelberg  and  the  Compendium, 
as  Fisher  had  done  for  the  Westminster,  etc.,  etc.  Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  Romeyn 
was  requested  to  prepare  it.  1841,  491-3.  Never  done. — In  1844.  Rev. 
Dr.  Samuel  R.  Fisher  of  the  German  Church  presented  to  Synod  a  copy 
of  his  "Exercises  on  the  Heidelberg  Catechism."  Examined  and  endorsed. 
1844,  294,  354-5. 

Resolved,  That  we  solemnly  enjoin  it  on  the  pastors  and  consistories 
of  our  churches,  at  once  to  revive  the  regular  catechetical  instruction 
of  the  children  under  their  care, — as  every  pastor  faithfully  engages  to 
do  in  the  express  terms  of  his  call,  and  as,  by  the  constitution  of  our 
Church,  he  is  required  to  do.     1853,  363-4. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  Church  and  ministry  be  called 
to  the  catechetical  instruction  of  the  children  and  youth,  and  that  the 
Classes  and  Consistories,  in  their  proper  spheres,  be  enjoined  to  provide 
that  all  the  youth  in  their  churches  be  instructed  in  the  Catechism  at  least 
one  in  each  month. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Pastors  and  Classes  be  enjoined  to  comply 
strictly  with  Chap.  2,  Art.  2,  Sec.  13  of  the  Constitution. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Particular  Synod  be  directed  to  send  up  to 
General  Synod  a  transcript  of  the  Classical  records  in  regard  to  the  an- 
swers to  the  second  and  third  Constitutional  questions  proposed  at  the 
spring  session  of  each  Classis.     1854,  417,  420. 

Whereas,  In  order  to  preserve  the  truth  and  promote  the  prosperity 
of  the  Church,  it  is  of  the  highest  importance  that  the  children  should 
be  trained  in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  sound  doctrine,  and  that  the 
catechism  should  regularly  be  explained  in  our  churches ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  earnestly  calls  upon  the  Consisto- 


io8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ries  under  its  care  to  see  that  the  catechetical  instruction  of  the  children 
is  faithfully  attended  to,  not  only  by  pastors  and  teachers,  but  also  that 
parents  be  continually  reminded  of  the  obligations  resting  upon  them  to 
instruct  and  bring  up  their  children  in  the  doctrines  taught  in  our 
Church  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  in  accordance  with  the  covenant 
which  they  solemnly  made  with  God  and  His  Church,  when  they  pre- 
sented their  children  for  baptism. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  Consistories,  Classes,  and  Par- 
ticular Synods  be  directed  to  Article  II.,  Section  13,  of  the  Constitution, 
[of  1833]  which  requires  every  minister,  within  certain  periods  of  time, 
regularly  to  explain  the  system  of  Christian  doctrine  comprehended  in 
the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  and  which  also  directs  censure  to  be  inflicted, 
in  case  any  minister  should  fail  to  comply  therewith,  without  sufficient 
reason.     1865,  618. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  earnestly  calls  upon  the  consisto- 
ries under  its  care  to  see  that  the  catechetical  instruction  of  the  children 
is  faithfully  attended  to,  not  only  by  the  pastors  and  teachers,  but  also 
that  parents  be  continually  reminded  of  the  obligations  resting  upon  them 
to  instruct  and  bring  up  their  children  in  the  doctrines  taught  in  our 
Church  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  in  accordance  with  the  covenant 
which  they  solemnly  made  with  God  and  his  Church,  w^hen  they  presented 
their  children  for  baptism.     1881. 

In  1900,  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church  suggested  the 
following : 

Resolved,  Tha't  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  an  address  to 
all  the  pastors  of  our  church,  urging  upon  them  the  vital  importance 
of  carefully  observing  the  Constitutional  requirement  as  to  the  direct 
instruction  of  the  young  in  Christian  Doctrine  by  pastors  themselves. 
1900,  829. 

Special  Committee  to  Prepare  an  address  to  pastors,  Resolution  3, 
under  Spiritual  Life  and  Growth  ;  Revs.  Joachim  Elmendorf,  E.  C.  Og- 
gel,  J.  H.  Karsten,  John  G.  Fagg,  Herman  Van  Derwart.  .  Elders  Joel 
W.  Brown  and  G.  J.  Kollen.     1900,  845. 

See  said  Address,  1901,  1084-1091. 

Catechetical  Manuals.  A  Committee  of  seven  appointed  to  consider 
the  feasibility  of  preparing  a  "Uniform  and  Graded  Series  of  Catechetical 
Manuals."  Committee:  Revs.  C.  Brett,  A.  D.  W.  Mason,  A.  Vennema, 
G.  G.  Seibert,  J.  F.  Zwemer,  G  H.  Hospers,  J.  P.  Winter;  1902,  iii,  112. 

Report :  Nothing  accomplished,  because  of  distance  of  members  from 
each  other;  but  reference  was  made  to  'Hosper's  Questions  and  Answers 
on  Sacred  History"  ;  and  "Zwemer's  Catechism"  in  Dutch,  for  little  chil- 
dren. Committee' continued.  1903,  382-3.— See  Catechetical  Instruction; 
Manual  of  Instruction  Adapted  to  the  Young. 

Catechetical  Preaching.     See  Heidelberg  Catechism. 

Catechetics.     One  of  the  divisions  of  Practical  Theology.     1888,  544. 

Catechisms.  See  Lasco's ;  Micron's;  Heidelberg;  Compendium;  Hel- 
lenbroek;  Westminster;  Geneva;  Palatine;  Brown's;  Fisher's;  Schaflf's ; 
Zwemer's;  First  Lessons  in  Christian  Truth.— Only  the  Heidelberg,  the 
Compendium,  and  the  Westminster,  have  been  formally  approved  by  Gen- 
eral Synod.     See  Constit.  1874,  Art.  81. 

Catechumens.  Defined  as  "such  as  are  regularly  instructed  in  the 
Catechisms  of  the  Church,"  1866,  80;  repeated,  '83,  305. 

Catholic  Christian  Church.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  27-29;  Heid.  Cat, 
Quests.  23,  54. 

Catholic  Christian  Faith.  Compendium,  Quest.  20;  referring  to 
Apostles'  Creed. 


CATHOLIC  CHURCH  109 

Catholic  Church.  See  Roman  Catholic  Church;  Holy  Catholic 
Church. 

Catholic  Faith.     Phrase  used  in  Athanasian  Creed. 

Catholic  Undoubted  Christian  Faith.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  22,  refer- 
ring to  Apostles'  Creed.     Used  also  in  Form  for  Lord's  Supper. 

Catskill  Church  Faculty  Fund.  A  Fund  of  $5,000  for  Administra- 
tion, Lectures,  etc.,  1904,  608,  633. 

Cayuga,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1826,  46.  Consisting  of  churches 
of  Ovid,  Sand  Beach,  Owasco,  Six  Mile  Creek,  Cato,  Lysander,  Chittenan- 
go. — Consolidated  with  Classis  of  Montgomery,  1889. 

Cedar  Grove  Academy.     See  Wisconsin  Memorial  Academy. 

Censura  Morum.  At  the  close  of  all  ecclesiastical  meetings  a  Cen- 
sura  Morum  was  to  be  held,  to  censure  any  member  who  had  been  guilty 
of  improper  conduct.  Constit.  1619,  Art.  43.  References  to;  1750,  49  5 
1752,  74;  1786,  152.  This  Article  was  not  incorporated  in  American  Con- 
stitutions.    See  Grievances. 

Censure.  Delegates  who  repeatedly  fail  to  attend  judicatories  to 
which  they  are  appointed  may  be  censured.  Constit.  1792,  Art.  15.  Mem- 
bers leaving  without  excuse  to  be  cited  at  next  meeting  to  defend  them- 
selves. 1794,  259;  1800,  276,  287,  297;  1815,  36.  See  Absentees;  Disci- 
pline.. 

Centennial  Digest.     See  Digest,  under  1893,  748,  750. 

Centennial  Discourses. 

Whereas,  The  One  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  American  Independ- 
ence is  approaching,  which  the  nation  expects  appropriately  to  celebrate, 
not  only  by  exhibitions  of  national  progress,  but  by  carefully  written  his- 
tories of  every  department  of  national  growth  and 

Whereas,  It  is  important  that  the  Church  of  Christ  should  carefully 
exhibit  her  progress  in  the  various  aspects  of  her  work,  for  the  first  cen- 
tury of  the  nation's  history ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  by  this  Synod  to  prepare 
carefully  a  full  history  of  every  department  of  Christian  work  in  which 
the  Reformed  Church  has  been  engaged. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  A.  P.  Van  Gieson.  D.  D.  Demarest,  and  E.  T. 
Cor  win  be  the  committee  called  for.     1873,  751. 

This  committee  was  never  called  together. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  consider  and  report 
what  measures,  if  any,  should  be  taken  by  this  body,  for  a  proper  observ- 
ance of  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  the  nation  next  year. 

The  following  were  appointed : 

Revs.  T.  W.  Chambers,  J.  F.  Mesick  and  R.  B.  Welch.  Elders,  Theo- 
dore F.  Cornell  and  William  Robb. 

The  Committee  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  accepted 
and  adopted : 

The  Committee  appointed  in  reference  to  the  Centennial  Anniversary 
of  American  Independence,  beg  leave  to  report  as  follows : 

The  interest  and  importance  of  this  occasion  are  of  such  magnitude, 
that  it  seems  proper  that  the  people  should  observe  it  in  every  possible 
way,  and  especially  in  such  religious  exercises  as  will  distinctly  recog- 
nize the  Divine  Hand  in  the  origin  and  progress  of  our  nation,  and  ex- 
press and  intensify  the  gratitude  due  to  the  God  of  our  fathers. 

We  recommend,  therefore, 

I.  That  the  first  Lord's  day  in  July,  1876,  be  set  apart  as  a  day  of 
thanksgiving  and  praise  for  our  national  mercies ;  and  that  the  pastor  of 
each  Church  deliver  a  discourse  on  the  religious  aspects  of  American 
liberty,  as  illustrated  in  the  history  of  our  denomination.     If  the  circum- 


no         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

stances  of  any  portion  of  the  Church  render  an  earHer  day  in  the  year 
desirable,  the  third  Lord's  day  in  April  is  the  one  recommended. 

2.  That  an  opportunity  be  then  afforded  for  every  member  of  the 
congregation  to  make  a  thank  offering  to  the  Lord.  The  sums  thus  con- 
tributed shall  be  called  the  Centennial  Seminary  Fund,  to  be  securely 
invested  by  the  Board  of  Direction,  and  the  interest  applied  to  meet  all 
the  contingent  expenses,  of  whatever  kind,  connected  with  our  theological 
schools — to  be  apportioned  as  the  Synod  for  the  time  shall  direct. 

3.  That  Rev.  jMessrs.  A.  R.  Thompson,  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  J.  McC. 
Holmes,  T.  W.  Chambers,  R.  W.  Clark  and  Charles  Scott,  and  the  Elders 
F.  T  Frelinghuysen  and  John  A.  Lott,  be  a  Committee  empowered  to 
prepare,  or  to  have  prepared  by  such  other  sons  of  the  Church  as  they 
may  call  to  their  aid,  a  series  of  discourses  on  the  following  and  other 
appropriate  topics  : 

The  points  of  similarity  between  the  struggle  for  independence  here 
and  that  of  our  Holland  ancestors. 

The  character  and  development  of  our  Church  in  the  colonial  period. 

The  posture  of  its  ministers  and  elders  during  the  Revolution. 

The  resemblance  of  its  polity  to  that  of  our  country. 

Its  type  of  doctrine,  as  represented  by  the  symbols  of  Heidelberg  and 
Dordrecht. 

Its  peculiar  history  in  relation  to  theological  education. 

Its  heditary  interest  in  all  forms  of  popular  education. 

Its  liturgical  features  and  spirit. 

Its  missionary  work,  at  home  and  abroad. 

Its  influence  in  preserving  soundness  of  doctrine. 

Its  immovable  attachment  to  its  own  heir-looms  of  faith  and  order, 
combined  with  the  most  catholic  spirit  toward  all  other  Christians. 

Its  duty  in  the  coming  century,  as  foreshown  by  its  course  in  the  last 
hundred  years. 

4.  That  these  discourses  be  delivered  and  repeated  as  often  as  con- 
venient in  various  parts  of  the  Church,  and  that  the  next  General  Synod 
be  requested  to  take  order  for  their  publication.     1875,  355-6. 

1876. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  on  the  subject 
of  Centennial  discourses  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  ac- 
cepted and  adopted. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  to  arrange  a 
series  of  Centennial  discourses  respectfully  report,  that  they  have  per- 
formed the  duty  to  which  they  were  called.  It  was  a  difficult  and  delicate 
matter  to  choose  the  person  best  fitted  by  position,  character,  and  asso- 
ciation for  treating  the  topics  assigned ;  and  the  Committee  are  by  no 
means  sure  that  they  did  not  make  some  mistakes.  Yet,  using  their  best 
judgment,  they  made  out  the  list,  a  copy  of  which  is  appended  to  this 
report.  They  believe  that  with  one  exception  every  preacher  has  deliv- 
ered his  discourse  at  least  once,  and  most  of  them  several  times,  and  so  far 
as  we  can  learn,  to  general  acceptance. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

T.  W.  CHAMBERS,  Chairman. 

CENTENNIAL  DISCOURSES.— R.  C.  A. 

I.  The  Relations  of  Religion  to  Civil  Liberty:  Rev.  R.  W.  Clark, 
D.D.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

II.  The  points  of  similarity  between  the  Struggle  for  Independence 
here  and  that  of  our  Holland  Ancestors:  Rev.  A.  R.  Thompson,  D.D., 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

III.  The  Character  and  Development  of  our  Church  in  the  Colonial 
Period:     Rev.  E.  T  Corwin,  D.D.,  Millstone,  N.  J. 


CENTENNIAL  ENDOWMENT  FUND  iii 

IV.  The  Posture  of  its  Ministers  and  People  during  the  Revolution  : 
Rev.  J.  A.  Todd,  D.D.,  Tarrytown,  N.  Y. 

V.  The  Huguenot  Element  among  the  Dutch :  Rev.  A.  G.  Ver- 
milye.  D.D.,  Schenectad}-,  N.  Y. 

VI.  The  Literature  of  the  Church  during  the  last  Hundred  Years  : 
Rev.  E.  S.  Porter,  D.D.,  Brooklyn,  X.  Y. 

VII.  The  Lessons  of  the  Century  to  the  Laity:  Rev.  J.  McClellan 
Holmes,  D.D.,  Hudson.  X.  Y. 

VIII.  The  peculiar  History  of  the  Church  in  relation  to  Theological 
Education :     Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.D.,  Xewark,  X.  J. 

IX.  Its  Hereditary  Interest  in  all  forms  of  Education,  Collegiate  and 
Common :     Prof.  R.  Bethune  Welch,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Schenectady,  X.  Y. 

X.  Its  Type  of  Doctrine  as  represented  by  the  Symbols  of  Heidel- 
berg and  Dordrecht :     Rev.  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  D.D.,  Poughkeepsie,  X.  Y. 

XL  Its  System  of  Catechetical  Instruction :  Rev.  W.  H.  Camp- 
bell, D.D.,  X'ew  Brunswick,  X"^.  J. 

XII.  Its  Influence  in  preserving  Soundness  of  Faith :  Rev.  T.  W. 
Chambers,  D.D.,  Xew  York. 

XIII.  Its  immovable  Attachment  to  its  own  Heirlooms  of  Faith 
and  Order :     Rev.  J.  B.  Thompson,  D.D.,  Catskill,  X.  Y. 

XIV.  Its  Catholic  Spirit  toward  all  other  Christians :  Rev.  Paul 
D.  Van  Cleef,  D.D.,  Jersey  City,  X.  J. 

XV.  The  Resemblance  of  its  Policv  to  that  of  our  own  Country : 
Rev.  W.  H.  Gleason,  Xewburgh.  X.  Y. 

XVI.  Its  Liturgical  Features  and  Spirit:  Rev.  D.  D.  Demarest, 
D.D.,  X'ew  Brunswick,  X'.  J. 

XVII.  The  Bearing  of  the  Peculiarities  of  our  Church  upon  Char- 
acter and  Citizenship  :     Rev.  C  H.  Edgar.  D.D..  Easton,  Pa. 

XVIII.  Its  Missionarv  Work  at  Home:  Prof.  Charles  Scott,  D.D., 
Holland,  Mich. 

XIX.  Its  Missionary  Work  Abroad:  Rev.  W.  Rankin  Duryee,  Jer- 
sey City,  X".  J. 

XX.  Its  Duty  in  the  Future  as  foreshown  by  its  course  in  the  Past : 
Rev.  James  Demarest,  Jr.,  Kingston,  X^.  Y. 

XXI.  The  Adaptations  of  the  Church  to  the  American  Character : 
Rev.  T.  B.  Romeyn,  D.D.,  Hackensack,  X.  J. 

XXII.  The  Importance  of  Cherishing  a  Historic  Spirit :  Rev.  C  D. 
Hartranft,  D.D.,  Xew  Brunswick,  X.  J. 

Resolved,  That  the  report  be  accepted  and  the  Committee  discharged. 

A  Committee  consisting  of  Revs.  T.  W.  Chambers,  E.  T.  Corwin, 
and  Elder  James  Anderson,  was  appointed  to  procure  the  printing  and 
publishing  of  these  discourses  if  found  practicable.     1876,  551-3. 

Reports  on  the  completion  of  the  volume,  1877,  733-4 ;  1878,  146. 

Cextexnial  Endowmext  Fuxd.  Owing  to  a  considerable  "Deficit" 
which  had  been  accumulating  for  several  years,  (see  Permanent  Semi- 
nary Fund  Deficit),  in  1881,  the  Synod  took  the  following  action: 

That  a  Committee  of  Xine  be  appointed,  to  be  called  "The  Commit- 
tee on  Centennial  Endowment."'  to  procure  contributions  to  cancel  the 
"Permanent  Seminary  Fund  Deficit,"  and  also  to  increase  said  Permanent 
Seminary  Fund,  that  it  may  furnish  sufficient  income  for  the  compensa- 
tion of  the  Professors ;  and  that  this  be  accomplished  before  the  Centen- 
nial of  the  Seminary,  in  1884;  1881,  755,  761.  Xo  report,  '82,  135;  urged 
to  action.  183,  329;  another  Committee  appointed,  '84,  520,  532;  no  suc- 
cess; $50,000  needed;  Committee  discharged,  and  Bd.  of  Direction  author- 
ized to  employ  a  Financial  Agent  to  try  to  raise  said  sum.  1885,  732-3. 
See  Permanent  Seminary  Fund. 

Cextexxial  Exposition,  1876.  All  Churches  insisted  on  its  being 
closed  on  the  Sabbath.     See  Sabbath  Observance,  under  dates. 


112         DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Centennial  Gifts.  This  title  refers  to  the  special  efforts  to  raise 
a  million  dollars  in  honor  of  the  first  century  of  American  Dutch  Church 
Independence,  1771-1871.  See  next  Article;  especially  1872,  404,  532,  536; 
'IZ,  619. 

Centennial  of  Independence  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America, 
1771-1871. 

Desiring  to  express  our  gratitude  to  God  for  the  preservation  of  our 
Church  on  this  Continent  for  a  period  of  [nearly]  250  years,  and  to  cele- 
brate the  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  Convention  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
of  our  Church,  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  1771,  from  which  we 
date  the  origin  of  the  General  Synod:    (?) 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five  Ministers  and  five  Elders  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  chair,  to  report  some  suitable  plan  for  memorial  services 
and  contributions  in  which  the  entire  denomination  may  participate.  The 
following  were  appointed:  Rev.  E.  S.  Porter,  John  Forsyth,  N.  D.  Wil- 
liamson, A.  G.  Vermilye,  J.  Howard  Suydam.  Elders  Pruyn,  S.  B.  Schief- 
felin,  D.  S.  Jones,  J.  Hasbrouck,  John  Van  Horn.     1871,  340-1. 

The  Committee  on  the  Centennial  presented  the  following  report, 
which  was  accepted  and  adopted : 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Centennial  of  the  General  Synod,  (?) 
respectfully  reports  as  follows  : 

Your  Committee  believe,  that  gratitude  for  her  past  history  and  hope 
for  her  future  career,  ought  to  incite  the  Reformed  Church  in  this  coun- 
try to  make  signal  proof  of  her  increasing  zeal,  in  furthering  the  good 
and  great  work  entrusted  to  her  care. 

Foremost  among  the  Historical  Churches  of  the  Continent  of  Europe 
in  sufferings,  she  was  there  distinguished  also  as  the  Pioneer  of  Civil 
and  Religious  Liberty,  and  as  the  result  of  her  patient  and  heroic  tri- 
umphs, the  Netherlands  erected  into  a  Republic,  became  a  refuge  for 
the  oppressed,  and  the  steadfast  protector  of  that  Catholic  communion, 
which  restored  worship,  doctrine  and  practice  to  apostolic  purity  and 
simplicity. 

Not  content  with  labors  within  her  national  territory,  the  Reformed 
Church  in  Holland  early  sought  and  secured  the  holding  of  a  general  rep- 
resentative assembly,  wherein  the  symbols  of  an  oecumenical  faith,  based 
on  the  Apostles'  Creed,  were  formerly  adopted.  These  s^^mbols  connected 
the  Church,  by  a  true  order  of  succession,  with  the  apostolic  age,  and  laid 
her  foundations  as  broad  as  the  life  of  Catholic  evangelical  piety. 

Divested  from  her  beginning  of  every  trace  of  sect  or  schism,  the 
Reformed  Church  of  Holland  maintained  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  in  her 
intercourse  and  correspondence  with  other  branches,  and  thus  exempli- 
fied in  practice  the  true  theory  of  the  union  of  different  denominations, 
under  the  Supreme  Pleadship  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  formularies  of  the  Reformed  Church  were  adopted  nearly  one 
hundred  years  before  the  Assembly  of  Westminster  divines  had  been  con- 
vened, and  from  the  date  of  their  adoption,  1564,  until  now,  they  have 
been  accepted  everywhere  and  at  all  times,  as  embodying  the  faith  of  the 
whole  body  of  the  Reformed,  wherever  found  or  however  designated. 

Planted  on  these  shores,  with  the  first  immigrants  from  Holland,  the 
Reformed  Church,  through  a  period  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  (and 
therefore  the  oldest  Protestant  Church  on  this  Continent),  has  occupied 
her  field  and  cultivated  it  according  to  her  ability,  growing  not  indeed 
so  rapidly  as  other  communions,  but  maintaining  with  fidelity,  both  her 
ground  of  occupancy,  and  her  standing  of  Christian  doctrine  and  duty. 

Circumstances  well  known,  for  a  long  while  limited  her  plans  and 
impeded  her  progress,  but  like  the  oak  that  toughens  its  fibres  in  win- 
ter's cold,  and  braves  unharmed  the  shock  of  summer's  storms,  she  has 
sent  her  roots  downward,  and  spread  her  branches  heavenward,  for  on 
her   have   descended   blessings,   better    than    the   dew   of    Hermon.   or   the 


CENTENNIAL   OF  INDEPENDENCE  113 

sunshine,  that  once  embathed  the  stately  palms  of  Elim.  The  Spirit  of 
the  Highest  has  strengthened  her,  and  made  her  a  beauty  and  a  praise 
in  the  earth. 

It  must  however  be  seen  and  acknowledged,  that  the  progress  which 
the  Reformed  Church  has  been  able  to  make  hitherto,  has  taken  more 
the  shape  of  an  encouraging  promise,  than  of  satisfying  achievement. 
Within  the  last  twenty-five  years,  the  hopes  of  her  members  have  been 
stimulated  from  year  to  year  by  successes  at  home  and  abroad. 

At  length,  in  the  one  hundredth  year  of  her  present  synodical  or- 
ganization, (?)  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  finds  herself  confronted 
with  great  duties  and  large  opportunities.  Her  work  has  been  of  late 
so  highly  prospered,  that  it  commands  her  with  an  inspired  voice  to  "arise 
and  shine,  for  the  glory  of  the  Lord  hath  come''  upon  her  people  and  her 
sanctuaries. 

To  your  Committee  has  been  assigned  the  task  of  devising  and  com- 
mending some  worthy  plan,  whereby  our  entire  denomination  may  be 
enabled  to  share  in  the  grateful  work  of  fitly  celebrating  wMth  hearty 
praise  and  generous  thank  offerings,  this  Centennial  year  of  its  ecclesias- 
tical history. 

Your  Committee  advise  that  this  General  Synod  adopt  measures  to 
raise  during  the  coming  year  one  million  of  dollars,  independent  of  the 
ordinary  contributions  to  Church  Boards,  as  a  Centennial  Fund  for  de- 
nominational uses  hereinafter  specified,  and  by  adoption  of  the  following 
methods. 

First.  That  this  Synod  set  apart  one  of  its  daily  sessions  for  special 
thanksgiving  and  praise  to  God  for  what  great  things  he  hath  done  for 
us  as  a  Church,  and  especially  for  crowning  many  of  our  undertakings 
with  liberal  favor. 

Second.  That  the  Synod  recommend  and  affectionately  enjoin  upon 
every  pastor  or  stated  supply  under  its  jurisdiction,  the  duty  of  preach- 
ing on  Sabbath,  Oct.  15th  next,  a  discourse  to  his  congregation  on  the 
present  condition,  prospects  and  encouragements  of  the  denomination. 

Third.  That  the  respective  Classes  be  advised  and  requested  to  make 
arrangements  at  their  next  semi-annual  session,  for  holding  wqthin  their 
bounds  one  or  more  conventions,  to  be  composed  of  the  Pastors,  Elders 
and  Deacons  of  each  Church,  together  with  as  many  of  the  people  of 
neighboring  congregations  as  may  be  assembled.  The  intent  of  these 
proposed  conventions  wil  be  understood  as  including  all  such  practical 
expositions  of  the  general  or  sf>ecial  work  of  the  Church,  claiming  the 
prayers  and  liberalities  of  its  friends. 

In  addition  to  these  particular  recommendations  touching  the  methods 
to  be  employed  for  calling  forth  the  grateful  hearts  of  the  people  of  our 
entire  communion,  your  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  General 
Synod  should  extend  a  wide  latitude  to  all  who  may  be  disposed  to  share 
in  this  general  memorial  movement,  and  invite  special  labors  for  whatever 
special  objects  may  come  within  its  scope. 

To  render  this  feature  of  the  plan  more  definite,  it  is  proposed  that 
in  computing  the  amount  of  the  Centennial  Fund,  all  monies  raised  for 
the  liquidation  of  debt  on  churches  or  denominational  institutions ;  all 
sums  contributed  for  the  erection  of  new  churches,  parsonages,  or  im- 
provements thereon;  all  special  gifts  to  Colleges.  Schools  or  Seminaries 
in  connection  with  our  denomination,  within  the  year,  intervening  between 
this  and  the  next  Synod,  be  reported  to  the  special  Committee  having  these 
matters  in  charge,  and  by  them  counted  as  a  proper  part  of  the  work  to 
be  done.  In  order,  however,  to  obtaiin  a  large  addition  to  the  force  of 
our  several  agencies  for  church  edification  and  extension,  it  is  needful 
that  a  strenuous,  concerted  and  cheerful  effort  be  made  to  secure  special 
donations  from  every  family,  and  if  it  be  possible  from  every  individual 
member  of  our   denomination.     The   special   rules   and   regulations   under 


114         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

which  this  effort  shall  be  prosecuted  may  be  safely  left  to  the  special  Com- 
mittee herein  after  named. 

Your  Committee  think  it  proper,  however,  to  suggest  that  the  monies 
raised  directly  and  expressly  for  this  proposed  Centennial  Fund,  should 
be  considered  as  pledged  to  church  extension,  and  that  they  be  applied 
in  the  absence  of  specific  direction,  to  the  large  increase  of  the  Church 
Building  Fund,  the  removal  of  existing  debt  from  our  several  Boards 
and  Theological  Schools,  the  sustentation  of  Disabled  Ministers,  and 
the  establishment  of  Security  Funds  for  the  Boards  of  the  Church  Mis- 
sions. 

To  carry  this  movement  through  to  a  successful  issue,  the  Church 
will  need  to  abound  in  prayer,  to  have  a  single  eye  to  its  grand  and  invit- 
ing work,  and  all  its  pastors,  teachers  and  members  may  be  implored  to 
see  eye  to  eye. 

To  supervise,  aid  and  counsel  this  movement  in  its  inception  and 
progress  to  its  close,  it  is  recommended  that  a  Committee  of  ten,  com- 
posed of  three  clergymen  and  seven  laymen  be  appointed  by  this  Synod, 
with  authority  to  employ  a  competent  Secretary  for  this  special  service, 
said  Committee  are  hereby  instructed  to  fix  a  ratio  of  distribution  of 
money  received  among  the  several  objects  named,  on  the  basis  of  their 
present  ratio  of  income,  making  exception  in  favor  of  the  Church  Build- 
ing Fund  for  which  at  least  One  Hundred  Thousand  dollars  are  quite 
imperatively  needed. 

The  Special  Committee  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacancies  should 
they  occur,  and  are  directed  to  report  in  detail  all  their  action  and  pro- 
ceedings to  the  General  Synod  in  June,  1S72. 

All  moneys  received  for  this  Centennial  Fund,  shall,  when  received, 
be  paid  over  to  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  and  by  him  apportioned 
under  the  order  of  the  Special  Committee,  or  two-thirds  of  the  members 
thereof,  when  regularlv  convened. 

E.  S.  PORTER,  Chairman. 

The   following   Committee   on   Centennial   Memorial   was.  appointed : 

Rev.  E.  S.  Porter,  H.  D.  Ganse,  R.  W.  Clark,  A.  C.  Van  Raalte, 
James  Demarest,  Jr.,  W.  J.  R.  Taylor;  Elders,  S.  R.  W.  Heath,  Gardner 
A.  Sage,  James  A.  Williamson,  James  Myers,  Daniel  S.  Jones,  John  A. 
Hardenbergh,  Wm.  R.  Janeway. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  Committee  shall  have  power  to  appoint 
Committees  of  four  each  in  the  various  Particular  Synods,  as  way  be 
necessary  for  the  carrying  on  of  their  work. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Pastors  of  the  Churches 
within  the  bounds  of  our  Synod,  to  prepare  during  the  present  year  a  full 
and  correct  history  of  the  Churches  over  which  they  are  settled,  and  that 
a  copy  of  the  same  be  deposited  in  the  Library  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary, at  New  Brunswick.     1871,  341-5. 

Report  of  this  Committee,  1872,  532-6.     $684,251,  raised. 

Centennial  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1884. 

In  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate  in  1881,  occurs 
the  folowing: 

1881. 

The  Committee  also  deem  it  not  inappropriate  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  Synod  to  the  fact  that  the  hundredth  anniversary  of  our  Seminary 
is  not  far  distant.  It  was  first  organized  and  established  at  the  meeting 
of  Synod  held  in  October,  1784  (see  Minutes,  pp.  123-5),  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston  as  Professor  of  Theology,  and  of  Dr. 
Hermanns  Meyer  as  Professor  of  Languages.  The  Committee  thmk 
that  that  it  would  be  well  for  this  Synod  to  take  action  towards  a  becom- 
ing centenary  celebration  by  calling  to  mind  the  self-denials,  the  labors, 
the  prayers  and  tears  with  which  the  fathers  laid  the  foundation  of  our 


CENTENNIAL   OF  THE  SEMINARY  115 

School  of  the  Prophets,  and  by  endeavoring  to  awaken  in  the  hearts  of 
the  children  a  similar  enthusiasm  and  spirit  of  liberality  to  the  end  that 
they  may  worthily  carry  on  to  completion  the  work  which  by  the  fathers 
was  so  nobly  begun.     1881,  754. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  Xine  be  appointed,  consisting  of  three 
members  from  each  of  the  Particular  Synods  of  Albany,  New  York  and 
New  Brunswick,  to  be  called  the  Committee  on  Centennial  Endowment, 
and  that  said  Committee  be  authorized  and  instructed  to  make  effort 
by  such  methods  as  they  may  deem  most  expedient,  not  involving  ex- 
pense to  General  Synod,  to  procure  contributions  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
storing the  amount  now  reported  in  the  minutes  as  Permanent  Seminary 
Fund  Deficit,  and  also  of  increasing  the  Permanent  Seminary  Fund  to 
such  extent,  that  on  or  before  the  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  Seminary, 
occurring  in  1884,  the  said  Fund  may  furnish  income  sufficient  to  provide 
just  and  adequate  compensation  for  the  Professors. 

Resolved,  That  said  Committee  be  instructed  to  report  progress  to 
the  next  General  Synod.     1881,  755. 

The  following  were  appointed :  Revs.  Drs.  M.  H.  Hutton,  Wm.  Reiley 
and  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  of  Syn.  of  New  Brunswick;  Revs.  Drs.  T.  W. 
Chambers,  A.  P.  Van  Gieson  and  C.  L.  Wells,  of  Syn.  of  N.  Y. ;  Rev.  Dr. 
S.  W.  Strong,  J.  B.  Thompson  and  R.  \V.  Clark  of  Syn.  of  Albany.  1881, 
761. 

1882. 

In  1882,  the  names  of  Rev.  Drs.  Wm.  R.  Duryee  and  Wm.  H.  Gleason 
were  substituted  for  those  of  Drs.  Reiley  and  Taylor. 

That  a  Central  Committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Paul  D.  Van  Cleef, 
Rev.  J.  Howard  Suydam  and  Rev.  David  X.  Vanderveer,  be  appointed 
to  supervise  and  direct  the  action  of  the  whole. 

That  this  Central  Committee,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  Van  Cleef  is  to  be 
chairman,  be  requested  to  report  to  the  next  General  Synod  the  best 
method  of  celebrating  the  Centennial  anniversary,  whether  by  publications 
or  oral  services,  or  both,  and  that  they  specify  in  detail  what  time  or  times 
shall  be  set  apart  for  this  purpose ;  also  that  they  prepare  a  full  programme 
of  the  entire  proceedings,  suggesting  the  topics  to  be  treated  and  the 
persons  to  whom  they  shall  be  committed,  together  with  any  other  meas- 
ures which  may  seem  to  them  conducive  to  the  great  end  in  view.  1882, 
129,  130- 

1883. 

CEXTEXXIAL   OF   THE    SEMINARY. 

The  Central  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  Gereral  Synod  to  report 
the  best  method  of  celebrating  the  Centennial  Anniversary,  presented 
a  report  recommending  that  the  celebration  be  held  in  the  city  of  Xew 
Brunswick  in  the  month  of  October,  1884.  That  the  services  be  held  in 
the  First  Reformed  Church,  and  continue  through  two  evenings  and  parts 
of  two  days,  and  that  they  consist  of  addresses  and  prepared  papers  by 
the  professors  of  our  own  Seminary  and  professors  representing  the 
University  of  Utrecht,  the  University  of  Amsterdam,  and  the  Theological 
School  at  Campen,  in  Holland,  and  that  the  principal  seminaries  in  this 
country  be  invited  to  participate  by  delegates  or  by  letters.  The  Com- 
mittee also  presented  the  partial  outline  of  a  programme  for  the  occasion. 
The  report  was  accepted,  and  the  Committee  was  continued,  with  power 
to  complete  the  necessary  arrangements  and  report  to  the  next  General 
Synod.     1883.  33i- 

1884. 

CENTENNIAL  OF  THE  SEMINARY  AT   NEW  BRUNSWICK. 

The  Committee  on  the  Centennial  presented  the  following  Report, 
which  was  accepted  and  adopted. 


ii6         DIGEST   OFSYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  entrusted  the  duty  of  reporting  to  the 
last  General  Synod,  the  best  method  of  celebrating  the  Centennial  of  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  begs  leave  to  present  its  final 
report : 

We  repeat  the  recommendations  made  in  our  report  last  year,  that 
the  celebration  be  held  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  on  the  28th  and  29th 
of  October,  that  the  exercises  take  place  in  the  First  Reformed  Church, 
which  has  been  kindly  offered  for  the  purpose,  and  that  they  consist  of 
the  delivery  of  addresses,  the  reading  of  papers  prepared  for  the  oc- 
casion, and  devotional  services. 

The  following  general  programme  is  suggested,  which,  if  adopted, 
we  ask  the  privilege  of  altering  or  amending  as  circumstances  may  re- 
quire. 

First  Session,  Tuesday,  Oct.  28,  3  p.  m. 

Address  of  welcome,  by  Rev.  Thomas  C.  Easton,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  the 
church. 

Response  by  the  presiding  officer. 

Address  by  Rev.  Prof.  Samuel  M.  Woodbridge,  D.D.,  representing  the 
Theological  Faculty. 

Each  session  to  be  opened  and  closed  with  devotional  exercises. 

Second  Session,  Tuesday,  7.30  p.  m. 
Historical  Discourse  by  Rev.  Prof.  D.  D.  Demarest,  D.D.,  on  the 
Origin  and  Progress  of  the  Theological  Professorate  in  connection  with 
the  labors  of  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.,  and  the  Lectors  appointed 
from  time  to  time,  comprising  also  a  history  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
during  the  past  century. 

Third  Session,  Wednesday,  a.  m. 

1.  Paper  by  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Campbell,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  on  the  relation 
of  the  Seminary  and  Rutgers  College  to  each  other. 

2.  Paper  on  the  Lifluence  of  the  Seminary  on  Denominational  Life 
of  the  Church,  by  Rev.  William  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.D. 

3.  Address  by  Rev.  C.  E.  Crispell,  D.D.,  former  Professor  of  Theol- 
ogy at  Hope  College. 

COLLATION. 

Fourth  Session,  Wednesday,  3  p.  m. 
Communications  from  Foreign  Lhiiversities,  Utrecht,  Amsterdam  and 
Kampen,  Holland. 

Brief  addresses  by  visiting  representatives  of  other  Theological  Semi- 
naries in  America  as  invited  guests. 

Address  by  Rev.  F.  N.  Zabriskie,  D.D.,  representing  the  Alumni  of 
the  Seminary. 

Fifth  Session,  Wednesda}',  7.30  p.  m. 
Consideration  of  plans  for  the  more  complete  endowment  of  the  Semi- 
nary, presented  by  the  Committee  consisting  of  Rev.  A.   P.  Van  Gieson, 
D.D.,  Rev.  Mancius  H.  Hutton,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  Selah  W.  Strong. 
Farewell  address  and  closing  devotional   exercises. 
The    Committee    recommend    that    the    President    of    the    Synod    be 
appointed   to   preside   at   the    first    session,   the   Vice-President   to    be    his 
scciindns,    and   that    a    different    Chairman    be    selected    for    each    session 
thereafter. 

Your  Committee  would  also  request  the  General  Synod  to  authorize 
its  Treasurer  to  pay  the  necessary  expenses  that  may  be  incurred  in  car- 
rying out  the  foregoing  programme. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

P.  D.  VAN  CLEEF, 

D.  N.  VANDERVEER. 

J.    HOWARD    SUYDAM,        Committee. 


CENTENNIAL   OF  THE  SEMINARY  117 

The  following  resolution  was  also  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  consisting  of  Rev.  A.  P.  Van  Gieson  of 
the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  Rev.  Mancius  H.  Hutton  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  New  Brunswick,  and  Rev.  Selah  W.  Strong  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  Albany,  be  appointed  a  "Committee  on  Centennial  Semi- 
nary Endowment,"  and  that  they  be  requested  to  prepare  a  plan  for  the 
completion  of  the  endowment  of  the  several  Professorships,  and  report  at 
the  Centennial  of  the  Seminary  in  October  next.     1884,  530-2. 

Resolutions  were  taken  at  the  close  of  the  Centennial  Celebration  to 
have  a  Memorial  Volume  published.  Revs.  Drs.  D.  D.  Demarest,  P.  D. 
Van  Cleef  and  E.  T.  Corwin,  were  appointed  Committee  to  edit  this  Vol- 
ume.    (See   Statement   in  the   Preface   of  the  Volume.) 

1885. 

THE    SEMINARY    CENTENNIAL. 

VIII.  Your  Committee  has  had  referred  to  them  a  report  of  the 
Committee  on  the  Centennial  of  the  Seminary,  which  was  held  in  October, 
1884;  also  a  statement  by  the  committee  appointed  at  the  Centennial  to 
publish  the  proceedings  of  that  event.  This  Publishing  Committee  has 
presented  to  the  Synod  a  copy  of  the  volume  which  they  have  issued, 
and  which  has  been  referred  to  us.  Finally,  the  Board  of  Superintend- 
ents makes  a  suggestion  in  their  report  in  regard  to  this  volume. 

The  General  Synod  is  to  be  congratulated  that  its  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  New  Brunswick  has  been  the  first  in  the  land  to  celebrate  a  Cen- 
tennial. The  meeting  was  a  great  success.  The  letters  from  other  simi- 
lar institutions,  and  the  speeches  of  delegates  of  various  denominations, 
all  express  the  kindest  feeling,  and  give  a  remarkable  exhibition  of  the 
unity  of  the  Church  of  Christ.  The  report  of  the  committee  which  had 
charge  of  the  exercises,  is  very  satisfactory.  As  to  the  volume,  which 
is  a  monument  of  the  celebration,  we  can  only  say  that  it  is  far  more 
elaborate  than  was  expected.  It  is  made  complete  in  every  respect  es- 
sential to  such  a  volume.  Besides  a  full  table  of  contents  and  an  elaborate 
index,  with  an  account  of  the  proceedings,  and  the  papers,  speeches  and 
letters  incident  to  the  occasion,  the  appendix  is  a  store-house  of  original 
documents  pertaining  to  the  early  history  of  education,  literary  and  the- 
ological, in  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  We  ascertain  upon  inquiry  that 
the  edition  (1,250  copies)  cost  about  $2,000.  Of  this,  after  only  six 
weeks,  about  $1,500  have  been  paid  off  by  the  committee.  The  commit- 
tee felt  it  their  duty  to  present  complimentary  copies  to  the  speakers  and 
writers  of  the  occasion,  to  editors,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases,  and  to  the 
libraries  of  neighboring  theological  institutions.  These  amount  to  about 
100  copies.  The  Board  of  Superintendents  suggest  that  the  General  Synod 
assume  the  expense,  at  cost,  of  these  complimentary  copies,  amounting 
to  $200.  This  would  leave  a  deficit  of  only  $300,  for  which  the  commit- 
tee would  yet  remain  responsible.  We  think  it  would  be  only  an  act  of 
justice,  if  this  committee,  after  their  laborious  work,  could  be  entirely 
relieved  of  further  pecuniary  responsibility  in  this  matter. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  thank  the  Publishing  Committee 
for  their  labors  in  editing  the  Seminary  Centennial  volume. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  assume  the  expense  of  these  one 
hundred  complimentary  copies,  amounting  to  about  two  hundred  dollars ;. 
and  that  this  sum  be  included  in  the  expenses  of  the  Centennial  celebra- 
tion. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  direct  the  Board  of  Publication 
(if  its  funds  allow)  to  purchase  so  much  of  the  balance  of  the  edition 
of  the  Publishing  Committee,  as  shall  relieve  them  of  pecuniary  respon- 
sibility in  the  matter. 

On  pages  463  and  480  of  the  book,  we  find  certain  suggestions  worthy 
the  attention  of  the  General  Synod.  In  accordance  therewith,  we  offer 
the  following  resolutions  : 


ii8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Rcsohi'cd,  That  the  Theological  Faculty  be  directed  to  have  prepared 
a  Matriculation  Book,  and  to  begin  the  second  century  of  the  Seminary 
by  signatures  therein. 

Resolved,  That  the  Faculty  are  requested  to  unify  the  plan  of  the 
school,  making  such  additional  sugestions  as  they  may  deem  needful, 
in  accord  with  the  plan  unfolded  on  page  463  of  the  Centennial  volume, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  next  General  Synod. 

C.  L.  WELLS,  Chairman. 
Submitted,  Syracuse,  June  9th,  1885. 

1885,  733-5- 

CENTENNIAL   OF   THE   SEMINARY. 

The   Committee  on   the   Centennial  presented   the   following   Report, 
which  was  accepted  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate: 
To  the  General  Synod: 

The  Committee  appointed  to  make  arrangements  for  the  Centennial 
of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick  to  be  celebrated  on  the 
28th  and  29th  of  October,  1884,  respectfully  report  that  the  programme, 
as  approved  by  the  Synod  in  June  last,  was  carried  out  in  every  particu- 
lar. The  celebration  included  five  sessions,  four  of  which  were  held  in 
the  First  Church,  and  one  in  the  Second. 

At  the  First  Session  Rev.  David  Cole,  D.D.,  the  President  of  the 
General  Synod,  presided,  and  responded  to  an  address  of  welcome  by 
the  pastor,  Rev.  Thomas  C.  Easton,  DD. ;  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev. 
W.  V.  V.  Mabon,  D.D.,  and  the  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev. 
John  T.  Demarest,  D.D.  At  the  Second  Session  Rev.  Ransford  Wells, 
D.D.,  presided.  Rev.  Francis  M.  Kip,  D.D.,  offered  prayer,  and  Rev.  J. 
Romeyn  Berry,  D.D.,  pronounced  the  benediction.  At  the  Third  Session 
Rev.  Thomas  E.  Vermilye,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  presided ;  prayer  was  offered  by 
Rev.  William  Brush,  and  the  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  Gus- 
tavus  Abeel,  D.D.  This  session  was  followed  by  a  collation.  Rev.  Jo- 
achim Elmendorf,  D.D.,  presided  at  the  Fourth  Session,  Rev.  Elbert  Ne- 
vius  offered  prayer,  and  Rev.  George  R.  Ferguson,  of  South  Africa,  gave 
the  benediction.  At  the  Fifth  and  last  Session,  Rev.  Abraham  R.  Van 
Nest,  D.D.,  presided;  Rev.  Cornelius  Brett  offered  prayer  at  the  open- 
ing, and  the  closing  prayer  was  by  Rev.  Prof.  John  G.  Lansing.  The 
benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  Thomas  C.  Easton,  D.D. 

The  addresses,  according  to  previous  appointment,  were  as  fol- 
lows :  On  Historical  Theology,  by  Rev.  Prof.  Samuel  M.  Woodbridge, 
D.D.,  Dean  of  the  Seminary;  on  The  History  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary, by  Rev.  Prof.  David  D.  Demarest,  D.D. ;  on  The  Relation  of  the 
Seminary  and  Rutgers  College  to  each  other,  by  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Camp- 
bell, D.D.,  LL..D;  on  The  Influence  of  the  Seminary  upon  the  Denomina- 
tional Life  of  the  Church,  by  Rev.  William  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.D. ;  on  The- 
ological Instruction  at  the  West,  by  Rev.  Cornelius  E.  Crispell  D.D. ;  on 
the  Ministry  of  the  Past  and  of  the  Future,  by  Rev.  Francis  N.  Zabris- 
kie,  D.D.,  and  a  closing  address  by  Rev.  Abraham  R.  Van  Nest,  D.D. 

Congratulatory  addresses  were  also  delivered  bv  Merrill  E.  Gates, 
LL.D.,  President  of  Rutgers  College;  Prof.  T.  Sandford  Doolittle,  D.D., 
representing  the  Faculty;  Prof.  Charles  Scott,  D.D.,  representing  Hope 
College,  and  by  A.  V.  W,  Van  Vechten,  Esq.,  representing  the  Collegiate 
Church. 

The  salutations  of  nine  of  the  principal  Theological  Seminaries,  em- 
bracing several  denominations,  were  presented  in  person  by  distinguished 
professors,  delegates  from  these  institutions,  and  of  as  many  others  by 
fraternal  letters.  Congratulatory  epistles  were  also  received  from  the 
Theological  Faculties  of  Utrecht,  Kampen,  and  the  Free  University  of 
Amsterdam,  in  Holland,  and  from  the  venerable  Prof.  Nicholas  Beets, 
of  Utrecht.  Letters  of  regret  were  received  from  many  graduates,  and 
other   friends  of  the   Seminary,  distinguished  in   public,   as   well  as   lion- 


CENTENNIAL   OF  THE  SEMINARY  119 

ored  in  private  life,  including  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey.  Two  poems 
were  also  contributed  for  the  occasion ;  one  by  Mrs.  Merrill  E.  Gates, 
and  the  other  by  Rev.  Denis  Wortman,  D.D. 

The  meetings  were  all  largely  attended,  and  a  deep  interest  was 
manifested  in  the  services.  At  the  close  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
publish  the  proceedings,  including  addresses  and  other  matter  of  histor- 
ical value.  This  has  been  done,  and  to  that  volume,  a  Centennial  Memo- 
rial, the  members  of  the  Synod  are  referred  for  a  complete  record  of  the 
celebration.  The  expenses  attending  tht  Centennial  have  been  paid  by 
the  Treasurer  of  the  General  Synod. 

Retspectfully  submitted, 

•  PAUL  D.  VAN  CLEEF,  Chairman. 
J.  HOWARD  SUYDAM, 
D.  N.  VAXDERVEER. 

1885,  735-7. 
The  following  paper  was  received  from  the  Committee  appointed  at 
the    Centennial   to   publish   a   volume   containing   an   account   of   its   pro- 
ceedings,  together    with    the    addresses    and   other   matters,    and    referred 
to  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate. 
To  the  Rev.  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 

The  undersigned  Committee  respectfully  present  to  your  Reverend 
Body,  a  copy  of  the  volume  entitled  "Centennial  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  formerly  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church,  1784-1884." 

The  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  election  of  Rev.  John  H. 
Livingston,  D.D.,  as  Professor  of  Sacred  Theology,  and  of  Rev.  Her- 
manns Meyer,  D.D.,  as  Instructor  in  the  Sacred  Languages,  was  cele- 
brated at  New  Brunswick,  Oct.  28th  and  29th,  1884,  in  accordance  with 
arrangements  made  by  a  committee  of  your  Reverend  Bod)^ 

At  the  close  of  the  services  we  were  charged  by  the  Alumni,  and 
the  many  friends  of  the  institution  present,  with  the  task  of  editing  and 
publishing  a  memorial  volume  which  should  contain: 

1.  A  full  account  of  the  proceedings. 

2.  The  history  of  the  Seminary,  with  an  appendix  to  embrace  original 
documents,  letters  additional  historical  notes,  and  references  to  sources 
of  authority. 

3.  The  several  addresses  and  speeches  made  on  the  occasion. 

4.  A  Centennial  catalogue  of  the  Seminary,  but  without  details  con- 
cerning the  graduates,  as  these  may  be  found  elsewhere. 

We  have  performed  this  task  to  the  best  of  our  ability,  stimulated 
by  loyalty  and  love  to  our  venerable  alma  mater.  The  labor,  the  arduous 
nature  of  which  few  will  appreciate,  has  been  pleasant  to  us,  because  it 
was  truly  a  labor  of  love.  We  dare  to  hope  that  the  volume  which  we 
have  the  honor  of  presenting  to  you  will  be  accepted,  not  merely  as  a 
grateful  memorial  of  an  interesting  and  unique  occasion,  but  as  a  his- 
torical work,  whose  value  will  increase  with  every  successive  year. 
We  are,  your  servants  in  the  Lord, 

DAVID  D.  DEiMAREST, 
PAUL  D.  VAN  CLEEF, 
EDWARD  T.  COR  WIN. 

New  Brunswick,  May  29th,  1885. 

The  Committee  also  presented  to  the  Synod  a  handsomely  bound 
copy  of  the  Centennial  Memorial  volume  whereupon  the  following  resolu- 
tion was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  gratefully  accept  the  Centennial  Memo- 
rial of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  and  return  their 
hearty  thanks  to  the  Committee  for  their  labor  of  love  in  its  prepara- 
tion, and  that  the  volume  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Profes-^ 
sorate  for  further  action.     1885,  737-8. 


I20         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

Centennial  Seminary  Fund.  The  Committee  on  "Centennial  Dis- 
courses," proposed  that,  in  gratitude  for  a  century's  national  existence,  a 
Centenntial  Seminary  Fund,  should  be  started,  to  defray  the  Contingent 
Expenses  of  the  Theological  Schools ;  1875,  355.  Its  first  report  showed 
only  $423.92;  '-j-j,  610,  635.  Nothing  more  was  done;  but  this  amount  was 
allowed  to  accumulate  until  in  1904,  631,  it  was  reported  at  $1,661.11,  when 
it  was  incorporated  in  other  funds. 

Centennial  Session  of  General  Synod,  1906.  At  first,  the  sessions 
of  General  Synod  were  triennial,  beginning  in  1794.  They  became  an- 
nual, in  1812.  For  the  method  of  counting  them,  see  under  General 
Synod.  That  the  Centennial  Session  should  be  properly  celebrated,  a 
.special  Committee  was  appointed  to  co-operate  with  the  officers  of  Synod 
to  formulate  a  plan,  to  choose  a  place  for  meeting,  and  to  make  all  nec- 
essary arrangements.     1905,  292. 

Cent  Societies.  First  recommended  in  1816,  and  soon  established 
in  almost  every  church ;  the  members  to  pay  one  cent  per  week  for  sup- 
port of  the  Theological  College;  1816,  33,  34;  '17,  18,  32;  Oct.,  '17,  7,  8, 
14.  Constitution  given,  Oct.,  '17,  17,  18.  Committees  to  encourage  forma- 
tion, in  every  Classis;  '18,  18,  Z'i\  success  of;  '19,  40-42;  receipts  of,  '19, 
59-64,  $3,594.00.  Bd.  of  Direction  to  further  their  operations,  '20,  46, 
50;  '21,  40.  With  the  success  of  the  Endowments,  in  1822-3,  (about 
$51,000)  they  fell  into  desuetude. 

Ceremonial  Law.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  25 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  19. 

Certificates.  With  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  1832,  a  Com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  prepare  Forms  of  Licensure,  Dismissions,  Cita- 
tions, etc.,  Oct.,  1832,  134;  1833,  204.  In  their  report  in  1834,  they  pre- 
sented the  following  Forms :  Certificate  of  Dismission  of  Church  Mem- 
bers;  Form  of  a  Professorial  Appointment;  of  a  Consistorial  Statistical 
Report ;  of  a  Classical  Report ;  of  a  Testimonial  of  Licensure ;  Form  of 
a  Citation ;  of  a  Citation  to  Witnesses ;  Form  of  Marriage  Certificate ; 
Form  of  Register  of  Baptism ;  Certificate  of  the  Dismission  of  a  Minis- 
ter; of  a  Testimonial  of  Ordination.  1834,  289.  See  these  under  their 
respective  heads. 

Certificates  had  not  been  uniform  before.  See  Dismission  of  Mem- 
bers ;  Admission  of  Members. 

Certified  Extracts.  These  must  be  sent  to  the  next  higher  body 
in  cases  of  Appeal;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  114.  Parties  accused  or  cen- 
sured shall  be  allow'ed  copies  of  such  Acts  at  their  own  expense ;  Con- 
stit. of   1874,  Art.   103. 

Ceylon.  The  Church  of  Holland  established  missions  in  Ceylon  as 
€arly  as  1620,  and  the  records  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  contain  much 
concerning  their  missions  there,  and  a  flourishing  Theological  Seminary. 
Rev.  Dr.  John  Scudder,  the  first  missionary  of  R.  D.  C,  labored  under 
the  Am.  Board  in  Ceylon  from  1821-36.  See  facts  and  letters  in  the  Mis- 
sionary Herald.  Allusion  to  a  revival  there,  1836,  524.  See  Scudder, 
for  aid  and  a  minister  for  a  Dutch  Church  in  Ceylon.  It  was  suggested 
that  one  of  our  Holland  brethren  might  find  a  field  there ;  the  matter  was 
John,  Rev.  Dr.  (Sr.). — A  request  came  from  Henry  L.  Mitchell,  asking 
referred  to  Bd.  of  For.  Missions.     1887,  736. 

Chamberlain,  George  W.  (Rev.).  Appears  in  Synod  in  behalf  of 
Evangelical  religion  in  Brazil.     See  Brazil. 

Chamberlain,  Jacob,  (Rev.  Dr.).  Commissioned  as  Missionary  to 
India,  1859,  456;  his  hospital  services  acknowledged;  '70,  119;  delegate  to 
Presbyterian  Church,  South ;  '76,  452 ;  addresses  Synod  on  Missions,  ''JJ, 
736;  President  of  General  Synod,  1878;  letter  to  Synod;  '79»  ^17 \  com- 
missioned to  secure  an  Endowment  for  Arcot  Theological  Seminary,  and 
for  Scholarships  in  the  same;  '86,  93;  (report  of  Board  of  Missions,  1887, 
5;)    "87,   325-6,  329;   delegated   to   present   the   fraternal   greetings   of   the 


CHAMBERS  LIBRARY,  THE  121 

Synod  to  Presbyterian  Churches  in  Great  Britain,  with  the  privilege  of 
advocating  Organic  Union  of  Presbyterian  Bodies  on  Mission  Fields ;  '86, 
122-3 ;  success  of  the  Endowment  for  Arcot  Seminary,  for  Scholarships, 
and  for  a  Library ;  *88,  489,  549,  585 ;  appointed  Lector  in  Biblical  Lan- 
guages and  Literature,  and  Exposition  of  Prophecy  in  Arcot  Seminary,i89i ; 
engaged  in  literary  work  for  the  Mission. 

Chambers  Library,  The.  Name  given  to  the  Library  of  Western 
Seminary,  because  Dr.  Chambers  left  a  large  part  of  his  Library,  by  will, 
to  this  Institution.     1896,  397. 

Chambers,  Talbot  \V.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Appointed  delegate  to  Ger. 
Refd.  Ch.,  1849,  59;  preaches  sermon  before  Synod  in  behalf  of  Bd.  of 
Publication,  '59,  461  :  declines  to  act  as  Chairman  of  Com.  to  raise  a 
Church  Building  Fund;  Oct.,  '55,  11;  Synod  continues  him  on  the  Com- 
mittee, 25  ;  President  of  General  Synod,  '63  ;  elected  Vedder  Lecturer  for 
76-6 ;  1874,  140 ;  corresponding  delegate  to  Presbt.  Ch.  South,  '/'],  345 ;  as- 
sists Prof.  Van  Zandt  in  his  illness,  '78,  12,  116;  chairman  of  Com.  on 
Simpliried  Heidelberg  Catechism,  Oct.  "81,  9;  treasurer,  pro  tem,  of  Bd. 
of  Direction,  '81-4;  '82,  34;  invited  to  lecture  on  Xew  Testament  Exegesis 
in  Xew  Brunswick  Seminary,  "82,  130-1 ;  '83,  327;  served  in  the  department 
of  Biblical  Literature  in  Xew  Brunswick  Seminary,  1883-4  \  84,  418 ; 
compensation  therefor,  520;  delegate  to  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs.  in  Belfast, 
'83,  2-^2  \  report  thereon,  '85,  653 ;  reports  on  a  Fourth  Year  of  study,  '85, 
730;  his  death,  1896,  390;  sketch,  496;  bequeaths  his  Library  to  Western 
Seminar\-,  '96,  338. 

Chapel  Proposed  for  Rutgers  College.  $2,000  offered  by  Geo.  and 
Wm.  Douglass,  Esqs.,  and  ]Mrs.  Cruger  toward  such  Chapel;  Bd.  of  Di- 
rection ordered  to  lease  to  the  Trustees  land  for  the  same,  on  the  same 
tenure  as  the  lease  for  Van  Xest  Hall  and  the  President's  House — when 
required,  1854,  464,  470. 

Chapels.  See  Year  Books  of  Collegiate  Church,  and  of  other  large 
city  churches  on  the  subject  of  their  Chapels. 

Chaplaincies.  Xo  one  allowed  to  become  a  chaplain,  unless  regu- 
larly inducted  into  the  ministry;  as  a  chaplain,  he  is  equally  subject  to 
the  discipline  of  the  Church.  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  6.  See  Ecc.  Records 
of  Xew  York,  Index — Chaplains. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  ex- 
pediency of  presenting  a  respectful  Memorial  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  both  houses  of  Congress,  on  the  subject  of  the  ap- 
pointing chaplains  in  the  United  States  service,  praying  that  in  such  ap- 
pointments no  undue  prominence  may  in  future  be  given  to  any  one  de- 
nomination of  Christians  in  this  countrj-,  either  by  appointing  a  large 
majority  of  the  chaplains  from  such  denomination,  or  by  making  its  doc- 
trinal standards  the  exclusive  channel  of  religious  instruction  or 
its  litany  the  exclusive  formula  of  worship  in  the  public  service ; 
or  by  furnishing  at  the  public  expense  any  book  of  spiritual  instruction 
or  devotion  other  than  the  Bible  without  note  or  comment. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  A.  A.  Marcelus,  L  Ferris,  D.D.,  E.  H.  May,  and 
the  Elders  George  Zabriskie  and  John  Frey,  were  appointed  the  commit- 
tee contemplated  in  the  above  resolution. 

The  committee  reported,  and  their  report  was  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows : — 

The  committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  present- 
ing a  memorial  to  the  President  and  Congress  of  the  United  States,  on 
the  subject  of  appointing  chaplains  in  the  public  service,  beg  leave  respect- 
fully to  report — That  they  consider  the  subject  referred  to  them  of  great 
importance,  and  worthy  of  the  action  of  this  Synod.  It  is  one  of  the 
happy  features  of  our  national  polity  that  we  have  no  established  form 
of   religion,    while   at   the   same   time   our   constitution   and   laws   tolerate 


122         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

and  protect  every  citizen  in  maintaining  and  propagating  his  own  sys- 
tem of  religious  instruction  and  of  worship.  This  state  of  things,  your 
committee  trust,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  will 
be  the  last  to  disturb.  We  desire  not  to  see  our  church  seeking  a  closer 
union  with  the  state.  Nor  do  we  desire  to  see  a  large  number  of  our 
ministers  bowing  at  the  feet  of  government  for  official  stations,  with  a 
view  to  the  enlargement  of  our  denominational  influence.  But  while 
we,  as  a  church,  would  ask  for  ourselves  nothing  more  than  toleration 
and  protection  from  the  government,  we  cannot  view  with  indifference, 
nor  without  alarm,  the  fact  that  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  appoint- 
ments to  the  offices  of  chaplains  in  the  United  States  naval  and  military 
service,  are  from  one  denomination  of  Christians.  Your  committee  have 
learned  with  surprise  that  "All  the  chaplains  of  the  Military  Academy 
at  West  Point,  with  one  exception,  have  been  from  one  denomination, 
the  Episcopal.  That  nineteen  out  of  the  twenty-four  or  twenty-five  chap- 
lains at  present  in  the  naval  service,  are  from  the  same  denomination. 
That  there  is  reason  to  believe  the  same  disparity  exists  in  the  military 
service.  That  the  ships  of  war  have  been  furnished  by  the  government 
with  the  Episcopal  prayer-book."  And  that,  in  some  instances,  if  not 
in  all,  these  appointments  are  made  without  any  regard  to  the  denomina- 
tional preferences  of  the  great  majority  of  those  who  are  to  be  benefited 
by  the  instruction  they  receive.  Such  is  known  to  be  the  case,  at  pres- 
ent, on  Governor's  Island,  where  the  majority  of  the  men  are  non-Epis- 
copal ;  but  are  required  to  attend  the  service  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and 
have  their  children  instructed  in  the  Episcopal  catechism.  Your  com- 
mittee therefore  feel  constrained  to  recommend  the  adoption  of  such 
measures  as  may  lead  the  proper  authorities  to  consider,  whether  it  com- 
ports with  the  spirit  of  the  constitution  of  these  United  States,  to  give 
such  a  bias  to  the  religion  of  this  nation,  as  the  continued  appointment 
of  a  large  majority  of  the  chaplains  in  the  public  service  from  one  denom- 
ination is  calculated  to  produce.  Your  committee  therefore  recommend 
the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Thomas  DeWitt,  D.D.,  I.  N.  Wyckoff,  D.D., 
M.  S.  Hutton,  D.D.,  Isaac  Ferris,  D.D.,  G.  W.  Bethune,  D.D.,  with  the 
Elders  Wm.  B.  Crosby,  Esq.  and  Thos  C.  Doremus,  Esq.,  be  a  commit- 
tee to  prepare  a  suitable  memorial,  and  forward  the  same  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States  and  both  houses  of  Congress. 
All  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

A.  A.-  MARCELUS,  Chairman. 

1844,  390-1. 

Such  Memorial  was  prepared  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  Hon.  Mr. 
Dix,  of  the  Senate,  and  Hon.  Mr.  Maclay  of  the  House,  and  by  them  laid 
before  the  President  [Tyler]  and  the  two  Houses  of  Congress.  1845,  513- 
514- 

Charity.     See  Alms ;  Benevolence,  etc. 

Charity  of  Opinion.  Foreign  Churches,  whose  customs  and  usages 
vary  from  the  Reformed  Church  in  things  indifferent  shall  not  be  re- 
jected. Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  85.  See  also  Preface  to  Constitution 
of  1792. 

Charters.  Only  Reformed  Dutch  Churches,  besides  those  of  the 
Church  of  England,  were  able  to  obtain  Charters,  in  New  York,  in  early 
days.  In  New  Jersey,  the  laws  were  more  liberal.  The  following 
Dutch  Reformed  Churches  obtained  Charters:  New  York,  1696;  King- 
ston, 1719;  All)any,  1720,  Schenectady,  1734;  Hackensack,  1750  (?);  the 
five  churches  of  the  Raritan  Valley,  unitedly,  1753;  Bergen,  1771 ;  Hills- 
borough (at  Millstone),  I775;  and  probably  several  others.  The  Char- 
ter of  Queens  College  is  printed  in  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod,  1850,  111-119, 
with    supplements.     Consistories   possess   the    right   to   call   ministers,   ex- 


CHECKS  123 

cept  where  otherwise  provided  for,  by  Charter;  Constitutions  of  1874, 
Art.  51 ;  (of  1833,  Art.  58.)  In  report  of  Committee  on  the  first  Amer- 
ican Church  Constitution,  1791,  occurs  the  following:  "The  Proceedings 
of  the  National  Synod  held  at  Dordrecht,  (1618-19,)  are  the  basis  of  the 
government  of  all  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  throughout  the  world,  and 
that  all  Charters  which  have  been  given  to  the  Dutch  Churches  in  the 
States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  are  also  founded  thereon" : 
"that  the  Proceedings  of  the  National  Synod  of  Dor- 
drecht are  the  basis  of  the  government  of  the  Dutch  Churches  in  America, 
cordially  received  and  carefully  adapted  to  its  particular  circumstances  in 
this  country ;  and  that  thus  the  different  Charters  may  be  ratified, 
and  the  attachment  of  the  members  of  said  Churches  to  the  R.  D. 
Churches  in  the  Netherlands  may  be  fully  confirmed";  May,  1791,  218; 
(1788,  185.) — But  laws  for  incorporating  churches  had  already  been 
passed,  and  the  reasons  assigned  in  1791,  and  in  the  Constitutions  of  1833 
and  1874,  seem  to  be  superfluous.  See  Incorporations.  For  an  account 
of  the  securing  of  the  first  Charter,  1696,  see  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed. 
1902,  pages  79-87 ;  for  the  Charters  themselves,  see  Ecc.  Records  of  New- 
York,  Vol.  2,  under  dates ;  also  see  Index  of  same,  w^hen  published. 

Checks.  All  checks,  drawn  by  the  treasurer  of  General  Synod,  must 
be  countersigned  by  a  member  of  the  Bd.  of  Direction  appointed  for  that 
purpose.     1882,  63.     See  1886,  56;  corrected  statement,  1887,  267. 

Chicago,  Particular  Synod  of.  The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  in 
1856  proposed  that  the  four  Classes  lying  west  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
with  about  40  churches  and  25  ministers,  be  set  off  into  a  new  Particular 
Synod.  This  was  done.  1856,  90,  91.  Report  on  the  organization,  1857, 
133;  change  of  quorum;  1885,  713;  1886,  118. 

Chicago  Tract  Society.  Commended,  especially  for  the  work  done 
among  the  foreigners  in  the  West.     1905,  156. 

Children,  Instruction  of.  See  Constitutions  of  1619,  21,  54;  1792, 
56;  1833,  '/T.  (3);  1874,  64,  (3).  See  Catechetical  Instruction;  Parochial 
Schools;  1809,  396-8;   1814,  79.     See  also  Form  for  Infant  Baptism. 

Children  of  Believers.     See  Form  of  Infant  Baptism. 

Children  of  God.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  ■^2)-  Form 
of  Infant  Baptism. 

Children  of  Wrath.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Form  of  Infant  Bap- 
tism. 

Children's  Day.  Recommended  that  the  third  Sabbath  in  ]May  be 
observed,  1884,  504;  changed  to  second  Sabbath  in  June,  1885,  716. 

Finally,  your  Committee  recommends  that  the  General  Synod  ex- 
hort the  churches  unto  a  more  general  observance  of  "Children's  Day," 
so  that  by  appropriate  and  interesting  services,  the  children  and  youth 
may  be  impressed  by  the  Church's  love  for  them.     1887,  318,  319. 

Recommended  yearl}^  as  1894,  104;   1903,  376. 

Children's  Friend.  In  the  eft'orts  for  closer  union  with  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  South,  the  "Children's  Friend,''  printed  at  Richmond, 
Va.,  was  to  be  issued  simultaneously  by  the  Boards  of  each  Church. 
1875,  353- 

China.  See  Amoy  Mission,  etc.  S3'nod  left  the  matter  of  the  trans- 
fer of  her  missionaries  from  Borneo  to  China,  to  the  discretion  of  the 
American  Board,  but  reminding  that  Board  that  the  Dutch  Church  was 
contemplating  the  establishment  of  its  own  ecclesiastical  polity  in  its 
missions  on  foreign  fields ;  1844,  384.  The  arrival  of  Messrs.  Doty  and 
Pohlman  ;  '45,  435,  494. 

Chinese  Immigrants.  Resolved,  That  the  recent  legislation  of  Con- 
gress on  the  question  of  immigration  from  China,  awakens  in  us  feel- 
ings  of   painful    surprise,    profound   regret,    and    anxious    solicitude;    and 


124         DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

we  would  express  the  hope  that  our  government  may  be  induced  soon 
to  reconsider  that  action  and  to  adopt  such  measures  as  would  be  likely 
to  promote  good  feeling  and  friendly  intercourse  between  China  and 
our  own  country,  and  which  will  at  least  not  hinder  the  work  of  Chris- 
tian evangelization  in  that  distant  land — a  work  in  which  many  of  our 
people,  connected  with  all  our  churches,  are  so  earnestly  engaged.  1882, 
114. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  Amer- 
ica hereby  protests  against  the  recent  legislation  of  Congress  limiting 
Chinese  immigration  as  unworthy  of  a  Christian  nation,  partial  and  un- 
kind to  China  in  comparison  with  the  privileges  allowed  to  other  nations, 
and  in  comparison  with  China's  attitude  toward  America,  and  likely  to 
injure  our  missionary  work  by  provoking  retaliation.     1892,  550. 

A  second  matter  of  great  importance  mentioned  in  the  report  is  the 
present  attitude  of  our  National  Government  toward  the  Chinese  in  this 
country.  On  this  subject  your  committee  recommend  the  following  ac- 
tion: 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  looks  with  entire  disapproval  upon 
the  act  now  in  force,  requiring  the  obnoxious  registration  or  expulsion 
from  this  country  of  all  Chinese  laborers  now  resident  here ;  that  we 
regard  it  as  a  direct  violation  of  treaty  obligations,  a  stain  upon  our  na- 
tional honor,  and  prejudicial  to  American  interests,  commercial,  educa- 
tional and  religious,  in  China ;  that  we  therefore  respectfully  but  urgently 
petition  the  President  and  Congress  of  these  United  States  for  the  ear- 
liest possible  repeal  of  the  law.     1893,  793. 

Chixn,  Margaret,  (Mrs.).  Makes  donation  of  valuable  books,  and 
an  elegant  mahogany  bookcase  to  contain  them,  to  New  Brunswick  Semi- 
nary. Value  $900. — 1821,  58-60.  She  was  a  member  of  Second  Church 
of  Albany,  Rev.  John  DeWitt,  Sr.,  pastor,  thro'  whom  the  gift  was  pre- 
sented. Among  the  books  were  Walton's  Polyglott  Bible,  with  Castells 
Heptoglott  Lexicon,  8  vols,  folio;  in  all,  46  separate  works. 
See  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod,  under  date.  The  ^  Synod  ex- 
pressed its  gratitude,  and  directed  the  Bd.  of  'Superintend- 
ents to  take  measures  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  the  gift.  [This 
case  of  books  stood  in  the  room  of  the  Exegetical  Professor,  in  Rutgers 
College  Building,  1821-57;  and  then  in  said  Professor's  room,  in  Hert- 
zog  Hall,  1857-73;  (see  1857,  p  213);  and  then  in  corresponding  room 
in  Suydam  Hall,  until  about  1890,  when  the  books  were  removed  to  the 
Sage  Library. 

Cholera.     See  Fast-days,   1832,  91 ;   1849,  507. 

Chosen  in  Christ.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  52-54;  Canons,  i.  7-9;  ii. 
8;  iii.  10.     See  Election. 

Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  19,  20,  31;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  31,  32;  see 
Natures  of;  Offices  of. 

Christian  Apologetics.  Chair  of,  suggested,  1872,  512;  necessity  of 
instruction  in,  1884,  418;  1888,  518. 

Christian  Commission,  The.  Synod  listens  to  its  President,  George 
H.  Stuart,  respecting  its  excellent  work  in  behalf  of  the  armies  of  the 
Union,  and  heartily  commends  it,  as  an  agency  well  adapted  to  promote 
the  physical  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  soldiers  defending  the  govern- 
ment.    1864,  507-8. 

Christian  Communion.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  35.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
75-79-     Form  for  Lord's  Supper. 

Christl^n  Discipline.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  30-32;  Heid.  Cat,  Quests. 
82-85;  Constit.  or  1874,  Arts.  82-95;  (of  1833,  Arts.  91-103;  of  1792,  Arts. 
69;  of  1619,  Arts.  71-75) 


'       CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR  125 

Christian  Endeavor  Churches.  In  1892  the  Christian  Endeavor 
Societies  of  R.  C.  A.  began  to  build  C.  E.  churches,  thus  helping  the 
Domestic  Board  in  its  Church  Building  Fund.  Congregations  cannot 
thrive  without  a  Church  Home.  They  loan  money,  without  interest,  for 
building  churches.  The  buildings  thus  erected,  average  about  two  a 
year,  making  now  about  31,  which  have  been  thus  erected.  The  follow- 
ing churches  have  been  aided : 

1892.  No.     I,  Bethel   Church,  Leota,   Minn $800 

1893.  "      2,  Wakonda,   S.    D 1,000,  disbanded. 

1894.  "      3,  Johnstown,  N.  Y 1,000 

1895.  "      4,  Bethany   Church,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich..     2,000 

5,  Le  Mars,  la 700 

1896.  "       6,  Hope  Church,  .George,  la 800 

"  "       7,  Ninth,    Grand   Rapids,    Mich 1,000 

1897.  ."       8,  Second  Muskegon,  Mich 1,000 

"       9,  Sheldon,    la 500 

"     10,  Morrison,   111 1,000 

"  "     II,  Galesburg,  la 400 

1898.  "     12,  Sunnyside  Church,  Long  Island  City,  N.  Y.     1,000 
"  "     13,  Ebenezer  Church,  Leighton,  la 500 

1899.  "     14,  Glen  Rock,  N.  J 800 

"     15,  Monroe,  S.   D 450 

1900.  "  16,  Clara  City,  Minn 400 

"  "  17,  Randolph  Center,  Wis 1,000 

"  "  18,  Alexander,    la 800 

1901.  "  19,  Trinity  Church  Chapel,  Newark,  N.  J...  800 

"  "  20,  Friesland,    Minn 300 

"  "  21,  North  Yakima,  Washington  Territory...  1,000 

1902.  "  22,  Buck  Creek,  Okl 500 

"  "  23,  Buffalo  Centre,  la 800 

1903.  "  24,  Goodland,  Ind 400 

"  "  25,  Arapahoe,  Okl 800 

"  "  26,  Silver  Creek,  Minn 400 

"     27,  Harrington  Park,  N.  J 1,000 

1904.  "    28,  Pennsylvania    Lane,    111 500 

"  "     29,  Spring  Creek,   Minn 600 

"     30,  Clinton,  Okl 800 

1905-        "     3i>  Harlem,   Mich 400 

$23,450 

Christian  Endeavor  Missionary  League.  Organized  Ap.  25,  1893. 
Its  object  to  arouse  and  sustain  interest  in  missionary  work  among  C. 
E.  Ss.  of  R.  C.  A. ;  to  provide  information  and  suggestions  with  refer- 
ence to  the  missionary  efforts  of  R.  C.  A.,  both  Foreign  and  Domestic ; 
and  to  concentrate  energy  on  the  fields  especially  committed  to  its  charge. 
It  sustains  in  whole  or  in  part,  the  foreign  mission  stations  in  Chittoor, 
India,  and  at  the  Bahrein  Islands,  Arabia.  At  home,  it  seeks  to  aug- 
ment the  Church  Building  Fund.  See  C.  E.  Churches.  The  Society  now 
includes  all  forms  of  effort  among  the  young  people  of  R.  C.  A.  Synod 
has  frequently  commended  the  League,  and  exhorted  all  the  Y.  P.  So- 
cieties to  join  it.  Its  gifts.  1894,  108-9;  II3>  1 18;  '95,  112.  121,  223; 
'97,  670;  '98,  129;  '99,  442,  449;  1900,  783.  Said  the  Committee  on  the 
State  of  the  Church,  in  1900: — 

The  Christian  Endeavor  Missionary  League,  which  was  started  in 
1893,  has  already  become  a  recognized  power  in  the  church.  This  League 
seeks  to  systematize  and  devlop  the  interest  of  the  young  people,  espe- 
cially in  the  Foreign  Field  and  in  Domestic  Missionary  Work.  Certain 
mission  stations  or  hospitals  or  hospital  work  are  chosen  as  the  field  of 
their  operations;    while  their  offerings   to   Domestic   Missions   have  been 


126         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

appropriated  mainly  to  build  churches,  which  now  number  seventeen. 
1900,  825. 

See  also  1901,  1069-70;  1902,  loi,  106;  1903,  367,  373,  377;  1904,  718, 
719.  724;  1905,  III,  116,  120. 

Name  changed  to  ''Young  Peoples'  Missionary  League  of  the  Refd. 
Ch.":   1904,  724.     Total  gifts  of  the  League,  1888-1906,  are  $130,000. 

Christian  Endeavor  Societies.  See  Young  Peoples'  Societies  of 
Christian  Endeavor. 

Christian  Ethics.  Desirabilitv  of  a  Lectureship  on,  suggested, 
1871,  Z22>. 

Christian  Intelligencer.  This  paper  has  been  the  recognized  or- 
gan of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  since  1830.  It  then  took  the  place 
of  the  "Magazine  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  1826-1830,  which  see. 
It  has  been  very  frequently  commended  by  the  General  Synod.  In  the 
year  1830,  the  Missionary  Board  of  the  Church  expressed  an  opinion  re- 
specting the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  a  weekly  religious  paper. 
Synod's  Committee  said:  "We  believe  that  such  a  paper,  conducted  by 
a  man  of  popular  talents,  energy  and  discretion,  possessing  the  confidence 
of  the  churches,  endowed  with  extended  views,  and  at  the  same  time  heart- 
ily attached  to  'the  form  of  sound  words  once  delivered  to  the  saints, 
would  he  highly  useful,  and  obtain  general  support.  It  might  be  made 
the  vehicle  for  communicating  most  valuable  information  throughout  our 
bounds,  and  of  creating  an  impulse  which  might  have  the  happiest  ef- 
fect upon  our  affairs."     1830,  295.     The  first  issue  was  on  Aug.  7,  1830. 

In  1836,  Synod  ordered  that  the  reports  of  the  two  Mission  Boards 
be  published  in  said  paper,  '36,  528;  the  letters  of  correspondence  with 
Foreign  Churches,  '38,  126 ;  circulars  in  behalf  of  the  Widows'  Fund,  '38, 
190;  forms  of  devises,  '44,  368,  etc.,  etc.  Mr.  Chs.  Van  Wyck,  the  Pro- 
prietor stated  that  the  net  profits  of  the  paper  were  devoted  to  the  benevo- 
lent funds  of  the  Church,  and  hence  the  importance  of  increasing  its  cir- 
culation. The  Synod  declared  that  said  paper  was  an  important  auxiliary 
in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  Church,  and  a  valuable  religious  paper, 
and  deserving  a  place  in  every  family.     '38,  191-2. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  1848,  emphasized  the  im- 
portance of  a  Religious  Journal,  and  the  duty  of  improving  such  journal; 
that  its  province  is  distinct  and  peculiar ;  it  is  the  medium  for  comparin^^ 
views ;  "the  morals  of  politics  are  a  legitimate  theme" ;  wise  policies  should 
be  advocated ;  infidelity  confronted,  and  leading  minds  in  the  church  should 
write  for  it.  While  it  is  private  property,  yet  it  is  the  recognized  organ 
of  the  Church.  It  was  therefore  suggested  that  the  Synod  should  recom- 
mend it  only  on  condition  of  having  some  proper  control  over  its  columns, 
1848,  326-9. 

This  report  was  further  discussed,  and  the  suggestion  as  to  the  con- 
ditions of  Synod's  recommending  it,  endorsed,  and  a  Committee  appointed 
to  confer  with  Chs.  Van  Wyck,  the  proprietor.  '48,  283-4.  They  reported 
in  Sept.,  1848,  but  the  consideration  of  it,  after  a  short  discussion,  was 
indefinitely  postponed,  Sept.,  '48,  428. 

In  1852,  the  Proprietor  sent  a  communication  to  Synod,  '52,  213 ;  also 
the  Classes  of  New  Brunswick  and  New  York  sent  communications  in 
reference  to  said  paper,  '52,  263 ;  report  of  Committee ;  Proprietor  vin- 
dicated and  thanked;  a  Committee  consisting  of  Rev.  Drs.  Thos.  DeWitt, 
Isaac  Ferris,  and  G.  H.  Fisher  appointed  to  aid  the  Proprietor,  and  that 
their  names  be  printed  as  editors,  on  which  conditions  the  Synod  en- 
dorsed the  paper ;  '52,  284-5  ".  Synod  also  endorsed  Rev.  Dr.  J.  F.  Berg's 
Protestant  Review,  as  a  Quarterly;  285.  The  next  year,  the  Synod  heart- 
ily endorsed  the  paper : 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  highly  approve  the  action  of  the  Commit- 
tee appointed  last  year  in  reference  to  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  and  take 


CHRISTIAN  INTELLIGENCER  127 

pleasure  in  expressing  their  satisfaction  with  the  general  spirit  of  tlie  pa- 
per as  at  present  conducted.     1853,  382. 

After  this,  endorsements  were  frequent  and  hearty.  We  can  only  re- 
fer to  some  of  them  :     1877,  735  ; 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod,  recognizing  the  usefulness  of  the 
Christian  Intelligencer  as  a  denominational  organ,  and  the  singleness  of 
purpose  on  the  part  of  its  present  proprietors  and  conductors,  earnestly 
commend  it  to  the  liberal  support  of  all  our  ministers  and  people.  1879. 
400. 

IVhereas,  The  Christian  Intelligencer  has  been  recognized  during  the 
past  fifty  years  as  the  denominational  organ  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  and  has  done  good  service  as  a  faithful  exponent  of  the  doc- 
trines and  polity  of  the  Church,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  commends  the  Christian  Intelli- 
gencer, as  at  present  conducted,  to  the  favaroble  regard  and  liberal  sup- 
port of  all  our  ministers  and  people.     1880,  589. 

Believing  that  a  religious  denominational  paper,  edited  with  ability,  and 
suited  to  the  present  needs  of  the  Kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is 
an  important  educator  of  the  people,  highly  promotive  of  all  the  various 
benevolent  and  educational  interests  of  the  Church,  and  is  eminently  a  faith- 
ful witness  of  evangelical  truth,  as  held  by  our  Reformed  Church  in 
America ;  and.  Whereas,  several  years  have  passed  since  our  General 
Synod  has  taken  any  action  in  reference  to  it,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  heartily  commend  the  Christian 
Intelligencer  as  the  chief  organ  representing  our  Church,  to  the  fullest 
confidence  of  our  people,  hoping  it  may  find  its  appropriate  place  in  all 
of  our  homes.     1891,  425. 

The  Rev.  J.  B.  Drury,  addressed  the  Synod  concerning  The  Christian 
Intelligencer.     The  following  was  adopted: 

The  General  Synod  recognizes  the  important  service  rendered  the 
church  by  The  Christian  Intelligencer,  as  its  weekly  organ  for  sixty-seven 
years.  During  these  years,  it  has  been  a  chief  agent  in  promoting  its  in- 
terests, and  the  one  medium  of  communicating  to  its  membership  the  pro- 
ceedings of  its  Classes  and  Synods.  It  again  cordially  commends  it  to 
the  favor  and  support  of  the  churches.     1896,  506. 

Whereas,  The  Christian  Intelligencer  is  a  most  excellent  religious 
paper,  which  has  long  been,  and  still  is,  published  distinctively  in  the 
interests  of  the  Reformer  Church,  and  which  no  other  contemporary  pa- 
per can  take  the  place  of  in  the  home  when  it  is  sought  to  keep  intelli- 
gently informed  respecting  the  ecclesiastical  doings,  mission  operations 
and  other  enterprises  of  the  Church ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  heartily  commends  the  Christian  Intelli- 
gencer to  the  members  of  the  Reformed  Church.     1898,  260. 

The  following  have  been  the  Editors  of  the  Christian  Intelligencer : 

1.  Rev.  Cor.  D.  Westbrook,  D.D.  1830-3.  He  was  assisted  by  Rev. 
Drs.  Wm.  C.  Brownlee  and  Thomas  DeWitt. 

2.  The  Pastors  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  1833-43.  These  were,  at 
that  time.  Rev.  Drs.  John  Knox,  Wm.  C.  Brownlee,  Thos.  DeWitt,  and 
after  1839,  Thos.  E.  Vermilye.  Of  these,  Dr.  DeWitt  was  the  chief 
editor. 

3.  Rev.  John  H.  Bevier,  D.D.  1843-52.  Assisted  by  Dr.  Thos.  De- 
Witt  and  others. 

4.  Rev.  Dr.  Elbert  S.  Porter,  1852-68;  assisted  by  Rev.  E.  R.  At- 
water,   1853-68. 

5.  Rev.  Elnathan  R.  Atwater,  1868-72. 

6.  Rev.  Drs.  Wm.  J.  R.  Taylor,  H.  D.  Cause,  Wm.  H.  Campbell,  Tal- 
bot W.  Chambers  and  Isaac  Riley,  1872-77. 

7.  Rev.  Dr.  John  Mason  Ferris,  1877  to  present  time — (1906). 


128         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

8.  ♦  Rev.  Dr.  Francis  N.  Zabriskie,  1880-83. 

9.  Rev.  Dr.  John  B.  Drury,  1887  to  present  time — (1906). 

10.  Rev.  Dr.  N.  H.  Van  Arsdale,  Associate  Editor,  1882  to  present 
time — (1906). 

OFFICE    EDITORS  : 

Chs.  D.  Deshler,   1872-77. 

Rev.  Dr.  Cor.  R.  Blauvelt,  1877-79. 

PROPRIETORS  : 

Charles   P.  Van  Wyck,   1830-72. 

Ezra  A.  Hayt,  1872-77. 

The  Christian  IntelHgencer  Association  was  formed,  1877,  and  has 
continued,  with  modifications  unto  the  present  time — (1906). 

It  may  also  be  added  that  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers  was  a  constant 
contributor  to  the  paper  from  1850  to  1896,  the  time  of  his  death.  Mrs. 
Margaret  E.  Sangster  has  been  Editor  of  a  Department  of  the  paper  from 
1877,  to  present  time — (1906)  ;  and  Miss  Mary  J.  Porter  edited  the  "Chil- 
dren's Portfolio"  from  1883-1902,  the  time  of  her  death,  since  which 
time  Miss  Charlotte  K.  Drury  has  taken  charge  of  this  department. 

Christian  Life,  The.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  22-24,  28,  29;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.,  I,  2,  20-23 ;  31,  32,  86-129.     See  Christians. 

Christian  Ministry,  The.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  30,  31 ;  Constit.  of 
1874,  Arts.  3-21;  (of  1833,  Arts.  3-24;  of  1792,  Arts.  1-18;  of  1619,  Arts. 
3-17).  Nature  and  Grounds  of;  a  Department  in  Practical  Theology; 
1888,  543. 

Christian  Praise — A  Hymn  Book;  commended;  1880,  576;  very 
large  circulation;  1882,  151;  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Thompson  donates  his  half 
of  copyright  to  Board  of  Publication,  1886,  iii.     See  Hymnology. 

Christian  Reformed  Church — in  America.  For  History  of.  see  Cor- 
win's  Manual,  1902,  pp.  12,  140-1  ;  also  Vander  Werf's  Outline  Hist,  of 
1898.     See  also  ''Secession." 

In  1884,  the  following  occurred  at  Grand  Rapids,  Mich^: 

On  motion  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were*  adopted : 

Whereas,  There  is  at  present  convened  in  this  city,  a  Synod  of  the 
Christian   Reformed   Church, 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  Amer- 
ica, appoint  a  delegation  of  three  ministers  and  two  elders  to  express 
our  kind  and  fraternal  feeling  toward  them,  and  the  hope  that  the  Divine 
Spirit  may  bring  all  those  into  union,  who  hold  the  common  faith  and 
principles  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  consist  of  Revs.  I.  S.  Hartlev,  George 
S.  Bishop,  H.  E.  Dosker,  and  Elders  W.  H.  Crosby  and  A.  Pyl. 

The  Committee  visited  the  Synod  and  returned  with  the  following 
report  which  was  read  and  accepted : 

Your  Committee  appointed  to  bear  the  fraternal  salutations  of  tb-Js 
Synod  to  the  Christian  Brotherhood  of  the  Reformed  Church,  now  in 
session  in  this  city,  would  respectfully  report :  That  they  visited  the 
above  Christian  Brotherhood,  and  in  obedience  to  your  wishes  left  with 
them  your  greetings.  Your  Committee  were  most  kindly  received,  and 
in  response  to  their  remarks,  the  Rev.  Prof.  Boer  desired  them  to  con- 
vey to  your  reverend  body  the  assurance  that  they  hoped  they  were  alive 
to  the  solemn  truths  so  dear  to  the  Reformed  Church,  and  in  the  name 
of  their  Synod  added  that  he  prayed  as  the  years  advanced, 
as  members  of  a  common  faith,  they  might  come  closer  and 
still  closer  together.  The  President,  the  Rev.  L.  J.  Hulst,  concluded 
the  interview  by  re-iterating  the  sentiments  already  expressed  by  Rev. 
Prof.  Boer.  The  conference  closed  by  the  entire  Synod,  at  the  request 
of  the  President,  singing  in  Dutch,  the  familiar  doxology,  "Praise  God, 
etc."  ISAAC  S.  HARTLEY,  Chairman. 


CHRISTIAN  REFORMED  CHURCH  129 

On  the  following  day  a  delegation  consisting  of  the  President  of  the 
Christian  Reformed  Synod,  Rev.  L.  J  .Htilst,  the  Secretary,  Rev.  G. 
Hemkes,  the  Clerk,  pro  tern,  Rev.  J.  Noordewien,  the  Professor  in  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Rev.  G.  E.  Boer,  and  the  Rev.  L.  Rietdyk  appeared 
in  the  Synod  and  presented,  through  the  Secretary,  the  following  com- 
munication which  was  read  : 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  June  11,  1884. 

EXTRACT    OF    THE    MINUTES    OF    THE    SYNOD. 

Whereas,  The  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  kindly  has  sent  a  dele- 
gation to  our  Synodical  meeting,  held  on  June  11,  1884,  to  bear  us  their 
brotherly  greeting. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  the  Holland  Christian  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  appoint  a  delegation  to  express  their 
wishes,  that  the  Almighty  God  for  Christ's  sake  grant  you  blessing  upon 
your  assembly,  and  with  the  prayer  to  Him  above  that  all  having  the  same 
faith,  and  based  upon  the  same  fundamental  principles  become  one. 

Resolved,  That   this   Committee  consist  of  the   Brethren   Revs.   L.   J. 
Hulst  of  Grand  Rapids,  L.  Rietdyk  of  Zeeland,  J.   Noordewien  of  Kala- 
mazoo, Professor  Boer  of  Grand  Rapids,  and  G.  Hemkes  of  Vriesland, 
Signed,  G.  HEMKES,  Secretary  of  Synod. 

Brief  addresses  were  then  made  by  Prof.  Boer  and  by  the  Secretary 
and  the  President,  the  latter  being  in  the  Dutch  language  and  translated 
by  one  of  the  delegates.  After  a  cordial  response  by  the  President  of 
the  General  Synod,  the  visiting  brethren,  by  invitation,  sat  awhile  and 
then  took  their  leave,  the  Synod  rising.     1884,  460-1. 

A  communication  from  the  Holland  Christian  Reformed  Church, 
announcing  that  they  had  considered  and  accepted  a  proposal  to  enter  into 
correspondence  with  our  church. 

Your  Committee  would  recommend  that  such  correspondence  be  es- 
tablished, and  that  Rev.  John  H.  Karsten,  D.D.,  be  hereby  appointed  our 
delegate  to  the  Holland  Christian  Reformed  Church.     1899,  469. 

Rev.  Henry  Beets  appeared  as  delegate  from  this  Body,  to  R.  C.  A., 
in  1901.  In  his  address,  he  asked  for  information  as  to  the  future  at- 
titude of  R.  C  A.  to  secret  oath-bound  Societies  ;  and  why,  in  the  Stand- 
ards of  R.  C  A.,  the  "Rejection  of  Errors"  of  the  Remonstrants,  seems 
to  be  omitted.  The  report  of  Committee  on  Correspondence  suggested 
that  old  differences  should  be  forgotten  and  minified,  and  essential  truths, 
and  the  duty  of  publishing  these  should  be  magnified.  The  duty  of  con- 
fidence in  each  other's  loyalty  to  Scripture  should  also  exist  in  corre- 
sponding bodies.  To  show  all  courtesy,  however,  a  Committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  report  more  fully  on  the  matters  referred  to;  1901,  1128-9. 
See  Christian  Comity. 

Report   of  Committee.     {Abstract.) 

The  question  as  to  the  attitude  of  R.  C.  A.  to  secret  oath-bound  So- 
cieties seems  to  imply  some  doubt  respecting  R.  C.  A. ;  but  each  Church 
is  responsible  only  to  Christ ;  the  two  Churches  involved,  are  identical  in 
doctrine  and  government,  and  they  ought  to  work  in  Union.  Questions 
of  a  general  nature  cannot  be  definitely  answered.  R.  C.  A.  does  not  pro- 
tect secret  oath-bound  Societies.  All  such  questions  are  for  the  determina- 
tion of  lower  courts ;  Synod  is  an  appellant  body  for  review,  if  necessary, 
of  disciplinary  acts.  The  right  of  interrogation  is  mutual,  but  it  should 
not  intrude  on  Christian  courtesy. 

As  to  the  failure  to  include  the  so-called  "Rejection  of  Errors"  in 
the  Standards  of  R.  C  A.  The  history  of  the  Church  in  America  explains 
this.  The  conditions  in  America,  in  1792  were  so  different  from  those 
in  Holland  in  1618.  The  Synod  of  Dort  gave  both  a  positive  and  negative 
declaration   why  the   Remonstrants  could  not   be   depended  on  as   reliable 


I30        DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

expositors  of  the  Word  of  God.  There  were  no  Remonstrants  demand- 
ing rights  in  R.  C.  A.  in  1792,  and  no  law  of  exclusion  was  needed.  The 
American  Church,  therefore,  adopted  simply  the  positive  statement  of 
truth.     See  under  "'Canons  of  Synod  of  Dort."     1902,  122-4;   126-7. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Christian  Refd.  Ch.  on 
Christian  Comity.  It  also  stated  that  no  reply  could  be  made  to  action 
of  R.  C.  A.  of  1902  until  after  their  Synod  of  1904.  In  reference  to  "Ec- 
clesiastical Correspondence,"  they  suggested  that  delegates  have  an  ad- 
visory voice ;  that  they  give  mutual  attention  that  no  one  depart  in  doc- 
trine, liturgy  or  discipline  from  Reformed  principles;  that  there  should 
be  rnutual  deliberation  concerning  the  attitude  to  be  assumed  toward  third 
parties ;  and  to  assist  each  other  with  advice  as  to  any  modification  of 
Confession,  Liturgy  or  Rules  of  Church  Government. 

The  R.  C  A.  expressed  its  willingness  to  correspond  on  the  same 
terms  as  with  other  Bodies;  that  it  does  not  seem  wise  that  either  should 
assume  an  official  advisory  relation  to  the  other.  As  to  Church  Comity — 
that  matter  is  left  to  the  Consistories  as  to  the  propriety  or  not  of  re- 
ceiving members  from  other  bodies ;   1903,  394-6. 

Dissatisfaction  was  expressed  as  to  replies  received  from  R.  C.  A. 
Synod  answered  that  they  had  replied  to  their  own  satisfaction,  and  that 
any  further  discussion  would  detract  from,  rather  than  add  to,  the  fra- 
ternal feeling  now  existing  between  the  two  bodies;   1905,  11,  149. 

Christian  Reformed  Church  in  the  Netherlands.  This  consists 
of  a  body  of  Seceders  from  the  National  Church.  The  first  reference 
to  them  in  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod,  R.  C.  A.,  is  in  1847:  Says  Dr. 
Thos.  DeWitt : — ''When  in  Holland,  I  received  information  of  a  rising 
spirit  of  emigration  to  America,  and  especially  among  the  afgescheidene, 
seceders  from  the  Established  Church,  and  had  a  short  interview  with 
Rev.  Mr.  Scholte,  of  Utrecht,  recently  arrived  in  this  country.  The  tide 
of  emigration  has  commenced,  and  soon,  two  important  colonies  from 
this  class  will  be  founded  in  the  West,"  1847,  134. — See  "Hollanders  in 
the  West." 

In  1869,  a  letter  was  received  from  this  Secession  Church  in  Hol- 
land, requesting  the  Synod  to  send  a  deputation  to  their  Synod,  which 
would  meet  at  Middleburgh,  Zeeland,  on  June  15th.  Synod  expressed 
its  gratification,  and  appointed  Rev.  C.  Vandermeulen,  already  on  his 
way  to  Holland,  to  bear  the  salutations  of  the  R.  C.  A.  to  the  Secession 
Church  of  Holland,  1869,  552,  583. 

A  letter  received  from  the  Christian  R.  C.  of  Holland,  thro'  Rev.  Dr. 
A.  C.  Van  Raalte,  proposing  fraternal  correspondence,  and  asking  about 
the  oath  against  Simony,  1875,  205,  251 ;  (the  President  and  Stated  Clerk 
in  accordance  with  permission  given,  1874,  62,,  had  given  credentials  to 
Rev.  R.  Pieters  to  represent  R.  C.  A.  at  Synod  of  Christian  R.  C.  at 
'S  Hertogenbosch).  Rev.  Prof.  Chs.  Scott,  President  of  Synod,  and  Rev. 
A.  C.  Van  Raalte  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  reply ;  and  the  Stated 
Clerk  should  send  a  copy  of  the  Minutes,  R.  C.  A.  to  said  Church.  '75, 
265. — Another  letter  from,  1879,  277.  An  invitation  received,  to  attend 
the  opening  exercises  of  the  Free  University  of  Amsterdam,  1881,  682; 
further  details;  Stated  Clerk  directed  to  acknowledge  the  courtesy  of  the 
invitation,  and  give  assurance  of  the  best  wishes  of  Synod  of  R.  C.  A. 
for  its  prosperity,  685 ;  Revs.  J.  G.  Smart,  W.  R.  Gordon,  Chs.  I.  Shepard, 
commissioned  as  delegates  to  any  Assemblies  of  the  Presbyterian  order 
in  Europe,  688. 

Classis  of  Wisconsin  requests  that  delegates  be  sent  to  Ch.  R.  Ch. 
of  the  Netherlands ;  Rev.  Drs.  P.  D.  Van  Cleef  and  G.  S.  Bishop  appointed, 
1882,  64,  65. 

A  Dutch  letter  was  received  from  C.  R.  Ch.  in  Netherlands,  dated 
June  26,  1885,  conveying  their  salutations  to  R.  C  A.,  and  requesting 
delegates  to  be  appointed  to  attend  their  Synod  at  Rotterdam,  Aug.  18, 
1885.     Read  in  Synod,   1886,  133-4;  I>ut  too  late  to  appoint  delegates. 


CHRISTIAN  REF.  CHURCH— NETHERLANDS     131 

In  1888,  a  cable  despatch  was  sent  to  Rev.  Dr.  H.  E.  Dosker,  in  Hol- 
land, authorizing  him  to  convey  salutations  of  R.  C.  A.  to  the  Ch.  R.  C. 
soon  to  meet  at  Assen,  Neths.,  1888,  613. 

1889. 

The  Committee  has  had  referred  to  it  a  letter  from  "The  Christian 
Reformed  Church  in  the  Netherlands,"  complaining  that  no  notice  has 
been  taken  of  its  letters  of  1882  and  of  1885,  sharply  criticising  our  body 
for  the  allowing  of  Church  members  to  join  the  Free  Masons  and  other 
oath-bound  secret  societies. 

Recognizing  the  fact  that  large  numbers  of  our  Holland  immigrants 
come  from  that  body,  it  is  due  not  only  to  that  Synod,  but  as  well  to 
our  Holland  brethren  in  the  West,  who  are  looking  for  growth  and 
strength  from  that  source,  that  a  courteous  and  Christian  reply  be  given 
to  their  letter,  hoping  thereby  all  misunderstanding  might  be  removed 
and  a  friendly  correspondence  maintained. 

With  this  purpose  in  view,  your  Committee  has  framed  the  following 
reply,  recommending  that  it  be  signed  by  the  President  of  this  Synod 
and  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  forwarded  to  that  body: 

Polite  and  explanatory  answer  sent ;  printed  in  Minutes ;  1889,  837- 
840. 

Report  of  Rev.  H.  E.  Dosker,  as  delegate  to  said  church;  '89,  841. 

Further  communications ;  '93,  709,  813,  815-816. 

Report  of  Revs.  Steffens  and  Joldersma,  delegates  to  Chr.  Ref.  Ch. 
of  the  Netherlands  testified  to  the  hearty  reception  accorded  them.  On 
account  of  the  historical  relations  of  R.  C  .A.  with  Holland,  and  the  im- 
portance of  keeping  in  touch  with  an  emigration,  now  so  large  a  factor 
in  the  Church  life  of  R.  C.  A.,  Synod  determined  to  appoint  a  delegate 
to  the  Holland  Synod  of  1896;  1894,  137.  Revs.  G.  S.  Bishop,  D.D.,  and 
B.  Van  Ess,  were  appointed  delegates,  Primarii ;  and  Revs.  T.  W.  Cham- 
bers, D.D.,  and  J.  H.  Karsten,  Secundi,  1895,  140;  '96,  418. — Dr.  Bishop 
reported  on  his  visit  to  the  Chr.  Refd.  Ch.  of  the  Neths. ;  presented  the 
Minutes  of  that  Body  to  Synod ;  and  read  a  letter  from  them ;  '97,  689, 
690 ;  said  Synod  requested  that  delegates  be  sent  by  each  side,  not  only 
to  convey  the  greetings,  but  to  take  seats  in  each  other's  Synods,  having 
full  power  of  discussion ;  suggestion  adopted ;  the  Stated  Clerk  directed 
to  extend  a  cordial  invitation  to  that  Holland  Synod  to  send  one  or  more 
delegates  to  our  next  Gen.  Synod  on  the  terms  proposed ;  and  that  the 
R.  C  A  appoint  delegates,  at  session  preceding  that  of  the  Holland  Synod 
in  1899,  who  shall  go  without  expense  to  Synod,  1897,  692. 

The  Holland  Synod  expressed  its  gratification  at  the  action  of  the 
Synod  of  R.  C  A.,  and  expressed  regret  that  Prof.  Rutgers,  their  dele- 
gate, was  unable  to  be  present  on  account  of  his  duties  at  the  Free  Uni- 
versity of  Amsterdam,  1898,  160- 1.  Revs.  J.  F.  Zwemer  and  Edgar  Til- 
ton  were  appointed  delegates  to  the  Refd.  Ch.  of  the  Neths.,  163. 

A  communication  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Refd.  Ch.  in  the 
Neths.,  stated  that  that  body  meets  at  Groningen,  Aug.  15,  1899,  and  re- 
questing names  of  delegates  to  be  sent  as  soon  as  possible.  Revs.  Jas. 
F  Zwemer  and  E.  C  Oggel  were  appointed,  1899,  469,  470,  474.  Rev.  J. 
F.  Zwemer  reported  that  he  had  written  to  that  body,  and  sends  Synod 
a  copy  of  his  letter,  1900,  779.  Revs.  E.  T.  Corwin  and  Daniel  Van  Pelt 
were  appointed  delegates  to  the  next  Synod  of  Refd.  Chs.  in  the  Neths. 
1900,  782. — Revs  Adrian  Kriekaard  and  Henry  E.  Dosker,  appointed  dele- 
gates. 1901,  1 130. — Rev.  W.  C  Roe  and  Mrs.  Roe  were  given  credentials 
to  Synod  of  Refd.  Chs.  in  Neths.,  to  represent  the  work  of  R.  C.  A.  among 
the  Indians,  1902,  125-6;  while  Rev.  Dr.  H.  E.  Dosker  and  Rev.  Mat. 
Kolyn,  were  appointed  delegates,  1902,  128.  Dr.  Dosker  wrote  a  letter, 
which  was  read  at  the  Synod  of  Arnheim,  in  Aug.,  1902,  and  printed  in 
their  ]\linutes,  1903,  392. — Rev.  J.  Lumkes  and  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin,  D.D., 
delegates,    1903,   394. — Rev.   Jas.    F.    Zwemer,    1904,    747. — Aid    was   asked 


132         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

by  this  Synod  of  the  Neths.,  of  R.  C.  A.,  to  help  build  a  church  for 
Dutch  emigrants  in  Argentina ;  but  no  funds  available,  1904,  743-4. — In- 
vitation received  to  R.  C.  A.  to  send  one  or  more  deputies,  to  assist  at 
first  session  of  the  Holland  Synod,  to  be  held  at  Utrecht,  Aug.  22,  1905. 
Rev.  Jas.  F.  Zwemer  appointed,  1905,  143,  148. 

Christians.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  29;  Heid.  Cat.  Quests.  32,  34;  60-64; 
90-113.     See  Christian  Life. 

Christian  Truth,  First  Lessons  in.  See  First  Lessons  in  Christian 
Truth. 

Christian  Union.     See  Church  Union. 

Christmas.  Congregations  shall  observe;  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  67; 
Lord's  Supper  to  be  celebrated  at ;  1619,  Art.  63 ;  may  be  observed,  to 
prevent  evil ;  its  observance,  discretionary,  Constit.  of  1792,  in  America, 
Art.  67.     No  reference  to,  in  Constitution  of  1833  or  1874. 

Church  Almanac.     See  Almanac  and  Year  Book. 

Church  and  State,  ^elg.  Conf.,  Art.  36;  not  applicable  in  America; 
see  Preface  to  Constitution  of  1792;  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.,  1619,  Arts.  28,  66, 
67,  71 ;  of  1792,  Art.  35,  note.  No  allusion  in  Constits.  of  1833,  1874.  The 
Church  may  reciuest  the  civil  rulers  to  appoint  days  of  prayer ;  Rules  of 
1792,  Art.  66. 

Allusion  to  separation  of  Church  and  State  was  made  by  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  Church  in  1791  ;  that  the  elements  of  a  Church  Constitution, 
in  America,  should  be  limited  to  the  "Doctrines,  Liturgy  and  Government 
of  the  Church,"  that  all  that  related  to  the  agency  of  the  Magistrate  in 
ecclesiastical  matters  be  omitted;   May,   1791,  218. 

Owing  to  the  passage  of  a  certain  Act  by  the  Legislature  of  New 
York  in  1834-5,  relating  to  Church  Incorporations,  (1835,  401),  the  Synod 
declared  the  Act  subversive  of  the  Constitution  of  R.  D.  C,  and  enjoined 
the  churches  not  to  adopt  its  provisions ;  and  appointed  a  Committee  to 
seek  its  repeal.  1835,  437-8.  In  this  connection  again,  th§  Synod  took 
action  as  to  the  non-applicability  of  Art.  36,  of  the  Belgic  Confession,  in 
America  ;  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  that  part  of  the  36th  article  of  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  as  now  printed,  which  declares  that  it  belongs  to  the  office  of  the 
civil  magistrate  "to  protect  the  holy  Church  service,  and  to  prevent  and 
extirpate  all  idolatr\'  and  false  worship;  to  destroy  the  kingdom  of  Anti- 
christ ;  to  promote  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  take  care  that  the 
word  of  the  Gospel  be  preached  everywhere,  that  God  may  be  honored 
and  worshiped  by  every  one  as  He  commands  in  His  Word,  "is  sufficiently 
explained  in  the  preface  of  the  Constitution  and  35th  explanatory  article. 

Resolved.  That  the  Reformed  Church  deprecates  any  union  between 
Church  and  State  as  alike  detrimental  to  the  interests  of  vital  piety,  and 
dangerous  to  that  liberty  of  conscience  which  is  now  enjoyed  by  the 
citizens  of  our  happy  Republic. 

Resolved,  That  the  results  of  experience  in  this  country  abundantly 
prove  that  the  Church  needs  no  other  support  than  the  piety  of  its  mem- 
bers and  the  grace  of  Christ.     1835,  438-9. 

See  Incorporation  of  Churches;  Trustees,  Charters. 

Church  Building  Fund,  1854..  Called  also  Church  Extension  Fund. 
Your  Committee  submit  also  for  the  action  of  Synod,  a  plan  of  a  Church- 
building,  Fund,  which  the  Board  of  Missions  has  prepared  and  sent  up  for 
examination.  The  basis  of  the  action  of  the  Board  is  an  article  in  the 
Constitution  of  the'  Board  itself,  which  contemplates  such  a  measure,  and 
its  reason  the  necessities  which  their  connection  with  new  or  feeble 
churches  brings  to  view.    The  following  is  the  scheme : 

I.  A  sum  of  money  not  less  than  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  to  be 
called  "The  Church-building  Fund."  shall  be  raised  before  October  i,  1855, 


CHURCH  BUILDING  FUND,  1854  133 

for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the   erection  of  houses  of   worship   in   our 
denomination. 

2.  Said  fund  shall  be  held  by  the  Board  of  Corporation,  and  shall  be 
managed  and  dispensed  according  to  the  directions  hereinafter  stated  by 
the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions. 

3.  Xo  greater  amount  than  one-fifth  of  each  thousand  dollars  which 
the  building  may  cost,  shall  be  appropriated  to  any  one  church,  and  not 
more  than  one  thousand  dollars  in  any  case. 

4.  A  first  bond  and  mortgage  for  said  sum  shall  be  executed  to  the 
Board  of  Corporation,  to  be  made  payable  immediately  upon  any  change 
of  ecclesiastical  relation,  by  every  church  securing  an  appropriation,  but 
no  interest  shall  be  exacted  thereon  so  long  as  such  church  shall  make  a 
yearly  collection  for  the  fund. 

5.  Xo  part  of  said  fund  shall  be  appropriated  within  the  limits  of  the 
cities  of  Xew  York,  Brooklyn,  or  Jersey  City. 

6.  The  several  Classes  shall  take  order,  that  a  general  concerted  effort 
be  made  to  raise  the  aforesaid  sum,  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  the  month 
of  January,  and  to  have  a  yearly  collection  in  every  subsequent  year. 

7.  A  Committee  shall  be  appointed,  consisting  of  Rev.  Talbot  W. 
Chambers,  Gustavus  Abeel,  Oscar  H.  Gregory,  and  the  Elders  Abraham 
Van  Xest  and  Albert  Chrystie,  to  prepare  a  circular,  setting  forth  the 
details  of  the  plan,  and  its  claims,  and  generally  to  aid  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  enterprise.     1854,  476-7. 

In  1855  there  is  a  lengthy  report  on  the  subject.  Circulars  had  been 
issued,  but  only  $1,074  had  been  received.  A  new  Committee  was  sug- 
gested, and  that  ministers  be  sent  to  every  pulpit  to  present  the  scheme, 
and  that  their  own  pulpits  be  supplied,  1855.  607-9. 

The  Fund  grew  very  slowly.  See  Oct.,  1855,  26.  27;  '56,  41,  106-8; 
'57/  150;  '58,  328;  "59,  378;  '60,  575.  In  1861,  the  Plan  was  somewhat 
changed ;  applications  must  henceforth  come  thro'  the  Classis ;  the  amount 
required,  and  the  amount  raised  by  the  Church,  must  be  stated;  interest 
on  the  loan  may  be  remitted ;  every  church  expected  to  pay  back  amount 
received,  as  soon  as  practicable  ;  no  church  to  be  aided,  which  would  have 
a  debt  remaining,  1861,  90. 

In  1862,  an  amended  Plan  was  adopted,  as  follows: 

1.  All  benevolent  Funds  for  Church  Building  purposes,  however 
raised,  shall  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of  Geneial  Synod,  and 
shall  be  held  by  the  Board  of  Corporation  as  a  Church  Building  Fund,  and 
shall  be  dispensed  by  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  at  its  discretion. 

2.  Applications  for  aid  from  this  Fund  shall  be  made  to  the  Board  of 
Domestic  Missions,  under  recommendation  of  Classis,  and  the  amount 
required  stated,  as  also  the  amount  to  be  raised  by  the  people  asking  such 
assistance. 

3.  A  first  bond  and  mortgage  shall  be  executed  by  the  Board  of  Cor- 
poration, to  be  made  payable  in  one  year  by  any  Church  receiving  an 
appropriation.  The  interest  thereon  may  be  remitted  at  the  discretion  of 
the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  and  in  case  of  such  remission,  the  Church 
shall  make  a  yearly  collection  for  the  Fund ;  and  every  Church  aided  shall 
be  expected  to  pay  back  the  aid  received  as  soon  as  practicable. 

4.  Xo  Church  shall  be  aided  which  would  have  a  debt  remaining 
after  receiving  assistance  from  this  Fund. 

5.  An  annual  collection  shall  be  solicited  from  all  the  Churches 
towards  this  Fund.     1862,  201-2. 

In  1862,  loans  began  to  be  made;  1863,  349;  '64,  399,  492:  '65.  552.  639; 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  be  authorized  to  take  such  measures  as  it 
may  deem  expedient  to  secure  at  as  early  a  day  as  practicable  an  endow- 
ment of  the  Church  Building  Fund  to  an  amount  of  not  less  than  $50,000. 
1865.  640;  "66,  13. 

It  was  now  resolved  that  an  agent  should  visit  the  churches  to  try  to 


134         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

raise  $50,000.  for  this  Fund.  '66,  105 ;  '67,  162.  The  Domestic  Board  was 
in  1867  incorporated,  and  the  following  action  was  taken: 

Resolved,  That  the  Building  Fund  of  the  Church,  and  all  future  con- 
tributions thereto,  be  committed  to  and  received  by  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  and  that  the  future  disposition  of  that  fund, 
and  all  investments  thereof,  be  made  b}-  and  under  the  direction  of  that 
Board,  subject  to  the  rules  and  regulations  now  in  force  touching  its 
investment  and  distribution,  with  this  modification,  that  the  amount  of 
advances  and  the  time  when  they  shall  be  made  to  Churches  in  course  of 
erection  be  in  the  discretion  of  the  Board,  to  be  executed  by  them  in 
view  of  all  the  circumstances  surrounding  each  case  respectively,  the 
Board  being  careful  to  take  the  accustomed  and  approved  security  in  the 
case  of  each  advance  as  heretofore  practiced  in  the  administration  of  the 
fund.  1867,  279,  281 ;  Nov.  1867,  348.  The  amount  now  transferred  from 
Bd.  of  Corporation  to  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions,  was  $20,884.57;  1868, 
378.  491-2;  it  was  now  proposed  that  the  Fund  should  be  raised  to 
$100,000,  1869,  652;  1870,  127-8;  Rev.  E.  P.  Livingston,  appointed  Agent  to 
raise  this  Fund,  1871,  334,  335;  reports,  1877,  721-2;  1878,  138;  1879,  390; 
'80,  572;  '81,  770;  '82,  144;  '85,  763. 

Christian  Endeavor  Societies  contribute  to, '94,  113;  '95,  116,  118,  120-1; 
'98,  126;  1900,  760;  1901,  1105;  1902,  105;  1903,  371;  1905,  113. 

See  Corwin's  Manual  of  1901,  225.  The  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions 
now  holds  nearly  200  deeds  and  mortgages,  on  moneys  loaned  to  churches, 
varying  in  amounts  from  $200  to  $10,000. 

Church  Colleges.  The  Lemma,  Rutgers  College,  Art.  13,  was 
changed  to  that  of  ''Church  Colleges",  1866,  91.  See  Education — Acade- 
mies and  Colleges. 

Churches,  Lists  of.  First  official  list,  Ma}^  1784,  112-114;  again, 
1800,  313-316;  1829,  208,  215-224;  after  1830  the  Statistical  Tables  became 
approximately  complete.  Since  1892  alphabetical  lists  of  the  churches 
have  been  published  in  the  Minutes.  For  complete  lists,  alphabetical  and 
chronological,  see  Manual,  1901,  935-1044;   1073-1082. 

Churches,  Parity  of.  Constit.  1619,  Arts.  17,  84.  Nothing  is  said 
about  this  in  the  later  Constitutions. 

Churches,  Weak.  May  entrust  their  money  for  safe  keeping  to  Bd. 
of  Corporation.     1899,  464-5. 

Church  Extension.  This  was  the  title  of  the  Article  for  what  we 
now  style  "Domestic  Missions"  from  1786- 1799.  which  see. 

Church  Extension.  Meaning  "Church  Building  Fund."  $2000  left 
by  Ab.  Storms  for  Church  Extension,  was  paid  to  Bd.  of  Domestic 
Missions,  1879,  241. 

Church  Extension.  Committees  with  this  name  to  be  appointed  in 
each   Particular  Synod.     1869,  632-3. 

Church  Extension  Fund.     See  Ch.  Building  Fund. 

Church  Federation.     See  Federation  of  Churches. 

Church  Festivals.    See  Feast  Days. 

Church  Government.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  30-32;  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov. 
finally  established  at  Synod  of  Dort,  1619;  Explanatory  Articles  on  the 
same,  for  the  American  Dutch  Church,  1792;  Fusion  of  these  two  sets  of 
Articles,  1833;  Revision  of  1874.  These  Rules  are  popularly  called  the 
"Constitution,"  although  that  word  also  includes  the  Doctrines  and 
Liturgy,  1791,  218.  The  Articles  of  Union  were  a  temporary  expedient, 
1771-1792,  but  called  a  "Plan  of  Church  Gov.",  May,  1791,  218.  See 
Woodbridge's  "Synopsis  of  Church  Government,"  1896,  334,  345;  Consti- 
tution. 

Church  Histories.     Pastors  requested  to  prepare;   1871,  345.     Most 


CHURCH   HISTORY  135 

of    the    older    churches    have    ptibHshed    their    histories.      For    titles,    see 
References  in  Corwin's  Manual,  1901,  pp.  935-1044. 

Church  History.  Lectures  of  Dr.  Woodbridge  on  Church  History 
published  1895,  60. 

Church  Home  or  Church  House.     See  Reformed  Church  Building. 

Church  Hymnary.  Recommended,  1895,  125 ;  1900,  768.  A  number 
of  copies  presented  to  Hertzog  Hall  Chapel,  1899,  369,  394.  See  Hymn- 
ology. 

Church  Masters.  These  are  not  alluded  to  in  Constitution  of  1619, 
but  were  common  in  all  the  larger  churches.  Sec  word  in  Index  of  Ecc. 
Records  of  New  York.  Their  office  explained  as  a  Committee  to  keep 
churches,  parsonages  and  school  houses  in  good  repair;  Constit.  1792,  Art. 
30.     No  reference  to,  in  Constitutions  of  1833,  1874. 

Church-Order.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  32.  See  Preface  to  Explanatory 
Articles;  also  Explanatory  Art.  35,  note.  In  Dutch  the  Church-Order  is 
Kerken-Ordeninge,  and  refers  to  the  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.  adopted  at  Dort 
in  1619.  The  expression  occurs  frequently  in  the  early  Minutes,  as  1788, 
184,  etc. 

Church  Property.  Committee  of  five  appointed  to  secure  legislation 
for  the  protection  of  Church  Property.  1875,  357.  See  Incorporation  of 
Churches. 

Church  Records.  Consistories  shall  keep  records  of  all  baptisms, 
marriages,  and  important  acts ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts,  48,  49 ;  (of  1833, 
Arts.  55,  56;  of  1792,  Arts.  ^3,  57;  records  of  baptisms,  only;  Constit.  1619, 
Art.  60).  Every  Classis  shall  keep  a  record  of  all  candidates  and  minis- 
ters, and  lay  their  acts  before  the  Particular  Synod;  Constit.  1874,  Arts. 
61,  68;  (of  1833,  69,  80;  of  1792,  42,  48;  of  1619,  34.) 

Church  Rolls.  Churches  to  make  a  general  revision  of  their  church- 
rolls  in  1900,  and  every  fifth  year  thereafter,  1898,  145. 

Church,  The.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  27-36;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23,  54- 
58 ;  Canons,  ii.  8,  9.  See  Catholic  Church ;  Holy  Cathohc  Church ;  Preface 
to  Constitution  of  1792,  and  of  the  Explanatory  Articles.  Constitution  of 
the  Church  consists  of  her  Doctrines,  Liturgy  and  Government;  1791,  217,. 
218;  1792,  235-6;  Name  of  the  Church,  1867,  240;  Nov.  '67,  334-5;  '69,  625. 

Church  Union.  Beza  proposed  a  Confederation  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  1561,  but  it  proved  to  be  impracticable  at  that  time.  The 
same  thought  was  embodied  in  the  Second  Book  of  Discipline  of  the 
Church  of  Scotland  in  1580.  Most,  if  not  all,  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  were  invited  to  send  delegates  to  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19,. 
and  nearly  all  were  there  represented,  five  being  present  even  from 
the  Church  of  England.  The  Westminster  Assembly,  1643-52,  rep- 
resented largely  the  spiritual  unity  of  all  English  speaking  Churches.. 
Professor  Hermann  Witsius  also  drew  up  a  Plan  of  Union,  for  all 
the  Reformed  Churches,  at  the  request  of  William  III.,  about  1690- 
1700,  but  nothing  definite  resulted  therefrom.  In  1743  the  Classis 
of  Amsterdam  sought  to  bring  about  a  union  of  the  Dutch,  the  Ger- 
man, and  the  Presbyterian  Churches,  in  America,  but  without  suc- 
cess. In  1783,  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  in  America,  expressed  the  desire  that  some  genius  equal  to 
the  task  would  arise,  to  draw  a  plan  for  uniting  all  the  Reformed 
churches  in  America  into  one  national  church.  Notwithstanding^ 
the  seeming  difficulties  in  the  way,  "I  humbly  apprehend,"  says  he,, 
"this  will  be  practicable;  and  I  3'et  hope  to  see  it  accomplished." 
In  1784,  efforts  began  to  be  made  to  promote  friendly  correspondence 
between  the  Presbyterian,  the  Associate  Reformed,  and  the  Dutch 
Reformed  churches  in  America.  Committees  met,  and  articles  of 
agreement  were  drawn  up  in  1785,  and  new  articles  in  1800.     Friendly 


136         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

letters  and  visits  of  delegates  were  exchanged  for  several  years,  but 
this  was  all.  In  1816,  special  efforts  were  renewed  to  unite  the  As- 
sociate Reformed  and  the  Dutch  Reformed  in  closer  l^onds,  and 
in  1820  to  unite  them  together  under  the  name  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Church  in  North  America.  The  standards  of  the  two 
churches  were  mutually  adopted,  and  individual  congregations  were 
to  be  allowed  their  own  customs  and  usages.  Two-thirds  of  the 
Classes  were  in  favor  of  this  union;  but  in  1821  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Church  declined  to  press  the  subject  further.  Delegates 
and  letters,  more  or  less  frequently,  were  exchanged  in  subsequent 
years. 

In  1822  new  articles  of  correspondence  were  drawn  up  between 
the  Presbyterian  and  Dutch  churches,  and  delegates  have  passed 
back  and  forth  almost  every  year  until  the  present  time.  In  1873- 
78  earnest  efforts  were  again  made  to  bring  about  a  union  of  the 
Presbyterian  churches,  North  and  South,  the  German  Reformed 
Church  and  the  Dutch  Church,  but  without  success. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Dutch  General  Synod,  in  1794,  union 
with  the  German  Church  was  looked  forward  to  as  a  desirable  con- 
summation, and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  ''effectual  meas- 
ures to  bring  so  desirable  a  thing  into  effect."  Delegates  were  ex- 
changed. More  distinct  propositions  for  union  were  made  in  1820, 
and  again  in  1842,  and  at  the  important  Harrisburg  convention  of 
1844,  it  was  thought  that  the  scheme  was  on  the  highroad  to  success; 
but  in  1848,  owing  to  certain  doctrinal  discussions  in  the  German 
Church,  the  Dutch  Church  withdrew  from  the  scheme,  and  corre- 
spondence was  suspended  for  ten  years  (1853-63).  With  the  tri- 
centennial  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  in  1863,  intercourse  was  re- 
newed, and  a  general  eft'ort  for  union  was  again  made  in  1873,  as  al- 
luded to  above,  but  then  the  Dutch  and  Germans  could  not  agree 
on  the  doctrinal  standards.  In  1886  began  another  effort,  which  was 
prosecuted  for  six  years.  The  scheme  of  a  federal  union  now  seemed 
■certain  to  succeed,  and  tw^o-thirds  of  the  Classes  of  the'Reformed 
(Dutch)  Church,  and  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  Classes  of  the  Reformed 
(German)  Church,  agreed  to  the  plan  proposed;  but  some  technical 
errors  in  the  reports  of  the  vote  of  the  Classes  of  the  Dutch  Church 
.and  other  reasons  delayed  the  consummation,  and  ultimately  pre- 
vented success.     See  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  287. 

A  little  after  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century  influential  Pres- 
byterians in  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  among  whom, 
were  Rev.  Dr.  James  McCosh,  President  of  Princeton  University, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  William  Garden  Blaikie,  of  Edinburgh,  suggested  the 
formation  of  a  general  organization  which  should  include  all  the  Re- 
formed churches  wherever  found.  Official  action  in  harmony  with 
the  suggestion  was  taken  in  1873,  both  in  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States.  In  1874  meetings  preliminary  to  organization  were 
held  at  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  at  New  York  City.  At  the  New 
York  meeting  representatives  of  seven  churches  were  in  attendance 
with  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Hall  as  Chairman.  Both  meetings  approved 
of  the  calling  of  a  joint  preliminary  gathering  of  delegates  from 
British,  Continental,  and  Colonial  churches,  to  be  held  in  London 
in  1875,  and  if  the  way  should  be  clear,  to  adopt  a  constitution  and 
make  other  preparations  for  the  first  meeting  of  a  General  Council. 
The  Council  thus  arranged  for  was  held  on  July  3,  1877,  at  Edin- 
burgh, Scotland,  and  there  were  present  220  delegates,  representing 
43  denominational  and  national  churches.  The  General  Councils 
since  the  first  have  been  held  as  follows:  At  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  1880; 
Belfast,  Ireland,  1884;  London,  England,  1888;  Toronto,  Canada,  1892; 
Glasgow,  Sct)tland.    1896,  and   Washington,   D.   C,   1899,  and  at   Liver- 


CHURCH  UNION  137 

pool,  1904.  The  proceedings  of  the  Councils  have  been  published 
in  eight  octavo  volumes. 

The  constitution  of  the  alliance  admits  to  membership  "any 
church  organized  on  Presbyterian  principles  which  holds  the  su- 
preme authority  of  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
in  matters  of  faith  and  morals,  and  whose  creed  is  in  harmony  with 
the  consensus  of  the  Reformed  confessions.  "  It  also  provides  for 
meetings  of  the  Council  at  regular  intervals,  usually  four  years;  in- 
dicates the  powers  of  the  Council,  and  specifies  the  various  objects 
for  which  united  effort  is  to  be  put  forth,  among  which  are  to  be 
specially  noted  the  work  of  evangelization,  the  commendation  of  the 
Presbyterian  system  as  Scriptural,  the  religious  use  of  the  press,  and 
the  best  methods  of  promoting  moral  reforms.  The  Council,  how- 
ever, has  no  power  to  "interfere  with  the  existing  creed,  or  consti- 
tution, of  any  church  in  the  alliance  or  with  its  internal  order  or 
external  relations."  The  purpose  of  the  alliance  may  be  briefly  put 
in  the  phrase  "co-operation  without  incorporation." 

During  the  intervals  between  Councils  the  business  of  the  al- 
liance was  first  conducted  by  general  committees  responsible  only 
to  the  Council.  At  the  meeting  at  Belfast,  in  1884,  an  Executive  Com- 
mission was  constituted,  divided  into  two  sections,  one  for  the  Amer- 
ican and  the  other  for  the  remaining  four  continents.  They  are 
called  the  Western  and  Eastern  sections,  respectively,  and  each  has 
its  own  chairman  and  secretary.  The  powers  of  this  Executive 
Commission  are  of  a  limited  nature,  and  the  body  is  subject  to  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Council.  The  officers  of  the  Council  are  a  Presi- 
dent, who  is  the  President  of  the  alliance,  and  two  secretaries,  the 
one  general  and  the  other  the  American  secretary,  who  are  secre- 
taries of  the  alliance.  These  secretaries  are  also  the  stated  and  per- 
manent clerks  of  the  Council,  and  perform  in  addition  the  duties  re- 
spectively of  secretaries  of  the   Eastern  and  Western  sections. 

The  following  ministers  have  been  Presidents  of  the  alliance: 

1.  Rev.  W.  G.  Blaikie,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scot- 
land  (1888-92),  who  presided  at  the  Toronto  Council. 

2.  Rev.  Talbot  W.  Chambers,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  (1892-96).  Dr.  Chambers  departed  this  life  while 
in   office. 

3.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  U.  S.  A.  (1896),  who  was  chosen  as  the  successor  of 
Dr.  Chambers  and  presided  at  the  Glasgow  Council. 

4.  Rev.  J.  Marshall  Lang,  D.D.,  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  (1896- 
99),  who  presided  at  the  Washington  Council. 

5.  Rev.  William  Caven,  D.D..  LL.D.,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Canada   (1899),  to  date. 

The  general  secretary  of  the  alliance  is  the  Rev.  George  D. 
Mathews,  D.D.,  of  London,  England,  and  the  American  secretary  is 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  Roberts,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

The  constituency  of  the  alliance  now  ( 1902)  consists  of  more 
than  80  national  and  denominational  churches,  found  on  all  the  six 
continents.  It  is  estimated  that  the  members  and  adherents  of  the 
Presbyterian  and  Reformed  churches  of  the  world  number  about 
25,000,000  persons.  Some  of  the  national  Reformed  churches  on  the 
Continent  of  Europe  are  not  connected  with  the  alliance,  owing 
mainly  to  their  legal  relations  to  the  States  in  which  they  are  found. 

The  results  and  influence  of  the  alliance  may  be  briefly  stated  as 
follows  : 

The  alliance  has  brought,  into  practical  sympathy  and  mutual 
beneficial    relations,    Christian    churches     scattered     throughout     the 


138         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

world,   maintaining  in   general   the   same   type   of   Reformed   doctrine 
and  the  Presbyterian  form  of  government. 

Recent  movements  toward  co-operation  and  union  in  mission 
work  in  various  heathen  countries  have,  in  large  part,  been  the  re- 
sult of  the  influence  of  the  alliance,  and  it  can  be  said  that  in  all  for- 
eign mission  work  it  has  established  closer  .relations  between  the 
workers. 

It  has  also  brought  a  potent  influence  to  bear  upon  civil  govern- 
ments in  various  parts  of  the  world,  in  the  interests  of  humanity  and 
of  peace. 

Above  all,  the  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  churches  of  the  world, 
as  true  children  of  the  Reformation,  have  been  enabled  by  the  al- 
liance to  make  themselves  distinctly  felt  as  a  great  power  in  the 
life  and  progress  of  the  church  universal.  They  represent  the  great 
principles  which  are  fundamentally  connected  with  the  progress  and 
maintenance  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  stand  for  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  mankind  in  a  notable  and  hopeful  manner,  and  their 
ministers  and  members  are  found  in  all  important  countries.  There 
is  but  one  other  communion  which  is  geographically  as  extensive, 
and  may  claim,  therefore,  visible  universality.  Side  by  side  on  every 
Continent  stand  the  Romanist  and  the  Reformed;  the  teacher  face 
to  face  with  the  priest;  the  open  Bible  in  opposition  to  the  Confes- 
sional; liberty  opposing  tyranny;  the  obedience  of  Christ  confront- 
ing the  obedience  of  Rome.  Before  the  alliance  and  its  churches 
(constituting  a  true  ecumenical  branch  of  the  church  universal)  opens 
out  a  future  of  world-wide  service  to  the  true  interests  of  mankind, 
both  for  time  and  eternity.  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Roberts,  in  Corwin's  Manual, 
1902,  282-4. 

Position  of  the  Reformed  Church  ix  America.  In  the  Con- 
stitution of  1792,  we  read :  "To  a  General  Synod  is  committed  the 
superintending  of  religion,  the  maintaining  harmony,  and  faithfully 
preserving  the  churches  in  the  principles  and  practice  of  their  holy 
religion."  Constit.  1792,  Art.  51.  And  again:  "To  the*  General 
Synod  is  referred  the  right  of  corresponding  with  other  Churches;'' 
1792,  Art.  52. 

In  the  revised  Constitution  of  1833,  we  read:  "The  General 
Synod  shall  possess  the  power  of  regulating  and  maintaining  a 
friendly  correspondence  with  the  highest  Judicatories  or  Assem- 
blies of  other  religious  Denominations,  for.  the  purpose  of  promot- 
ing union  and  concert  in  general  measures,  which  may  be  calculated 

to  maintain  sound  doctrine and  to  produce  concert  and 

harmony,    in    their   respective    proceedings    to    promote    the    cause    of 
religion  and  piety."     Constitutions  of  1833,  Art.  84;  of  1874,  Art.  72,. 

For  further  details,  see  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches;  Cor- 
respondence; Co-operation;  Federation;  Arcot  Mission;  Anioy  Mis- 
sion; Japan  Mission;  and  the  names  of  the  several  Denominations, 
with  which  R.  C.  A.  is  in  correspondence. 

Church  Unity.     See  Federation. 

Church  Visitation.  Provided  for  in  Constitutions  of  1619,  Art. 
44;  of  1792,  Art.  44;  changed  into  Constitutional  Questions,  by  Clas- 
sis,  in  Constits.  of  1833,  Art.  72;  of  1874,  Art.  64.     See  Visitation. 

Circles  or  Circuits.  (Dutch,  Ringen.)  The  seventh  Article 
of  the  Ccetus  provided  that  the  Church  should  be  divided  into  dis- 
tricts for  the  consideration  of  cases,  which  could  not  be  settled  in  the 
particular  churches.  1738,  p.  viii.  Thus  there  were  formed,  (i) 
The  Circle  of  New  York,  embracing  the  ministers  of  New  \'ork  City, 
Long  Island  and  Po'keepsie;  (2)  the  Circle  of  Jersey,  embracing  the 
ministers  of  Navesink,  Second  River,  and  Hackensack.  [Navesink, 
here,  must  include   Monmouth   and  the  whole  valley  of  the   Raritan; 


CIRCUMCISION  139 

Second  River  and  Hackensack — Bellevile,  and  all  of  the  valleys  of 
the  Hackensack  and  Passaic  Rivers,  or  the  original  Bergen  County;] 
(3)  the  Circle  of  Albany,  embracing  the  ministers  [also]  of  Schen- 
ectady and  Schoharie;  1747,  pp.  xii.,  xiii.  (4)  A  new  Circle  of  Orange 
and  Ulster.     1750,  p.  xlix. 

CiRCUMCisiox.     Referred    to    as    the    ancient    seal    of    the    Covenant. 
Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  74;  Form  for  Infant  Baptism. 

Circumcision,  Day  of.  Formerly  observed;  Constitution  of  1619, 
Art.  67;  made  discretionary,  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  67;  all  reference 
to  omitted  in  Constits.  of  1833,  1874.     See  Seals  of  the  Covenant. 

Citations.  See  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  99-101;  (of  1833,  Arts. 
107-109).     Specimen   Forms   of:    1832,    134;    1833,  204;    1834,   288-9. 

City  Missionary  Society.      (New  York    City.)      1829. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Young  Men  of  the  R.  D.  C,  held  in  the  Con- 
sistory Chamber,  Oct.  21,  1829,  it  was  Resolved,  That  we  form  "A 
Young  Men's  Missionary  Society  Auxiliary  to  the  Alission- 
ary  Society  of  the  R.  D.  C"  A  Constitution  was  adopted. 
The  Society  reserved  to  itself  the  privilege  of  appropriat- 
ing its  funds  to  such  missionary  or  missionaries,  or  using 
them  in  such  other  way  as  might  be  approved  by  the  Board;  and 
it  was  to  report  annually  to  the  parent  Board.  $2  per  year  consti- 
tuted one  a  member;  or  $10  a  life  member.  Besides  the  Officers, 
there  was  a  Board  of  20  Managers,  who  met  once  in  two  months. 
They  w^ere  allowed  to  collect  funds  by  agents.  An  annual  meeting 
was  held  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  May. 

This  Society  founded  several  churches.  Their  first  missionary 
station  was  in  Third  street.  This  subsequently  became  the  German 
Evangelical  Mission,  1838,  of  141  East  Houston  street.  (See  Corwin's 
Manual,  1005,  church  No.  26.)  The  second  mission  was  in  Grand 
street,  which  became  in  1848,  the  Second  German  Evangelical  Mis- 
sion. (Manual,  No.  31.)  In  1849  this  Society  reports  appropria- 
tions to  the  R.  D.  Church  in  21st  street,  (Rev.  Dr.  Ab.  R.  Van  Nest's 
church);  to  Rev.  Guldin's  German  Church  in  Houston  street;  to  Dr. 
John  Lillie's  Church  in  Stanton  street;  (Manual,  No.  29);  to  Dr.  P. 
M.  Brett's  church  in  50th  street,  (Manual,  No.  30),  known  as  the 
Mt.  Pleasant  Church;  and  to  the  Second  Ger.  Ch.  (No.  31),  in  Grand 
street,  of  which  Rev.  Steins  was  then  the  pastor.  The  collections  of 
this  Society  in  1849  were  about  $3,000.  Reports  continued  to  be  made 
yearly,  until and  annual  sermons  were  preached  be- 
fore this  Society,  the  General  Synod  appointing  the  preachers. 

Civil  Courts.  Conviction  of  any  church  officer  or  member,  by 
a  civil  court,  of  any  infamous  crime,  ipso  facto,  suspends  him  from 
the  church.  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  95;  (of  1833,  Art.  103).  Request 
from  Classis  of  Geneva  as  to  mode  of  procedure  in  such  cases,  1853, 
354.     No  report,  355. 

Civil  Go\t;rnment.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  36;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  104. 

Civil  Legislation.  A  certain  law  was  passed.  Mar.  12,  1872;  Chap. 
104.      (See  it   quoted,  in   full,    1875,  247.)      Hence   the   following: 

A  request  from  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  that  in  view  of 
a  recent  law  of  the  State  of  New  York,  the  General  Synod  will  re- 
solve to  add  to  Art.  II.  of  the  Rules  of  the  Board,  the  words:  "But 
no  officer  or  person  receiving  a  salary  or  emolument,  directly  or 
indirectly,  from  the  Treasury,  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Board;"  and 
to  strike  out  from  Art.  I.  of  the  Rules  respecting  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, the  words  "Corresponding  Secretary  and;"  and  also  to  strike 
out  from  Art.  III.  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Board  the  words  "Cor- 
responding Secretary  and." 


I40         DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Vour  Committee  recommend  that  this  request  be  granted,  so 
that  the  proposed  changes  be  made. 

Under  the  suggestion  of  this  request,  and  without  formal  instruc- 
tion from  the  Synod,  your  Committee  have  thought  it  their  duty  to 
look  after  all  those  instances  in  which  the  wording  of  the  Constitu- 
tion or  rules  of  our  several  Boards  might  seem  to  conflict  with  the 
new  law  referred  to. 

They  recommend,  accordingly,  the  passage  of  the  following  reso- 
lutions : 

Rcsolzrd,  That  the  By-laws  of  the  Board  of  Direction  be  amended 
by  adding  to  paragraph  lo,  as  follows  : 

"Xo  officer  or  person  receiving  a  salary  or  any  emolument,  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  from  the  Treasury,  shall  be  a  member  of  the 
Board." 

Resolved,  That  paragraph  5  of  plan  adopted  by  General  Synod 
for  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  be  amended  so  as  to  read  as  fol- 
lows : 

"5.  That  the  said  Board  shall  annually  elect  seven  members, 
who,  with  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  Treasurer,  shall  consti- 
tute an  Executive  Committee,  to  manage  the  missionary  and  church 
extension  concerns.  Of  these  seven  members  of  the  Board,  three 
shall  be  laymen,  and  four  ministers;  five  members  of  the  Committee 
shall  form  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business,  and  they  shall 
meet  monthly." 

Resolved,  That  Sec.  i  of  Art.  IV.  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Board 
of  Publication  be  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows  : 

"Art.  IV.,  Sec.  i.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of 
seven  members  of  the  Board,  and  the  Corresponding  Secretary  and 
Treasurer;  of  the  seven  who  are  members  of  the  Board,  three  shall 
be  ministers,  and  four  laymen." 

Resolved,  That  so  much  of  the  resolution  of  the  Synod  of  1857, 
contained  on  page  244  of  vol.  9  of  Minutes  of  Synod,  as  ordains  that 
the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  each  of  our  Boards  be  ex-o-fficio  a 
member  of  said  Board,  be  hereby  rescinded. 

Resolved,  That  no  officer  of  any  Board  who  receives  a  salary 
or  other  compensation  or  emolument  from  the  Treasury  of  such 
Board,  shall  be  a  member  thereof.     1872,  486-8. 

These  changes  made  under  a  mistaken  view  of  the  law.  Repealed, 
1875,  247.  See  Charters;  Incorporations;  Alienation  of  Property; 
Trusteeships;   Title   of   Church. 

Cl.\rk,  John,  (Dr).  Delegate  to  Presbyt.  Church,  1828,  109; 
gives  a  donation  of  books  to  Library  of  Theological  College,  '30, 
281;  bequeaths  $3,000  for  a  Scholarship;  '38,  106,  163.  He  was  a  dis- 
tinguished member  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  New  York. 

Cl.\rk,  Johx.  Gives  $5,000  for  Permanent  Seminary  Fund,  1873, 
666;  '74,  15;  23;  bequeaths  $10,000  to  be  divided  equally  to  the  Widows' 
Fund  and  the  Disabled  ^linisters'  Fund.  76,  405.  He  was  of  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Clark,  Robt.  C.  License  revoked  at  his  own  request,  1846,  11, 
81,  82. 

Clark,  Rufus  W.   (Rev.  Dr.).     President  of  General  Synod,  1877. 

Clark,  Willl\m.  Gives  $1,000  toward  endowment  of  Hope  Col- 
lege.    J  879,  342. 

Clark,  William  W.  Appointed  Field  Sec.  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  Mis- 
sions.    1898,  130;  allusions,  '99,  448;  1900,  761;  '02,  105,  107;  '03,  373. 

Classes.  Constitution  of  1619,  Arts.  41-46,  treat  of  the  Classis. — 
There  was  no  Classis  in  America  until  1754,  when  one  was  somewhar 
irregularly  formed,  under  the  following  circumstances: 


CLASSES  141 

1.  Change  of  the  Plan  of  the  Coetiis. — The  minute  of  the  last  ses- 
sion on  the  subject  of  improving  the  Coetus,  and  placing  it  upon  a 
better  footing,  was  read,  and  the  President  requested  the  members 
severally  to  state  their  views  on  the  subject.  Some  of  the  brethren 
advised  that  things  should  remain  in  statu  quo,  but  others  that  there 
should  be  a  change  to  a  better  form. 

2.  Change  of  Form. — It  was  concluded  with  sufficient  unanimity 
that  the  Coetus  should  seek  to  be  changed  into  a  Classis;  the  precise 
form  to  be  for  future  consideration. 

3.  Committee  on  the  Subject. — Dom.  Haeghoort,  Leydt,  and  Ver- 
bryck,  and  the  Elder  Fisher,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare 
a  brief  draft  of  the  form  of  the  proposed  Classis. 

4.  Plan  of  a  Classis. — The  committee  to  prepare  a  draft  of  the 
form  of  the  proposed  Classis  presented  a  report,  which  was  adopted, 
and  is  here  set  forth,  as  follows  : — 

Action  in  Regard  to  a  Classis. 

This  action  was  read,  and  having  been  again  unanimously  ap- 
proved, it  was  ordered  to  be  signed  by  the  President  and  Clerk, 
which  was  then  done.     It  is  as  follows: 

The  Coetus,  taking  very  seriously  to  heart  the  welfare  and  ex- 
tension of  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  in  these  far-ofif  provinces, 
especially  according  to  the  Constitution  of  our  Dutch  Reformed 
Church;  having  considered  what  means  suitable  to  accomplish  this 
object  were  immediately  practicable,  finds  itself  convinced  by  weighty 
reasons,  and  constrained  in  conscience,  to  seek  to  become  changed 
into  a  Classis,  in  view  of  the  defective,  fruitless,  and  troublesome 
nature  of  the  present  organization,  an'd  of  the  pressing  reasons,  and 
necessity  even,  for  a  Classis. 

1.  Because  the  Coetus  can  give  no  satisfactory  reasons  from  the 
Church  Order  for  its  present  constitution,  being  neither  a  Consis- 
torial,  nor  a  Classical,  nor  a  Synodical  Assembly;  and  therefore  it 
is  exposed  to  contempt  from  without  and  hindrances  from  within. 

2.  Because  the  Coetus  has  not  the  authority  to  act  for  the  best 
interests  of  the  Church  and  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  congrega- 
tions here,  not  being  able  to  make  any  final  decision  of  a  case,  or 
to  constitute  a  candidate  or  a  minister;  besides  the  trouble  and  de- 
lay of  the  present  mode  of  action,  it  being  necessary  to  send  all  mat- 
ters to  and  from  the  Classis  before  reaching  a  consummation,  and 
sometimes  not  even  then.  Hence  appears  the  necessity  of  a  Clas- 
sis, by  which  we  can  meet  the  wishes  of  almost  all  the  congrega- 
tions, and  free  them  from  the  needless  and  heavy  expenses  of  send- 
ing their  young  men  over  sea  for  ordination,  as  well  as  from  the 
loss  of  much  time,  and  the  great  exposure  of  the  young  men;  and 
also  from  giving  calls  to  persons  who  are  not  suitable,  and  who 
seek  ordination  from  other  communions  differing  from  ourselves. 
Of  this  we  have  alread}'  had  one  example  among  the  High  Dutch, 
and  have  reason  to  fear  more.  In  this  way  we  shall  be  in  a  con- 
dition to  attend  promptly  to  questions  as  they  arise,  to  furnish  the 
congregations  with  candidates  and  ministers,  and  to  promote  the 
real  advantage  of  the  churches.  We  wish  to  satisfy  the  Classis  with 
the  reasons  of  this  course,  and  request  them  to  aid  us  in  the  attain- 
ment of  the  object  with  the  Synod,  and  accordingly  to  propose  to 
the  Synod,  with  their  consent,  to  ratify  the  same. 

The  Consistories,  therefore,  and  after  them  the  congregations, 
are  earnestly  requested  to  agree  beforehand  to  this  action,  and  sub- 
scribe it  with  their  own  hands,  thereby  binding  themselves  to  stand 
by  such  a  Classis,  and  to  submit  to  its  control  and  decisions  accord- 
ing to  the  Church  Orders;  and  every  Minister  and  Consistory  sub- 
sequently coming  in  is  requested  to  do  the  same,  in  order  that  thus 


142         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

this  salutary  object  may  the  better  find  access  to  the  Synod,  and  se- 
cure their  approval. 

Done  in  our  Coetus  Assembly  at  New  York,  the  19th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1754,  and  signed,  in  the  name  of  all. 

J.    RITZEMA,  p.   t.  President. 

SAMUEL  VERBRYCK,  p.  t.  Clerk. 

Committee  on  Reports. — The  Rev.  Messrs.  Haeghoort,  Ritzema, 
Schuyler,  and  Verbryck  were  appointed  a  committee  to  come  to- 
gether at  New  York  in  the  first  part  of  April  next,  with  the  reports 
of  the  congregations  concerning  the  erection  of  a  Classis  in  these 
provinces,  who  then  shall  or  shall  not,  according  to  circumstances, 
write  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  to  the  Christian  Synod 
of  North  Holland;  Dom.  Ritzema  to  inform  the  committee  of  the 
exact  day,  according  as  the  opportunitv  may  offer  of  a  vessel  to 
Holland. 

The  Same. — Dom,  Ritzema  shall  provide  each  Minister  with  a 
copy  of  the  draft  of  the  proposed  Classis,  who  shall  propose  it  to 
the  vacant  congregations  under  his  care,  so  that  it  may  be  signed 
by  them,  as  well  as  by  those  congregations  which  have  a  Minister. 

Close. — It  was  resolved  that  henceforth  the  Coetus  would  com- 
mence its  ordinary  session  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  October.  Where- 
upon the  Assembly,  w^ell  satisfied  with  the  harmony  and  love  which 
had  prevailed,  separated  with  thanksgiving  and  prayer  to   God. 

Subscribed  and  testified  by  us,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority 
of  all. 

J.   RITZEMA,  p.   t.  President. 
SAMUEL  VERBRYCK,  p.  t.  Clerk. 
1754,  89-92. 
Students  Ordained  by  the  American  Classis. 

Henricus    Frelinghuysen     1754 

John    M.    Goetschius     .1754 

Jacob    R.    Hardenbergh 1758 

Barcolo    1758 

Jacobus   Van   Nist    1758 

Henricus    Schoonmaker    1763 

Benjamin    Du    Bois    1764 

Martinus    Schoonmaker    1765 

Theodoric    Romeyn 1766 

For  all  the  subsequent  documents  on  this  matter,  and  the  sad  results, 
see  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York,  1754-1771.  Also  Articles,  Coetus; 
Conferentie. 

In  the  Articles  of  Union,  1771  for  the  peace  of  the  Church,  the 
more  enterprising  brethren,  who  also  constituted  this  Classis,  for 
the  sake  of  harmony,  gave  up  the  name  of  Classis,  but  retained  the 
substance.  The  Ecclesiastical  Bodies  then  organized,  were  a  Gen- 
eral Body,  and  five  Particular  Bodies,  1771,  Arts.  3-21.  The  General 
Body  was  something  of  the  nature  of  a  Particular  Synod,  into  which 
it  finally  passed,  1793-1799;  while  the  five  Particular  Bodies,  those  of 
New  York,  Albany,  Kingston,  Hackensack  and  New  Brunswick  were, 
in  most  respects,  the  same  as  Classes,  which  they  actually  called 
themselves,  from  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War;  1784,  128; 
while  at  the  same  time,  the  General  Body  called  itself  a  Synod;  but 
from  1771-1793,  only  the  General  Body  licensed  and  ordained.  Such 
concessions  did  the  original  American  Classis  temporarily  make,  for 
union  and  peace;  1785,  141.  But  in  the  Explanatory  Articles  of  1792. 
to  the  Classes  were  given  the  rights  which  inherently  belonged  to 
them;  but  the  Particular  Synod  also,  during  another  transitional  pe- 


CLASSES  143 

riod,  retained  the  right  of  examining  and  licensing,  but  not  of  or- 
daining, 1792,  Arts.  38-44.  The  Synod,  however,  ceased  to  exercise 
these  rights,  after  1796;  and  by  a  Constitutional  amendment,  they 
were    linallv    taken    away,    1820,    14,    70.      (Change    proposed,    1819,    32, 

41.) 

The  first  Table,  showing  the  churches  and  ministers,  in  each  of 
these  five  Classes,  may  be  seen,  1784,  112-114;  and  the  second,  1800, 
313-36.  But  in  that  same  year  there  was  a  rearrangement  of  the 
Classes  as  follows: 

The  committee  apointed  on  the  subject  of  Church  Order  re- 
ported, that  it  be  recommended  to  General  Synod  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee for  the  purpose  of  forming  arrangements  to  constitute  a 
number  of  new  Classes,  and  a  new  Particular  Synod.  The  Synod 
accepted  this  report,  and  appointed  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  Dr. 
Dirck  Romeyn,  and  the  Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  to  compose  said  com- 
mittee.    1800,  279,  301. 

NEW   CLASSES    AXD   PARTICULAR    SYNOD. 

The  committee  appointed  to  form  arrangements  to  constitute  a  number 
of  new  Classes  and  a  new  Particular  Synod  reported,  that  the  following 
new  arrangements  with  respect  to  the  Classes  of  Albany,  Kingston,  and 
Hackensack,  ought  to  take  place,  viz. : 

I.  That  the  Classis  of  Albany  be  divided  into  three  Classes,  to  be 
known  and  distinguished  by  the  names  following,  and  each  consisting  of 
the  different  congregations  subjoined,  viz. : 

1.  The  Classis  of  Rensselaer  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Kinderhook,   Schodack,   Pittstown,   Sinkhoick,  Waterford,   Greenbush, 

Wynant's  Kill,  Lansingburgh,  Stillwater,  Saratoga,  Schagticoke,  Tyashoke, 
Middletown,  Clifton  Park. 

2.  The  Classis  of  Albany  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Alban}'.  Bethlehem,  Coeymans.  Coxsackie,  Baisic,  Xiskayuna,  Schenec- 
tady, Jerusalem,  Salem,  Helderbergh,  Beaver  Dam,  Woestyne  and  Boght. 

The  churches  formed  in  Canada,  until  they  are  sufficiently  numerous 
for  a  separate  Classis,  are  to  be  annexed  to  the  Classis  of  Albany. 

3.  The  Classis  of  Montgomery  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Remsen's  Bush,  Charleston,  Sharon,  Lower  Schoharie,  Upper  Scho- 
harie, Duanesborough,  Curriestown,  Xew  Rhinebeck,  Schoharie  Kill, 
German  Flats,  Herkimer,  Snell's  Bush,  Andriestown,  Coenraatstown, 
Chenango,  Sacondaga,  Mayfield,  Stone  Arabia,  Canajoharie,  Conewago, 
Owasco  Lake,  Chukonot,  Amsterdam,  Fonda's  Bush. 

II.  The  Classis  of  Kingston  to  be  divided  into  two  Classes,  to  be 
known  and  distinguished  by  the  names  following,  and  each  consisting  of 
the  congregations  subjoined: 

1.  The  Classis  of  Pol'GHKeepsie  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Claverack,     East     Camp,      Linlithgow,     Taghkanick,      Poughkeepsie, 

Stissick,  Old  Stissick,  Red  Hook,  Rhinebeck,  Rhinebeck  Flats,  Fishkill, 
New  Hackensack,  Hopewell,  Dover. 

2.  The  Classis  of  L'lster  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Montgomery,     Shawangunk,     Oak     Hill.     Woodstock,     New     Hurley, 

Bloomingdale,  Klein  Esopus,  Xew  Paltz,  Kingston,  Marbletown,  Roch- 
ester, Saugerties,  Wawarsing,  Catskill,  Shokan  and  Paghkatghkan. 

HI.  The  Classis  of  Hackensack  to  be  divided  into  two  Classes,  to 
be  known  and  distinguished  by  the  names  following,  and  to  consist  of  the 
congregations  subjoined,  to  wit : 

1.  The  Classis  of  Paramus  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 
Tappan,    New   Hempstead,    Clarkstown,    Schraalenbergh,    Hackensack, 

Kekiet,  Ramapo,  Paramus,  Aquackononck,  and  Totowa. 

2.  The  Classis  of  Bergen  to  consist  of  the  Congregations  of 


144 


DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


Schraalcnbergh,  Hackensack,  Second  River,  Bergen,  Horseneck, 
Pompton,  English   Neighborhood,   Ponds,  Boonton.     1800,  301-2. 

The  Classes  of  New  York  and  New  Brunswick  to  remain  as  before : 

IV.  The  Classis  of  New  York  consisting  of  the  congregations  of 
New  York,  Flatbush,  Brooklyn,   Bushwick,   New  Utrecht,  Gravesend, 

Flat   Lands,  Jamaica,   Newtown,   Success,   Oyster   Bay,   Harlem   , Phillips- 
burgh,  Courtland  Town,  Peekskill,  Staten  Island,  Fordham. 

V.  The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  consisting  of 

Middletown,  Freehold,  New  Brunswick,  Six  Mile  Run,  Hillsborough, 
New  Shannock,  Sourland,  Reddington,  Bedminster,  Potter's  Town,  Clove, 
Raritan,  North  Hampton,  South  Hampton,  West  Town,  Walpack,  Nomi- 
nack,  Mahakemack,  Wilkesbarre,  Hanover,  Tappan,  New  Hempstead, 
Ramapo,  Kakiat,  Panna,  Pompton,  Paramus,  Schraalcnbergh,  Hackensack, 
Aquackononck,  Bergen,  E.  Neighborhood,  Second  River,  Boonton,  Horse 
Neck.     1800,  313,  315-316. 

In  all  forty-four  Classes  have  been  organized.  These  have  been 
modified  by  consolidation  and  rearrangement,  so  that  at  present  there  are 
thirty-six,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  following  table,  the  extinct  names  being 
italicized: 


New  York,  N.  Y 1772 

Albany,  N.  Y " 

New  Brunswick,  N.  J " 

Kingston,  N.   Y 1772-1800 

Hackensack,  N.J "        " 

Bergen,  N.J 1800 

Montgomery,  N.  Y 1800 

Paramus    " 

Poughkeepsie    " 

Rensselaer   

Ulster    " 

Long  Island 1813-1843 

Philadelphia    1814 

Washington   1818-1857 

Cayuga    1826- 1889 

Schenectady    1826 

Schoharie    " 

South  Classis  of  New   York, 

1828- 1876 

Orange    1832 

Greene    1834 

Passaic   1839 


Michigan    1841 

North  Classis  of  Long  Island.  .  1843 
South  Classis  of  Long  Island.  .     " 

Hudson   1845 

Watervleit   1845-1857 

Holland    1851 

Geneva    1852-1887 

Westchester    1852 

i  Arcot    (India) 1854-1902 

Monmouth     1854 

Wisconsin    1855 

Kingston    1856 

Saratoga  ,.. 1857 

Raritan    1859 

Grand   River 1870 

Newark    1872 

South  Classis  of  Bergen 1873 

Iowa     1885 

Rochester   1887 

Dakota   1888 

Pleasant   Prairie 1892 

Pella   1904 


Illinois   1841 

In  the  Constitution  of  1833,  the  Articles  on  the  Classes  are  65-74; 
another  Article,  75,  was  added  in  1863,  315,  about  granting  dispensations 
to  Classes  on  Mission  Fields,  in  reference  to  any  requirements  of  the 
Constitution  which  are  impracticable  on  such  fields.  Art.  74,  of  Constit. 
of  1833,  is  an  exact  repetition  of  Art.  20. — In  the  Constit.  of  1874.  the 
Articles  on  the  Classes  are  58-74. 

General  Legislation  on  the  Classes. 

That  each  Classis  is  requested  to  hold,  at  its  stated  meetings,  imme- 
diately preceding  the  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  a  free  conver- 
sation on  the  state  of  religion  in  their  congregations ;  and  that  on  sorne 
day  of  such  meeting,  each  Classis,  as  such,  spend  one  hour  in  special 
prayer,  in  behalf  of  the  interests  of  vital  religion  within  our  bounds. 
1820,  58. 

That  the  Classes  examine  not  only  the  credentials  of  applicants  for 
aid,  but  inquire  carefully  for  themselves  into  the  talents,  and  acquire- 
ments, and  prospects  of  usefulness,  of  the  applicant;    1824,  54;   1831,  374. 


CLASSES  145 

The  Classes  exhorted  to  present  written  accounts  of  the  state  of 
vital  godliness  within  their  bounds;  the  subjects  of  sorrow  in  the  church; 
the  state  of  the  congregation;  the  prevailing  vices;  the  efforts  of  benevo- 
lence, etc.     1827,  45. 

No  Classis  shall  be  considered  as  entitled  to  a  representation  in 
General  Synod,  until  the  same  shall  have  been  regularly  organized  accord- 
ing to  the  usual  order,  and  the  evidence  of  its  organization  shall  have 
been  recorded  on  the  minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod.     1834,  H^- 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  be  requested  to  place  upon  their 
order  of  business  a  lemma,  entitled  "Education,"  under  which  inquiries 
shall  be  instituted  of  each  minister  and  elder,  as  to  what  has  been  done 
for  the  cause  of  education,  and  whether  there  are  any  young  men  within 
their  bounds,  inclined  to  the  ministry,  and  what  means  have  been  taken  to 
bring  the  subject  before  them.     1836,  504. 

According  to  the  Constitution,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on 
Minutes  of  Consistories  to  report  for  correction,  adjudication,  or  advice, 
all  matters  which  may  demand  the  action  of  Classis.     1841,  506. 

Resolved,  That  the  different  Classes  be  directed  to  have  a  lemma, 
called  "Benevolent  Institutions"  ;  and  that  at  every  annual  meeting  of  the 
Classes,  each  minister  and  elder  shall  be  interrogated  whether  they  have 
taken  up  the  several  collections  recommended  by  General  Synod,  and  make 
a  record  of  the  same.     1845,  510. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  recognizes  the  unquestionable  right  of 
every  Classis  to  express  to  the  Synod  its  views  of  the  feasibility  and 
desirableness  of  every  plan  of  Church  action  which  the  Synod  may  have 
adopted.     1856,  38,  39. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  request  the  various  Classes  not  to  hold 
their  special  sessions  for  the  examination  of  students  for  licensure  during 
the  week  in  which  the  Board  of  Superintendents  holds  its  annual  session. 
1856,   104. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  hereby  offer  to  the  Particular  Synods,  the 
Classes,  and  any  of  our  Churches  who  may  wish  it,  a  place  in  the  Archives 
of  the  Synod  in  the  Sage  Library  building  for  any  documents  which  may 
require  to  be  safely  preserved.     1876,  569. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  affectionately  and  earnestly  request  each 
Classis  at  every  regular  meeting  to  give  at  least  one  hour  to  fraternal 
conference  and  prayer  with  reference  to  the  benevolent  operations  of  the 
Church,  that  they  may  provoke  one  another  to  good  works.     1868,  505. 

Resolved,  That  in  order  more  effectually  to  carry  out  the  intent  of 
Art.  7,  Sec.  7,  of  the  Constitution,  the  several  Classes  be  requested  to 
insert  among  their  Lemmata,  one  entitled,  "Offerings  to  the  Lord,"  under 
which  each  Church  that,  according  to  its  answer  to  the  seventh  Constitu- 
tional question  has  failed  to  take  collections  for  all  the  Boards,  shall,  at 
the  sessions  in  the  autumn,  be  asked  the  reason  for  the  omission.     1881,  735. 

In  the  report  of  Committee  on  the  "State  of  the  Church,"  1900,  we 
find  the  following: 

2nd.  Resolved,  That  each  of  the  several  Classes  be  requested  to 
appoint  permanent  committees  on  Educational  Institutions,  of  which  the 
Classical  member  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents  shall  in  each  case  be 
one,  and  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  these  Committees  to  bring  their 
respective  Classes,  and  the  Educational  Institutions  into  a  closer  acquaint- 
ance and  touch  with  one  another.     1900,  834. 

8th.  Resolved,  That  Synod  urges  the  Classes  to  exercise  great  care 
in  the  choice  of  members  of  the  Boards  of  Superintendents  and  expresses 
its  approval  of  consecutive  terms  for  such  members  as  shall  have  proved 
themselves  especially  faithful  and  efficient.     1900,  836. 

i2th.  Resolved.  That  Synod  exhorts  the  Classes  to  exercise  the  great- 
est care  in  recommending  students  to  the  Board  of  Education  for  assistance, 
and  that  only  those  really  worthy,  as  well  as  of  intelligence  and  ability 
be  so  recommended.     1900,  836. 


146         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

14th.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  each  Classis  to  keep  a 
constant  oversight  of  all  students  for  the  ministry,  who  may  be  members 
of  churches  within  its  bounds,  during  their  whole  course  of  study,  either 
through  the  Committee  provided  for  in  Resolution  2nd,  or  otherwise,  and 
that  it  be  required  of  them  to  make  regular  reports  to  Classis.     1900,  836. 

Classical  Agents.  These  have  occasionally  been  appointed  from  1807 
onward,  to  raise  money  for  endowments,  for  a  Library  for  the  Seminary, 
for  educational  funds  for  students,  for  mission  purposes,  foreign  or 
domestic,  etc.     As  a  example,  see  1829,  197-200.     See  also  Agents. 

Classical  Board  of  Benevolence.  There  is  also  in  Michigan  a  body 
called  "The  Classical  Board  of  Benevolence,"  which  was  incorporated  in 
1875,  but  has  been  operating  since  1852  in  helping  students,  but  only  in 
Grammar  Schools.  This  body  desires  recognition  of  its  contributions  in 
the  Minutes  of  General  Synod.  They  are  recognized  this  year,  1900,  on 
page  10  of  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  Education.  There  are  five  of  the 
western  Classes  which  sustain  this  Board,  and  their  income  last  year  was 
$1,643.  They  now  are  aiding  about  fifteen  students  annually.  This  Board 
also  holds  in  trust  about  $12,000,  for  Hope  College,  as  endowment,  and 
$2,000  for  aiding  its  students,  while  $2,000  are  invested  for  accumulation, 
being  $16,000  in  all.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Council  of  Hope  College 
holds  in  trust  for  this  Board  $9,000.  It  is  doing  a  work  which  the  Board 
of  Education  is  not  doing.  Last  year  the  churches  of  the  five  Classes 
which  sustain  this  Board,  contributed  to  it  $833,  but  they  have  no  credit 
for  this  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod,  and  they  seem,  therefore,  not  to  be 
doing  their  share  in  the  educational  work  of  the  church.  A  list  of  the 
contributions  of  the  churches  contributing  is  appended.     1900,  732-3,  807. 

Resolved,  That  the  contributions  of  "The  Classical  Board  of  Benevo- 
lence" of  Western  Classes  be  hereafter  inserted  in  some  appropriate  place 
in  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod,  that  these  churches  may  have  credit  with 
the  other  churches  for  their  contributions  to  the  cause  of  Education. 
1900,  736. 

Classical  Board  of  Education — of  the  Northwest. 

10.  Resolved,  That  the  statement  of  the  receipts  of  the  Classical 
Board  of  Education  of  the  North  West  and  also  the  statement  of  Offerings 
of  the  Classical  Board  of  Benevolence  be  printed,  as  before,  in  the 
minutes.     1901,  1068;  1902,  151;  1903,  352,  425-6;  1904,  688,  771;  1905,  176. 

Classical  Missionaries.  There  has  been  received  a  paper  from 
the  Classis  of  Wisconsin,  in  regard  to  the  appointment  of  Classical  Mis- 
sionaries by  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions. 

This  paper  sets  forth  the  refusal  of  the  Board  to  confirm  the  nomina- 
tion of  a  Classical  Missionary,  made  by  the  Classis  of  Wisconsin,  for  other 
than  financial  reasons ;  and  asks  that  this  General  Synod  take  such  action 
as  shall  remove  all  possible  causes  of  friction  between  the  Classis  and  the 
Board  of  Domestic  Missions  in  the  matter  referred  to. 

Your  Committee  >  would  recommend  that,  in  reply  to  the  request  of 
the  Classis  of  Wisconsin,  this  General  Synod  hereby  define  the  power  of 
the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  to  be  not  only  that  of  appointment,  but 
also  that  of  rejection  of  nominees  for  the  position  of  Classical  Missionary. 
1895,  122-3;  1896,  403;  1900,  821. 

Classical  Missionary  Agents.  See  Agents;  Classical  Agents. 
Classical  Missionary  Agents  have  recently  become  a  fixed  institution  in 
almost  every  Classis.  Their  names  will  be  found  under  reports  of  the 
respective  Boards,  especially  since  189 1.  Names  to  be  printed  in  Minutes 
of  Gen.  Synod,   1901,  1260;  1902,  119. 

Classical  Questions.  Constitution  of  1874,  Art,  64;  (of  1833,  Art. 
72;  of  1792,  44;  of  1619,  Arts.  41,  44.)  See  Coetus  Minutes,  1747,  xi ; 
1748,  XX ;  Arts,  of  Union.  1771,  Art.  26.     In  the  Explanatory  Articles  of 


b 


CLASSICAL  TREASURERS  147 

1792,  Art.  44,  it  is  said  that  Classes  shall  do  what  is  practicable  and  nec- 
essary, and  that  Gen.  Synod  may  draw  up  a  series  of  questions,  which  the 
Classical  Visitors  may  ask.  These  are  to  be  inserted  in  the  Minutes  of 
each  Classis. — Specimen  from  Minutes  of  Classis  of  New  Brunswick: 

The  ministers  are  asked  whether  the  Consistories  observe  their  Con- 
sistorial  meetings,  and  attend  to  discipline;  whether  the  minister  or  min- 
isters receive  a  competent  support ;  and  what  is  the  state  of  religion. 

The  elders  are  asked  whether  the  ministers  attend  with  faithfulness 
and  punctuality  to  the  execution  of  their  office ;  and  whether  their  minis- 
trations continue  acceptable  and  useful  to  the  Church.  Mints.  CI.  New 
Brunswick,  Vol.  II.,  181 1. 

In  reference  to  the  7th  Question — Is  a  contribution  made  to  each  of 
the  Benevolent  Boards  and  Funds  of  the  Church — the  following  action 
was  taken : 

An  affirmative  answer  to  the  Seventh  Constitutional  Question  is  not 
in  spirit  affirmative,  when,  circumstances  considered,  the  offering  is  but 
nominal  and  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  fulfilling  the  mere  letter  of  the 
requirement.     1895,  164-5. 

Classical  Treasurers  :  Resolved,  That  each  Classis  be  requested  to 
designate  its  Treasurers  by  adding  the  initial  T  to  his  name  in  presenting 
their  annual  report  and  that  it  be  so  printed  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
General  Synod.     1902,  116. 

Classical  Visitations.  These,  according  to  their  original  design,  are 
now  superseded  by  the  Classical  Questions ;  which  see.  Later,  each  Classis 
was  recommended  to  appoint  a  Committee  or  Committees,  to  visit  each 
congregation  and  spend  a  day  in  special  devotional  exercises  to  promote 
the  cause  of  religion;  1831,  375. 

Classis.    See  Classes. 

Clement,  Aaron.  Gives  $500  toward  endowment  of  Hope  College. 
1877.  609;  cannot  be  diverted,  1883,  249. 

Clerk,  Extraordinary.  Xame  given  to  the  one  who  recorded  the 
Minutes  of  an  ecclesiastical  body  in  the  book;  1748,  18,  20.  Now  known  as 
Stated  Clerk. 

Clerks  or  Secretaries.  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  39,  48,  49;  (of 
1835,  Arts,  40,  55,  56;  of  1792,  Arts,  33;  of  1619,  Arts,  34,  60.)  In  the 
Coetus.  the  President  of  one  Coetus,  to  be  clerk  of  the  next,  1748,  18 ;  two 
clerks  to  be  elected  annually  in  Gen.  Synod,  1806,  346.  See  Stated  Clerk; 
Permanent  Clerk. 

Clerks'  Union.     See  Sabbath  Observance,  1895. 

Cleveland,  Grover.  Action  of  Synod  on  the  Armenian  massacres  sent 
to.     1895,  225;   1896,  505. 

Coat  of  Arms — of  the  Church.     See  Emblem. 

Cobb,  Henry  M.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Secretar>'  of  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  since  1881 ;  visits  the  Foreign  Mission  Stations,  1892,  547 ;  visits 
them  again,  1905,  107-8. 

Coe,  Edward  B.  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1898. 

Coetus,  The.  The  name  assumed  by  the  First  Association  of 
Reformed  Dutch  Ministers  in  America,  1737.  See  Ecclesiastical  Records 
of  New  York,  1735-37,  for  the  origin  of  this  body.  The  name  Coetus  was 
not  unfrequently  used  in  Holland,  in  the  general  sense  of  Assembly. 
Fundamental  Articles  for  the  Ecclesiastical  Coetus  of  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

I.  It  shall  consist  of  the  minister  and  one  elder  from  every  congrega- 
tion, with  written  credentials  presented  once  for  all.  Where  there  are  two 
ministers,  both  of  them,  with  two  elders,  shall  be  members ;  where  there  is 
onlv  one  minister,  but  one  elder  shall  be  allowed. 


148         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

2.  An  elder  appearing  in  the  Coetiis  from  a  congregation  which  has 
preaching  not  from  Sal)bath  to  Sabbath,  but  only  occasionally  during  the 
week,  shall  have  only  an  advisory  voice.  But  an  elder  from  a  congregation 
which  has  had  a  regular  pastor,  and  is  endeavoring  to  procure  another, 
shall  have  a  decisive  vote.  All  combined  congregations  shall  be  reckoned 
as  only  one. 

3.  Only  ministers  regularly  qualified,  and  called  according  to  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church,  shall  be  acknowledged  as  members  of  the  Coetus. 

4.  None  but  ecclesiastical  matters,  and  those  in  an  ecclesiastical  way 
— according  to  the  Word  of  God  and  the  Standards — shall  be  taken  up 
and  decided  in  the  Coetus ;  and  always  in  subordination  to  the  Clasris  of 
Amsterdam,  according  to  Articles  30  and  31  of  the  Church  Orders. 

5.  No  matters  of  dispute  shall  be  taken  up  in  the  Coetus,  unless  they 
have  been  regularly  presented  to  it,  according  to  the  rules  of  the  Synod  of 
Dort,  for  the  removal  of  disputes  about  doctrine  and  life,  for  the  furthering 
and  maintaining  of  mutual  peace,  union,  and  the  general  edification  of  the 
congregations. 

6.  Whoever  feels  himself  aggrieved  by  the  proceedings  of  the  Coetus 
shall  have  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  In  cases 
of  importance,  the  advice  of  the  Classis  shall  always  be  sought  in  accord- 
ance with  Articles  76  and  79.  And  they  who  appeal  to  the  Rev.  Classis,  or 
for  whom  the  Coetus  asks  the  advice  and  judgment  of  the  Rev.  Classis, 
shall  (in  like  manner  with  the  Coetus  itself)  submit  to  the  advice  and 
judgment,  according  to  the  Church  Orders. 

7.  Each  congregation  shall  maintain  its  own  freedom  in  the  manage- 
ment of  its  affairs,  according  to  the  Constitution  of  our  Church  as  estab- 
lished in  the  Synod  of  Dort.  But,  for  the  greater  advantage  of  the  congre- 
gations, those  which  belong  to  the  Coetus  shall,  according  to  our  Church 
Orders,  be  divided  into  suitable  Circles ;  so  that,  where  cases  occur  which 
cannot  be  determined  by  particular  congregations,  and  do  not  admit  of 
delay,  they  may,  on  request,  be  settled  peaceably  by  the  neighboring 
ministers  of  that  Circle.  But  if  this  fails,  then  they  shall  bring  the  case 
before  the  Coetus. 

8.  No  minister  or  Consistory  shall  allow  an}^  one  to  preach  before 
their  congregation,  without  satisfactory  evidence  that  he  has  been  lawfully 
ordained  to  the  ministry  in  the  Reformed  Church.  Nor  shall  a  Dutch 
Consistory  which  has  no  pastor  allow  any  minister  or  candidate  to  preach 
until  he  shall  have  submitted  his  credentials  to  two  neighboring  ministers. 

9.  As  to  calls,  whether  sent  to  Holland  or  some  particular  congrega- 
tion in  these  provinces,  they  shall  be  proceeded  with  according  to  the 
Church  Orders ;  and  where  there  is  no  minister,  two  Advisers  shall  be 
consulted.  Henceforth,  it  shall  be  expressly  stipulated  in  all  calls  that 
the  minister  shall  belong  to  the  Coetus,  and  be  acknowledged  as  a  member 
on  the  ground  of  his  call,  and  shall  be  subject  to  it;  and  those  congrega- 
tions which  have  calls  outstanding,  are  hereby  bound  to  urge  their 
ministers,  when  they  arrive,  to  do  the  same. 

10.  Every  year  a  general  letter,  after  having  been  read  to  and 
approved  by  the  Coetus,  shall  be  sent  in  the  name  of  the  congregations  to 
the  Rev.  Classis,  to  make  known  to  it,  in  a  succint  statement,  the  ecclesi- 
astical condition  of  the  congregations  in  these  provinces.  Thus  shall  a 
brotherly  correspondence  be  maintained  with  the  Classis,  according  to  the 
constitution  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  Orders.  And  for  the  greater 
unity  with  the  Church  of  our  fatherland,  we  will  request  the  Rev.  Classis 
to  send  us  from  year  to  year  copies  of  the  Acta  Synod i,  in  order  to  regulate 
thereby  our  ecclesiastical  matters,  for  the  profit  and  edification  of  the 
congregations. 

11.  Thus  the  congregations  have  deliberated,  and  by  their  delegates 
(to  whom  they  gave  full  power  to  consult  with  each  other,  and  to  con- 
sider and  decide),  have  determined  to  hold  a  Coetus  once  a  year  at  New 


COLE,  DAVID  149 

York,  or  at  some  other  place  to  be  fixed  by  itself,  on  the  first   Monday 
of  September. 

Approved  and  ratified  with  our  hands,  this  27th  of  April,  1738,  in  the 
Consistory  Chamber  at  New  York. 

Ministers.  Elders. 

Gualterus   DuBois,  Anthony  Rutgers,  Abraham  Leffers, 

Bernardus  Freeman,  for  N.  York. 

Cornelius  Van  Santvoort,  Pieter  Nevius,  Dirk  Brinkerhof, 

T.  J.  Frilinghuizen,  Long  Eyland. 

Reinhard  Erigson,  Goosse  Adriaansse,  Staten  Eyland. 

A.  Curtenius,  H.  Fisscher,  Raretans. 

J.  Bohm,  J.  Zutveen,  Nauwesinks. 

G.   Haeghoort,  Saboriski,  Hakkinzak. 

J.  Schiiler,  Ryts  Snyder,  Philadelphia. 

F.  Van  Dyk,  Second  River. 

J.  Spies,  Schoogharie. 

1738,  vii,  viii. 

The  Minutes  of  this  body,  1747-1754,  somewhat  abbreviated,  are  found 
in  the  first  volume  of  the  so-called  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  pages  vii- 
xciv.  It  was  an  afterthought  of  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers,  to  translate 
them,  and  prefix  them  to  the  volume  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Provisional  and 
General  Synods,  in  1859.  Hence  their  separate  paging.  The  most  of  the 
later  minutes  of  the  Coetus,  1755-1771,  were  recovered  by  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T. 
Corwin,  in  Holland,  in  1897-8,  and  are  published  in  Vol.  V  of  Ecclesiastical 
Records  of  the  State  of  New  York.  See  more  under  "Classes" ;  "Amster- 
dam Correspondence" ;  also  Minutes,  1792,  241 ;  1843,  272 ;  1859,  464. 

Cole,  David,  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1884. 

Coles,  J.  Ackerman,  (Dr.)  and  Sister.  Present  a  piece  of  statuary 
to  the  Seminary,  representing  Hagar  and  Ishmael.  Placed  in  Sage  Library. 
Thanks  given  to  them.  1897,  610,  621.  Thanks  of  Synod  for  additional 
gifts  from  Miss  Emilie  S.  Coles,  1902,  70. 

Collateral  Deposit  Account.    $6,500.     1888,  516. 

Collections.  Except  for  alms,  there  were  seldom  any  collections 
taken  up  in  the  churches  in  Colonial  times.  The  first  reference  to  Collec- 
tions in  the  Minutes,  is  for  the  "Extension  of  the  Church,"  soon  after  the 
Revolution.  For  this  purpose  it  was  recommended  that  "voluntary  collec- 
tions be  taken  up  as  an  expression  of  their  love" ;  1788,  181 ;  and  in  the 
following  year,  as  a  result,  ^37  were  produced  in  Synod,  or  almost  $100; 

1789,  198.  Collections  for  this  purpose  continued  from  that  thime  onward. 
With  these  moneys  ministers  were  sent  out  on  horseback  tours,  thro 
central  and  western  New  York  and  Canada;  1794,  264;  1797,  292.  From 
1790  onward,  collections  also  began  to  be  taken  up  for  Que'en's  College; 

1790,  207;  1791,  225;  1807,  365-6;  and  from  1794,  262  onward,  for  the 
Theological  Professorship. 

Collections  for  missionary  purpose  continued  to  be  recommended  from 
year  to  year,  1800,  309;  1814,  47;  '15,  74;  '16,  27;  '17,  37;  '18,  61;  but  in 
1812,  429,  collections  were  enjoined  for  the  support  of  the  Theological 
School ;  one-half  to  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  Professor,  and  the  other  half 
for  needy  students  and  a  Library.  In  1813,  30,  it  was  found  that  the 
Classes  of  Paramus  and*  Ulster  were  delinquent.  The  duty  was  again 
enjoined  and  the  Classes  were  directed  to  inquire  yearly  whether  the 
churches  had  obeyed.  Names  of  delinquent  churches  to  be  recorded,  1815, 
43,  and  this  continued  to  be  done  for  several  years,  1816,  33;  '17,  ^2;  '20, 
49;  '21,  39;  '25,  40;  '26,  55.  These  collections  might  be  discontinued  in 
churches  where  Cent  Societies  (which  see)  were  organized;  1818,  26,  32, 
33.  In  1820  Synod  enjoined  by  {positive  statute  that  every  church  must 
take  up  collections  on  a  certain  Sunday  for  the  Professors,  the  students, 


I50         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

and  a  Library;  names  of  obedient  and  delinquent  cbiirches  recorded;  1820, 
.  45,  49;  '21,  19,  21,  38;  '22,  2S,  26;  '23,  20,  21,  53;  '24,  21  ;  '26,  17,  22-24,  25.— 
But  with  the  endowments  of  the  Second  and  Third  Professorships,  (1822- 
27)  amounting,  in  subscriptions,  to  about  $27,000  each,  collections  for  these 
purposes  ceased  for  a  time.  But  the  subscriptions  not  having  been  all  paid 
in.  embarrassments  again  arose  (1832-35),  and  the  Synod  now  requested 
collections.  Meanwhile,  a  Special  Committee  succeeded  in  enlarging  the 
Permanent  Fund  by  subscriptions  of  more  than  $30,000.  See  Permanent 
Professorial  Fund. 

After  this  the  Boards  were  more  fully  organized,  and  the  benevolence 
of  the  Church  comes  under  other  heads.  Yet  occasionally  collections 
were  ordered  for  the  Professorate,  as  in  1829,  157,  203;  1830,  239  (when 
the  amount  received  was  $471)  ;  and  collections  for  missionary  purposes 
were  ordered  to  be  taken  up  on  Thanksgiving  Day,  as  1827,  yj ;  "28,  135 ; 
'29,  207;  also  collections  for  the  Contingent  Fund,  as  1827,  80.  See  Assess- 
ments ;  Missions ;  Education ;  Needy  Students,  Contingent  Funds. 

Colleges.  See  Queens  or  Rutgers  ;  Kings  or  Columbia  ;  Union  ;  Hope ; 
New  York  University.     See  1771,  p.  14,  Art.  29. 

Colleges,  Days  of  Prayer  for.  First  definite  example  of,  in  1835. — 
Resolved,  That  the  last  Thursday  of  February  be  observed  throughout 
the  churches  under  the  care  of  this  Synod,  as  a  day  of  Fasting  and  prayer 
on  behalf  of  Colleges  and  Seminaries  of  learning;  1835,  435.  The  next 
year  prayer  was  specially  requested  that  God  would  raise  up  young  men 
for  the  ministry;  1836,  501.  See  Memoir  of  Rev.  Dr.  P.  D.  Van  Cleef, 
which  gives  an  account  of  a  wonderful  revival,  in  which  about  60  young 
men  consecrated  themselves  to  this  work  in  1837. 

Such  "Days  of  Prayer"  have  been  appointed  }■  early  since.  1837,  66; 
'42,  119;  '59,  466;  '60,  583;  '61,  103;  etc.,  etc. 

CoLLEGL\TE  Churches  AND  MINISTERS.  Where  two  or  more  min- 
isters were  colleagues,  or  two  or  more  churches  w^ere  combined,  and 
had  two  or  more  ministers,  they  were  called  Collegiate  Ministers 
and  Churches.  Collegialiter  is  a  word  found  in  the  old  records,  oc- 
casionally; also  collegialit  meaning  overeenkomstig  de  vevgadcring — 
in  concert  with  one  another;  and  also  coUegie,  meaning  a  company, 
union,  etc.  The  principal  example  is  the  Collegiate  Church  of  Xew 
York,  which  now^  has  a  number  of  ministers  and  churches,  all  under 
one  Consistor}^  and  Corporation.  See  Corwnn's  Manual,  1901.  pp. 
995-1001.  See  Constitutions  of  1874,  Arts.  42,  56,  58;  (of  1833.  Arts. 
49,  50,  63;  of  1792,  Arts.  35,  Z7',  of  1619,  Arts.-  17,  20,  2>7,  42. 

The  following  question  came  up  in  1796.  in  the  Particular  Synod : 
Whether,  in  collegiate  and  chartered  churches,  all  the  ministers 
have,  or  have  not,  a  vote  and  a  seat  in  the  Consistories  of  said 
churches. 

The  Synod  referred  this  question  to  the  General  Synod  for  de- 
cision, and  in  the  mean  time  advised  that  in  all  collegiate  churches 
the  ministers  who  are  colleagues  preside  in  Consistory  in  rotation; 
and  that  the  minister  or  ministers  who  are  not  in  the  chair  be  en- 
titled to  a  seat  and  voice.  1796,  470;  and  General  Synod  gave  this 
answer : 

"The  General  Synod  advise  on  this  question,  that,  for  preserv- 
ing peace  and  harmony  in  the  respective  churches,  each  of  the  Con- 
sistories to  whom  the  question  applies,  inquire  into  their  prac- 
tice in  times  past,  and  adhere  strictly  to  the  same,  in  all  times 
to  come,  without  attempting  to  introduce  any  alteration  or  innova- 
tion."    1797,  272.     See  New  York,  Collegiate  Church. 

CoLLFER,  Edward  A.  (Rev.  Dr.).  President  of  General  Synod, 
1894.     See  Metrical  Version  of  the  Psalms. 

Colored   People.     "In   the   Church   there   is  no   difference   between 


COLORED  PEOPLE  151 

bond  and  free,  but  all  are  one  in  Christ."  Hence  blacks  are  to  en- 
joy same  privileges,  etc.  See  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  59.  "Resolved, 
That  hereafter,  the  blacks  within  the  bounds  of  our  congregations 
be  enumerated  as  a  part  of  them,  1816,  18,  19.  See  Slavery;  Amer- 
ican Colonization  Society. — Reference  made  in  report  on  State  of 
Religion  to  Societies  for  colonizing  Free  People  of  Color,  and  giv- 
ing them  religious  instruction;   1825,  22. 

After  the  War,  allusions  begin  to  occur  to  the  neglected  whites 
of  the  South,  and  to  the  4,000,000  of  freedmen.  See  Freedmen.  1865, 
626. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  has  heard,  with  much  interest,  the 
statements  of  Rev.  Dr.  Adger  and  Rev.  R.  Mcllwaine,  D.D.,  regard- 
ing the  work  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  South,  in  the  evangeliza- 
tion and  education  of  the  colored  people,  and  would  express  deep 
sympathy  with  their  work,  and  commend  the  matter  to  our  Boards 
of  Education  and  Domestic  Missions,  for  their  co-operation.  1877; 
736. 

See  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  (the  Church 
South),  under  date  of  1878,  49,  50,  for  account  of  Dr.  Lacey's  visit 
to  General  Synod. 

In  1880,  Rev.  Dr.  Chs.  Scott,  who  had  been  delegate  to  the  South- 
ern Presbyt.  Church,  recommends — "That  a  Permanent  Aid  Com- 
mittee of  some  kind  be  appointed  by  the  General  Synod,  to  assist 
the  General  Assembly  in  carrying  on  the  work  of  evangelization 
among  the  colored  people,  including  the  support  of  the  Institution 
at  Tuscaloosa";  (which  see.)  1880,  493. — In  1893,  Rev.  Dr.  Philips 
of  the  Southern  Church  eloquently  presented  the  subject  of  evan- 
gelization among  the  negroes,  as  a  work  in  which  the  R.  C.  A.  might 
most  hopefully  co-operate,  since  success  depended  chiefly  on  an 
educated  negro  ministry,  and  the  Southern  Church  was  not  equal, 
in  means,  to  the  necessities  of  the  case.     1893,  812. 

A  circular  from  the  Industrial  Miss.  Assoc,  of  Alabama  was  re- 
ferred to  the  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions,  1894,  ii7-  Invitations  to  R.  C. 
A.  to  labor  among  the  colored  people  of  the  South  were  declined, 
on  account  of  pressure  of  work  in  other  fields,  1895,  123;  Another 
appeal  to  labor  among  them,   1896,  396,  400; 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  this  General 
Synod  to  consider  the  appeal  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  W.  L.  Johnson,  of 
Orangeburgh,  S.  C,  and  learn,  as  far  as  possible,  the  facts  as  to  this 
apparent  opening  and  call  for  work  among  the  colored  people  of  the. 
South:   and   further 

Resolved,  That  if  in  the  judgment  of  this  committee  it  shall  ap- 
pear that  the  way  is  open  and  the  beginnings  of  work  warranted,, 
the  Board  shall  be,  and  hereby  is,  authorized  to  begin  work  in  such 
way,  and  after  such  plan,  as  in  their  judgment  shall  seem  best.  1896,. 
401-2. 

Two  more  communications  on  the  subject.  The  Bd.  of  Dom. 
Miss,  cannot  act,  according  to  its  Charter,  through  another  agency. 
The  work,  if  done,  must  be  done  directly  by  the  Board: 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  be  instructed  to  inquire  into  the  ex- 
pediency of  instituting  missions  among  the  colored  people  of  South 
Carolina  and  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  if  the  way  be  clear,  pro- 
ceed as  they  may  judge  to  be  best  in  the  matter,  trusting  to  a  re- 
sponse from  the  Christian  sentiment  of  our  people  to  the  appeal  of 
a  larger  enterprise  for  the  Kingdom.     1897,  668-9;   see  also   1897,  694. 

Communication  received  from  Rev.  W.  L.  Johnson,  D.D.,  of 
Orangeburg,  S.  C,  requesting  Synod  to  receive  certain  churches  and 
missions  among  the  freedmen  under  its  care.  Elaborate  report;  ref- 
erence   to    action    of    1896;    action    of    Bd.    of    Dom.    Miss,    endorsed: 


152         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

proposition  of  Rev.  Dr.  Johnson,  not  entertained;  1898,  130-3;  1899, 
452.  Another  communication  from  Dr.  Johnson  referred  to  Bd.  of 
Dom.  Miss.  1901,  1102;  1903,  371;  Bd.  of  Dom.  Miss,  requested  to 
further  the  work,  1904,  719;   1905,  113,   117. 

(2)  The  report  also  calls  attention  to  the  evangelization  of  the 
•colored  people.  There  is  no  doubt  that  this  is  becoming  more  and 
more  the  burning  question  of  the  hour.  Various  schemes  are  be- 
ing put  into  practice  for  solving  the  negro  problem.  Some  look 
to  education,  others  to  manual  training,  and  others  to  segregation 
as  a  possible  solution:  but  with  all  these  the  percentage  of  criminals 
among  this  people  does  not  seem  to  decrease  to  any  appreciable  ex- 
tent, while  the  increase  of  the  people  themselves  is  hardly  to  be 
equalled  in  history,  unless  possibly  among  the  children  of  Israef 
in  the  land  of  Egypt.  If  these  people  are  not  to  become  a  menace 
to  our  body  politic  the  white  man  must  not  attempt  to  shift  his  bur- 
den. We  have  the  positive  conviction  that  the  only  means  for  their 
salvation  is  the  Gospel,  given  under  the  guidance  and  supervision 
of  the  churches  of  the  white  race.  Our  own  Church  is  beginning 
to  engage  in  this  work,  but  onl}'^  as  it  were,  with  the  tips  of  its  fin- 
gers, while  the  call  comes  and  the  conditions  warrant  us  in  reach- 
ing out  a  strong  helping  hand  to  these  people  for  whom  also  Christ 
died. 

We  therefore  recommend  in  accordance  with  the  action  of  West- 
ern section  of  the  Alliance  the  following: 

(A)  That  we  hereby  express  a  realizing  sense  of  our  responsi- 
bility as  a  part  of  the  Church  of  Christ  upon  which  the  evangeliza- 
tion of  all  classes  of  people  rests. 

(B)  That  we  advise  our  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  to  ex- 
ercise the  same  care  over,  and  the  same  spirit  of  liberality  toward 
the  churches  among  these  people  as  toward  others. 

(C)  That  we  urge  the  pastors  and  elders  to  bring  before  our 
•churches  the  rightful  claims  of  this  work  upon  them  for  prayer  and 
liberality.     1905,   117,   146-7. 

The  Federal  Council  shall  promote  the  co-operation  of  the  Fed- 
erated Churches  in  their  Foreign  Missionary  work,  and  also  in  their 
general  work  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  connection  with 
home  missions,  work  among  the  colored  people,  church  erection.  Sab- 
bath-schools, publication  and  education;  and  may  initiate  movements 
having  this  co-operation  in  view  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
churches  concerned.  The  council  may  also  advise  and  recommend 
in  other  matters  pertaining  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Kingdom 
of  Christ.     1905,   152-3. 

Colored  Students.  There  have  not  unfrequently  been  such  in 
the  New  Brunswick  Seminary  during  the  last  quarter  of  a  century. 
They  are  not,  perhaps,  always  specifically  alluded  to,  as  such,  in  the 
reports.  The  pastors  of  the  colored  churches  in  New  Brunswick 
(Methodist  and  Baptist)  have  sometimes  become  special  members 
of  the  Seminary.  References,  1877,  605,  to  Bergen  and  Walden;  see 
their  names  in  Manual;  1886,  16,  to  Ayler;  1887,  253,  name,  not  given. 
See  also  Jordan,  Mark,  a  colored  man,  licensed  by  Classis  of  New 
York  as  early  as  1822,  19,  20;   1823,  58.     See  his  name  in  Manual. 

CoLPORTAGE.  Plan  of  colportage  for  the  Bd.  of  Publication,  en- 
dorsed. Each  Classis  directed  to  appoint  "Standing  Committees  on 
Colportage"  who  shall  seek  laborers  for  appointment  by  the  Board, 
and  to  co-operate  with  such  laborers  and  the  Board;  to  secure  a  col- 
portage fund,  and  supervise  the  work;  1855,  613;  '56,  119;  '57,  243;  '58, 
3^)0. 


COLUMBIA,  CLASSIS  OF  153 

Columbia,  Classis  of.  This  name  proposed  by  the  Partic.  Syn. 
of  N.  Y.  for  the  Classis  now  called  Hudson;  1845,  465. 

Columbia  College.     See  Kings  College.     Allusion,   1867,  269. 

Columbian  Church.  An  Indian  church  under  Rev.  Frank  H. 
Wright  in  Oklahoma;   1894,  114;  '95,   117;  '96,  398. 

Columbian  Exhibition.  Report  on  the  Congress  of  Religions, 
in  connection  with;   1892,  660;   1893,  902-5. 

Combined  Calls.  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  56;  (of  1833,  Art.  63; 
of  1792,  Art.  37.)  Classis  may  reject  a  call  from  two  or  more  churches 
in  combination,  when  they  consider  such  call  improper,  1800,  311. 
Quoted  in   Digest,   1814,  68. 

Comforters  of  the  Sick.  Called  in  Dutch,  Ziekentroosters  or 
Krankenbesoeckers.  They  were  frequently  also  the  voorsingers  or 
choristers,  and  school  teachers.  They  visited  the  sick  and  read  the 
Form.  See  Constitution  of  1792,  pp.  198-218;  also  Collegiate  Church 
Year  Book,  1897,  486;  Ecc.  Records  of  N.  Y.,  Vol.  i.,  pp.  45-48.  Cor- 
win's  Manual,  1901,  18.  They  are  often  alluded  to  in  the  early  his- 
tory. 

The  line  of  thought  in  the  Form  alluded  to,  is  as  follows :  It 
refers,  first,  to  our  original  creation  in  righteousness;  the 
fall,  and  original  sin,  with  the  penalty  of  death;  with  va- 
rious proof-texts  of  the  brevity  and  vanity  of  life;  of  the  providence 
of  God,  who  determines  our  days;  of  our  weakness  and  general  sin- 
fulness, and  our  exposure  to  the  divine  wrath;  and  then  of  the  gift 
of  Christ  as  the  light  of  the  world,  as  an  atonement  for  our  sins,  and 
through  whom  we  may  triumph.  Very  many  delightful  texts  are 
then  quoted  about  the  love  of  God  to  sinners,  about  the  person  and 
work  of  Christ,  and  his  worthiness  of  our  love;  and  of  our  duty  of 
prayer  and  faith  in  him.  His  intercession  for  sinners  is  then  spe- 
cially emphasized,  and  his  willingness  to  save  all  classes  of  men. 
The  peace  which  God  gives  the  believer  in  Christ  is  then  referred  to, 
whatever  may  have  been  the  heinousness  of  our  sins;  and  hence  the 
believer's  right  to  desire  to  be  delivered  from  this  mortal  body  and 
to  enter  upon  the  glorious  inheritance  of  the  children  of  God.  This 
is  again  supported  by  many  texts  of  Scripture.  The  benefits  of  tribu- 
lation are  also  referred  to,  and  the  certainty  of  the  believers  victory, 
and  the  importance  of  always  watching  for  the  change,  and  fighting 
against  the  temptations  to  which  we  are  exposed.  Regeneration  and 
the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  are  then  alluded  to,  with  the  resurrection,  and 
the  blessings  of  those  that  are  in  Christ,  who  shall  hear  his  welcome 
plaudit — "Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  Kingdom  pro- 
pared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world."  The  P^orm  ends 
with — "Blessed  are  they  whose  names  are  written  in  the  Book  of 
Life." 

Comfort  of  Christian  Doctrine.  The  Heidelberg  Catechism  is 
constructed  on  the  plan  of  making  every  Christian  Doctrine  conduce 
to  the  comfort  of  the  believer.  Hence  every  distinct  topic  begins 
or  ends  with  this  thought.  Heid.  Cat.,  Questions,  i,  2,  28,  30,  36,  44, 
49.  51,  52,  58-64.     See  also  Canons,  V.    10. 

Comfort  of  the  Sacraments.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  69-79;    Forms   of  Administration   of. 

Comity  among  Denominations.  A  phrase  used  especially  in  con- 
nection with  relations  with  the  "Christian  Refd.  Church";  1901,  1128- 
9;    1902,   123,   126;   1903,  395-6.     See  also  Correspondence. 

Commencements.  Public  Theological  Commencements  sug- 
gested for  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1843,  161-2;  approved  by  Synod, 
247-8;    objected    to    by    the    students,    1844,    292-3;    discussion    of,    and 


154         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

trial  to  be  made,  3/2-3;  commencement  held,  1845,  408;  discontinued 
reasons;  488;  Commencements,  restored,  1879,  236;  1880,  460,  and 
continued  annually  since.     See  Plan  of  Seminary,   1888,  538,    (8.) 

Committee  of  Co-operation.     See  Co-operation. 

Committee  of  Finance.     See   Accounts. 

Committee  on  Church  Extension.  Ordered  for  each  Particu- 
lar Synod;  1869,  (^33- 

Commons.     See   Boarding. 

Common  Schools.     See  Public  Schools. 

Communicants.  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  47,  50;  (of  1833, 
Arts.  54,  57;  of  1792,  Art.  62;  of  1619,  Arts.  59,  61,  82.)  Mints.  1824, 
44,  46. 

Communicants'  Manual.     1896,  405. 

Communion  of  His  Son.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  32;  Canons,  i.  7;  v.  i. 

Communion  of  Saints.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  27,  28;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  23,  55,  57- 

Communion  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art. 
34;  Heid.  Catechism,  Quests.  77,  79. 

Communion  of  the  Christian  Church.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  28, 
35;   Form  of  Adult  Baptism,   Quest.  4. 

Communion  Table.     No  allusion. 

Community  of  Goods.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  36.     See  Socialism. 

Compendium.  This  is  the  Shorter  Heidelberg  Catechism,  and 
was  prepared  by  Herman  Faukelius,  about  1608,  and  adopted  by 
the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19.  There  were  several  Compendiums  pre- 
pared before  this,  as  the  following  shows : — ''The  Dutch  Churches 
shall  also,  at  their  option  use  the  brief  "Examination  of  Faith," 
which  is  extracted  from  the  Catechism  [the  Heidelberg],  in  order 
to  instruct  those  who  wish  to  unite  with  their  congregations;'' — ac- 
tion of  a  Synod  held  at  Dort,  1574,  and  repeated,  1581.  *  This  refers 
either  to  the  Catechism  of  Micronius,  or  the  Geneva  Catechism,  both 
of  which  were  in  use.  See  these  Heads.  Ursinus  also  prepared  a 
Compendium,  in  1562,  called  "Minor  Catechesis,"  and  follows  the 
same  order  of  topics.  See  Ursini  Opera.  A  Primary  Catechism  was 
prepared  by  a  Committee  of  Six,  at  the  Synod  of  Dort,  containing 
the  Creed,  the  Commandments,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Sacramental 
Form,  and  Form  of  Discipline.  It  was  yet  used  at  the  beginning  of 
the  19th  century. — The  same  Committee  reported  a  Catechism  for 
the  Intermediate  Classes;  but  this  was  considered  to  be  too  long. 
It  was  therefore  resolved  that  it  should  be  left  to  each  Particular 
Synod,  to  use  either  this  one,  or  the  "Middelburg  Kort  Begrip,"  or 
"Short  Summary."  Now  this  latter  was  the  present  Compendium 
of  R.  C.  A.,  and  is  considered  the  work  of  Faukelius,  minister  at 
Middelburg.  It  was  printed  in  1611,  at  that  place,  in  connection 
with  the  Heidelberg,  and  the  Confession  of  Faith.  It  was  prepared 
by  the  ministers  of  Middelburg,  by  order  of  that  Consistory,  in  the 
year  1608,  and  published  the  same  year.  Faukelius  being  the  chief 
minister  there,  the  authorship,  by  all  writers,  is  ascribed  to  him. 

It  was  expected  that  all  persons,  especially  the  young,  should 
know  the  Compendium  by  heart,  before  joining  the  church.  See 
the  Supplement  to  the  Compendium.  In  the  early  American  editions 
of  the  Constitution  in  1792  and  1815,  which  included  the  Standards 
and  Liturgy,  this  Supplement  of  the  Compendium  is  an  exact  trans- 
lation of  the  Dutch;  but  in  the  first  English  Hymn  Books,  1789,  and 
1814,  the  following  clause  is  interpolated: — "whether  they  have  ex- 
perienced the  power  of  the  truth  in  their  hearts,  and  are  willing  and 


COMPLAINTS  155 

desirous  of  being  saved  by  Jesus  Christ  from  their  sins?" — Of  course 
there  can  be  no  objection  to  this  question,  but  it  was  never  offi- 
cially adopted.  It  has  been  incorporated  in  all  editions  since,  ex- 
cept the  edition  of  the  Constitution,  1815.  See  Hymnology.  Many 
editions  of  the  Compendium.  Bd.  of  Publication  asked  permission 
to  publish  it,  1884,  557. 

Complaints.  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  109-121,  especially  119-121; 
(of  1833,  Arts.  42-47,  especially  46,  47).  In  the  Constit.  of  1874  the  "Com- 
plaint" is  limited  to  the  next  higher  judicatory;  while  by  the  Constit.  of 
1833,  a  Complaint  could  be  presented  directly  to  Classis,  Particular  Synod 
or  General  Synod. 

Complaints,  as  such,  are  not  formally  recognized  in  the  Constitution 
of  1619,  nor  are  they  definitely  alluded  to  in  that  of  1792,  altho  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  Coetus  and  Conferentie,  1738-1771,  many  complaints  are 
found,  made  to  these  bodies,  or  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  In  the 
Articles  of  Union,  1771,  Arts.  23,  24,  matters  in  dispute  might  be  "referred" 
to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  or  the  Synod  of  North  Holland.  See  Refer- 
ences. 

The  following  have  been  the  "Complaints"  to  General  Synod:  1792, 
238-9;  1800,  294,  298;  1813,  12,  13;  Oct.  '20,  14,  15;  '21,  43;  '22,  52;  '23,  50, 
51;  '24,  47-49;  '44,  341-343;  45,  468-9;  '46,  66,  67;  263-6;  '47,  173-5; 
'74,  46,  47,  106-7.  The  wisdom  of  the  limitation  of  Complaints,  in  Consti- 
tution of  1874,  is  shown  by  the  absence  of  almost  all  Complaints  to  General 
Synod  in  later  years.  Manner  of  proceeding  in  Complaints,  1839,  257,  (7)  ; 
1890,  117. 

Conception  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  18,  19;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
23,  35,  36;  referred  to,  in  Nicene  and  Athanasian  Creeds. 

CoNDiCT,  Ira,  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1800. 

Confederated  Union.  Proposed  by  Rev.  Dr.  S.  S.  Schuncker,  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  1873,  613,  673.     See  Federation  of  Chs. 

Confederation  of  Churches  Holding  the  Presbyterian  System. 
See  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs. ;  Church  Union. 

Conferences.     See  Missionary  Conferences. 

Conferentie.  The  Dutch  word  for  Conference  or  Association, 
adopted  by  the  Dutch  party,  I755-I77i,  in  opposition  to  the  American 
party,  called  the  Coetus.  Some  of  their  letters  are  found  in  Mints,  of 
Gen.  Syn.,  Vol.  i,  pp.  xciv-cxxii.  After  a  failure  to  unite  with  the  Coetus 
in  1765,  they  attempted  formally  to  organize,  as  follows: 

The  Rev.  Assembly  of  Ministers  and  Elders  under  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  met  in  the  Consistory  Chamber  of  New  York,  October  9,  1765, 
having  read  again  the  fundamental  Articles  of  the  Coetus,  together  with 
the  regulations  for  holding  the  same,  herein  before  recorded,  give  their 
full  consent  thereto,  and  desire  to  hold  their  assembly  on  no  other  ground. 
But,  as  they  have  now  altered  the  name  of  Coetus  into  that  of  an  Assembly 
of  Ministers  and  Elders  under  the  name  of  Coetus  into  that  of  an  Assem- 
bly and  Ministers  and  Elders  under  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  they 
have  thought  good  to  subscribe  the  foregoing  points  anew.  [Put  under 
1748,  p.  xxi,  by  mistake;  should  have  been  on  p.  cxxiii.] 
Joannes  Ritzema,  V.D.M  Elders 

Lambertus  De  Ronde,  V.D.M.  t>  it-        /-  T^     u  u 

Joannes  Schuyler,  V.D.M.  ^ll^^S^t\^^^^'''  r'^'^r''''^- 

Ulpianus  Van  Sinderen,  V.D.M.      ^^^'  Remsen,  Kings  County. 
Joannes  C  Fryenmoet,  V.D.M.  Jeremiah  Van  Der  B11.T    Kmgs  Co 

Benj.  Van  Der  Linde,  V.D.M.  §^^^^  Terhun,  P^rmu    [Paramw^.] 

Joannes  Caspar  Rubel,  V.D.M.         g^^^^  ^Sf^^^'  ^^^'^  [Camp.] 
Gerhard  Daniel  Cock,  V.D.M.  Henry  Whiteman,  ^cwYork. 

Joannes  Michael  Kern,  V.D.M.        [.^^^^^  Brinckerhoff    F,./iA'//. 
Isaac  Rysdyck,  V.D.M.  Cornelius  Persen,  of  Kingston. 

xxii?    for    cxxiii. 


156         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

This  heading  and  these  names  belonging  to  the  Minutes  of  Oct.  9, 
1765,  page  cxxiii,  were  wrongly  placed  on  pages  xxi,  xxii,  of  printed 
Minutes  of  the  Coetus,  in  vol.  i  of  Mints,  of  Gen.  Synod. — Their  former 
letters,  1755-1765,  were  letters  of  ministers  only,  uniting  together,  pp. 
xciv-cxxii ;  after  that,  they  were  organized,  after  a  fashion,  with  Elders, 
more  or  less  regularly  appointed.  They  ceased  to  record  their  minutes 
in  the  Coetus  Book,  to  which  they  had  no  right,  in  1767.  Their  subse- 
quent Acts  and  Letters  were  recovered  by  Dr.  Corwin,  in  Amsterdam  in 
1897-8,  and  all  are  now  printed  in  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  State  of  New 
York,  Vols.  5  and  6.  These  Records  show  the  efforts  of  the  Coetus  to 
recover  their  Minute  Book  from  the  Conferentie  party,  and  their  failure 
of  success.  In  1792,  the  Convention  which  adopted  the  Constitution  took 
the   following   action  : 

ECCLESIASTICAL    BOOKS    AND    PAPERS. 

On  proposal,  it  is  recommended  to  the  Rev.  Classes  to  make  careful 
inquiry  after,  and  bring  to  the  table  of  this  Rev.  Body,  at  their  next 
assembling,  all  books  and  papers  of  the  old,  as  well  as  the  subsequent 
Coetus  and  Conferentie  Bodies,  which  are  found  within  their  jurisdiction; 
as  also  an  accurate  and  definite  account  of  the  time  of  the  formation  of 
the  congregations,  and  of  the  persons  by  whom  it  was  effected,  with  an 
accompanying  historic  narrative  of  the  most  noteworthy  events  which 
have  occurred  from  time  to  time,  to  the  end  that  the  same  may  be 
preserved  among  the  papers  of  the  Rev.  Synod,  as  the  historical  docu- 
ments of  our  Church.      1792,  241. 

Whether  this  brought  the  Coetus  Book  into  the  possession  of  the 
Synod  does  not  appear. — The  next  year  the  Classes  were  again  exhorted 
to  lay  before  Synod  extracts  in  relation  to  subjects  of  importance,  in 
their  congregations,   1793,  251 ;   Partic.  Syn.   1794,  450. 

In  1805  an  article  on  the  History  of  the  R.  D.  C.  by  Rev.  Dirck 
Romeyn,  appeared  in  the  "Christians"  Magazine."  Dr.  Romeyn  died  the 
preceding  year.  He,  apparently,  had  secured  the  Minutes  of  the  Coetus 
for  this  purpose,  from  some  source,  and  his  family  returned  it  to  the 
General  Synod  in  1841.  See  1843,  272.  The  partial  records  of  the  Con- 
ferentie, as  they  were  improperly  recorded  in  this  volume,  are  as  follows  : 

CONFERENTIE. 

XV.     Letter  of  Five  Alinisters  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,   Septem- 
ber, 1755. 
XVI.     Letter  of  Five  Ministers  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  Novem- 
ber, 1756. 
XVII.     Letter  of  Eight  Ministers  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  October, 

1758. 
XVIII.     Letter  of  Five  Ministers  to  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  May, 
1760. 
XIX.     Letter   of   Eight    Ministers   to    the    Rev.    Classis   of   Amsterdam, 

October,   1761,  with  a  Postscript  of  February,   1762. 
XX.     Joint  Meeting  of  the  Coetus  and  the  Conferentie,  June,  1764. 
XXI.     Proceedings  of  the  Conferentie,  held  October,   1765. 
XXII.     Proceedings  of  the  Conferentie,   held   May,    1767. 
XXIII.     Proceedings  of  the  Conferentie,  held  October,   1767. 
See  Secession. 

Confessions  of  Faith.     See  Belgic  Confession. 

Confession  of  One's  Faith.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  28,  35 ;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quest.  81  ;  Compendium,  supplementary  paragraph ;  Form  of  the  Lord's 
Supper;  Form  of  Adult  Bapti.sm ;  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.,  1619,  Arts.  23,  59, 
61.  82;  of  1792,  Arts.  61,  62;  of  1833,  Arts.  54,  57;  of  1874,  Arts,  47,  50. 

Confession  of  Sin.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  23;  Form  of  Adult  Baptism; 
Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  81.     See  Repentance. 


CONFIRMATION  157 

Confirmation.  This  word  does  not  occur  in  the  Formularies  of 
R.  C  A.  in  an  ecclesiastical  sense. 

Congo  Liquor  Traffic.     1888,  610,  611,  614.     See  Temperance. 

Congregational  Conference — of  Ohio.  Send  a  Circular  to  Synod 
on  Sabbath  Observance,  1870,  13 ;  action  of  Synod,  57-58.  See  Sabbath 
Observance. 

Congregational  Church.  Rev.  Winslow  Paige  received  from;  1792, 
22^'] \  act  complained  of,  1793,  247,  but  complaint  not  sustained;  Rev.  J. 
Fonda,  called  from ;  matter  referred  to  Gen.  Synod ;  sent  back  to  Classis, 
with  advice  to  refer  to  Particular  Synod,  if  necessary,  1809,  3^9,  390; 
Synod  asked  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  receiving  licentiates  from  the 
Congregational  Church  without  examination ;  Synod  directed  that  no 
licentiates  be  received  from  Churches  differing  in  faith,  without  an 
explicit  renunciation  of  such  different  doctrines;  1814,  29,  35,  36;  com- 
plaint of  the  ordination  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Searle,  a  Congregational  licenti- 
ate;  his  doctrines  found  to  be  satisfactory,  1823,  50;  1824,  47-50;  1825, 
28-30. 

The  General  Association  of  Massachusetts  appointed  a  Committee  of 
three  to  meet  a  similar  Committee  of  the  Dutch  Church,  to  formulate  a 
plan  of  correspondence.  Rev.  A.  Hyde,  D.D.,  Rev.  J.  Lyman,  D.D.,  and 
H.  Humphrey  were  the  Congregational  Committee.  Synod's  Com.  on 
Correspondence  reported  favorably  for  the  appointment  of  such  a  Com- 
mittee.    Subject  postponed  until  following  year.     1823,   18,  30. 

In  1824,  subject  called  up  and  referred  to  a  Special  Committee. 
Their  report  expressed  the  kindest  sentiments  to  the  Congregational 
Church,  but  did  not  believe  that  the  attendance  of  delegates  at  each 
other's  Councils,  differing,  as  they  did,  more  or  less,  in  doctrines  and 
government,  would  be  particularly  conducive  to  edification.  No  Com- 
mittee was  therefore  appointed.     1824,  26-28. 

The  National  Council  of  Congregational  Churches  appointed  Rev. 
Dr.  J.  E.  Rankin,  delegate  to  General  Synod.  Unable  to  attend ;  sent  a 
letter  of  greeting.  Gen.  Synod  appointed  Rev.  Drs.  Ormiston  and  Mabon 
as  delegates  to  that  body.     1873,  669,  670,  673.     No  report  appears. 

The  President  and  Stated  Clerk,  ad  interim,  had  appointed  Rev.  Dr. 
Chs.  Scott  delegate  to  the  General  Council  of  the  Congregational  Churches 
in  the  U.  S.  This  action,  under  the  necessary  circumstances,  was 
approved,  and  Dr.  Scott  reported  the  fulfillment  of  his  appointment.  1878, 
43,  44.  In  1880  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  W.  Scudder  was  delegate  from  the  National 
Council  of  Cong.  Chs.  in  U.  S.  to  Gen.  Synod;  1880,  491. 

A  communication  from  the  General  Association  of  Congregational 
Ministers  and  Churches,  requested  Synod  to  unite  with  them  in  an  effort 
to  secure  the  repeal  of  certain  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York  relating 
to  "wills,"  which  arbitrarily  limit  and  abridge  the  rights  of  individuals 
in  their  bequests  to  education  and  benevolent  and  missionary  societies. 
Elders  H.  H.  Shook  and  Geo.  S.  Danforth  were  appointed  a  Committee 
on  the  subject.     1892,  574. 

Reference  is  made  to  the  fact  that  the  Congregationalists,  the  Metho- 
dist Protestants  and  the  United  Brethren  have  agreed  upon  a  Plan  of 
Federation.     1905,  151. 

Congregational  Singing.  Synod  heartily  commends  congregational 
singing,  and  favors  such  methods  as  may  be  found  practicable  for  train- 
ing of  the  people,  and  especially  the  children,  in  Christian  Praise  ;  1900,  829. 

Congregational  Union  of  England  and  Wale.s.  Revs.  Andrew 
Reed  and  Jas.  Matheson  visited  the  U.  S.  as  delegates  to  the  various 
Ecclesiastical  Bodies.  Invited  to  address  the  Synod  concerning  the  state 
of  religion  in  the  Churches  they  represent.  They  were  commended  to  the 
fraternal  regard  and  kindness  of  the  Churches.  1834,  266-7.  See  Account 
of  their  Travels  in  U.  S.,  2  vols. 


158         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Congregations.  In  the  Dutch  translation  of  the  Scriptures,  ecclesia 
was  uniformly  translated  by  gemeente,  congregation.  The  word  Kerke 
does  not  occur  in  the  Dutch  Bible,  altho  Kerke  and  gemeente  were  popu- 
larly used  as  synon3mous  in  the  early  American  Minutes.  Congregations 
may  be  formed  or  disbanded  by  Classis ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  59 ;  must 
support  their  ministers;  1874,  Arts.  53,  64;  must  be  consulted  in  calling 
a  minister;  1874,  Art.  51;  must  care  for  ministers  in  sickness  or  old  age. 
See  Emeritus. 

Congregations  may  be  transferred  by  Particular  Synod  from  one 
Classis  to  another;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  66;  examples,  1790,  211;  or  this 
may  be  done  by  the  General  Synod,  which  may  make  new  Particular 
Synods,  and  arrange  Classes  and  congregations  in  the  same;  Constit.  of 
1874,  Art.  73;  examples:  1800,  301-3,  for  a  general  rearrangement;  1856, 
90,  91 ;   1869,  639.     See  also  1812,  409,  413,  427. 

Early  lists  of  congregations:  1784,  112-114;  1800,  301-3;  313-316. 
For  complete  lists,  chronologically  arranged,  see  Manual,  1074-82 ;  alpha- 
betically arranged,  935-1044;  also  Roll  of  existing  Churches,  published 
yearly  in  the  Minutes,  since  1892.     See  Churches;  Expediency. 

Congress  of  United  States.  See  under  Bible,  1790;  Divorce; 
Spanish  War. 

CoNOVER,  Daniel  P.  Scholarship  of  $3,000,  given  to  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion, 1891.     Report  of  Bd.  1892,  3. 

Conscience.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  23,  24,  37;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  59; 
Canons,  iii.,  4;  v.  5,  10,  13;  conclusion;  also  Pref.  to  Constit.  of  1792. 

Consensus  Creed.  A  communication  was  received  from  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
stating  that  a  committee  had  been  appointed  by  that  body  to  invite  the 
co-operation  of  the  Reformed  churches  throughout  the  world,  holding 
the  Presbyterian  system,  in  the  preparation  "of  a  short  creed  containing 
the  essential  articles  of  the  Westminster  Confession,  to  be  used  as  the 
common  creed  of  these  churches,  not  as  a  substitute  for  the  creed  of  any 
particular  denomination,  but  to  supplement  it  for  the  comnjon  work  of 
the  Church."  The  communication  was  responded  to  by  the  appointment 
of  the  following  committee,  to  be  called : 

Committee  on  Concensus  Creed : 

Ministers,  E.  T.  Corwin,  D.D.,  President  of  General  Synod;  Rev. 
W.  V.  V.  Mabon,  D.D. ;  Rev.  John  De  Witt,  D.D. ;  T.  W.  Chambers,  D.D. ; 
A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  D.D. ;  Joachim  Elmendorf,  D.D. 

Elders,  David  Murray,  LL.D. ;  John  S.  Bussing,  Herman  H.  Shook. 
1891,  425-6. 

Consistorial  Reports.     See  Consistory. 

Consistory.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  30-33;  Liturgical  Prayers  at  the 
Opening  and  Closing  of  Consistory;  Rules  of  Church  Government  of 
1874,  Arts.  42-57- 

In  Holland  the  Consistory  consisted  of  the  Ministers  and  Elders 
only;  1619,  37;  but  if  the  Elders  were  very  few,  the  deacons  might  be 
included  in  the  Consistorj^,  Art.  38.  In  America  the  Consistory  always 
consisted  of  Minister,  elders  and  deacons,  1792,  Art.  27;  1833,  Art.  49; 
1874,  Art.  42. 

Other  Constitutional  allusions  to  the  Consistory;  Constit.  of  1874, 
Arts.  16,  29,  32-40;  (of  1833,  Arts.  19,  24,  26,  31,  33-42;  of  1792,  Arts. 
29-31,  72;  of  1619.  Arts.  4,  5,  10,  II,  17,  20,  21,  23,  41,  53,  54,  82.) 

Synodical  legislation :  Individual  members  of  Consistory  need  not 
subscribe  the  Articles  of  Union,  1774,  52;  powers,  respectively,  of  a  Con- 
sistory and  Great  Consistory,  May,  1792,  229;  Consistories,  recom- 
mended to  pay  expenses  of  their  ministers  and  elders,  when  attending  the 
several  judicatories  of  the  Church,  1797,  272;  1814,  24.  See  Entertain- 
ment;  to  exert  themselves  to  support  the   Professorate,    1794.  262;    1800, 


CONSOLATION  I59 

300;  1814,  46;  to  present  statistical  reports  of  their  congregations,  1809, 
23,  24;  to  divide  their  congregations  into  school-districts,  29;  to  be 
punctual  with  their  statistical  reports,  '14,  25 ;  to  exercise  care  in  inviting 
strange  ministers,  '15,  39;  to  form  Cent  Societies,  '16,  34;  '17,  32;  Oct. 
'17,  19;  to  facilitate  the  work  of  endowment  Committee,  '22,  45;  to  watch 
over  their  students,  '23,  42;  not  to  permit  students  to  preach,  '24,  47;  to 
present  reports  on  State  of  religion,  '27,  45 ;  to  take  Sabbath  Schools 
under  their  care,  '30,  278;  to  facilitate  the  plan  of  benevolent  operations, 
'31,  S7^;  validity  of  Roman  Catholic  baptism  left  to  decision  of  each 
Consistory,  '35.  403;  to  report  on  their  Sabbath-schools,  413;  to  promote 
circulation  of  Revised  Constitution,  '35,  425 ;  the  General  Synod  enjoins 
upon  the  Consistories  of  these  several  churches  strictly  to  adhere  to  the 
article  of  the  Constitution  in  relation  to  the  Standing  Committee  of 
Classis  in  relation  to  vacant  congregations.     '37,  58. 

It  is  recommended  to  all  the  Consistories  under  the  supervision  of 
this  Synod,  to  appoint  a  committee  annually,  as  near  the  ist  of  June  as 
possible,  to  be  called  the  Committee  of  Synodical  Minutes,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be.  as  soon  after  the  authenticated  copies  of  the  Minutes  have  been 
received  as  possible,  to  examine  the  Minutes  of  Particular  and  General 
Synods,  and  report  to  their  several  Consistories  the  subjects  that  require 
their  action.  '38,  162 ;  to  subscribe  to  the  Widows'  Fund  in  behalf  of 
their  pastors.  '38,  191;  '39,  296-7;  '40,  418;  this  frequently  repeated;  to 
place  their  Sabbath-schools  under  Synod's  Bd.  of  S.  S.  U.,  '39,  260;  to 
discountenance  dancing,  '44,  344 ;  to  exercise  care  in  recommending 
beneficiaries,  '43,  232,  often  repeated ;  to  render  full  reports  of  membership 
and  contributions,  '56.  57 ;  to  procure  all  the  publications  of  Bd.  of  Publi- 
cation for  Pastors'  Libraries,  '57,  240. — Similar  duties  of  Consistories 
often  repeated. 

Resolved,  That  the  Consistories  of  all  our  churches  be  directed  to 
keep  regular  minutes  of  their  acts  and  proceedings,  so  far  as  they  relate 
to  the  Ecclesiastical  matters,  and  lay  them  before  the  Classis  with  which 
the  church  is  connected  at  least  once  a  year  according  to  Art.  VI,  Sec.  8, 
of  the  Constitution.     1900,  808. 

New  Consistorial  Blanks,  for  reports,  to  be  prepared;  1902,  no. 

Consolation.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  21 ;  Held.  Cat.,  Quest,  i,  etc.  See 
Comfort. 

CoNSOL.\TiON  OF  THE  SiCK.  In  the  Dutch  and  early  Enghsh  editions 
of  the  Liturgy,  there  is  an  elaborate  "Form  of  Instruction  in  the  Faith" 
for  the  sick.  See  English  editions  of  1793  and  1815.  Subsequently  only 
references  to  the  proof  texts  are  given.     See  "Comforters  of  the   Sick." 

CoNST.\NTiNE,  NICHOLAS.  Litigation  about  church  propertv,  1889, 
813,  819. 

Constitutional  Question.s.     See  Classical  Questions. 

CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    REFORMED     CHURCH     IN     AMERICA.       GENERAL     REVIEW. 

The  Constitution  of  a  Church  consists  of  its  Doctrines,  Modes  of 
Worship  and  Government.  In  1566  the  first  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  of  Netherlands  was  held  at  Antwerp.  Two  years  later  a  more 
formal  organization  was  effected  at  Wesel  and  Rules  of  Church  Govern- 
ment adopted.  These  were  amended,  from  time  to  time,  at  successive 
Synods;  at  Embden,  1571,  at  Dordrecht,  1574,  at  Middelburg,  1581,  and 
at  the  Hague.  1586;  and  they  were  finally  revised  at  the  Great  Synod  of 
Dort.  1618-19.  These  Rules,  together  with  the  Belgic  Confession,  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism  with  the  Compendium  of  the  same,  the  Canons  of 
the  Synod  of  Dort,  and  the  Liturgy,  as  then  formulated,  became  the 
Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  the  Netherlands  and  her  depend- 
encies. [These  successive  revisions  are  all  found  in  the  Groot  Flakaat 
Boek  (Great  Edict  Book),  a  copy  of  which  (8  large  volumes)  is  in  the 
State  Library  at  Albany,  given  by  J.  Romeyn  Brodhead ;  another  copy  is 


i6o        DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

in  the  Sage  Library,  at  New  Brunswick ;  and  a  third  copy  in  the  Library 
of  the  Western  Seminary,  at  Holland,  Mich.,  given  by  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T. 
Corwin.] 

In  1738,  eleven  "Fundamental  Articles"  of  a  Coetus  (or  Association), 
for  the  American  Dutch  Churches  were  adopted  at  a  Convention  in  New 
York,  and  approved,  after  considerable  delay,  by  the  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam in  1747.  See  Coetus.  In  1771  Articles  of  Union  were  adopted 
between  the  Coetus  and  the  Conferentie — (a  seceding  party,  1755-71),  and 
became  the  basis  of  a  provisional  Church  Government  in  America.  See 
Articles  of  Union. 

But  in  Oct.  1788,  184-5,  American  political  independence  having  been 
secured,  it  was  said  that,  to  secure  the  proper  "protection  of  the  civil 
authorities  in  freedom  of  worship,"  it  was  necessary  to  translate  "not 
only  the  Confession  of  Faith,  but  also  the  Order  of  our  Church,  and  its 
Form  of  Church  Government"  into  the  English  language.  The  Articles 
of  Church  Government  were  to  be  accompanied  by  such  Articles  from  the 
legislation  of  the  provisional  Body  (or  Synod),"  as  have  particular 
reference  to  the  circumstances  of  the  Church  in  this  country" ;  .  .  . 
"that  the  same,  with  our  Standards,"  may  be  issued  from  the  press.  Only 
progress   was   reported   in    1789,   201. 

In  1790,  210,  211,  translations  of  the  Articles  of  Dort,  1618-19,  and  of 
the  Articles  of  Union,  1771-2,  were  presented.  The  Committee  was  then 
ordered  to  prepare  "some  observations  upon  the  Articles  of  Church- 
Order"  of  1619,  to  show  their  proper  meaning,  or  to  give  reasons  why 
some  Articles  could  not  be  carried  out  in  America.  Arrangements  were 
made  for  an  extra  session  of  Synod,  in  May,  1791,  to  discuss  the  whole 
subject,  and  provide  for  a  General  Convention  in  Oct.  1791,  to  take  final 
action. 

In  May,  1791,  it  was  determined  that  the  American  Church  Constitu- 
tion should  be  restricted  to  what  constitutes  the  "Doctrine,  Liturgy,  and 
Government"  of  the  Church ;  that  all  that  relates  exclusively  to  the 
Church  of  the  Netherlands,  should  be  omitted,  such  as  the  relation  of  the 
Magistracy  to  the  Church;  that  the  "Proceedings  of  the  S^nod  of  Dort" 
are  the  recognized  basis  of  government  of  the  Refd.  Dutch  Chs.  through- 
out the  world,  and  that  charters,  already  given  to  certain  congregations, 
are  based  thereon.  The  Committee  was  then  directed  "to  frame,  out  of 
said  Proceedings,  a  suitable  Plan,  which  shall  constitute  the  Whole 
Ecclesiastical  Discipline  and  Government  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches 
in  America,  as  now  situated,  and  which  shall  be  the  only  Rule  by  which 
said  Churches  are  directed  to  abide,  and  by  which  they  shall  be  known 
and  distinguished  as  Dutch  Churches."  A  (jeneral  Convention  was  called 
for  Oct.,  1791.  A  report  was  then  made,  but  the  whole  subject  was 
recommitted  to  the  same  Committee;   May  1791,  217-218;   Oct.    1791,  226. 

In  May,  1792  (an  extra  meeting),  the  Committee  was  not  yet  fully 
ready  to  report.  Dr.  Livingston,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee,  now 
proposed  that  there  should  be  a  series  of  [collateral]  Explanatory  Articles, 
"to  the  end  that  thus  from  the  one  or  the  other,"  the  people  in  general 
may  be  able  to  form  a  correct  conception  of  our  mode  of  Church  Govern- 
ment."    This  suggestion  was  approved;   May,   1792,  229. 

A  General  Convention  was  again  held  in  Oct.  1792,  when  the  final 
report  was  made.  The  free  translation  then  presented,  of  the  86  Articles 
of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  omitting  all  references  to  Civil  Magistrates  and 
State  Churches,  was  approved ;  as  well  as  the  "JZ  Explanatory  Articles. 
The  translations  of  the  Standards  of  Doctrine  and  the  Liturgy  are  not 
directly  alluded  to  in  this  final  report ;  and  these  translations,  as  such, 
were  never  formally  adopted  by  the  Classes.  The  Committee  simply 
adopted  the  translations  made  by  Laidlie  and  others,  under  direction  of 
the  Collegiate  Church,  and  printed  by  that  body  in  their  first  English 
Hymn  Hook  in  1767;  and  these  translations  may  have  been  based  on 
others  already  existing  in  England.     A  Committee  was  appointed  to  issue 


CONSTITUTION  i6i 

this  American  Church  Constitution.  Oct.  1792,  235-6.  The  printed  book 
was  exhibited  in  1793,  245-6.  It  was  a  duodecimo  of  354  pages,  and  was 
approved  by  the  Synod. — The  Synod  expressed  its  happiness  that  the 
Church-Order  is  finally  completed,  and  that  it  is,  in  general,  cordially 
received  in  the  Dutch  Churches.  1794,  259.  [See  the  Constitutions  of 
1619  and  1792,  in  parallel  columns,  at  the  beginning  of  this  Volume.] 

Their  idea  of  a  Church  Constitution  is  also  shown  by  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  matter  in  this  Book;  for  the  order  is  (i)  The  Belgic  Con- 
fession of  Faith ;  (2)  The  Heidelberg  Catechism,  with  the  Compendium 
of  the  same;  (3)  The  Liturgy;  (4)  The  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort; 
(5)  The  Rules  of  Church  Government  of  1619,  and  the  Explanatory 
Articles  of  the  same,  of  1792. 

The  General  Synod  (which  see)  constituted  by  these  Articles,  began 
its  existence  on  June  3rd,   1794. 

A  second  edition  of  this  Constitution,  an  exact  reprint,  was  issued  in 
1815,  52;  1816,  8,  9.  This  contained  also  an  Appendix,  exhibiting  the 
Rules  and  Orders  of  the  General  Synod,  1794-1815;  also  some  amend- 
ments to  the  Constitution.     See  Constitution,   Printing  of. 

In  1833,  these  translated  Articles  of  Church  Government  of  1619,  and 
the  Explanatory  Articles  of  1792,  were  thoroughly  fused  together,  making 
a  New  Constitution,  so  far  as  "Government"  w^as  concerned.  Also  much 
of  the  legislation  of  the  Synod,  relating  to  Church-Order  (1794-1833),  was 
incorporated  in  this  Revision.  It  was  issued  in  1834,  in  a  volume  b}' 
itself,  of  72  pages,  without  the  Doctrines  and  the  Liturgy,  and  this 
became  popularly  known  as  "The  Constitution,"  altho  only  a  part  of  it. 

In  1867,  among  several  Amendments  then  adopted,  a  "Title- Page'" 
was  also  adopted,  as  it  now  exists.  In  1874  the  Constitution  w^as  again 
revised,  and  with  several  amendments,  since  adopted,  is  the  Constitution 
at  the  present  time  (1906).  Since  1834  these  Rules  of  Church  Govern- 
ment have  generally  been  printed  separately  from  the  Standards  and 
Liturgy,  and  have  been  popularly  called  "The  Constitution,"  altho  only 
a  part  of  it ;  while  the  Doctrines  and  Liturgy  have  been  relegated  to  the 
back  of  the  Hymn  Books ;  or  the  Liturgy  has  been  printed  by  itself, 
accompanied   with   the    Psalter. 

Further  References  to  the  Constitution: 

A  proposition  to  revise  the  Constitution  of  1792  was  made  and  lost; 
1827,  52,  58.  Another  proposition  for  the  same,  made  and  lost;  1828,  123. 
Vote  2^  to  28;  names  recorded. 

In  1831  resolutions  were  offered  to  revise  and  amend  the  Explanatory 
Articles;  the  Appendix  (or  Digest  of  1814)  ;  "together  with  the  Resolu- 
tions relating  to  the  Government  of  the  Church  passed  by  the  General 
Synod  at  different  periods"  ...  A  Committee  of  seven  were  ap- 
pointed.    See  names.     1831,  365-6. 

The  Revision  was  presented  in  June,  1832,  considered,  and  amended, 
in  part;  1832,  58;  and  finished  in  Oct.  '32,  109-134,  and  recommended  to 
the  Classes. 

An  elaborate  "Declaratory  Resolution"  is  given,  that  a  majority  of  the 
Classes  had  voted  favorably ;  but  the  resolution  of  Synod  was  adopted 
only  by  a  vote  of  33  to  30.  Ayes  and  noes  are  recorded ;  1833,  201-2. 
Certain  amendments  were  at  once  proposed,  that  Elders  and  Deacons 
should  be  chosen  only  from  the  male  members  of  the  church,  and  adopted: 
1833,  203 ;  1834,  290.  The  word  male  was  inserted  in  the  two  Articles. 
32,  33.  Also  a  tautology  was  stricken  out  of  Art.  54,  namely :  "None 
can  be  received  as  members  in  full  communion,  or  be  suffered  to  partake 
at  the  Lord's  Table,  unless  they  first  shall  have  made  a  confession,"  etc. 
The  italicized  clause  was  stricken  out ;  1833,  204 ;  1834,  290. 

Also  the  clause  about  ministers,  that  Classis  has  the  right  of — dis- 
solving their  pastoral  connexion  with  any  congregation  for  good  cause. 
was  amended  by  a  substitute  :  "or  dismissing  them  when  called  elsewhere." 


i62         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

This  substitute  was  adopted;  1833,  204;  1834,  290.  See  Art.  66.  [In  1874, 
Art.  17,  dissolving  the  pastoral  connexion,  without  the  pastor's  consent,  is 
restored,  under  conditions.]  The  whole  Constitution,  with  these  amend- 
ments, was  adopted;    1834,  289,  290. 

Printing  of  the  Constitution. 
This  was  made  somewhat  profitable  in  early  days.  First  Constitution ; 
to  be  issued,  1792,  236;  presented  to  Synod,  1793,  246;  second  edition, 
1815,  52;  1816,  8,  9;  funds  due  from,  1818,  61;  1819,  78;  1820,  49;  revision, 
Oct.  1832,  109-134;  reprinting  deferred,  1833,  204;  2,000  copies  to  be 
printed,  as  amended,  1834,  291 ;  report  on,  1835,  401-2 ;  its  general  circula- 
tion desirable,  1835,  425;  1836,  455,  518;  Mentz  and  Son  seek  privilege  of 
publishing  a  new  edition,  1840,  331,  337;  granted;  2,000  copies  with 
Standards  and  Liturgy  to  be  published,  348;  the  work  done  (with 
Standards  and  Liturgy?)  1841,  452;  plates  transferred  to  Board  of  Publi- 
cation, 1855,  614.  Editions  printed  as  needed.  [For  subsequent  amend- 
ments to  1834,  see  the  Constitution  itself.] 

General  Resolutions. 

The  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  includes:  i.  The  Revised 
Rules  of  Church  Government.  2.  Her  Doctrinal  Standards,  consisting  of 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  and  Compendium,  and 
the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort.     3.  The  Liturgy.     1835,  425-6. 

The  German  Mission  of  New  York  City  request  the  publication  of 
the  entire  Constitution  in  German ;  granted,  but  without  expense  to  the 
Synod;  1844,  296,  368;  not  successful,  1845,  411;  index  to  the  Constitution, 
1846,  83;  '47,  109;  Classis  of  Holland  desires  the  Constitution  in  Dutch 
to  be  authorized;  granted;  1868,  376,  497;  1877,  728,  730;  a  German 
edition  also  issued  in  1877. 

Revision  of  18/4. 
Resolutions  to  revise  the  Constitution  again,  presented ;  names  of 
Committee ;  1871,  278-9. — Report ;  Partly  rearranged  and  simplified,  and 
certain  acts  of  Synod,  since  1834,  incorporated ;  1872,  488-9,  571-602 ; 
recommended  to  the  Classes,  for  adoption ;  the  Articles  on  the  Deputati 
Synodi ;  the  second  Classical  Question  in  reference  to  preaching  on  the 
Catechism ;  and  the  requirement  of  a  certain  order  of  worship,  being 
submitted  separately;  1872,  489,  490. — The  "regularity  of  the  proceeding" 
of  sending  down  certain  sections  separately,  questioned.  Additional 
amendments  proposed ;  about  dissolving  pastoral  connection  without 
pastor's  consent,  under  certain  circumstances ;  and  about  eliminating  the 
proposed  section  absolutely  forbidding  Consistories  to  alienate  property 
without  permission  of  Classis;  and  the  former  sections  sent  down  sepa- 
rately now  sent  out  "regularly" ;  and  all,  thus  sent  down  to  the  Classes ; 
1873,  721-3;  Constitution  adopted,  1874,  107-9.  [Note:  The  Table  of 
Contents  was  not  corrected,  after  omitting  certain  sections.] 

A.  Resolved,  That  whenever  an  Amendment  to  the  Constitution  or  a 
change  in  the  Rules  of  Order  or  the  Order  of  Business,  is  adopted  by  the 
General  Synod  the  Stated  Clerk  inform  the  Board  of  Publication  of  the 
same,  and  the  Board  be  and  hereby  is  enjoined  to  provide  as  soon  as 
possible,  printed  slips  of  the  same,  to  be  attached  by  the  Board  in  the 
proper  place  to  all  copies  of  the  Constitution  offered  for  sale  or  sold  by  the 
Board  and  to  be  furnished  at  nominal  cost  to  all  persons  who  may  apply 
for  the  same.  When  new  editions  of  the  Constitution  are  issued  such 
amendments  and  changes  shall  be  incorporated  in  the  text. 

B.  Resolved,  That  all  amendments  of  the  Constitution  up  to  the 
adjournment  of  the  Synod  be  collected  by  the  Permanent  Clerk  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Board  of  Publication.  That  copies  of  the  same  be  mailed  to 
the  entire  ministry  of  the  church  and  also  placed  on  sale  at  the  depository 
of  the  Board.     1900,  767-8. 

See  Demarest's  Notes  on  the  Constitution.  1896,  334,  345. 


CONSTITUTION  163 

Critical  Edition  of  the  Constitution. 

Since  there  has  been  as  yet  no  correctly  prepared  edition  of  the 
Constitution,  and  especially  its  Liturgy,  let  a  suitable  committee  be 
appointed  to  prepare  an  accurate  one  as  to  translation,  arrangement, 
etc.,  for  future  publication,  as  proposed  by  the  Classis  of  New  Bruns- 
wick.    1885,  706. 

The  following  were  appointed  the  committee  on  a  critical  edi- 
tion of  the  Constitution,  according  to  suggestion  found  in  the  above 
report:  Revs.  A.  G.  Vermilye,  E,  T.  Corwin,  D.  D.  Demarest; 
Elders,  H.  W.  Bookstaver  and  John  L.  Zabriskie.     1885,  713. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  Synod  in  1885, 
on  a  Critical  Edition  of  the  Constitution,  was  presented.  It  was 
accepted  and  ordered  to  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the  Synod.  It 
was  considered  on  the  ninth  day  of  the  Session,  amended  and  adopted, 
and  is  as  follows  : 

report  of  the  committee  on  a  "'critical  edition  of  the  constitution," 
appointed  in    1885. 

This  Committee  was  appointed  under  a  resolution  presented  by 
the  Committee  on  Overtures,  which  is  as  follows :  See  Minutes,  1885, 
p.  706.) 


This  "critical  edition,"  also,  was  intended  to  cover  the  substance 
of  other  accompanying  resolutions,  (see  p.  706),  so  that  instead  of 
foot-notes,  "simple  marginal  references  be  appended  to  the  page," 
in  the  Obligatory  Doctrinal  Forms,  leaving  everything  in  the  way 
of  interpretation  and  explanation  to  the  Standards  themselves,  and 
to  an  honest  ministry  pledged  thereto,  where  it  has  been  these  200 
years:  and  that  "so  far  as  present  foot-notes  are  merely  of  the  na- 
ture of  better  translation"  they  "be  transferred  to  the  text." 

First:  In  fulfillment  of  the  duty  assigned  to  them  the  Commit- 
tee would  present  what  they  believe  to  be  an  accurate  historical 
arrangement  of  the  Constitution;  premising  that  some  things  have 
carelessly  been  printed  as  parts  of  our  present  Constitution,  which 
have  no  place  therein;  for  instance.  Various  Forms  of  Certificates, 
Rules  for  Reception  of  Ministers  from  other  Ecclesiastical  Bodies, 
Rules  of  Order  for  the  Government  of  the  General  Synod,  etc.  The 
Constitution  proper  includes  the  recognized  Doctrinal  Standards, 
(in  addition  to  the  Ancient  Creeds),  the  Liturgy,  and  the  "declared" 
Articles  of  Church  Government;  and  these,  with  a  suitable  Title 
Page,  and  a  Historical  Introduction  for  general  information,  should 
be  arranged  historically,  as  follows : 

I.  THE  STANDARDS. 

1.  The   Confession   of   Faith,    1561. 

2.  The  Heidelberg  Catechism,   1563. 

3.  The   Compendium  of  Faukelius,   1608,  adopted,   1619. 

4.  The  Canons  of  Dort,  1619. 

II.  THE  LITURGY. 

Our  Liturgy  was  begun  in  1566;  was  finally  completed  and 
adopted  by  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619.  The  Liturgy  (with  the  other 
parts  of  the  Constitution),  was  acknowledged  [in  1788]  by  the  Amer- 
ican  Churches,  and  contains  the  following  forms: 


i64         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

OBLIGATORY   FORMS. 

1.  For  the  Baptism  of  Infants,  1566. 

2.  For   the    Baptism    of   Adults,     composed,     1604;     finally 

adopted,  1619. 

3.  For  the  Administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  1566. 

4.  For   Ordaining   ]\Iinisters,    1586. 

5.  For  Ordaining  Elders  and  Deacons,  1586. 

6.  Form  of  Ex-communication,   1581. 

7.  Form  of  Re-admission,   1586. 

OPTIONAL    FORMS. 

1.  All  Forms  of  Prayer. 

2.  The  Consolation  of  the  Sick. 

3.  The  Marriage  Forms, 
(i.)  The  Old  Form. 
(2.)     The  New  Form. 

III.  THE  RULES  OF  CHURCH  GOVERNMENT. 

These  began  to  be  framed  in  1568,  adopted  authoritatively  in 
1586,  and  have  been  amended  and  thrice  completely  revised,  until 
in   1874  they  assumed  the  present  form. 

These  three  Heads  complete  what  we  now  call  The  Constitution. 

There  is,  however,  another  body  of  "Forms,"  of  which  we  must 
now  speak.  The  history  of  Synodical  action  from  the  beginning 
shows  that  the  Obligatory  Forms,  as  above  given,  have  never  been 
altered.  They  have  been  regarded  and  treated  as  historical  and 
obligatory,  and  no  attempt  to  alter  the  wording  of  either  the  Stand- 
ards or  Liturgy  as  they  came  from  the  Synod  of  Dort  has  prospered. 
Successive  Committees  have  observed  the  injunction  of  1853,  not 
to  touch  "Doctrinal  sentiments."  Their  work  has  been  in  the  di- 
rection of  improved  translation,  of  bracketing  portions  for  public 
reading  without  destroying  the  text,  and  the  addition  of  "New  Of- 
fices." With  this  in  view  the  last  Synod  passed  also-  the  follow- 
ing resolution,  (p.  706),  that  "whatever  a  proper  development  may 
seem  to  demand  in  the  way  of  Forms  Additional  to  the  old,  or  other 
matter,  let  it  be  properly  adopted,  and  placed  separately  by  itself 
as  new  matter  marking,  and  appropriate  to  its  own  age." 

In  1878  the  Synod  "approved"  of  certain  New  Offices,  and  "rec- 
ommended the  Classes  to  give  consent  that  they  be  printed  in  con- 
nection with  our  Standards,  not  as  authoritative  and  imperative  for- 
mulas, but  as  specimens  embodjnng  the  sense  of  the  Church  in  ref- 
erence to  the  most  edifying  mode  of  rendering  these  services."  This 
recommendation  of  the  Synod  was  endorsed  by  twenty-two  out  of 
thirty-three  Classes,  and  the  Synod  accordingly  made  the  "declar- 
atory" resolution  that  these  new  offices  be  so  printed.  If  the  Synod 
should  at  the  present  session  take  the  requisite  action  towards  the 
constitutional  adoption  of  these  Forms,  it  will  give  the  historical 
connection,  and  they  will  stand  among  the  Optional  Forms,  after 
the  Marriage  Forms,  as  follows  : 

4.  Form   for   the    Public   Reception   of   Baptized   Members 

into  Full  Communion. 

5.  For  the  Installation  of  Ministers. 

6.  For  the  Laying  of  a  Corner  Stone. 

7.  For  the   Dedication   of  a   Church. 

8.  For  the  Burial  of  the  Dead. 

The  certificates.  Rules  of  Order,  etc..  which  have  heretofore 
been  printed  in  an  Appendix,  can  be  printed  in  the  back  of  the  vol- 
ume for  convenience  sake,  with  care  in  editing  to  distinguish  them 
from  the  Constitution  proper. 


CONTINENT  OF  EUROPE  165 

Secondly:  As  another  part  of  their  duty  your  Committee  were 
to  prepare  certain  "marginal  references,'"  and  to  transfer  from  the 
"foot-notes"  to  the  text,  in  the  Baptismal  and  Communion  Forms, 
what  was  merely  ''better  translation."  The  "marginal  references" 
were  to  be  in  place  of  the  proposed,  but  rejected  "foot-note  amend- 
ments," leaving  everything  in  the  way  of  interpretation  and  explana- 
tion to  the  Standards  themselves,  and  to  an  honest  ministry  pledged 
thereto."  And  b}^  the  revised  arrangement  proposed  above,  as  will 
be  seen,  and  by  the  help  of  these  references,  (as  in  the  Scriptures 
themselves),  whoever  has  doubt  of  the  meaning  can  readily  turn 
to  the  accepted  Standards  of  the  Church  for  a  fuller,  and  the  pre- 
cise explanation  and  meaning. 

The  references  proposed  by  your  Committee  will  appear  in  con- 
nection with  the  first  question  in  the  Form  of  Infant  Baptism,  and 
in  the  second  and  fourth  questions  in  the  Form  of  Adult  Baptism. 
The  recommendations  in  regard  to  transfer  of  foot-notes  to 
the  text,  are,  that  the  word  "complete"  in  the  foot-note  connected 
with  the  second  question  of  the  Form  for  Infant  Baptism  be  substi- 
tuted in  the  text  for  the  word  "perfect,"  and  that  in  the  Form  for 
the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  the  word  "judgment"  be 
substituted  for  the  word  "damnation."  Thus  will  all  the  foot-notes 
be  abolished.     1886,   150-6. 

CoxTiNEXT  OF  EuROPE.  Xccessity  of  English  preaching  on,  in 
behalf  of  merchants  and  travelers,  1900,  780;  (see  Alliance  of  Refd. 
Chs.);  Dr.  Jas.  I.  Good  addresses  Synod  in  behalf  of,  1901,  1126;  com- 
mittee appointed,  to  co-operate  with  Dr.  Good,  1902,  127;  an  appeal 
for  aid  to  establish  English  speaking  churches  at  the  Hague,  and 
elsewhere  on  the  Continent;  1904,  743,  745;  Synod  endorses  the  na- 
ture and  object  of  the  work,  and  refers  the  matter  to  our  members 
of  the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Chs.,  740;  report  of  Committee;  a 
room  hired,  and  a  few  voluntary  services  at  the  Hague;  attendance, 
40  to  50;  expenses,  $86;  offerings,  ^7.  Classis  of  Xew^  York  has 
furnished  $230.  Rev.  Dr.  Evert  Van  Slyke  to  take  charge,  in  1906; 
work  endorsed  and  commended,  1905,  144. 

I.  CoxTiXGENT  ExPEXSES.  1818-35.  According  to  the  First  An- 
nual Digest,  the  Contingent  Expenses  consisted  of  taxes,  salaries  of 
SAiiodical  clerks,  incidentals,  such  as  stationery,  doorkeeper,  ex- 
penses of  committee,  etc.  $200  per  year,  sufficient,  1818,  53.  For 
this  purpose  Synod  established,  a  so-called  "Contingent  Fund,"  con- 
sisting of  proceeds  of  copyright  on  the  sales  of  Church  Constitu- 
tion; profits  from  sales  of  ^Iinutes  of  Gen.  Synod;  balance  in  hands 
of  John  H.  Sickles  of  the  "Delegate  Fund";  '18;  47,  53,  61.  Collec- 
tions were  also  ordered,  to  be  divided  between  "Missionary  Purposes" 
and  "Contingent  Expenses";  '18,  61.  Missionary  Fund  overdrawn 
$410  by  Contingent  Expenses;  '19,  72;  collections  ordered,  '20,  44,  49, 
50;  26  chs.  failed  to  respond;  1821,  21,  40;  delinquent  chs.  reported, 
1822,  26,  etc.  Agents  appointed  in  every  Classis  to  solicit  funds  for 
"students,"  for  the  "Library"  and  "annual  unavoidable  expenses"; 
Sept.,  25,  '29.  Tombstones  of  Drs.  Livingston  and  Woodhull  come 
under  Contingent  Expenses;  1826,  30.  Synod  resolved  to  collect  25 
cts.  annually  from  every  member.  This  would  yield  $4,000  per  year, 
which,  with  interest  on  the  endowments  would  pay  salaries  and  all 
other  expenses;  1830,  240.  Board  authorized  to  employ  Agents  for 
these  purposes,  for  one  year;  1831,  ^7;^.  Collections  for  Contingent 
Expenses  must  be  taken;  '32,  71;  but  results  small.  Last  collections 
for  this  object;  '34,  265.  Contingent  Expenses  not  mentioned  for  a 
decade;  for  Committee  appointed,  '31,  373,  had  raised  $34,050  to  sus- 
tain "all  expenses";  1835,  344-6;  had  also  raised  $6,108.50,  for  the  debt; 


i66         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1835,  235.      (Later  reports  made  this  $7,033.50 ;-422-3.)     See  Permanent 
Fund;  Missionary  Fund. 

II.  Contingent  Expenses.     1843-52. 

The  heading  "Contingent  Expenses"  was  eliminated  from  Min- 
utes of  Synod  from  1835-1845.  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  then  ask 
help  for  fuel  and  janitor,  $120  per  year,  1843,  167,  242-3.  [This  item 
regularly  paid  by  Synod  until  1857,  261,  when  it  was  transferred  to 
similar  expenses  in  Hertzog  Hall;  but  finally  relinquished  by  Prop- 
erty Committee,   1886,  301;  see  their  report,  1887,  6.] 

But  in  1843,  a  bill  of  repairs  and  incidental  expenses  was  pre- 
sented by  the  Trustees  to  Synod,  for  16  years,  and  this  made  the 
beginning  of  a  deficiency.  See  Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of, 
1843-45,  where  this  claim  and  its  results  are  treated.  Synod  finally 
compromised  with  the  Trustees  for  $1,500;  1844,  365. 

Thus  Synod  became  again  involved  in  debt.  Collections  ordered 
to  meet  Contingent  Expenses;  1845,  492.  The  item — "Contingent 
Expenses,"  reappears  in  "Annual  Digest";  1846,  27,  with  $562.43;  and 
in  1847,  128,  with  $185.67,  for  Rutgers  College,  and  $51.53,  for  Synod; 
but  then  drops  out  again  for  man}^  years.  But  a  Deficit,  now,  is  re- 
ported of  $1,611.86,  and  the  Bd.  of  Corporation  refers  it  to  that  pay- 
ment of  $1,500  to  Rutgers  College;  '47,  116,  184;  '48,  219,  276.  Com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  raise  $4,000  by  subscription,  to  meet  this 
and  other  debts;  '47,  187;  but  not  at  first  successful,  '48,  276;  see  Cor- 
poration, Board  of,   1847-1851,  where  these  efforts  are  exhibited. 

Debts  all  paid  with  handsome  balance  in  the  treasury;  1852,  214, 
273.  Contingent  Expenses  not  again  referred  to  in  three  years.  1852- 
55.     Income  of  Permanent  Professorial   Fund  met  all  expenses. 

III.  Contingent  Expenses.  1855  onward.  After  several  years 
of  freedom  again  from  Contingent  Expenses,  the  item  is  re-intro- 
duced. See  Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of.  under  date.  The 
increase  of  Professorial  Salaries  to  $1,800,  with  $300  house  rent  al- 
lowed Dr.  Campbell,  added  $800  to  current  expenses,  marking  an  an- 
nual deficit;  Oct.  1855,  20.  (See  1868,  403.)  Debts  incurred  with- 
out making  provision  to  meet  them;  necessity  of  borrowing  the 
$800.  Board  requests  that  Synod  make  provision  to  meet  deficien- 
cies in  a  permanent  way;  '56,  41,  43.  T02. — See  "Permanent  Contingent 
Fund."  Collections  ordered.  Deficiency  in  salaries  [improperly] 
transferred  to  Contingent  Expenses;  1856,  102.  Collections  only  $552; 
Contingent  Expenses,  $1,200;  to  be  apportioned  among  the  Classes. 
Apportionment  not  made  because  of  resignation  of  the  treasurer, 
Isaac  Young;  '57,  134,  136,  192,  212.  (See  1868,  403-4.)  Facts  again 
rehearsed;  collections  only  $600;  collections  again  ordered;  '58.  277, 
341-2. — Collections  only  $998;  contingent  expenses,  $2,000.  Expenses 
increased  by  the  possession  of  Hertzog  Hall;  by  the  Holland  Acad- 
emy; by  increase  of  Treasurer's  salary,  $200;  (see  1858,  344;  1856.  43); 
by  mileage  of  western  delegates,  about  $800;  by  repairs  to  College; 
by  translation  of  Dutch  Minutes,  $400;  (see  Demarest,  Wm.);  by 
failure  of  some  Classes  to  pay  apportionment;  '59,  378,  447-8. 

$1,800  apportioned  among  the  Classes,  1859;  Expenses,  $1,555;  re- 
ceipts, $1,136;  debt,  $418.  Treasurer  had  advanced,  in  all,  $1,400. 
Arrearages  amounted  to  $787.10.  Churches  to  be  questioned  as  to 
whether  they  had  paid  their  apportionment,  according  to  1859,  447 
Money  to  be  borrowed;  '60,  487,  489-491,  556-7-  Subject  again  dis- 
cussed. Extra  items:  monument  to  Dr.  Van  Vranken;  moving  ex- 
penses of  Dr.  Berg;  1861,  12,  77.  Arrearages,  $1,140.  Names  of  de- 
linquent Classes.  Annual  deficiency  now  $300.  Apportionments  to 
be  made  thro'  the  Particular  Synods.  Delinquent  Classes  to  be  "let 
off"  on  paying  75  per  cent.  [This  complained  of,  1863,  251.]  1862, 
120- 1,  189,  190. 


CONTINGENT  EXPENSES  167 

Most  of  the  apportionments  paid;  arrears  only  $344;  $1,400  added 
to  regular  Contingent  Expenses  to  repair  residences  in  wings  of  Col- 
lege; '63,  253-4,  ZZ^- — Subject  of  Contingent  Expenses  referred  to 
a  Special  Committee;  '63,  251;  proposed  that  the  whole  subject  be 
referred  to  a  Special  Committee  of  five  to  report  in  1864.  Rev.  Dr. 
Chs.  Scott,  Chairman;  '63,  328. — Deficiencies  in  1864,  399,  400,  amounted 
to  $1,482;  on  salaries,  $400;  on  contingent  expenses,  proper,  $739.16; 
on  special  repairs,  $300.48.     [See  also  1868,  405-6.] 

Report  of  Special  Committee,  1863,  328.  Report,  clear,  exhaustive, 
satisfactory;  and  is  found,  1864,  474-480.  The  following,  a  brief  Ab- 
stract : 

Subject  stated:  From  1852-5,  all  expenses  (with  two  exceptions; 
paid  from  income  of  Permanent  [Professorial]  Fund.  Deficiency, 
from  increase  of  salaries,  and  multiplication  of  charges.  Annual  de- 
ficiency (1864)  from  $1,500  to  $2,000.  Since  1857,  deficiency  assessed 
on  the  Classes,  not  only  of  Contingent  Expenses  proper,  but  all  de- 
ficiencies iri  Synod's  revenues.  Hence  some  refusals  to  pay;  some 
protests;  new  appropriations  made  yearly.  Demand  for  inaugura- 
tion of  measures,  which  will  assess  only  for  Contingent  Expenses 
proper,  and  provide  a  sufficient  Funded  Income  for  other  expenses 
of  Synod;   1864,  474.     (Compare   1818,  53.) 

Classification  of  Expenses. 

1.  Those  which  relate  to  organization  and  meeting  of  Synod. 
[Contingent    Expenses    proper.] 

(i)     Salary    of    Stated    Clerk,    postage,    etc $154.00 

(2)  Mileage    of   western    delegates 190.00 

(3)  Expenses  of  Corresponding  Delegates  to  Pres- 

byterian   Church     50.00 

(4)  Sexton's   bill,   etc.    (in    1862) 48.30 

(5)  Printing    of    Minutes    298.31 

Total     741.11 

Additional    expense,    for    full    western    representation     and 
Corresponding  delegates,  may  increase  this  item  to  $1,000.00 

2.  Expense  of  management  of  the  Funds. 

(i)     Salary   of  Treasurer    $600.00 

(2)      Postage,    discount,    etc 21.40 

$621.40 

3.  Support    of    Theological    Seminary. 

(i)  Salaries   of  the   three   Professors $5,400.00 

(2)  House  rent  of  one  Professor 300.00 

(3)  Insurance   on    Buildings    156.79 

(4)  Salary    of    Janitor,    fuel,    etc 120.00 

(5)  Clerk   of   Bd.    of   Superintendents 25.00 

Total    $6,001.79 

Future  Contingencies  : 

(i)     Traveling  Expenses  of  Bd.  of  Superintendents    $125.00 

(2)  Moving     Expenses     of     newly-elected     Pro- 

fessors;  monuments   to   deceased 123.21 

(3)  Expenses   of   Hertzog   Hall,   repairs,   etc.    be- 

yond   room-rent     250.00 

(4)  Librarian,    etc 1,000.00 

Total    $6,600.00 

(5)  Increase  of  Library;  repairs  of  Rutgers  Col- 

lege, etc.,  $400  more;  or $7,000.00 


i68         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

4.     Miscellaneous    Expenses: 

(r)      Insurance  of  Holland  Academy $22.50 

(2)      Insurance  on   Parsonage,   Alexandria   Bay....  3.15 


$25.65 
1864,  475-6. 
Contingent  Expenses,  proper,  are  only  those  under  No.   i,  above. 
Expenses  of  western  delegates  might  be  saved,  particularly  as   Par- 
ticular Synod  of  Chicago  is  not  assessed;  1864,  476-7.     [Compare,  1818, 
53-] 

Hozv  the  Expenses  shall  be  met. 

1.  Contingent  Expenses  proper:  Minutes  of  Synod  should  pay  for 
themselves,  and  be  managed  by  Stated  Clerk,  and  not  by  the  Treasurer 
of  Synod;  and  should  be  reported  in  Annual  Digest.  All  other  expenses 
connected  with  meetings  and  business  of  Synod,  payment  of  delegates, 
should  be  apportioned  to  the  Particular  Synods.  No  Permanent  Con- 
tingent Fund  should  be  accumulated.  [But  such  Fund  continued  to 
grow  slowly,  1864-72,  and  efforts  were  renewed,  to  establish  it;  1872,  435.] 
1864,  476-7. 

2.  Management  of  the  Funds.  Vested  funds  should  pay  for  their 
own  management.  The  treasurer's  salary  should  be  divided  pro  rata  from 
income  of  all  the  Funds  under  his  care.  The  incidentals  of  Board  of 
Corporation,  and  any  losses,  should  be  charged  to  income  of  fund  to 
which  they  belong.  Thus  the  Widows'  Fund  and  Permanent  Fund  would 
be  somewhat   relieved;    1864,  477. 

3.  Expenses  of  Theologieal  Seminary.  Exercises  all  transferred 
[since  Sept.  1856]  to  Hertzog  Hall,  and  with  them,  the  charges  for  the 
same  on  the  Treasury  of  Synod.  Yet  the  wings  of  the  College  are  still 
occupied  by  two  of  the  Theological  Professors.  The  Buildings  of  Rutgers 
'College,  though  owned  by  Synod,  are  used  for  College  exercises  free  of 
rent;  yet  Synod  pays  for  all  repairs.  In  1863-4,  such  repairs  amounted  to 
:$2,67i.53.  The  Trustees  should  pay  rent,  or  buy  the  property,  or  lease  it. 
1864,  477-8. 

Apart  from  Rutgers  College,  expenses  of  Theological  Seminary,  not 
less  than  $6,100  per  annum,  as  seen  above.  There  is  a  Permanent  Fund 
for  the  support  of  the  Seminary ;  this  Fund  not  only  for  Professors'  sala- 
ries, but  for  all  expenses  of  the  Institution  generally.  It  is  sometimes 
■called  "The  Professorial  Fund,"  but  this  is  inaccurate ;  it  is  "The  Theo- 
logical Seminary  Fund."  [See  1835,  341,  423.]  In  1863,  this  Fund  was 
^91,480  (less  $5,700  which  must  be  deducted,  or  $85,780.)  Interest,  about 
$5,200.  Cost  of  management,  about  $300.  Amount  left  for  Professors' 
salaries,  about  $4,900.  Annual  deficiency,  about  $1,200,  or  the  interest  of 
$20,000.  This  amount  should  be  added  by  apportionment  among  the 
Classes;  1864,  478-9.  Meanwhile,  the  apportionment  for  immediate  neces- 
sities must  be  continued.  If  the  College  property  is  not  sold,  $15,000  more 
must  be  raised ;   1864,  479. 

4.  Anomalous  Expenses.  Synod  owns  Holland  Academy,  and  holds 
:$6oo  for  it,  which  yields  $42  interest.  Synod  cannot  assist  it  beyond  this 
amount.  Synod  owns  parsonage  at  Alexandria  Bay.  Board  of  Domestic 
^lissions  should  pay  all  expenses  connected  therewith. 

RESOLUTIONS. 

1.  Resolved,  That,  for  the  time  being,  the  whole  estimated  deficiency 
of  the  Synod's  income  be  apportioned  to  the  Particular  Synods  of  New 
York  and  Albany,  according  to  the  present  ratio. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  salary  of  the  Treasurer  be  paid,  pro  rata,  from 
the  income  of  the  several  funds  entrusted  to  his  care,  and  that  all  the  other 
expenses  of  the  Board  of  Direction  be  charged  to  their  appropriate  funds. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  income  of  the  Permanent  Fund  (except  as 
already  excepted)  be  devoted  to  the  support  of  the  Theological  Seminary 


CONTINGENT  EXPENSES  169 

at  Xew    Brunswick,  and  that  said  fund  be  increased  by  the  full  sum  of 
$20,000. 

4.  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  persons  from  each  Particular 
Synod  be  appointed,  who  shall,  during  the  present  session,  justly  and  fairly 
apportion  said  $20,000  among  the  several  Classes,  and  prepare  a  circular 
letter,  in  the  name  of  the  Synod,  explaining  its  action  and  urging  a  speedy 
effort  to  secure  the  amount  thus  apportioned.  See  Twenty  Thousand 
Dollar  Assessment. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  accounts  for  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod 
be  transferred  from  the  Treasurer  to  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  that  he  furnish 
the  usual  item  on  that  subject,  for  the  "Annual  Digest." 

6.  Resolved,  That  it  be  the  tixed  policy  of  this  Synod  to  apportion  or 
assess  its  contingent  expenses  (except  for  the  Minutes),  upon  the  Partic- 
ular Synods,  and  that  no  further  efforts  be  made  to  accumulate  a  "Perman- 
ent Contingent  Fund." 

7.  Resolved,  That  any  expenses  in  behalf  of  the  Parsonage  at  Alexan- 
dria Bay,  be  charged  to  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions.     1864,  479-480. 

Respectfully    sudmitted, 

C.  SCOTT,  Chairman. 
[See  1868,  407-8.] 

The  items  of  the  Contingent  Expenses  were  now  definitely  fixed,  and 
an  apportionment  was  annually  made  to  meet  the  estimated  Contingent 
Expenses  of  Synod.  These  apportionments  ranged,  generally  from  $1,000 
to  $4,000,  with  a  special  assessment  sometimes  thrown  in.  The  financial 
affairs  now  became  very  complicated,  with  the  gift  of  Dr.  Smith  to 
increase  salaries ;  the  establishment  of  a  Fourth  Professorship ;  and  the 
failure  of  Dr.  Smith. — See  Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of,  under 
date ;  Permanent  Professorial  Fund ;  Permanent  Contingent  Fund ;  Phra- 
ner's  Report  on  the  finances  of  the  Church,  1868,  403-414,  which  is  very 
exhaustive ;  and  Warner's  Review  of  the  Financial  History,  from  1864  to 
1873.  651-664;  and  apportionments  had  come  again  to  include  some 
expenses  of  the  Seminary.  It  was  now  ordered  that  these  should  be  kept 
distinct  from  the  regular  assessments  for  Contingent  Expenses ;  1868,  412. 
These  expenses  had  been  assessed  only  on  the  Particular  Synods  of  New 
York  and  Albany.  They  amounted  to  about  $900  in  1868.  The  following 
action  was  taken : 

The  experience  of  the  past  shows  the  necessity  that  synodical  delegates 
should  return  to  their  Classes  with  a  definite  knowledge  of  the  amount 
required  for  the  current  year.  This  may  be  accomplished  by  a  distinct 
act  of  appropriation. 

The  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago  is  at  present  relieved  from  all 
assessments.  We  do  not  believe  that  the  western  delegates  will  question 
the  propriety  of  their  paying  a  part  of  the  contingent  expenses.  We 
recommend  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  on  Accounts  to  pre- 
sent in  their  report  a  detailed  estimate  of  all  contingent  expenses,  for  the 
current  year. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  be  empowered  to  assess  the  amount 
thus  appropriated  by  the  General  Synod,  for  contingent  expenses  upon  the 
Classes,  Arcot  excepted. 

Resolved,  That  the  basis  of  this  assessment  be  the  number  of  com- 
municants. 

Resolved,  That  all  preceding  acts  of  this  Synod,  which  are  inconsistent 
with  these  resolution  be  repealed.     1868,  413,  414. 

Resolved,  That  the  amount  necessary  to  be  raised  in  order  to  meet 
such  deficiency  as  there  may  be  in  the  revenues  of  Synod,  be  hereafter 
assessed  directly  by  the  General  Synod  upon  the  Classes,  and  that  the 
Treasurer  transmit  to  the  General  Synod  an  estimate  of  the  amount 
necessary  to  be  raised,  which  document  shall  be  placed  in  the  hands  of 


I70         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

the  Committee  on  the  Board  of  Direction,  who  shall  make  the  apportion- 
ment, and  present  the  same  to  the  Synod  for  adoption,  which  Synodical 
assessment  shall  be  transmitted  by  the  Stated  Clerk  to  the  several  Classes. 
1868,  414. 

See  Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of;  Income  and  Expense 
Account;  Permanent  Contingent  Fund. 

Contumacy.  For  refusal  to  obey  a  Citation  a  member  may  be  cen- 
sured for  contumacy.     Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  loi. 

Conventions.  Conventions  were  held  in  1771,  1772,  to  adopt  "Articles 
of  Union,"  which  see.  See  also  supplementary  paragraph  (adopted  1792), 
suffixed  to  the  Constitution  of  1619:  "At  a  Convention  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,"  etc. ;  also  Preface  of  Constitution  of  1792 ;  and  final  paragraph 
of  Explanatory  Articles ;  see  also  "Arts,  of  Union  in  so-called  Minutes  of 
Gen.  Synod,  1771-2,  pp.  5-34. — For  letter  to  said  Convention  from  Classis 
of  Amsterdam,  see  Corwin's  Manuals:  ed.  of  1869,  10;  of  1879,  62;  of 
1901,  123. 

Other  General  Conventions  were  held  in  1791  and  1792,  to  adopt  an 
Americanized  Constitution  for  the  Church.  See  Oct.  1790,  211,  where 
such  Convention  is  suggested ;  and  May,  1.791,  219-221,  where  such  Con- 
vention is  held.  Every  minister,  with  an  elder  from  each  church,  was 
invited.  See  names,  Oct.  1791,  220-1,  223.  The  meeting  of  May,  1792, 
228-232,  was,  probably,  not  a  Convention ;  but  that  of  Oct.  1792,  was  a 
Convention.  See  Art.  14,  of  May,  1792,  232,  where,  it  is  ordained,  for 
special  reasons,  that  "a  General  Synod"  (first  use  of  this  word)  shall  be 
held ;  but  this  evidently  means  a  "General  Convention."  See  Art.  6,  Oct. 
1792,  pp.  234-5.  It  was  at  this  Convention  that  the  American  Church 
Constitution  (or  Rules  of  Church  Government  of  Dort,  of  1619,  somewhat 
expurgated,  and  the  "Explanatory  Articles"  of  the  same),  was  adopted; 
Oct.  1792,  236. 

By  these  Rules  a  General  Synod  was  constituted,  which  held  its  first 
session  in  June,  1794,  and  links  its  business  to  the  convention  of  Oct.  1792. 
The  session  of  Oct.  1793,  244-254,  now  became  a  Particular  Synod.  Its 
Minutes  are  misplaced  in  the  printed  Volume.  They  should*  have  been  in 
the  Appendix.  See  Art.  5,  of  June,  1794,  257:  "The  Mints,  of  the  last 
General''  (Synod,  or  Convention,  of  Oct.  1792,  233-243,)  "and  Particular 
Synod,"    [Oct.   1793,  244-254]    "were  read." 

The  newly  constituted  General  Synods  of  1794,  1797,  1800,  were 
conventional,  or  undelegated,  according  to  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  53.  The 
plan  was  changed  to  a  delegated  body,  1800,  303.  See  "General  Synod," 
under  date.  A  Convention  was  again  proposed.  1809,  384,  386,  390,  but 
never  called.  Conventions,  formally  called,  can  do  what  a  General  Synod 
cannot  do.  There  has  been  no  formally  called  Convention  of  the  whole 
Church  since   1792. 

Conversion.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  22-24;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  88-90,  114; 
Canons,  i.  15;  iii.  and  iv.  6-17;  v.  3. 

Conviction  of  Sin.     Heid.  Cat,  Quest.  125 ;  Canons,  iii.  5. 

Cook,  Ann  E.  (Mrs.)  Gives  $6,000  for  Scholarships  to  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion. 1896,  367,  374.  This  gift  is  to  constitute  the  Asher  Riley  Scholar- 
ship, and  the  Fred.  Cook  Scholarship,  each  of  $3,000.  See  Report,  Bd.  of 
Ed.,  1896,  5,  9- 

Cook,  Frederick.    Scholarship.    See  above. 

Cooper,  Jacob,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Member  of  the  Committee  of  Co-operation 
on  Choice  of  Books  for  Sage  Library;   1878,  99;  Vedder  Lecturer,   1888. 

Co-operation,   Committee  of. 

The  attention  of  the  Board,  having  been  called  by  the  report  of  the 
Faculty  to  moneys  collected  for  the  purchase  of  books  for  the  Theological 
Library,   [the  Board]   passed  the  following  resolution : 


CO-OPERATION  IN  HOME  MISSIONS  171 

"Resohed,  That  General  Synod  be  respectfully  solicited  to  appoint  a 
suitable  committee,  to  be  associated  with  the  Theological  Professors,  for 
the  selection  of  books  for  the  Library."' 

Your  Committee  consider  the  selection  of  books  for  the  Library  as  a 
matter  of  very  great  importance,  and  recommend  the  following  action : 

Resolved',  That  Rev.  T.  W.  Chambers,  Rev.  C  D.  Hartranft  and  Rev. 
E.  T.  Corwin,  with  the  Theological  Professors,  be  a  committee  to  have 
exclusive  charge  of  selecting  the  books  for  the  Theological  Library ;  the 
Standing  Committee  on  Hertzog  Hall  to  arrange  rates  with  publishers 
and  importers,  and  to  audit  and  pay  bills  for  books  after  their  delivery. 
1875,  203,  326. 

Reports  of  this  Committee:  1876,  527-8;  '77,  712;  '78,  147,  223-4,  and 
99;  '79,  362,  397-9;  '80,  555,  561-2;  '81,  750,  763;  '82,  131-5;  1883,  326-7. 
See  Sage  Library. 

Co-OPERATiox  IN  HoME  MISSIONS :  See  Correspondence ;  Refd.  Ch.  of 
U.  S. ;  Presbyterian  Church,  South;  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs. ;  also  1896,  418; 
1902,  127;  1904,  748. 

Co-operation  in  Revivals.  Left  to  the  discretion  of  ministers  and 
consistories,  with  care  that  attachment  to  the  Standards  and  Usages  of 
the  Church  be  not  impaired,     i860,  507.     See  Revivals. 

Co-operation  on  the  Foreign  Field.     See  Amoy;  Arcot;  Japan. 

Copyrights.  Of  the  Constitution,  1816,  9;  1834,  291;  1835,  354;  of 
the  Printed  Minutes,  Oct.  1817,  21;  of  the  Psalm  and  Hymn  Book;  to  be 
secured  for  benefit  of  students,  1813,  17,  18;  '27,  76;  '28,  103;  '32,  26. 
[These  copyrights,  all  together,  actually  produced  about  $1,000.] 

Cornell,  Rev.  Dr.  James  A.  H.  Bd.  of  Direction  authorized  to 
employ  an  Agent  to  raise  $100,000  for  Professorial  Fund,  1868,  417;  Dr. 
Cornell's  services  secured,  '69,  556,  with  prospect  of  raising  $200,000,  '69, 
579;  has  secured  $40,000  from  James  Suydam,  Esq.,  for  Professorship  of 
Didactic  and  Polemic  TheologA",  '69,  645;  his  services  to  be  continued,  646; 
has  raised  $56,950  toward  Permanent  Fund;  $37,500,  for  books  for  Library; 
$18,000  for  purchase  of  house,  southwest  corner  of  George  st.  and  Semi- 
nary Place,  70,  15,  16,  18,  114;  has  secured  from  Jas.  Suydam,  $50,000  for 
a  Building,  [now  Suydam  Hall]  ;  from  Gardner  A.  Sage,  the  promise  of 
a  Building,  [now  Sage  Library]  ;  having  secured,  in  all,  for  Buildings, 
$118,000;  for  books,  $47,500;  for  Permanent  Fund,  $72,955;  '71,  185-7,  217- 
218 ;  thanks  of  S^'nod,  322.  Dr.  Cornell  withdrew  from  the  property  com- 
mittee in  Xov.  1871 ;  thanks  of  Synod  given  to,  and  the  Board  directed  to 
arrange  for  proper  compensation,  '72,  406-7,  436;  has  secured  $20,000 
additional  for  Didactic  Professorship,  making  it  $60,000  in  all ;  $20,000 
additional  toward  the  "Suydam  Hall,"  making  in  all,  on  sale  of  bonds, 
$74,303.82;  and  expects  other  gifts  from  ^Mr.  Suydam's  will.  In  all,  Dr. 
Cornell  has  secured  about  $400,000  for  the  Church,  1873,  619,  659,  660, 
1882,  133.  See  his  name  in  Manual,  1901. — Synod  thanks  Mrs.  J.  A.  H. 
Cornell  for  valued  gifts,  1902.  70. 

Cornell  Scholarship.  $2,350  given  by  Peter  Stryker,  of  Flatbush, 
to  be  called  the  Cornell  Scholarship.  1834,  294-297. — $1,700  paid;  balance 
to  be  allowed  to  accumulate  to  $1,700,  to  be  called  the  Stryker  Scholar- 
ship, '35,  355,  404 ;  these  two  Scholarships  to  be  allowed  to  increase  to 
$2,000  each,  '39,  263-4 ;  completed,  '45,  472.     See  Stryker  Scholarship. 

Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of  the.  The  title  "Bd.  of  Direction" 
had  inaccurately  come  into  use,  as  Art.  4,  in  the  Minutes.  On  July  28. 
1826,  the  Board  proposed  to  call  themselves  "The  Board  of  Direction  of 
General  Synod" ;  but  the  Synod  named  them — "The  Board  of  Direction  of 
the  Corporation,"  1827,  18,  69. 

Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of. 
[This    Article    will    embrace    only    the    more    general    history    of 
this  Board.     The  details  will  be  found  under  specific  heads,  as  Profes- 


172         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

sorial  Fund;  Permanent  Fund;  Permanent  Professorial  Fund;  Per- 
manent Seminary  F\ind;  Contingent  Fund;  Permanent  Contingent 
Fund,  etc.  The  financial  history,  of  General  Synod  before  its  incor- 
poration in  1819,  will  be  found  under  Questor;  Treasurer;  Ordinary 
Account;  Special  Account;  Special  Treasurer;  Treasury  Board;  Pro- 
fessorate, etc.     See  also   Incorporation;   Charters.] 

The  Synod  having  become  incorporated,  1819,  '46,  a  seal  was  de- 
cided on,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  as  the  first  "Board 
of  Direction  of  the  Corporation":  Henry  Rutgers,  President;  Isaac 
Heyer,  Isaac  L.  Kip  and  S.  S.  Woodhull,  Directors;  and  Cornelius 
Heyer,  Treasurer.  The  latter  declining,  John  Nitchie  was  elected 
Treasurer.     The  following  By-laws  were  adopted : 

BY-LAWS. 

1.  The  Board  shall  hold  a  stated  meeting  once  in  every  month, 

2.  Special  meetings  shall  be  called  by  the  President  whenever 
he  shall  deem  it  necessary,  or  by  any  two  of  the  Directors. 

3.  A  majority  of  the  Board  shall  be  a  quorum  to  transact  busi- 
ness, and  in  the  absence  of  the  President  they  shall  have  the  power 
to  elect  a  President,  pro  tern. 

4.  The  Board  is  authorized  to  demand  and  receive  all  moneys 
belonging  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church;  to  draw 
upon  the  Treasurer  from  time  to  time  for  such  money  in  his  hands 
as  may  be  necessar}^  to  answer  the  appropriations  made  by  the  Synod, 
and  to  apply  to  their  specific  objects  the  benefactions  of  societies, 
congregations,  and  individuals.  They  shall,  in  the  most  advantageous 
manner,  invest  all  moneys  that  shall  come  into  their  hands  for  any 
particular  fund,   and  which   have   not   been   appropriated. 

They  shall  appoint  a  Secretary,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  .keep 
their  minutes,  to  correspond  with  the  agents  appointed  by  this  Synod 
for  the  collecting  of  moneys  for  the  use  of  Synod,  and  with  agents 
which  have  been  or  may  be  appointed  by  other  judicatories  of  the 
Church. 

5.  The  Treasurer  shall  keep  a  regular  and  accurate  account  of 
all  moneys  by  him  received  and  disbursed,  designating  the  specific 
purposes  for  which  they  have  been  received  or  expended,  and  shall 
lay  before  the  Board  such  account  quarterly  or  as  often  as  they  shall 
require. 

6.  The  Board  shall  report  annually  to  the  General  Synod  a 
statement  of  the  funds,  with  such  remarks  as  they  may  think  neces- 
sary. 

7.  The  President,  Directors,  and  Treasurer  shall  hold  their  of- 
fices for  one  year,  or  until  others  are  appointed,  except  in  cases  of 
malconduct,  for  which  the  Treasurer,  or  any  member  of  the  Board, 
may  be  suspended  and  reported  to  the  General  Synod  at  their  next 
meeting. 

8.  All  drafts  on  the  Treasurer,  or  orders  of  the  Board,  shall  be 
signed  by  the  President,  who  shall  affix  the  seal  of  the  corpora- 
tion, in  the  presence  of  the  Board,  to  such  instruments  of  writing  as 
may  require  it.     1819,  48,  49. 

[For  revised  By-Laws,  see  1827,  32-35.] 

Presidents:  Henry  Rutgers,  1819-1829;  Isaac  L.  Kip,  1830-36; 
Cornelius  Heyer,  1837-42;  Abram  Van  Nest,  1843-57;  Wm.  B.  Crosby, 
1858-64;  Peter  R.  Warner,  1865-67;  James  Meyers,  1868;  Peter  R.  War- 
ner, 1869-76;  John  Van  Nest,  1876-81;  Gardner  A.  Sage,  1882;  Wm.  Bo- 
gardus,  1882-87;  Wm.  H.  Jackson,  1887  to  present  time  (1906). 

Treasurers:  Cor.  Heyer,  1819,  declined;  John  Nitchie,  1819,  de- 
clined; Is.  Heyer.  1819-26;  Cor.  Heyer.  1826-7,  P-  t.;  Isaac  Young,  1827- 
57;   Geo.   S.   Stitt;    Livingston    K.   Miller.    1857.   p.   t.;   John   I.    Brower, 


CORPORATION,  BOARD  OF  173 

1858-78:  Gardner  A.  Sage.  1879-82;  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers,  1882,  p.  t.; 
John  Van  Xest,  1882-93,  Frank  R.  Van  Xest,  1893  to  present  time, 
(1906). 

Directors:  Isaac  Heyer,  1819;  Isaac  L.  Kip,  1819-29;  Rev.  S.  S. 
Woodhull.  1819-25;  G.  V.  Vroom,  1820-4;  Cor.  Heyer,  1825-34;  Rev. 
Wm.  McMurra}',  1826-33;  Ab.  Van  Xest,  1830-42;  Rev.  Dr.  John  Knox, 
1834-57:  Wm.  B.  Crosbv,  1837-57;  Theodore  Frelinghuysen,  1843-61; 
Rev.  Dr.  M.  S.  Hutton.  1858-75;  Peter  R.  Warner,  1858-64;  John 
Van  Xest,  1862-7;  James  Suydam,  1865-72;  James  A.  Williamson,  1868; 
John  I.  Brower,  1871-79;  Peter  R.  Warner,  1871-76;  Rev.  Dr.  M.  S. 
Hutton,  1871-75;  John  Van  Xest,  1871-82;  Jas.  Suydam,  1872;  Gard- 
ner A.  Sage.  1873-82;  John  Van  Xest,  1876-92;  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  H. 
Steele,  1875-80;  Peter  S.  Duryee,  1876-78;  Lefferts,  1878-88;  Wm. 
Bogardus,  1878-88;  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers,  1880-85;  Warren  Ackerman, 
1883-84;. Wm.  H.  Kirk,  1884-94;  Rev.  Dr.  A.  G.  Vermilye,  1885-1904; 
Garret  Van  Xostrand,  1888-91;  Theodore  Sturges,  1892-93;  J.  Wm. 
Beekman,  1893-95;  John  J.  Tucker,  1895-1902;  Wm.  H.  Jackson,  1887- 
present  time;  Frank  R.  Van  X'est,  1893-present  time;  Frederic  Fre- 
linghuysen. 1894-1906;  John  W.  Castree,  1902-5;  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Duryee, 
1904-present  time.  410,  411,  412.  Benj.  A.  Williams,  1905-present  time; 
Wm.   X.   Clark,   1906-present  time. 

Resolved,  That  the  "Board  of  the  Corporation"  of  this  Synod  be 
instructed  to  pay  all  moneys  which  are  due,  or  which  may  become 
due,  agreeably  to  engagements  made  by  this  Synod,  to  any  person  or 
persons;  the  Board  first  auditing  the  accounts.     1819,  49. 

1819. 
State  of  the  Funds  at  the  date  of  the  Incorporation  of  General  Synod,  1819. 

1.  Professorial  Funds.     1819,  69,  70. 

(i)      Professorial     Fund    in    hands    of 
Trustees    of    Queens    College, 

invested  at  7  per  cent $9,600.00 

Additional     (in     hands     of    Trus- 
tees)             2,212.57 

$11,812.57 

[Interest,  $826.78.] 

(2)  Permanent    Fund,    in     hands     of 

Treasurer  of   General   Synod..     $8,071.00 
[Interest,  $536.] 

(3)  Stock,  held  by  the  Treasurer..     $1,150.00 

$9,221.00 

[Interest,  $69.]  

Total $21,033.57 

See  Professorial  Fund;   Permanent  Fund. 

2.  Educational  Funds.     1819,  68,  73. 

(i)     Van  Bunschooten  Fund   $14,750.00 

(In  hands  of  Trustees  of  College.) 
(2)      Knox    Fund    [not    yet    paid    in]  . .        2,000.00 

(Interest  ready,  $360.)  $16,750.00 

See  Van   Bunchooten   Fund;   Knox   Fund. 

3.  Credits  of  General  Synod  from  various  sources,  1819, 

75   $5,825.42 

4.  Estimate  of  Expenses  for  coming  year,  1819,  76,  (i v.)  .$6,399.02 

5.  Estimate  of  moneys  which  should  be  received  during 

coming  year,   1819,  76,  77,    (v.) $10,871.60 

1819. 
The  duty  of  preparing  an  Annual   Digest  was  now  put  upon  the 
Board    of    Corporation.     The    Treasurer    and    Stated    Clerk    were    re- 
leased from  this  duty.     1819,  79.      (See  1817,  16.) 


174        DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

1820. 

First  Report  of  the  Bd.  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation,  1820. 

Very  elaborate,  29  pages;  1820,  20-48.  Circulars  had  been  ad- 
dressed to  all  the  Classical  Agents  appointed  to  collect  moneys. 
The  right  of  Synod  to  control  the  Professorial  Fund,  (held  by  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College)  is  minutely  discussed;  1820,  21-35;  the  Treas- 
urer's report  is  full  and  clear;  35-38;  as  is  also  the  Annual  Digest,  39- 
43.  Suggestions  to  Synod  are  then  made,  43-48.  They  said  the  fail- 
ure heretofore  to  endow  the  Seminary  was  largely  due  to  lack  of 
Synodical  Incorporation,  and  of  a  small  and  efficient  Board  of  manage- 
ment; that  the  churches  should  be  required  to  take  up  collections 
for  specified  objects  on  designated  Sundays;  and  that  subscriptions 
should  be  solicited  for  the  Permanent  Fund,  in  installments;  that 
Agents  should  be  employed  to  secure  subscriptions,  to  form  Benevo- 
lent Societies,  and  to  operate  them;  that  every  member  should  iden- 
tify himself  with  these  efforts  by  a  small  annual  gift,  of  which  a 
record  should  be  kept.  Certain  Sundays  were  accordingly  desig- 
nated for  gifts  for  the  "Theological  College";  for  the  "Permanent 
Fund";  and  for  the  "Missionary  and  Contingent  Fund."  Classes  must 
inquire  whether  these  duties  were  attended  to;  1820,  43-48.  See  the 
above  titles,  and  also  Cent  Societies;  Twenty-five  Cent  Donations; 
Beneficiaries. 

1821. 

The  delinquent  churches  are  reported,  1821,  20,  21.  Orders  about 
Collections   (1820,  49,  50),  repeated,  1821,  38-40. 

1822. 

Circulars  again  sent'  out  about  financial  necessities  of  Sj'nod;  and 
both  the  delinquent  and  obedient  churches  are  recorded,  1822,  20-27; 
1824,  21,  22.  An  elder  suggested  that  100  subscribers  might  be  secured 
for  $250  each.     Committee  appointed  for  this  object;   1822,  45. 

1823. 

Subscriptions  of  $27,000  were  at  once  secured  for  a  Second  Pro- 
fessorship. Names.  1823,  7-9.  Suggested  that  a  Third  Professor- 
ship might  thus  be  secured  from  the  northern  part  of  the  Church. 
Comm.ittee  appointed;  1823,  52,  54.  Subscriptions  of  $26,594  at  once 
secured,  Sept.  1825,  6-17,  25.  See  Permanent  Fund.  Amount  in- 
creased to  $27,728. — 1826,  9-13.     Names  given. 

1824. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Corporation  have  power  to  fill  any 
vacancies  which  may  occur  in  the  Board,  by  death  or  otherwise,  dur- 
ing the  recess  of  General  Synod,  1824,  55.     Repeated,  '2)7,  76;  '65,  627. 

1825. 

Suggestions  made  to  revive  Queens  College  as  a  Literary  Insti- 
tution; 1825,  34-39;  Sept.,  '25,  20-24,  29. 

The  Collegiate  Church  of  New  York  had  given  its  bond  of  $5,000, 
(1823,  7,)  to  pay  $300  annually  toward  Second  Professorship,  1824,  26; 
said  church  now  promises  $1,700  annually,  for  three  years,  as  soon  as 
$25,000  have  been  subscribed  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Church  and 
a  Third  Professor  of  Theology  is  actually  installed;  1825,  2>7,  40,  4i- 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Corporation  be,  and  is  hereby  em- 
powered, to  take  care  of  and  manage  all  the  property,  real  and  per- 
sonal, of  General  Synod,  so  as  to  preserve  it  from  loss  and  injury, 
and  increase  its  productiveness — during  the  pleasure  of  Synod;    1825. 

^9.  40. 

Sept.,   1825. 

A  statement  was  now  issued  concerning  the  necessity  of  current 
funds,  until  the  subscriptions  to  the  Second  and  Third  Professorship 


CORPORATION,  BOARD    OF  175 

became  due  and  were  collected;  printed  in  Appendix  to  Sept.,  1825. — 
10,000  copies  published.  Col.  Henry  Rutgers  now  gives  $5,000  for  the 
benefit  of  Queens  College,  which  was,  therefore,  to  be  called  Rut- 
gers College.     Plan  of  the  revived  College  given,  Sept.,  1825,  20-24. 

1826. 
Some  of  the  subscribers  to  the  Endowment  offered  now  to  pay, 
in  full,  at  once,  if  allowed  rebate  of  interest.  Granted;  1826,  17.  Sorne 
of  the  installments  not  due  short  of  four  years.  Collections  still 
necessary  for  current  expenses.  133  churches  had  failed  to  take  col- 
lections. Names;  1826,  17,  22-24.  The  Board  requests  that  one  of  its 
members  might  attend  Synod  as  an  Advisory  Member.  Granted. 
Isaac  Heyer  appointed;  1826,  29;  (see  1892,  468;)  collections,  formerly 
requested,  now  enjoined,  55. 

1827. 
The  Board  suggested  that  it  should  be  called  "The  Bd.  of  Direc- 
tion of  the  General  Synod";  not  adopted;  but  Synod  gave  the  name — 
"The  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation";  '27,  18,  69.  The  first 
Scholarship  given.  See  Heyer  Scholarship.  The  Board  suggested 
the  revision  of  their  By-laws,  as  follows  : 

1827. 

BY-LAWS. 

The  General  Synod  in  pursuance  of  the  authority  vested  in  them 
by  their  act  of  Incorporation,  have  made  and  ordained  the  following 
By-Laws,  to  regulate  the  conduct  of  the  President,  Directors,  and 
Treasurer  of  the  Corporation. 

I. 

The  Board  shall  hold  stated  meetings  at  least  once  in  every 
month,  and  the  President  may  call  special  meetings  whenever  he 
deems  it  necessary,  and  shall  call  such  meetings  when  thereto  re- 
quested by  any  two  of  the  Directors. 

II. 

A  majority  of  the  Board  shall  constitute  a  quorum  to  transact 
business,  and  in  the  absence  of  the  President  the  attending  Directors 
may  appoint  a  President  pro.  tern,  to  preside  at  their  meetings. 

III. 

The  Board  of  Directors  are  empowered  to  direct  the  collection 
of  all  moneys  which  may  be  due  to  the  General  Synod  or  subject 
to  their  control  and  outstanding,  whenever  the  Board  shall  consider 
it  necessary  or  expedient;  and  also  to  require  new  or  additional  se- 
curity for  outstanding  debts,  as  a  condition  of  extending  the  time  of 
payment  of  an}-  such  debts  which  may  not  be  deemed  perfectly  se- 
cure; and  all  securities  for  moneys  belonging  to  or  under  the  con- 
trol of  Synod  shall  be  made  payable  to  the  Corporation  in  its  cor- 
porate name  and  its  assigns,  either  on  demand,  or  at  a  day  certain, 
not  beyond  a  year  from  their  date,  with  interest  payable  yearly. 

IV. 

The  Board  of  Directors  shall  appoint  two  of  their  number,  who 
with  the  Treasurer  shall  form  a  Finance  Committee,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  invest  or  loan  the  moneys  which  may  come  into  the 
Treasury  over  and  above  the  sums  required  to  satisfy  any  existing 
claims  or  appropriations  made,  as  they  shall  deem  safe  and  most  pro- 
ductive, and  the  Treasurer  shall,  whenever  the  amount  received  into 
the  Treasury  exceeds  $500  over  said  existing  claims  and  appropria- 
tions, immediately  report  such  excess  to  the  Finance  Committee. 

V. 

The  moneys,  as  they  become  due,  shall  be  receivable  by  the 
Treasurer,   whose  duty  it   shall   be   to   deposit   the   same   forthwith   in 


176         DIGEST   OF    SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

the  Bank  of  New  York,  or  in  such  other  Bank  as  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors shall  from  time  to  time  determine,  and  all  such  deposits  shall 
be  entered  in  a  book  to  the  credit  of  the  Treasurer  of  "The  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,"  who  shall  have 
the  custody  of  said  book,  and  all  moneys  shall  be  drawn  out  of  the 
Bank  by  written  or  printed  checks  signed  by  the  Treasurer  in  his 
official  capacit3\ 

The  Treasurer  shall  keep  regular  books  of  accounts,  in  which  he 
shall  enter  all  moneys  received  or  paid  out  by  him  under  appropriate 
heads,  designating  the  particular  fund  to  which  the  same  belong, 
when  and  from  whom  received,  and  when  and  to  whom  paid;  and 
also  to  keep  in  said  books  a  particular  statement  of  all  moneys  loaned, 
to  whom,  when,  and  upon  what  securities  loaned,  and  all  moneys 
otherwise  invested,  and  when  and  how;  and  shall  state  separately 
under  the  head  of  Donations,  all  sums  of  money  which  have  been 
or  may  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  Synod,  designating  the  donors' 
names,  the  amount  of  their  several  donations,  and  the  particular  pur- 
poses for  which  made;  and  shall  exhibit  his  books  of  account,  includ- 
ing his  bankbook,  to  the  Board  of  Directors  for  their  inspection  at 
every  stated  meeting,  and  oftener  if  requested.  And  it  is  made  the 
duty  of  the  Board  to  examine  such  books  when  so  exhibited,  and  to 
make  a  brief  entr}^  of  the  general  result  of  the  examination  in  their 
minutes. 

VI. 

The  Board  of  Directors  are  authorized  to  appoint  a  Secretary, 
whose  duty  shall  be  to  attend  their  stated  meetings  and  keep  regular 
minutes  of  all  their  proceedings,  and  to  correspond  with  such  per- 
sons as  the  Board  shall  direct  relative  to  their  business.  See  1837.  2>^- 
35,  69. 

VII. 

The  Board  shall  report  to  Synod  at  their  annual  meetings, 
a  particular  statement  of  the  situation  of  the  funds  belonging  to  or 
under  the  control  of  Synod,  how  secured  or  invested,  together  with 
such  suggestions  and  information  as  the  Board  may  deem  neces- 
sary, the  better  to  secure  the  said  funds,  or  to  render  the  same  more 
productive;  and  shall  accompany  such  report  with  a  general  abstract 
of  the  Treasurer's  accounts  of  receipts,  and  payments  for  the  past 
year. 

VIII. 

The  Board  is  authorized  to  affix  the  common  seal  of  the  Cor- 
poration, and  cause  their  President  to  give  his  official  signature  to 
any  letter  of  attorney  for  the  collection  of  debts,  or  any  other  pur- 
pose, in  order  to  the  due  fulfilment  of  any  of  their  aforesaid  duties. 

IX. 

The  appointments  of  the  President,  Directors  and  Treasurer  shall 
not  endure  longer  than  one  year,  or  until  others  are  appointed,  but 
no  new  appointments  may  be  made  within  the  year,  and  the  Board 
of  Directors  are  authorized  to  suspend  the  Treasurer  from  office  for 
misconduct;  in  which  case,  or  in  case  of  his  resignation,  death  or 
inability  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  also  in  case  of  his 
declining  to  accept  his  office,  (when  thereunto  appointed  by  General 
Synod,  and  after  their  adjournment)  the  Board  of  Directors  may  ap- 
point a  Treasurer  pro.  tern,  to  hold  his  office  until  the  next  meeting  of 
General  Sj'nod,  and  until  another  Treasurer  is  appointed.  [See  1871, 
219.] 

X. 

The  Board  of  Directors  are  authorized  to  determine  the  amount 
of    salary    to    be     paid    to    the     Treasurer   and     Secretary   for    their 


CORPORATION,  BOARD  OF  177 

services,  (if  it  shall  be  deemed  by  them  expedient  to  grant  any  sal- 
ary,) but  under  this  express  limitation,  that  the  salary  of  the  Treas- 
urer shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  $250  per  annum,  nor  shall  the  salary 
of  the  Secretary  exceed  the  sum  of  $100  per  annum,  exclusive  of  nec- 
essary disbursements  made  by  them  in  the  execution  of  their  re- 
spective duties,  to  be  audited  by  the  Board  of  Directors;  which  said 
salaries  shall  be  paid  quarter  yearly  if  required.  And  the  Board  of 
Direction  shall  also,  from  time  to  time,  determine  the  amount  of 
security  to  be  given  by  the  Treasurer  (if  any  is  deemed  necessary; 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  office.  And  shall 
also  be  the  judges  to  determine  the  sufficiency  of  the  securities  of- 
fered by  him;  which  bond  when  executed,  is  to  be  left  in  the  custody 
of  the  President  for  safe-keeping. 

XI. 

All  By-Laws  formerly  enacted  are  hereby  repealed.  1827,  32-^,^, 
69.      [See  1819,  48.] 

[Resolzcd,  That  the  By-laws  of  the  Board  of  Direction  be  amended 
by  adding  to  paragraph  10,  as  follows  : 

"No  officer  or  person  receiving  a  salary  or  any  emolument,  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  from  the  Treasury,  shall  be  a  member  of  the 
Board."     1872,  487.     This  was  repealed,  1875,  247.] 

The  Board  allowed  to  alter  the  time  of,  and  explain  the  objects  of,  the 
different  collections  in  the  churches  ;  1827,  35. 

1828. 

Board  appointed  a  Committee  of  Finance,  according  to  By-law  iv. 
Isaac  Young,  the  new  Treasurer,  gave  bonds  in  $5,000  and  entered  on 
his  duties;  1828,  103.  Queens  (or  Rutgers)  College  Trustees  assigned  to 
General  Synod,  $9,750,  the  balance  of  the  [old]  Professorial  Fund;  1828, 
103-4.  Hereafter  all  Funds  for  support  of  the  Professors,  embracing  the 
moneys  of  the  Permanent  Fund,  the  (old)  Professorial  Fund,  and  the 
recent  subscriptions  for  the  Second  and  Third  Professorships,  as  paid  in, 
will  be  classed  under  the  head  of  "The  Permanent  Professorial  Fund,'" 
(which  see).  1828,  131;  1829,  172. — The  Board  may  decide  what  parts  of 
their  reports,  accounts,  etc..  shall  be  published  in  the  Minutes ;  but  the 
Annual  Digest  must  be  published.  One  annual  collection  must  be  taken 
up  by  every  congregation  for  the  Theological  Seminar3^  Agents  may  be 
employed  to  collect  and  secure  subscriptions.  See  Van  Santvoord,  Staats. 
Consistory  of  Xew  York  to  be  asked  to  continue  their  annual  gift  of 
$1,700  to  the   Seminary;    1828,   129,   130. 

1829. 

Agents  to  be  engaged  for  not  more  than  one  year ;  1829,  156-7,  201  ; 
1830,  291.  The  renewal  of  the  grant  of  $1,700  of  Church  of  New  York, 
expires,  1829,  Nov. ;   1829.  157. 

1830. 

Board  authorized  to  buy  house  and  lot  of  John  X.  Simpson,  west  of 
Rutgers  College  (price  not  to  exceed  $2,300),  for  the  boarding  of  students: 
1830,  283-4. 

Rev.  John  F.  Schermerhorn  appointed  General  Financial  Agent  of 
the  Church;  salary,  $1,300,  with  necessary  expenses,  etc.,  to  raise  funds 
for  the  Missionary  Society ;  the  Education  Society ;  and  the  Theological 
School.  Ayes  and  Nays  called  on  this  appointment  and  salary.  Names. 
1830,  298-9.  Reappointed,  1831,  320,  331.  [Xote.  Page  320  is  followed 
by  page  331 — a  typographical  error  in  paging.] 

1831. 
Special  Agents  appointed  for  the  "Permanent  Fund,''  and  "Contingent 
Expenses"  ;  allowed  a  percentage  on  receipts ;  the  General  Agent,  Scher- 
merhorn, again  appointed,  but  he  is  to  limit  his  operations  to  Missionary 
and  Educational  Objects.     During  preceding  year,  he  has  raised  $2,818  for 


178         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

the  Theological  College ;  $4,533  for  Education ;  $8,298  for  Missions ;  or 
$15,652  in  all;  1831,  27Z,  2>7^,  Z7^-  The  Board's  accounts  must  be  hence- 
forth audited  before  presentation  to  Synod;  1831,  394;  Board  asserts  they 
have  always  been  audited,  1832,  28;  (1819,  47.)  The  Board  urged  to  save 
the  $100  paid  for  a  Secretary;   1831,  395. 

1832. 

The  treasurer,  Isaac  Young,  acts  as  Secretary.  1832,  26.  Special 
Committee  appointed  to  increase  the  Endowment;  Nov.  1831,  9.  Financial 
Agent  reappointed;  1832,  68.  Board  now  holds  $28,555.50  in  Education 
Funds  for  students,  with  a  .surplus  on  hand ;  1832,  70.  Professorial  Funds, 
$62,000;  income  insufficient  by  $1,200.  Endowment  Committee  urged  to 
complete  their  work ;  promise  that  none  of  the  capital  shall  hereafter  be 
used.  Bd.  to  borrow  money  to  meet  emergency;  1832,  71,  Churches 
urged  to  meet  Contingent  Expenses.     See  Oct.  1832,  103-5,  I35- 

The  Financial  Agent,  Schermerhorn,  had  been  very  successful  in 
behalf  of  Missions  and  Education ;  had  also  collected  $778.55  on  old  sub- 
scriptions ;  1832,  75.  Propriety  of  a  General  Agent  elaborately  discussed ; 
1832,  77-84;  Schermerhorn  resigns;  see  his  letter.  Rev.  A.  H.  Du  Mont 
appointed  General  Agent;  1832,  84-5.  [See  Christian  Intelligencer,  summer 
or  fall  of  1832,  for  an  elaborate  defence  of  Schermerhorn,  and  a  full  table 
of  all  his  accounts.]  Collections  must  be  taken  up  in  all  churches  before 
February,  to  meet  deficiencies ;  outstanding  subscriptions  must  be  collected, 
and  new  ones  secured.  The  Endowment  Committee  (of  Nov.  1831,  9) 
urged  to  raise  $30,000  without  delay ;  Oct.  1832,  136. 

1833. 
The  Board  borrowed  of  Washington  Insurance  Co.  $4;000,  to  pay 
debts.  Board  had  proposed  to  borrow  this  amount  from  Permanent  Fund, 
and  pay  interest  to  said  Fund ;  Synod  refused ;  1833,  165-8,  217 ;  1834, 
254. — Agent  Schuneman  had  collected,  on  unpaid  subscriptions,  $1,243,  at 
an  expense  of  $600 ;  Agency  discontinued ;  1833,  167.  Consistories  and 
ministers  (by  circular)  requested  to  collect  unpaid  subscriptions.  Col- 
legiate Church  to  be  asked  to  aid  in  liquidating  the  debt  of  $4,000,  and 
for  an  annuity  of  $1,500  until  Synod  is  relieved;  1833,  217,  218. 

1834. 

See  "Permanent  Professorial  Fund"  for  report  of  Committee  on 
Endowment ;  1834,  252. — Board  reviews  history  of  Synod's  finances ;  %Z77 
of  subscriptions  to  Permanent  Fund  had  been  used  up ;  and  other  debts 
paid  from  any  moneys  in  hand;  would  like  to  be  discharged;  if  not,  will 
henceforth  only  pay  so  much  of  salaries  and  debts,  as  funds  in  hand 
permit;  1834,  254-6. — See  Hymn  Books. — The  Board  of  Corporation 
authorized  to  receive  from  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Education  the 
Scholarship  Funds ;  and  that  the  proceeds  of  the  same,  together  with 
those  of  the  Heyer  Scholarship,  be  applied  under  the  direction  of  the 
Board  of  Education;  (which  see;  Bd.  of  Ed.  not  yet  incorporated)  ;  1834, 
320;  also  to  receive  the  Wyckoff,  John,  Scholarship,  1835,  355.  See  these 
Scholarships. 

Committee,  on  report  of  the  Board,  reviewed  the  financial  condition. 
$13,000  additional  had  been  subscribed  thro'  the  Endowment  Com.  of 
1831  ;  $1,150  for  current  expenses.  The  Endowment  subscribers  will  pay 
interest  until  subscriptions  are  paid.  Endowment  Com.  enlarged.  Exhor- 
tations;  1834,  323-5. 

1835. 

Endowment  Com.  reported  new  subscriptions  of  $34,050.  Subscribers 
will  pay  interest.  $3,633  paid  in.  Also  $6,108.50  collected,  to  pay  off  the 
$4,000  bond  of  1833 ;  to  purchase  library  of  late  Dr.  DeWitt ;  to  pay  debt 
of  Grammar  School  and  repairs  of  College.  Balance,  $68.72;  1835,  345-353. 
355-6.  [Later:  amount  collected,  $7,03350;  balance,  $993.72;  1835,  422.] 
Additional  collections  for  Library  of  Prof.  DeWitt,  $924.86;  paid  to  Mrs. 
DeWitt,  1835,  353. 


CORPORATION,  BOARD  OF  179 

1836. 
Income  of  invested  Funds  sufficient  to  meet  all  expenses,  of  every 
kind,  if  interest  is  promptly  paid.  To  save  trouble,  subscribers  asked  to 
pay ;  1836,  454.  [This  income  remained  sufficient  for  ten  years,  1836-47 ; 
see  1874,  116.]  Board  authorized  to  lease  100  square  feet  in  rear  of 
College,  to  put  up  a  home  for  the  students ;  1834,  506-9. 

1837. 
Income  sufficient.     Interest  has  risen  to  7  per  cent.     See  Burgess  and 
Landing    Scholarships ;    Utica    Church.      Board    again    authorized    to    fill 
vacancies;  1837,  76.     [See  1824,  55;  1865,  627.] 

1838. 
Income  sufficient ;  1838,  106. 

1839. 
Income  sufficient;   1839:  205,  211,  285.     For  change  of  Covenant  with 
College ;  see  Rutgers  College :  1839,  285. 

1840. 
Income  sufficient;   1840.  335-6,  392,  407.     For  leasing  land  for  Presi- 
dent's house,  see  Rutgers  College;  Nov.  1840,  436;  1841,  9. 

1841. 
Income    sufficient,    altho'    some    arrearages    of    interest.      Everything 
left  to   discretion  of  the  Board;    1841,  452,   517,  518.     Securities   of  the 
Board,  $98,400.     Interest,  $6,698.     Notes:  $810.50;  Int.,  $47.60;   1841,  536. 
(Also  23  shares  of  Bergen  Turnpike  Stock;  value  not  given.) 

1842. 
Income  sufficient ;  see  Rutgers  College,  regarding  use  of  Library-room 
for  lectures ;   1842,  56,  57,  65,   128. 

1843. 

Income  sufficient;  1843,  166-7,  242-3.  Board  requested  to  report  the 
paid  and  unpaid  subscriptions  to  Third  Professorship ;  1843,  243.  College 
Trustees  now  presented  a  bill  of  $694.43  for  repairs,  during  past  16  years, 
with  interest,  $333.28,  for  8  years ;  and  incidental  expenses  for  same 
period,  of  $1,665.78;  interest,  8  yrs.,  $791.52.  Total,  $3,493.01;  or  without 
interest,  $2,360.21 ;  committee  of  7  appointed  on  the  relations  existing 
between  the  General  Synod  and  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  to  which 
shall  be  referred  for  adjudication  all  claims  of  the  Trustees,  all  matters 
relating  to  the  College  premises ;  to  report  to  Synod.  All  accounts  and 
vouchers  to  be  referred  to  said  Committee ;  1843,  245 ;  1844,  359-366.  See 
Contingent  Expenses. 

All  expenses  met.  Interest  decreases  from  7  to  6  per  cent.  Some 
of  the  subscriptions  to  Third  Professorship  probably  worthless ;  1844,  295-6. 

1844. 
Report  of  Special  Com.  of  1843,  245,  to  adjust  all  claims,  etc.  The 
Tru^tee5  had  not  presented  these  claim?  before,  because  they  considered 
the  interests  of  College  and  Seminar}'  identical.  Synod  had  paid  for  all 
large  repairs;  the  Trustees  for  all  small  repairs,  without  expecting  reim- 
bursement. These  claims  now  presented  because  of  the  Trustees'  strait- 
ened circumstances,  they  having  assumed  the  responsibility  of  paying  the 
salary  of  their  President.  See  Hasbrouck,  A.  Bruyn.  Such  the  history  of 
these  claims,  1844,  355-362. — These  bills  should  have  been  presented 
yearly,  and  they  would  have  been  paid.  Synod  had  not  ordered  these 
repairs ;  yet  Synod  had  promised  to  make  up  deficiencies  in  the  income 
of  the  College. — Synod  refused  to  admit  the  claims  as  a  matter  of  justice 
or  equity;  yet  the  Treasurer  of  Synod  directed  to  pay  the  sum  of  $2,360.21, 
to  meet  the  deficiency  of  the  income  of  the  College,  if  means  permit ; — that 
hereafter  all  expenditures  which  Synod  is  expected  to  pay,  be  presented 
annually;  1844,  362. 


i8o         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  trustees  and  the  Synod  agreed  on  the  main  points ;  the  Trustees 
would  not  press  the  claims  as  strictly  due,  legally,  yet  they  were  just. 
Compromise  proposed,  as  follows : 

That  the  Treasurer  of  Synod  pay  to  the  College  Trustees  $1,500  to 
liquidate  all  claims  of  the  Trustees  against  the  Synod.     [Payments  made, 

1845.  411;  1846,  12.]  Both  parties  advised  to  give  closer  attention  to 
accounts  in  which  they  have  a  mutual  interest. — "Short  accounts  make 
long  friends."     1844,  364-6.     See  Van  Bunschooten  Fund. 

All  demands  up  to  date  (1844)  had  been  met.  Form  of  Devise  pre- 
sented. 

1845- 
Board  was  urged  to  collect  unpaid  subscriptions  on  Third  Professor- 
ship; and  not  to  include,  in  list  of  investments,  those  considered  worth- 
less.    1845,  409,  486. 

1846. 
Income    sufficient.      A    few    Third    Professorship    subscriptions    paid ; 

1846,  12,  13,  80. 

1847. 
Income  deficient  for  first  time  in  ten  years.  [Compare  1836,  454.] 
Deficit,  $1,611;  chiefly  due,  to  paying  that  $1,500  to  College.  [See  1844, 
365.]  Board  requests  Synod  to  provide  for  restoration  of  this  sum;  1847, 
116,  117.  [See  1848,  276.]  $5,250  of  subscriptions  considered  worthless; 
Bd.  authorized  to  make  best  terms  possible  with  subscribers.  Measures  to 
be  taken  to  liquidate  the  debt;  1847,  183-4.     [See  Domestic  Missions;  1847, 

191,   195] 

1848. 

The  Committee,  appointed  (1847,  117)  to  raise  funds  to  liquidate 
debt,  had  done  nothing.  Annual  deficit,  $300.  An  Agent  had  been 
appointed  to  raise  $5,000  to  relieve  embarrassment,  and  for  incidental 
expenses  of  the  College ;  this  sum  to  be  apportioned  among  the  Classes. 
Worthless  notes  not  to  be  reported;  1848,  218,  219,  276-7,  281-2,  413-415. 

1849. 
Committee  appointed  to  raise  $5,000  declined  to  serve;  so  did  another 
Committee.    Collections  ordered  to  meet  Contingent  Expenses ;  1849.  497-8. 

1850. 
Small  returns  from  collections.  $6,000  at  once  needed.  Oft'er  of 
certain  lots  in  New  Jersey  declined  because  of  obscure  title.  Board 
directed  to  devise  plan  for  liquidating  debt.  Plan  of  apportionment 
repeated.  Expenses  of  delegates  to  Bd.  of  Superintendents  to  be  paid, 
when  requested ;  1850,  22,  23,  91,  92. 

1851. 
On  many  of  the   investments,   interest   fallen   from   7  to  6  per   cent. 
Appeal  made' thro'  the  Intelligencer  for  the  debt  has  met  a  liberal  response. 
$4,131  sent  in.     Debt  nearly  paid;   1851,  131-2,  187-190. 

1852. 
Debt   paid;    all   responsibilities   met;    handsome   balance   in   treasury; 
1852,  214,  274. 

1853. 
Shall  the  Synod  hold  bonds  of  R.  R.  Cos.,  which  run  trains  on  the 
Sabbath.     Matter  left  to  discretion  of  Board;   1853,  299,  300,  367- 

1854- 
Income  sufficient,  but  margin  small ;  1854,  397-8,  467-8. 

1855. 
Salaries  of  the  Theological   Professors  increased  to  $1,800,  with  free 
use  of  wings  of  College  to  two  of  them;  and  $300  house-rent  allowed  to 
the  other;   (Dr.  Campbell)  ;   1855.  517.  595-6;  Oct.  1855,  20. 


CORPORATION,  BOARD  OF  i8i 

1856. 
Income  just  enough.     By  increasing   Professors'   salaries,  $800  addi- 
tional needed  yearly.     Board  has  paid  $2,000  to  Bd.  of  Education ;    1856, 
40,  101-2.     See  Sustentation  Fund;  Permanent  [Professorial]  Fund. 

1857. 

A  Committee  appointed  to  co-operate  with  Board  to  raise  funds ; 
possible  resignation  of  treasurer,  Isaac  Young;  Professorship  of  Sacred 
Rhetoric  can  only  be  established  by  a  special  endowment ;  1857,  136,  150, 
215  ;  Oct.  1857,  255-6,  260-1. 

1858. 

Yearly  deficit,  $800.  Collections  fail  to  give  relief.  Effectual  meas- 
ures needed.  $15,000  needs  to  be  added  to  Permanent  [Professorial] 
Fund.  A  new  Standing  Com.  in  Synod,  to  be  called  "Committee  on  Bd. 
of  Direction"  to  be  appointed;  [1858,  244;  but  no  such  committee  appears 
until  Xov.  1867,  325 ;  such  Com.  having  again  been  ordered  in  June  1867, 
189;]  salary  of  treasurer  to  be  $600,  of  which  Widows'  Fund  shall  pay 
$150;  1858,  277,  341-4. — Holland  Academy,  Mich.,  deeded  to  Synod.  Until 
•permanent  funds  can  be  secured.  Contingent  Expenses  shall  be  appor- 
tioned, by  the  Treasurer  and  Stated  Clerk,  among  the  Classes;  1858,  342; 
see  Contingent  Fund ;  until  the  condition  of  the  funds  be  permanently 
improved,  the  expenses  of  members  of  Bd.  of  Superintendents  to  be  paid 
by  their  respective  Classes;  1858,  342.     (See  1850,  23.) 

1859- 
Deeds    received    from   American    Board,    for   property    in    China    and 
India,    dated   Aug.    25,    1858;    1859,    378.      [These    transferred    to    Bd.    of 
Foreign  ^Missions,  R.  C.  A.,  1862,  120.]     1859,  378,  385,  387,  447,  454. 

i860. 
Store  House  of  Treasurer  (John  I.  Brower)  destroyed  by  fire,  Jan.  3, 
i860,  and  some  of  the  books  or  papers  of  Gen.  Synod,  destroyed  or  injured; 
but  nothing  of  pecuniary  value.  See  Archives.  Deeds  received  from  Chs. 
B.  Daj'ton  and  wife,  from  Fred.  Van  Dyke  and  others,  for  land  at  west 
end  of  Seminary  plot.  New  Brunswick;   i860,  436,  555-8,  575. 

1861. 
See  Permanent  Contingent  Fund;  1861,  11-14,  77-81. 

1862. 
The   War   has   delayed   efforts   to   establish   a    Permanent    Contingent 
Fund.     1868,  120,  188;   1863,  252-3,  330. 

1863. 
1864. 

Deficiency  in  income,  $1,482.  Board  authorized  to  convey  property 
known  as  "Rutgers  College,"'  to  the  Trustees  of  same,  for  $12,000 ;  Synod 
The  $12,000  received,  to  be  used  in  erection  of  Professorial  Residences, 
Conditions  :  Said  property  to  be  used  as  a  College,  and  three-fourths  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  same,  alwa3's  to  be  members,  in  full  communion,  of 
R.  C  A.  (Modification,  1893,  33.0.) — 1864,  482-3,  399,  471-2;  1865,  551. 
The  $12,00  received,  to  be  used  in  erection  of  Professorial  Residences, 
which  see. — Salary  of  Treasurer  of  Synod  to  be  paid  pro  rata  from  the 
income  of  the  several  funds ;  other  expenses  of  Bd.  of  Direction  to  be 
charged  to  their  appropriate  funds ;   1864,  479. 

See  the  elaborate  report  of  Rev.  Dr.  Chs.  Scott  on  Contingent 
Expenses,  reviewing  and  classifying  all  the  Expenses  of  Synod ;  and  pro- 
posing to  raise  $20,000  by  assessment  on  the  Classes  ;  1864,  474-485  ;  see 
also  Permanent  Professorial  Fund.  Owing  to  the  depreciation  of  money 
by  the  War,  $200  extra  had  been  given  to  each  of  the  Professors,  thro' 
special  friends  in  the  Collegiate  Church.  $500  also,  instead  of  $300, 
were  now  allowed  to  Dr.  DeWitt  for  house-rent.     (Repeated,   1865,  630.) 


i82         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

$1,500  to  be  raised  b\-  Special  Committee,  to  be  divided  among  the  Pro- 
fessors on  accomit  of  the  war  prices  prevailing;  1865,  624.  See  Hope 
College;  Twenty  Thousand  Dollar  Assessment;  Holland  Academy,  (1864, 
482-5.) 

1865. 

See,  Smith,  Nicholas  E. ;  success  in  raising  $80,000  for  a  Fourth  Pro- 
fessor— Rev.  Dr.  David  D.  Demarest. — Salary,  $1,800.  Salaries  of  the 
three  Senior  Professors  made  $2,500  each.  $10,000  additional  obtained  for 
Professorial  Dwellings ;  Board  authorized  to  secure  $40,000,  in  all,  for 
such  dwellings;  1865,  551-2;  624-7.  See  Permanent  Fund.  The  Board 
authorized  to  till  any  vacancies,  that  may  occur  in  the  Board,  during  the 
recess  of  General  Synod;  1865,  627.  [See  1824,  55;-  1837,  76.]  $500 
allowed  Prof.  Berg,  for  house-rent,  in  lieu  of  East  Wing  of  the  College. 
East  Wing  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  new  Professor,  (Dr.  D.  D. 
Demarest,)  until  1867,  unless  the  Trustees  of  the  College  prefer  to  pay 
$500  per  year  for  possession  of  same.  The  increase  of  salaries  of  the 
three  Senior  Professors  are  to  date  from  June  i,  1865 ;  of  Dr.  Demarest 
from  July  i,  1865. — 1865,  631. 

1866. 

$30,000  received  from  Hertzog  H^all  Committee  toward  endowment 
of  Fourth  Professorship ;  $10,000  yet  due.  See  Permanent  Professorial 
Fund.  $12,164  received  toward  Hope  College  Endowment;  Board  had 
advanced  them  $6,000  to  enable  them  to  secure  their  Charter  from 
Michigan  Legislature;  (see  1864,  484;)  see  also  Contingent  Expenses. 
Board  has  received  a  bond  of  $40,000  from  Rev.  Dr.  Nicholas  E.  Smith,  to 
enable  Synod  to  add  $700  per  annum  to  salary  of  each  of  the  three  Senior 
Professors ;  also  have  received  $2,800  interest  for  one  year  on  his  bond, 
(1867,  161,  266.)  See  Professorial  Residences;  Hertzog  Hall.  Salary  of 
Synod's  Treasurer  raised  to  $1,000;  Widows'  Fund  to  pay  $250  of  it; 
balance  to  be  apportioned  among  the  other  funds;  1866,  13,  14,  91,  93^ 
97,  99,  100. 

1867. 

Rev.  Dr.  Nich.  E.  Smith  asks  Synod  to  release  him  frorn  his  bond  of 
$40,000,  on  account  of  heavy  reverses.  He  has  paid  interest  for  two 
years,  $5,600.  Referred  to  Board  of  Direction  with  power  to  extend  time 
of  payment,  compromise,  or  release  him ;   1867,  161,  266. 

Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  have  paid  for  property,  in  full;  1867, 
161-2.  $40,000  raised  for  Fourth  Professorship;  $20,000  for  Professorial 
Residences;  list  of  subscribers  to  Fourth  Professorship  given;  1867,  254-7, 
262-8,  271-2.  The  Board  authorized  to  borrow  such  sums  as  may  be 
necessary,  to  pay  the  salaries  of  the  Professors,  and  of  the  employees  of 
Synod,  as  the  same  shall  become  due;  1867,  189. — Board  requested  to 
furnish  an  annual  estimate,  in  detail,  of  the  expenses  and  income  of 
Synod  for  coming  year;   1867,  325,  412. 

1868. 

Board  transfers  certain  moneys  to  Board  of  Domestic  Missions. 
Smith's,  (N.  E.)  bonds;  1868,  378-9.  Elaborate  Review  of  the  Finances 
of  General  Synod,   (Phraner's  Report,)    1868,  403-414- 

Amendment  to  By-laws :  By-law  IX ;  "It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Board  to  propose  to  the  Synod,  from  year  to  year,  in  the  form  of  Resolu- 
tions, those  financial  measures  which  they  may  deem  necessary" ;  1868. 
411.  [See  Digest  of  1868,  p.  35,  where  the  8  By-laws  of  1819,  48,  are 
printed,  by  mistake.  These  had  been  repealed,  or  superseded,  1827,  32-35. 
Those  of  1827  are  found  in  said  Digest  of  1868,  pp.  123-7.  But  therein, 
By-law  VII,  covers  the  same  ground  as  this  newly  proposed  By-law,  IX, 
and  was,  therefore,  unnecessary.  The  Committee  added  it,  by  mistake,  to 
the  repealed  By-laws  of  1819.] 

The  Classes  which  have  failed  to  pay  their  apportionment  of  the 
$20,000    Fund   of    1864,   for   the    increase   of   the    Permanent    Professoriol 


CORPORATION,  BOARD  OF  183 

Fund,  are  exhorted  to  pay,  with  interest ;  those  Classes  which  have  paid, 
shall  not  be  assessed  further  therefor;  that  all  further  apportionments 
for  the  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick  to  be  kept  entirely  distinct  from 
annual  assessments  for  Contingent  Expenses;  1868,  412. 

Committee  on  Accounts  to  present  a  detailed  estimate  of  all  Contin- 
gent Expenses,  each  year.  [Said  Committee  did  this  only  1869-72.] 
Treasurer  to  assess  the  amount  for  Contingent  Expenses  directly  upon  the 
Classes,  (excepting  Arcot),  on  the  basis  of  the  number  of  communicants. 
All  preceding  acts,  inconsistent,  repealed ;  1868,  413. — That  the  amount 
necessary  to  meet  deficiency  in  revenues  of  Synod,  be  assessed  by  Synod 
directly  on  the  Classes ;  that  the  Treasurer  present  an  estimate  of  such 
amount  yearly ;  and  that  the  Committee  on  Bd.  of  Direction,  make  the 
apportionment,    1868,  414. 

Owing  to  failure  of  Dr.  Smith's  note  of  $40,000,  and  failure  of  sub- 
scriptions of  $10,000,  sum  of  $50,000  needed  to  complete  the  endowment 
of  Seminary;  also  $37,000  needed  to  complete  the  endowment  of  Hope 
College.  Note  of  Dr.  Smith  was  cancelled.  Bd.  of  Direction,  with  Hert- 
zog  Hall  Committee  requested  to  raise  $100,000  for  completing  [Perma- 
nent] Professorial  Fund,  and  paying  debt  of  Synod ;  with  power  to 
employ  an  agent.  Salaries  of  Professors  at  New  Brunswick  to  be  con- 
tinued at  $2,500;  $500  allowed  Dr.  Berg  for  house-rent,  1868,  379,  415-417. 

1869. 
See  Bequests  under  date  of  1869,  553,  577-8.  Also  Permanent  Pro- 
fessorial Fund ;  Hope  College ;  Incorporation — for  Amendment  to  the 
Corporate  Name  of  the  Church ;  and  Act  to  enable  Synod  to  hold  property 
to  a  larger  amount,  1869,  555.  See  also  Constitution,  and  its  Title-page, 
and  action  of  1867,  331-340.  Board  had  appointed  Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  A.  H. 
Cornell  as  Financial  Agent,  1869,  556,  579,  645.  Had  obtained  $40,000 
from  Jas.  Suydam  for  Professorial  Fund ;  Dr.  Cornell  requested  to  con- 
tinue as  agent ;  salaries  of  the  Professors  increased  to  $3,000  per  year ; 
with  $500  allowed  Dr.  Berg  for  house-rent.  Board  of  Direction  ordered 
to  pay  interest  yearly,  of  Mrs.  Hertzog's  legacy  of  $10,000  for  repairs,  ta 
Hertzog  Hall  Committee,  1869,  579,  580,  646. 

1870. 
Board  of  Direction  requested  to  present  their  annual  report  on  first 
day  of  Synod's  session ;  to  request  each  member  of  church  to  contribute 
at  least  $1  to  meet  deficiencies  in  revenue  of  Synod.  See  Permanent 
Professorial  Fund ;  Contingent  Expenses ;  Professorial  Dwellings ;  1870, 
14-18,  45-48. 

1871. 

Terms  of  office  of  members  of  the  Board  of  Direction  extended  to 
five  years,  one  member  to  be  elected  yearly;  1871,  219. 

1872. 
Expenditures  have  exceeded  revenue,  by  $7,547.  Total  advances,  here- 
tofore,  for  salaries,  repairs,  building,  $41,309.  Dr.  Cornell  has  secured  in 
2^  years,  property  valued  at  $165,000,  in  real  estate  and  funds ;  and 
additional  subscriptions  of  about  $64,000.  Other  gifts  are  expected,  making 
an  aggregate  of  $300,000,  1872,  405-7.  Statement  of  disbursements,  1872, 
408. — In  come  of  Suydam  Professorship;  salaries  of  all  the  Professors  to 
be  equalized  with  that  of  the  Didactic  Professor,  as  soon  as  Permanent 
Fund  shall  permit ;  the  principals  of  the  funds  to  be  kept  intact ;  [but  see 
1873,  666;]  the  Board  requested  also  to  raise  a  "Permanent  Contingent 
Fund,"  (which  see);  to  employ  Agents;  to  report  the  "Permanent  Pro- 
fessorial Fund"  hereafter,  as  the  "Permanent  Seminary  Fund";  and  the 
"Contingent  Fund"  as  the  "Permanent  Contingent  Fund" ;  [see  1828,  104]  ; 
that  the  amount  paid  already  for  the  expense  of  raising  the  Endowment 
Funds,  be  charged  to  that  portion  of  the  Endowment  Fund  so  raised;  [this 
related  to  Dr.  Cornell's  compensation  of  $5,000  per  year,  for  four  years ; 


1 84         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

see  1870,  2-],  and  other  items,  before  and  after,  1869-74;  but  this  way  of 
compensating  him  was  rescinded,  1873,  664;]  that  thanks  of  Synod  be 
given  to  Dr.  Cornell,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  continue  as  agent,  to 
raise  funds  for  completion  of  buildings  now  in  progress ;  for  increasing 
Endowment  Fund ;  and  for  raising  funds  for  a  fifth  Professorship ;  that 
the  Board  arrange  with  Dr.  Cornell  or  other  agent,  for  proper  compen- 
sation; the  compensation  to  be  charged  to  the  funds  so  raised,  1872,  435-6. 

1873. 

The  debts  reported  at  $33,284;  the  expenditures  have  exceeded  the 
revenues,  during  the  year,  by  $4,547.-1873,  617-623.  An  elaborate  financial 
statement  was  also  now  presented  by  Peter  R.  Warner,  President  of  the 
Board,  reviewing  the  history  of  the  "Contingent  Expenses,'"  and  of  the 
"Permanent  [Seminary]  Fund";  showing  the  great  increase  of  expense  to 
Synod,  on  account  of  the  increase  of  real  estate,  another  Professorship, 
and  increase  of  salaries ;  complications,  connected  with  the  failure  of  Dr. 
Smith's  bond  of  $40,000;  the  success  of  Dr.  J.  A.  Cornell,  in  adding 
to  property  of  Synod  about  $400.000 ;  also  the  cost  of  the  Professorial 
Residences,  1873,  650-663. 

Synod  rescinded  the  resolution  of  1872,  436,  about  charging  the 
expenses,  for  raising  the  endowment,  to  the  particular  funds  so  raised ; 
that  a  fund  of  $80,000  additional,  is  yet  needed,  to  meet  salaries,  contin- 
gent Expenses,  repairs,  insurance,  etc. ;  that  Agents  should  be  employed 
for  this  purpose ;  that  the  principal  of  all  funds  should  be  kept  intact ; 
that  the  first  moneys  received  for  general  purposes,  should  be  applied  to 
extinguish  debts,  and  thereafter,  to  endowments ;  and  that  the  report  of 
the  Board  should  be  presented  in  printed  form;   1873,  664-6. 

1874. 
The  Board  instructed  to  raise  $80,000,  as  suggested  1873,  664;  to 
pay  salaries,  and  restore  to  Permanent  Fund  wdiat  had  been  with- 
drawn. No  response  to  Circulars.  Rev.  Dr.  John  A.  Lansing  ap- 
pointed Agent;  raised  $2,622  toward  the  debt;  total  debt  is  $30,608.02. 
—1874,  16.  The  President  of  the  Board,  (Mr.  P.  R.  Warner),  re- 
ported that  the  property  and  funds  of  Synod  amounted  to  about 
^400,000;  that  no  loss,  by  investments,  had  ever  occurred.  The  re- 
moval of  the  Treasurer  from  membership  in  the  Board,  according  to 
supposed  meaning  of  Act  of  Legislature,  in  1872,  Chap.  104,  was  prob- 
ably a  mistake;  as  a  strict  construction  of  the  Act  does  not  require 
it.      [See  1875,  247.]      1874,  40. 

1875- 

President  of  the  Board,  declined  participating  in  its  affairs  au}^ 
longer;  but  he  was  finally  induced  to  withdraw  his  resignation,  1875, 
:246,  248.  The  treasurer  of  the  Board  is  to  be  elected  only  for  one 
year.  The  amendment  to  By-law  10,  passed  1872,  487,  was  repealed, 
1875,  246-7,  as  the  Synod  is  not  a  charitable  or  benevolent  Institution, 
but  a  religious  corporation,  created  by  special  Act  in  1819,  and  said 
law  does  not  apply  to  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed,  whose  special 
duty  it  shall  be,  during  the  coming  year,  so  far  as  may  be,  to  separate 
and  arrange  the  different  funds  and  endowments  of  the  General  Synod, 
in  accordance  with  the  intentions  of  donors  and  the  General  Synod, 
as  expressed  in  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  and  the  books  of  the 
Treasurer,  in  order  that  hereafter  these  funds  may  be  kept  and  re- 
ported separately,  each  under  its  own  heading;  and  in  order  that, 
if  there  be  hereafter  any  deficiency,  it  may  be  provided  for  by  Gen- 
eral Synod,  as  the  case  may  demand. 

The  following  were  apointed  the  Committee: — Rev.  A.  G.  Ver- 
milye,  John  Gaston,  Elders  James  A.  Williamson,  John  A.  Lott,  and 
John    A.    Hardenberg.     1875,   248. 


CORPORATION,  BOARD  OF  185 

1876. 
Report  of  Synod's  Committee  gives  a  complete  review  of  all  the 
funds  and  property  of  Synod;  1876,  435-443;  405-7;  Treasurer's  salary 
made  $1,500,  to  be  apportioned  among  the  different  funds;  1876,  zp43; 
1877,  609,  610.  .  Inquiry  into  the  safety  of  the  securities  was  satisfac- 
torv;  1877,  639-641. 

1878. 
See  Bequests  of  Sage;   1878,  17,  18,  39-42. 

1879. 

Death  of  John  I.  Brower,  1878,  treasurer;  Gardner  A.  Sage 
elected.  1879,  240-4.  The  three  Professors,  ( (Woodbridge,  DeWitt, 
Demarest),  owing  to  deficiency  in  revenue  of  Synod,  surrender  each 
$500  of  their  salaries,  reducing  them  from  $3,000  to  $2,500.  Necessity 
of  increasing  Permanent  Fund;  1879,  267,  274.  The  Board  requested 
authorit}'  to  dispose  of  property  under  foreclosure  of  mortgage. 
Granted,  1879,  242,  270.  The  next  year  the  following  resolution  was 
passed : 

1880. 

Resolved,  That  authority  be  and  is  hereby  given  to  the  Board 
of  Direction  of  the  Corporation,  to  sell  such  property  as  may  here- 
after be  acquired  by  the  General  Synod  under  mortgage  claims,  and 
give  proper  conveyances  of  the  same.     1880,  464,  489. 

1881. 

See  Bequests  of  Suydam,  James :  he  gives  $30,000  for  Disabled 
Ministers"  Fund;  $20,000  for  Professorial  Dwelling;  $20,000  for  sup- 
port of  Suydam  Hall;  $20,000  for  Improvement  of  Grounds  and  Build- 
ings; Sage,  Gardner  A.:  gives  $35,000  for  Support  of  Sage  Library; 
$5,000  for  Finishing  and  Fitting  up  Sage  Library;  $5,000  for  two  Schol- 
arships; $20,000  for  Purchase  of  Books  for  Sage  Library; 
$25,000  for  Support  of  Hertzog  Hall.  See  also  Bequests  of 
Gates;  Klein;  Merritt;  1881,  651,  656-7,  677-8.  Reduction  of  income, 
because  of  lower  rate  of  interest  on  certain  investments;   1881,  652. 

1882. 
.Period  of  loans,  left  to  the  discretion  of  the   Board,  except  that 
no  loan  be  longer  than  five  years;   1882,  33,  58,  59.     Col.  Sage  resigns 
as    Treasurer;    Rev.    Dr.    T.    W.    Chambers    acts,   for    a    time,    in    that 
capacity;  John  Van  Nest  elected  Treasurer;  salary,  $2,000;   1882,  60. 

1883. 
An  Entertainment  Fund,   (which  see),  now  begun,  assessing  two 
cents  per  member;   Board   directed  to  purchase  a   safe,  for  preserva- 
tion of  papers  and  books  needed  for  constant  use;  1883,  221-2,  249. 

1884. 
Gardner  A.  Sage  bequeaths  $50,000  for  a  new  Professorship.  Dis- 
cussion, whether  Synod  can  use  income  for  temporary  instruction, 
before  Professorship  is  actually  founded;  1884,  421,  424;  also  can  the 
salaries  of  other  Profesors  be  increased,  from  accumulations  of  Suy- 
dam Legacy?     1884,  424. 

1885. 
$30,000  have  been  paid  in,  to  found  a  Chair  of  Didactic  Theology 
at  Hope  College.  Ten  shares  of  Bergen  Turnpike  Stock,  held  by 
Synod,  have  been  transferred  to  Rutgers  College.  "Synod's  Fund 
for  Temporary  Contingencies"  founded,  according  to  action  of  last 
Synod,  (1884,  453,  451);  suggested  that  separate  Standing  Committees 
be  appointed  for  Widows'  Fund,  and  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund.  In 
list  of  securities  sent  annually  to  Synod — "there  shall  be  attached, 
in    case    of   each    loan,    the    present    estimated    value    of    the    property. 


1 86         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

covered  by  the  mortgage  or  lien."  (Not  done;  reasons  given;  1886, 
26,  55.)  Case  of  Mrs.  Serenbetz,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  C.  Gulden. 
Special  donation  to  her  from  income  of  Synod's  Fund  for  Temporary 
Contingencies,   1885,  622-3,  648-651. 

1886. 
It  was  stated  that  all  payments  are  made  by  check,  signed  by  the 
Treasurer,  and  countersigned  by  the  President  of  the  Board.  Both 
parties  keep  a  check-book  which  are  audited  yearly;  1886,  56.  [Cor- 
rection: The  accounts  of  the  Treasurer  are  audited  monthly;  the 
President  keeps  a  memorandum  of  all  checks,  amounts,  etc.,  to  whom 
payable;  and  all  checks  are  countersigned  by  him;  1887,  267.]  Treas- 
urer's salary  increased  to  $2,500. — 1886,  26,  55,  56. 

1887. 

$150  for  Western  Seminary  taken  out  of  "Synod's  Fund  for  Tem- 
porary Contingencies";  (1886,  66;)  1887,  266,  296;  the  Board  appro- 
priated to  the  necessities  of  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions,  (1886,  no), 
$400,  from  Synod's  Fund  for  Temporary  Contingencies;  1877,  296; 
now  ordered  to  pay  to  said  Bd.  of  Dom.  ]\Iiss.  $500  from  same  source; 
1887,  297.     (See  1891.) 

1888. 

Interest  on  Funds  about  $2,200  less  than  in  1887.  Classis  of  Sara- 
toga called  attention  to  the  growing  increase  of  assessments:  [in  1884, 
$950;  1885,  $1,480;  1886,  $1,600;  1887,  $1,785.];  yet  the  greatest  economy 
practised;  several  Classes  in  arrears. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  is  hereby  authorized  to 
make  deposits  of  money  in  such  safe  institutions  as  in  the  judgment 
of  the  Board  shall  be  for  the  interests  of  the  funds  of  the  Synod.  1888. 
491,  521-4. 

1889. 

$150  added  to  Incidental  Expenses,  as  proportion  to  be  paid  to 
Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches;  1889,  735,  765. 

1890. 

Office  of  Treasurer  removed  from  59  William  st.  to  Drexel 
Building,  cor.  of  Wall  and  Broad.     1890,  12,  41,  42. 

1891. 

On  account  of  decrease  in  interest  on  certain  loans,  the  Board 
requested  that  no  undue  burdens  should  be  laid  on  Treasury.  The 
Board  hoped  that  the  $900  given  to  aid  the  Bd.  of  Dom.  jMissions 
in  1886-7,  ii^  an  emergency,  might  now  be  returned;  and  if  this  be 
done,  that  it  be  credited  to  Fund  for  Temporar^^  Contingencies,  from 
which  it  was  taken.      [See  1887.]      See  Reformed  Church  Building. 

1892. 

Legal  steps  taken,  according  to  1891,  330,  to  modify  contract  of 
1864  with  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  so  that  only  two-thirds  of  said 
Trustees  need  to  be  members  of  Refd.  Ch.  in  America,  instead  of 
three-fourths,  1892,  468,  502-4. — Board  complained  that  Synod  often 
ordered  bills  paid  without  considering  the  limited  resources  of  the 
Board.  There  is  a  Permanent  Contingent  Fund  of  $5,000,  and  a 
(Temporary)  Contingent  Fund  of  $1,800.  The  rest  of  the  income 
comes  from  assessments  on  the  Classes.  Properly  speaking,  there 
are  no  uninvested  funds.  $51,462.70,  were  added  to  the  various  funds 
during  the  year,  for  specific  purposes.  The  Reformed  Church  Build- 
ing, 25  East  22nd  St.,  New  York,  has  also  been  purchased,  to  accom- 
modate all  the  Boards;  and  a  Ministers'  Room  has  been  fitted  up 
thro'  the  kindness  of  Mr.  John   S.   Bussing. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  requested  to  appoint 
one  from  their  number  to  attend  meetings  of  the  General  Synod,  in 


CORPORATION,  BOARD  OF  187 

order  that  information  ma}^  be  officially  obtained  as  to  matters  affect- 
ing the  financial  interests  of  the  Church,  and  that  the  necessary  ex- 
penses of  such  member  (when  not  a  member  of  General  Synod) 
shall  be  reimbursed  him  by  said  Board.  1892,  468,  470-1,  502-4.  Similar 
action,  1826,  29. 

1893- 

The  new  "Church  Home"  or  "Reformed  Church  Building"  has 
been  publicly  opened. — Permission  was  asked  and  granted  to  trans- 
fer $804.39  cts.  from  First  to  Second  Professorship  in  Western  Semi- 
nary. $10,698.71  have  been  added  to  the  Funds.  See  Librarian's 
House. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  execute,  every 
year  to  the  General  Synod,  a  bond  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
his  duties,  in  such  amount  and  form,  and  with  such  sureties  as  shall 
be  approved  by  the  Board  of  Direction.     1893,  712,  713,  749-751. 

1894. 

Bequests  amount  to  $17,893.91.  The  Board  cannot  estimate  ex- 
penses of  Special  Committees.  Synod  declined  to  furnish  each  min- 
ister with  a  copy  of  the  Minutes,  gratis.  See  Utica,  Church  of;  1894, 
17,  18,  55,  56. 

1895. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  hereby  appoint  an  Auditor  to 
act  in  connection  with  the  Auditor  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Di- 
rection, to  audit  the  annual  accounts  of  said  Board  before  its  presenta- 
tion to  the  General  Synod.     1895,  55,  56. 

1896. 

Fund  for  Temporary  Contingencies  decreased  from  $1,500  to 
$784.78. — The  Board  cannot  invest  its  funds  in  the  West  to  secure 
greater  interest,  but  has  no  objection  to  transfer  certain  of  its  funds 
to  the  Council  of  Hope  College,  if  no  legal  impediments  exist. 

Bequests:  $7,456.57- 

Commimication  from  Prof.  Lansing  about  decrease  in  his  salary. 
Had  received  all  the  income  produced  by  Sage  Fund,  1896,  325-7. — 
Request  from  Council  of  Hope  College  for  transfer  of  Funds  held 
by  Synod  for  benefit  of  said  College;  discussion;  committee  appointed 
to  report  next  year,  1896,  325-330.  Arrearages  of  Classis  of  Dakota 
for  Entertainment  Fund,  1892-5,  cancelled,  on  account  of  a  five-years' 
drought :  but  Synod  refuses  to  allow  them  to  share  in  entertainment, 
1896,  without  conforming  to  rule.  Request  of  Western  Seminary-  for 
$250  for  maintenance  of  Semelink  Hall,  refused.  Economy  recom- 
mended in  appointing  delegates  to  Boards  and  other  Bodies,  1896, 
289,  325-330. 

1897. 

Income  decreased  by  failure  of  rents,  decrease  of  interest,  and  a 
vicious  lawsuit,  but  decided  in  Synod's  favor.  Contingent  Fund  al- 
most wiped  out.  Board  directed  to  consider  expediency  of  appoint- 
ing a  Financial  Agent  to  increase  Permanent  Fund.  Prof.  Dosker's 
request  for  increase  of  salarj',  not  granted;  no  available  funds.  Com- 
mittee of  1896,  to  report  transfer  of  certain  funds  to  Council  of  Hope 
College,  not  ready.     1897,  568,  604-7,  683. 

1898. 

Income  about  same  as  in  1897;  but  reduction  of  interest  renders 
increased  endowment  necessary.  $1,000  granted  to  Hope  College. 
Synod  refused  request  of  $50  for  traveling  expenses  of  delegates  of 
Classis  of  Rochester,  1898,  60-5. 

Elaborate  reports  of  Committee  of  1896  on  request  to 
transfer     certain     funds     to     Council     of     Hope     College;     majority 


1 88         DIGEST    OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

reports  against  transfer ;  minority  reports  for  transfer.  Ordered,  That 
the  Board  transfer  such  funds  to  the  Council  of  Hope  College  as  were 
given  directly  to  the  College,  provided  they  can  do  so  without  incurring 
personal  responsibility ;  1898,  66-69. 

1899- 
Salaries  of  the  three  senior  Professors,  who  are  on  the  Permanent 
Seminary  Fund,  to  be  $2,500,  per  year,  or  so  much  thereof  as  the 
invested  Funds  produce;  1899,  319-322,  363-9. — Bd.  of  Direction  in- 
structed to  hold  and  invest  such  funds  as  may  be  intrusted  to  it,  for 
the  benefit  of  any  of  our   [weak]   churches;   1899,  464-5. 

1900. 
Ralph  Voorhees  has  given  $25,000  for  Permanent  Seminary  Fund. 
The  Alumni  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary  has  contributed  $1,200  for 
same  Fund.  $4,004  have  been  contributed  for  temporary  expenses. 
Received  for  Second  Professorship,  Western  Seminary,  $753.43;  1900, 
636-640.  Salaries  of  the  three  Professors  (on  the  Permanent  Semi- 
nary Fund),  and  of  Prof.  Raven,  to  be  made  $2,500  each,  if  the  funds 
permit.  Recommended,  that  the  Treasurer's  annual  report  be  sim- 
plified, to  economize  space  and  expense,  1900,  680-5. 

190 1. 
Contributions    for    temporary    expenses,    $3,174.36;    for    Western 
Seminary,  Second  Professorship,  $3,377.47;  1901,  978-9,  1014-16. 

1902. 
Rev.  Dr.  Danis  W^ortman  has  been  made  Agent  for  Disabled  Min- 
isters' Fund.  Received  for  Permanent  Seminary  Fund,  $6,284.02;  for 
temporary  expenses,  $3,437.51;  for  Second  Professorship,  Western 
Seminary,  $6,000;  for  Third  Professorship,  $1,000;  1902,  12,  13.  Coun- 
cil of  Hope  College  is  requested  to  divide  its  report,  that  the  Synod 
may  readily  discern  which  part  belongs  to  Com.  on  Education,  and 
w'hich  part  to  Com.  on  Bd.  of  Direction;  1902,  53,  54. 

1903- 
Collected    for    temporary    expenses,    New     Brunswick     Seminary, 
$3^632.55;  for  Third  Professorship,  Western  Seminary,  $3,000;  for  Al- 
cove Endowments,  Sage  Library,  $4,100;   1903,  271-4;  310,  311. 

1904. 
For  temporary  expenses,  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  $3,187.74;  for 
Endowment   of  same,  $5,241.40;   for  Alcove    Endowment,   $9,500;    Fac- 
ulty   Fund,    $5,000;    Western    Seminary,    Third    Professorship,    $1,200. 

1904,  606-8,  644-6. 

1905. 
Alcove    Endowments,    $3,000;    temporary    expenses,    New    Bruns- 
wick Seminary,  $2,594.95;  for  endowment,  $1,375.12;  for  Museum,  $300. 

1905,  12-14,  50-52. 

The  Board  to  seek  an  amendment  to  their  Act  of  Incorporation, 
to  add  two  members  to  Board  of  Direction,  1905,  54. 

1906. 

Counsel  advised  against  adding  more  members  to  the  Board ;  action 
of  1905  rescinded;  funds  reed,  for  New  Brunswick  Seminary;  from 
individuals  and  churches,  $624.16;  for  temporary  expenses,  $2,884.78;  for 
Museum,  $275;  Graves'  Lecture  Fund  balance,  $5,613.64;  for  Alcove 
Endowments,  $5,913.50. — For  Education  fund,  $7,641.13;  for  Foreign 
Missions,  $4,413.50;  for  Domestic  Missions,  $4,413.50;  for  Bd.  of  Publica- 
tion, $2,206.76;  for  Western  Seminary,  $11,150. 

Correspondence  with  Other  Churches. 

The  Reformers  early  felt  the  necessity  of  Correspondence  among 
Protestant  Bodies  even  of  different  nations.     Beza  and  Witsius  urged 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH    CHURCHES  189 

its  importance.  At  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19,  Churches  of  many 
lands  were  represented.  At  the  close  of  the  Canons  of  Dort  occur 
not  only  the  names  of  the  officials  of  that  body,  and  of  the  Dutch 
Professors  of  Theology,  but  the  names  of  the  delegates  of  Foreign 
Churches,  from  Great  Britain,  The  Electoral  Palatinate,  Hessia, 
Switzerland,  Wetteraw,  the  Republic  and  Church  of  Geneva,  the  Re- 
public and  Church  of  Bremen,  the  Republic  and  Church  of  Emden, 
the  Duchy  of  Gelderland,  and  of  Zutphen,  South  Holland,  North  Hol- 
land, Zealand,  the  Province  of  Utrecht,  Friesland,  Transylvania,  the 
State  of  Groningen  and  Omland,  Drent,  the  French  Churches. 

Letters  passed  between  the  Classis  of  Zeeland  and  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1643.  In  1644  the  Classis  of 
Walachria,  at  the  request  of  the  Westminster  divines,  sent  them  an 
account  of  the  Dutch  Ecclesiastical  Establishment.  The  document 
was  written  by  Apollonius.  The  Westminster  Assembly  had  it 
printed  and  expressed  their  thanks.  See  Stevens  Dutch  Ecc.  Estab- 
lishment; also  Ecc.  Records  of  N.  Y.  185,  327,  etc.  The  Scotch 
Church  also  adopted  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  as  one  of  their  sym- 
bols. 

Correspondence  was  naturally  kept  up  between  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  and  the  Dutch  Churches  in  America  from  1628  until  the 
Revolution;  also  with  the  German  Churches  in  Pennsylvania,  1729- 
92;  and  some  correspondence  was  maintained  between  the  Dutch  and 
German  Bodies  in  America. 

With  the  adoption  of  an  American  Church  Constitution  in  1792. 
the  propriety  of  Correspondence  with  other  Churches  was  anticipated 
and  incorporated  in  that  document.  Constitution,  1792,  Arts.  52,  53. 
In  the  Constitution  of  1833,  Art.  84,  the  design  of  such  Correspondence 
is  declared  to  be  "for  the  purpose  of  promoting  union  and  concert 
in  general  measures  which  may  be  calculated  to  maintain  sound  doc- 
trine, prevent  conflicting  regulations  .  .  .  and  to  produce  con- 
cert and  harmony  ...  to  promote  the  cause  of  religion  and 
piety."  The  same  is  repeated  in  Constitution,  1874,  Art.  yz.  Sec 
Church  Union;  Alliance,  etc. 

The  following  are  the  Churches  with  which  Correspondence  has 
been  held  to  a  greater  or  less  extent : 

1.  The    Church    of    Holland,    1628-1800,    and    occasionally    since. 

See  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York. 

2.  The    Reformed    [German]    Church    in    the    U.    S.,    from    1729 

onward. 

3.  The  Presbyterian  Church,  from  1784,  onward. 

4.  The  Associate  Reformed  Church,  of  U.  S.,  from  1784,  onward. 

5.  General  Association  of  Massachusetts,  in   1824. 

6.  The  Protestant  Church  in  France,  1829;  occasionally. 

7.  The  Associate  Synod  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  1830;  occasion- 

ally. 

8.  The   United   Associate    Church    or    Synod   of   Scotland,    1831: 

occasionally. 

9.  The  Church  of  Scotland  in  Upper  Canada,  1836;  occasionally. 

10.  The   Reformed   Presbyterian  Church  in  the   U.   S.,   1841;   oc- 

casionally. 

11.  The  Evangelical  Alliance.     1846;  occasionally. 

12.  The    Reformed   Dutch    Church    of   South   Africa;    1854;    occa- 

sionally. 

13.  The   Waldensian    (or   Vaudois)    Synod,   in    Italy,    1854;    occa- 

sionally. 

14.  The  Free  Church  of  Scotland,   1855;  occasionally. 

15.  The  Presbyterian  Church,   (New  School)    1862. 


iQo         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

i6.  The  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  North  America,  1864, 
onward. 

17.  The   Evangelical  Lutheran   Church,   1868,  onward. 

18.  The   Canada  Presbj^terian  Church,   1869,  onward. 

19.  The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.   (South)    1870,  onward. 

20.  The    United    Presbyerian    Church    of    Scotland,    1873;    occa- 

sionall3^ 

21.  General  Council  of  Congregational  Churches  in  U.  S.,  1873; 

occasionally. 

22.  Free  Church  of  Italy,  1873;  occasionally. 

23.  Reformed  Episcopal  Church.     1874,  onward. 

24.  Alliance  of  Refd.   Churches,   (Presbyt.)    1874,  onward. 

25.  French   Evangelical   Church  of   Canada,   1875;   occasionally. 

26.  The   Christian   Reformed   Church   in   the   Netherlands.     1879; 

occasionaHy. 

27.  The  United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan;  1879,  onward. 

28.  The  Chiu  Kwai  of  Tokyo,  Japan ;  1880,  onward. 

29.  Presbyterian  Church  of  England;   1881,  occasionally. 

30.  Presbyterian  Alliance  in  India;   1881;  occasionally. 

31.  The  Christian  Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S.,  1884. 
2,2.  Presbyterian   Church  in   Brazil.     1888;   occasionally. 

33.  Methodist   Episcopal   Church.     1888;   occasionally. 

34.  Delegate — from    Waldensian    Church    of    Italy,    1889;    occa- 

sionally. 

35.  Synod  of  Amoy.     1895,  14,  141, 

36.  Evangelical  Church  of  Italy.     1898;  occasionally. 

27.  National  Council  of  Evangelical  Free  Churches  of  England, 
1898;  occasionally. 

38.  Evangelical  Protestant  Church  of  Geneva,  Switzerland,  1902; 
occasionally. 

See  these  Churches  under  their  official  names. 

Corresponding  Delegates  of  R.  D.  C.  to  be  allowed  far  traveling 
expenses  at  the  rate  of  four  cents  p^r  mile.     1829,  213. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  ardent  desire  of  this  Church  to  maintain 
friendly  and  fraternal  relations  with  all  Evangelical  churches,  and 
especially  to  be  in  close  and  perfect  union  with  those  who  adopt  and 
maintain  our  own  formularies,  or  others  of  kindred  spirit  and  form. 
1843,  186. 

It  has  been  customar}^  to  print  the  reports  of  the  Corresponding 
Delegates  in  the  Minutes;  to  save  space,  it  will  be  sufficient  to  notice 
these  communications,  and  not  print  them.     1868,  419. 

Resolved,  That  the  reports  received  from  our  delegates  to  other 
bodies  be  read  at  the  time  of  the  reception  of  delegates  from  other 
bodies,  1872,  437;  '78,  43. 

2.  That  in  any  case  where  a  Delegate  from  any  other  body  has 
not  appeared  for  two  years,  our  appointed  Delegate  shall  correspond 
by  letter.     1872,  441;  '77,  644;  '78,  50. 

Resolved,  That  at  future  sessions  of  the  General  Synod,  the  even- 
ing of  the  third  day  be  set  apart  for  the  reception  of  delegates  from 
Sister  Churches,  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  give  due  notice  to  the 
Churches  from  whom  we  receive  delegates.     1876,  448. 

Delegates  appointed  to  other  bodies  are  urged  to  perform  their 
duties,  and  report  to  the  next  session  of  Sjmod,  1877,  644. 

Delegates  to  other  bodies  are  requested  to  convey  the  saluta- 
tions by  letter,  except  to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  South,  unless  it 
can  be  done  without  expense  to  General  Synod.     1879,  278-9. 

It  zvas  resolved,  That  the  corresponding  delegates  from  this  Sjniod 
to  other  bodies  be  requested,  for  the  sake  of  economy,  to  conduct 
their    correspondence    by   letter    rather   than   by   their    personal    pres- 


CORRESPONDING  SECRETARIES  191 

ence.   unless   they  can   make   their  visits   without   involving  this   body 
in  any  pecuniary  responsibility.     1880,  493. 

Whereas,  the  correspondence  with  other  Churches,  as  directed 
to  be  conducted,  by  letter  only,  unless  the  delegates  will  be  at  their 
own  charges,  tends  towards  the  cessation  of  correspondence  alto- 
gether, and 

Whereas,  the  correspondence  conducted  in  the  manner  of  the 
personal  presence  of  the  delegates  at  our  Synods,  adds  greatly  to 
the  interest  of  that  part  of  the  Synod's  proceedings,  and  can  be  se- 
cured better  by  our  sending  our  delegates  personally  to  other  as- 
semblies, and 

Whereas,  the  delegate  from  one  of  the  corresponding  Churches, 
who  addressed  this  Synod,  plainly  expressed  a  preference  for  the 
personal  presence  of  the  Synod's  delegate  at  the  Sessions  of  the 
Council  which  he   represented;   therefore. 

Resolved,  that  the  correspondence  between  the  Reformed  Church 
in  America,  and  all  the  Churches  to  whom  it  sends  fraternal  greet- 
ings, hereafter  be  conducted  as  heretofore,  in  the  way  of  a  personal 
delegation,  at  the  expense  of  the  Synod,  the  amount  required  to  be 
included  in  the   contingent   expenses   of   General   Synod.     1881,   687. 

In  view  of  the  large  amount  of  time  consumed  in  some  of  the- 
larger  bodies  with  which  we  are  in  correspondence,  by  receiving  dele- 
gates in  person,  sometimes  the  long  journeys  imposed  upon  our 
delegates,  and  after  carefully  considering  previous  deliverances  of 
General  Syno'd  upon  this  subject,  the  Committee  on  Correspondence 
report  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  correspondence  of  our  Church  with  all  the 
bodies  to  which  it  sends  fraternal  greetings,  hereafter  be  conducted 
by  letter  unless  the  distance  and  other  circumstances  make  it  en- 
tirely convenient  and  desirable  for  the  appointed  delegates  to  rep- 
resent  us   in   person.     1882,   65. 

Your  Committee  would  call  the  attention  of  the  Synod  to  the 
fact  that  delegates  were  appointed,  in  June,  1884,  to  no  less  than 
seven  corresponding  bodies.  It  is  to  be  presumed  that  these  dele- 
gates have  been  duly  notified  of  their  appointment,  and  of  the  place 
of  meeting  of  the  body  to  which  they  were  accredited.  Yet  from 
only  a  portion  of  these  delegates  has  any  report  of  their  action  been 
received.  It  seems  to  your  Committee  that  if  correspondence  is  to 
be  maintained  at  all  with  other  bodies,  it  should  be  conducted  with 
regularity  and  fidelity.     W'e  therefore  propose  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  who  shall  be  appointed  at  this  ses- 
sion of  the  General  Synod  to  corresponding  bodies,  be  earnestly 
desired  to  perform  the  office  assigned  them,  either  in  person  or  by 
letter  according  to  existing  rules,  and  make  suitable  and  season- 
able reports  thereof  to  the  Synod.     1885,  655.. 

The  delegates  requested  to  communicate  the  salutations  of 
Synod  to  the  various  bodies  by  letter,  unless  they  can  present  them 
in  person  without  expense   to   Synod.     1889,  841. 

Delegates  appointed  to  other  Churches  should  report  in  writing; 
1903,  303- 

Corresponding  Secretaries.  Resolved,  That  the  Secretaries  of  the 
several  Boards  ....  be  requested  to  attend,  alternately,  the 
sessions  of  the  Particular  Synods,  and  address  the  members  upon 
the  claims  of  the  Boards  and  upon  the  general  subject  of  Christian 
Beneficence.     1869,  633. 

Corruption  of  Max.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  15;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
7,  8;  Canons,  iii.  and  iv.  1-5. 

CoRTELYOu,  Peter.  Gives  $2,500  for  the  Permanent  Fund.  1875, 
208. 


192         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

CoRWiN,  Edward  T.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Synod  thankfully  accepts  a 
copy  of  his  Manual  of  Refd.  Ch.,  (2nd  ed.),  and  commends  it  to  the 
chs.,  1869,  633;  member  of  Committee  of  (Zo-operation  for  selection 
of  books,  '75,  326;  one  of  the  writers  and  editors  of  Centennial  Dis- 
courses, '76,  553;  ''/'/,  733-4;  Synod  thankfully  accepts  a  copy  of  third 
edition  of  Manual  R.  C.  A.,  and  commends  it  to  the  churches,  '79, 
421;  instructor  in  Hebrew  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  "84,  418,  520; 
one  of  the  editors  of  the  Centennial  volume  of  the  New  Brunswick 
Seminary,  '85,  738;  appointed  Rector  of  Hertzog  Hall,  1888,  534; 
takes  charge  of  Hebrew  Department,  '89,  769;  '90,  46,  55;  '91,  271,  275, 
282;  President  of  General  Synod,  1891;  takes  charge  of  the  Greek 
Department,,  1892,  508;  Synod  commends  his  proposed  Centennial 
Digest,  '93,  902;  resigns  Rectorship  of  Hertzog  Hall,  '96,  352;  to 
visit  Holland  to  search  the  Archives,  '97,  775;  appointed  Official  His- 
toriographer, 776;  partial  report  of  his  work,  '98,  250;  his  return  with 
many  documents,  '99,  573-4;  presents  4th  ed.  of  Manual,  and  Vols. 
I  and  2  of  Ecclesiastical  Records  to  Synod.  1903,  379;  presents 
"Groot  Plakaat  Boek,"  8  vols,  to  Western  Seminary,  1903,  318;  pre- 
sents Vols.  3  and  4  of  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York,  to  Gen. 
Synod,  1904,  603;  deposits  his  volumes  of  Dutch  MSS.  secured  in  Hol- 
land, in  the  Archives,  1905,  2'j2\  presents  Vols.  5  and  6  of  Ecc.  Rec- 
ords, to  Synod,   1906. 

See  Amsterdam   Correspondence;   Digest   of  Synod's   Legislation. 

Council.     Word  used  for  Consistory  in  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  30. 

Counsel  of  God.     Canons,  i.  8,  14;  v.  8. 

Counsel,  Professional.  Not,  as  such,  allowed  in  Ecclesiastical 
Courts.     Constituion  of  1874,  Art.    105. 

Course  of  Studies.  1888,  541.  See  Plan  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
naries. 

Courts,  Civil.     See  Civil  Courts. 

Courts,  Ecclesiastical.  Any  ecclesiastical  body  becomes  an  ec- 
clesiastical court,  when  it  begins  to  exercise  judicial  functions.  Con- 
stit.  of  1874,  Art.  105.  In  general,  the  following  articles  relate  to 
Ecclesiastical  Courts;  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  82-121.  See  also  Rules 
of  Order;  and  Judicatory  or  Judicature. 

Covenant.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  33-35;  the  single  word  "Covenant" 
only  in  Art.  34;  in  the  Heid.  Cat.,  it  is  implied  in  Quests,  i,  26,  65-79, 
82,  120;  in  Rules  of  Church  Government,  the  word  only  occurs  in 
those  of  1619,  Art.  56;  but  not  in  the  Constits.  of  1792,  1833,  1874. 
The  word  also  occurs  in  the  Form  for  Infant  Baptism,  seven  times; 
and  once  in  the  Form  for  Adult  Baptism;  and  twice  in  the  Form  for 
the  Administration  of  the  Supper.     See   (Covenant  of  Grace. 

Covenanter  Synod.  Letter  from  Rev.  Dr.  D.  B.  Wilson  of  the 
Covenanter  Synod,  acknowledging  receipt  of  fraternal  letter,  1892, 
573;  Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  B.  Steele,  of  the  Covenanters,  addressed  the  S3^nod, 
1902,  129. 

Covenant  of  Grace.  This  exact  expression  occurs  only  once 
in  the  Form  of  Infant  Baptism,  and  twice  in  the  Form  for  the  Lord's 
Supper;  but  the  references  under  the  single  word  "Covenant"  gen- 
erally mean  the  same  thing  as  this  more  elaborate  form.  In  Rules, 
1619,  Art.  56,  it  is  "Covenant  of  God,"  and  this  form  of  expression 
also  occurs  in  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  82.     Canons,  i.   17. 

Covenant  of  Works.  Implied  in  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  15;  in 
Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  6-9. 

Covenant  Relation.     See   Covenant;    Covenant  of  Grace. 


COVENANT  WITH  GOD  193 

COV'ENANTS     BETWEEN      GENERAL     SYNOD     AND     QUEENS     OR     RUTGERS     COLLEGE. 

1.  That  of  1807,  365,  391,  respecting  the  relations  of  the  College  to 
the  Theological  School;  repeated  in  Digest  of  1814,  75-77;  reprinted  in  the 
Minutes,  1820,  24-26,  29;  in  the  Digest  of  1848,  377-8;  reviewed,  as  to  its 
objects,  1850,  79-90,  quite  exhaustively;  finally  annulled,  1865,  628;  1867, 
268-9.     This  Covenant  related  chiefly  to  the  Professorate  of  Theology. 

2.  That  of  1815-16.  Plan  for  a  Theological  College,  Oct.  1815,  5-7; 
the  Plan  itself,  9-15;  1816,  29.  This  Plan  failed  because  the  Trustees  were 
unable  to  maintain  the  College. 

3.  That  of  1825,  34-37 ;  Sept.  1825,  19-25 ;  1827,  65 ;  repeated,  1840,  400. 

4.  That  of  1839.  See  1837,  66-70;  1838,  174;  1839,  281-2,  305-316;  the 
Plan,  315-316;  see  1840,  400. 

5.  That  of  1840,  395-406 ;  Plan,  405 ;  see  Review  of,  by  Committee  on 
State  of  the  Church,   1848,  418-420. 

See  also  Centennial  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  90,  112,  122,  363, 
365-6. 

Covenant  with  God.  See  Covenant  and  Covenant  of  Grace,  above; 
also  Form  of  Baptism;  Baptized  Non-communicants;  Canons,  i.   ij. 

Coveting  or  Covetousness.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  113,  on  Tenth  Com- 
mandment. 

Cowan,  Moses — of  Greenwich,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.  Bequeaths, 
after  decease  of  his  wife,  to  his  executors,  in  trust,  for  Bd.  of  Education 
of  R.  D.  C,  all  the  residue  of  his  -estate,  after  payment  of  certain  legacies. 
He  died  in  1833;  estate  now,  1844,  about  $1,500.  Widow  needs  the 
interest.  Bd.  of  Direction  waive  any  claim  while  the  widow  lives,  i8zp4, 
345-6,  350;  legal  papers,  1845,  470,  471;  $200  received  from  estate  of  the 
widow,  to  be  divided  between  the  Foreign  and  Domestic  Mission  Bds., 
1853,  299 ;  the  Bd.  of  Direction  ask  for  power  to  sell  the  Moses  Cowan 
property  in  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  granted,  1857,  136,  212;  proceeds,  $1,200, 
invested  for  Bd.  of  Education,  i860,  487 ;  modifications,  489 ;  the  Moses 
Cowan  Scholarship  of  $2,500  founded.     1861,  13,  17. 

CowAN,  Moses.     Scholarship  of  $2,500.     See  above. 

Creation.     Belg.  Conf..  Art.   12. 

Creation  of  Man.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  14;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  6;  Canons, 
iii.  and  iv.  i. 

Creation  of  the  World.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  12  ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  22^,  26. 

Creator,  The.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  12-14;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  6,  22,,  26. 

Credentials.  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  38;  Ministers  in  removing, 
must  have  certificates;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.   17. 

Creed,  Consensus.     See  Consensus  Creed. 

Creeds.  Reference  to  the  three  ancient  Creeds — the  Apostles'  Creed, 
the  Athanasian  Creed  and  the  Nicene  Creed — at  the  close  of  Art.  9  of  the 
Belgic  Confession.  The  Apostles'  Creed  is  explained  in  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism,  Quests.  23-64.  See  these  Creeds  under  their  respective  heads; 
also  Preface  to  Constitution  of  1792;  also  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  7,  32. — The 
Protestant  Churches  require  generally  subscriptions  to  certain  creeds,  while 
always  insisting  that  the  Bible  alone  is  the  only  infallible  Rule  of  Faith 
and  Practice. 

Crime.  How  to  be  dealt  with,  in  Church  Courts.  Constit.  of  1874, 
Arts.  82-108. 

Crispell,  Cornelius  E.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Professor  of  Didactic 
and  Polemic  Theology  in  Hope  College,  1867,  273  ;  communication  from, 
as  to  whether  he  is  Prof,  in  Hope  College,  or  at  Hope  College ;  decided  in 
favor  of  at,  Nov.,  1867,  343-4;  his  certificate  of  appointment  corrected 
accordingly,  346 ;  relations  of  the  Theological  School  to  Hope  College,  '68, 
376,  482;  "69,  646-8;  funds  secured  by,  '74,  136,  154;  '75,  207,  334;  resigns 
his  Professorship,  1879,  239,  363. 


194         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Critical  Edition  of  the  Constitution.     See  Constitution. 
Critical  Edition  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism.     1878,  14s,  etc.     See 
Heid.  Cat. 

Crosby,  Wm.  B.  President  of  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Coporation, 
1858-64. 

Crucifixion,  The.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23,  37-39. 

Crusaders,  The.  A  Young  People's  Missionary  Society  in  the 
Sunday  Schools,  in  behalf  of  Foreign  Missions ;  started  1903. 

Crystal  Palace — New  York  City.  Upon  invitation.  Synod  visited 
Crystal  Palace  in  a  body ;  Oct.,  1855,  25. 

Cuba.  Suggested  that  the  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions  consider  the 
advisability  of  establishing  a  mission  in,  1896,  391. 

Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Enters  into  plan  of  Federal 
Union,  1894,  138-9. 

Curriculum  of  Studies.  A  Board  of  Superintendents  was  appointed 
in  1807,  one  of  whose  duties  was  to  assist  the  Professor  in  arranging  a 
Course  of  Instruction.  A  Plan  of  the  School  was  drawn  up  in  1812,  in 
which  a  Course  of  Instruction  was  fixed,  '12,  432-3;  '13,  36.  See  New 
Brunswick  Seminary.  The  Curriculum  was.  expended,  as  additional  Pro- 
fessors were  appointed,  '15,  18,  19;  1816,  31.  The  Curriculum  was  further 
enlarged,  Sept.  25,  17,  18,  20,  and  a  new  Plan  of  the  School  was  drawn 
up,  '28,  127-8.  Plan  in  Appendix,  1828,  139-143.  The  Curriculum  was 
modified  in  reference  to  the  Department  of  Didactic  Theolog}^  '41,  18-20, 
Defect  in  respect  to  Elocution,  emphasized,  1867,  157.     See  Elocution. 

In  1883  the  Board  of  Superintendents  suggested  the  propriety  of 
making  a  new  classification  of  studies  according  to  the  nomenclature  now 
in  use ;  that  the  duties  of  the  Professors  be  anew  defined ;  that  a  Com- 
mittee be  appointed  to  prepare  a  new  Curriculum,  after  consultation  with 
the  Professors ;  and  that  this  Committee  also  report  on  the  feasibility  of 
a  fourth  year  of  study;  '83,  218,  324.  The  New  Curriculum,  1884,  522, 
536-540. 

No  Plan  seemed  feasible  at  present  for  a  fourth  year  of  study;  the 
matter  was  referred  to  the  Theological  Faculty  with  power;  '85,  730-1,  735. 

Curriculum  of  the  Western  Seminary,  1885,  748. 

The  Committee  to  revise  the  Rules  with  reference  to  a  Fourth  Year 
of  study  were  not  prepared  to  report,  '86,  16,  57-59.  The  new  Curriculum 
of  1884,  was  being  carried  out  as  rapidly  as  time  permitted,  '86,  59. 

Prof.  D.  D.  Demarest  presented  a  new  plan  of  the  Theological  School. 
This  was  ordered  to  be  printed  and  widely  distributed,  '87,  264 ;  in  '88,  535, 
ft  was  slightly  amended  and  adopted,  and  is  found,  1888,  537-545,  with  the 
Curriculum  attached. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  curriculum  adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of 
1884  (page  536)  be  the  curriculum  for  all  the  Seminaries  of  our  Church 
so  far  as  practicable. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Faculty  of  each  Institution  be  requested  to 
devise  some  method  to  give  larger  instruction  to  the  students  in  the 
English  Bible.     1894,  79-8i. 

[The  reference  above  to  the  Curriculum  of  1884,  536,  should,  perhaps, 
have  been  to  the  last  printed  Form,  1888,  542,  altho'  no  changes  of 
importance  had  been  made.]     See  Plan  of  the  Theological  Schools. 

The  Faculties  of  the  Seminaries  were  requested  to  arrange  for  a 
course  of  instruction  on  Foreign  Missions,  in  the  Curriculum ;  1895,  78,  79- 

In  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  "State  of  the  Church,"  1900, 
occurs  the  following: — That  the  matter  of  an  enlarged  Curriculum  be 
referred  to  the  Faculties  of  the  Seminaries  for  consideration,  and  that 
they  be  requested  to  report  thereon  at  the  next  Synod;  1900,  831,  835. 
Progress  reported,  1901,   1040. 

To  sum  up.  the  Faculties  recommended  the  following  action : 


CURSE,  THE  195 

Resolved,  i,  That  the  Faculties  in  our  Seminaries  be  authorized  to 
arrange  for  post-graduate  courses  of  study,  subject  to  the  final  approval 
of  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  2,  That  the  Board  of  Education  be  authorized  to  make  some 
provision  for  the  support  of  such  post-graduate  students,  such  support  to 
be  limited  to  one  year  and  not  to  exceed  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollar 
for  each  student.  Respectfully  submitted, 

J.    W.    BEARDSLEE, 
J.    P.    SEARLE. 

1902,  64,  65. 

See  Post-Graduate  Courses;  also  ''Centennial  of  New  Brunswick 
Sem.inary,"  pp.  462-475. 

For  Curriculum  of  Arcot  Seminary,  see  1895,  66,  67. 

Curse,  The.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  14 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  10,  39 ;  Canons, 
i.  I ;  ii.  2,  4. 

Customs  and  Us.\ges.  The  items  classed  under  this  head  have 
differed,  more  or  less,  in  different  periods.  Compare  the  several  Constitu- 
tions :  that  of  1619,  Arts.  53-70,  85 ;  of  1792,  Arts.  56-68,  abrogating  or 
modifying  some  of  the  preceding  Articles ;  of  1833,  Arts.  86-90 ;  and  of 
1874,  Arts.  76-81.  The  last  two  revisions  have  greatly  abridged  this  part 
of  the  Constitution,  limiting  it  to  matters  relating  to  the  administration  of 
Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  the  use  of  such  Psalms  and  Hymns 
as  have  been  approved  by  General  Synod;  but  they  have  also  added  an 
Order  of  Worship,  (Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  79),  which  was  legally  obligatory 
until  1901,  when  it  was  made  a  matter  of  recommendation.  In  1889  a 
section  was  also  added  about  the  use  of  only  approved  catechisms  in 
Sunday  Schools;  Art.  81. 

A  Lemma  was  placed  among  the  Lemmata  adopted  in  1812,  407-8, 
called  "Customs  and  Usages,"  under  which  head  have  been  printed  gener- 
ally matters  relating  to  preaching,  singing,  liturg}-,  catechetical  instruction, 
etc.  In  1814,  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  inquired  to  what  par- 
ticular objects  the  inquiries  respecting  "Customs  and  Usages"  are  to 
be  directed  by  the  dift'erent  Classes.  The  Synod  accordingly  distinguished 
between  essential  and  non-essential  customs  as  follows  : 

That  those  customs  and  usages  which  were  deemed  necessary  to  be 
continued  in  the  Church,  are  expressed  in  the  Explanatory  Articles  of  the 
Constitution ;  such  as  singing  the  psalms  and  hymns  approved  of,  and 
recommended  by  General  Synod;  preacjiing  from  the  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism ;  observing  the  forms  in  the  administration  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  etc.,  as  contained  in  our  Liturg>^  etc.  That  other  customs  and 
usages  prevail  in  the  Church  which  are  deemed  non-essential,  and  in  many 
instances  are  either  wholly  dispensed  with  or  partially  retained  in  our 
congregations,  according  to  the  taste  or  circumstances  of  pastors  or 
people ;  such  as  the  arrangements  observed  in  the  performance  of  public 
worship ;  the  number  of  times  singing  psalms  and  hymns  ;  reading  sermons, 
and  preaching  them  from  memory  or  extemporaneously ;  sprinkling  in 
baptism,  one  or  three  times;  sitting  or  standing  in  receiving  the  Lord's 
Supper ;  preaching  on  Ascension  Day,  Good  Friday  and  other  days  which 
have  long  been  observed  both  in  Holland  and  America,  etc.  Your  com- 
mittee observe  that  those  customs  and  usages  which  are  deemed  essential 
and  constitutional,  are  preserved  pure  and  entire  by  the  different  Classes; 
and  we  observe  likewise,  that  those  which  are  considered  non-essential  are 
dispensed  with  or  retained  and  altered,  according  to  the  taste  or  circum- 
stances of  different  ministers  and  congregations.     1814,  28,  31,  ^2. 

Attention  to  such  matters  was  formerly  secured  by  classical  Visita- 
tions, (which  see)  until  1833.  when  the  Constitutional  Questions  were 
formulated,  1833,  '2 ;  1874,  64.  See  an  Article  by  Rev.  D.  D.  Demare.st, 
D.D.,    read    before    Hudson    River    Pastoral    Assoc,    and    printed    in    Ch. 


196         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Intelligencer,  March  30,  1865;  also  article  in  Oct.  and  Nov.,  1862,  for  and 
against  the  recitation  of  the  Creed  by  the  congregations.  It  was  uncom- 
mon to  recite  the  Creed  in  concert,  for  a  generation  or  two  before  i860, 
about  which  time  the  custom  was  revived. 

Customs  and  Usages.     Art.  20  of  Minutes  of  General  Synod. 

CuYLER,  Cornelius  C.  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1827. 

CuYLER,  Theodore,  (Esq.)  Founds  a  Scholarship  of  $2,000,  in 
memory  of  his  father.  Rev.  Dr.  C.  C.  Cuyler,  above.     1853,  300. 

Czar's  Proposal  for  Disarmament.     1899,  471. 

Dakota,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1888,  consisting  then  of  the  following 
churches  :  American  Reformed,  Orange  City  ;  Centreville  ;  Charles  Mix  ; 
Grand  View  ;  Harrison ;  Hope  ;  Immanuel ;  Lennox  ;  Salem ;  Sandham  ; 
Sioux  Falls;  Vandenberg;  Van  Raalte ;  Willow  Lake.     1889,  873. 

Dancing.     See  Amusements. 

Danser,  Mary  M.  (Miss)  Scholarship  of  $3,000.  Held  by  Bd.  of 
Education,    1878. 

Davenport,  Jerome  A.  and  wife  convey  certain  property  at  Eden,  Wis., 
to  Gen.  Synod,  1864,  399.     See  Eden. 

Days  of  Prayer.     See  Prayer. 

Dayspring,  The.  A  Missionary  Paper,  recommended  to  the  churches ; 
1852,  279;  '55,  607. 

Daystar,  The.  A  Missionary  Paper,  often  commended,  started 
1896;  '97,  662;  '98,  122,  129;  '99,  441,  443;  1901,  1098,  1102;  1905,  116. 

Dayton,  Chs.  P.  Deeds  for  land  for  Hertzog  Hall,  Oct.,  1855,  10,  18; 
1859,  440,  449;  i860,  486. 

Deaconesses.  Proposition  to  restore  the  order  of.  Action  of  Synod 
declining  suggestion;   1850,  21. 

Deacons.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  30,  31 ;  Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  28-34, 
57 ;  Form  of  Installation  of,  in  Liturgy.  At  first  separate  f rem  the  "Con- 
sistory," 1619,  Arts,  4,  5,  10,  22,  25,  38,  75,  79;  origin  of  this  distinction, 
and  their  present  position  in  the  Consistory ;  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  27 ; 
(compare  1619,  Art.  38;)  the  old  distinction  partially  remains  in  the  Con- 
stitutions of  1792,  Art.  72;  of  1833,  Art.  31,  loi ;  and  of  1874,  Arts.  29.  93, 
94.  Deacons  now  an  integral  part  of  the  Consistory ;  Constit.  of  1874, 
Art.  42;  (of  1833,  Art.  49;  of  1792,  Art.  27);  recommended  to  correspond 
with  poor-masters ;  must  inculcate  civil  obedience ;  and  meet  weekly  for 
business ;  and  open  and  close  their  meetings  with  prayer,  according  to 
Constit.  of  1619,  Arts.  26,  28,  40;  surplus  moneys  may  be  used  for  general 
expenses ;  Constit.  1874,  Art.  29. 

Dean.  Bd.  of  Superintendents  suggested  that  the  oldest  Professor  in 
service  be  styled  the  "Dean"  of  the  Seminary,  and  that  the  discipline  of 
the  Institution  be  entrusted  to  him;  1883,  218;  adopted,  324;  title  changed 
to  "President  of  the  Faculty" ;  1888,  536,  539. 

Death.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  14. 

Death  Eternal.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  12,  37.     Canons  i.  i. 

Death  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  20,  21  ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  37-44; 
Canons,  ii.   1-9. 

Death  of  Christians.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  42. 

Deaths.  Constitution  of  1874,  48,  requires  Consistories  to  make 
statistical  reports,  according  to  the  formula  prescribed.  This  includes  the 
number  of  deaths  of  communicants  in  each  congregation.  (1833,  Art.  55.) 
See  Statistical  Tables. — Deaths  of  ministers  were  to  be  reported  by  name ; 
Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  61;  (of  1833,  Art.  69;  of  1792.  Art.  42)  ;  and  the-e 
reports  were  to  be  sent  from  the  Classes,  thro'  the  Particular  Synods,  to 


DEATH,  SPIRITUAL  197 

Gen.  Synod.  For  a  long  time,  reports  defective  in  this  respect.  Before 
1840,  there  were  only  two  or  three  ministerial  deaths  per  year,  and  there 
were  only  three  or  four  such  reports,  before  that  date;  1804,  337;  1819,  18; 
1834,  2'J2> ;  1840,  379.  After  1840  the  mere  names  of  ministers  who  had 
died  are  reported  in  report  on  the  State  of  Religion ;  in  1884,  a  Standing 
Committee  on  Necrology  was  appointed.     See  Necrology. 

Death,  Spiritual.    Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  17;  Canons,  iii.  and  iv.  6. 

DeBaun,  John  A.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1880.  On 
many  important  Committees. 

Decalogue.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  3-5;  92-115;  Canons,  iii.  5,  6. 

Deceased  Wife's  Sister;  marriage  with.  All  legislation  about, 
repealed,  1834,  321.     See  Incest. 

Deceit.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  112. 

Decisions,  Judicial.     See  Judicial  Decisions. 

Declaration  of  Independence.  Suggestion  to  celebrate  the  Centennal 
of,  by  appropriate  histories  and  discourses;  1873,  75 1 1  see  Centennial 
Discourses ;  National  Affairs ;  American  Revolution.    . 

Declarative  Power  of  General  Synod.  Amendments  to  the  Consti- 
tution only  effectual  after  the  final  declarative  resolution  of  General 
Synod;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  123;  (of  1833,  Art.  118,  notice  different 
phraseology;  of  1792,  final  paragraph;  compare  1619,  Art.  86).  An 
attempt  to  amend  the  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  TZi  by  inserting  after  the 
words — "relating  to  Christian  Discipline,"  the  sentence : — "The  action  of 
Synod  on  all  matters  which  shall  have  been  submitted  by  it  to  the  Classes, 
that  the  mind  of  the  church  may  be  fully  ascertained,  shall  be  declarative 
only,"  1894,  127,  was  lost;  1895,  132. 

Decrees,  The  Divine.     Canons,  i,  6-18. 

Dedication — of  a  church-building.  An  optional  Form  for,  approved 
by  Synod,  and  to  be  printed,  1878,  105 ;  finally  adopted,  1896,  414.  See 
Qptional  Forms. 

Deficiencies  of  Income.  See  Apportionments  ;  Assessments  ;  Contin- 
gent Expenses. 

Deficit.     See  Permanent  Deficit  Account. 

DeGraff,  Jesse  D.  Bequeaths  $500  (less  $30  revenue  tax),  to  Bd.  of 
Dom.  Missions ;  1870,  14. 

Degrees;  B.D.     See  Bachelor  of  Divinity. 

De  Hart,  William  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  as  Stated  Clerk  of  Gen. 
Synod;   1895,  225. 

De  Hope.  A  religious  paper  in  the  Hollandish  language,  established, 
1866,  by  the  Council  of  Hope  College.  The  editors  have  been  Revs.  P.  J. 
Oggel  and  E.  C.  Oggel ;  1869-71 ;  an  Editorial  Committee,  with  Prof.  C. 
Doesburg  as  ^Managing  Editor;  Profs.  G.  J.  Kollen  and  C.  Doesburg; 
Revs.  C.  Vanderveen,  1871-3,  and  J.  Karsten,  1884-6;  an  Editorial  Com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Rev.  H.  E.  Dosker,  Prof.  C.  Doesburg  and  Rev.  D. 
Broek,  1895 ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Karsten  has  been  editor  of  International  S.  S. 
Lessons  since  1885. 

Delegates.  Must  have  credentials ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  38 ;  Pro- 
fessors may  not  be  delegates  to  ecclesiastical  bodies,  unless  also  pastors; 
Constit.  1792,  Art.  20;  Professors  may  not  be  delegates  at  all;  Constit.  of 
1833,  Art.  28;  of  1874.  Art.  25;  all  delegates  must  punctually  attend, 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  15. 

Who  are  delegates  to  Classes ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  58 ;  how  chosen ; 
1874,  Art.  43 ;  expenses  of  extra  sessions,  how  met ;  1874,  Art.  62. 

Delegates,  how  appointed  to  Particular  Synod ;  Consit.  1874,  Arts. 
64,  65;  how  appointed  to  General  Synod,  1874,  Art.  70;  removal  of  dele- 
gate from  Classis  nominating,  vacates  his  seat;  1874,  Art.  71. 


198         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Expenses  of  Delegates :  Consistories  recommended  to  pay,  1797,  272 ; 
Particular  Synods  to  enjoin  the  several  Classes  to  defray;  1809,  392; 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  two  dollars  be  annually  paid  by  the  several 
Consistories,  and  be  transmitted,  through  the  Particular  Synods,  to  the 
General  Synod,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  delegates ;  that  Churches,  which 
can  do  it  with  a  tolerable  prospect  of  success,  be  requested  to  take  up 
collections  to  be  applied  to  the  same  object;  and  that  the  Consistories  of 
New  York  and  Albany  be  earnestly  requested  to  provide  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  both  Ministers  and  Elders,  at  the  sessions  of  Synod,  in  private 
families.     1814,  28,  ZZ,  34- 

Above  resolution  rescinded,  and  each  Classis  to  pay  expenses  of.  its 
own  delegates,  1816,  38. 

In  1818,  47,  there  is  an  account  of  a  "Delegates'  Fund,"  showing  a 
balance  of  $130.26,  and  this  is  thrown  into  a  Contingent  Fund  then  estab- 
lished, 1818,  53.  See  Contingent  Fund. — After  this  the  Classes  generally 
paid  the   expenses  of  their   delegates. 

In  1854  the  Classis  of  ^^lichigan  requested  that  some  provision  be 
made  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  western  delegates  to  General  Synod. 
The  Synod  granted  the  request.     See  Western  Delegates. 

5.  Expenses  of  Corresponding  Delegates:  These  have  generally  been 
paid  by  the  General  Synod.  In  1813,  20,  the  Synod  paid  $100  to  Revs. 
Cannon  and  Labagh,  as  delegates  to  the  German  Synod  held  at  Freder- 
ickstown,  Md. ;  See  1864,  475.  But  recently,  with  the  multiplication  of 
delegates  to  many  more  Bodies  than  formerly,  the  Synod  has  exhorted 
the  strictest  limitation  in  the  appointment  of  delegates  involving  expendi- 
tures of  money ;  1898,  64 ;  '99,  365 ;  1900,  682.  See  Correspondence ;  Con- 
tingent Expenses ;  Nominations. 

6.  Expenses  of  Members  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents:  These 
were  generally  paid,  if  requested,  by  Synod,  until  1858,  342,  when  the 
Synod  requested  the  Classes  to  defray  such  expenses. 

7.  Duties  of  Delegates:  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  call  the  attention 
of  the  several  Classes  to  the  importance  and  solemnity  of  the  duties  to  be 
performed  at  the  meetings  of  the  Synod,  and  request  them  to  nominate 
such  men  as  delegates  as  shall  be  able,  unless  providentially  hindered,  to 
be  present  as  long  as  the  meeting  of  Synod  may  last ;  1879,  401. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  all  the  inferior  Judicatories  of  this 
Church,  in  their  appointment  or  recommendation  of  Delegates,  to  appoint 
or  recommend  Delegates  secundi,  as  well  as  Delegates  primarii,  w-hen  their 
numbers  render  it  practicable.     1815,  31. 

Deletra,  D.,  (Rev.)  conveys  congratulation  from  Pastors'  Associa- 
tion of  Geneva,  Switzerland ;  1902,  126. 

Deliverance  of  Man.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  17-26,  2)7',  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  I,  2,  12-85 ;  Canons,  i.  4 ;  v.  i,  2. 

Demarest,  Alfred  H.  (Rev.)     Elected  Permanent  Clerk,  p.t.,  1895,  10. 

Demarest,  David  D.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Writes  History  and  Characteristics 
of  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  1856;  President  of  General  Synod,  1858; 
appointed  Stated  Clerk  of  (General  Synod,  1862,  269;  elected  Professor 
of  Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary, 
'65,  630-1;  resigns  Stated  Clerkship  of  Synod,  71,  341  ;  writes  "Liturgical 
Features  of  Refd.  Church"  in  "Centennial  Discourses,"  and  one  of  the 
editors  of  the  volume;  '76,  553;  '77,  733-4;  presents  copy  of  his  "Practical 
Catechetics"  to  Synod,  1882;  writer  of  Centennial  Hist,  of  New  Brunswick 
Seminarv,  and  one  of  the  Editors  of  the  volume;  '85,  738;  presents  his 
"Dort  aiid  Westminster,"  to  Synod,  1890;  and  his  "Practical  Liturgies.'' 
1895;  and  his  "Notes  on  the  Constitution  of  R.  C.  A.,  1896,  334-5;  resigns 
as  Secretary  of  Theological  Faculty,  '96,  334;  presents  his  "Outlines  of 
Pastoral  Theology,"  '97,  612;  his  death,  June  21,  1898;  sketch  of,  1899.  552. 

Demarest,  James,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Prepares  Centennial  Discourse,  "Duty 
of  Refd.  Ch.  in  the  Future,  as  Foreshown  by  its  Course  in  the  Past,"  1876; 


DEMAREST,  JOHN  T.  199 

Agent  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary  Finance  Committee;  1899,  400;  1901, 
1130;   1902,  63. 

Demarest,  John  T.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Bequeaths  his  Library  to  Western 
Seminary;  1899,  376. 

Demarest,  William  H.  S.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Professor  of  Ecc. 
Hist,  and  Church  Government,  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1901,  1046 ; 
resigns,  1906;  elected  President  of  Rutgers  College,  1906. 

Demission  of  the  Ministry;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  15.  See  Ch. 
Intelligencer,  Oct.  10,  1878,  for  an  article  (Rev.  Issac  M.  See  case)  defend- 
ing the  dropping  of  a  minister's  name  from  the  roll  upon  his  conscientious 
change  of  views.     See  1902,  116. 

Denby,  Charles,  (Hon.)  As  United  States  Minister  at  Peking,  gives 
emphatic  testimony  to  the  value  of  Mission  Work  in  China,  and  the 
character  of  the  missionaries  there;  1896,  391. 

Denominational  Literature.  Committee  appointed  to  recommend 
methods  for  a  larger  circulation  of ;  such  as  the  Missionary  Magazines, 
etc.,  of  the  Church. 

Denominations.  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  19-21.  In  things  indifferent. 
Foreign  Churches  shall  not  be  rejected,  whose  customs  and  usages  vary 
from  ours ;  Constit.  1619,  Art.  85  ;  General  Synod  to  hold  correspondence 
with  other  Denominations ;  Constit.  1874,  y^.  See  Correspondence ;  Church 
Union ;  Federation. 

Denton,  Nehemiah — of  Brooklyn.  Bequeaths  $1,000  to  Foreign  and 
Domestic  Missions;   1846,  12,  80. 

De  Peyster,  Sarah,  (Miss)  of  Albany;  makes  the  first  bequest  to 
Missions.    Amount  not  given ;  1804,  341. 

Deposition.  Classis  only  has  the  right  to  depose  ministers;  Constit. 
of  1874,  Arts.  59,  63.  See  Article  24  of  Articles  of  Union,  respecting 
depositions,  during  the  transitional  stage  of  the  Church,  1771-1792.  A 
deposed  minister  could  then  yet  appeal  to  Holland ;  but  no  case  occurred. 
1771,  12. 

The  Classis  of  Paramus  was  directed  by  Gen.  Synod  to  depose  the 
seceding  Consistories  of  Dr.  Froeligh;  1823,  67.  See  Froeligh,  Solomon. 
Name  of  a  deposed  minister  should  be  at  once  dropped  from  the  roll ; 
1885,  621,  714,  715. 

Depravity.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  15 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  7,  9,  10 ; 
Canons,  iii.  and  iv.  1-17.  [The  Confession  and  the  Canons,  use  the  word 
"Corruption,"  while  the  Catechism  uses  "Depravity."] 

Deputati  Synodi.  Their  original  duties,  as  officers  of  Particular 
Synods,  are  described  in  Constitution  of  1619,  Arts.  49).  As  no  General 
Synod  was  held  in  Holland  for  nearly  two  centuries,  (1619-1816,)  owing 
to  political  difficulties  growing  out  of  the  Sj-nod  of  Dort,  the  several 
Particular  (or  Provincial)  Synods,  appointed  these  Deputies  alto  to  visit 
the  other  Synods,  and  thus  kept  up  a  bond  of  union.  (See  an  allusion  to 
this,  by  Dr.  Livingston,  in  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  53.) 

In  1773,  Deputati  Synodi  were,  for  the  tirst,  appointed  in  America, 
namely.  Revs.  Leydt  and  Livingston.  Their  duties  were  prescribed  to  be 
"yearly  to  transmit  the  Acts  of  our  Rev.  Body;  to  receive  the  letters 
of  the  Rev.  Classis;  to  furnish  the  General  Ecclesiastical  Body  with  the 
same ;  and  besides,  to  act  in  that  character,  pro  re  nata.  Said  Rev. 
Deputati  shall  also  be  examiners  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Rev.  General 
Body,  and  deliver  the  customary  discourses  at  the  opening  and  close  of 
the  same."     1773,  43-44- 

In  the  Constitution  of  1792  the  duties  of  the  Deputati  are  further 
described.  See  1792,  Art.  41.  The  institution  was  thus  formally  adopted 
in  America. 

In  1793,  the  Deputati,  Revs.  Bassett  and  Kuypers,  were,  according  to 


200         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

custom,  waited  upon,  and  escorted  into  the  Assembly  b}^  the  clerks ; 
1793.  245. 

It  being  properly  the  business  of  Particular  Synod  to  appoint  their 
Dcputati,  and  some  difficulties  frequently  occurring  in  obtaining  a  Depu- 
tatus  to  attend  the  examination  of  students  or  candidates,  which  difficulties 
niight  be  removed  by  adding  a  Sccuudus  to  each,  who,  in  case  of  the  ina- 
bility of  the  Priniarius,  shall  be  held  to  perform  his  duty;  provided,  how- 
ever, that  no  Secundus  be  admitted  unless  the  Primarius  is  abesnt : 
Resolved,  That  this  mode  be  recommended  to  be  observed  in  future  by 
the  Particular  Synod.     1794,  260.     Quoted  in  Digest,  1814,  60. 

The  General  Synod  Resolved,  That,  whenever  a  deputy  of  Synod  from 
any  Classis  is  summoned  to  appear,  and  attend  an  examination  in  a  differ- 
ent Classis,  the  person  or  persons  soliciting  his  attendance  be  accountable 
for  his  traveling  expenses,  and  that  thereupon  he  shall  be  held  to  attend. 
1797.  269.     Quoted,  1815,  73. 

Particular  Synod,  May,  I/99. 

The  Deputati  Synodi  appeared  and  took  their  seats,  viz. ;  the  Rev.  Petrus 
Van  Vlierden,  Henricus  Schoonmaker,  Wm.  Linn,  John  Bassett,  Gerardus 
A.  Kuypers,  and  Samuel  Smith. 

A  question  was  proposed,  whether  the  Deputati  Synodi  are  entitled 
to  a  seat  and  voice  as  members  of  the  Synod,  which  was  answered  in  the 
negative ;  but  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  two  of  the  Deputati,  that 
the  office  of  the  Deputati  might  be  particularly  defined.  Synod  Resolved, 
That  a  Committee,  consisting  of  two  ministers  and  one  elder,  be  appointed 
to  inquire  into  the  several  duties  of  the  Deputati  Synodi,  and  report 
to-morrow  morning.  The  committee  appointed  were.  Dr.  Wm.  Linn,  the 
Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  and  Dr.  Peter  Wilson. 

This  committee  reported,  that  the  Deputati  Synodi  are  officers  of 
Synod,  appointed  for  the  maintenance  of  uniformity,  order,  and  purity  of 
(doctrine;  that  they  are  to  execute  whatever  Synod  directs  them,  both  in 
regard  to  the  general  concerns  of  the  Church  and  the  several  Classes  in 
Particular ;  that  at  least  two  of  them  are  to  attend  all  examinations ;  they 
are  to  keep  a  record  of  all  their  proceedings  and  report  the  same  to 
Synod,  and  produce  reasons  for  their  conduct  when  thereunto  required 
by  Synod.  It  is  also  their  business  to  call  extra  meetings  of  Synod,  and 
attend  the  Synodical  and  Classical  meetings,  and  give  their  advice  in  par- 
ticular cases  wdien  requested. 

A  question  having  been  stated  by  some  of  the  members,  whether,  in 
examinations  before  the  Classis,  if  the  attendance  of  a  Depiitatiis  from  a 
neighboring  Classis  cannot  be  oljtained,  a  Secundus  may  supply  his  place? 
It  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative,  according  to  Article  XII.  of  General 
Synod,  in  the  year  1794.     1799,  479. 

Several  difficulties  were  stated  to  arise  from  a  want  of  due  explana- 
tion, respecting  the  duties  of  the  Deputati  Synodi,  in  superintending  the 
examination  of  students  and  candidates. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  this  business  be  referred  to  the 
committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Church  Order.     1800,  288. 

Respecting  the  Deputati  Synodi,  the  committee  recommend  that  this 
subject  be  taken  ad  referendum,  as  the  organization  of  new  Classes  will 
soon  render  the  duty  of  the  Deputati  more  easy  and  definite.     1800,  ,^ii. 

On  the  question  from  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Albany,  respectnig 
the  powers  with  which  the  Deputati  Synodi  are  invested  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  immediate  object  for  which  Deputati  are  appointed 
is  to  superintend  the  examination  of  students  in  theology  and  candidates 
for  the  ministry,  to  add  a  solemnity  to  the  important  work,  and  to  see  that 
no  undue  lenity,  superficial  proceedings,  or  unnecessary  rigor  be  practiced. 

That  the  Deputati,  in  their  character  as  commissioners  of  the  Synod, 
may,  and  ought,  to  advise,  exhort,  and  endeavor  to  persuade  the  Classis 
in  what  respects  the  strict  fultillment  of  the  important  duty  of  examina- 


DEPUTATIONS  TO  FOR.  MISS.  FIELDS  201 

tions:  but  they  are  not  invested  with  any  authority  to  arrest  the  proceed- 
ings of  any  Classis  who  may  proceed  contrary  to  their  advice,  neither  may 
they  vote  upon  any  question  respecting  any  candidate  that  may  be  exam- 
ined ;  but  they  are  to  keep  regular  minutes  of  their  proceedings  at  the 
different  examinations  where  they  are  present,  and  impartially  rport  to 
the  Synod  whatever  they  may  judge  to  have  been  improper  or  wrong. 
1806.  '346,  358.     Quoted  in  Digest,  1814,  JZ- 

This  office  was  still  kept  in  the  Constitution  of  1833,  Arts.  68,  79, 
altho*  attended  with  not  a  little  trouble  and  expense. 

Complaints  having  been  made  of  delays  in  the  examinations,  by  non- 
attendance  of  a  Deputatus,  the  matter  is  discussed,  with  following  result: 
Resolved,  That  this  Synod  deem  it  inexpedient  to  legislate  upon  the  subject 
of  amending  or  altering  the  Constitution  relative  to  the  appointment  and 
duties  of  the  Deputati  Synodi. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  the  church  at  whose  call  the  Classis 
shall  convene  to  attend  an  examination,  to  pay  the  necessary  expenses  of 
the  deputatus,  that  this  consideration  may  not  operate  to  embarrass  him 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duty.     1836,  495-6. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  be  directed  to  yield  a  strict  com- 
pliance to  the  rule  of  the  Constitution,  in  relation  to  the  presence  of  a 
deputatus  at  examinations.     1837,  58. 

Resolved,  That  whenever  a  deputatus,  regularly  notified,  finds  himself 
unable  to  attend,  that  he  be  bound  to  give  notice  of  the  same,  as  soon  as 
practicable,  to  the  President  of  Classis.  1837,  59.  See  1866,  81,  85; 
1867.  237. 

The  office  was  still  retained  in  the  last  revision  of  the  Constitution,  as 
reported  by  the  Committee  and  printed  in  the  Minutes,  1872,  591,  593;  but 
the  sections  relating  to  the  Deputati,  were  submitted  separately  to  the 
Classes  for  their  action,  1872,  489;  1873,  722,  and  were  finally  eliminated 
from  the  Constitution,   1874,  108-9. 

Deputations  to  Foreign  Mission  Fields.  The  American  Board  sent 
its  secretary.  Rev.  Dr.  Rufus  Anderson,  to  visit  its  Mission  Fields  in  1828, 
1843,  1854,  1863.  In  1864,  491,  General  Synod  requested  Rev.  Dr.  John 
Forsyth,  who  was  about  to  visit  Egypt,  to  extend  his  tour  to  the  Arcot 
and  Amoy  Missions,  but  this  he  did  not  do.  In  1892,  547,  in  connection 
with  the  Jubilee  of  the  Amoy  Mission,  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  X.  Cobb,  the 
Secretary,  visited  all  the  Mission  Feilds  of  R.  C.  A.,  the  funds  being 
provided"  by  certain  ladies,  friends  of  missions.  Again,  in  1904-5,  in 
connection  with  the  Jubilee  of  Arcot  Mission,  a  Deputation  was  sent  to 
visit  the  Foreign  Mission  Fields.  The  report  of  the  Board,  1905,  page  iv, 
thus  alludes  to  it :  The  Arcot  Mission  completed  fifty  years  of  organized 
and  successful  labor  in  1903.  The  formal  celebration  of  this  "Jubilee" 
was  deferred  till  January,  1905.  Deeming  the  occasion  worthy  of  such 
recognition,  a  Deputation  was  appointed  to  represent  the  Board  and  the 
Church  at  this  celebration.  It  was  requested  also  to  visit  the  other 
Missions  of  the  Church  in  Asia  in  due  course.  The  Deputation  consisted 
of  the  President  and  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Board  and  Mrs. 
E.  E.  Olcott,  one  of  the  secretaries  of  and  representing  the  Woman's 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  They  were  accompanied  by  the  wife  of  the 
President,  Mrs.  Hutton,  and  Mr.  Alfred  V.  S.  Olcott.  They  sailed  from 
Xew  York  on  October  8,  1904,  and  reached  San  Francisco  on  their 
return  on  April  20,  1905,  having  visited  every  one  of  the  Missions,  Arabia 
included.  Their  presence  was  everywhere  hailed  with  satisfaction.  Many 
expressions  of  that  satisfaction,  both  formal  and  informal,  were  made. 
The  Xorth  Japan  Mission,  for  example,  expressed  the  great  pleasure  they 
had  experienced  in  having  this  visit,  if  only  for  a  few  days.  In  this 
opinion  of  the  value  of  such  visits,  at  suitable  intervals,  not  too  great, 
the  Board  concurs.  They  establish  a  bond  of  sympathy  and  union 
between    the    Board    and    Church    at    home    and    the    Missions,    and    open 


202  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

paths  of  influence  and  information  impossible  to  attain  through  the 
medium  of  correspondence. 

Descent  into  Hell.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  23,  44;  in  revision  of 
Liturgy,  1856,  it  was  resolved  to  bracket  the  clause  "He  descended 
into  hell;"  but  the  revision  was  not  adopted,  1856,   190.     See  Liturgy. 

Desertion  of  Office.  An  offence  deserving  suspension.  Constit. 
of  1874,  Art.  91. 

Devils.     Belg.   Conf.,  Arts.   12,   14,  34,   T^y;   Heid.   Cat.,   Quest,   i. 

Devise.     See    Bequests. 

DeVolks  Vriend.  a  religious  paper  in  the  Holland  language, 
established  at  Orange  City,  la.,  in  1874,  by  Hon.  Henry  Hospers. 
Editor,  Rev.  K.  Vietsema.     Publisher  and  Editor,  H.  P.  Oggel,  M.D. 

Devotional  Exercises.  With  the  year  1825,  as  far  as  the  rec- 
ord shows,  Synod  began  to  spend  a  season  in  conversation  on  the 
State  of  Religion,  and  in  special  prayer,  when  the  report  on  the 
State  of  Religion  was  presented,  1825;  1826,  32.  In  1827  a  new  im- 
petus seemed  to  seize  the  Synod  in  reference  to  cultivating  personal 
religion.  Daily  prayer  meetings  were  appointed  at  6  A.  M.  for  so- 
cial prayer  and  praise;  and  a  special  time  was  set  apart  for  united 
prayer  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  extension  of  Christ's 
Kingdom  throughout  the  world,  1827,  39;  1828,  112;  a  whole  after- 
noon and  evening  was  spent  in  religious  exercises,  1829,  179;  and  it 
was  now  Resolved,  That  the  afternoon  of  the  first  day  of  every  stated 
session  of  General  Synod  be  hereafter  devoted  to  exercises  of  prayer 
and  praise;  1829,  183.  A  Committee  on  Devotional  Exercises  was 
first  appointed  in  1829,  and  has  been  continued  at  every  session  since. 
From  1832  to  1843  there  was  a  6  A.  M.  prayer-meeting  held  dail}^ 
besides  the  general  devotional  meetings.  In  1866,  114,  it  was  re- 
solved that  the  first  half  hour  of  each  morning  session,  after  the 
reading  of  the  Minutes  be  spent  in  devotional  exercises. 

DeWitt,  John,  Sr.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Professor  of  Biblical 
Literature  and  Ecclesiastical  Histor}^;  salary,  $1,750,  with  east  wing 
of  the  College;  1823,  56;  report  of  his  inauguration,  '24,  9,  12;  took 
also  Dr.  Livingston's  department  after  his  death,  during  the  va- 
cancy, '25,  7,  39;  his  death  announced,  Nov.,  '31,  6,  7,  8;  monument 
to  be  erected  to  him,  8;  epitaph,  "32,  91,  92;  his  library  purchased  of 
his  widow;  Nov.,  31,  8;  '32,  66;  Oct.,  '32  101-2;  'zz,  219;  '34,  353. 
Amount  paid,  $1,925.09,  Oct.,  1832,  102. 

DeWitt,  John,  Jr.,  (Rev.  Dr.),  elected  Professor  of  Biblical 
Literature.  Salary,  $1,800  with  $300  for  house  rent,  1863,  328;  $500 
to  be  allowed  him  temporarily,  for  house  rent,  '64,  482;  '65,  630; 
elected  delegate  to  German  Refd.  Church,  '66,  45;  makes  a  large 
personal  subscription  toward  the  endowment  of  the  Fourth  Pro- 
fessorship; S^-nod  declines  to  receive  it;  if  on  the  books,  to  be  bal- 
anced as  payment  for  his  services  in  behalf  of  said  endowment,  '67, 
272;  $125  paid  to  him  for  actual  expenses,  '67,  272^^;  announces  the 
reception  of  $5,000  from  John  Clark,  and  of  $2,500  from  Peter  Cortelyou, 
toward  the  endowment ;  thanks  of  Synod  to  Prof.  DeWitt  and  the  donors ; 
an  endowment  committee  appointed,  to  act  with  Prof.  DeWitt  in  further 
efforts ;  '73,  666-7 ;  invites  the  Synod,  at  the  request  of  Gardner  A.  Sage,  to 
attend  the  dedication  of  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library  Building;  ac- 
cepted; '75,  206;  partial  reports  on  the  progress  of  the  endowment 
committee  of  ^72)',  '76,  442;  "78,  43;  '79,  266;  reports  gifts  of  Col.  Sage, 
to  provide  for  all  the  expenses  of  the  Sage  Library,  and  of  Hert- 
zog  Hall;  Prof.  DeWitt  asks  to  be  relieved  from  further  efforts 
toward  the  endowments,  '81,  648,  JSS',  refers  to  the  insufficiency  of 
a  single  individual  in  a  department  so  extensive  as  that  of  Biblical 
Literature;  until  a  separate  New  Testament  Chair  shall  be  endowed, 


DeWITT,  THEODORE  FRELINGHUYSEN  203 

-he  requests  that  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers  be  invited  to  deliver  lectures 
on  New  Testament  Exegesis;  this  was  done,  but  without  expense 
to  Synod,  '82,  130-1;  the  above  arrangement  inoperative  from  lack 
of  funds;  '83,  332-4;  reference  to  the  will  of  Col.  Sage,  leaving 
$50,000  for  the  endowment  of  a  Professorship;  interest  available  at 
once;  if  deemed  legal,  the  President  and  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Su- 
perintendents authorized  to  arrange  with  the  Faculty  for  additional 
instruction  in  Hebrew  and  Greek,  at  an  expense  of  not  more  than 
$1,000. — '83,  327-8;  the  acceptable  services  of  Drs.  Chambers  and 
Corwin  in  the  department  of  Biblical  Literature;  $500  with  $50  trav- 
eling expenses  voted  to  each,  '84,  520;  Prof.  DeWitt's  Professorship 
of  Biblical  Literature  divided,  and  he  made  Prof,  of  Hellenistic 
Greek  and  New  Testament  Exegesis,  '84,  523;  resigns  his  Professor- 
ship; regrets  of  Synod;  '92,  521;  memorial  from  the  Classis  of  Hol- 
land with  reference  to  Dr.  DeWitt's  book  on  "Inspiration";  1894,  13; 
I.  In  reference  to  the  Memorial  of  the  Classis  of  Holland  con- 
cerning a  volume  of  ex-Professor  DeWitt  on  Inspiration :  Your 
Committee  find  that  Dr.  DeWitt  resigned  the  Professorship  two 
years  ago,  that  he  is  now  a  member  of  one  of  our  Classes,  and 
holds  no  official  relation  to  the  General  Synod.  The  consideration 
of  this  matter,  therefore,  does  not  belong  to  this  body.     1894,   126. 

DeWitt,  Theodore  Frelixghuysex.  Scholarship  of  $2,500,  paid 
in  by  his  father,  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  DeWitt,  in  memory  of  his  son, 
recently  deceased;   1863,  252,  317. 

DeWitt,  Thomas,  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Professor  of  Biblical 
Literature  and  Ecclesiastical  History;  1818,  31;  declines;  Aug.,  '18, 
5,  6,  7;  commission  put  back  in  his  hands;  Aug.,  '18,  6;  again  declines, 
"19,  38;  President  of  General  Synod,  1824;  appointed  agent  to  visit 
Holland  to  procure  endowments,  '27,  18,  38;  (see  1826,  57;)  agency 
discontinued,  28,  iii;  appointed  corresponding  delegate  to  Presby- 
terian Assemly,  '35,  372;  appointed  again.  40,  353;  report  on,  '41,  464; 
preaches  annual  missionar}^  sermon  before  Synod,  40,  410;  Particular 
Synod  of  New  York  suggests  that  he  be  requested  to  prepare  a  his- 
tory of  the  Church;  report  on  the  subject,  and  the  request  made,  that 
he  prepare  a  small  volume  containing  a  historical  sketch,  with  a 
statement  of  the  doctrines  and  government,  with  the  present  circum- 
stances and  prospects  of  the  Church;  all  ministers  requested  to  aid 
him  from  their  local  sources;  and  that  he  also  be  requested  to  pre- 
pare a  larger  history,  in  connection  with  the  history  of  the  Church 
of  the  Netherlands;  '41,  491-3. 

Dr.  DeWitt  informs  Synod  that  he  has  heard  from  J.  Romej^i 
Brodhead.  the  agent  of  the  State  of  New  York  now  in  Europe,  that 
there  is  much  valuable  material  in  the  Archives  of  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  relating  to  the  R.  D.  Church  in  America.  He  is  author- 
ized to  have  translations  made,  at  his  discretion;  Oct.,  '41,  42;  '43, 
167. 

The  Board  of  Corporation  requested  him  to  have  the  transcrip- 
tions [of  the  letters  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the  churches  in 
this  country]  bound  in  a  substantial  manner,  "43,  167.  Elaborate  re- 
port of  Dr.  DeWitt  in  reference  to  Synod's  request  to  him  to  write 
the  history  of  the  Church;  reference  to  former  efforts;  recent  recov- 
ery of  the  Minutes  of  the  Coetus;  loss  of  much  material;  small  re- 
sponse of  the  ministers,  to  his  request  for  material;  necessity  of 
appointing  an  agent  to  visit  the  churches  and  collect  material;  Dr. 
DeWitt's  request  to  J.  Romeyn  Brodhead  to  seek  access  to  the 
Archives  of  the  Classes  of  Amsterdam;  his  success;  the  transcrip- 
tions of  the  letters  of  the  Classis  to  America;  the  loan  of  America's 
letters  to  the  Classis;  desirability  of  securing  the  permanent  pos- 
session of  these  original  American  letters;  '43,  271-5;  Dr.  DeWitt  was 


204         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

authorized  to  employ  a  person  to  visit  the  churches  to  collect  his- 
torical material,  276;  is  urged  to  write  a  full  history  of  the  Church 
down  to  present  time,  276-7. — Presents  a  letter  from  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  to  Synod,  dated,  Oct.,  i844;-'45,  425;  the  letter  itself, 
519-522. 

Communication  from,  in  reference  to  the  original  American  let- 
ters, loaned  to  Gen.  Synod,  1846,  7;  Dr.  DeWitt  commissioned  to 
go  to  Holland;  commended  to  the  judicatories  there;  to  convey  the 
fraternal  greetings  of  Synod;  and  to  seek  to  obtain  the  permanent 
possession  for  the  American  Church  of  the  loaned  letters,  paying  a 
reasonable  price  therefor,  '46,  28. 

Report  of  his  visit;  was  in  Holland  fifteen  days,  in  July,  1846; 
met  many  of  the  leading  men;  also  Mr.  Prius,  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Synod,  who  had  aided  Mr.  Brodhead;  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam 
had  assigned  to  the  American  General  Synod  the  permanent  owner- 
ship of  the  previously  loaned  documents;  he  had  therefor,  $80  for 
ship  of  the  previously  loaned  documents ;  he  had,  therefore,  paid  $80 
for  benefit  of  their  Widows'  Fund.  He  had  left  two  bound  sets  of 
Minutes  of  our  General  Synod  in  Holland,  (1818-45,)  one  with  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam;  and  one  with  the  General  Synod,  at  the 
Hague;  a  complete  set  of  the  Minutes  of  their  General  Synod,  (1816- 
46),  has  been  received,  bound  in  ten  volumes.  Information  was  re- 
ceived of  a  rising  spirit  of  emigration  to  America,  among  the  se- 
ceders  in  Holland,  (afgcschcidcnc),  and  had  an  interview  with  Rev. 
Mr.  Scholte,  who  has  recently  arrived  here.  Two  colonies  will  soon 
settle  in  the  West.     '47,   133-4. 

Dr.  DeWitt  has  the  right  of  nominating  the  beneficiary  for  the 
Cuyler  Scholarship,  '53,  300;  receives  and  pays  over,  $7,000  for 
Parochial  Schools,  '53,  300,  [from  Samuel  B.  Schieffelin;]  sends  a 
communication  to  Synod  respecting  the  Waldensian  Synod,  and  the 
transmission  of  certain  funds  collected  in  R.  D.  C.  for  that  Synod; 
'55.  537;  150  copies  of  'A  Discourse  Delivered  in  the  North  R.  D.  C. 
by  Rev.  Thos.  DeWitt,  D.D.,"  distributed  in  Synod,  given  by  Col- 
legiate Consistory;  thanks  returned;  '57,  244;  founds  a  Scholarship 
in  memory  of  his  son,  (see  above,)  '63,  252,  317;  Synod  thanks  him 
for  the  care  taken,  for  several  years,  of  the  Correspondence  with 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  '71,  356;  his  death,  1874,  144. 

The  Second  Professorship  in  the  New  Brunswick  Theological 
Seminary  to  be  called  "The  Thomas  DeWitt  Professorship  of  Sacred 
Literature;"  and  when  $30,000  have  been  raised  therefor,  such  sum 
shall  be  known  as  "The  Thomas  DeWitt  Professorial  Fund"  for  the 
sole  benefit  of  said  Professor, — the  remainder  of  whose  salary  shall 
be  supplied,  as  at  present,  from  the  Permanent  Seminary  Fund. 

DeWitt,  Thomas,  Professorship  of  Sacred  Literature.  See 
above.  Eugene  Van  Rensselaer  gives  $5,000  toward;  and  Peter  Cor- 
telyou,  $2,500. — 1875,  208. — $100  additional,  '76,  404. — $100  more,  '77,  609. 
— $100,   1881,  651,  677. 

Digest.     See  Annual   Digest. 

Digest  of  Acts  of  General  Assembly.     See  Assembly's  Digest. 

Digests.  From  time  to  time  the  Legislation  of  the  General  Synod 
has  been  collected  and  somewhat  classified  for  convenience  of  ref- 
erence; and  the  more  important  parts  have  been  incorporated  in  suc- 
cessive revisions  of  the  Constitution,  1792,  1833,   1874. 

I.  It  was  not  until  1812  that  definite  and  successful  action  was 
taken  toward  a  Digest.  The  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  then 
requested  that  the  General  Synod  would  collect  and  print  all  Rules 
and  Church  Orders  adopted  since  1792,  and  send  copies  to  all  the 
churches;  and  also  "cause  such  parts  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Com- 
mittee  on   Missions   to   be   made   public,   as   may   be   necessary  to   in- 


DIGESTS  205 

form  the  Church  in  general  of  the  state  of  our  missionary  business." 
1812,  405.  A  Committee  was  accordingly  appointed,  consisting  of 
Dr.  J.  M.  Bradford,  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  others,  "to  collect,  arrange 
and  publish  all  the  Rules  and  Church  Orders''  adopted  since  1792; 
and  also  "to  publish  such  parts  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Commit- 
tee on  Missions"  as  suggested  above.  1812,  407;  and  the  Treasurer 
of  Synod  was  directed  to  pay  the  bill  for  printing  the  same,  1812, 
441.  Reports  of  progress  were  made  the  next  year,  1813,  10,  ^S'j 
and  finally  that  the  work  should  be  printed  in  connection  with  the 
Minutes  of  1814,  54.  This  was  done,  and  this  first  Digest  of  25 
pages  stands  as  an  "Appendix"  to  the  Minutes  of  1814,  pages  59- 
83.     A  few  additions  were  made  to  it,   1815,  73,  74. 

With  the  publication  of  a  second  edition  of  the  Constitution  of 
1792,  a  second  edition  of  this  Digest  was  also  published,  separately 
from  the  Minutes,  and  as  an  Appendix  to  the  Constitution,  1815,  52, 
53.  This  edition  of  that  first  Digest  was  somewhat  fuller  and  bet- 
ter classified,  and  contained  the  following  topics: 

]\Iinutes  of  General   Synod,  to  be  kept  in   English, 

Lemmata  of  Synod, 

Rules   for  the    Government   of   General   Synod   in   their    Pro- 
ceedings, 

Plan   for  the   new   organization   of   General    Synod, 

Mode  of  calling  extra  meetings  of  General  Synod, 

Expenses  of  delegates, 

Deputati   Synodi, 

Candidates, 

Plan    of    the    Theological    School    of    the    Reformed    Dutch 
Church, 

Students, 

Dispensations, 

Mode  of  receiving  Ministers  from  other  denominations,  and 
from   foreign   nations. 

Missions, 

Dismission    of    Ministers, 

Protests    and    appeals, 

Combined  calls, 

Baptism, 

Marriage, 

Church    Schools, 

Statistical    accounts. 

Funerals, 

Psalms  and   Hymns, 

Correspondence, 

Customs  and  Usages, 

Professor  of  Theology, 

Delegates   Secundi, 

Articles  of  union, 
In  1831  a  Committee  was  again  "appointed  to  revise  and  amend 
the  Explanatory  Articles  [or  the  Constitution  of  1792,]  the  "Ap- 
pendix" [or  Digest  of  1814,  1815,]  together  with  the  resolutions  re- 
lating to  the  government  of  the  Church  passed  by  the  General  Synod 
at  different  periods";  etc.,  1831,  365.  This  was  done;  and  much  of 
the  later  material  relating  to  Church  Government  was  incorporated 
in   the    Revised    Constitution;    see    1832,    58;    Oct.,    1832,    108-134. 

In  1841  the  Stated  Clerk  was  directed  to  prepare  a  new  Digest, 
and  submit  it  to  the  next  Synod,  1841,  535;  but  nothing  was  done. 

II.  In  1846  a  Committee  was  again  appointed,  consisting  of  Dr. 
T.  M.  Strong,  the  Stated  Clerk.  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers,  and  others,  to 
prepare  a  Digest,   1846,  63,  96;  the  next  year  they  reported  progress, 


2o6         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

and  asked  for  certain  advice;  they  were  clothed  with  discretionary 
power  as  to  the  matter  and  form;  1847,  206. 

The  following  year  they  presented  a  report,  describing  the 
character  of  their  work.  They  referred  to  the  large  amount  of 
material  they  had  to  review,  the  wavering  character  of  some  of  the 
legislation,  the  bringing  together  of  matter  relating  to  the  same  topic, 
and  the  arrangement  of  the  whole  work  in  seventeen  chapters;  1848, 
282.  The  Digest  itself  was  printed  in  connection  with  the  Minutes 
of  1848,  and  contained  66  pages;  1848,  341-406. 

Within  six  years  a  second  edition  was  called  for,  and  the  for- 
mer Committee  was  requested  to  complete  it  to  date,  and  the  Board 
of  Publication  to  publish  it;  1854,  493;  but  nothing  resulted  there- 
from._  An  attempt  was  made  the  following  year  to  have  the  Con- 
stitution and  the  Digest  issued  together,  even  without  the  revision 
of  the  latter,  but  it  was  not  accomplished;  1855,  614.  Eight  years 
later,  Drs.  Chambers  and  D.  D.  Demarest  were  appointed  to  revise 
and  complete  a  new  Digest,  and  the  Board  was  directed  to  publish 
it.  The  next  year,  progress  was  reported;  but  that  is  the  last  we 
hear  of  it.     1863,  315;   1864,  463. 

III.  In  1868  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  petitioned  for  a 
Digest;  1868,  376.  A  Committee  was  again  appointed,  consisting  of 
Revs.  Drs.  See  and  T.  C.  Strong,  and  Rev.  Wm.  Phraner;  1868,  462, 
463. 

Dr.  See  now  prepared  a  very  brief  Digest  or  Compend,  to  avoid 
undue  size  and  expense,  directing  inquirers  to  the  former  Digest  for 
fuller  particulars  in  many  matters.  This  Digest  was  ordered  to  be 
printed,  1869,  624-5.  It  was  printed  separately  from  the  ]\Iinutes.  It 
was  also  bound  up  with  the  Constitution. 

IV.  After  a  dozen  years  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  again 
requested  that  a  New  Digest  be  prepared;  1880,  462.  The  Commit- 
tee to  whom  the  matter  was  referred,  declared  that  it  should  be 
made,"  in  all  respects,  a  complete  exponent  of  the  polity,  methods, 
rules  and  regulations"  of  the  Church,"  according  to  the  latest  and 
most  approved  methods.  A  Committee  was  appointed,  consisting 
of  Revs.  E.  T.  Corwin,  C.  L.  Wells,  J.  L.  See,  and  certain  elders. 
1880,  579,  580. 

Such  a  Plan  was  accordingly  laid  out,  but  only  progress  was 
reported  in  1881,  783.  With  the  great  mass  of  additional  material, 
the  task  proved  to  be  too  great  to  accomplish  speedily  and  well. 
It  had  been  determined  to  treat  the  topics  in  alphabetical  order,  and 
as  the  work  progressed  the  ''Headings"  multiplied,  and  with  the 
variet}^  and  multiplicity  of  other  duties,  delays  ensued.  In  1884  the 
Synod  took  the  following  action: 

Whereas,  The  General  Synod  of  1880  appointed  a  Committee  in 
relation  to  a  new  Digest  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod,  made 
"according  to  the  latest  and  most  approved  methods,"  to  be  "a  com- 
plete exponent  of  the  polity,  methods,  rules  and  regulations"  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  Holland  and  America,  during  the  last  three  hun- 
dred years   (p.  580,  Minutes  1880) ;  and 

Whereas,  that  Committee  has  never  reported  in  detail  to  Gen- 
eral Synod;  and 

Whereas,  The  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin,  the  Chairman  of  that  Com- 
mittee, has  devoted  much  labor  to  the  production  of  such  a  con- 
spectus of  the  legislation  of  our  Reformed  Church  during  the  past 
three  centuries;  therefore. 

Resolved,  that  this  Synod  learns  with  pleasure  of  the  work  done 
by  Dr.  Corwin  in  preparing  a  handbook  of  Constitutional  and  Synod- 
ical  Legislation,  and  hereby  requests  the  Board  of  Publication  to 
negotiate  with  Dr.  Corwin  concerning  its  publication.     1884.  558. 


DIGESTS  207 

Nothing  was  done  by  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  overwork  in 
the  compiler  demanded  rest  and  a  change  of  residence.  Finally,  the 
time  came,  when  it  was  thought  well  to  try  to  issue  the  work,  and 
as  the  expense  would  be  considerable,  it  was  determined  to  try  the 
subscription  plan.  The  Synod  encouraged  this  proposal  and  passed 
the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  Synd  is  gratified  that  Dr.  Corwin  is  bringing  out 
his  Centennial  Digest,  his  unusual  ability  and  historical  resources  in- 
sure a  treatise  that  is  greatly  needed,  and  will  be  eminently  worthi'- 
of  our  church;  and  that  it  be  strongly  recommended  to  each  of  our 
consistories  to  purchase  a  copy.     1893,  902. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  subscribe  for  twenty  copies 
of  Dr.  Corwin's  Centennial  Digest,  and  pay  for  the  same  out  of  the 
balance  of  interest  on  hand  of  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  endowment  for 
purchase  of  books  for  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library.     1893,  750. 

Subscriptions  were  received  for  about  250  copies,  at  $5  per  cop}', 
making  $1,250;  but  as  it  was  estimated  that  the  work  would  cost  at 
least  $2,000,  the  author  did  not  feel  like  taking  the  responsibility 
alone,  after  all  his  labor,  and  the  whole  subject  was  put  aside  for 
the  time  being. 

Synod  again  authorizes  Dr.  Corwin,  as  its  Historiographer  to 
gather,  arrange  and  edit  such  material  as  would  be  appropriately  in- 
cluded in  the  Digest,  etc.     1897,  776. 

RKPORT    OF    THE    COMMITTEE    OX    THE    DIGEST,    I903. 

The  committee  appointed  several  years  ago  to  make  a  new  Di- 
gest or  Codification  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  General 
Synod,  believes  it  to  be  important  that  some  statement  should  now 
be  made  to  the  Synod  as  to  the  present  condition  of  the  enterprise. 

From  time  to  time  the  legislation  of  the  Synod  has  been  col- 
lected and  classified  for  convenience  of  reference.  In  1814,  after  sev- 
eral efforts,  a  Digest  of  all  preceding  legislation  of  the  Reformed 
Church  was  printed  as  an  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  that  year,  and 
covers  25  pages. 

Efforts  for  another  Digest  were  made  a  few  years  later,  but  it 
was  not  until  1848,  after  two  years  of  labor  of  Drs.  Chambers  and 
T.  M.  Strong,  that  it  was  completed.  This  Digest,  upon  a  very  dif- 
ferent plan  from  the  former,  consisted  of  sixty-six  pages,  and  was 
published  as  an  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  1848,  and  also  separatel}-. 

In  the  course  of  time  it  was  felt  that  another  Digest  was  needed, 
bringing  the  legislation  down  to  date.  After  several  unsuccessful 
efforts  to  secure  it,  a  small  abstract  of  the  former  Digest,  was  pub- 
lished in  1869,  and  this,  though  very  unsatisfactory,  after  thirty-four 
years  is  the  last  Digest  published;  but  it  has  been  out  of  print  for 
years. 

A  dozen  years  later  a  Committee  was  again  appointed  to  per- 
form a  work  of  a  similar  kind  in  general,  but  according  to  later  and 
more  app-roved  methods,  and  upon  an  enlarged  scale.  This  work  was 
committed  to  Revs.  Dr.  Corwin.  T.  W.  Welles,  and  John  L.  See. 
The  preparation  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Chairman.  This  work 
was  largely  completed  several  years  ago,  and  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication was  directed  to  negotiate  with  the  Chairman,  concerning 
its  publication,  but  no  definite  propositions  were  made.  Circulars 
were,  therefore,  issued  by  the  Chairman,  to  secure  subscriptions,  and 
two  hundred  and  fifty  copies  were  actually  subscribed  for,  but  the 
responses  were  hardly  sufficient  to  warrant  him  in  proceeding  with 
the  undertaking  alone. 

Since  that  time  the  committee  has  remained  almost  quiescent. 
The  work  as  now  prepared,  and  coming  down  to  within  ten  years, 
consists  of  a  General  Conspectus  of  the  Legislation  of  the  Reformed 


2o8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Church  during  its  entire  history,  with  special  reference  to  the  legis- 
lation of  our  American  branch  of  the  Church.  The  various  topics, 
covering  every  subject  alluded  to  in  all  our  ecclesiastical  legislation, 
are  arranged  in  alphabetical  order,  and  treated  more  or  less  fully 
according  to  their  importance,  with  constant  references  to  the  year 
and  page. 

The  importance  of  a  complete  and  exhaustive  Digest  of  all  our 
ecclesiastical  legislation  is  acknowledged  on  all  sides.  Frequent  in- 
quiries are  made  for  such  a  work.  The  labor  involved  in  its  prepara- 
tion cannot  easily  be  represented.  It  has  been  impossible  for  the 
Chairman  to  prosecute  the  work  during  the  last  few  years,  because  of 
other  well-known  duties  in  which  he  has  been  engaged.  But  should 
the  present  Synod  take  action  to  secure  the  carrying  on  of  this 
work,  it  could  be  completed  down  to  date  within  the  present  year. 

Respectfully    submitted, 

E.    T.    CORWIN,  Chairman. 

The  report  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tion.     1903,  390-2. 

There  has  been  referred  to  your  committee  the  report  of  the  Rev. 
E.  T.  Corwin  on  the  Digest  of  our  Ecclesiastical  Legislation,  long  in 
course  of  preparation.  The  necessity  and  importance  of  this  work 
are  well  understood  and  commend  themselves  to  your  committee. 
In  order  to  make  provision  for  its  completion  your  committee  rec- 
ommend the  following: 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin  be  requested  to  finish  the  work 
during  the  present  year,  and  make  it  ready  for  publication,  and 
that  to  facilitate  the  enterprise  the  Board  of  Direction  be  directed 
to  pay  to  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin  the  sum  of  $1,000.00  upon  the  comple- 
tion of  the  work. 

In  order  to  meet  the  expense  of  the  Digest,  your  committee  feel 
that  the  Classes  can  properly  be  assessed  one  cent  per  member,  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  the  assessment  for  the  Entertainment  Fund 
of  Synod  has  been  reduced  one-half,  and  they  therefore*  recommend 
the  following : 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  meet  the  expense  of  the  preparation 
of  the  Digest  for  publication,  the  Board  of  Direction  assess  the 
Classes  in  the  usual  manner,  one  cent  per  member.     1903,  311. 

The  necessity  of  completing  the  work  on  the  Ecclesiastical  Rec- 
ords of  the  State  of  New  York  again  delayed  the  completion  of  the 
Digest,  and  a  report  was  made  accordingly,  and  suggestions  about 
meeting  the  expense  of  its  publication;  1904,  645.  The  Synod  took  the 
following  action  : 

The  report  of  the  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin  on  the  Digest  of  Synodical 
Legislation  was  also  referred  to  your  committee.  The  Digest  is  al- 
most ready  for  publication. 

The  importance  of  the  Digest  has  been  many  times  pointed  out 
to  the  General  Synod,  and  its  practical  completion  makes  necessary 
some  provision  for  its  publication,  before  it  can  be  of  use  to  the 
General  Synod  and  the  ministers  and  officers  of  our  Church.  The 
Board  of  Publication  cannot  be  expected  to  assume  the  entire  ex- 
pense and  it  is  desirable  that  the  work,  when  published,  may  be  sold 
at  so  low  a  price  as  to  be  easily  available  to  the  churches  and  Pas- 
tors.    Your   committee   therefore   recommends   the   following: 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Publication  be  requested  to  pub- 
lish the  Digest  of  Synodical  Legislation. 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  defray  part  of  the  expenses  of  pub- 
lication the  Board  of  Direction  assess  the  Classes  in  the  usual  man- 
ner, one  cent  per  member;  thus  continuing  the  assessment  levied 
last  year  to  meet   the   expense  of  preparation.      1904,  945-6.      See   also 


DIPLOMAS  209 

action  of  1906,  where  Synod  assumes  the  entire  expense,  on  condition 
that  copies  be  sent  gratis  to  every  minister. 

Diplomas — of  a  College  or  Academical  course  re(iuired  of  those 
who  desire  to  become  ministerial  candidates;  Constit.  of  179J,  Art. 
3;  evidences  of  his  literary  attainments;  Constits.  of  1833,  Art.  4;  and 
of  1874,  Art.  4;   Mints.    1820,  69.     See  Dispensations. 

Direction,  Board  of.     See  Corporation,  Bd.  of  Direction  of. 

Disabled  Ministers'  Fund.  Called  "Sustentation  Fund,"  1854-63. 
First  proposed  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  Garretson.  Sec.  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions ; 
1854,  448.  Classis  of  Albany  issued  an  able  address  on  "Ministerial 
Support,"  prepared  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  A.  Lansing,  1854,  which  excited 
interest  on  the  subject;  as  did  also  an  article  in  the  New  Brunswick 
Review,  1854,  p.  106.  Gen.  Synod,  accordingly,  directed  the  Classes  to 
initiate  measures  to  improve  "Ministerial  Support" ;  resolutions  on  the 
subject  were  passed;  Bd.  of  Publication  was  directed  to  issue  a  "Tract" 
on  the  subject;  and  the  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions  to  start  a  "Sustentation 
Fund";  Consistories  were  directed  to  meet,  on  a  certain  day,  to  consider 
the  adequacy  of  their  pastors'  salaries ;  1854,  491-3. 

Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions  suggested  that  Synod  initiate  such  a  Fund ; 
tentative  plans;   1855,  609-611;  these  amended,  Oct.,  '55,  21. 

PLAN    OF    the    sustentation    FUND    OF   THE    REFORMED    PROTESTANT 
DUTCH    CHURCH. 

1.  The  Fund  shall  be  called  "The  Sustentation  Fund  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church" ;  and  shall  be  administered  by  the  Board  of 
Corporation  of  the  General  Synod  of  said  Church,  during  the  pleasure 
and  under  the  control  of  General  Synod. 

2.  The  said  fund  shall  be  used  for  the  support  of,  or  to  aid  in  the 
support  of,  disabled  ministers,  and  the  families  of  deceased  ministers, 
when  such  may  he  in  need.  Should  there  be  any  surplus,  after  supplying 
the  above,  to  aid  in  the  support  of  those  ministers  whose  congregations 
cannot  give  them  proper  support,  or  who  may  be  without  a  charge. 

3.  Should  there  be  at  any  time  more  money  belonging  to  the  fund 
than  may  be  immediately  required,  the  same  shall  be  deposited  on  interest 
in  the  New  York  Life  Lisurance  &  Trust  Company,  or  in  the  United 
States  Trust  Company,  in  the  city  of  New  York ;  or  it  may  be  loaned  on 
the  Stocks  of  the  City  or  State  of  New  York,  or  of  the  United  States. 

4.  The  officers  of  the  Board  of  Corporation  shall  be  the  officers  of  the 
trust.  The  Treasurer's  duty  shall  be  to  collect  the  income  and  make  all 
payments. 

6.  The  maximum  amount  to  be  paid  to  any  out  of  the  fund  shall  be : 
To  a  minister  disabled  by  sickness  or  age,  two  hundred  dollars  per  annum, 
and  an  additional  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  if  he  has  a  wife 
living;  and  likewise  an  additional  sum  of  fifty  dollars  per  annum  for  every 
child  under  sixteen  years  of  age.  To  the  widow  of  a  deceased  minister, 
as  long  as  she  continues  unmarried,  two  hundred  dollars  per  annum ;  and 
and  additional  sum  of  fifty  dollars  per  annum  for  every  child  under  sixteen 
years  of  age.  To  children  of  clergymen,  both  of  whose  parents  have 
deceased,  seventy-five  dollars  per  annum  each,  until  they  attain  the  age 
of  sixteen  years.  To  ministers  not  receiving  sufficient  support  from  their 
congregations,  or  otherwise,  a  sum,  which,  with  what  they  may  receive 
otherwise,  will  not  exceed  the  sums  allotted  to  disabled  ministers  and 
their  families,  as  before  mentioned. 

7.  Should  the  income  of  the  fund  not  be  sufficient  for  the  above,  the 
officers  of  the  Board  shall  distribute  the  fund,  dividing  it  amongst  the 
applicants  as  they  may  deem  best,  commencing,  however,  in  the  order  of 
distribution  as  prescribed  in  section  second.  Should  the  fund  admit  of 
larger  appropriations,  the  maximum  may  hereafter  be  increased. 

8.  Applications  for  aid  must  be  accompanied  by  a  satisfactory  recom- 
mendation from  the  classis  to  which  the  applicant  belongs. 


2IO         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

9.  A  full  report  of  the  receipts,  disbursements,  and  proceedings  of 
the  Board  shall  be  made  each  year  to  the  General  Synod. 

The  above  plan  has  been  prepared  for  a  Sustentation  Fund,  not  to 
interfere  with  the  Widows'  Fund;  leaving  the  latter  to  accumulate  for  the 
benelit  of  those  able  to  contribute  to  it,  and  placing  both  funds  under  the 
same  officers.     Oct.,  1855,  22. 

Donations  were  at  once  utilized  for  the  help  of  the  needy,  and  hence 
a  fund  was  not  started  for  about  four  years.  References :  1856,  40,  101-3 ; 
'57j  134-6,  239,  240 ;  wherein  the  last  clauses  of  sections  2  and  6  of  above 
Plan,  about  supplementing  small  salaries,  are  repealed;  '58,  358;  '59,  378, 
where  a  separate  account  is  opened  in  the  'Annual  Digest"  for  this  Fund ; 
'59,  461  ;  and  other  similar  commendations  and  exhortations.  In  1863,  a 
revised  Plan  was  adopted,  as  follows : 

PLAN   OF  DISABLED    MINISTERS'   FUND. 

1.  The  Fund  shall  be  called  "The  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund  of  the 
Reformed  Church,"  and  shall  be  administered  by  the  Board  of  Corpora- 
tion of  the  General  Synod  of  said  Church,  during  the  pleasure  and  under 
the  control  of  General  Synod. 

2.  The  Board  of  Direction  shall  keep  securely  invested  such  contri- 
butions as  by  the  special  direction  of  the  donors  are  to  be  kept  as  principal, 
and  the  interest  only  to  be  used. 

3.  Should  there  be  at  any  time  more  money  belonging  to  the  Fund 
than  may  be  immediately  required,  the  same  shall  be  deposited  on  interest 
in  the  New  York  Life  Insurance  and  Trust  Company,  or  in  the  United 
States  Trust  Company,  in  the  city  of  New  York ;  or  it  may  be  loaned  on 
the  stocks  of  the  City,  or  State  of  New  York,  or  of  the  United  States. 

4.  The  Fund,  with  the  income  of  that  part  of  it  which,  in  accordance 
with  special  donations,  is  to  be  kept  invested,  shall  be  used  for  the  support 
of  disabled  ministers,  and  the  families  of  deceased  ministers,  when  such 
may  he  in  need. 

5.  Applications  for  aid  must  be  accompanied  by  a  satisfactory  rec- 
ommendation from  the  Classis  to  which  the  applicant  belongs,  certified  by 
the  clerk  thereof,  and  stating  the  amount  needed. 

6.  The  Board  of  Directors  are  authorized  to  make  grants  on  such 
applications,  and  it  shall  present  a  full  report  of  the  receipts,  disburse- 
ments, and  proceedings  of  the  Board,  with  a  statement  of  the  Fund,  and 
the  treasurer's  account  duly  audited,  each  year,  to  the  General  Synod. 

7.  The  treasurer  shall  take  charge  of  the  money  as  received,  and  make 
all  payments. 

8.  The  Classes  are  requested  to  take  proper  steps  to  give  effect  to  the 
action  of  the  General  Synod  on  this  subject. 

9.  All  of  the  Churches  under  the  care  of  the  General  Synod  are 
requested  to  take  up  a  collection  yearly  for  the  Fund.     1863,  271-2. 

FURTHER   EXPLANATIONS. 

1.  The  fact  that  a  minister  belongs  to  the  Widows'  Fund  does  not 
hinder  him  from  receiving  aid  from  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  should 
he  be  properly  recommended. 

2.  The  proper  and  indispensable  recommendation  is  a  resolution  of 
the  Classis  certified  by  the  Stated  Clerk  and  stating  the  amount  needed. 

This  recommendation  must  be  renewed  every  year  by  the  Classis,  and 
it  is  desirable  that  this  be  done  at  the  regular  spring  session  as  far  as 
practical. 

4.  The  semi-annual  distributions  from  this  fund  are  always  propor- 
tioned to  the  amount  in  the  Treasury. 

SPECIAL  RESOLUTIONS. 

In  order  to  prevent  inconveniences  from  delay  in  granting  aid,  when 
circumstances  require  instant  relief, 


DISABLED  MINISTERS'  FUND  211 

Resolved,  That  application  for  aid  from  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund 
be  sent  hereafter  to  the  Board  of  Direction,  having  been  before  the  proper 
Committee  determined  by  the  Classis  and  certified  by  the  Clerk,  distinctly 
stating   the    sum   needed: 

That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  empowered  to  make  grants  on  such 
occasions,  and  shall  present  a  full  report  of  the  receipts,  disbursements 
and  proceedings,  with  a  statement  of  the  Fund,  and  the  Treasurer's 
account  dulv  audited,  each  vear,  to  the  General  Synod.     1871.  336;   1872, 

523-4; 

Resolved,  Th^t  it  be  respectfully  recommended  to  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tion to  so  modify  their  rules  in  relation  to  the  appropriations  from  the 
"Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,"  that  whenever  disability  and  death  occur,  and 
■want  and  suffering  immediately  follow,  there  may  be  some  prompt  relief 
obtained  without  the  painful  necessity  of  waiting  for  several  months  for  the 
Semi-Annual  Meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Appropriations.     1876,  443. 

The  churches  urged  to  take  up  collections  to  increase  this  fund,  which 
is  sadly  inadequate :  "84,  454 ;  many  claims  upon  the  fund ;  dividends 
diminished ;  Stated  Clerks  sometimes  dilatory  in  sending  in  applications, 
so  that  deserving  applicants  are  disappointed.  About  half  the  applicants 
are  ministers  and  about  half  are  widows.  The  fund  commended  and  the 
churches  exhorted  to  give  to  it;  '86,  56;  the  Board  authorized  to  assign 
collections,  etc.,  (not  specially  directed  otherwise),  as  distinguished  from 
paid  annuities,  to  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund  Income;  '87,  266-7,  296; 
the  cause  argued  and  commended;  '90,  no;  recommended  that  each 
Classes  appoint  one  of  its  ministers  to  visit  the  churches  in  the  interests  of 
this  fund ;  '91,  327-9 ;  '92,  565 ;  '93,  805 ;  the  cause  commended  especially  to 
men  of  wealth,  to  increase  the  invested  Funds ;  '94,  125 ;  committee  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  a  statement  of  the  necessity  and  merits  of  this  Fund; 
Board  requested  to  consider  the  propriety  of  appointing  an  Agent  or  Secre- 
tary to  present  in  person  its  claims;  '95,  131;  Rev.  Dr.  Peter  Stryker, 
retiring  President  of  Synod,  preached  his  Synodical  sermon  on  this 
subject,  from  Phil.  4:15-18;  Bd.  of  Publication  requested  to  publish  it; 
'96.  408-410;  care  to  be  exercised  in  recommending  applicants;  benefits  of 
Agents,  before  suggested ;  '97,  679-681 ;  Agents  appointed  for  each  Particu- 
lar Synod  to  press  its  claims,  and  to  retain  10  per  cent,  of  all  cash  contri- 
butions:  '98,  141-4;  Mr.  Wm.  P.  Miller  appointed  assistant  Agent  in 
Partic.  Syn.  of  New  Brunswick;  circulars  issued;  '99,  455-464;  importance 
of  Agents  emphasized ;  1900,  774-5 ;  no  widow  of  any  of  our  ministers 
should  be  refused  aid  when  regularly  recommended ;  pastors  urged  to 
preach  on  the  subject;  the  Bd.  directed  to  take  measures  to  increase  the 
Endowment  Fund;  1901,  1118-1120;  applications  for  aid  keep  in  advance 
of  the  income ;  services  of  Rev.  Dr.  Denis  Wortman  have  been  secured  as 
Synod's  Agent ;  second  Sunday  in  December  appointed  as  Disabled  Minis- 
ters" Fund  Day,  for  special  sermons  and  collections;  1902,  114;  success  of 
Dr.  Wortman  in  enlarging  the  Fund;  churches  enjoined  to  take  up  col- 
lections ;  an  endowment  of  $200,000  to  be  sought ;  care  to  be  exercised  in 
recommending  applicants,  not  only  in  regard  to  need,  but  to  desert,  and 
length  and  fidelity  of  service ;  1903,  386-7 ;  continued  success  of  Dr. 
Wortman's  labors ;  churches  urged  to  facilitate  his  efforts ;  1904,  738-9 ; 
there  are  now  19  ministers,  41  widows,  and  4  orphans  receiving  help ; 
1905.  134-6. 

See  the  Annual  Contributions  to  this  Fund,  from  churches  and  indi- 
viduals, in  the  successive  reports  of  the  Treasurer  of  Gen.  Synod. 

The  larger  individual  donations  to  this  Fund  are  as  follows  : 

Estate  of  J.  R.  Warner $10,000  00 — 1873,  632 

Estate  of  Jas.  Suydam 3,000  00 — 1875,  216,  217 

Estate  of  John  Clark 5.000  00 — 1876,  414 

Estate  of  Chs.  Burroughs 250  00 — 1876,  414 

Estate  of  Alida  Pruyn 500  00—1877,  617 

Estate  of  Mrs.  Hetty  Hopper 1,608  00 — 1878,    24 


212         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Estate  of  Jas.  Suydani 30,000  00 — 1881,  657 

Cash    500  00—1883,  226 

Estate  of  Mrs.  Eleanor  Webb 3,125  00 — 1883,  226 

Estate  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jewell 500  00—1885,  628 

F.   S.   D 350  00 — 1890,     17 

L 25000 — 1891,  246 

Geo.  B.  Wilson 1,000  00 — 1891,  246 

The  Pruyn  Trust    (income) 500 00 — 1891,  246 

The  Pruyn  Trust    (income) 500 00 — 1891,  246 

Estate  of  Jane  Lightbody 500  00 — 1892,  478 

The  Pruyn  Trust 5,000  00 — 1892,  478 

The  Pruyn  Trust   (income) 1,058  00 — 1892,  478 

Estate  of  Rev.   Goyn  Talmage 250  00 — 1892,  478 

Estate  of  Mrs.  Hannah  O.  Beebe 300  00 — 1893,  721 

Estate  of  Eleanor  Myer 250  00 — 1896,  317 

Estate  of  Susan  M.  Van  Santvoord 500  00 — 1896,  317 

K 250  00 — 1896,  317 

Peter  I.  Neefus 500  00 — 1902,     23,    24 

Cash    1,000  00 — 1903,  285 

Wm.  H.  Jackson 200  00 — 1903,  285 

John  W.  Castree 200  00 — 1903,  285 

An   Individual,   Kingston 200  00—1903,  285 

Frank  R.  Chambers 200  00 — 1903,  290 

Jas.    H.    Williams 250  00 — 1904,  619 

Frank  R.  Chambers 200  00 — 1904,  625 

Mrs.  M.  G.  Hedges 300  00 — 1904,  625 

Friends     1,000  00 — 1905,     24 

A.  A.  Ranen 250  00 — 1905,     24 

Frank    R.    Chambers 200  00 — 1905,     29 

The  collections  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  New  York,  have  for  many 
years  been  from  $300  to  $400,  in  1905  reaching  the  sum  of  $1,249  for  this 
Fund.  The  Harlem  Collegiate  Church,  the  churches  of  Albany,  Newark, 
Flatbush,  etc.,  have  also  given  large  collections. 

In  1905  the  collections  in  the  churches  amounted  to  $5,777 ;  gifts  from 
individuals,  $2,341;  invested  funds,  $77,235;  distributed  to  the  disabled, 
$10,681. 

Disabled  Ministers'  Fund.  A  separate  Lemma  from  the  Widows' 
Fund,  since  1885,  622,  769. 

Disarmament  of  Nations.     1899,  471.     See  Arbitration. 

Disbanding  Congregations.  Classis  has  the  power;  Constit.  of 
1874,  Art.  59;  this  not  in  preceding  Constitutions.  In  1889,  General 
Synod  directs  the  Classis  of  Philadelphia  to  disband  the  Third  Church 
of  Philadelphia.  Complaints  came  in  the  next  year,  against  this 
action  of  Synod,  and  also  Memorials  defending  Synod's  action.  Re- 
view of  the  whole  case;  the  action  of  Synod  in  1889,  was  declared  to 
have  been  entirely  inoperative.     1890,  116-122. 

Discipline.  Belg.  Conf..  Art.  32;  Heid.  Cat.  Quests.  82-85;  Con- 
stit. of  1874,  Arts.  82-108;  discipline,  the  duty  of  ministers  and  elders; 
Arts.  28,  46,  53,  64;  Classis  has  an  appellate  supervising  power;  Art". 
59. — In  Holland,  chaplains  not  exempt  from  discipline;  Constit.  of 
1619,  Art.  6;  ministers,  elders  and  deacons  must  exercise  discipline 
among  themselves,  by  exhortation   to  duties,   Art.  81. 

Discipline  upon  a  minister,  which  affects  the  purity  of  his  clerical 
character,  if  sustained,  ipso  facto,  dissolves  his  pastoral  relation;  Con- 
stit. of  1874,  Art.  59. 

Particular  Synod  has  an  appellate  supervising  power  of  Clas- 
sical acts  of  discipline;  Constit.  1874.  Art.  66. — General  Synod  has  an 
appellate   supervising   powder   over   the    proceedings    of   the    lower   as- 


DISMISSION  OF  CHURCHES  213 

semblies    relating   to    discipline;    Constit.    1874,    Art.    'jy,    Gen.    Synod 
alone  can  discipline  Professors;  1874,  Arts.  23,  24. 

All  baptized  persons  are  members  and  subject  to  discipline;  1874, 
Art.  84.  This  question  was  first  asked,  1812,  404,  406,  428,  and  then 
answered  in  the  affirmative;  and  incorporated  in  Constit.  of  1833,  Art. 

93-  ^ 

Discipline  of  students.     See  Plan  of  the  Seminary. 

Dismission  of  Churches.  There  is  no  Constitutional  provision 
for  dismissing  a  church,  as  such,  to  another  body.  Churches  which 
secede,  lose  their  property  if  any  adhere  to  the  former  Denomina- 
tional relationship.  See  judicial  decisions  in  Taylor's  Annals  of  the 
Classis  of  Bergen,  in  reference  to  the  Froeligh  Secessions.  In  1873, 
616,  the  Classis  of  Philadelphia  requested  General  Synod  to  give  an 
expression  of  the  Constitutional  power,  if  any,  vested  in  a  Classis 
to  dissolve  the  denominational  relations  of  any  individual  church, 
under  its  jurisdiction.  Upon  inquiry,  the  object  was  found  to  be,  to 
provide  for  a  friendly  transfer  of  an  entire  church,  including  mem- 
bers and  property,  to  another  denomination.  The  Synod,  as  usual, 
refused  to  legislate  on  abstract  questions,  and  referred  to  its  former 
action  connected  with  the  Secession,  as  follows  : 

"Resolved,  That  this  Synod  does  not  consider  it  proper  to  express 
their  opinion  in  the  case;  and  leaves  the  Classis  to  adopt  such  meas- 
ures, in  accordance  with  the  discipline  of  the  Church,  as  in  their 
wisdom   they  may  think   proper.     1824,   46." 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  take  this  action  in  the  full  belief  that 
the  Civil  Law  sufficiently  defines  the  ability  of  the  Classis  to  secure 
the  tenure  of  ecclesiastical  property  to  its  churches.  1873,  718.  See 
1885.  708,  711,  714  in  the  West  Troy  case.  See  judicial  decisions  in 
the   Philadelphia  case. 

Dismission  of  Church  Members.  There  was  no  Synodical  Form 
of  Certificate  before  1834,  when  the  following  was  adopted: 

This   certifies,   that   is   a   member   in   full    communion 

of  the  Reformed   [Dutch]    Church  of  ,  in  good  and  regular 

standing;  as  such  is  at  own  request,  dismissed, 

for  the  purpose  of  connecting  with  the  Church 

of  — ■■ ,  to  whose  Christian  fellowship  and  confidence 

is    hereby   affectionately    commended;    and    when    received    by    them, 
peculiar   relation   to  this   Church   shall   cease. 

B}^    order    of    Consistory. 

,  President. 

Given  at ,  ,  18 — . 

*^This  Certificate  is  valid  only  for  one  year  from  its  date,  ex- 
cept where  there  has  been  no  opportunity  of  presenting  it.  1832, 
134;   1833,  204;  1834,  288-9. 

[This  is  not  mentioned  in  the  list  of  Forms  adopted  in  1834,  but 
is  found  among  the  Forms  themselves.] 

The  Constitution  directs  that  members  shall  receive  a  certificate 
of  their  behavior,  when  removing  out  of  the  congregation;  Rules  of 
1619,  82,  61,  59;  of  1792,  62;  of  1833,  54,  57;  of  1874,  47,  50. 

It  is  an  established  principle  of  church  government,  that  the 
relation  subsisting  between  a  church  and  its  members  can  be  dis- 
solved only  by  death  or  dismission,  or  an  act  of  discipline.  With- 
drawing is,  therefore,  out  of  the  question.     1824,  43,  44,  46. 

This  had  reference  to  certain  seceders. — To  the  question  as  to 
the  status  of  members  removing  into  another  congregation  without 
being  regularly  dismissed.  Synod  answered  that  the  Constitution 
was  sufficiently  explicit,  1826,  45-6; 

Resolved,  that  it  be  recommended  and  enjoined  on  members  of 
our   churches,   to   transfer   their   relation    to    the    church    in    our   con- 


214         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

nection  or  in  correspondence  with  us,  within  whose  bounds  they 
may  remove,  within  one  year  after  their  removal,  if  such  removal 
place  them  from  under  the  supervision  of  the  church  of  their  pre- 
vious connection.     183 1,  363,  366. 

In  answer  to  the  question  in  what  cases  it  is  proper  to  erase  the 
names  of  church  members,  the  Synod  answered  that  the  Constitu- 
tion determines  the  only  way  in  which  a  person  can  lise  his  ec- 
clesiastical connection,   1846,  66. 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  transfer  of  the  parents  from  one  section 
of  the  Church  to  another,  the  membership  of  their  baptized  children 
be  recognized,  and  they  be  included  in  such  transfer."     1857,  191. 

"The  several  Consistories  are  directed  to  keep  a  separate  list 
of  those  members  whose  place  of  residence,  after  diligent  search,  can- 
not be  ascertained,  and  such  members  are  not  to  be  included  in  the 
yearly  statistical  report."     1866,  180. 

In  answer  to  the  request  for  a  uniform  certificate  of  dismission, 
the  Synod  responded  that  the  present  Form  is  not  a  part  of  the  Con- 
stitution, but  only  a  form  for  general  guidance,  1868,  461. 

[The  nature  and  value  of  Certificates  of  Dismission  have  often 
been  discussed  in  Synods  and  in  the  press.  See  an  exhaustive  dis- 
cussion by  Rev.  A.  E.  Myers,  in  Christian  Intelligencer,  May  29,  1879, 
and  the  two  following  issues.  A  certificate  may  state  the  facts  as 
they  exist,  and  other  Consistories  are  not  bound  to  receive  the  cer- 
tificates of  dubious  church  members,] 

-  Consistories  are  requested  to  notify  sister  churches  of  the  re- 
moval of  members  within  their  bounds,  so  that  in  due  time,  if  nec- 
essary, the  proper  transfer  of  membership  mav  be  facilitated;  1900, 
829. 

Dismission  of  Ministers.  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  17.  For  rules 
in  Holland,  see  Constit.  of  1619,  Arts.  5,  10,  14.  Ccetus  declared  that 
in  the  transfer  of  ministers  in  America  all  should  conform  to  Art. 
10,  of  1619;  see  Coetue,  1747,  p.  xi.  Nothing  is  said  on  this  subject, 
in  Articles  of  Union,  1771.  When  the  Particular  Body  (^r  Classis) 
of  Kingston  requested  that  a  Rule  should  be  made  on  this  subject, 
the  Synod  referred  them  to  the  Rules  of  Dort,  1619.  The  matter  was 
again  brought  up,  and  it  was  decided  that  the  most  appropriate  way, 
in  America,  was  for  the  Consistory  in  the  presence  of  one  or  two 
of  the  neighboring  ministers,  to  examine  the  reasons  for  the  de- 
sired dismission,  and  if  found  sufficient,  to  sign  a  certificate  to  that 
efifect,  and  report  to  next  meeting  of  Classis;  1780,  82.  The  Synod 
refused  to  act  upon  an  agreement  of  Rev.  DeRonde  and  Consistory  of 
New  York,  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation,  but  directed  him  to  se- 
cure the  approval  of  the  Classis  of  New  York;  1784,  125-6.  The 
Constitution  of  1792  contained  nothing  on  this  subject  in  addition 
to  the  Articles  of  1619,  mentioned  above.  The  following  Rule  was 
for  the  first  adopted  in  1800,  as  follows  : 

For  the  regular  obtaining  of  dismissions,  when  a  minister  has 
received  and  accepted  a  call  from  another  place,  it  is  required  that 
a  neighboring  minister  of  the  same  Classis  to  which  the  congrega- 
tion belongs  be  invited  to  be  present,  and  superintend  the  dismis- 
sion of  the  minister  from  his  congregation,  countersign  the  instrument 
of  dismission,  and  consider  it  as  his  duty  to  deliver  the  same,  with 
a  report  upon  the  subject,  to  the  Classis;  which  report  and  document 
shall  serve  as  a  basis  upon  which  the  final  dismission  and  certificate 
of  the  Classis  shall  be  founded.     1800,  310. 

[This  very  language  was  incorporated  in  the  Constitution.  1833, 
Art.  20;  and  substantially  the  same,  with  additions,  in  Constitution  of 
1874,  Art.  17.] 

To  the  question — Has  the  Classis  power  to  dissolve  the  connec- 


DISPENSATIONS  215 

tion  between  a  minister  and  his  congregation,  on  the  ground  of  ex- 
pediency, tho'  one  of  the  parties  be  averse  to  the  dissolution?  Synod 
answered  affirmatively,  1806,  358,  384;  but  this  action  was  repealed 
the  next  session,  "because  unconstitutional  and  of  an  evil  tendency, 
calculated  to  foster  strife  in  congregations,  to  encourage  worldly 
minded  professors,  to  excite  animosities  in  a  church  against  min- 
isters, and  repugnant  to  the  practice  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  all 
ages."  1809,  384,  392.  But  see  Expediency:  and  Constitution  of  1874, 
Art.   17. 

The  inquiry  whether  it  be  proper  for  Classis  to  give  an  ordained 
minister  in  our  Church  a  dismission,  to  join  another  Church  or  ec- 
clesiastical body  with  which  the  Reformed  Church  has  no  ecclesias- 
tical intercourse  or  connection,  was  answered  in  the  affirmative.  1834, 
283,  285,  3Z2. 

Form  of  a  Synodical  Certificate  adopted  for  dismission  of  a 
Minister  in  1834. 

This  certifies   that  the  undersigned,   by  request,   was   present  at 

a  meeting  of  the  Consistory  of  the  Church  of ,  on  the  — -. 

day   of  .   A.D.,  ,   and   superintended   the   proceedings 

thereof,  when  it  was  resolved  that  an  application  be  made  to  the 
Classis  of  for  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  connection  be- 
tween the  Rev.  and  said  Church;  and  that  the  Rev.  

declared   his   concurrence   in   such  application.     1834,  289. 

To  the  inquiry  whether  a  Classis  can  allow  a  Committee  ad  in- 
terim to  dismiss  ministers,  not  settled  pastors,  against  whose  char- 
acters no  charges  obtain,  the  Synod  answered  in  the  negative,  1879,. 
238,  321'.     See  Demission  from  Ministry. 

Dispensations.  These  refer  to  permission  to  do  something  not 
strictly  in  accordance  with  ecclesiastical  law;  the  dispensing  with 
a  law  or  rule;  the  exemption  of  a  particular  person  from  the  obliga- 
tion to  comply  with  its  injunctions. 

Romish  Law  allowed  the  Pope  to  grant  dispensations.  Henry 
VIII.  gave  this  power  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  This  was 
taken  awa}',  however,  because  of  abuses,  by  the  Bill  of  Rights,  1688. 
In  the  Reformed  Churches,  the  princes  generally  yielded  this  priv- 
ilege to  the  Church  Courts. 

Those  who  had  not  regularly  studied  were  not  to  be  licensed 
or  ordained,  in  Holland,  by  the  Classis,  without  a  dispensation  from 
the  Provincial  Synod.  Many  dispensations,  of  various  kinds,  w^ere 
granted  to  the  American  Ministers,  and  afterward  to  the  Coetus,  to 
meet  the  necessities  for  service  in  America;  but  these  concessions,, 
in  connection  with  personal  ambitions,  were  the  cause  of  not  a  lit- 
tle strife.  But  a  general  dispensation  was  granted,  at  length,  to 
the  American  General  Body,  to  license  and  ordain,  (1772);  but  this 
Body,  assuming  the  name  of  Synod  in  1784,  itself  soon  began  to  grant 
dispensations.  This  power  was,  however,  restricted  to  the  General 
Synod,  by  the  new  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  23. 

The  Constitution  of  1792  required  that  a  candidate  for  the  min- 
istry before  he  could  be  examined  for  licensure,  must  produce  a 
diploma  of  his  academical  attainments,  a  proof  of  his  church  mem- 
bership for  at  least  two  years,  and  a  certificate  from  Synod's  Pro- 
fessors of  Theology,  of  at  least  two  years'  study  with  said  Professors^ 
with  a  recommendation  from  the  same;  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  3,  4, 
23.  If  these  conditions  had  not  been  complied  with,  the  person 
could  not  be  examined  for  licensure,  without  particular  permission 
from  General  Synod,  and  this  permission  was  called  a  Dispensation 
from  the  Rule.  See  also  Constitutions  of  1833,  Art.  4;  and  of  i874> 
Art.  4. 

There    have    been    in    all    between    1789-1906,     255     dispensations 


2i6         DIGEST    OF    SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

granted  by  General  Synod.      [A  list  was  prepared  of  these,  but  owing 
to  the  necessity  of  condensation,  the  names  were  finally  omitted.] 

The  Rule  that  candidates  for  the  ministry  of  R.  C.  A.  must  at- 
tend one  of  the  theological  schools  of  said  church,  and  that  a  pro- 
fessorial certificate  from  Synod's  Professor  or  Professors  was  nec- 
essary to  entitle  them  to  an  examination  for  licensure  in  the  Classes 
of  that  Church,  was  intended  to  foster  that  Churches  Institutions; 
1809,  388.  This  is  often  referred  to  in  the  reports.  Synod  declared 
that  violations  of  the  Rule  would  make  any  acts  of  licensure  null 
and  void;  1845,  469.  Even  the  Classis  of  Arcot  had  to  apply  for  each 
candidate,  separately.  Synod  refusing  to  grant  them  a  general  dis- 
pensation to  license  and  ordain,  1858,  347-9.  The  topic  of  Dispensa- 
tions is  treated  1870,  95,  and  much  more  elaborately,  1871,  264-272, 
altho"  with  some  inaccuracies.  While  Dispensations  were  often  dis- 
couraged, yet  they  have  averaged  more  than  two  per  year  for  more 
than  a  century,  255  having  been  granted  between  1789  and  1905.  In 
1877  the  Synod  declared  that  since  the  Classes  alone  are  responsible 
for  applications  for  dispensations,  and  the  Classes  alone  can  know 
all  the  circumstances  and  qualifications,  they  should  exercise  the 
greatest  care  in  making  applications,  1877,  689.  [But  the  Classes  are 
not  alone  responsible.] 

The  Classis  of  Wisconsin  requested  permission  to  examine  can- 
didates on  the  Professorial  certificates  of  Professors  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church.     Contrary  to  the  Constitution,  1884,  500. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  many  applications  for  dispensations 
recommended  by  the  Classes,  the  General  Synod  do  hereby  enjoin 
the  various  Classes  to  observe  great  caution  in  reference  to  these 
applications,  to  scrutinize  carefully  and  to  discriminate  wisely.  189L, 
340. 

Whereas,  The  General  Synod,  in  its  present  session,  has  received 
no  less  than  seven  recommendations  from  various  Classes  for  dis- 
pensation from  the  constituional  requirements  as  to  literary  attain- 
ments of  persons  contemplating  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  hav- 
ing felt  itself  constrained  to  deny  the  dispensations  recommended  in 
certain  cases,  hereby  express  the  sense  of  the  members  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  now  convened  to  the  following  efifect : 

1.  The  Reformed  Church  in  America  should  continue  to  main- 
tain the  historic  high  standard  of  literary  attainments  in  its  ministry. 

2.  To  this  end  recommendations  for  the  exercise  of  the  dispens- 
ing power  should  be  made  by  Classes  only  when  circumstances  the 
most  extraordinary  imperatively  demand  it.     1895,  81,  82. 

The  Classis  of  Michigan  refers  to  the  different  views  concern- 
ing Dispensations,  and  variable  acts  of  Synod  regarding  them;  pro- 
poses an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  ''which  shall  make  it  un- 
mistakably certain,  that  the  restriction  contemplated  applies  to  all 
students  who  are  not  graduates  of  one  of  the  Seminaries  of  R.  C.  A.; 
or  by  an  alternative  amendment  which  shall  except  graduate  stu- 
dents of  all  evangelical  seminaries  from  the  operation  of  the  rule 
for  dispensations."     Elaborately  discussed;   action: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Synod,  that  graduates  of 
Theological  Seminaries  other  than  our  own,  and  who  consequently 
lack  the  professorial  certificate  demanded  by  the  constitution,  can- 
not be  examined  by  a  Classis  for  licensure  without  the  required  dis- 
pensation of  the   General   Synod.     1896,  410-413. 

The  Classis  of  Schenectady  sends  a  Memorial,  and  desires  that 
Synod  should  ascertain  the  mind  of  the  Church  whether  the  Con- 
stitution should  not  "allow  each  Classis  to  judge  for  itself  what  Pro- 
fessorial certificates  warrant  its  admitting  a  candidate  for  the  min- 
istry to  examination  for  licensure,  ordination  and  installation."  Synod 
declined  to  do  this.     1897,  681-3. 


DISSENT  217 

In  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church, 
1900,  occurs  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  Synod  reaffirms  the  principle  that  dispensations 
shall  not  be  granted  except  under  unusual  circumstances,  and  that 
attention  be  called  to  the  action  of  the  General  Synod  of  1895,  PP- 
81,  ^2,  as  follows:     (See  above.)      1900,  837.     See  also  1904,  740. 

Dissent.     See  Protests. 

District  Schools.     See  Parochial  Schools. 

Divinity  Hall.  A  term  used  of  the  building  in  which  Dr.  Liv- 
ingston taught  theology,  at  Flatbush,  L.  I.  1794,  260-1,  (old  ed.  4.) 
There  is  a  picture  of  this  Building  in  a  Volume  styled  Grseco-Roman 
Festival,  1899,"  which  is  a  "Souvenir  Book"  of  the  Woman's  Auxiliary 
to  the  Building  Committee  of  the  Medical  Society  of  the  County 
of  Kings;  see  page  221.     See  Theological  Hall. 

Divinity  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  x'\rts.  10,  19,  26;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.   15-19. 

Divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  11;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quest.  53- 

Divorce.  A  proposed  "Divorce  Law,"  commonly  known  as  the 
"Ray  Bill,"  has  been  petitioned  for  by  Bishops  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  and  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches,  and  by  several  reli- 
gious organizations. 

The  Bill  provides  for  a  Divorce  Law  to  be  enacted  for  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  and  the  Territories,  conforming  to  the  Laws  of 
New  York  State,  that  absolute  divorce  shall  be  allowed  only  in  case 
of  adultery. 

The  Reformed  Church  has  been  consistent  in  upholding  the  sanc- 
tity of  the  marriage  bond,  and  depreciating  easy  and  promiscuous 
divorce,  and  would  welcome  a  National  Law  prescribing  uniform 
conditions  of  marriage  and  divorce.  As  a  step  towards  this  much 
desired  end,  which  at  present  seems  impracticable,  the  proposed 
measure  appeals  to  your  Committee  as  worthy  of  the  support  of 
the  Christian  public. 

Your  Committee  offers  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod  be  authorized 
to  affix  his  signature  as  our  representative  and  in  our  name  to  peti- 
tion to  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States,  praying  them  to  pass  a  bill  to  limit  absolute  divorce 
to  cases  of  adulterv,  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  Territories. 
1898,  255-6. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  deplorable  evils  growing  out  of 
the  existing  methods  for  procuring  easy  divorce,  prevalent  in  many 
states,  and  frequently  resulting  in  the  remarriage  of  guilty  parties 
in  divorce  proceedings,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  takes  this  opportunity^  of  declaring  its  uncom- 
promising opposition  to  all  such  remarriages  as  opposed  to  the  spirit 
and  mind  of  Christ,  and  it  enjoins  the  entire  body  of  the  Church, 
clerical  and  la}'-,  to  take  no  part  in  giving  approval  to  such  remar- 
riages whether  authorized  by  the  State  law  or  not;  but  on  the  con- 
trary to  unceasingly  co-operate  in  the  work  of  developing  a  strong 
and  healthy,  public  sentiment  which  shall  diminish  if  not  suppress 
the  evil  practice  and  correspondingly  elevate  the  character  of  pub- 
lic and  private  morality.     1899,  502-3. 

Whereas,  The  teaching  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Head  of  the  Church,  clearly  affirms  that  the  bond  of  marriage 
cannot  be  dissolved  excepting  by  death  or  through  unfaithfulness 
of  one  of  the  parties  to  the  marriage  vow;  and 


2i8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

Whereas,  The  laxness  of  divorce  and  the  remarriage  of  divorced 
persons  is  an  evil  of  growing  proportions,  and  of  most  serious  menace 
to  our  Christian  civilization;   therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  hereby  enjoins  upon  the 
Ministers  of  the  Reformed  Church  not  to  remarry  divorced  persons, 
excepting  the  innocent  part}^  in  a  divorce  obtained  for  the  cause  of 
adultery. 

The  preamble  and  resolution  were  referred  to  a  special  commit- 
tee, consisting  of  the  President,  Rev.  Cornelius  L.  Wells  and  Revs. 
Alfred  E.  Myers,  James  I.  Vance  and  ^Messrs.  W.  H.  Van  Steenburg 
and  Francis  Reed.     1903,  465-6. 

The  special  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  preamble  and 
resolution  relating  to  the  remarriage  of  divorced  persons,  (Minutes, 
1903,  p.  466),  reported  as  follows: 

The  Special  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  ec- 
clesiastical action  concerning  divorce  respectfully  report: 

The  General  Synod's  Special  Committee,  to  which,  w^ere  referred 
the  preamble  and  resolution  relating  to  the  remarriage  of  divorced 
persons  met  at  No.  26  West  82d  street.  New  York  city,  on  Wednes- 
day, May  nth,  1904.  The  following  named  persons  were  present: 
Ministers,  Cornelius  L.  Wells,  President  of  the  General  Synod, 
Chairman;  James  I.  Vance  and  Alfred  E.  Myers;  of  the  two  lay  mem- 
bers, Mr.  William  H.  Van  Steenbergh  was  present  and  Mr.  Francis 
Reed  sent  a  letter  excusing  his  absence. 

The  committee  unanimousl}'  decided  to  recommend  and  it  does 
hereby  recommend,  that  the  General  Synod  adopt  the  resolution  in 
the  following  language;   to  wit: 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  hereby  enjoins  upon  the 
Ministers  of  the  Reformed  Church  not  to  remarry  divorced  persons, 
excepting  the  innocent  party  in  a  divorce  obtained  for  the  cause  of 
adultery. 

This  presents  the  action  of  the  committee. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  add  a  few  words  by  way  of  ex- 
planation prevising  that  the  chairman  does  this  on  his  ©wn  respon- 
sibility, and  does  not  present  this  addition  as  the  action  of  the  com- 
mittee. The  occasion  that  led  to  the  considerations  of  this  subject 
was  the  following  contained  in  a  communication  from  the  General 
Secretary  of  the  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Pres- 
byterian system,  after  other  requests."     See  page  396,  Minutes   1903: 

It  is  further  requested  that  the  General  Synod  appoint  a  dele- 
gate to  a  Joint  Conference  on  the  subject  of  Divorce  and  Remar- 
riage. The  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(North),  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  (North),  and  Baptist  Church 
(North),  are  already  beginning  to  co-operate  in  this  movement. 
Your  committee  recommends  the  appointment  of  he  Rev.  E.  P.  John- 
son as  such  delegate. 

It  is  suggested  that  if  the  way  be  clear  the  following  Resolu- 
tion be  adopted  by  the  General  Synod:  ''Resolved,  that  all  Minis- 
ters under  our  care  and  authority  are  hereby  enjoined  to  refuse  to 
perform  the  marriage  ceremony  in  the  cases  of  divorced  persons  ex- 
cept as  such  persons  have  been  divorced  upon  grounds  and  for  causes 
recognized  as  Scriptural  in  the  standards  of  this  Church."  Your 
committee  is  unable  to  find  that  either  the  standards  or  the  Acts 
of  the  General  Synod  define  the  Scriptural  grounds  for  divorce. 
Therefore  your  committee  is  unable  to  recommend  the  passage  of 
such  a  resolution. 

The   report  was  accepted   and  adopted.     1904,  777-9- 

See  Inter-Church  Conference  on  Marriage  and  Divorce. 

Doctrinal  Theology.  One  of  the  titles  proposed  in  the  Curriculum 
adopted  in  1888,  543,  544- 


DOCTRINES  219 

Doctrines.  The  Reformed  Church  in  America  accepts  of  the  Belgic 
Confession  of  Faith ;  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  and  the  Compendium  of 
the  same,  and  the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort.  It  also  has  a  Liturgy ; 
1771,  p.  9,  Art.  I ;  Constit.  of  1619,  Arts.  53,  54;  of  1792,  Arts.  5,  11,  22;  of 
1833,  Arts.  6,  12,  30 ;  of  1874,  Arts.  6,  12,  24.  See  Westminster  Catechism ; 
Preface  to  Constitution  of  1792. 

Doctrines  of  Grace.  That  system  which  emphasizes  the  sinfulness 
and  dependance  of  man,  and  the  Sovereign  Mercy  of  God  in  Christ. 

"Doctrines,  Sacraments  and  Usages."  This  is  the  title  to  the  Third 
Division  of  the  Rules  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619.  It  embraces  Articles  53 
to  70.  The  corresponding  portion  of  the  Explanatory  Articles,  embracing 
Articles  56  to  68,  is  called  "Usages  and  Customs" ;  while  in  the  Revision 
of  1833,  (Arts.  86-90,)  and  of  1874  (Arts.  76-81),  they  are  styled  "Customs 
and  Usages." 

DoDD,  J.  F.  S.  (M.D.)  Appointed  medical  missionary  to  Amoy, 
1894,  107. 

DoESBURG,  Cornelius.  Elected  Prof,  in  Hope  College,  1872;  resigns, 
1896,  358,  372. 

DOMESTIC    MISSIONS. 
FIRST   PERIOD. 

The  Church  began  systematically  to  develop  Home  Missions  soon 
after  the  Revolution.  The  inhabitants  of  Saratoga  were  the  first  to  plead 
for  a  minister ;  1786,  149.  Synod  acknowledges  the  duty  of  looking  after 
the  new  settlements ;  appoints  a  committee  to  report,  150 ;  interesting 
report ;  voluntary  collections  to  be  taken  up  as  evidences  of  brotherly  love, 
for  "Church  Extension,"  which  see;  by  which  moneys,  candidates  and 
ministers  were  to  visit  destitute  fields,  1788,  180-1.  ^38  ($95)  were  col- 
lected the  first  year;  ministers  of  Albany  and  Schenectady  requested  to 
visit  such  fields  in  that  part  of  New  York.  Plans  for  systematic  work, 
1789,  198.  Calls  came  from  such  settlements  in  Kentucky,  Virginia,  the 
Susquehanna  regions,  Canada,  and  the  present  Delaware  Co.,  N.  Y.  1790, 
209;  1791,  224;  1792,  231,  240;  1793,  248-9;  1794,  263-4;  1797,  270-1;  1800, 
307-310.  For  fuller  details,  see  in  Manual  of  1902,  under  "Salt  River,"  Ky., 
p.  1027 ;  Labagh,  Peter,  562 ;  Jennings,  Jacob,  543 ;  Susquehanna,  1034 ; 
Delaware  River  Missions,  958;  Gray,  Andrew,  497,  etc.;  Canada,  944-5; 
McDowell,  594. 

The  C^lassis  of  Albany  was  now  made  the  "Committee  on  Missions'" 
of  all  movements  in  the  North  and  along  the  Mohawk;  1800,  308;  1804, 
331,  340;  and  collections,  to  carry  on  this  work  were  often  earnescly  urged, 
1806,  361.  See  Collections.  The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  also  now 
desires  to  share  in  this  mission  work,  for  Sussex  Co.,  N.  J.  1806,  351. 
See  McDowell's  letter  from  Canada,  1806,  352-3.  Funds  on  hand,  about 
$600;  353-4. 

SECOND    PERIOD. 

A  "Standing  Committee  on  Missions"  was  subsequently  appointed, 
with  headquarters  at  Albany.  Its  rules  :  1806,  354-5 ;  names  of  missionaries, 
356;  reports  of  this  Committee:   1809,  384-6;  '12,  424-6;  '13,  21,  22;  '14, 

47,  48,  72,  77;  '15,  29,  33,  50,  51 ;  '16,  8,  35,  36,  37;  '17,  9,  11-13,  24,  35-39; 

'18,  8,  34,  35;  1819,  13,  43-45.  In  1819  this  Com.  on  Missions  was  trans- 
ferred to  New  York;  reports:  1820,  8-13,  71-73;  '21,  8,  11-16,  56-58;  '22, 
10,  14,  15,  18,  19,  64,  65.  For  a  brief  account  of  these  missionary  opera- 
tions, thus  far,  1786-1822,  see  Manual,  215-218;  and  for  the  churches  in 
Canada,  944-5. 

THIRD    PERIOD. 

An  Independent  Society  was  started  in  New  York,  and  lasted  for  more 
than  ten  years,  electing  its  own  officers,  independently  of  Synod;  called 
"The  Missionary  Society  of  the  Refd.  Dutch  Church."  It  was  annually 
endorsed  by  Synod.     During  its  existence  it  collected  more  than  $30,000, 


220         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

and  aided  loo  churches.  It  also  started  the  "Magazine  of  Refd.  D.  Church" 
in  1826,  which  in  1830  was  superceded  by  the  Christian  Intelligencer.  In 
1828  a  Branch  Society  was  started  in  Albany;  see  Board  of  Agency;  and 
agents  were  appointed,  who  were  very  successful  in  raising  money;  see 
Schermerhorn;  Dumont.  In  1831  there  were  45  missionary  stations;  refer- 
ences: 1822,  19,  65;  '2Z,  9,  II,  12,  59,  60;  '24,  II,  33,  58-60;  '25,  8,  41,  42; 
Sept.,  1825,  31;  26,  58-63,  69;  '27,  52,  53,  74,  76,  77;  '28,  133,  135;  '29,  204, 
207.  But  this  Society  was  not  as  fully  under  control  of  Synod  as  was 
desirable;  there  had  been  also  some  friction  between  it  and  the  Classis  of 
Long  Island;  Synod  therefore  resolved  that,  after  the  next  session  the 
managers  of  said  Society  should  be  elected  directly  by  Synod,  and  that 
a  Second  Board  of  Missions  should  be  established  at  Albany  to  be  con- 
nected with  the  first  Board;  1830,  296-8.  Review  of  former  operations, 
'31,  381.  But  the  Society  declined  to  submit  to  Synod,  and  again  elected 
their  own  officers.  The  Synod,  therefore,  now  created  its  own  "Board  of 
Missions,"  to  conduct  all  the  missionary  operations  of  the  Church.  The 
resolutions  of  1830,  297-8,  were  rescinded,  and  this  new  Board  of  Synod 
was  authorized  to  receive  all  the  missionary  stations  and  funds  from  the 
two  former  Societies;  '31,  378-9,  381-3,  386.  In  1832,  86-88,  appears  the 
first  report  of  Synod's  own  "Board  of  Missions";  see  some  further  refer- 
ences to  the  old  Societies,  '33,  234;  '34,  326-8;  and  in  Manual  of  1902, 
218-219. 

FOURTH  PERIOD,  1831 — present  time. 

This  new  "Board  of  Missions"  was  to  consist  of  34  members,  at  least 
half  of  whom  were  to  reside  in  New  York  City ;  to  be  elected  for  3  years, 
one-third  to  be  elected  each  year ;  to  elect  their  own  officers ;  to  take  all 
necessary  measures  to  further  the  cause  of  missions,  subject  to  the  Synod's 
approval,  and  to  which  body  they  were  to  report  annually;  1831,  383-4. 
The  minute  details  of  the  operations  of  this  Board  cannot,  of  course,  be 
given,  for  want  of  space.  Their  earlier  annual  reports  are  reviewed  as 
follows:  1832,  74;  '33,  221;  '34,  326;  35,  429;  '36,  519. 

The  reports  of  the  Board  were  first  published  in  the  religious  paper ; 
'32,  90;  '36,  528.  The  Synod  had  already  enjoined  the  Mission'^ry  Societies 
to  refrain  from  any  interference  with  any  of  the  ecclesiastical  judicatories; 
'30,  293 ;  $30  contributed,  made  anyone  an  honorary  member,  but  without 
the  privilege  of  deliberating  or  voting;  '33,  234;  this  sum  was  increased 
to  $50  in  1837,  85.  The  necessity  of  employing  agents  to  collect  funds, 
elaborately  discussed,  and  vindicated,  1832,  74-84;  yet  in  '33,  227,  the  agent 
was  dismissed.  See  Dumont.  In  1834,  328-9,  the  old  Missionary  Society 
finally  became  auxiliary  to  Synod's  Board.  Special  attention  began  now 
to  be  given  to  the  German  immigrants.  In  1836,  521,  the  subject  of 
occupying  positions  in  the  "Far  West,"  (meaning  Illinois,)  began  to  be 
discussed.     The  collections  now  were  about  $6,000  per  year ;  522. 

The  Board  was  not  to  assist  any  person  laboring  in  any  vacancy 
within  our  bounds,  unless  regularly  licensed ;  1837,  59.  A  certificate  for 
"Honorary  Members"  was  prepared ;  1837,  85 ;  and  the  Board  was  directed, 
by  Synod,  to  plant  churches  in  the  West ;  '38,  186 ;  '39,  287 ;  this  was  done, 
'40,  412;  8  new  churches,  there;  '41,  512.  Churches  seeking  aid  must  have 
the  recommendation  of  their  Classes ;  '39,  290 ;  in  organizing  churches,  the 
aid  of  the  nearest  Classis  must  be  sought;  '39,  234;  the  title  "Domestic 
Missions"  suggested,  '41,  529;  adopted,  '44,  385.  A  Financial  Secretary 
for  the  two  Boards,  (Domestic  and  Foreign),  to  be  appointed;  '41,  529; 
but  this  action  rescinded,  and  pastoral  agencies,  by  exchange  of  pulpits, 
substituted,   Sept.,  1841,  29. 

A  Financial  Secretary  was,  however,  appointed,  for  all  the  Boards, 
Missions,  Education,  Sabbath-school;  an  interesting  report;  1842,  133-8. 
Dr.  Wells  resigned,  '44,  381 ;  Corresponding  Secretaries  had  also  been 
appointed ;  Rev.  Dr.  B.  C.  Taylor  for  the  Western  field,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
George   H.   Fisher  for  the  eastern  field ;   also  prudential  committees,   for 


DOMESTIC  MISSIONS  221 

consultation  were  appointed,  in  New  York  and  Albany;  1843,  251-264; 
lists  of  the  churches  aided;  $9,516;  raised,  381;  necessity  of  helping  in 
the  building  of  churches  emphasized,  1845,  499,  500.  See  Church  Build- 
ing Fund. 

The  Domestic  Board  was  now  thoroughly  established.  The  Board 
was  invested  with  power  to  appoint  commissioners,  from  time  to  time,  as 
they  may  deem  necessary  for  the  furtherance  of  the  work;  1846,  88;  the 
Board  is  authorized  to  find  any  moneys  accruing  from  bequests,  and 
expend  only  the  proceeds  of  the  same;  1846,  89;  the  Board  shall  apply  to 
the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  respective  Classes  for  detailed  information  about 
the  state  and  abilities  of  churches  applying  for  aid ;  1847,  195.  In  1846  a 
great  immigration  of  Hollanders  begun,  and  subsequently  the  Domestic 
Board  was  largely  occupied  with  them.     See  Hollanders  in  the  West. 

In  1848,  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  elaborately  re- 
viewed the  work  of  the  several  Agencies  or  Boards ;  1848,  308-324.  In 
Domestic  Missions,  the  slowness  of  the  Church  in  seizing  important  points, 
is  referred  to ;  inexperienced  men  have  been  employed ;  means  have  been 
greatly  lacking;  efforts  have  been  concentrated  too  much  around  the 
original  fields  ;  a  classical  and  theological  institution  should  be  started  in 
the  West,  as  a  centre  of  operations;  a  Corresponding  Secretary  is 
needed,  one  without  a  pastoral  charge;  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions 
should  be  reorganized,  and  have  an  Executive  Committee ;  the  Board 
should  not  only  assist  churches,  but  provide  church  buildings ;  a  regular 
system  of  raising  funds  should  be  devised;   1848,  308-315. 

This  report  led  to  the  reorganization  of  the  Board  on  the  following 
basis : 

CONSTITUTION    OF   THE   BOARD   OF   DOMESTIC    MISSIONS. 

1.  That  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  hereafter  consist  of  twenty- 
four  members,  one-half  of  whom  shall  reside  in  the  cities  of  New  York, 
Brooklyn,  and  Jersey  City,  the  residue  to  be  appointed  from  other  parts 
of  the  Church — one-third  of  the  number  to  be  elected  annually  by  General 
Synod. 

2.  That  the  Board  shall  meet  on  the  second  Tuesday  after  the 
adjournment  of  General  Synod — on  the  Tuesday  after  the  meeting  of  the 
Executive  Committee  in  November,  and  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  meeting 
of  the  said  committee  in  April. 

3.  That  the  first  meeting  of  this  Board  shall  be  held  on  the  second 
Tuesday  of  November  next,  at  the  Consistory  Room  in  Fulton  street.  New 
York,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M. ;  and  that  at  such  meeting,  in  addition  to  the 
organization  of  the  Board,  they  shall  divide  themselves  into  three  classes ; 
and  that  their  subsequent  meetings  be  held  at  such  hour  as  they  may 
themselves  decide,  and  that  the  old  Board  continue  to  act  in  the  meantime. 

4.  That  at  these  meetings  of  the  Board  all  the  actions  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  shall  be  revised  and  passed  upon ;  and  that  at  each  meeting 
the  Treasurer  shall  make  a  report  of  the  state  of  the  funds. 

5.  That  said  Board  shall  annually  elect  an  Executive  Committee, 
consisting  of  nine  members,  to  manage  the  Missionary  and  Church  Exten- 
sion concerns,  of  which  the  Corresponding  Secretary  and  Treasurer  shall 
be  ex-officio  members  ;  of  the  remaining  seven,  three  shall  be  laymen  and 
four  ministers ;  that  five  members  of  said  Committee  shall  form  a  quorum 
for  the  transaction  of  business,  and  that  they  meet  monthly. 

6.  That  the  churches  be  earnestly  recommended  to  make  annual  col- 
lections for  the  purpose  of  aiding  feeble  churches  in  erecting  houses  of 
worship,  and  that  the  several  Classes  be  directed  to  see  that  this  recom- 
mendation be  attended  to  in  the  best  manner  to  accomplish  the  object. 

7.  That  authority  to  act  upon  the  principle  of  Church  extension,  in 
aiding  feeble  congregations  to  erect  houses  of  worship,  be  added  to  the 
existing  powers  of  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions ;  and  that  all  moneys 
collected  under  the  authority  of  Synod  for  such  purpose  be  committed  to 


222         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEIGISLATION 

the  said  Board  for  distribution  under  the  distinct  injunction  that  the 
exercise  of  the  charity  be  restricted  to  cases  of  urgency,  where  due  econ- 
omy and  modesty  shall  have  marked  the  plan  of  structure  and  rate  of 
expenditure;  where  the  congregation  applying  for  help,  pledge  themselves 
for  the  speedy  completion  of  the  building  without  leaving  debt,  and  where 
legal  obligations  be  entered  into  that  the  sum  granted  shall  be  returned 
to  the  Reformed  Church,  in  case  of  the  enterprise  failing,  or  the  alienation 
of  the  property  from  a  sacred  use  or  the  authority  of  our  denomination. 

8.  That  except  when  otherwise  ordered  by  the  donors  or  testators,  all 
moneys  collected  for  Church  Extension  shall  be  distributed  freely,  as 
cases  of  need  occur,  that  the  liberality  of  the  Church  be  promptly  as  well 
as  wisely  applied. 

9.  That  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  be  requested  to  devise  and 
endeavor  to  establish  an  efficient  system  for  the  collection  of  funds,  by 
which,  so  far  as  possible,  burdens  may  be  equalized,  attention  to  the 
charities  of  the  Church  kept  up,  and  regularity  and  increase  of  contribu- 
tion secured ;  that  the  action  of  the  Board  may  be  more  confident,  because 
more  assured  of  funds,  and  the  great  advantages  of  general,  systematic 
liberality  gained  and  maintained. 

10.  That  all  other  enactments  touching  the  powers  and  other  matters 
that  relate  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Board,  shall  remain  in  full  force. 
Sept.,  1848,  426-7. 

This  Board  now  requested  the  privilege  of  publishing  their  reports. 
Granted.     Sept.,  1848,  428. 

This  reorganized  Board  appointed,  1849,  Rev.  Dr.  John  Garretson  as 
its  Corresponding  Secretary;  1850,  99.  During  the  decade  of  his  secre- 
taryship, no  less  than  150  new  churches  were  organized,  many  of  them 
under  the  auspices  of  this  Board;  while  the  contributions  rose  to  $17,000. 
Reports:  1850,  93;  '51,  192;  '52,  275;  '53,  370;  '54,  472;  '55,  598;  '56,  108; 
'57,  218;  '58.  350;  '59,  451;  i860,  569.  Efforts  among  the  Germans  and 
Hollanders  received  special  attention. 

Rev.  Dr.  Anson  DuBois  succeeded  as  Corresponding  Secretary, 
1859-62;  Rev.  Dr.  Goyn  Talmage,  1862-67;  Rev.  Cyrus  Vanderveer,  July, 
1867- April,  1868;  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  West,  1868-88;  Rev.  Dr.  Chs.  Pool, 
1888- 1906. 

GENERAL   RESOLUTIONS. 

Moneys  collected  for  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  Sabbath- 
schools,  to  be  placed  in  the  care  of  Domestic  Board;  1863,  316;  the  Board 
may  select  4  or  5  missionaries  of  experience,  to  be  located  near  enough 
together,  that  new  Classes  may  be  established  as  soon  as  three  churches 
are  organized ;  1864,  493 ;  an  annual  official  visit  to  the  West,  by  the  Cor- 
responding Secretary,  desirable ;  1864,  493 ;  the  Board  is  to  avoid  en- 
croaching on  ground  already  occupied  by  Presbyterians ;  1866,  43. 

INCORPORATION    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    DOMESTIC 
MISSIONS,    1866: 

"We,  John  A.  Hardenberg,  Abraham  J.  Beekman,  Goyn  Talmage,  John 
R.  Smith,  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  Paul  D.  Van  Cleef,  citizen  of 
the  State  of  New  Jersey,  do  hereby  certify  that  we  have  associated  our- 
selves together  for  missionary  purposes  in  pursuance  of  the  Act  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  Chapter  319  of  the  Laws  of  1848, 
entitled  An  Act  for  the  Incorporation  of  Benevolent,  Charitable,  Scientific 
and  Missionary  Societies,"  and  the  acts  additional  thereto  and  amending 
thereof. 

"The  name  or  title  by  which  such  Society  shall  be  known  in  law  is 
the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church. 

"The  particular  business  and  objects  of  such  Society  shall  be  the 
promotion  of  the  growth  of  said   Church  by  aiding  weak,  and  founding 


DOMESTIC  MISSIONS  223 

new    churches    of   the    denomination    in    the    United    States    of    America. 
(See  1899,  451.) 

"The  number  of  Directors  to  manage  the  same  shall  be  twenty-four, 
and  the  names  of  the  Directors  for  the  first  year  of  its  existence  are: 

Paul  D.  Van  Cleef,  Peter  Stryker,  Rufus  W.  Clark,  Isaac  M.  See,  H. 
Mandeville,  Samuel  B.  Scheiffelin,  Abraham  J.  Beekman,  John  Garretson, 
Harvey  D.  Ganse,  Gustavus  Abeel,  Anson  Du  Bois,  Jacob  B.  Jewett,  Henry 
Camerden,  Jr.,  James  Meyers,  Jacob  West,  John  H.  Duryee,  Richard  H. 
Steele,  John  A.  Stearns,  Robert  H.  Pruyn,  John  I.  Brower,  John  R. 
Smith,  Goyn  Talmage. 

'"In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names  this  26th 
day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1866. 
"Signed — 

"I  consent  to  the  filing  of  the  within  certificate,  and  approve  thereof. 

D.  P.  Ingr-\ham,  Justice. 

"Filed  December  28,  1866,  11  h.  58  m." 

CHANGE   OF    NAME,    iS/O. 

The  corporate  name  of  the  Board,  as  changed  by  the  Laws  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  1870,  Chapter  182,  is :  "Board  of  Domestic  Missions 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America." 

Amendment  to  Art.  5,  of  the  Plan  of  the  Board  of  1848,  to  conform 
to  the  supposed  meaning  of  a  recent  law;  see  1872,  487-8;  subsequently 
repealed;  see  Corporation,  Bd.  of  Direction  of;  under  date.     1875,  246-7. 

The  Classes  were  frequently  enjoined  to  exercise  care  in  recommend- 
ing churches  for  aid;  1866,  105;  1879,  391;  etc. 

CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    DOMESTIC 
MISSIONS,    AS    PUBLISHED,    1887; 

The  work  of  the  Board  shall  be  divided  into  two  departments :  The 
Missionary  Department,  and  the  Church  Building  Fund. 

II.       MEMBERSHIP    OF    THE    BOARD. 

1.  The  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  shall  consist  of  twenty-four 
members,  one-half  of  whom  shall  reside  in  the  City  of  New  York  or 
immediate  vicinity;  the  residue  shall  be  selected  from  other  parts  of  the 
Church.  One-third  of  the  members  shall  be  elected  annually.  Having 
been  nominated  to  fill  the  annual  vacancies,  by  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  having  been  accepted,  they  shall  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Board  next  succeeding  the  meeting  of  Synod,  be  elected 
in  accordance  with  the  Act  of  Incorporation,  1866,  under  which  the  Board 
is  constituted. 

2.  Members  of  the  Board  shall  hold  their  seats  for  three  years,  or 
until  their  successors  shall  have  been  duly  elected. 

3.  Between  the  meetings  of  General  Synod,  the  Board  may  at  any 
session  elect  members  to  fill  vacancies  for  unexpired  terms  of  service. 

4.  Advisory^  Members  of  the  Board  may  be  appointed  annually,  one 
for  each  Classis  in  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago,  who  shall  correspond 
with  the  Board  concerning  the  mission  work  in  their  respective  fields. 
Whenever  they  can  do  so  without  expense  to  the  Board,  they  may  attend 
its  meetings  and  take  part  in  its  deliberations,  but  shall  not  vote  on  any 
question.  They  shall  be  nominated  by  their  respective  Classes  at  their 
several  Spring  Meetings,  and  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Board  at  the  first 
regular  meeting  succeeding  the  meeting  of  General  Synod. 

III.      OFFICERS. 

1.  The  Officers  of  the  Board  shall  consist  of  a  President,  Vice-Presi- 
dent, Recording  Secretary,  Corresponding  Secretar>-.  and  Treasurer. 

2.  These  shall  be  elected  annually,  by  ballot,  at  the  first  regular  meet- 
ing of  the  Board  following  the  meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 


224  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

IV.      EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE. 

1.  The  Board  shall  annually  elect  at  its  first  regular  meeting  after 
the  Annual  meeting  of  General  Synod,  seven  members,  four  of  whom 
shall  be  ministers  and  three  laymen,  who,  together  with  the  officers  of  the 
Board  shall  constitute  an  Executive  Committee,  to  whom  shall  be  com- 
mitted the  management  of  the  Missionary  Department,  and  Church 
Building  Fund. 

2.  The  Committee  shall  meet  monthly,  on  the  first  Monday  of  each 
month,  at  II  o'clock  a.m.,  and  at  any  other  time  when  it  may  be  requisite, 
at  the  call  of  the  President  or  the  Corresponding  Secretary. 

3.  Five  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business. 

V.      THE   BUSINESS    COMMITTEE. 

1.  The  Board  shall  annually  elect,  at  its  first  regular  meeting  of  the 
General  Synod,  a  Business  Committee  consisting  of  five  members,  three  of 
whom  shall  be  laymen. 

2.  This  Committee  shall  elect  its  own  officers,  and  shall  meet  as  often 
as  may  be  necessary,  at  the  call  of  its  Chairman  or  Secretary.  The  Secre- 
tary shall  keep  a  book  of  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  Committee,  and 
shall  present  the  same  at  every  regular  meeting  of  the  Board ;  and  to  the 
Executive  Committee  as  occasion  may  require. 

3.  This  Committee  beside  considering  and  acting  on  such  financial 
matters  as  may  be  referred  to  it  either  by  the  Executive  Committee  or  the 
Board,  shall  annually  audit  the  Treasurer's  accounts  at  the  close  of  the 
fiscal  year,  and  certify  the  results  of  such  audit  to  the  Board. 

4.  This  Committee  shall  supervise  the  transmission  of  the  securities 
demanded  in  Art.  XIII.,  Sec.  3,  from  the  churches  receiving  aid  from 
the  Church  Building  Fund;  and  all  such  securities  shall  be  approved 
by  them  before  being  deposited  with  the  Treasurer  for  safe  keeping. 

VI.       PRESIDING    OFFICERS. 

1.  The  President  shall  have  a  general  oversight  of  the  .Board  and  its 
work.  He  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Board  or  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  when  his  duties  shall, be: 

(i.)  To  take  the  chair  at  the  hour  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the 
Board  or  Executive  Committee. 

(2.)     To  see  that  the  meeting  is  opened  and  closed  with  prayer. 

(3.)     To  propound  subjects  for  deliberation. 

(4.)  To  confine  speakers  to  the  point,  and  save  them  from  unneces- 
sary interruptions. 

(5.)  To  state  and  put  the  question  when  the  members  are  prepared 
to  vote. 

(6.)     To  decide  questions  of  order,  subject  to  appeal. 

(7.)     To  give  the  casting  vote  in  all  equal  divisions. 

(8.)  And,  in  general,  to  maintain  the  order  and  dignity  of  an  institu- 
tion of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  the  President,  the  Vice-President  shall  preside. 

3.  In  the  absence  of  both  President  and  Vice-President,  at  the  hour 
appointed  for  a  meeting,  the  Board  shall  elect  a  President  pro  tern.,  who 
shall  act  only  during  the  meeting  at  which  he  was  elected,  and  shall  vacate 
the  chair  if  at  any  time  during  said  meeting  either  of  the  presiding  officers 
shall  enter. 

VII.      RECORDING    SECRET .-VRY. 

1.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  notify  members  of  regular  and 
special  meetings  of  the  Board,  call  the  roll,  and  keep  a  fair  copy  of  all  the 
acts  and  proceedings  of  the  Board. 

2.  He  shall,  immediately  after  adjournment,  certify  to  the  Treasurer 
appropriations  of  funds,  which  shall  have  been  made  at  such  meetings. 


DOMESTIC  MISSIONS  225 

VIII.      THE   CORRESPONDING    SECRETARY. 

1.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Board,  provide  some  suitable  place  in  the  City  of  New  York  at  which  to 
receive  the  correspondence  of  the  Board,  and  to  transact  the  general 
business  of  the   Secretaryship. 

2.  He  shall  receive  all  applications  for  aid  from  Churches  already 
established,  or  propositions  for  assistance  in  organizing  new  churches;  all 
recommendations  from  the  Classes  for  aid  for  the  churches  under  their 
care ;  all  applications  from  ministers,  candidates,  or  students,  for  appoint- 
ment as  missionaries ;  and  all  communications  addressed  to  the  Board. 
To  all  these  he  shall  reply  promptly,  and  while  not  withholding  words  of 
good  cheer  and  encouragement  to  struggling  churches,  shall  not  have 
power  to  commit  the  Board  beyond  its  official  acts. 

3.  He  shall  carefully  file  in  a  place  for  convenient  reference,  under 
the  name  of  each  assisted  congregation  or  mission  station,  all  official 
communications  received ;  and  in  a  book  prepared  for  that  purpose  shall 
copy  all  letters  sent  officially  in  reply. 

4.  He  shall  give  such  advice  and  assistance  to  churches  applying  for 
aid,  as  may  be  needed  to  enable  them  to  present  their  applications  accoid- 
ing  to  the  rules  of  the  Board,  but  shall  not  present  any  application  to  the 
Executive  Committee  or  the  Board  until  it  shall  be  maae  in  proper  form. 

5.  He  shall  attend  all  meetings  of  the  Board  and  of  the  Executive 
Committee.  He  shall  report  to  said  meetings  all  apph'cations  for  aid — 
whether  from  the  ordinary  funds  of  the  Board  or  from  the  Church  Build- 
ing Fund — which  are  in  proper  form  and  duly  certified ;  all  reports  of  the 
missions ;  and  all  other  matters  demanding  attention. 

6.  He  shall  keep  a  fair  record  of  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the 
Executive  Committee,  and  shall  report  the  same  to  the  Board  for  final 
action. 

7.  He  shall  keep  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose  an  exact  register 
of  the  date,  time  and  amount  of  every  appropriation,  whether  for  general 
mission  work  or  from  the  Church  Building  Fund,  whether  made  by  the 
Executive  Committee  or  the  Board,  and  shall,  immediately  after  adjourn- 
ment, certify  to  the  Treasurer  all  appropriations  made  by  the  Executive 
Committee. 

8.  He  shall  receive  such  money  as  may  be  paid  at  his  office  for  the 
general  mission  work  or  the  Church  Building  Fund,  and  give  receipts 
therefor  in  the  name  of  the  Treasurer ;  and,  without  delay,  shall  pay  over 
such  moneys,  with  a  memorandum  of  sources  and  objects  to  the  Treasurer 
of  the  Board. 

9.  He  shall,  as  frequently  as  possible,  present  the  needs  of  the  Board, 
to  Churches,  Classes,  Conventions,  and  Synods. 

10.  Through  the  denominational  organs  and  by  means  of  printed 
circulars,  he  shall  furnish  information  concerning  the  progress  of  the  work. 

11.  As  often  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  other  duties  of  his  office. 
and  especially  when  instructed  by  the  Board  or  the  Executive  Committee, 
he  shall  visit  and  carefully  inspect  the  Churches  aided  by  the  Board,  and 
shall  report  the  result  of  such  visit  and  inspection. 

12.  He  shall  assist,  as  far  as  possible,  the  Woman's  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  Domestic  Missions. 

13.  He  shall  keep  a  list  of  the  several  churches  and  parsonages  which 
may  be  the  property  of  the  Board,  or  may  be  covered  by  mortgages  held 
by  the  Board,  together  with  the  amounts  of  insurance  effected  on  each 
building,  and  the  dates  of  expiration  of  the  several  policies.  Thirty  days 
previous  to  the  expiration  of  each  policy,  he  shall  call  attention  of  Con- 
sistories to  the  matter. 

14.  He  shall  hold  his  office  totally  unincumbered  with  any  other 
duties  or  responsibilities  than  those  belonging  to  the  Board. 


226         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

IX.       THE    TREASURER. 

1.  The  Treasurer  shall  hold  in  custody  and  keep  in  a  fire-proof  safe 
of  an  approved  Safe  Deposit  Company,  all  securities  which  may  be  the 
property  of  the  Board,  or  which  may  be  held  in  Trust  for  the  Church 
Building  Fund,  for  the  Permanent  Fund, — or  for  other  special  purposes. 

2.  He  shall  receive  all  moneys  contributed  from  all  sources  for  the 
general  work  of  the  Board,  or  for  the  Church  Building  Fund,  and  shall 
deposit  the  same  in  an  institution  approved  by  the  Board,  the  account  to 
be  kept  in  the  name  of  the  Corporation.  He  shall  forward  receipts  for 
all  money  received,  unless  the  Corresponding  Secretary  has  given  a  receipt 
in  his  name.  He  shall  also  make  detailed  acknowledgments  each  month, 
in  the  "Sower  and  Mission  Monthly,"  and  'The  Christian  Intelligencer." 
He  shall  collect  all  interest  on  invested  funds,  and  debts  due  the  Board, 
and  deposit  as  above. 

3.  He  shall  pay  all  authorized  obligations  of  the  Board,  at  maturity. 
He  shall  pay  the  salary  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  the  necessary 
disbursements  of  Treasurer  for  clerk  hire  and  the  incidental  expenses 
monthly.  He  shall  pay  the  rent  of  the  office  for  the  use  of  the  Board 
quarterl}'.  All  the  payments  provided  for  in  this  section,  may  be  made 
without  special  orders  from  the  Secretary,  but  the  Treasurer  must  report 
such  payments  in  detail,  to  the  Executive  Commitee  at  the  meeting  next 
following  such  payment. 

4.  He  shall  forward  specially  designated  gifts,  only  when  directed  by 
the  Executive  Committee  or  the  Board,  and  on  the  presentation  of  an 
order  certified  by  the  proper  Secretary. 

5.  He  shall  invest  all  moneys  held  for  a  Permanent  Fund  as  he  shall 
be  directed  by  the  Executive  Committee.  He  shall  also  have  charge  of 
the  seal  of  the  Corporation. 

6.  He  shall  pay  all  sums  appropriated  by  the  Executive  Committee  on 
the  order  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  all  sums  appropriated  by 
the  Board  on  the  order  of  the  Recording  Secretary. 

7.  Payments  shall  invariably  be  made  by  check  on  the  institution 
authorized  as  a  place  of  deposit ;  and  all  checks  shall  be  countersigned  by 
the  Corresponding  Secretar}^  or  in  his  absence,  by  an  officer  o*f  the  Board 
designated  by  the  Executive  Committee.  No  payments  shall  be  made 
except  as  hereinbefore  provided. 

8.  He  shall  borrow  money  only  when  authorized  by  the  Executive 
Committee  or  the  Board,  and  shall  sign  notes  therefor  as  Treasurer,  but  no 
note  shall  constitute  a  valid  obligation  of  the  Board,  unless  also  signed  by 
either  the  President,  or  Vice-President,  or  Corresponding  Secretary.  All 
notes  issued  must  be  entered  in  a  book  of  bills  payable,  and  also  in  the 
cash  book,  and  reported  monthly  to  the  Executive  Committee.  Every 
note  when  paid  shall  be  cancelled  in  the  presence  of  the  Executive 
Committee. 

9.  He  shall  keep  or  cause  to  be  kept  such  accounts  as  may  be  neces- 
sary to  show  the  receipts,  expenditures,  and  financial  condition  of  the 
Board  of  Domestic  ^Missions,  and  also  of  the  Church  Building  Fund ;  which 
accounts  shall  be  kept  in  separate  ledgers.  All  his  books  shall  be  open  at 
any  time  for  examination  by  the  Business  Committee,  and  shall  be  sub- 
mitted to  said  Committee  for  an  annual  audit  at  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year. 

10.  He  shall  present  a  detailed  statement  of  receipts,  payments,  and 
obligations,  to  the  Executive  Committee  at  their  regular  monthly  meetings ; 
a  quarterly  statement  to  the  Board  at  its  regular  meetings ;  and  an  Annual 
Report  with  tabulated  statements  of  receipts  and  payments,  at  a  special 
meeting  of  the  Board  preceding  the  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Synod, 
which  report  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  General  Synod. 

X.       MEETING.S    OF   THE    BO.\RD. 

I.  Regular  meetings  of  the  Board  shall  be  held  as  follows:  on  the 
second  Monday  after  the  adjournment  of  the  General  Synod:  on  the  last 


DOMESTIC  MISSIONS  227 

Mondays  of  October  and  January ;  and  on  the  Monday  after  the  meeting 
of  the  Executive  Committee  in  April ;  all  meetings  to  begin  at  2  o'clock,  p.m. 

2.  Special  meetings  may  be  called  at  any  time  by  the  President  or 
Recording  Secretary. 

3.  Members  shall  be  notified  of  both  regular  and  special  meetings, 
and  seven  members  regularh^  convened  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

4.  The  traveling  expenses  of  members  from  a  distance  attending  the 
meetings  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  funds  of  the  Board. 

XI.      TRANSACTION    OF  BUSINESS. 

1.  In  the  transaction  of  business,  the  Board  and  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee shall  be  subject  to  the  same  Rules  of  Order  of  General  Synod,  so 
far  as  the  same  may  be  applicable. 

2.  The  following  shall  be  the  order  of  business  at  each  regular 
meeting  of  the  Board : 

I.     Prayer. 
II.     Reading  and  approval  of  the  Minutes. 

III.  Reports  of  Committees. 

1.  Executive. 

2.  Business. 

3.  Special. 

IV.  Treasurer's  Report. 
V.     Unfinished  Business. 

VI.     New  Business. 
VII.     Prayer. 

3.  All  meetings  of  the  Board  and  of  the  Executive  Committee  shall 
be  opened  and  closed  with  prayer. 

4.  At  every  regular  meeting  of  the  Board,  the  Executive  Committee 
shall  submit  a  detailed  statement  of  proceedings  for  examination  and 
approval. 

5.  The  Board  shall  annually  report  to  the  General  Synod. 

XII.      MISSIONS    AND    MISSIONARIES. 

1.  The  work  of  the  Board  shall  be  conducted  in  harmony  with  the 
constitutional  rights  of  ecclesiastical  judicatories,  and  with  Christian 
courtesy  toward  all  evangelical  denominations. 

2.  The  Board  shall  retain  the  control  and  authority  of  the  missions 
of  the  church.  Any  designation  of  ministers,  missionaries,  or  superin- 
tendents of  missions,  must  be  confirmed  by  the  Executive  Committee,  or 
by  the  Board. 

3.  The  Board  shall  prepare  blank  forms  for  application  for  aid  from 
the  funds  of  the  Board,  and  furnish  the  same  to  churches  or  mission 
stations  desiring  assistance. 

4.  Such  application  shall  in  ever}^  case  be  submitted  to  the  Classis  to 
which  the  church  belongs,  or  within  whose  bounds  the  station  is  located ; 
and  if  the  Classis  approve,  the  application  shall  be  endorsed  by  their  stated 
clerk,  and  forwarded  to  the  Corresponding  Secretary. 

5.  In  the  case  of  a  new  church  or  mission  station,  if  Classis  so 
authorize,  application  may  be  made  directly  to  the  Board  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  Church  Extension  of  the  Classis. 

6.  All  applications  which  are  found  to  be  in  order  shall  be  submitted 
to  the  Executive  Committee,  or  the  Board,  who  may  appropriate  the 
whole  or  any  part  of  the  aid  solicited,  or  return  the  application  with 
reasons  for  denial  to  the  Classis  endorsing  the  same. 

7.  All  churches  making  application  for  aid  in  the  settlement  of  a 
pastor,  shall  make  such  application  on  each  separate  effort  toward  the 
prosecution  of  a  call. 

8.  In  the  appointment  of  missionaries,  or  the  extension  of  aid  to 
applicants — no   appropriation    shall   be   made    in   behalf   of   any   person   to 


228         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

labor  as  a  missionary,  who  is  not,  at  the  time  of  his  appointment,  a  student, 
a  candidate,  or  a  minister,  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

9.  When  aid  shall  be  granted  to  churches  where  ministrations  are  in 
the  Dutch  or  German  language,  it  shall  be  stipulated  expressly,  that  at 
least  one  service  on  the  Lord's  Day  shall  be  in  the  English  language; 
unless  in  the  judgment  of  the  Executive  Committee  or  the  Board,  the 
exigencies  of  the  congregation  will  not  permit  such  service. 

ID.  It  is  inexpedient  to  make  appropriations  for  a  stated  supply;  and 
churches  asking  aid  shall  be  encouraged  to  secure  a  settled  ministry. 

II.  It  is  expressly  stipulated  that  churches  receiving  aid  from  the 
Board  accept  the  same  with  the  condition  that  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  has  an  equitable  claim  in  their  entire  property;  and  on  this 
account  said  property  cannot  be  diverted  from  denominational  purposes. 
This  stipulation  shall  be  printed  on  all  applications  for  aid,  and  on  all 
receipts  given  for  moneys  received  from  or  through  the  Board  of  Domestic 
Missions  as  grants  in  aid  either  for  the  support  of  a  pastor,  or  for  the 
purpose  of  aiding  the  church  in  any  other  way. 

XIII.      THE   CHURCH    BUILDING   FUND. 

1.  To  the  Church  Building  Fund  shall  be  credited  all  moneys  con- 
tributed from  all  sources  to  the  treasury  of  the  Board  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  churches  in  the  erection,  or  enlargement  of  their  church  buildings 
or  parsonages. 

2.  The  Board  shall  furnish  blank  forms  for  application  for  aid  from 
the  Church  Building  Fund.  Applications  shall  be  made  by  the  Consistor}-, 
approved  by  Classis,  certified  by  the  stated  clerk,  presented  to  the  Executive 
Committee  or  the  Board,  and  action  taken  thereon  in  the  same  manner  as 
applications  for  aid  from  the  general  funds  of  the  Board,  and  as  provided 
in  the  preceeding  article. 

3.  Before  any  appropriation  for  aid  from  the  Church  Building  Fund 
shall  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer,  the  Consistory  of  the  church  receiving  such 
aid  shall  transfer  to  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  by  good  and  sufficient  deed,  the  site. whereon  the 
church  building  is  to  be  erected,  or  shall  execute  a  bond  for  the  full  amount 
of  the  grant,  secured  by  a  lirst  mortgage  on  their  church  and  its  site. 
according  to  a  form  approved  by  the  Board ;  and  in  case  of  the  execution 
of  a  bond,  the  Board  may  remit  interest  thereupon,  on  the  condition  that 
an  annual  collection  be  taken  for  the  Fund.  Such  bonds  bearing  no  interest 
shall  rest  as  an  obligation  on  the  congregation,  if  possible  to  be  discharged 
in  due  time. 

4.  These  rules  shall  also  apply  to  funds  appropriated  for  the  erection 
of  parsonages. 

5.  No  church,  receiving  aid  from  the  Church  Building  Fund,  shall 
make  application  for  additional  assistance  to  any  of  our  Reformed 
Churches,  without  the  sanction  of  the  Executive  Committee  or  the  Board. 

6.  Contributions  sent  directly  to  churches,  without  express  authority 
of  the  Board,  shall  not  be  acknowledged  among  the  receipts  of  the  Board. 

XIV.       AMENDMENTS. 

Amendments  to  these  By-Law-s  ma}'-  be  made  at  any  regular  meeting 
of  the  Board,  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  all  the  members  present,  provided 
that  notice  of  such  amendment  shall  be  given  in  writing  at  a  previous 
meeting,  and  provided  that  absent  members  be  notified  that  changes  are 
proposed  ;  and  provided  further  that  no  amendments  shall  be  made  which 
conflict  with  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  America,  without  first  obtaining  the  consent  of  that  body. 

RESOLUTIONS. 

''Resolved,  "That  we  direct  the  Board  to  accept  for  each  of  the  six 
Western  Classes  its  Chairman  of  its  Committee  on  Church  Extension,  as 


DOMESTIC  MISSIONS  229 

a  corresponding  member  of  it,  ex  officio,  to  be  a  medium  of  correspondence 
between  the  Board  and  the  churches  of  his  own  Classis."     1887,  347. 

In  order  "that  the  Missionary  Agent  of  Classis  may  henceforth  have  a 
position  of  greater  dignity  and  effectiveness  in  the  Church,  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  the  Missionary  Agents  of  the  Classes  be  nominated 
by  the  Classes,  and  confirmed  by  General  Synod."     1888,  597. 

1.  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the  General 
Synod,  to  confer  with  the  Board's  Committee,  for  the  purpose  of  deter- 
mining the  questions  and  relations  involved  in  these  appointments  of  Mis- 
sionary Superintendents  for  the  East  and  the  West,  and  to  define  the 
sphere  and  functions  of  such  Sueprintendents,  that  harmony  may  be 
secured  and  efficient  work  may  be  rendered  the  Church  through  its 
Synodical  and  Classical  agencies  for  Home  work. 

2.  Resolved,  That  meanwhile  the  Board  be  granted  discretionary 
power  to  appoint  a  Missionary  Superintendent  for  the  Particular  Synod  of 
Xew  York  for  one  year.     1889,  819. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  have  the  endorsement  of  Synod  in  appro- 
priating so  much  of  its  funds  as  it  may  deem  proper  for  the  purpose  of 
defending  the  interests  of  the  Church  in  the  attempt  to  recover  property  at 
Constantine ;  and  further,  that  discretionary  power  be  granted  them  in 
regard  to  any  other  similar  case  that  may  arise.     1889,  819. 

4.  That  the  Board  be  requested  to  devise  a  suitable  plan  or  method 
by  which  the  Church  Building  Fund  may  become  what  it  should  be — a 
fountain  of  supply  to  all  the  churches  and  missions  requiring  aid  from 
this  source  and  a  fountain  of  immediate  supply;  and  that  with  a  view  to 
preparing  such  plan  we  would  recommend  a  comparison  of  the  methods  of 
other  churches  in  this  matter.     1889,  820-1. 

In  1890  Rev.  Dr.  West  died,  having  been  Corresponding  Sec,  1868-88, 
and  Hon.  Sec,  '88-'90.  Rev.  R.  H.  Joldersma  had  been  appointed  Superin- 
tendent of  Western  Missions,  Ap.  ist,  1889;  19  student  missionaries  had 
been  employed  the  preceding  summer.  Rev.  H.  E.  Nies,  of  Paterson,  had 
been  employed  as  missionary  among  the  arriving  Dutch  immigrants  ;  1890, 
88-92.  Success  of  the  Missionary  Superintendent,  1891,  318-323.  In  1893 
the  receipts  reached  $88,172.  An  understanding  had  been  reached  with 
the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  Churches  not  to  encroach  on  each 
other's  work.  The  names  of  Classical  Missionaries  reported  for  confirma- 
tion, to  Synod,  1893,  795-9. — There  have  been  48  new  churches  organized 
during  the  past  five  years;  31  church  buildings  erected;  and  22  parsonages 
built;  a  great  immigration  expected  from  Holland;  1894,  112-115. 

Two  hundred  and  two  churches  assisted  by  the  Board;  work  to  be 
begun  among  the  Indians  of  Oklahoma ;  the  serv'ices  of  Rev.  Frank  W. 
Wright,  an  Indian  evangelist,  secured;  1895.  116-121.  More  old  churches, 
in  the  East,  seeking  aid,  on  account  of  changing  environment.  The  Indian 
work  progressing.  Plan  of  co-operation  in  Domestic  Mission  Work ;  see 
Alliance  of  Refd.  Churches,  1895-6.  Suggested  that  the  Board  should 
introduce,  as  far  as  may  be,  the  principle  and  policy,  of  local  or  classical 
support  of  new  missionary  enterprises;  1897,  666-8;  also  it  was  determined 
to  employ  a  Field  Secretary  to  visit  churches  and  individuals  in  the  interest 
of  this  work:  the  plan  commended  to  the  Board;  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  W.  Clark 
appointed;  1897,  670-1. 

In  1899,  the  receipts  $83,870 ;  a  noble  gift  of  $10,000  from  Ralph  Voor- 
hees  and  wife.  The  Board  united  with  other  similar  Boards,  in  petitioning 
Congress  against  sectarian  appropriations ;  against  aid  for  distinctively 
Roman  Catholic  missions  among  the  Indians ;  and  against  seating  the 
Mormon  Roberts  in  Congress ;  1899,  445-450. — Propriety  of  a  Field  Secre- 
tary for  the  West,  suggested ;   1900,  757-765. 

The  following  amendments  are  offered  to  the  "Policy  of  the 
Board": 


230         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ARTICLE    Vlll.       THE    CLASSICAL    MISSIOXARV, 

§  I.  To  read:  It  shall  be  the  Policy  of  the  Board,  on  request 
of  any  Classis,  to  appoint  a  Classical  Missionary  to  serve  within  its 
bounds;  provided  that  the  exigencies  of  the  work  will  warrent  such 
an  appointment. 

§  2.  To  read  :  The  Classical  ^Missionary  shall  be  nominated  by 
the  Classis  within  whose  bounds  he  is  to  serve;  and  unless  sufficient 
reasons  shall  be  given  to  the  contrary,  such  nominee  shall  be  ap- 
pointed and  commissioned  by  the  Board. 

§  3.  To  read  :  For  the  sake  of  economy  in  men  and  means,  it 
may  be  necessary  to  appoint  one  Classical  Missionary  for  two  or 
more  Classes,  but  in  all  cases  the  Board,  shall  endeavor  to  secure  d 
Missionary  who  will  be  acceptable  to  the  Classes  within  whose 
bounds  he  is  to  labor. 

§  4  and  5  unchanged. 
•    §  6.     He   shall   be  expected  to  preach   every  Sunday  in   the  year 
(except  four  vacation  Sundays),  and  shall  divide  his  time  among  the 
several  churches  of  the  field,  as  he  may  be  directed  by  the  Classical 
Committee  on  Church  Extension  and  the  Board. 

§  7.     Unchanged. 

§  8.     Unchanged. 

§  9.  To  read:  It  is  expected  that  he  shall  be  a  member  of  the 
Classis,  or  one  of  the  Classes  within  whose  bounds  he  is  to  labor; 
and  he  shall  make  an  annual  report  to  the  Classis  according  to  the 
form  of  Consistorial  report,  for  each  church  to  which  he  may  have 
ministered.     1897,  669. 

(See  Report  of  Board,  1897,  pp.  24-27.) 

The  overture  from  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  asking  for 
permission  to  amend  the  charter  of  the  Board,  reads  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  memorialize  the  General  Synod,  ask- 
ing for  permission  to  take  steps  legally  to  amend  the  charter  of  the 
Board,  so  as  to  permit  our  missionaries  to  engage  in  evangelistic 
work,  which  may  not  immediately  eventuate  in  the  founding  of  new 
churches  of  our  denomination. 

In  examining  the  charter  your  committee  find  that  at  present 
the  Board  is  hampered  in  its  work,  because  debarred  from  using  any 
of  the  funds  except  for  work  which  may  already  be  known  as  denom- 
inational. And  there  can  be  no  general  complaint  against  this  provi- 
sion; but  there  are  times  when  pioneer  or  preparatory  work  becomes 
necessary,  as,  for  example,  the  educational  work  among  the  freed- 
men  of  the  South.  At  present  the  Board  is  prevented  from  enter- 
ing upon  such  an  undertaking  because  the  charter  expressly  states 
that  its  funds  shall  be  used  for  "aiding  weak  and  founding  new 
churches."  Such  work  as  mentioned  above  would,  of  course,  eventu- 
ally result  in  -the  founding  of  new  churches,  but  being  educational 
only  at  the  outset,  it  falls  outside  of  the  privileges  of  the  charter. 
Your  committee,  having  the  utmost  confidence  in  the  administration 
of  the  Board,  and  believing  that  a  little  more  liberty  is  desirable 
and  may  properly  be  allowed  would,  therefore,  recommend  the  adop- 
tion of  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  permission  be  granted  the  Board  to  take  steps 
legally  to  amend  its  charter,  so  as  to  allovv  our  missionaries  to  en- 
gage in  evangelistic  work  which  may  not  immediately  eventuate  in 
the   founding  of  new  churches.     1899,  451. 

In  1900,  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church  said: 

In  the  field  of  Domestic  Missions,  the  different  Classes  at  the 
beginning  of  the  century  would  raise  from  ten  to  twenty-five  pounds 
each  to  assist  our  own  feeble  churches,  and  lay  the  money  on  the 
table  of  Synod.     In  1820  the  total  income  for  this  purpose  was  only 


DOMESTIC  MISSIONS  231 

about  $400.     In  1831  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  was  organized, 
and  in  1850  the  offerings  for  its  work  were  about  $6,000.     1900,  814. 

A  new  impulse  was  given  to  the  Department  of  Domestic  Missions 
by  the  great  immigration  of  Hollanders  to  the  West,  begun  in  1846. 
In  1849,  the  growth  of  the  work  demanded  a  permanent  Correspond- 
ing Secretary.  In  1859,  the  receipts  for  this  work  were 
$17,000;  in  1878,  $27,000.  In  1897  the  work  demanded  fur- 
ther enlargement,  and  a  Field  Secretary  was  engaged.  In  1900  the 
offerings  for  Domestic  Missions  were  alDOUt  $75,000,  and  the  legacies 
for  the  same  cause  were  $12,623.  The  total  of  receipts  for  the  year 
were  over  $90,000.  This  is  the  only  agency  we  have  for  the  ex- 
tension of  our  Denomination  on  this  continent.  Fully  two-thirds 
of  our  churches  have  been  aided  in  their  early  history  by  this 
Board.  Not  many  new  churches  or  missions  are  organized  that  do 
not  at  first  seek  assistance.  It  is  the  staff  on  which  not  a  few  of 
our  older  rural  churches,  temporarily  weak,  are  leaning.  It  is  the 
pioneer  of  aggressive  work  in  new  fields — such  work  as  is  done  by 
the  Classical  missionary,  whose  duty  is  caring  for  vacant  mission 
churches,  and  watching  for  and  seizing  opportunities  to  plant  new 
missions  in  the  bounds  of  his  Classis. 

In  fifty  years  we  have  gained  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago, 
which  includes  the  churches  in  Illinois,  Ohio,  ^Michigan,  Wisconsin, 
Indiana,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  the  two  Dakotas,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and 
Montana.  This  has  been  accomplished  through  the  instrumentality 
of  the  Domestic  Board.  There  has  also  been  growth  in  the  East 
under  its  fostering  care. 

The  Board  has  now  under  its  care  227  churches  and  missions, 
and  helps  pay  the  salaries  of  160  pastors  and  missionaries  who  have 
charge  of  these  churches  and  missions.  These  pastors  minister  in 
the  Gospel  to  9,650  families,  15,090  church  members,  and  19,261  Sun- 
day school  children.  These  services  are  maintained  in  three  lan- 
guages, viz.,  English,  Dutch  and  German,  according  to  the  field. 

The  Church  Building  Fund,  organized  in  1854,  had  receipts  in 
1900  of  about  $7,000.  We  have  no  other  agency  for  the  erection  of 
churches  on  new  fields  except  the  Building  Fund  managed  by  this 
Board.  During  the  past  half  century,  nine  new  Classes  have  been 
organized  in  the  West,  and  nine  in  the  East,  notwithstanding  cer- 
tain consolidations  of  several  Classes.     1900,  819,  820. 

For  the  more  adequate  representation  of  the  church  as  a  whole 
and  of  the  Western  portion  in  particular,  your  Committee  recom- 
mend that  Synod  enlarge  the  present  membership  of  each  of  the 
Boards  of  Missions  by  three,  and  that  one  member  each  year  shall 
be  elected  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago.     1900,  839. 

The  Board  50  years  old;  duty  of  evangelizing  the  foreigners  of 
our  land;  50  years  since  the  more  recent  great  Holland  immigration 
began;  churches  have  increased  from  296  to  650;  and  communicants, 
from  34,  568,  to  110,00;  the  institutions  from  one  college  and  one  semi- 
nary, to  many,  not  only  in  our  own  land,  but  in  India,  China  and 
Japan;  1901,  iioi-iiio. 

In  1902,  receipts  $95,243;  an  Indian  elder,  a  delegate  to  General 
Synod;  work  among  the  Kentucky  mountaineers  generously  sus- 
tained; importance  of  systematic  instruction  in  missions,  emphasized; 
churches  urged  to  open  their  pulpits  to  the  Field  Secretary;  1902,  104- 
7. — A  sum  only  just  short  of  $100,000  raised  for  Domestic  Missions; 
prospect  of  a  Classis  soon,  in  Oklahoma;  duty  of  evangelizing  the 
immigrants,  work  progressing  among  colored  people  in  South  Caro- 
lina;   1903,  370-4;    1904,   716-720- 

In  1905  the  Board  is  aiding  245  churches  and  missions;  9  new 
churches   have   been   organized;   6   new   stations    opened;    6   churches 


232         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

now  in  Oklahoma;  Rev.  W.  C.  Roe  made  Missionary  Superintendent, 
there;  and  Rev.  Frank  H.  Wright,  evangelist.  Receipts  $98,000. — 1905, 
112-116. 

For  churches  organized,  mostly  thro'  this  Board,  from  1831, 
see  chronological  list  in  Manual  of  1902,  pages  1077-1082.  The  re- 
ports on  Domestic  Missions,  until  1854,  v^ill  be  found  under  Art.  18, 
of  Mints,  of  Gen.  Synod;  after  1854,  in  Art.  8.  See  Women's  Execu- 
tive Com.  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions;  Student  Missionaries;  and  also 
for  the  Board's  more  general  work,  see  Manual,  221-5. 

Funds  held  by  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,   1905. 

"GRAHAM   MEMORIAL   FUND." 

THE  CORNELLS  GRAHAM   LEGACY  "is  to  be  a  perpetual  fund 

for  spreading  the   Gospel;   the  principal  is  to  be  invested,  and 

the    income    is    to    be    applied    solely    to    Missionary    purposes 

in  the  Western    States   and   Territories    of   the   United    States." 

Invested  in   bonds   secured  by  mortgage 12,50000 

On  deposit  in  United  States  Trust  Company 1,712  50 

Total  on  hand,  April  30,   1905 $14,212  50 

"MILLEDOLLAR   MEMORIAL   FUND." 

THE  CORNELIA  GRAHAM  LEGACY  "is  to  be  a  perpetual  fund 

for  spreading  the   Gospel;   the  principal  is  to  be  invested,  and 

the    income    is    to    be    applied    solely    to    Missionary    purposes 

in  the  Western    States   and   Territories    of   the   United    States." 

Invested   in   bonds   secured  by   mortgage 12,50000 

On  deposit  in  United  States  Trust  Company 1,712  50 

Total  on  hand,  April  30,   1905 $14,212  50 

"KATHARINE  B.  BROWNLEE  MEMORIAL" 
On    deposit    in    United    States    Trust    Company,    April    30, 

1 905    *.  .     $2,000  00 

"THE  GARRETT  J.   BLAUVELT  LEGACY." 
"Income  shall  be  applied  to  the  work  of  the  Board  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions." 
On    deposit    in    United    States    Trust    Company,    April    30, 

1905    $1,000  GO 

"FLORENCE   LINDSLEY   MEMORIAL." 
On    deposit    in    United    States    Trust    Company,    April    30, 

1905    $1,000  00 

"ANN  R.  COOK  MEMORIAL." 
On    deposit    in    United    States    Trust    Company,    April    30, 

1905    $1,000  00 

"JOSIAH  SCHENCK  LEGACY." 

'The  income  only  to  be  used." 

On    deposit    in    United    States    Trust    Company,    April    30, 

1905    $3,537  15 

"ANDREW  J.  SCHAEFER  LEGACY." 
'The  income  only  to  be  used  by  the  Board." 
On    deposit    in    United    States    Trust    Company,    April    30, 

1905    $15000 

"THE  CONTINGENT  FUND." 
Amount  set  apart  as  a   Contingent   Fund. 

On  deposit  in  Union  Trust  Company,  April  30,  1905 $20,000  00 

See  Report  of  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  1905,  27. 


DONALD    MEMORIAL  233 

BEQUESTS 

RECOMMENDED   BY   GENERAL    SYNOD. 

The  General  Synod  recommended  (See  Minutes  of  June,  1884,  p.  268; 
that  the   following   forms   should   be   used   in   preparing   a   Will   where   a 
Bequest  is  to  be  made  to  either  or  both  departments  of  the  Board. 
If  for  the  MISSIONARY    DEPARTMENT. 

I  give  unto  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Reformed 
Church   in   America,  Dollars,   to   be    applied   to    the 

maintenance  and  support  of  Domestic   Missions  of  said  Church. 

If  for  the  CHURCH    BUILDING   FUND. 

I  give  unto  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Church  Building 
Fund,  Dollars,    to    be    applied    for    the    erection    of 

Church  Buildings  for  said  Church. 

In  making  bequests  to 

THE    WOMEN'S    EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE, 
say — 

I  give  unto  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  Dollars,  to  be  applied  to  Domestic 

Missions  by  the  Women's  Executive  Committee  connected  with 
said  Board. 

See  Report  of  Bd.  Dom.  Miss.     1903,  38. 

Donald  Memorl\l.  A  Scholarship  of  $2,000  for  the  Arcot  Semi- 
nary, held  by  General  Synod.     Report  of  Foreign  Bd.  1888,  103. 

DoREMUS,  Thos.  C.  Communication  from,  in  reference  to  Scud- 
der  Monument;   1863,  250. 

DoREMUs,  Mrs.  Thos.  C.  Founder  of  the  ''Woman's  Union 
Missionary  Society,''  i860,  the  first  of  the  W^oman's  Missionary  So- 
cieties in  America.  Most  zealous  advocate  for  Missions,  and  the  fos- 
tering mother  of  missionaries  on  their  departure  from,  and  return 
to,  America.  See  sketch  of  her  life  in  Missionary  Link,  March, 
1877. 

.  DoRT,  (or  Dordrecht),  Synod  of.  The  Great  Synod  held  in  Hol- 
land, 1618-19,  to  consider  certain  religious  issues.  Representatives 
were  present  from  almost  every  Reformed  Church  in  Europe.  The 
Arminians  were  cited  to  appear  and  defend  themselves.  Political 
issues  were  involved.  The  Arminians  were  finally  excluded  from 
their  churches  for  teaching  contrary  to  their  subscriptions.  This 
Synod  also  finally  fixed  the  Doctrinal  Standards  of  the  Church  of 
Holland,  viz.,  the  Belgic  Confession,  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  and 
the  Liturgy,  adding  also  the  Canons  of  this  Synod  of  Dort.  The 
Rules  of  Church  Government  were  now  also  finally  revised.  See 
Constitution  of   1874,  Arts.  6,   12,  24. 

Folio  histories  of  the  Synod  of  Dort  were  quickly  issued  in  both 
Latin  and  Dutch.  1620,  1621.  An  abridged  history  in  English,  was 
published  by  Rev.  Thos.  Scott,  the  Commentator,  in  1818;  and  this 
was  reprinted  in  Utica,  N.  Y.  in  1831.  A  second  edition  was  pub- 
lished by  the  Presbyterian  Board,  Philadelphia,  1841,  with  an  In- 
troductory Essay,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  ^Miller,  Professor  in  Prince- 
ton Seminary. 

Dort  and  W^estminster.  Notes  on,  by  Prof.  David  D.  Demarest, 
D.D.,  1890. 

Dosker,  Henry  E.  (Rev.  Dr.).  A  delegate  to  the  Christian  Re- 
formed Church  in  Holland,  which  met  at  Assen,  1888,  613;  elected 
Professor  of  Historical  Theology  in  the  Western  Seminary;  salary, 
$1,200,    but    Synod   not   responsible   for   said    salary   until    an    endow- 


234         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

ment  of  $30,000  is  secured;  nor  shall  he  enter  on  his  work  until  $1,200 
have  been  secured  by  reliable  pledges  for  the  period  of  five  years; 
1894,  74;  his  installation  reported,  1895,  63;  he  is  authorized  to  seek 
an  endowment  for  his  Chair,  1895,  64,  '/2\  his  certificate  of  dismission 
from  the  Classis  of  Holland  to  the  Synod,  1895,  82,  83;  requests  an 
increase  of  salary;  no  funds  for  it,  1897,  606;  resigns  his  Professor- 
ship, 1903,  318,  332. 

Douglass  Memorial,  The.     See  Report  of  Bd.  For.  Miss.     1905,4. 

Drunkenness.  According  to  the  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  80, 
"habitual  drunkenness"  deserves  suspension;  in  the  revisions,  it  is 
made  simply  "drunkenness."  1833,  102;  1874,  91.  See  Innkeepers; 
Intemperance;  Temperance. 

Drury,  John  B.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Vedder  Lecturer,  1881,  762; 
Lecture  in  1883,  on  "Truths  and  Untruths  of  Evolution";  Lecturer 
in  Summer  School  of  American  Institute  of  Christian  Philosophy, 
1885;  President  of  General  Synod,  1886;  Editor  of  Christian  Intelli- 
gencer, 1887  to  present  time,  (1906). 

DuBBiNK,  Gerrit  H.  (Rev.).  Elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  and  Po- 
lemic Theology  in  Western  Theolog.  Seminary;  1904,  664. 

DuBois,  Anson,    (Rev.   Dr.).     President  of  General   Synod,    1865. 

DuBois,  Hasbrouck,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Bequeaths  $950  to  General  Edu- 
cational  Fund;   1903. 

Du  Clos,  R.  p.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Delegate  from  French  Evangelical 
Church  of  Canada;   1875,  252. 

DuMoNT,  A.  Henry,  (Rev.).  With  the  resignation  of  Rev.  J.  F. 
Schermerhorn  as  General  Agent  to  collect  funds,  Rev.  A.  H.  Du- 
Mont  was  elected  General  Agent,  with  a  salary  of  $1,250;  1832,  85, 
During  the  following  year,  he  raised  $5,201,  for  Domestic  Mission- 
ary operations;  $1,475,  for  Educational  purposes;  $393  had  also  been 
received  since  the  closing  of  the  Treasurer's  accounts,  making  $7,074 
in  all.  The  receipts  were  $400  less  than  in  the  preceding  year,  owing 
to  the  prevalence  of  the  cholera.  The  propriety  of  the  Agency-  is 
then   discussed,   and   it   was   discontinued;    1833,   222-7. 

Duplicate  Books  in  Library.  The  Faculty  is  authorized  to  ex- 
change duplicates  in  the  Library,  w^here  it  can  be  done  to  advantage. 
1869,  546-7,  645;  this  power  given  to  the  Faculty,  and  the  Committee 
of  Co-operation,   Drs.   Chambers,   Hartrauft.  and   Corwin;    1875,  z^d. 

Duryea,  Joseph  T.  Procures  the  services  of  Prof.  Peabody  to 
teach  elocution  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  Thanks  of  Synod.  1866, 
10,    II. 

DuRYEE,  Catharine  Adaline,  (Miss).  Bequeaths  $300  toward  Li- 
brary of  Western  Seminary.  1902,  59.  Made  the  nucleus  of  a  Per- 
mament  Library  Fund. 

Duryee,  Charlotte,  (Mrs.).  Foreign  Corresponding  Secretary  of 
the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  1877-85.  Founder  of  the 
Bible  School  at  Amoy,  called  after  her  name,  1884.  Here  women  of 
the  churches  of  the  Amoy  Mission  are  taught  to  read  the  Bible  in 
Romanized  colloquial,  and  some  of  them  become  "Bible   Women." 

Duryee,  Elizabeth  R.  (Miss).  Bequeaths  $5,000  to  Bd.  of  Edu- 
cation.    1875,  316. 

Duryee,  Margaret  E.  (Miss).  Gives  5,000  for  Scholarships  to 
Bd.  of  Education,  1876. 

Duryee,  Wm.  R.    (Rev.  Dr.).     President  of  General  Synod,  1883. 

Dusenbekry,  Chs.  Gives  Scholarship  of  $2,500  to  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion, 1865. 


DUTCH  235 

Dutch.  A  word  which  came  to  be  accidentally  used  in  the  Name 
of  the  Church.     See  Title  of  the  Church. 

Dutch  Church.  Same  as  Dutch  Reformed  Church;  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church;  Reformed  Church  in  America.  The  latter 
has  been  the  official  and  legal  title  since  1867.  See  Title  of  the 
Church. 

Dutch  Hymns.  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  69;  of  1792,  Art.  65. 
Reference  to,  1790,  212.  See  Psalms  and  Hymns;  Hymnology; 
Metrical  Versions  of  the  Psalms. 

Dutch  Language  and  Preaching.  The  Dutch  language  was 
used  in  the  Dutch  churches  almost  entirely  from  1628-1763,  although 
not  a  few  of  the  Dutch  ministers  also  preached  occasionally  in  French 
and  English.  Between  1763-1820  Dutch  and  English  were  both  used, 
but  the  English  rapidly  gained  ^ground.  With  the  recent  large  im- 
migration of  Hollanders  to  Michigan  and  the  West,  beginning  in 
1847,  the  Dutch  language  has  again  come  into  use  in  those  Holland- 
ish  churches.  The  Doctrines,  Liturgy  and  Rules  of  Church  Govern- 
ment were  translated  into  English,  by  order  of  Synod,  1788-1792.  See 
Constitution.  See  also  "Ecclesiastical  Records  of  State  of  New 
York,"  Vol.  VL,  for  the  documents  connected  with  the  change  of 
language,  in  the  Collegiate  Church  of  New  York;  also  Gunn's  Life  of 
Dr.  Livingston;  Corwin's  Manual;  Article  "Laidlie";  and  Mints.  Gen. 
Syn.  1812,  410-414;  and  "Minutes;  Translation  of  Dutch  Minutes." 

DwiGHT,  Maurice  W.  (Rev.  Dr.).  President  of  General  Synod, 
1844;  his  widow  presents  80  volumes  to  the  Theological  Seminary,  1865, 
548. 

Eadie,  John,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Prof,  of  Bib.  Lit.  and  Exeget.  Theology 
in  the  University  of  Edinburg,  delegate  from  United  Presbyt.  Ch.  of 
Scotland,  1873,  668. 

Earnest  of  the  Spirit.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  49;  Canons,  v.  10.  See 
Witness  of  the  Spirit. 

Earnest  Worker.  A  paper  of  Presbyt.  Ch.,  South ;  to  be  merged 
with  "Sower  and  Gospel  Field,"  and  published  simultaneously  at  New 
York  and  Richmond,  1875,  353. 

Easter.  To  be  observed;  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  dy;  Lord's 
Supper  to  be  administered  on,  if  possible.  Art.  63;  (in  America,)  its 
observance  optional,  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  67.  No  reference  to  it  in  the 
Constitutions  of  1833  and  1874. 

East  Indies.  See  Abeel,  David;  Borneo  Mission;  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam seeks  aid  for  missions  there,  1904,  742-3. 

Ebaugh,  John  S.  Lawsuits  of;  1852,  262,  284;  '53,  354-7;  '54>  395, 
449.     See  general  account  of  in  Manual  of  1802,  449,  1003. 

Ebenezer  Fund,  Hope  College.  Amount,  $36,000.  1879,  337. 
Ecclesiastical  Assemblies.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  30-32.  Constit.  of 
1874,  Arts.  35-41.  (Compare  Constit.  of  1619,  Arts.  29-36;  of  1792,  Art. 
31;  of  1833,  Arts.  36-48).  Arts.  44-48  of  Constit.  of  1833,  relating  to 
trials,  are  transferred,  in  Constit.  of  1874,  to  that  part  of  the  Constit. 
which  deals  distinctively  with  offences;  Arts.  117-120.  See  Consistory; 
Classis;  Particular  Synod;  General  Synod.  [The  earlier  American  Ecc. 
Bodies,  except  Consistories,  were  somewhat  outside  this  classification  of 
Church  Government,  by  force  of  circumstances.  See  Coetus ;  General 
Body;  Particular  Bodies.  The  irregularity  of  these  Bodies,  in  reference 
to  the  System  of  Church  Government  of  the  Reformed  Church,  is  ably 
and  elaborately  argued  in  the  Leydt  and  Ritzema  pamphlets,  printed  in 
full  in  Vol.  VI.  of  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York.  See  titles  to 
these  pamphlets,  under  names  of  Leydt  and  Ritzema,  in  Corwin's  Manual, 
4th  ed.,  1902.] 


236         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Ecclesiastical  Bodies.     1771.  p.  9,  Art.  3.     See  above. 

Ecclesiastical  Business.  Efforts  have  often  been  made  to  prevent 
Ecclesiastical  Assemblies  from  expressing  their  opinion  on  important 
moral  issues,  because  these  also  had  a  political  character;  but  Synods 
and  Classes  in  America  have  always  largely  outvoted  any  such  restric- 
tions, and  expressed  themselves  decidedly  on  all  questions  involving 
moral  issues.  The  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  59,  expressed  itself  decidedly 
on  the  non-recognition  of  slavery  in  all  church  relations;  the  Synod,  on 
the  justice  of  the  Revolution,  and  the  War  for  the  Union;  on  Interna- 
tional Arbitration;  and  very  frequently  on  the  evils  of  the  saloon,  and  the 
necessity  of  righteousness  in  all  civic  affairs.  These  are  not  outside  of 
Ecclesiastical  matters.  See  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  36;  (of  1833,  Art. 
Z7\  of  1792,  Art.  31;  of  1619,  Art.  30.) 

Ecclesiastical  History.  Chair  of;  see  Van  Harlingen.  This  Chair 
generally  combined  with  Church  Government  and  Pastoral  Duties,  and 
sometimes  with  Biblical  Lit.     See  Professorships. 

Ecclesiastical  Music     See  Music. 

Ecclesiastical  Peace  Conference.  Requests  $50  as  proportion  of  R. 
C.  A.  in  their  work;  Contingent  Fund  too  low  to  grant  it.     1895,  15,  54. 

Ecclesiastical  Regulations.  The  R.  C.  A.  in  1771,  in  adopting  the 
Articles  of  Union,  says:  "We  abide  in  all  things  by  the  Constitution  of  the 
Xetherland  Reformed  Church,  as  established  by  'The  Ecclsiastical 
Regulations"  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19." — 1771,  9,  Art.  i.  See  1885, 
704;  1902,  122-4. 

Ecclesiastical  Standing  of  Professors.  Constitution  of  1874,  Art. 
25 :  proposed  amendments  to  allow  Professors  to  be  members  of  General 
Synod,  1892,  508,  568;  1893,  710,  771-3;  1894,78;  rejected,  1895,  132,  136.— 
See  also  Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  28 ;  proposed  amendment,  as  above,  1865, 
549,  615;  rejected,  1866,  86. — Under  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  20,  they  had  a 
right  to  a  seat  in  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies ;  but  in  1819,  p.  39,  it  was 
determined  that  Professors  should  no  longer  hold  any  pastoral  charge; 
and  this  was  developed  into  their  exclusion  from  membership  in  Eccle- 
siastical Bodies  in  1833,  Art.  28.     See  Professors. 

Ecclesiastical  Year.  This  ends  April  30th,  when  accounts  of  the 
Boards  close. 

Ecclesiastics.  One  of  the  topices  under  "Practical  Theology,"  referring 
to  Administration  of  Discipline,  and  to  the  Pastor  in  his  ecclesiastical 
relations.     1888,  544. 

Ecumenical  Council,  Romish;   See  Pius  IX. 

Ecumenical  Missionary  Conferences.  Four  of  these  have  been 
held  in  England — the  first,  in  1854,  of  a  private  character  and  limited  in 
attendance ;  the  second,  in  i860,  at  Liverpool,  of  wider  scope  and  influ- 
ence ;  the  third,  in  1878,  at  Mildmay  Park,  London,  in  session  four  days, 
attended  by  delegates  from  most  of  the  British  societies  and  a  few  repre- 
sentatives from  America  and  the  Continent ;  the  fourth,  1888,  at  Exeter 
Hall,  London,  in  session  ten  days,  to  which  141  different  foreign  mis- 
sionary organizations,  substantially  representing  Protestant  Christendom, 
sent  1,500  delegates.  About  190  delegates  represented  more  than  sixty 
foreign  missionary  boards  of  the  United  States  and  Canada.  Conferences 
of  great  numbers  and  importance  have  also  been  held  by  the  laborers  on 
mission  ground  in  India  and  China  and  Japan. 

Such  was  the  weight  of  the  great  gathering  at  Exeter  Hall,  and  such 
the  impression  of  its  value,  that  without  formal  action  it  was  substan- 
tially agreed  that  a  similar  conference,  of  still  wider  representative 
character,  if  possible,  should  be  held  within  the  next  ten  or  fifteen  years, 
and  that  it  would  be  eminently  appropriate  if  it  were  to  be  convened 
somewhere  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 


ECUMENICAL  MISS.  CONFERENCES  237 

The  happy  experience  of  the  great  conference  of  1888  suggested  a 
closer  union  of  the  several  foreign  missionary  boards  of  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  and  five  years  since  the  officers  of  all  the  Protestant  societies 
of  America  were  invited  to  meet  in  the  rooms  of  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  city  of  New  York.  A  large 
number  of  the  societies  invited  were  represented,  and  the  sessions  were  of 
very  great  interest  and  value  to  all  who  were  present.  A  similar  gathering 
has  been  convened  each  year  since,  the  range  of  discussion  gradually 
widening,  the  length  of  the  sessions  increasing  and  the  reports,  published 
in  pamphlet  form  from  year  to  year,  being  widely  diffused  on  mission 
fields  as  well  as  at  home. 

In  1894  preliminary  action  was  taken  by  this  body  looking  toward 
another  general  conference  of  the  Protestant  foreign  missionary  societies 
of  the  world,  to  be  held  in  this  country,  and  a  wide  correspondence  v/as 
had  to  ascertain  the  feeling  of  the  mission  boards  in  the  different  Prot- 
estant countries  of  the  world.  As  a  result,  at  the  last  meeting  of  this 
American  conference,  in  January,  1897,  it  was  decided  that  an  ecumenical 
conference  on  foreign  missions  should  be  convened  in  the  city  of  Xew 
York  in  the  year  1900,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  with  power  to 
make  arrangements  for  such  a  conference,  with  power  to  add  to  their 
own  numbers  as  might  be  requisite,  and  to  take  all  needful  steps  to  make 
the  plans  effective.  This  committee  consists  of  the  following  gentlemen : 
the  Revs.  F.  F.  Elhnwood,  D.D. ;  A.  B.  Leonard,  D.D. ;  Henry  N.  Cobb, 
D.D. ;  A.  J.  Palmer,  all  of  New  York  City,  and  the  Rev.  S.  W.  Duncan, 
D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  Judson  Smith,  D.D.  (chairman),  of  Boston.  And  they 
are  already  entering  actively  upon  the  steps  which  are  needful  to  carry 
out  the  plan  in  view  to  provide  for  the  conference  which  it  has  been 
decided  to  convene. 

The  aim  of  this  conference  is  to  be  substantially  the  same  as  that  of 
the  great  gathering  of  1888.  It  is  intended  to  be  devoted  exclusively  to 
foreign  missions  and  subjects  vitally  related  thereto.  Its  proceedings  will 
constitute  a  record  of  the  progress  and  results  of  the  foreign  missionary 
enterprise  of  modern  times,  brought  up  to  the  close  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  and  will  be  one  of  the  most  convincing  demonstrations  of  the 
truth  and  universality  of  the  Christian  faith  which  the  world  has  yet 
seen.  Information  will  be  gathered  from  all  the  fields  occupied  by  the 
several  boards  represented,  missionary  methods  in  all  their  phases  and 
applications  will  be  freely  and  openly  discussed,  experience  in  the  man- 
agement of  missionary  societies  and  in  the  conduct  of  missionary  enter- 
prises at  home  and  abroad  will  be  collected  and  made  available  for  the 
wiser  conduct  of  these  enterprises  in  the  future,  and  the  increasing  part 
in  this  great  work  taken  by  the  women  of  our  churches  and  by  the 
Christian  young  people  of  the  times  will  receive  full  recognition.  A 
study  of  the  bearing  of  foreign  missions  upon  the  development  of  Christ's 
kingdom  in  the  world,  upon  the  civilization  of  the  times,  and  its  contribu- 
tions to  literature  and  science  and  the  philosophy  of  religions  will  consti- 
tute no  small  part  of  the  value  of  this  gathering.  If  the  plans  which  are 
in  mind  for  the  conference  are  carried  out,  when  this  body  convenes  it 
will  be  the  most  truly  ecumenical  gathering  of  Christendom  which  has 
been  realized  in  the  whole  history  of  the  church,  and  will  be  in  itself  an 
object  lesson  and  eloquent  suggestion  of  the  essential  unity  of  the  Chris- 
tian world  and  of  the  human  race. 

The  co-operation  of  many  men  and  women  throughout  the  countr}', 
and  especialh'  in  the  city  of  New  York,  will  be  indispensable  to  the  execu- 
tion of  the  plan  and  the  success  of  the  effort.  The  committee  in  charge 
bespeak  the  considerate  attention  and  generous  support  of  the  whole 
Christian  public,  and  especially  of  those  who  through  the  various  denomi- 
national organizations  are  connected  with  this  great  enterprise  of  winning 
the  world  to  Jesus  Christ. — From  Ch.  Intelligencer,  Sept.  8,  1897,  copied 
from  The  Congregationalist. 


238         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

4.  That  the  General  S\nod  has  heard  with  satisfaction  of  the  pro- 
posed Ecumenical  Conference  on  Foreign  Missions,  to  be  held  in  the 
City  of  New  York,  in  the  month  of  April,  1900.  Coming,  as  it  will,  at  the 
close  of  the  nineteenth  and  the  opening  of  the  twentieth  century,  it 
should  furnish  occasion  for  devout  thanksgiving  for  past  achievement 
under  the  guidance  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  while  summoning  all  the  churches 
to  mightier  efforts,  larger  sacrifices,  and  greater  conquests  for  Christ  in 
time  to  come.  The  Synod,  therefore,  expresses  its  hearty  approval  of 
the  action  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  in  uniting  with  kindred 
societies  in  the  undertaking  and  invites  for  it  the  support  and  co-operation 
of  our  Church  therein.     1898,  120,   122. 

The  Ecumenical  Conference  on  Foreign  Missions,  to  be  held  in  New 
York  City,  April  21st  to  May  ist,  1900.  A  pamphlet  of  fifteen  pages  sets 
forth  the  aim  and  scope  of  this  gathering,  which  will  undoubtedly  be 
the  greatest  of  the  kind  ever  held.  Our  Church  is  expected  to  take  a 
leading  part  in  this  convention.     1899,  441. 

7.  That  this  church  join  her  sister  churches  in  making  the  Ecumeni- 
cal Conference  of  1900  worthy  of  the  great  cause  for  which  it  is  called, 
and  instruct  the  Board  to  take  such  action  as  it  deems  necessary  to  this 
end.     1899,  443. 

Reference  to  the  great  success  and  expected  results  of  the  Ecumenical 
Miss.  Conf.  of  1900,  brought  before  Synod  by  the  delegate  of  the  Western 
Section  of  the  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs.,  1901,  1126.  See  Alliance,  etc.;  also 
the  two  vols,  giving  an  account  of  this  Ecumenical  Miss.  Conference. 

Eden,  Wis.  Church  property  at,  conveyed  to  General  Synod,  by 
Jerome  A.  Davenport  and  wife;   1864,  399,  483. 

Edict  of  Nantz.  210th  anniversary  of  the  Revocation  of,  to  be  cele- 
brated in  Oct.,  1895,  14^. 

Edificatiox.  a  minister  is  bound,  by  his  call,  to  do  whatever  is 
necessary  for  the  edification  of  his  people ;  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  53 ; 
(of  1833,  Art.  60;  of  1792,  Art.  36;)  Classical  Visitors  were  to  inquire 
whether  the  congregation,  and  especially  the  youth,  are  edified,  1619,  Art. 
44 ;  the  Lord's  Supper  is  to  be  administered  in  the  way  most  conducive  to 
edification,  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  yy ;  (of  1833,  Art.  88 ;  of  1619,  Art.  62)  ; 
discipline  is  to  be  exercised  for  the  general  edification  of  the  church,  and 
the  benefit  of  the  offender;  Constit.  of  1874,  82;   (of  1833,  91;  of  1619,  71). 

Education,  Academies  and  Colleges.  Article  VI.  in  Minutes  of 
General  Synod,  since  1886. 

Education,  Board  of.  See  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  21.  No  direct  refer- 
ence to  Educational  Funds  in  the  Constitutions  of  1792,  1833  or  1874. 

An  Educational  Society  was  organized  independently,  in  the  year  1828, 
for  the  purpose  of  assisting  needy  students  in  their  preparation  for  the 
ministry.  In  the  last  century,  and  early  part  of  this,  a  fee  of  ii5  had  been 
exacted  from  each  church  calling  and  settling  a  licentiate,  and  a  fee  of  is, 
generally  from  each  student,  on  receiving  his  license  to  preach.  From 
these  moneys  indigent  students  were  sometimes  assisted  or  the  professorial 
fee  for  a  diploma  was  paid,  if  the  student  was  unable  to  meet  the  expense 
himself.  When  a  fund  for  the  support  of  a  professorship  began  to  be 
raised  it  was  also  stipulated  that  needy  students  should  be  assisted  from 
the  same.     1807,  363,  365. 

In  1812  it  was  ordered  that  collections  should  be  taken  up  in  the 
churches  for  this  object.  A  committee  was  also  appointed  at  the  same 
Synod  to  confer  with  the  trustees  of  Queen's  College  concerning  the  pro- 
vision of  a  fund  to  meet  the  necessities  of  the  students,  while  the  Board 
of  Superintendents  were  also  permitted  to  draw  from  the  treasurer  of  the 
Synod  such  amounts  as  they  deemed  proper,  for  this  purpose.  1812,  429, 
430,  432-3.  The  copyright  of  the  Psalm  and  hymn  book  was  also  secured 
to  the  Synod  for  the  benefit  of  students,  the  publishers  being  requested  to 


EDUCATION,  BOARD  OF  239 

pay  the  Synod  six  cents  for  each  copy  sold.  But  in  five  years  this  only 
amounted  to  $240.  With  the  first  installments  of  the  Van  Bunschooten 
bequest,  in  1814,  some  additional  help  was  obtained.  In  1815  Miss  Rebecca 
Knox,  of  Philadelphia  (a  member  of  Dr.  Broadhead's  church),  left  $2,000, 
for  the  support  of  students,  but  which  did  not  become  immediately  avail- 
able. Cent  societies,  established  in  many  congregations,  also  brought  in 
means  to  some  extent.  From  all  these  sources  the  Board  of  Superin- 
tendents distributed  $200  in  the  year  1814,  spending  in  addition  $120  for 
the  purchase  of  Hebrew  Bibles.  An  increasing  amount  was  appropriated 
each  year,  until  1819,  when  they  distributed  the  sum  of  $1,315;  but  the 
amount  distributed  did  not  reach  as  high  a  figure  as  this  again  till  1828, 
the  same  year  in  which  the  Educational  Society  was  organized.  The 
Classis  of  Albany  had  prepared  a  plan  of  a  "Classical  Education  Society" 
in  1826. 

On  the  seventh  day  of  May,  1828,  a  number  of  ministers  and  friends 
met  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
to  consider  the  propriety  of  organizing  a  Board  of  Education.  Dr. 
Milledoler  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  opened  the  meeting  with  prayer. 
The  circular  which  called  the  meeting  showed  that,  at  a  free  conversation 
on  the  general  interests  of  the  Church,  held  in  the  preceding  November, 
between  Rev.  Messrs.  Milledoler,  Knox,  Ku3^pers,  Brownlee,  Ludlow,  P. 
Labagh,  Schermerhorn,  and  De  Witt,  it  was  ascertained  that  a  general 
desire  existed  for  more  efificient  action  in  the  missionary  and  educational 
interests  of  the  church.  Hence  this  meeting  at  the  call  of  the  committee, 
to  organize  a  Board  of  Education.  A  constitution  was  at  once  adopted 
containing  twelve  articles,  stating  the  objects  of  the  Board,  the  terms  of 
annual  and  life  memberships,  the  manner  of  government,  through  the 
necessary  officers  and  an  executive  committee,  and  the  manner  of  receiving 
beneficiaries.  Any  donation  of  $1,500  or  more,  for  the  founding  of  a 
scholarship,  was  to  be  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  donor.  Col. 
Henrj'-  Rutgers  was  elected  the  first  president.  An  address  was  at  once 
prepared  by  a  committee,  consisting  of  Drs.  Mathews,  Brownlee,  and 
De  Witt,  and  distributed  to  the  churches.  The  amount  granted  to  a 
beneficiary  was  then  limited  to  $90  per  annum.  They  designed  rather  to 
aid  a  student  than  to  sustain  him  fully.  1828,  131 ;  '29,  202-4,  207;  '30,  234, 
298;  '31,  368,  376,  378.  Auxiliary  societies  existed  in  certain  of  the 
Classes,  and  in  single  churches;  1826,  52;  '27,  45;  '28,  102,  131;  '40,  391; 
'42,  113,  126.  During  its  first  year  the  Board  and  its  auxiliaries  assisted 
about  twenty  students.  In  183 1  this  Education  Society,  which  had 
been  organized  by  individual,  not  ecclesiastical  action,  requested 
the  General  Synod  to  take  charge  of  it  as  its  own  Board.  This  was 
proposed,  partly,  because  donations  began  to  be  left  to  it,  while  it  was 
not  formally  connected  with  the  Synod,  and  partly  to  increase  still  further 
the  confidence  of  the  churches.  The  old  officers  were  reappointed  by  the 
Synod  as  its  officers,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  remodel  it.  A 
new  Board  was  accordingly  constituted  in  1832,  and  the  funds  of  the  old 
Board  turned  over  to  the  care  of  the  General  Synod.  1832,  60,  71-73,  75 ; 
'34,  320;  '35,  344-6,  352,  422-3. 

The  organization  of  this  Board  was  the  beginning  of  a  new  life  for  the 
educational  interests  of  the  church.  A  number  of  scholarships  were  soon 
founded  by  individuals.  Many  of  these  were  allowed  to  accumukite  for  a 
time,  if  not  sufficient,  at  first,  to  meet  the  due  appropriations  to  the 
students. 

The  funds  in  aid  of  students  preparing  for  the  ministry  are  held  by 
different  corporations.  At  first  such  funds  were  given  in  trust  to  Rutgers 
College,  and  to  these  additions  have  been  made  until  they  now  amount  to 
$55,226.  After  the  General  Synod  was  incorporated  in  1819,  Scholarship 
Funds  for  the  same  purpose  were  entrusted  to  its  care,  and  these  now 
amount  to  $173,390.  After  the  Board  of  Education  was  incorporated  in 
1869,    similar    funds    began    to    be    left   also    to    its    care,    and    these    now 


240         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

amount,  with  some  recent  gifts,  to  $123,129,  making  a  total  of  about 
$351,519-  The  interest  of  this  sum,  with  the  average  addition  of  about 
$7,000,  annually  received  by  collections  in  the  churches  or  by  individual 
gifts  for  the  Board  of  Education,  is  devoted  to  the  assistance  of  the 
students,  whether  in  College  or  Seminary,  preparing  for  the  ministry.  A 
considerable  portion  of  this  amount  goes  for  instruction  in  the  West.  In 
1850  the  amount  distributed  was  only  about  $5,000.  The  amount  now 
distributed  is  from  three  to  four  times  as  much,  depending  on  the  rate  of 
interest  and  the  amount  of  annual  offerings.  The  total  number  of 
students  enrolled  as  beneficiaries  of  the  Board  since  its  organization  is 
about  1,000.     See  Beneficiaries. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  scholarships  as  at  present  constituted : 
Endowed  Scholarships  held  by  Rutgers  College  for  Students  in 
SAID  College  or  in  New  Brunswick  Theological  Seminary,  1905 : 

The  Van  Bunschooten  Fund $19,613  57 

The  income  of  this  Fund  to  be  used  for  students, 
both  in  College  and  Seminary,  stud3nng  for  the  minis- 
try. Beneficiaries  to  be  nominated  by  the  General 
Synod  and  confirmed  by  the  Trustees  of  the  College. 

The   Rebecca   Knox   Fund 2,000  00 

The  income  from  this  fund  to  be  used  for  the  sup- 
port of  one  student  in  the  Theological  Seminary.  Bene- 
ficiaries to  be  nominated  by  the  General  Synod  and 
confirmed  by  the  Trustees  of  the  College. 

The   Smock   Fund 500  00 

The   Mandeville   Fund 4,000  00 

The  Voorhees   Residuary   Legacy   Fund 24,613  2"/ 

The  Brownlee  Memorial  Fund 2,000  00 

The  income  from  these  four  Funds  to  be  used,  dur- 
ing the  college  course  only,  for  students  studying  for 
the  ministry.  Appointments  to  be  made  by  the  Trus- 
tees. 

The  Hedges  Scholarship  Fund .♦.       2,500  00 

The  income  from  this  Fund  to  be  used  to  "establish 
a  Scholarship  for  the  benefit  of  the  Christian  ministry." 

Jotal  held  by  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College $55,226  84 

Endowed  Scholarships  held  by  the  General  Synod  for  its  The- 
ological Seminaries  and  Colleges,  1905 : 

Van  Rensselaer   $1,700  00 

Wm.   Paterson  van  Rensselaer i,700  00 

Rutgers    1,700  00 

Heyer   1,700  00 

Cornell    2,000  00 

Wyckoff    2,500  00 

Margaret    Burgess    1,700  00 

John    Clark     3,000  00 

James   Bogert,  Jr 2,000  00 

Isaac  L.  Kip 1,700  00 

Tannake  "Turk    1.700  00 

Richard    Cadmus    2,000  00 

Stryker    2,000  00 

Hornbeck,  two  Scholarships 4,000  00 

Freeborn    2,000  00 

James    Bogert,   Jr.,    second    Scholarship 2,000  00 

Cuylcr    2,000  00 

Margaret   Ten   Eyck 2,000  00 

Catalina  Ten   Eyck 2,000  00 


EDUCATION,  BOARD  OF  241 

Daniel  L.  Schanck 3,ooo  00 

Moses    Cowen     ^,500  00 

Bequest    of    Samuel    Gates 1,745  9^ 

Theodore  Frelinghuysen  de  Witt 2,500  00 

James  Suydam,  four  Scholarships 12,000  00 

Edward    Lansing    Pruyn 2,500  00 

Maria    R.    Lefiferts 8,402  64 

Garret    Y.    Lansing 2,500  00 

Earnest    Blois    2,500  00 

Bequest  of  Joshua  Hornbeck 2,000  00 

Bequest  of  Ann  James 2,500  00 

Bequest   of  James    B.    Laing 7oOO  00 

Louisa  Hasbrouck   5,ooo  00 

Jacob   Polhemus    2,500  00 

Abram   Storms 2,000  00 

Gardner  A.  Sage,  two  Scholarships •. . .  5,000  00 

Bequest  of  Maria  van  Antwerp,  for  the  James  van  Antwerp 

Scholarship    2,522  72 

Bequest  of  Jane  Brinkerhoff 5,ooo  00 

Bequest   of    Frederick   J.    Hosford,    for    Frederick    Hosford 

Scholarship 2,500  00 

Bequest  of  Rev.  David  A.  Jones 3,ooo  00 

Bequest  of  Robert  Gaston 2,000  00 

Bequest  of  John  Antonides,  on  account 9,322  6j 

Bequest  of  Peter  P.  Schoonmaker 2,850  00 

Bequest  of  Sarah  Benham 7,397  60 

Bequest  of  James  E.  Hedges,  for  James  E.  Hedges  Scholar- 
ship      2,500  00 

Bequest    of    Mary   A.    Bogardus,    for    James    W.    Bogardus 

Scholarship    3,ooo  00 

Bequest  of   Elias  J.   Hendrickson 10,000  00 

Bequest  of  Margaret  Antoinette  Thompson " 2,000  00 

Bequest  of  Elizabeth  H.  Monroe,  for  Monroe  Scholarship..  2,500  00 

Sarah  Suydam  Lott,  per  Peter  Lott 3,ooo  00 

Legacy   of   Anthony    Rue 2,740  00 

Bequest  of  Dr.  Edward  L.  Beadle,  for  Edward  L.  and  Ade- 
line Beadle   Scholarship 3,500  00 

Bequest  of  Peter  Lott 3,220  15 

Bequests,  etc.,  for  the  education  of  pious  young  men  pre- 
paring for  the  Gospel  Ministry  in  the  Theological  Semi- 
naries. 

Bequest   of  John    Kline 500  00 

Bequest  of  Nicholas  Lansing 600  00 

Bequest  of  Janet  Hinchman 470  00 

Gain  on  Sale  of  Government  Bonds 468  54 

From  family  of  the  late  Rev.  Goyn  Talmage,  D.D 250  00 

Bequest   of   Sarah   V.    B.    Benham 50000 

Total  held  by  Gen.   Synod $I73,390  30 

Endowed  Scholarships  held  by  the  Board  of  Education  of  R.  C. 
A.,  FOR  ITS  Colleges  and  Seminaries,  1905 : 

The  principal  necessity  for  the  incorporation  of  the  Board  of 
Education  arose  from  the  fact  that,  becoming  known  as  the  Board 
of  Education,  funds  were  devised  for  it  under  that  title.  Having  no 
legal  existence  as  such,  they  could  not  be  claimed.  After  some  losses 
of  moneys  so  devised,  for  future  security  the  Board  was  incorporated 
Oct.  13,  1869. 

articles  of  incorporation.     1869. 
We,  Mancius  S.  Hutton,  William  H.  Ten  Eyck,  and  Frederick   T. 


242         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Hosford,  all  citizens  of  and  residents  within  the  State  of  New  York, 
and  Benjamin  C.  Taylor  and  John  L.  See,  both  citizens  of  the  State 
of  New  Jersey,  do  hereby  certify,  that  we  have  associated  ourselves 
together  for  Benevolent  purposes,  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  Chapter  319  of  Laws  of  1848, 
entitled,  "An  Act  for  the  Incorporation  of  Benevolent,  Charitable, 
Scientific  and  Missionary  Societies"  and  the  acts  additional  thereto 
and  amendatory  thereof. 

The  name  or  title  by  which  such  society  shall  be  known  in  Law 
is  "The  Board  of  Education  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America." 

The  particular  business  and  objects  of  such  society  shall  be  the 
promotion  of  the  growth  of  said  Church,  by  educating  young  men 
for  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel  and  by  extending  aid  to  Theological 
and  Collegiate  Institutions  and  religious  schools  under  the  care 
of  and  formed  according  to  the  order  of  said  Church. 

The  number  of  Directors  to  manage  the  same  shall  be  twenty- 
four  and  the  names  of  its  Directors  for  the  first  3^ear  of  its  existence 
are,  Benjamin  C.  Taylor,  John  B.  Thompson,  J.  Romeyn  Berry,  David 
Cole,  Joachim  Elmendorf,  Samuel  B.  Schiefifelin,  Marcus  Lyon,  Robert 
N.  Perlee,  James  M.  Ludlow,  John  Gaston,  John  Steele,  John  B. 
Prince,  Charles  Dusenberry,  Jacob  B.  Jewett,  Walter  Brett,  John  Lef- 
ferts,  Mancius  S.  Hutton,  William  H.  Ten  Eyck,  John  H.  Manning, 
John  T.  Demarest,  Giles  H.  Mandeville,  Frederick  J.  Hosford,  Eras- 
tus  C.  Benedict,  Johnson  Letson,  and  its  principal  office  shall  be  lo- 
cated in  the  City  of  New  York. 

In  witness  wheeeof  we  have  hereto  subscribed  our  names  this 
fifth  day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  Thousand  Eight 
Hundred  and  Sixty-nine. 

M.  S.   Hutton. 
W.   H.   Ten   Eyck. 
(Signed  by)  Benjamin  C.  Taylor. 

F.  J.  Hosford. 
John  L.  See.. 

As  incorporated,  the  Board  now  holds  the  following  funds : 

For  students  preparing  for  the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church, 

no  institution  specified. 

1865       Charles    Dusenbury    $2,500  00 

1872  Garret   Kowenhoven    3.000  00 

1872.       Miss   Mary   Le  Conte 3,000  00 

1873  James   Peters    3,325  00 

1875  John  V.   L.  Van   Doren 5,833  00 

1876  Miss    Margaret    E.    Duryea 5,00000 

1878       Miss  Mary  D.   Shaffer 3,000  00 

1878  Miss  Mary  M.  Danser 3,000  00 

1879  Rev.  A.  T   Stewart 3,000  00 

1880  Rev.  Joseph  Scudder 1,000  00 

1889  The   Airs.   Cornelia   A.   and  Miss   Liddie   R. 

Statesir   Scholarship    3,000  00 

1890-2    "Berean"    Scholarship     2,000  00 

1891  Daniel    P.    Conovcr   Scholarship 3,00000 

1892  Isaac   E.   Bergen    2,000  00 

1892       Thomas  Jessup    2,500  00 

1894       Sarah   Piatt   Remsen   Scholarship 3,00000 

1894  Phoebe  A.   Remsen   Scholarship 3.00000 

1895  Asher    Riley   Scholarship 3.000  00 

1895        Frederick  Cook  Scholarship    3.000  00 

1901       Cornelius    S.    Nevius    1,483  49 

1903       "Berachah"  Scholarship    1,279  67 

1903       Rev.    Hasbrouck   DuBois    950  00 


EDUCATION,  BOARD  OF  243 

1903  John    I.    Lake    Memorial    Fund 3,00000 

1904  Sarah  A.  Brodhead  Fund   158  33 

$64,029  49 

FOR   STUDENTS    IX    NEW   BRUNSWICK   THEOLOGICAL    SEMI- 
NARY. 

1877       Jeremiah    Fuller    $3,007  50 

1899  A.    F.    Hazen    Bequest 2,092  38 

1904       Alida    Van    Schaick    Scholarship 12,00000 

17,099  88 

FOR    STUDENTS    PREPARING    FOR    THE    MINISTRY    IN    RUT- 
GERS COLLEGE  AND  NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL 
SEMINARY. 

1883  Brush    Fund    $3,ooo  00 

1900  John  and  Mary  Martin  Xeefus  Educational 

Fund    17,000  00 

$20,000  00 

FOR    STUDENTS     PREPARING    FOR    THE     MINISTRY     IN     THE 
WESTERN     THEOLOGICAL     SEMINARY. 

1904       Alida   Van   Schaick   Fund 12,000  00 

FOR    STUDENTS    PREPARING    FOR    THE    MINISTRY    IN    HOPE 
COLLEGE    AND    WESTERN    THEOLOGICAL    SEMINARY. 

1891  Rev.   William   Brush   Fund    2,000  00 

FOR    STUDENTS    PREPARING    FOR    THE    MINISTRY    IN     HOPE 
COLLEGE. 

1884  Kesiah  Lansing  Fund   2,000  00 

FOR    THE    BENEFIT    OF    HOPE    COLLEGE. 

1885  Johnson    Letson   Fund    $1,000  00 

1892  Thomas    Jessup    Fund 2,500  00 

$3,500  00 

FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  NORTHWESTERN  CLASSICAL  ACADEMY. 

1892.       Thomas  Jessup  Fund 2,500  00 

$123,129  37 

INVESTMENTS. 

Bonds  and   Mortgages    $107,400  00 

Real   Estate 5,888  37 

Certificates    of    Deposit    in    2d    National    Bank, 

Paterson.     X.     J 9,841   00 

Total  held  by  Board  of  Education $123,129.27 

See  names  of  all  these  donors,  for  further  details. 

Thus  has  this  department  of  the  church  grown  from  comparatively 
insignificant  beginnings.  In  1865  the  Synod  empowered  the  Board  to 
enlarge  its  sphere  of  operations  and  to  co-operate  with  the  Classes  in  the 
establishment  of  academies  and  classical  schools  within  their  bounds. 
During  the  year  ending  April  30,  1905,  $13,560  were  distributed  among  54 
students,  and  $5,106  to  Western  academies  and  Hope  College,  the  latter 
institution  having  matured,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Board,  from  a  merely 
academical  to  a  collegiate  character.  Parochial  schools  are  also  helped 
to  some  extent  by  this  Board. 

Tuition  fees  are  not  now  required  of  beneficiaries.  An  applicant  for 
aid  from  the  funds  of  the  Board  must  have  been  a  member  of  an  evan- 
gelical church  for  one  year,  and  must  be  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church  at  the  time  of  making  application.  He  must  be  ready  to  enter 
college,  or  must  have  been  regularly  admitted  into  college,  or  into  one  of 
our  theological  seminaries  in  accordance  with  the  rules  established  there- 
for by  the  General  Synod.  About  three-quarters  of  the  present  ministry 
of  the  church  are  indebted  to  the  Board  of  Education  for  assistance  in 


244         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

pursuing  their  studies,  and  about  the  same  proportions  hold  true  respect- 
ing the  larger  number  of  those  who  have  finished  their  labors  and  have 
gone  to  their  reward. 

Rev.  J.  F.  Schermerhorn.  the  general  agent  of  all  the  benevolent 
operations  of  the  church,  was  active  in  collecting  funds  for  this  Board, 
1830-32.  Rev.  A.  H.  Dumont  succeeded  him,  for  a  single  year.  Contri- 
butions amounted  to  about  $3,000  per  annum,  at  this  time,  although  dimin- 
ished in  1832  by  the  epidemic.  For  the  next  decade  of  years  the  services 
of  a  special  secretary  were  dispensed  wMth,  Classical  agents  being  employed 
to  represent  the  educational  interests  of  the  church.  In  1843  Rev.  Ransford 
Wells  was  appointed  as  financial  secretary  to  take  the  general  superin- 
tendence of  all  the  boards.  He  occupied  this  position  for  only  two  years. 
Again,  for  more  than  half  a  score  of  years,  the  Board  remained  without  a 
corresponding  secretary,  but  its  small  receipts  (less  than  $1,700  in  1855) 
compelled  it  to  seek  a  more  efficient  plan  of  operations.  Rev.  J.  A.  H. 
Cornell  was  accordingly  appointed  to  this  office,  in  1855,  under  whose 
energetic  efforts  this  Board  was  thoroughly  revived.  1856,  40,  97.  In 
1857,  pp.  198-200,  the  Board  was  reorganized.  At  the  end  of  the  six  years 
of  his  service  the  contributions  of  the  churches  for  this  cause  had 
increased  nearly  sixfold.  Upon  his  resignation,  from  ill-health,  in  1861, 
Rev.  John  L.  See  was  appointed  his  successor,  and  rendered  more  than 
a  score  of  years  of  conscientious,  faithful  service  in  the  work  of  the 
Board,  when  his  health  failed  and  he  was  given  a  vacation  for  rest  and 
recuperation.  See  1880,  542.  During  his  incumbency  263  students  were 
aided  and  bequests  for  scholarships  were  received  aggregating  $92,160. 
From  the  organization  of  the  Board  to  the  year  1861,  when  Dr.  See 
assumed  the  office  of  secretary,  23  bequests  had  been  received,  aggre- 
gating $56,645. 

The  office  of  corresponding  secretary  was  declared  vacant  Feb. 
I,  1885.  For  a  short  time  the  office  duties  were  discharged  by  the 
Rev.  Uriah  D.  Gulick  and  afterward  by  the  Rev.  Giles  H.  Mande- 
ville,  D.D.,  who  was  elected  corresponding  secretary  Feb.  10,  1885, 
and  resigned  his  office  Feb.  i,  1900.  During  these  years  3^18  students 
were  aided  and  bequests  aggregating  $112,000  w-ere  received.  Before 
entering  upon  the  direct  work  of  corresponding  secretary  of  the 
Board  Dr.  Mandeville,  being  then  President  of  Hope  College,  and 
pastor  of  the  Harlem  Reformed  Church,  was  largely  instrumental  in 
raising  $43,000  for  our  Western  college  and  theological  seminary,  and 
after  becoming  secretary,  by  his  suggestions  and  valuable  influence, 
materially  assisted  President  Kollen  in  raising  funds  for  the  larger  en- 
dowment of  Hope  College. 

The  Rev.  Mancius  S.  Hutton,  D.D.,  served  the  Board  nearly  fif- 
teen years  as  corresponding  secretary,  1842-56,  his  services  being  ren- 
dered gratuitously.  He  was  elected  President  in  1858  and  held  the 
office  until  1880.  He  was  succeeded  as  President  by  the  Rev.  John 
Gaston,  D.D.,  who  died  in  the  year  1901.  Thus  the  Board  has  had 
but  two  presidents  in  forty-three  years.  It  has  also  been  peculiarly 
favored  in  its  treasurers,  Mr.  Frederick  J.  Hosford  having  most  ef- 
ficiently filled  this  office  for  thirty-three  years,  1856-89,  being  followed 
by  Mr.  R.  N.  Perlee,  who  held  the  office  until  1899. 

A  Manual  of  the  Board,  including  constitution,  by-laws,  rules 
for  students,  and  other  information  concerning  our  educational  work, 
was  published  in  1901,  a  copy  of  which  will  gladly  be  mailed  to  any- 
one upon  application   to  the  corresponding  secretary. 

The  present  corresponding  secretary  is  the  Rev.  John  G.  Geb- 
hard,  and  Peter  Quackenbush  is  treasurer. 

The  following  represents  the  more  recent  action  of  Synod.-— The 
Board  of  Education  urged  to  increase  its  funds;  1890,  'j}^,  74;  additions 
needed  to  foster  Academies  and  Colleges;  that  the  annual  bond  of 
students  heretofore  required,  be  exchanged  for  one  to  cover  his  whole 


EDUCATION,  BOARD  OF  245 

course;  1892,  537-8;  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  accepted  the  Form 
of  the  Bd.  of  Ed.  '93,  781;  each  Classis  directed  to  appoint  an  Educa- 
tional Agent,  to  represent  the  interest  of  the  Board;  '94,  91;  a  Com- 
mission to  be  appointed  by  Synod  to  review  the  methods  of  the  Board, 
and  report  a  comprehensive  plan  for  attracting  and  training  men  for 
the  Ministry;  and  for  the  administration  of  her  Educational 
Funds;  '94,  94-5;  the  Board  to  inquire  of  each  student,  an- 
nually, by  circular,  whether  he  needs  the  same  amount 
of  financial  aid,  and  whether  his  purpose  to  enter  the  ministry  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  abides;  '94,  81;  102  students  receiving  aid — 
the  largest  number  ever  reported;  a  minimum  schedule  of  studies 
for  applicants  who  enter  the  Seminaries,  proposed;  also  the  pro- 
priety of  assisting  medical   students   going  to   the   foreign   field;   '96, 

373-4- 

Resolved,  In  view  of  the  increasing  demand  for  medical  missiona- 
ries in  the  foreign  field,  the  Board  of  Education  be  and  hereby  is  au- 
thorized to  modify  its  rules,  so  as  to  include  in  the  benefit  of  such 
educational  funds  as  may  be  available,  students  in  medicine,  who, 
with  the  approbation  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  may  be  pur- 
suing their  studies  with  the  intention  of  becoming  medical  missiona- 
ries.    1896,  375-6. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  request  the  General  Synod  to  add  to  its 
rules  regarding  beneficiaries  the  following: 

The  Board  of  Education  is  authorized  to  grant  aid  to  any  stu- 
dent in  either  of  our  Theological  Seminaries  who  has  been  regularly 
admitted  into  it  in  accordance  with  the  rules  established  therefor  by 
the  General  Synod.     1896,  335. 

Resolved,  In  order  to  unify  the  usage  of  our  seminaries  and  the 
Board  of  Education,  a  committee  be  appointed  to  consider  the  ques- 
tion of  admitting  to  our  Theological  Seminaries  young  men  who 
have  not  pursued  a  full  college  course,  and  to  report  to  the  next  Gen- 
eral Synod,  "A  minimum  schedule  of  studies  which  may  lay  the 
foundation  for  entrance  examinations. 

Such  committee  shall  consist  of  the  President  of  General  Synod, 
the  Corresponding  Secretarv  of  the  Board  of  Education,  the  Rev. 
J.  P.  Searle,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Beardslee,  D.D.     1896,  375-6. 

Rules  adopted  by  the  Board  in  1896;  see  Report  of  Board,  '96,  10, 
11;  and  their  endorsement,  in  part,  by  Synod,  '96,  376. 

The  Bc^ard  authorized  to  inform  Synod,  yearly,  of  the  amount 
needed,  in  addition  to  the  income  of  the  invested  funds;  and  that, 
for  present  year,  $10,000  be  apportioned  among  the  Classes;  '97,  563, 
644-5.  [This  was  designed  to  make  the  needed  appropriations  to 
Hope  College  and  the  Classical  Academies,  more  sure.] — Proposals 
to  abolish  the  office  of  Corresponding  Secretary,  and  entrust  his  du- 
ties to  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions,  rejected;  reasons;  '97,  562-3,  646-8; 
plans  to  reduce  expenses;  '97,  648-650. — Expenses  reduced  $1,000;  es- 
timated expenses  for  coming  year,  $17,264;  $15,000  to  be  apportioned 
among  the  churches;  '98,  107-8.  The  Board  will  no  longer  aid  stu- 
dents in  Grammar  Schools;  $12,000  to  be  apportioned  among  the 
churches;  Classes  ordered  to  appoint  Classical  Agents;  '99,  421-2. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  in  1900,  say:  [com- 
pare 1848.  315-321.] 

The  Beneficiary  Funds  at  the  middle  of  the  century  had  risen  to 
$56,000,  which  then  assisted  thirty-two  students  prepariing  for  the 
ministry.     1900,  814. 

1851-1900. 

The  Funds  in  aid  of  students  preparing  for  the  ministry  are  held 
by  different  corporations.  At  first,  such  funds  were  given  in  trust 
to  Rutgers  College,  and  to  these  additions  have  been  made  until 
they  now  amount   to   more   than   $52,000.     After   the    General    Synod 


246  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

was  incorporated  in  1819,  Scholarship  Funds  for  the  same  purpose 
were  entrusted  to  its  care,  and  these  now  amount  to  $166,000.  After 
the  Board  of  Education  was  incorporated  in  1869,  simihir  funds  be- 
gan to  be  left  also  to  its  care,  and  these  now  amount,  with  some  re- 
cent gifts  to  more  than  $92,125;  making  a  total  of  more  than  $300,000. 
The  interest  of  this  sum,  with  the  average  addition  of  about  $6,000 
annually  received  by  collections  in  the  churches  or  by  individual 
gifts  for  the  Board  of  Education,  is  devoted  to  the  assistance  of  the 
students,  whether  in  College  or  Seminar}^  preparing  for  the  minis- 
try.    A  small  portion  of  this  amount  goes  for  instruction  in  the  West. 

Before  1850  the  Educational  Funds  had  helped  about  two  hun- 
dred students.  Since  1850,  the  number  helped  is  probably  between 
six  and  seven  hundred.  In  1850,  the  annual  amount  thus  distributed 
was  only  about  $5,000.  The  amount  now  distributed  is  from  four  to 
five  times  as  much,  depending  on  the  rate  of  interest,  and  the  amount 
of  annual  offerings.      1900,  818-9. 

The  following  action  was  taken  : 

Resolved,  That  each  College  and  each  Seminary  of  the  church 
shall  have  at  least  one  representative  in  the  Board  of  Education. 

Resolved,  That  Synod  exhorts  the  Classes  to  exercise  the  great- 
est care  in  recommending  students  to  the  Board  of  Education  for 
assistance,  and  that  only  those  really  worthy,  as  well  as  of  intelli- 
gence and  ability  be  so  recommended. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Education  be  requested  to  continue 
aid  to  students  only  when  they  maintain  a  high  standard  of  scholar- 
ship. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  each  Classis  to  keep  a  con- 
stant oversight  of  all  students  for  the  ministry,  who  may  be  members 
of  churches  within  its  bounds,  during  their  whole  course  of  study, 
either  through  the  Committee  provided  for  in  Resolution  2nd,  or 
otherwise,  and  that  it  be  required  of  them  to  niake  regular  reports 
to   Classis.     1900.  836. 

RESOLUTION     2. 

Resolved,  That  each  of  the  several  Classes  be  requested  to  ap- 
point permanent  committees  on  Educational  Institutions,  of  which 
the  Classical  member  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents  shall  in  each 
case  be  one,  and  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  these  Committee  to  bring 
their  respective  Classes,  and  the  Educational  Institutions  into  a  closer 
acquaintance  and  touch  with  one  another.     1900,  834-5. 

Resolved,  That  the  cash  receipts  of  this  Board  be  arranged  here- 
after under  the  heads  of  Offerings  From  Churches,  Individuals  and 
Societies;  Interest  From  the  Board  of  Direction,  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, and  the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  and  any  other  invested  funds; 
and  other  cash  items  from  miscellaneous  sources,  so  as  to  show  the 
actual  cash  receipts  by  themselves,  uncomplicated  by  other  items; 
and  that  the  disbursements  be  also  arranged  under  the  heads  of  Pay- 
ments to  Students  and  for  room  rents;  appropriations  to  Colleges 
and  Academies;  and  amounts  for  salaries,  rents  and  miscellaneous  ex- 
penses; uncomplicated  by  other  items,  as  bequests  and  mortgages 
which  should  be  grouped  by  themselves;  that  these  accounts  may 
be  more  clear  to  every  member  of  the  church.     1900,  735. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  $14,000  be  apportioned  among  the  Classes 
for  the  General  Fund  of  the  Board  of  Education.     735. 

Year  1901.  a  prosperous  year;  full  amounts  recommended,  granted  to 
the  several  Educational  Institutions;  "jy  students  helped;  balance  in 
treasury  of  $2,245;  Manual  of  Bd.  of  Education  published,  containing 
Constitution,  By-laws  and  Rules  of  Board ;  1901,  1062-4.  Seven  to  be  a 
quorum  of  the  Board,  instead  of  nine ;  Form  of  devise  to  be  prepared ; 
1067-8 ;  appropriations  to  Classical  Academies,  which  have  been  approved 


EDUCATION,  BOARD  OF  247 

by  the  Classis,  must  also  l)e  endorsed  l)y  the  Synod,  before  being  acted  on 
by  the  Board ;   1902,  87-8. 

Board  enabled  to  pay  the  full  amount  appropriated  to  Hope  College 
and  the  three  Classical  Seminaries  in  the  West ;  ($4,800)  ;  1903,  350-2. 
Every  student  taking  the  regular  course  in  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary 
has  received  the  full  amount  of  assistance ;  only  22  men  in  the  College 
classes  of  the  next  three  years,  are  enrolled  on  the  Board ;  a  serious 
situation ;  $5,000  paid  to  Hope  College  and  the  three  Classical  Academies 
in  the  West ;  the  cities  of  Cordell  and  Arapahoe,  Oklahoma,  each  offer 
$5,000,  and  20  acres  of  land  for  a  site,  if  an  Academy  be  established  in 
either  place ;  efforts  are  making  to  raise  $5,000  additional,  for  the 
erection  of  such  a  building;    (see  1865,  622;)    1904,  685; 

Resolved,  That  in  order  to  secure  the  early  occupation  of  promising 
fields  and  also  to  exert  a  more  direct  influence  through  the  agency  of 
Christian  Education  in  fields  not  yet  provided,  the  Board  of  Education 
shall  have  the  power  to  establish  and  temporarily  maintain  Academies  in 
localities  where  it  would  not  be  possible  or  advisable  to  create  local  cor- 
porations. These  the  Board  of  Education  may  own,  manage  and  control 
at  its  discretion  with  the  ultimate  purpose  of  placing  them  under  the  care 
of  "Boards  of  Trustees''  or  of  disposing  of  them  as  the  best  interests  of 
Christian  Education  may  seem  to  demand. 

Form  proposed  on  page  8,  of  Report  of  Board,  (1904)  for  students' 
annual  report  to  his  Classis,  approved ;  1904,  685  ;  only  54  students,  in  all, 
receiving  aid ;  seven  former  students  have  repaid  $2,061  to  the  Board 
during  the  year ;  balance  on  hand,  $4,503 ;  paucity  of  candidates  for  the 
ministry;  1905,  96. 

CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    BOARD    OF    EDUCATION. 
1.       OBJECT. 

The  particular  business  and  objects  of  this  Board  shall  be  the  pro- 
motion of  the  growth  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  by  educating 
young  men  for  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospel  and  by  extending  aid  to  Theo- 
logical and  Collegiate  Institutions  and  Religious  Schools  under  the  care 
and  founded  according  to  the  order  of  said  Church. 

The  great  requisites  in  those  who  are  to  be  received  under  its  care^ 
and  which  it  is  desired  ever  to  keep  in  view  are,  first,  decided  piety; 
second,  reasonable  talents,  promising  fitness  for  the  work  of  the  Ministry; 
third,  indigence.  The  General  Synod  purposes,  in  the  appropriation  of 
moneys  to  beneficiaries  through  the  Board,  to  grant  so  much  assistance 
that  a  young  man  of  proper  disposition  and  endowments  may  obtain  a 
thorough  education  for  the  Ministry;  and  at  the  same  time  to  afford  aid 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  excite  him  to  diligence  and  economy,  and  to  leave 
unimpaired  every  desirable  motive  to  personal  exertion. 

II.       MEMBERSHIP    OF    THE    BOARD. 

1.  The  Board  of  Education  shall  consist  of  twenty-four  members, 
twelve  of  whom  shall  be  ministers  and  twelve  elders,  of  whom  seven  shall 
constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  They  shall  be  divided 
into  three  classes,  one  of  which  shall  be  elected  annually.  They  shall 
have  power  to  choose  their  own  officers.  They  shall  have  the  immediate 
care  of  all  the  beneficiaries  and  educational  interests  of  the  General  Synod, 
including  such  beneficiaries  as  shall  receive  support  or  assistance  from 
the  Van  Benschooten  and  Knox  Funds  and  other  Funds  of  like  nature  in 
the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College.  They  shall  have  power 
to  make  such  By-Laws  as  they  may  deem  necessary,  and  as  shall  not 
contravene  the  rules  established  by  the  General  Synod.  They  shall  annu- 
ally report  all  their  proceedings  to  the  General  Synod. 

2.  Members  of  the  the  Board  shall  hold  their  seats  for  three  years, 
or  until  their  successors  have  been  duly  elected  by  the  Board.  If  any 
member  shall  be  absent  from  the  meetings  of  the  Board  for  a  year  without 


248         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

being  excused,  his  place  may  be  declared  vacant  and  the  Board  may  elect 
another  member  to  fill  his  unexpired  term. 

3.  Between  the  meetings  of  the  General  Synod,  the  Board  may  at 
any  session  elect  members  to  fill  vacancies  for  unexpired  terms  of  service. 
1857.  197- 

III.       OFFICERS. 

1.  The  officers  of  this  Board  shall  be  a  President,  a  Vice-President, 
a  Corresponding  Secretary,  a  Recording  Secretary  and  a  Treasurer. 

2.  These  shall  be  elected  annually  by  ballot  at  the  first  meeting  of 
the  Board  following  the  annual  meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 

IV.       EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE. 

1.  The  Board  shall  annually  elect,  at  its  first  meeting  after  the 
adjournment  of  General  Synod,  two  ministers  and  four  elders,  who, 
together  with  the  President,  Vice-President,  and  Recording  Secretary, 
shall  constitute  its  Executive  Committee. 

2.  This  Committee  shall  be  empowered  to  consider  applications, 
make  appropriations  of  money,  and  adopt  measures  for  raising  funds ; 
and  shall  keep  a  particular  account  of  all  its  proceedings,  and  report  the 
same  to  the  Board  at  its  regular  meetings.  Five  members  shall  constitute 
a  quorum. 

V.      PERMANENT   FUND. 

1.  A  Permanent  Fund  shall  be  formed  of  bequests  and  donations 
thus  appropriated  by  the  donors,  and  of  any  other  property  of  the  Board, 
as  the  Executive  Committee  may  think  best  calculated  to  promote  the 
object  in  view. 

2.  Three  thousand  dollars  constitutes  a  full  scholarship ;  smaller 
ramounts  may  be  received  and  funded  for  that  purpose,  and  the  scholar- 
ship may  be  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  donor  or  testator  or  by 
such  name  as  may  be  by  him  or  her  designated. 

3.  An  Accumulative  Endowment  Fund  shall  be  established  as  a 
treasury  for  partial  deposits,  by  individuals,  at  discretion,  for.  the  purpose 
of  accumulating  either  $2,500  or  $3,000,  for  the  final  endowment  of  a 
scholarship. 

VI.       AMENDMENTS. 

Proposed  amendments  to  this  Constitution  shall  first  be  approved  by 
a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  Board  and  by  it  transmitted  to  the  General  Synod 
for  its  action. 

For  By-Laws,  see  the  Manual  of  the  Board,  published  1901.  See  also 
Classical  Academies; 

RULES    GOVERNING   RECEPTIONS   OF    STUDENTS. 

1.  An  applicant  for  aid  from  the  Funds  of  the  Board  must  have  been 
a  member  of  an  evangelical  church  for  one  year,  and  must  be  a  member 
of  the  Reformed  Church  at  the  time  of  making  application. 

2.  He  must  be  ready  to  enter  college ;  or  must  have  been  regularly 
admitted  into  college ;  or  into  one  of  our  Theological  seminaries  in  accord- 
ance with  the  rules  established  therefor  by  the  General  Synod.     1896,  335. 

3.  He  must  be  recommended  by  the  Consistory  of  the  church  of 
which  he  is  a  member  to  the  Classis,  which  shall  examine  him  on  his 
motives  for  seeking  the  holy  office  of  the  Ministry;  on  his  general 
habits;  on  his  studies;  his  talents;  his  ability  for  public  speaking;  his 
health ;  his  freedom  from  debt ;  and  the  necessity  of  his  receiving  aid. 
The  Classis,  if  satisfied  with  his  examination,  shall  receive  him  under  its 
care,  enter  his  name  on  their  book  as  a  student  candidate,  forward  his 
Consistorial  and  Classical  Recommendations  to  the  Board,  and  require 
a  yearly  report  from  him  in  person  or  by  letter.  See  1904,  685.  Report 
of  Board,  1904,  8. 


EDUCATION,  BOARD  OF 


249 


4.  The  Consistorial  Recommendation  shall  be  made  in  the  following 
form: 

At  a  meeting  of  the Church  of ,  held  on 

the day  of ,   19        ,    having  been 

a  communing  member  of  the Church  of for 

years,  and  having  made  appHcation  for  assistance  from  the  Educational 
Funds   of  the   Church   in  his  preparation   for  the  Gospel   Ministry,   was 

recommended  to  the  Classis  of with  a  view  to  his 

recommendation  by  the  Classis  to  the  Board  of  Education  for  such  aid. 

Pres.    of    Consistory. 

Sec'y    of    Consistory. 

5.  Classical  Recommendation  shall  be  made  in  the  following  form : 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Classis  of held  at on 

the day  of ,   19 .... ,  the  person  whose  name  is 

given  in  the  following  report,  having  been  examined  in  conformity  with 
the  Plan  of  education  adopted  by  General  Synod,  was  recommended  to 
receive  aid  from  the  Education  Funds  of  the  Church : 


*-> 

1» 

HI 

'^  0 

tlaS 

^ 

V5 

.0 

2 

be 

r3 

11 

^05 

< 

V 

0  So- 

X 

- 

6.  When  the  beneficiary  thus  recommended  shall  have  been  received 
by  the  Board  of  Education,  his  name  shall  be  entered  upon  a  book  kept 
by  the  Secretary,  and  ruled  in  the  following  manner : 


as  tt) 

^  C 

>  C 

^  o 


1  s^ 


J5  O 


^i^ 


General  Remarks. 


This  power  of  examination  shall  be  vested  in  the  Board  of  Edu- 


250         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

cation    also ;    and    they    shall    be    empowered    to    make    such    examination 
whenever  in  their  judgment  they  may  deem  it  necessary  or  desirable. 

8.  In  an  examination  conducted  by  the  Board,  the  following  shall  be 
the  order  of  procedure : 

a.  Before  the  applicant  is  admitted,  the  Secretary  is  to  report  that 
his  Consistorial  and  Classical  Recommendations  are  in  proper  order. 

b.  He  sliall  then  be  admitted  to  examination,  according  to  the 
method  prescribed  by  the  Board.     (Min.  Ex.  Com.  Vol.  3,  p.  53.) 

c.  After  the  examination  has  been  carried  to  an  extent  to  satisfy 
the  members,  the  applicant  will  leave  the  room,  while  the  Board  or  Com- 
mittee decides  upon  the  examination  and  upon  granting  an  appropriation. 
After  a  decision  is  reached,  if  the  applicant  be  accepted,  he  shall  be 
re-called  and  informed  of  the  result  and  shall  sign  the  required  Bond. 

The  President  will  then  welcome  him  to  the  care  of  the  Board  and 
address  him  in  such  terms  as  he  may  deem  appropriate,  followed  by 
prayer  commending  him  to  the  grace  and  help  of  God. 

9.  The  Board  or  its  Executive  Committee  may  annually  appoint  a 
committee  of  two  persons,  representing  the  Executive  Committee,  to 
conduct  examinations  of  applicants  at  Holland.  Mich.,  and  to  forward 
reports  of  such  examinaations  to  the  Board. 

RULES     DEFINING     THE     RELATION     BETWEEN     THE     BOARD     OF     EDUCATION     AND 

ITS    STUDENTS. 

1.  The  student  shall  regard  himself  as  amenable  to  the  Board  during 
his  entire  course  of  study,  and  as  under  the  pastoral  care  of  its  Corre- 
sponding Secretary,  who  shall  endeavor  to  cultivate  friendly  intercourse 
with  the  students,  and,  if  he  deem  it  advisable,  occasionally  to  address 
them,  individually  or  together. 

2.  He  may,  on  reason  being  given  satisfactory  to  the  Board,  be 
permitted  to  take  his  Academical  course  at  such  College  or  University 
as  may  be  desired,  but  he  must  pursue  his  Theological  studies  at  one  of 
the  Seminaries  of  the  Church. 

3.  He  is  expected  to  apply  the  appropriation  received  .first  toward 
the  payment  of  his  board;  and  he  must  under  no  circumstances  consider 
this   Board   responsible  for  his   debts. 

4.  He  shall  consult  with  the  Board  when,  for  any  reason  he  deems 
it  necessary  to  intermit  study  for  a  time,  or  go  to  another  Institution,  or 
finds  any  change  in  his  doctrinal  views,  or  as  to  his  call  of  God  to  the 
ministry.  If  his  absence  from  study  extends  beyond  three  months,  his 
appropriation  will  be  discontinued ;  and  if  he  does  not  report  himself  to 
the  Board  for  a  year,  his  name  shall  be  stricken  from  our  roll  of  students. 

5.  If  at  any  time  there  shall  have  been  discovered  in  any  student 
such  defect  in  capacity,  diligence,  prudence  or  piety,  as  would  render  his 
introduction  into  the  Ministry  a  doubtful  measure,  it  shall  be  considered 
the  duty  of  the  Board  to  withdraw  his  appropriations. 

Students  shall  also  cease  to  receive  the  assistance  of  the  Board  when 
their  health  shall  have  become  such  as  to  unfit  them  for  study,  and  for 
the  work  of  the  ministry;  when  they  are  manifestly  improvident,  and 
contract  debts  without  reasonable  prospects  of  payment ;  when  they  marry 
and  when  they  receive  the  assistance  of  any  other  Educational  Board  or 
Society. 

6.  The  student  shall,  if  at  any  stage  of  study  circumstances  arise 
enabling  him  to  dispense  with  the  aid  of  the  Church,  so  notify  the  Board 
and  ask  that  his  relation  to  it  may  cease. 

7.  He  shall  consider  himself  under  moral  obligation  to  repay  within 
a  reasonable  time,  the  sum  advanced  for  him  by  the  Board,  if  he  become 
possessed  of  means  to  enable  him  to  do  it.  or  if  he  discontinue  study  and 
fail  to  enter  upon  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

8.  He  must  agree  to  abide  by  the  rules  and  requirements  of  the 
General   Synod  and  the   Board. 


EDUCATION,  BOARD  OF  251 

9.  All  the  instructors  of  the  young  men  under  the  care  of  this 
Board  shall  be  furnished  with  forms  of  a  report,  and  shall  be  requested 
to  fill  up  and  forward  the  same  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Board,  at  the 
close  of  each  current  term  of  study. 

Suggestions. — Each  student  should  consider  himself  under  special 
responsibility  as  a  Son  of  the  Church,  aided  by  the  Church  in  defraying 
the  expense  of  his  education  for  the  ministry.  The  impression  made  on 
the  Church  by  his  conduct,  greatly  aids  or  hinders  the  success  of  the 
Board  in  prosecuting  its  work.  He  should  exhibit  diligence  in  study ;  a 
consistent  life ;  an  humble  and  fervent  piety ;  ardent  zeal  in  the  practical 
work  of  Christianity;  devoted  consecration  to  Jesus  and  His  Church. 
He  will  thus  most  effectuallj^  commend  the  educational  work  and 
cause  to  the  friends  of  the  Church  and  its  ministry. 

He  should  consider  the  Board  as  a  friend  and  counsellor  in  all 
circumstances ;  and  the  Board  assures  him  of  its  interest  and  sympathy 
and  good  offices. 

BOND. 

KNOW  ALL  MEN  BY  THESE  PRESENTS  that  I 

of ,  am  held  and  firmly  bound  unto  the 

Board  of  Education  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  in  the  sum  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  legal  money  of  the  United  States,  and  such 
other  sums  as  may  be  received  by  me  from  time  to  time  as  a  beneficiary 
of  said  Board,  well  and  truly  to  be  paid  with  interest  from  date  at  the 
rate  of  four  per  cent,  per  annum  unto  the  said  Board  of  Education  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America,  their  certain  attorney,  successors,  or 
assigns,  to  which  payment  well  and  truly  to  be  made  I  bind  myself  firmly 
to  these  presents.     Sealed  with  my  seal. 

Dated   the day  of one   thousand 

nine  hundred  and 

BOXD. 

CONDITIONS. 

The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such,  that  if  the  said. 


a  student  in supported  by  the  Fund 

called  the Fund,  held  in  trust  and  adminis- 
tered by  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and 
the  Board  of  Direction  of  said  church,  either  or  both,  shall  not  withdraw 
himself  from  the  patronage  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  without  the  consent  of  said  Board,  or  shall  not 
abandon,  or,  without  leave  of  the  Board,  intermit  his  studies  at  any  stage 
before  he  shall  have  completed  in  one  of  the  Schools  of  Theology  estab- 
lished and  maintained  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  the  course  of  studies  prescribed  therein ;  or  after  having  com- 
pleted the  same,  he  shall  not  leave  said  Church  and  seek  ordination  from 
some  other  religious  body,  or  not  seek  it  at  all ;  or  shall  not  within  five 
years  after  his  ordination  leave  the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  without  a  release  from  this  obligation  by  the  Board  of  Education, 
this  obligation  shall  be  and  become  void ;  otherwise  it  shall  remain  in  full 
force  and  virtue. 

Nothing  in  this  obligation  shall  be  taken  to  contravene  explicit 
directions  received  from  the  founder  of  any  endowed  scholarship  or  fund. 

ACCUMUL.\TIVE   ENDOWMENT   FUND. 

This  Fund  is  established  as  a  treasury  for  partial  deposits,  by  indi- 
viduals, at  discretion,  for  the  purpose  of  accumulating  either  $2,500  or 
$3,000,  for  the  final  endowment  of  a  Scholarship. 

I.  Credits  will  be  opened,  with  any  individual,  by  a  first  deposit  of 
fifty  dollars  or  more,  and  additions  received  thereto,  at  discretion  of 
depositor,  of  any  sum,  in  dollars,  without  fractions. 


252         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

2.  Contributions  may  be  made  by  proxy,  by  any  donor,  for  any 
other  person  named  and  the  credits  kept  to  such  last  named  person. 

3.  The  Treasurer  of  the  Board  shall  keep  a  distinct  account  of  such 
receipts  showing  the  amount  at  any  time  to  the  credit  of  any  individual 
and  report  thereon  when  required. 

4.  The  Board  shall  consider  the  total  of  receipts  in  the  Proposed 
account,  as  Endowment  Funds,  and  invest  the  same  in  a  safe  manner, 
using  the  interest  only,  for  any  purpose  of  the  Board. 

5.  It  shall  be  optional  with  any  contributor  or  substitute,  when  a 
total  contribution  shall  amount  to  the  sum  of  $2,500,  to  direct  such 
amount  to  be  transferred  from  this  account  to  the  list  of  Scholarships 
of  the  Board. 

6.  When  the  total  contribution,  in  any  individual  case  shall  amount 
to  the  sum  of  $3,000,  then  such  amount  shall  pass  to  and  be  enumerated 
in  the  list  of  full  Scholarships. 

7.  Any  excess  over  the  before  mentioned  sums  of  $2,500,  or  $3,000, 
shall  remain  in  the  account  of  Accumulative  Endowment,  unless  trans- 
ferred to  the  General  Account  of  the  Board,  for  ordinary  expenditure,  by 
the  consent  of  the  contributor. 

SCHOLARSHIPS. 

Three  thousand  dollars    ($3,000)    constitutes  a  full  scholarship. 

Smaller  amounts  are  accepted  and  constituted  into  a  scholarship. 

Scholarships  payable  in  installments,  or  Progressive  Scholarships,  are 
cordially  welcomed. 

You  may  name  the  scholarship,  or  if  you  do  not,  it  is  named  by  the 
Board  after  the  Donor. 

The  donor,  while  living,  may  nominate  the  person,  under  the  care  of 
the  Board,  to  receive  the  benefit  of  said  scholarship. 

The  returns  of  this  investment  bless  the  giver  and  the  receiver  and 
are  a  perpetually  flowing  stream,  making  glad  the  City  of  our  God,  yearly 
and  every  year. 

FORM    OF    BEQUEST. 

"I   give   unto   the   Board   of   Education   of   the   Reformed    Church   in 

America dollars,   to   be   applied  to   the   uses   and 

purposes  of  said  Board." 

Or  for  one  or  more  scholarships  as  follows  : 

'I   give   unto   the    Board   of   Education   of   the    Reformed   Church    in 

America dollars,  and  request,  as  far  as  may  be 

practicable,  that  the  principal  be  invested  by  said  Board,  and  that  the 
income  be  applied  annually  to  the  uses  and  purposes  of  said  Board." 

All  previous  action  which  is  in  conflict  with  the  Manual  of  the  Board 
of  Education  now  adopted,  is  hereby  repealed. 

Effectual  Calling.     Canons,  i.  7;  iii.  and  iv.  8,  10,  11;  v.  i. 

Elders.  Doctrine  of ;  Belg.  Conf .,  Arts.  Z^-ZZ  I  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.,  1874, 
Arts.  28-34,  61.  Elders  and  ministers  formerly  constituted  the  Consistory; 
Rules  of  1619,  Art.  ^7 ',  of  1792,  Art.  27;  of  1833,  Art.  50;  elders  all  of 
same  rank ;  Rules  of  1619,  Arts.  17,  84 ;  no  reference  to  this  in  the  later 
Constitutions;  elders  with  the  ministers  have  the  spiritual  oversight  of 
the  church;  Rules  of  1874,  Arts.  14,  28,  45,  46. — Manner  of  choosing 
elders;  Rules  of  1874,  Arts,  30-34;  only  male  members  may  vote  for 
elders  in  forming  a  new  church,  and  these  must  be  at  least  18  years  of 
age;  1874,  Art.  31. 

Elect,  The.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  35,  37;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  52-54; 
Canons,  i.  6,  7,  11-13;  ii.  8,  9;  iii.  11 ;  v.  10. 

Election,  Doctrine  of.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  16;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i, 
31,  37,  52-54;  Canons,  i.  1-17;  v.  6;  and  the  Conclusion. 

Election  of  Officers.  Sec  Elders ;  Deacons ;  Ministers ;  General 
Synod ;   Rules  of  Order ;   Professors ;   Vedder  Lecturers. 


ELEMENTS  OF  BREAD  AND  WINE  253 

Elements  of  Bread  and  Wine.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  35 ;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  75-79. 

Elizabeth  Voorhees  College,  at  Vellore,  India.  See  Voorhees, 
Elizabeth. 

Elmendorf,  Augustus,  "Theological  Education  Fund,"  $2,382.50,  to 
be  applied  under  the  direction  of  the  Theological  Professors.  1891,  240, 
246,  265  ;  '92,  497. 

Elmendorf,  James  Yard.  Bequeaths  $10,029.68,  to  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions.    Report  of  Bd.,  1905,  iii.    According  to  page  116,  it  is  $9,934.68. 

Elmendorf,  Jane  H.  (Mrs.)  Gives  the  above  Augustus  Elmendorf 
Fund,  1891,  240.  [The  $953  for  Domestic  Missions,  attributed  to  Mrs. 
Jane  Helen  Elmendorf,  probably  should  be  credited  to  Catharine  Smitz. 
Compare  1891,  265  and  241.] 

Elmendorf,  Joachim,  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1872. 
On  many  important  Committees. 

Elocution.  1866,  10,  98;  '67,  157-8,  267;  see  Peabody;  1884,  418;  '85, 
617,  731;  '86,  16,  57,  61;  '89,  769;  '90,  46;  '92,  508;  '94,  60;  '95,  60,  70,  71; 
'96,  334,  345;  '99,  369,  370,  391,  769-     See  Barbour;  Anderson,  Jas. 

Elocution  and  Music.     1902,  55. 

Elocution  Fund.  See  Anderson  Memorial  Fund;  1866,  33;  '87,  256, 
2.']2;  '88,  527,  583. 

Eltinge,  Wilhelmus,  (Rev.)  Gives  $250  in  Bergen  Turnpike  Stock, 
for  benefit  of  Professors,  on  condition  that  the  Seminary  shall  not  be 
moved  from  New  Brunswick,  Oct.,  1817,  8,  14-16.  Held  b}^  Trustees  of 
Queens  College.  In  1826,  Synod  suggested  that  this  fund  be  transferred 
to  General  Synod,  p.  28.  This  is  reported  done,  1827,  30,  and  it  was 
absorbed  in  the  Permanent  Fund,  1828,  107;  1829,  172,  etc.;  1853,  299; 
1884,  423 ;  '85,  622. 

Unites  with  others  in  a  Memorial  to  General  Synod  concerning  the 
secession  of  Rev.  Dr.  Froeligh,  1823,  41 ; 

Emblem  of  the  Church.  This  is  the  Coat  of  Arms  of  William  the 
Silent.  Dr.  Wm.  C  Brownlee  first  attached  this  Coat  of  Arms  to  the 
Magazine  of  R.  D.  C.  in  1826,  of  which  he  was  editor.  In  1839,  the 
Christian  Intelligencer  put  the  same  emblem  at  the  head  of  that  paper, 
where  it  has  ever  since  remained.  This  Emblem  associates  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  v^ith  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  Netherlands, 
whose  Union  of  States  and  unprecedented  freedom  of  religion 
became  the  model  of  the  United  States.  The  pillars  and  stars  and  mottoes 
were  added,  to  make  it  ecclesiastically  appropriate.  The  Coat  of  Arms 
consists  of  three  shields,  a  large,  a  smaller,  and  a  very  small  one,  sur- 
mounted by  a  crown,  the  use  of  which  was  accorded  to  the  Prince  of 
Orange  by  the  Emperor  Charles  the  Fifth.  The  shields  with  their  quarter- 
ings  have  reference  to  the  Principalities  over  which  William  ruled  by 
hereditary  right,  or  as  in  the  case  of  the  United  States  of  the  Netherlands 
by  choice  of  the  people,  and  in  the  case  of  the  smallest  shield,  to  his 
adherence  to  the  Reformed  faith.  William's  motto  was  "Je  maintiendrai." 
Those  who  adapted  the  emblem  to  church  use  added  the  mottoes  "Nisi 
dominus  frustra,"  "Without  the  Lord  all  is  vain,"  abbreviated  from  the 
first  verse  of  the  127th  Psalm,  and  "Eendracht  maakt  macht,"  "Union 
makes  strength,"  a  free  rendering  of  "Concordia  res  parvae  crescunt" 
found  upon  medals  and  coins  struck  to  commemorate  the  Union  of  the 
States  of  the  Netherlands.  The  pillars  may  have  been  suggested  by  the 
two  columns  before  the  Temple  at  Jerusalem,  symbolical  of  the  strength 
of  Zion;  and  the  stars  on  the  summit  the  angels  or  heralds  of  the  Gospel. 
The  present  form  of  the  emblem,  differing  in  the  arrangement  of  the 
mottoes,  dates  from  1887,  since  which  time  it  has  come  into  general  and 
extended    use    as    "the    accepted    emblem    of    the    Reformed    Church    in 


25^         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEIGISLATION 

America."  Sec  Centennial  of  New  Brunswick,  page  xxvi.,  and  the  Front- 
ispiece;  also  Van  Loon's  Aledallic  Hist,  of  Holland,  1790,  in  French  and 
Hollandish.  Mr.  John  Bussing  also  published  a  leaflet  on  this  topic 
in   1887. 

E-VERiTU.s.  Conditions  of  being  so  declared;  Rules  of  1874,  Art.  16. 
Notice  the  original  Article  of  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  13;  and  the  elaboration 
of  Rules  of  1792,  Arts.  16,  17;  and  1833,  Art.  19.  The  stipulations  of 
support,  to  ministers  declared  emeriti,  in  former  times,  are  now  partly- 
supplied  by  the  Widows'  Fund  and  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund.  See 
Christian  Intelligencer  of  May,  17,  1855,  and  May,  1872,  for  interesting 
articles  on  this  subject.     See  Professors  Emeriti. 

Endowed  Professorships.  See  Suydam  Professorship ;  Sage  Pro- 
fessorship. 

Endowed  Schol.\rships.     See  Education,  Board  of. 

Endowments,  Professorial.  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  25.  No 
allusion  to,  in  Constitutions  of  1833,  1874.  Constant  allusion,  under  the 
head  of  "Professorate,"  or  ''Funds,"  in  the  minutes,  from  1771  onward; 
but  the  poverty  of  the  country,  and  the  War  of  the  Revolution  prevented 
early  success.  Until  1809  there  were  no  Professorial  Funds.  Professors 
were  also  pastors,  and  were  supported  by  their  congregations.  But  in  that 
year  $21,000  were  subscribed,  and  committed  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens 
College,  as  Synod  was  not  yet  incorporated.     See  Professorial  Fund. 

In  181 5  the  so-called  Permanent  Fund  was  started  under  the  care 
of  a  "Special  Treasurer"  of  Gen.  Synod.  In  1819,  on  the  Synod's  incor- 
poration, the  Permanent  Fund,  then  about  $8,000,  was  passed  over  to  the 
Board  of  Direction.  See  Permanent  Fund.  Subscriptions  were  soon 
made,  (1823-5,)  for  the  Second  and  Third  Professorships,  of  more  than 
$50,000,  and  in  1828,  the  remnant  of  the  original  Professorial  Fund, 
$9,750.  was  transferred  from  the  College  Trustees  to  Sjnod's  Board  of 
Direction;  and  these  Funds  were  all  merged  together  in  1828,  and  called 
the  "Permanent  Professorial  Fund,"  which  see.  This  was  then  reported 
at  $54,190  cash  on  hand.     Some  of  the  subscriptions  proved*  uncollectable. 

Additional  efforts,  1831-6,  resulting  in  new  subscriptions  to  the 
amount  of  $34,050.  These  subscriptions  were  largely  retained  in  hand, 
and  interest  paid  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent.  In  1835,  the  fund  on  hand 
is  reported  at  $66,000,  but  Synod  was  receiving  interest,  in  all  from 
$100,000.  For  the  decade.  1836-46,  this  paid  all  expenses,  Professorial  and 
Contingent.  In  1847,  deficiencies  again  occurred,  and  efforts  were  only 
partly  successful  to  collect  the  unpaid  subscriptions ;  but  in  1854,  with 
additional  gifts  the  income  became  again  sufficient  to  meet  all  obligations. 
For  subsequent  history,  which  becomes  complicated,  see  these  several 
Funds,  and  Contingent  Fund ;  Smith  Fund,  etc. ;  Cornell,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  A. 
H. ;  Suydam  Fund;  Sage  Fund;  Voorhees  Fund. 

Engl.and,  Church  of.  For  early  relations  of  the  Dutch  Church  to, 
see  Corwin's  Manual.  1902,  45-117;  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York 
from  1664-1776.  Allusions.  1755,  94-96. — Propose  a  Plan  of  Union  of  all 
Protestant  Churches  on  the  basis  of  the  Bible  as  the  Word  of  God;  the 
Apostles'  and  Nicene  Creeds ;  the  two  Sacraments ;  and  the  Historic 
Episcopate;  1886:  represented  by  the  names  of  17  prominent  dignitaries, 
in  the  cause  of  Arbitration;  1899,  417.  See  Collegiate  Ch.  Year  Book, 
1881,  74. 

England,  Presbyterian  Church  of.  Wishes  to  exchange  Minutes. 
i88t,  682,  685. 

England,  Evangelical  Free  Churches  of. 

A  communication  from  the  National  Council  of  the  Evangelical  Free 
Churches  of  England. 

The  object  of  the  Conference  of  the  Evangelical  Free  Churches  of 
England  held  at  Nottingham,  was  to  give  expression  to  the  fervent  desire 


ENGLISH  LANGUAGE  255 

of  the  Christian  people  represented  at  that  Conference  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  peaceful  relations  now  existing  between  the  governments  of 
Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  that  seemed  likely  to  be  interrupted 
because  of  the  dispute  over  the  Venzuelian  boundary  question,  and  asking 
for  our  co-operation  in  seeking  to  induce  our  respective  governments  to 
submit  all  disputes  likely  to  interrupt  harmonious  relations  to  a  Court  of 
Arbitration. 

We  are  in  hearty  sympathy  with  these  efforts,  and  express  our  firm 
conviction  that  war  between  the  two  great  English-speaking  Christian 
nations  of  the  world,  would  be  a  great  calamity  and  an  unspeakable 
reproach  to  the  highest  civilization  of  this  age,  that  should  have  the 
wisdom  to  devise  the  means  of  "continued  and  honorable  peace.'' 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  expresses  the  earnest  hope  that 
our  government  will  insist  upon  the  application  of  the  principle  of  Arbitra- 
tion in  all  disputes  with  the  government  of  Great  Britain  that  otherwise 
might  probably  lead  to  war. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  this  resolution  be  sent  to  the  Secretary  of 
State  for  the  United  States,  and  to  the  Secretary  of  the  National  Council 
of  the  Evangelical  Free  Churches  of  England.     1890,  418,  4IQ,  420. 

Rev.  Chs.  A.  Berry  sent  as  a  delegate  from,  to  the  American  Churches, 
in  the  interests  of  International  Arbitration,  '98,  161  ;  1899,  470-3 ;  see 
Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs.  under  1899. 

English  Language.  Some  of  the  Dutch  ministers,  before  the  Revo- 
lution, preached  occasionally  in  English.  See  Drisius,  in  Manual.  Rev. 
Archibald  Laidlie,  in  1763,  was  called  by  Collegiate  Church  to  preach 
altogether  in  English  ;  and  DeRonde  and  Foering  and  others  sometimes 
attempted  it.  In  1767  the  Collegiate  Church  published  the  Psalms  and 
Liturgy  in  English.  In  1788-92,  the  Synod  had  all  the  Standards  of 
Doctrine,  the  Liturgy  and  Rules  of  Church  Government  translated  into 
English ;  also  had  an  English  Hymn  Book  prepared,  which  was  issued 
in  1789,  and  a  second  edition  in  1813.  In  1794  it  was  resolved  to  keep 
the  minutes  of  General  Synod  in  English,  '94,  257.  Constit.  of  1792,  Art. 
36,  requires  that  the  proportion  of  Dutch  and  English  preaching  must  be 
stated  in  the  call ;  see  also  Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  60 ;  of  1874,  Art.  54. 

Entertainment  Fund  of  the  General  Synod.  Until  1882  the  Synod 
had  generally  been  entertained  by  the  families  of  the  church  or  the  place 
where  the  session  was  held.  See,  however,  1814,  34.  But  with  the  increas- 
ing numbers  in  the  Synod,  this  became  burdensome.  It  was  found  in  1882 
that  New  York  had  entertained  the  Synod  27  times,  and  Albany  26  times, 
out  of  the  88  sessions  and  extra  sessions,  up  to  that  date ;  while  New 
Brunswick,  Philadelphia  and  Schenectady,  had  each  entertained  the 
S\'nod  six  times ;  Newark,  Brooklyn  and  Poughkeepsie  four  times  each ; 
Kingston  and  Hudson,  three  times  each;  Utica,  twice;  and  Ithaca,  Geneva, 
Syracuse,  Williamsburgh,  Harlem,  Jersey  City  and  Newburgh  once  each. 
Hence  in  1882  the  following  action  was  taken  : 

Whereas,  The  entertainment  of  the  members  of  General  Synod  at 
their  Annaul  Sessions  has  become  a  subject  of  anxiety,  and  is  a  great 
burden  to  the  churches  where  the  Synod  holds  its  sessions ;  and  as  the 
business  of  Synod  is  for  the  whole  Church,  all  the  churches  should 
l)ear  their  part  of  the  burden ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  make  an  assessment  on  each 
church  connected  with  it.  of  two  cents  per  member,  and  that  this  sum  be 
added  to  the  Contingent  Expenses,  and  be  apportioned  by  the  Board  of 
Direction  to  each  of  the  Classes,  to  be  collected  by  them  in  the  same  way 
that  the  other  expenses  are  collected.     1882.  178. 

But  this  seemed  to  be  a  reflection  on  the  hospitality  of  the  Dutch, 
(see  Article  in  Ch.  Int..  Oct.  11,  1882);  and  complaints  were  also  made 
of  the  increased  assessments ;  therefore  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  1882 
was  suspended  until  further  order.   1883.  304-5  ;   and  as  a  number  of  the 


256  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Classes   have  already  paid  their  assessments,   the   treasurer   was   directed 
to  put  these  amounts  to  their  credit  for  the  contingent  fund,  1883,  250. 

1886. 

In  view  of  the  facts  that  no  invitation  has  been  extended  to  the 
Synod  for  its  entertainment  next  year ;  that  there  is  great  inequality  in 
the  distribution  of  expense  by  the  present  method;  that  there  are  increas- 
ing difficulties  attendant  upon  the  entertainment  of  Synod,  at  the  expense 
of  a  single  community ; 

Therefore  be  it  resolved, 

First,  That  the  Synod  hereafter  provide  for  the  expense  of  enter- 
tainment by  an  appointment  of  it  upon  the  Classes. 

Second,  That  the  sum  of  two  cents  per  communicant  member  be  the 
basis  of  said  apportionment. 

Third,  That  the  Classes  be  directed  to  pay  the  sum  collected  to  the 
Treasurer  of  the  General  Synod,  and  that  it  be  disbursed  by  him  at  the 
rate  of  $1  per  day  to  each  delegate  for  such  time  only  as  he  shall  be 
present  at  the  session  of  Synod. 

Fourth,  That  the  invitation  of  the  Consistory  of  the  Reformed  Church 
at  Catskill  to  occupy  their  church  edifice  during  sittings  of  the  next 
Synod,  and  the  offer  of  the  Prospect  Park  Hotel  to  entertain  the  entire 
Synod  at  $1  per  member  per  day,  be  accepted,  and  that  the  allowance  to 
members  of  Synod  be  only  to  such  as  are  entertained  at  said  hotel. 

Fifth,  That  the  Rev.  Evert  Van  Slyck,  D.D..  and  Elder  Wm.  H.  Van 
Orden  be  a  Committee  to  perfect  the  arrangements  at  Catskill,  N.  Y.,  for 
the  entertainment  of  the  next  session  of  Synod. 

Sixth,  That  delegates  from  non-contributing  Classes  be  not  allowed 
a  share  in  this  entertainment  fund. 

Seventh,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  make  the  apportionment  directed 
by  the  adoption  of  this  Report.     1886,  206. 

Similar  arrangements  were  made  for  successive  years ;  1887,  447-8 : 
1888,  688;  1889,  924,  931.  In  1890  the  Synod  met  for  the  first  time  at 
Asbury  Park.  In  1891,  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  ^sked  for  an 
increase  in  the  assessment  from  2  to  3  cents  per  member,  that  delegates 
might  be  allowed  $1.50  per  day.     Not  granted,  1891,  335. 

Resolved,  That  the  Permanent  Clerk  be,  and  hereby  is,  directed  to 
secure  entertainment  at  not  more  than  seven  houses,  three  of  which  shall 
be  chosen  from  those  who  will  entertain  at  the  lowest  rates. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegates  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  General 
Synod  will  be  expected,  as  a  matter  of  good  faith  to  these  houses,  to 
select  from  them  the  place  of  their  entertainment  during  its  sessions. 

Resolved,  If  any  of  the  delegates  prefer  to  be  entertained  at  other 
houses,  that  they  pay  their  own  bills  and  present  them  to  the  Permanent 
Clerk  at  the  close  of  the  session,  who  is  hereby  directed  to  transmit  them 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Direction  for  payment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  shall  only  pay  such  bills  as  are  attested 
by  the  Permanent  Clerk.     1891,  427-8;   1892,  662:   1893.  908. 

There  was  a  surplus  in  the  entertainment  fund,  1893,  901-2.  Synod 
accepted  the  invitation  to  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  for  1895,  1894,  227;  to 
Catskill,  for  1806;  the  pastor  to  make  all  preliminary  local  arrangements. 

4.  That  the  other  arrangements  be  made  by  the  Permanent  Clerk  in 
accordance  with  the  resolution'  of  the  Synod  of  18S9,  that  "all  details  in 
regard  to  the  entertainment  of  the  members  of  General  Synod  and  other 
attendants  upon  its  sessions  (with  the  exception  of  the  assignment  of 
rooms  at  the  hotel,  and  local  arrangements  with  the  church),  and  in 
regard  to  special  terms  with  railroads  and  boats  be  committed  to  the 
Permanent  Clerk,  as  the  official  representative  and  agent  of  the  Synod." 
1895,  226;  1896,  506;  1897,  779,  780. 

Entertainment  Fund  has  a  considerable  surplus.  For  seven  years 
Svnod  has  met  at  Asburv  Park,  but  the  church  accommodations  have  been 


ENVELOPES  FOR  OFFERINGS  257 

insufficient.  Since  that  church  is  now  building  a  lecture  room,  which  will 
be  serviceable  to  future  Synods,  the  Board  of  Direction  suggested  that 
$1,000  be  appropriated  from  the  Entertainment  Fund  toward  this  enter- 
prise.    Amount  on  hand  is  $6,129.  80.     Such  appropriation  was  ordered, 

1898,  64. 

Assessment  reduced  to  a  cent  and  a  half  per  member,  1899,  319,  320; 
363-4.  The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  complained  of  the  action  of 
Synod  in  appropriating  $1,000  toward  the  Lecture  Room  at  Asbury  Park. 
Synod  vindicated  their  action,  as  it  was  for  the  entertainment  of  Synod, 

1899,  465-6.  Amount  on  hand,  1901,  $6,664;  assessment,  therefore,  omitted, 
1901,  1260.  Assessment,  one  cent  per  member,  1902,  12,  53;  1903,  273,  311  ; 
1904,  607;  1905,  13. 

Envelopes  for  Offerings  and  Church  Expenses.  Introduced  about 
187s ;  often  alluded  to  and  commended ;  1905,  158. 

Envy.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.   106. 

Episcopal  Church.  See  Ch.  of  England;  Protestant  Episcopal  Ch. ; 
Refd.  Epis.  Ch. 

Erickzon,  Rhinehardt,  (Rev.)  President  of  the  first  Coetus,  Sept., 
1747;  again,  Nov.,  1749. 

Errors.  Duty  of  Professors  of  Theology  to  disprove ;  Constitution  of 
1619;  Art.  18. 

Erskine  Memorial  Scholarship.  $2,000,  held  by  Gen.  Synod  for 
Arcot  Seminary.     1896,  289,  351.     See  Olcott. 

Eternal  Life.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  37. 

Europe,  Continent  of.  Necessity  of  services  in  English,  1900,  780; 
1904,  740;  1905,  143.     See  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs. 

Evangelical  Alliance.  Founded  1854.  First  meeting  in  London, 
1846.  About  50  Evangelical  Bodies  represented.  Intention,  to  promote 
friendly  intercourse  and  co-operation.  A  summary  was  adopted,  not  as 
a  creed,  but  as  an  indication  of  the  class  of  persons  whom  it  was  desirable 
to  embrace  in  the  Alliance. — This  summary  included  the  inspiration, 
authority  and  efficiency  of  the  Holy  Scriptures;  the  "right  and  duty  of 
private  judgment;  the  unity  of  God  and  the  Trinity  of  persons;  the 
depravity  of  human  nature  in  consequence  of  the  fall ;  the  incarnation  of 
the  Son  of  God,  his  atonement  and  mediatorial  intercession  and  reign; 
justification  by  faith ;  the  work  of  the  Spirit  in  the  conversion  and  sancti- 
fication  of  the  sinner ;  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of  the 
body,  the  judgment  of  the  world  by  Christ,  with  eternal  rewards  and 
punishments ;  the  divine  institution  of  the  ministry,  and  the  obligation  and 
perpetuity  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper.  Besides  the  first  Conference 
in  London  in  1846,  others  have  been  held  in  Paris,  1855;  in  Berlin,  1857; 
in  Geneva,  i860;  in  Amsterdam,  1867;  in  New  York,  1873;  in  Basle,  1879; 
in  Copenhagen,  1885  ;  Florence,  1891 ;  and  the  United  States  branch  held 
a  national  conference  at  Chicago  in  1893.  These  assemblies  have  pro- 
moted union  among  evangelical  believers,  combined  their  efforts  in  behalf 
of  liberty  of  conscience,  the  protection  of  the  oppressed,  and  the  general 
advance  of  Christ's  Kingdom.  Branch  associations  exist  in  many  places. 
The  transactions  are  reported  in  a  monthly  periodical,  issued  in  London, 
called  "Evangelical  Christendom." 

The  Synod  appointed  delegates  to  attend  the  Conference  in  London 
in  1846,  which  was  designated  the  "World's  Convention,"  and  referred  to 
it  as  one  of  the  greatest  religious  movements  of  the  age;  referred  to  the 
importance  of  union,  and  Christ's  praj^er  for  the  unity  of  believers  in 
order  to  bring  about  the  conversion  of  the  world ;  and  passed  the  follow- 
ing resolution : 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  contemplate  with  great  interest  the  pro- 
posed Evangelical  Alliance,  to  be  held  in  London  in  August  next,  as  a 


258         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

measure  which,  if  conducted  with  wisdom,  and  crowned  with  the  Divine 
blessing,  may  tend  to  bind  together  in  closer  union  all  the  great  branches 
of   Protestant   Christendom,    1846,  64-66. 

In  1866  a  communication  was  received  from  M.  Cohen  Stuart,  Sec.  of 
the  Alliance.  The  Synod  appointed  Rev.  Drs.  A.  C.  Van  Raalte  and  John 
Forsyth  delegates  to  attend  the  Conference  in  Amsterdam;   1866,   11,  44. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  heartily  approves  of  the  organization  and 
purposes  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  and  earnestly  desires  all  Pastors 
and  churches  under  its  care,  to  contribute  in  all  ways  to  the  success  of 
the  Convention  which  that  great  representative  of  United  Protestantism 
is  to  hold  in  this  country  in  the  approaching  autumn.     1870,  136. 

In  the  interests  of  Church  Union,  a  "Fraternal  Appeal"  and  pamphlet 
were  received  from  Rev.  Dr.  B.  M.  Schmucker  of  the  Lutheran  Church, 
and  others  on  the  subject  of  a  "Voluntary  Advisory  Confederation,"  the 
parties  in  which  should  be  the  "Evangelical  Alliance"  and  delegates  from 
each  denomination,  to  promote  harmon}-,  and  non-interference,  concert  of 
action,  free  sacramental  communion  and  recognition  among  Christians, 
to  devise  means  for  correcting  political  corruption,  and  for  other  kindred 
purposes.  To  this  end  they  desired  a  delegation  from  R.  C.  A.  of  25 
members,  to  meet  with  the  Evangelical  Alliance  in  1873.  The  Synod 
declined,  for  several  reasons,  to  enter  into  this  scheme,  1873,  673-4. 

On  the  subject  of  "Federation  of  the  Churches,"  the  Evangelical 
Alliance  is  held  up  as  an  illustration  of  the  benefits  to  be  derived;  such 
as  the  intercourse  of  ministers  and  members  of  different  denominations : 
the  exhibition  of  the  essential  agreement  of  evangelical  bodies ;  in  the 
moral  influence  on  the  community  of  such  Christian  union ;  in  the  valuable 
contributions  to  the  literature  of  the  Church,  and  to  the  discussion  of 
great  religious,  moral  and  social  questions,  which  they  have  made ;  and. 
educationally,  in  preparing  the  way  for  a  closer  and  still  more  practical 
and  effective  union.  1891,  343-4;  1892,  575.  See  Federation  of  Churches; 
Alliance  of  Reformed  Chs. ;  Church  Union. 

EVANGELICAL   CHURCHES,    NATIONAL   COUNCIL   OF. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions,  presented  by  Rev.  J.  M. 
Matthews,  were  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  Constitution  of  the  Church  confides  to  the  General 
Synod  the  duty  of  "regulating  and  maintaining  a  friendly  correspondence 
with  the  highest  judicatories  or  assemblies  of  other  religious  denomina- 
tions, for  the  purpose  of  promoting  union  and  concert  in  general  measures 
which  may  be  calculated  to  maintain  sound  doctrine,  prevent  conflicting 
regulations  relative  to  persons  under  censure  of  the  judicatories  of  either 
denomination,  and  to  produce  concert  and  harmony  in  the  respective 
proceedings  to  promotes  the  Cause  of  piety  and  religion." 

And  Whereas,  It  is  the  conviction  of  this  Synod  that  wholesome 
fraternal  measures  may  be  adopted  for  combining  and  unifying  the  Evan- 
gelical denominations  in  support  of  the  common  doctrines  of  Christianity, 
without  involving  any  surrender  of  the  distinctive  features  and  individual 
characteristics  of  these  denominations. 

And  Whereas,  The  doctrinal  and  governmental  system  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  is  broad  and  Catholic,  presenting  a  basis  on  which  general 
measures  for  the  promotion  of  piety  and  religion  may  be  prosecuted, 
therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  hereby  appoints  a  committee  of  three 
ministers  and  three  elders,  to  present,  in  its  behalf,  to  the  highest  judica- 
tories and  assemblies  of  other  Evangelical  denominations,  at  their  next 
annual  meetings,  for  their  consideration  and  adoption,  the  following  plan 
of  a  National  Council  of  the  Evangelical  denominations  in  these  United 
States : 

1st.  Such  Council  shall  have  for  its  great  object  the  concerting  of 
proper  measures  for  promoting,  not  organic,  but  fraternal  union,  for  the 


EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE  259 

maintenance  of  the  common  doctrines  and  ethics  of  the  Christian  Church, 
whose  one  head  is  the  Lord  Jesus. 

2d.  That  its  powers  shall  be  simply  advisory,  and  be  exercised,  not 
for  the  purpose  of  assailing  what  any  denomination  represented  therein 
may  regard  as  necessary  to  its  welfare,  but  to  secure  concert  of  action  for 
the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel,  by  diminishing  sectarian  rivalries  and 
oppositions. 

3d.  Such  Council,  when  convened,  may  consider  and  recommend 
such  general  measures  as  may  tend  to  give  expression  to  the  proper  and 
essential  unity  of  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whether  in  this  or 
other  lands,  and  draw  them  closer  together  in  aggressive  labors  to  brmg 
the  whole  world  into  subjection  to  Christ. 

4th.  The  Council  shall  be  a  delegated  body,  and  may  consist  of  five 
representatives,  three  ministers  and  two  laymen,  from  each  Evangelical 
denomination  acceding  to  this  recommendation,  but  no  denomination,  as 
such,  shall  be  held  responsible  in  any  legislative  sense  for  what  the 
Council  may  choose  to  recommend. 

5th.  The  Council  shall  meet,  provided  the  higher  judicatories  and 
assemblies  of  sister  Churches  accede  to  this  suggestion,  on  the  third 
Tuesday  of  October,  1869,  in  the  City  of  New  York,  at  10  o'clock,  a.m., 
in  the  Reformed  Church  on  Washington  Square. 

The  President,  Adsessor,  Stated  Clerk,  viz.,  Drs.  E.  S.  Porter,  A.  G. 
Vermilye,  D.  D.  Demarest,  of  this  Synod,  with  the  Elders,  Robert  H. 
Pruyn,  Sandford  Cobb  and  Frederick  T.  Frelinghuysen,  were  appointed 
a  Committee  to  carry  the  above  into  effect.     1868,  420-1. 

The  Committee  on  the  calling  of  a  National  Council  of  Evangelical 
Churches  made  a  report  which  was  accepted,  and  the  Committee  was 
continued,  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Matthews  was  added  to  it. 

Resolved,  That  a  Delegation  of  three  Ministers  and  two  Elders  be 
appointed  to  attend  said  Council. 

Rev.  James  M.  Matthews,  Thomas  De  Witt,  E.  S.  Porter,  and  Elders 
Erastus  C  Benedict,  and  William  H.  Crosby  were  appointed. 

It  appearing  that  several  of  the  highest  judicatories  and  assemblies  of 
Evangelical  denominations  have  not  been  invited  to  send  delegates  to  the 
proposed  Council  to  be  held  in  New  York  in  October  next,  and  whose 
next  annual  meetings  are  not  to  be  held  previous  to  that  time,  but  who  are 
anxious  to  be  represented  on  the  occasion : 

Resolved,  That  in  all  such  cases  the  Committee  appointed  to  send  out 
invitations  be  instructed  to  correspond  with  the  presiding  officers  of  such 
judicatories  or  assemblies  and  request  them  to  take  such  m.easures  as  to 
them  shall  seem  best  to  secure  a  representation. 

Resolved,  That  in  case  of  death  or  sickness  of  any  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  the  Council  in  October,  the  President  and  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Synod  shall  have  power  to  fill  the  vacancy.     1869,  581-2. 

NATIONAL   EVANGELICAL   COUNCIL. 

There  has  also  been  put  into  the  hands  of  your  committee  a  com- 
munication from  the  Rev.  Thomas  De  Witt,  in  reference  to  the  National 
Council  of  Evangelical  Churches,  which  met  in  New  York  City  on 
October  20,  i860.  It  will  be  seen,  on  referring  to  the  last  General  Synod, 
that  that  body  in  June,  1869,  appointed  a  committee  of  three  Ministers 
and  two  Elders  to  attend  that  Council  as  a  delegation  from  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America.  The  Chairman  of  that  committee,  the  Rev.  James  M. 
Matthews,  having  departed  this  life  shortly  after  the  adjournment  of  the 
Council,  it  became  the  duty  of  the  author  of  this  communication,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  De  Witt,  the  next  member  of  the  committee,  to  lay  before  this 
General  Synod  a  report  of  the  results  at  which  the  Council  arrived.  In 
view  of  the  happy  influence  which  it  is  believed  the  annual  meeting  of 
such  a  Council  must  exert  in  promoting  Christian  love  and  confidence,  and 


26o         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

in  leading  to  combined  and  harmonious  efforts  to  spread  the  gospel  at 
honie  and  abroad,  your  Committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  : 

Resolved,^  That  the  Delegation  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  to 
attend  the  National  Council  of  Ecclesiastical  Churches  be  reappointed, 
with  the  addition  of  a  member  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  decease 
of  the  late  Rev.  James  M.  Matthews. 

Resolved,  That  the  Delegation  consist  of  the  Revs.  Thomas  De  Witt, 
Mancius  S.  Hutton,  Elbert  S.  Porter,  and  the  Elders  Erastus  C.  Benedict 
and  William  H.  Crosby.     1870,  52-53. 

See  a  previous  attempt,  1865,  574-7. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  Sends  delegate  Prof.  W.  X.  Scholl, 
D.D. ;  desires  to  establish  correspondence  with  R.  C.  A.,  1868,  418;  Revs. 
Drs.  M.  S.  Hutton  and  W.  R.  Gordon  appointed  delegates  to ;  442.  Corre- 
spondence continued  by  a  general  exchange  of  delegates  to  the  present 
time. 

Evangelical  Quarterly,  The.  A  magazine  under  the  Editorship  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  F.  Berg,  started  Jan.,  i860.  See  New  Brunswick  Rez'ien'; 
Berg,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  F. 

Evangelical  Society,  The.  See  Am.  Prot.  Soc,  and  Am.  and  For. 
Christian  Union. 

Evangelistic  Committees;  and  Work.  The  President  of  Synod  was 
requested  to  appoint  a  Committee  whose  dut}^  it  shall  be  to  urge  each 
church  to  undertake  a  definite  evangelistic  work.  The  President  of 
Synod,  Rev.  Dr.  A.  E.  Kittridge,  was  made  President  of  the  Com. ;  and 
Rev.  Drs.  H.  E.  Cobb,  Jos.  R.  Duryee,  J.  H.  Whitehead,  and  Elders  J.  S. 
Bussing,  Samuel  Rowland,  Geo.  J.  King  and  T.  K.  Cree,  were  appointed 
such  Committee ;   1902,  153. 

Report :  A  circular  letter  was  issued  and  suggestions  were  made  to 
pastors  and  churches  on  the  subject,  and  seeking  correspondence.  A 
meeting  was  called,  and  representative  ministers  invited.  Each  Classis 
was  asked  to  co-operate,  and  to  stimulate  evangelistic  work.  The  Classes 
were  notified.  Pamphlets  making  suggestions  as  to  spiritual  work  were 
sent  out.  Many  replies  received.  A  second  meeting  was  held  and 
encouraging  reports  received.  Many  publications  on  evangelistic  work 
were  sent  out.     A  larger  Committee  was  appointed;    1903,  471-2. 

Second  report:  Tracts  sent  out;  evangelistic  meetings  held;  5.382 
received  on  confession ;  over  200  pastors  affirm  the  manifest  presence  of 
the  Spirit  in  their  churches ;  1904,  7^y7^7 ',  another  Committee  was 
appointed. 

Third  report :  Forty  thousand  pamphlets  sent  out,  with  circular 
letters ;  a  tent  maintained"  for  evangelistic  service  in  New  York  City  for 
the  summer  of  1905 ;  a  western  division  of  the  Com.  was  organized ;  30.000 
copies  of  a  tract  on  Family  Worship  issued;  a  volume  of  Family  Prayers 
prepared ;  stirring  conferences  have  been  held ;  a  Field  Secretary  to  be 
employed  to  give  his  entire  time  to  the  work  of  evangelization;  1905, 
225-232. 

Evangelists.  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  15;  evangelists  occasionally 
ordained  for  specific  evangelistic  work,  as  Rev.  Cor.  Bogardus,  1818,  8,  2>7\ 
David  Abeel,  1826,  etc. 

In  view  of  the  many  applications  for  a  dispensation  from  the  prescribed 
course  of  study  for  the  ministry,  which  came  annually  before  the  General 
Synod,  many  of  them  being  based  on  the  fact  of  successful  evangelistic 
workby  the  applicants : 

Resolved,  That  a  special  committee  be  appointed  to  take  into  consid- 
eration the  subject  of  a  method  whereby  such  men  as  show  themselves  to 
be  possessed  of  special  qualifications  for  the  work  of  an  evangelist,  and 


EVENING  PRAYERS  261 

are  evidently  called  of  God  to  serve  in  this  capacity  in  His  Kingdom,  may 
prosecute  their  work  in  connection  with  our  Church,  without  investiture 
with  the  full  ministerial  office,  but  under  proper  ecclesiastical  authorization 
and  superintendence. 

The  following  are  appointed  on  this  committee :  Rev.  Jas.  Demarest, 
Jr. :  Rev.  Egbert  Winter,  and  Elder  David  Bingham. 

Their  report :  Reference  to  the  fact  that  dispensations  are  often 
granted  to  earnest  Christian  men,  to  be  ordained,  without  the  full  regular 
training;  many  examples;  must  accept  the  facts;  there  is  also  a  special 
divine  ordination,  as  well  as  an  ecclesiastical  one ;  real  consecration  better 
than  learning ;  many  vacant  churches,  and  many  ministers  out  of  the 
pastorate ;  man}-  feeble  churches  could  be  ministered  to  by  consecrated 
men  who  have  not  regularly  studied;  Classes  should  be  trusted  to  ordain 
such ;  in  view  of  the  various  considerations  which  have  been  presented, 
3-our  Committee  recommends  the  following  action : 

Resolved,  That  in  our  ecclesiastical  polity,  the  Classis  should  have 
original  jurisdiction  in  all  that  relates  to  licenses  to  preach,  and  ordina- 
tions to  the  ministry,  and  should  be  the  sole  judge  of  the  qualifications  to 
be  required  of  candidates  for  the  one  or  the  other. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  hereby  recommends  to  the  several 
Classes  the  following  substitute  for  Section  6,  Article  II.,  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, viz. : 

Any  person  of  whose  gifts,  piety,  suitable  attainments,  and  promise  of 
usefulness  in  preaching  the  Word,  the  Classis  shall  on  examination  become 
satisfied,  may  receive  a  license  to  preach,  under  such  conditions  and  limi- 
tations as  the  Classis  shall  see  fit  to  impose,  or  without  other  restriction 
than  that  provided  for  by  Section  8  of  this  same  Article.     1879,  323-9. 

The  Classis  of  New  York  sent  in  a  remonstrance  against  the  proposal ; 
7  Classes  voted  against  the  amendment,  and  only  one  for  it.  Xot  adopted ; 
1880.  538-540. 

In  1888,  688,  a  Com.  was  appointed  to  make  certain  additions  to  the 
Liturgy ;  the}'  proposed  a  new  form  for  the  ordination  of  an  evangelist ; 
'89,  858-9;  this  Form  is  found,  860-3;  this  form  was  not  yet  adopted  in 
1890.  114;  but  it  was  declared  adopted,  1891,  336. 

In  1889,  the  Bd.  of  Dom.  ]\Iiss.  requested  permission  to  have  its 
charter  amended,  so  as  to  permit  its  missionaries  to  engage  in  evangelistic 
work.     Granted;  451. 

Evening  Prayers.     See  Liturgy  of  1792,  p.  134. 

Evening  Services.  Found  beneficial ;  every  church  may  adopt  such 
measures  as  they  please ;  if  already  customary,  not  to  be  laid  aside  without 
the  approbation  of  Classis ;  1619,  Art.  64, 

Evidence — in  trials.    To  be  faithfully  recorded ;  Constit.  1874,  103. 

Exaltation  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  26,  35;  Heid.  Cat,  Quests. 
23,  45-52. 

Examinations.  Before  Classis,  for  licensure,  or  becoming  a  candi- 
date for  the  ministry;  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  4-7;  the  final  examination 
for  ordination;  1874,  Arts.  11-13.  For  examinations  before  Bd.  of  Super- 
intendents, see  Plan  of  the  School. — Examinations  were  reluctantly 
allowed  in  America,  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  See  Coetus ;  Articles 
of  Union.  From  1771-1784,  they  could  be  conducted  only  by  the  General 
Body  or  Synod,  and  not  by  the  Particular  Bodies  or  Classes,  altho'  a 
couple  of  exceptions  occurred  by  permission  of  the  Synod. 

Excommunication.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  32;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  82-85; 
Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  106-8.  See  Form  of  Excommunication  and  of 
Readmission,  in  the  Liturg}'. — Classis  of  Xew  York  requested  Synod  to 
adopt  a  milder  form  of  Excommunication.  Deemed  inexpedient  to  take 
any  action ;  1852,  29. — A  revised  Form  proposed ;  1905.  194-6.  Adopted, 
1906. 


262         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ExEGETiCAL  Chaiks.  The  "Second,  Professorship,'"  as  proposed,  was 
to  be  one  of  "Hebrew,  BibHcal  Criticism  and  Ecc.  History"' ;  1814,  20,  21 ; 
but  Professor  Schureman,  soon  after  elected,  was  styled  at  the  time.  Prof, 
of  Ecc.  Hist.,  Ch.  Gov.  and  Pastoral  Theolog\- ;  but  this  title,  and  his 
Professorial  Certificate,  do  not  agree;  1815,  14,  49;  Oct.,  1815,  15,  16. 
Soon  after  his  death,  this  Professorship  was  defined  to  be  that  of  "Biblical 
Lit.  and  Ecc.  Hist.'';  1818,  31.  In  1832,  64,  65,  it  was  styled  "Bib.  Lit." 
alone.  In  1884,  529,  this  Chair  was  divided  into  one  of  "Old  Testament 
Langs,  and  Exegesis;  and  one  of  "Hellenistic  Greek  and  New  Testament 
Exegesis." 

Ex-OFFicio  ]^Iembers  of  the  Boards.  The  Corresponding  Secretaries 
and  Treasurers  of  each  of  the  Boards  made  ex-officio  members  of  the 
same;  1857,  244.  A  civil  law  thought  to  conflict  with;  that  "no  officer 
receiving  a  salary  or  emolument,  directly  or  indirectly  from  the  Treasury, 
shall  be  a  member  of  the  Board"  ;  hence  the  by-laws  of  the  several  Boards 
changed  accordingly;  1872,  487-8;  but  the  reference  was  subsequently 
found  to  be  only  to  Charitable  Boards,  and  not  to  Religious  Corporations. 
See  Civil  Legislation. 

Expediency.  The  Synod  declared  that  a  Classis  had  power  to  dis- 
solve the  connection  between  a  minister  and  his  congregation,  on  the 
ground  of  expediency  altho'  one  of  the  parties  be  averse  to  the  dissolution. 
1806,  358.  But  this  was  contrary  to  the  Constitution  then  existing;  see 
1792,  Art.  39,  which  says — Classis  has  power  of  dismissing  ministers 
"when  called  elsewhere."  Sj'nod  therefore  repealed  said  Act  by  the 
following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution,  passed  in  General  Synod  of  1806,  dis- 
solving the  connexion  between  Ministers  and  their  congregations,  on  the 
principle  of  expediency,  though  one  of  the  parties  be  averse  to  such  disso- 
lution, be  repealed;  because  unconstitutional,  and  of  an  evil  tendency, 
calculated  to  foster  strife  in  congregations — to  encourage  \NomjDUY-minded 
Professors — to  excite  animosities  in  a  Church  against  Ministers,  and 
repugnant  to  the  practice  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  all  AGES. 
1809,  384,  392-3-  ^  * 

In  1819  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  directed  the  Classis  of 
New  York  to  dissolve  the  relation  between  Rev.  Stephen  N.  Rowan  and 
the  church  of  Greenwich,  neither  party  having  presented  a  formal  request. 
The  Classis  refused  to  do  this  on  the  ground  of  the  act  of  S3-nod  in  1809, 
and  appealed  to  General  Synod.  Synod  sustained  their  appeal.  The  cir- 
cumstances existing,  then  came  up  in  another  way,  and  Mr.  Rowan 
ultimately  left  that  church.     1819,  27-32.     See  Rowan,  in  Manual. 

Cases  occurred,  from  time  to  time,  when  it  seemed  desirable  to  dis- 
solve the  pastoral  relation  on  the  ground  of  "Expediency''  altho'  one  of 
the  parties  was  averse  to  such  dissolution.  The  Revised  Constitution, 
Oct.,  1832,  p.  123,  as  reported,  amended  the  clause  when  "called  elsewhere," 
by  substituting — Classis  has  the  power  of  "dissolving  their  pastoral  con- 
nection with  any  congregation  for  good  cause."  But  Synod  was  compelled 
at  the  same  session  at  which  it  adopted  this  new  Constitution  to  propose 
an  amendment  restoring  the  old  phraseolog}',  1833,  204;  which  was  done, 
1834,  290.  The  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  59,  adopted  the  expression — "and 
dismissing  ministers'' ;  and  also  made  special  provision  for  dissolving  the 
pastoral  relation  on  the  ground  of  expediency,  when  one  party  was  averse 
thereto,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present.     1874,  Art.  17. 

Expense  Account.  Resolved,  That  the  Expense  Account,  and  Esti- 
mate of  Expenses  and  Income — be  published  in  the  Minutes;  1868,  411.-^ 
Complaint  was  made  that  the  Board  of  Direction  had  not  obeyed  this 
order,  and  the  Board's  attention  was  called  thereto,  1870,  12,  46,  47.  It 
appears,  for  the  first,  1871,  213,  214,  and  yearly  since.  See  the  Board's 
remarks,  1871,  213,  217,  218;  see  1902,  51. 


EXPENSE  ACCOUNT  263 

Expense  Account. — 1863,  474-6.  See  Contingent  Expenses;  Income 
and  Expense  Account. 

Expenses.  1818,  57-59;  1819,  68-77;  1820,  42.  See  Corporation,  Bd. 
of  Direction  of. 

Expiation.    Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  20-23;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  12-59. 

Explanatory  Articles,  1792.  As  these,  in  conjunction  with  the  Rules 
of  Church  Government  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  constituted  the  first 
American  Church  Constitution,  the  action,  leading  up  to  their  adoption  is 
given  in  full.  The  Explanatory  Articles  themselves  are  printed  in  the 
Introduction  to  this  Digest. 

CHURCH    order. 

Since  the  circumstances  of  our  churches,  especially  in  relation  to  the 
general  protection  of  the  civil  authorities  in  freedom  of  worship,  neces- 
sarily demand  that  not  only  the  Confession  of  Faith,  but  also  the  Order 
of  our  Church  and  its  Form  of  Church  Government,  should  be  made 
known  to  our  countrymen  in  the  English  language  by  the  press,  as  has 
already  been  done  by  all  the  chief  persuasions  in  our  American  States ; 
and  since  the  English  language  is  our  national  tongue,  and  is  making 
progress,  and  has  already  been  adopted  wholly  or  in  part  in  worship  in 
the  most  of  our  congregations,  and  the  rising  generation  seem  to  be 
little  acquainted  with  the  Dutch  tongue :  the  Synod  therefore  feel  them- 
selves bound,  both  as  regards  our  fellow-citizens  and  the  civil  govern- 
ment in  general,  and  also  for  the  preservation  of  our  Dutch  Church  and 
the  instruction  of  its  adherents,  and  of  the  children  in  particular,  to 
attend  to  this  subject.  Whereupon,  it  is  resolved  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  translate  into  the  English  language  the  Articles  of  Church 
Government  of  the  National  Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  1618  and  1619, 
which,  being  accompanied  by  such  articles  taken  from  the  proceedings 
of  this  Rev.  Body  as  have  particular  reference  to  the  circumstances  of 
the  Church  in  this  country,  will  exhibit  the  true  nature  and  form  of  gov- 
ernment of  our  Dutch  churches  in  America.  And  it  is  further  resolved^ 
that  the  Rev.  Committee  endeaver  to  have  this  collection  and  transla- 
tion in  readiness  to  lay  before  this  Rev.  Synod  at  its  next  ordinary  con- 
vening, in  order  that  the  same,  with  our  standards,  may  as  speedily  as 
practicable,  consistently  with  all  prudence,  be  given  to  the  public  by 
the  press.  Messrs.  John  H.  Livingston,  Eil.  Westerlo,  Will.  Linn,  Herm. 
Meyer,  D.  Romeyn,  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh,  Is.  Rysdyk,  and  Perer  Low, 
were  appointed  the  committee.     1788,   184-5 

CHURCH    order. 

From  what  was  brought  to  the  table  on  this  subject,  this  work  seems 
to  have  had  a  favorable  commencement,  and  is  further  intrusted  to  the 
Rev.  Committee.     1789,  201. 

CHURCH    order. 

The  report  of  the  Rev.  Committee  upon  this  subject  was  presented: 

1.  That  the  distinct  translations  of  the  articles  of  Church  Order  of 
the  Rev.  Synod  of  Dordrecht  in  the  years  1618  and  1619,  and  of  the 
Plan  of  Union  adopted  1772,  both  made  in  English  by  Drs.  Dirck  Romeyn 
and  Eil.  Westerlo,  be  referred  to  a  committee,  who  shall  carefully  compare 
the  same  with  the  original  Dutch,  and  alter  and  amend  all  such  English 
words  and  phrases  as  either  are  not  pure,  or  do  not  actually  and  appro- 
priately express  the  true  and  literal  meaning. 

2.  That  the  same  committee  likewise  prepare  some  observations  upon 
the  articles  of  Church  Order,  to  be  incorporated  among  them,  in  which 
the  proper  sense  and  meaning  of  them,  if  necessary,  shall  be  briefly 
declared,  or  sufficient  reasons  be  assigned  why  some  articles  are  not 
inserted,  or  cannot  be  carried  out  in  our  American  churches. 


264         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

3.  That  the  Rev.  Ministers  of  the  congregation  of  New  York,  as 
residing  in  close  proximity  to  each  other,  and  most  conveniently  situated 
readily  to  confer  together,  be  appointed  a  committee  on  the  subject  by 
this  Synod. 

4.  That  in  the  coming  spring,  an  extra  Synod  be  convoked  in  order 
to  revise  said  Plan  of  Union,  and  with  common  consent  enlarge  it,  by 
inserting  or  adding  some  further  rules,  made  in  subsequent  General 
Convenings  or  Synods,  and  thus,  upon  previous  investigation,  approving 
Synodalitcr  the  foresaid  translation  and  observations. 

5.  That  if  necessary,  the  following  autumn,  a  General  Ecclesiastical 
Meeting  be  solicited,  calmly  to  weigh  the  whole  subject,  and  determine 
Hiniliter,  whether  the  same  shall  be  issued  in  full  or  in  part,  and  in  what 
language,  or  whether  both  in  Dutch  and  English,  for  the  special  benefit  of 
our  congregations.     1790,  210,  211. 

The  gentleman  appointed  a  committee  to  specify  the  subjects  to 
be  included  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches  of 
America,  to  be  issued  in  accordance  with  the  intentions  of  Synod, 
report,  that  after  mature  deliberation,  it  appears  to  them  that  such 
publication  should  be  entirely  restricted  to  what  constituted  the 
Doctrine,  Liturgy,  and  Government  of  said  churches,  that  it  may  not 
only  not  form  an  unnecessarily  large  volume,  but  also  not  perplex 
the  English  reader,  by  the  introduction  of  anything  that  does  not 
essentially  pertain  to  our  ecclesiastical  regulations;  that  therefore,  all 
that  relates  to  the  Church  in  the  Netherlands,  and  especially  to  the 
agency  of  the  magistrate  in  ecclesiastical  matters  in  that  country,  is 
not  properly  included  in  the  regulations  which  are  the  basis  of  the 
government  of  our  churches  in  America.  The  committee  further 
remark,  that  the  PROCEEDINGS  of  the  National  Synod,  held  at 
Dordrecht,  are  the  basis  of  the  government  of  all  Reformed  Dutch 
churches  throughout  the  world,  and  that  all  charters  which  have  been 
given  to  the  Dutch  churches  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey  are  also  founded  thereon;  that  yet,  since  in  these  proceedings 
many  things  occur  which  have  particular  reference  to  the  Netherlands, 
the  Dutch  churches  in  other  portions  of  the  world  have  been  necessi- 
tated to  adapt  them  to  their  particular  circumstances,  as  was  also 
done  by  our  churches  in  America  in  the  general  meetings  held  in 
New  York  in  the  years  1771  and  1772,  when  a  Plan  of  Church  Govern- 
jnent  was  formed  and  adopted,  which  was  also  approved  by  the  Rev. 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  as  appointed  for  that  purpose,  by  the  Supreme 
Synod  of  North  Holland,  and  this  plan  has  been  enlarged  and 
amended  by  subsequent  Synodical  x\cts.  The  committee,  therefore, 
judge  it  advisable  that  the  Rev.  Synod  further  direct  and  authorize 
their  committee  upon  this  subject  to  frame  out  of  said  proceedings  a 
suitable  plan  which  shall  constitute  the  whole  ecclesiastical  discipline 
and  government  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  churches  in  America,  as  now 
situated,  and  which  shall  be  the  only  rule  by  which  said  churches  are 
directed  to  abide,  and  by  which  they  shall  be  known  and  distinguished 
as  Dutch  churches.  This,  in  our  estimation,  will  answer  the  expecta- 
tions of  the  public,  satisfy  the  desires  of  civil  government,  and  serve 
for  the  direction  of  all  the  members  of  our  Church;  since  it  will  like- 
wise appear  from  this  plan,  that  the  proceedings  of  the  National 
Synod  of  Dordrecht  are  the  basis  of  the  government  of  the  Dutch 
churches  in  America,  cordally  received  and  carefully  adapted  to  its 
particular  circumstances  in  this  country;  and  that  thus,  the  different 
charters  may  be  ratified,  and  the  attachment  of  the  members  of  said 
churches  to  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches  in  the  Netherlands  may  be 
fully  confirmed. 

The  Rev.  Synod,  having  deliberated  upon  this  report,  resolved, 
that  the  commitee  be  requested  to  frame  a  draft  of  Church  Govern- 
ment and  Discipline,  agreeably  to  the  principles  stated  in  the  report, 


EXPLANATORY    ARTICLES  265 

and  lay  an  accurate  copy,  if  practicable,  before  the  Rev.  Synod,  at 
their  next  meeting.  In  order,  however,  also  to  secure  the  counsel  and 
assistance  of  all  their  members  in  this  weighty  matter,  it  is  likewise 
ordained,  that  the  President  of  this  Synod  communicate  to  each  of 
the  respective  Classes  the  request  of  this  Synod,  that  each  and  every 
minister,  w^ith  an  elder,  (besides  those  who  are  appointed  by  the  Rev. 
Classes  as  delegates  to  Synod,)  please  to  appear  at  the  meeting  in 
New  York,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  the  ensuing  October,  so  that 
the  Synod  may  be  able  to  avail  themselves  of  the  presence  and  coun- 
sel of  the  whole  body  of  ministers  and  elders  in  issuing  their  Ecclesi- 
astical Constitution,  as  also  in  relation  to  the  Professorship  and  other 
weighty  matters.     May,  1791,  217-219. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

Professor  Livingston,  as  one  of  the  committee  on  the  subject, 
reported  to  this  Rev.  Body  that  he  had  adapted,  as  was  deemed 
necessary,  the  English  translation  of  the  rules  for  the  regulation  of 
Dutch  churches  ordained  in  the  Synod  of  Dort,  to  local  and  other 
circumstances,  and  now^  presented  it  for  approval  at  the  table  of  the 
Rev.  Body;  whereupon  the  Rev.  Body  proceeded  to  revise  the  same, 
article  by  article,  which  being  done,  it  seemed  fit  to  them  to  appoint 
a  committee  to  revise  them  anew,  and  present  them  at  the  Extra 
Meeting  of  Synod  in  the  next  spring.  The  Rev.  Professor  Livingston, 
and  Drs.  Linn  and  Kuypers,  each  with  one  of  their  Elders,  were 
appointed  the   committee.      1791,  226. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

Professor  Livingston  reports,  in  the  name  of  the  committee,  that 
upon  mature  consideration  of  this  subject,  it  appears  to  them  that, 
besides  a  translation  of  the  articles  Syn.  Dord.,  it  wall  be  necessary 
to  add  some  articles  in  explanation  of  the  way  and  manner  in  which 
said  Church  Order  of  Dord.  is  put  into  practice,  agreeably  to  the 
Articles  of  Union  ordained  1771,  to  the  end  that  thus  from  one  or  the 
other  the  people  in  general  may  be  able  to  form  a  correct  conception 
of  our  mode  of  Church  Government.  He  further  informed  the  Rev. 
Body,  that  not  only  was  the  translation  of  the  articles  Syn.  Xationalis 
completed,  but  in  part,  also,  the  draft  of  the  Explanatory  Articles ;  and 
Deo  z'olcnte,^  they  would  be  ready  to  be  presented  for  approval  at  the 
next  Synod  in  October.  Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Body  in  the  highest 
manner  approve  of  such  mode  of  exhibiting  their  form  of  Church  Gov- 
ernment, and  will  expect  that  all  papers  pertaining  thereto  will  be 
carefully  presented  at  the  Synod  wdiich  is  to  be  held  at  New  York  the 
coming   October.     May,    1792,  239. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

Professor  Livingston  reported,  that  he  had  completed  the  work 
intrusted  to  him  at  the  last  Extra  Sjmod  on  Church  Order,  and 
brought  to  the  table  a  draft  of  Explanatory  Articles  for  Synodical 
approval;  whereupon,  Synod  w^ere  pleased  to  appoint  a  committee 
carefully  to  examine  said  draft,  and  report  thereon,  stantc  Synodo. 
Professor  Livingston,  Drs.  William  Linn,  D.  Romeyn,  Solomon 
Froligh,  Jno.  Basset,  Peter  Studiford,  and  Samuel  Smith,  with  Abra- 
ham Duryee,  Philip  Schuyler,  Cornelius  Van  Veghten,  Edward  Bunn, 
and  John  Woertman.  Elders,  were  appointed  as  this  committee. 

The  Rev.  Committee  brought  in  the  following  report,  which  was 
made  a  Synodical  decree. 

The  Rev.  Body,  taking  up  this  Lemma,  find  that  it  originated  in 
the  year  1788,  (Art.  XXVII.)  since  which  time  it  has  been  continued 
and  has  been  made  a  subject  of  action  from  time  to  time,  until  the 
present  session,  when  we  have  the  happiness  of  seeing  all  the  branches 
pertaining  to  this  weighty  subject  completed  and  brought  to  the  table. 


266         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  Rev.  Body  having  inspected  the  same,  and  read  it  article  bj- 
article,  and  approved  both  the  translation  of  the  ecclesiastical  regula- 
tions of  the  Synod  of  Dord.,  in  the  years  1618  and  1619,  and  the 
Explanatory  Articles  relative  to  the  same,  showing  how  they  are 
applied  to  the  Reformed  Church  in  this  country,  agreeably  to  the 
Articles  of  Union,  of  the  years  1771  and  1772,  all  the  Rev.  Brethren 
formally  and  solemnly  recognized  said  articles  as  a  just  exposition  of 
the  nature  and  mode  of  the  government  and  discipline  received  and 
established  in  said  churches;  and  the  same  are  to  that  end  in  the  most 
earnest  manner  commended  to  all  the  members  of  their  widely 
extended  congregations,  as  the  ecclesiastical  rule  of  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Church  in  North  America;  and  Professor  Livingston  and 
Dr.  William  Linn,  and  the  Elder,  Mr.  Peter  Wi4son,  are  appointed  a 
committee  to  issue  said  work,  who  shall  exercise  care  over  its  phrase- 
olog}^  without  assuming  to  attempt  the  least  change  in  its  sense  and 
meaning.     1792,  235-6. 

CHURCH    ORDER. 

The  issuing  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  churches 
in  America  having  been  regarded  as  a  matter  of  great  importance,  and 
measures  having  been  taken  by  many  successive  Sj-nods  to  carry  the 
same  into  execution;  and  the  proposal  of  Professor  Livingston,  made 
in  the  Extra  Synod  of  May,  1792,  to  embrace,  in  certain  Explanatory 
Articles,  a  general  account  of  the  government  and  discipline  of  the 
Dutch  churches,  as  well  as  the  particular  manner  in  which  the  regula- 
tions adopted  in  the  last  National  S3'nod  held  in  Dordrecht,  are  to  be 
followed  and  applied  to  local  circumstances  in  America,  having  been 
likewise  received,  and  said  Explanatory  Articles  placed  upon  the  table 
of  the  General  Synod,  held  in  New  York,  in  October,  1792;  the 
translation  also  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Rules  of  said  Synod  of  Dordrecht 
having  been  unanimously  approved,  and  orders  given  that  the  whole 
should  be  committed  to  the  press :  Professor  Livingston,  in  the  name 
of  the  committee,  reported  to  this  Body,  that  the  same  had  been 
happily  completed,  and  exhibited  the  book  containing  the  iLiturgy  and 
Government  of  the  Church,  embraced  in  the  Ecclesiastical  Rules,  and 
Explanatory  Articles  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  America. 
Agreeably  to  the  foregoing  resolutions  of  the  Synod,  Synod  received 
the  same  with  full  approbation,  and  with  thanksgivings  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  on  whose  shoulders  is  the  government  of  the  Church,  and 
who  has  hitherto  preserved  and  blessed  the  Reformed  Church,  and 
enabled  its  members  to  present  their  Constitution  in  a  manner  which 
they  regarded  acceptable  to  Him;  and  not  without  expectation  that 
the  same  will  be  contemplated  with  satisfaction  by  other  persuasions, 
being  convinced  that  it  will  subserve  the  promotion  of  piety  and  good 
order  in  the  respective  congregations.  The  Rev.  Synod,  therefore, 
with  all  earnestness,  recommend  this  publication  to  all  their  congre- 
gations, and  cannot,  at  the  same  time,  refrain  from  testifying  their 
thankfulness  to  the  members  of  the  committee  appointed  to  carry 
forward  this  work.     1793,  245-6. 

A  Special  Preface  was  written  to  these  Explanatory  Articles,  pp. 
301-2,  of  edition  of  the  Constitution  of  1793,  besides  the  General 
Preface  to  the  whole  volume,  pp.  iii.-viii.,  which  are  also  printed  in 
this  Digest. 

.'\rt.  20,  relating  to  Professors  also  holding  a  pastoral  charge,  was 
modified  in  1819,  p.  39,  by  declaring  that  Professors  thereafter  ap- 
pointed should  not  hold  any  pastoral  charge. 

Art.  40  was  regularly  amended  in  1820,  14,  70.  See  said  Article. 
Art.  53,  about  the  organization  of  General  Synod,  was  changed,  in 
1800,  and  1812,  according  to  provisions  in  that  Article,  in  reference  to 
the  mode  of  representation  in  the  Synod.     See  said  Article.     Article 


EXTENT  OF  THE  ATONEMENT        267 

54  was  regularly  amended,  making  the  Synod's  meetings  annual, 
instead  of  triennial.  See  said  Article.  No  other  changes  were  made 
in  these  Articles  until  1833,  when  the  original  Articles  of  the  Synod  of 
Dort,  1619,  and  the  Explanatory  Articles  of  1792  were  fused  together, 
making  a  new  Constitution. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  revise  and  amend 
the  Explantory  Articles  of  Church  Government,  the  Appendix  [of 
1815]  together  with  the  resolutions  in  relation  to  the  government  of 
the  Church,  passed  by  the  General   Synod,    [from   1792-1831.]      1831,  365. 

]Much  of  the  material  relating  to  the  above  was  incorporated  in 
the  Constitution.     1832,  58;  Oct.,  1832,  108-134.     See  Constitution. 

Extent  of  the  Atonement.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  21-24,  26,  28;  Heid. 
Cat.,  Quests.  2>7,  55;  'The  death  of  the  Son  of  God  is  the  only  and 
most  perfect  sacrifice  and  satisfaction  for  sin;  is  of  infinite  worth  and 
value,  abundantly  sufficient  to  expiate  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.'' 
Canons  ii.  3. — "This  death  derives  its  infinite  value  and  dignity  from 
these  considerations — because  the  person  who  submitted  to  it,  was 
not  only  really  man,  and  perfectly  holy,  but  also  the  Only  Begotten 
Son  of  God,  of  the  same  eternal  and  infinite  essence  with  the  Father 
and  Holy  Spirit,  which  qualifications  were  necessary  to  constitute 
Him  a  Saviour  for  us."    Canons,  ii.  4,  5,  6,  7. 

In  connection  with  certain  doctrinal  trials,  the  Synod  in  1820 
passed  the  following  resolutions  : 

''Whereas,  It  has  been  repeatedly  alleged  on  the  floor  of  this 
Synod,  that  some  of  its  members  have  denied  the  infinite  value  and 
sufficiency  of  the  death  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  expiate  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world;  and  Whereas,  The  expression  of  the  sense  of  Synod  on 
this  subject,  at  this  time,  is  deemed  important.     Therefore," 

''Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  house,  that  the  death  of 
Jesus  Christ,  as  a  sacrifice  and  satisfaction,  is  of  infinite  worth  and 
value,  abundantly  sufficient  to  expiate  the  sins  of  the  whole  w'orld; 
but  that  this  infinite  value  and  dignity  of  the  death  of  Jesus  Christ  is 
solely  derived  from  the  considerations  mentioned  in  the  Fourth  Arti- 
cle, under  the  Second  Head  of  Doctrine,  in  the  Canons,  and  from 
none  other."     Oct.,  1820,  31. 

Extracts.  Only  "extracts"'  were  published  of  the  Minutes  of 
General  Synod,  from  1794  to  1809,  and  the  Index  of  the  Minutes,  (from 
1794-1826),  only  refers  to  the  pages  of  these  extracts,  for  those  years. 
From  1812-26,  the  iMinutes  were  published  in  full,  but  each  year's 
Minutes,  paged  separately. 

Extra  Meetings.  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  75.  In  the  Articles  uf 
Union,  see  1771,  17.  The  President  authorized  to  call  an  extra  meet- 
ing at  the  place  to  which  the  Synod  now  adjourns;  1794,  266;  thus 
authorized  on  the  application  of  six  or  more  ministers;  1800,312;  (same 
in  Digest,  1814,  69;)  Providence  having  prevented  an  adjourned  meet- 
ing from  convening,  on  account  of  a  pestilence,  an  extra  meeting, 
called  according  to  the  rule,  declared  itself  competent  to  transact  all 
the  business  of  an  ordinary  session,  1804,  3^5;  extra  session,  if  called, 
to  be  held  in  Xew  York,  altho'  the  place  of  next  regular  meeting  is 
Albany,  1809,  398;  President  authorized  in  a  certain  contingency,  to  call 
an  extra  meeting,  1815,  49;  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  75,  amended,  so 
as  to  allow  an  extra  session  of  Synod  to  be  held  elsewhere  than  where 
the  next  regular  session  is  to  be  held;  amendment  proposed,  1894,  129; 
adopted,  1895,  132.     See  Adjourned  Sessions. 

Extraordinary  Clerk.  Besides  the  temporary  clerk,  the  Ccetus 
appointed  an  Extraordinary  Clerk,  to  record  its  Acts  and  letters,  and 
who  was  to  be  compensated  for  his  toil;  1748,  xx.  Rev.  Gualterus  Du 
Bois   was    appointed.      He    resigned,    1751,    lxi.,    and    Rev.    John    Ritzema 


268  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

was  appointed.  He  was  Extraordinary  Clerk  at  the  disruption  of  the 
Church,  1755,  but  retained  the  Book  of  the  Coetus.  See  Ecc.  Records 
of  New  York,  1755,  for  correspondence  on  this  subject.  Only  tem- 
porary clerks  were  appointed  after  the  Union  in  1771;  but  from  1791, 
227,  two  temporar}'^  clerks  were  appointed.  A  Stated  Clerk  was  for 
the  hrst  appointed  in  1800,  311,  312.     See  Stated  Clerk. 

Faculty  of  Theology.  As  early  as  1794  the  necessity  of  more 
than  one  Professor  was  recognized,  and  was  to  be  kept  in  view,  as  an 
inducement  to  increase  the  funds,  and  "constitute  a  Faculty  of  The- 
ology," 1794,  262. — "Whereas,  our  Theological  College  is  now  fully 
organized,  according  to  the  original  plan,  by  the  appointment  of  three 
Professors,  therefore  Resolved,  That  General  Synod  be  requested  to 
organize  a  Theological  Faculty  for  the  government  of  the  Theological 
School,"  1828,  loi.  Denied,  as  it  would  not  comport  with  equality 
among  the  Professors  contemplated  by  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary, 
nor  conducive  of  harmony  among  them,  1828,  129. 

Resolved,  That  the  Professors  of  our  Theological  Seminary  be 
organized  into  a  Faculty,  for  the  exercise  of  the  powers  vested  in 
them,  in  the  Plan  for  the  government  of  the  Theological  School,  and 
that  they  be  directed  to  hold  monthly  meetings,  and  more  frequently 
if  they  deem  it  necessary;  and  that  the  Professors  preside  quarterly 
in  rotation,  beginning  with  the  senior  Professor,  1835,  425;  possible 
influence  of  the  Faculty,  1836,  514.  In  the  later  Institutions,  Faculties 
without  special  Synodical  action.  The  Faculty  authorized  to  exchange 
duplicates  in  Library;  '69,  546-7,  645;  their  powers,  1888,  538-9;  amend- 
ments; '95,  60,  61,  71;  resignation  of  Dr.  D.  D.  Demarest,  as  Secretary 
of,  for  30  years,  '96,  334. 

Fairbairn,  Patrick,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Delegate  from  the  Gen.  Assem- 
bly of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland;  1867,  194. 

Faith  in  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  22,  24,  33,  59;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  20-23,  59-64,  65,  67,  76,  117;  Canons,  i.  4-7,  12;  ii.,  8;  iii.  10,  14; 
V.  5,  10. 

Faith,  The  Standards  of  the.  In  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America — The  Bible,  as  systematized  in  the  Belgic  Confession;  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism,  the  Liturgy,  and  the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of 
Dort.  The  Westminster  Catechism  had  also  been  endorsed,  all  of 
which,  see. 

Fall  of  Man.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  16,  17;  Heid.  Cat,  Quests. 
7-9;  Canons,  iii.  i,  2,  16. 

False  Church,  The.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  29.  See  Church;  True 
Church. 

False  Swearing.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  99,  100,  102.  Constitution  of 
1874,  Art.  91. 

False  Witnesses.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  112;  Canons,  see  "Conclu- 
sion" of. 

Fama  Clamosa.     Constitution  of  1874,  Arts.  89,  90. 

Families.  Resolved,  "That  only  those  families  be  considered  as  in 
connection  with  a  church  who  are  represented  in  the  membership,  or 
by  some  regular  contributor,  in  any  way,  to  the  current  expenses  of 
the  church."     1901,  1122. 

Family  Prayers,  or  Worship.  Alluded  to,  only  in  Constitution  of 
1792,  Art.  56 — "It  is  recommended  to  parents  to  be  peculiarly  attentive 
to  the  religious  education  of  their  children,  not  only  by  instructing 
them,  and  daily  praying  with  them,"  etc.  A  Morning  Prayer  and  an 
Evening  Prayer,  are  found  in  the  Liturgy,  as  well  as  rather  elaborate 
Forms  of  "Grace"  before  and  after  meals.  There  are  frequent  allu- 
sions to  the  importance  of  Family  Worship  in  the  reports  on  the  State 


FAMILY  VISITATION  269 

of  Religion,  etc.,  as  1882,  69;  and  several  new  Forms  of  "Family 
Prayers"  are  given,  1889,  859,  864-9;  these  "Prayers"  were  finally 
adopted  by  the  Synod,  as  a  part  of  the  Liturgy,  1896,  414. 

There  has  also  been  put  in  our  hands  a  communication  upon  the 
subject  of  the  decadence  of  family  worship.  Your  committee  gladly 
recognizes  the  importance  of  this  subject.  It  is  hard  to  understand 
how  any  family  can  consider  itself  a  Christian  family  without  the 
performance  of  this  duty.  Its  omission  cannot  fail  to  be  an  injury  to 
the  spiritual  life  of  the  individual  and  the  Church.  The  benefits  of  its 
constant  repetition  upon  the  household  cannot  be  overstated.  Parents 
can  hardly  expect  the  blessing  of  God  upon  their  children  if  they  do 
not  train  them  up  under  the  influence  of  daily  worship  in  the  family. 
Your  committee  would  therefore  offer  the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  earnestly  urges  upon  all  our 
families  the  importance  of  this  duty  to  themselves  as  individuals  and 
as  members  of  the  Church  of  God,  and  that  omission  cannot  fail  to 
react  disastrously  upon  their  own  spiritual  life,  as  well  as  upon  the 
Christian  characters  of  children. 

Resolved,  Thai  our  pastors  be  requested  to  preach  upon  this  sub- 
ject.    1892,  611.    See  also,  1904,  785;  1905,  226. 

Family  Visitation.  To  be  performed  by  pastors  and  elders,  espe- 
cially before  or  after  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  to 
instruct  and  comfort  Christians,  and  exhort  others  to  the  profession  of 
religion;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  28;  the  Classes  are  to  inquire  whether 
this  duty  is  performed,  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  64.  Often  alluded  to,  in 
former  times,  in  Synodical  legislation. 

Faribault  Scheme.     1892,  661.     See  Public  Schools. 

Farrar,  James  M.   (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1905. 

Fast  Days,  or  Days  of  Fasting  and  Prayer.  In  times  of  war,  pes- 
tilence, famine  or  persecution,  the  Church  should  suggest  to  Civil 
Rulers  the  appointing  of  such  days;  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  66;  of 
1792,  Art.  66;  any  ecclesiastical  judicatory  may  appoint  such  days 
within  their  own  bounds;  of  1792,  Art.  66;  a  Consistory  should  fast 
and  pray  before  calling  a  minister,  1619,  Art.  4. 

Synod  appoints  May  7,  1775,  as  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting  and 
prayer,  on  account  of  the  perilous  and  sinful  condition  of  the  country; 
Ap,  1775,  57;  on  account  of  the  desolations  caused  by  the  War,  (long 
statement);  Nov.  12,  designated,  1778,  68;  on  account  of  the  necessities 
of  the  Church,  June  i6th  set  apart;  1785,  135;  June  21st  set  apart;  1787, 
158;  second  Wednesday  of  June,  1788,  173;  on  account  of  unfruitful- 
ness  in  the  field  and  in  the  Church,  last  Wednesday  of  Jan.,  1789,  set 
apart,  1788,  185;  Classis  of  Hackensack  requests  Synod  to  appoint  such 
a  day  on  account  of  the  prostrate  condition  of  the  Church;  but  since 
the  President  intends  appointing  such  a  day  throughout  the  States, 
the  subject  postponed,  1792,  231;  first  Thursday  in  March,  1793,  set 
apart  by  Synod,  1792,  242;  second  Wednesday  of  November,  set  apart, 
on  account  of  the  pestilence  of  yellow  fever,  1793,  254;  last  Thursday 
of  July,  1812;  419,  434,  436;  petition  sent  to  Gov.  Tompkins  and  the 
Legislature  of  New  York  on  the  appointment  of  a  day  of  fasting,  etc.;. 
request  cordially  received;  Pastoral  Letter  to  the  Church  on  the 
subject,  1812,  437-440;  last  Thursday  of  Sept.,  1820,  59;  Particular  Synod 
of  New  York  requests  General  Synod  to  appoint  third  Thursday  in 
August  as  a  Fast  Day,  1826,  45,  46;  but  Synod  appointed  the  third 
Wednesday  in  December,  as  a  day  of  Thanksgiving  and  Prayer;  and 
suggested  that  when  religion  was  in  a  declining  state  the  church  make 
the  day  preparatory  to  the  Lord's  Supper  a  day  of  special  humiliation 
and  prayer;  1826,  36. 

Synod  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  appointing  fr)urth 


270         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Thursday  of  January,  1829,  as  a  day  of  fasting,  in  reference  to  the  sin 
of  intemperance,  1828,  133;  second  Thursday  of  Nov.,  1830,  appointed 
as  a  fast  day,  on  account  of  the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath,  1830,  292; 
first  ^Monday  in  Jan.,  for  the  conversion  of  the  World,  (in  union  with 
Presbyt.  Ch.),  1832,  42;  1834,  189;  on  account  of  the  cholera,  a  com- 
mittee appointed  to  fix  day  with  the  Civil  Authorities  and  other 
Denominations,  1832,  91;  last  Thursday  of  February,  1836,  in  behalf  of 
Colleges  and  Seminaries,  in  view  of  the  want  of  ministers,  1835,  435; 
1836,  501 ;  afterward,  that  day  became  a  day  of  Prayer  for  Colleges,  1837,  66. 
For  a  revival  of  religion,  1845,  439,  464;  because  of  the  cholera, 
1849,  507.  After  this  Fast-days  do  not  often  occur;  a  few  were 
appointed  during  the  Civil  War,  but  they  now  began  to  be  called 
simply  *'Days  of  Prayer." 

Fatherhood  of  God.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  27,  28. 

Fatherhood  of  God  in  Christ.  Belgic.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  26,  120. 

Feast  Days  or  Festival  Days.  See  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  67 ;  of  1792, 
Art.  dy.  See  also  Holidays.  In  1888  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  requested  the  General  Synod  of  R.  C.  A.  to  co-ope- 
rate in  bringing  such  influences  to  bear  upon  the  International  S.  S. 
Committee  as  will  make  them  recognize  the  principal  Church  Festivals, 
or  in  inaugerating  an  independent  series  of  lessons.  The  particular 
resolutions  of  the  Lutheran  Church  on  this  subject  are  given,  1888, 
576-8. 

The  Committee  of  last  Synod  has  also  placed  before  this  Synod 
a  resolution  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church, 
relative  to  the  co-operation  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  with  them  and  others  preparing  a  series  of  Sab- 
bath-school lessons  which  shall  recognize,  more  clearly  than  does  the 
International  Series,  the  chief  festivals  of  the  Christian  year. 

While  appreciating  the  value  of  appropriately  noticing  these 
church  days  which  recall  the  prominent  events  in  the  history  of  the 
earthly  life  of  our  Lord,  it  seems  scarcely  desirable,  in  the  opinion  of 
your  Committee,  that  the  Sabbath-school  lessons  should  be  arranged 
with  any  special  reference  to  these  festivals.     1888,  572. 

Federation  of  Churches.  1891-96.  For  former  efforts  for  federa- 
tion or  union,  see  1865,  574-7;  1868,  420-1;  1869,  581-2;  1870,  52,  53;  1873, 
673-7:  1875,  260;  1886,  126;  '87,  363;  '88,  617;  '89,  843;  '90,  124;  '91,  348; 
'92,  577;  '93,  816;  and  Church  Union. 


The  Committee  on  Correspondence  presented  the  following  report, 
which  was  accepted  and  adopted : 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  beg  leave  to  report : 

A  paper  has  been  received  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  at  its  meeting  in  I\Iay,  1890,  expressing  a 
desire  for  the  Federation  of  the  Christian  churches  of  the  land,  and 
requesting  that  we  appoint  a  committee  to  confer  with  them  and  with 
similar  committees  appointed  by  other  churches,  upon  such  a  federal 
union  as  is  generally  illustrated  by  the  work  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance. 
The  paper  is  so  important  that  we  present  it  entire. 
"To  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 

"Dear  Brethren — The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  at  its  meeting  at  Saratoga, 
N.  v..  in  May,  1890,  expressed  a  desire  for  a  federation  of  the  Christian 
churches  of  the  land,  and  instructed  us  as  a  committee  to  make  this 
desire  known  to  other  churches. 


FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES  271 

"We  therefore  beg  to  call  your  attention  to  the  subject,  and  to 
indicate  briefly  the  general  idea  which  is  in  our  mind. 

"A  partial  illustration  of  the  benefit  of  such  a  federation  already 
exists  in  the  Evangelical  Alliance. 

"The  annual  meetings  of  the  Alliance  have  been  productive  of 
great  good  in  bringing  closer  together  prominent  and  influential  min- 
isters and  members  of  the  difterent  denominations;  in  showing  the 
fundamental  and  essential  agreement  of  the  evangelical  bodies;  in 
the  moral  influence  on  the  community  at  large  of  such  a  Christian 
union;  in  the  valuable  contributions  to  the  literature  of  the  Church 
and  to  the  discussion  of  great  religious,  moral  and  social  questions 
which  they  have  made;  and,  as  it  is  hoped,  in  educationally  preparing 
the  way  for  a  closer  and  still  more  practical  and  effective  union. 

"The  Alliance  is  composed  of  individuals  simpl}'.  It  does  not 
officially  represent  organizations  by  commissioned  delegates.  It  is 
voluntary  and  can  do  nothing  but  seek  to  mould  public  opinion  on 
the  great  questions  that  are  discussed  at  its  meetings.  An  organization 
with  a  closer  organic  connection  with  the  churches,  and,  therefore, 
vested  with  some  measure  of  power,  seems  to  be  needed. 

"It  seems  to  us  that  it  would  be  wise  and  right  for  the  Christian 
churches  of  the  land  to  form  a  federal  union  in  which  there  should  be 
no  renunciation  by  the  different  churches  of  their  peculiarities  or  inde- 
pendent organizations,  and  no  interference  with  their  doctrines,  gov- 
ernment, worship  or  internal  affairs,  but  by  which  specific  powers 
should  be  delegated  to  a  federal  council  for  the  concentration  of  the 
influence  of  all  upon  such  phases  of  Christian  effort  as  might  meet 
the  approval  of  all. 

"Some  of  the  measures  which  would  come  within  the  scope  of 
such  a  federation  are : 

"i.  United  work  for  the  reclamation  of  the  Christless  masses  in 
the  large  cities,  towns  and  old  rural  settlements. 

"2.  The  conduct  of  the  home  missionary  work  of  the  different 
denominations  in  the  new  settlements  of  the  country,  in  such  a  way 
as  to  remove  denominational  friction  and  prevent  the  multiplication 
of  weak  and  antagonistic  organizations  where  unnecessary ;  the  prosecu- 
tion of  the  foreign  missionary  work  by  the  different  denominations  on 
the  sam.e  principle  of  comity,  different  churches  cultivating  particular 
fields  so  as  to  avoid  unseemh^  strife  before  the  heathen. 

"3.  The  national  council  of  such  a  federation  could  be  potential 
in  its  influence  on  the  community  at  large.  It  could  educate  and 
strengthen  the  public  conscience  with  Scriptural  views  on  marriage 
and  divorce,  the  Sabbath,  temperance,  education,  and  other  moral  and 
social  questions. 

"It  certainly  seems  to  us  worth  while  to  attempt  so  to  bring 
together  all  the  evangelical  churches,  that  in  their  necessary  separate 
denominational  work  they  shall  not  harmfully  clash  with  each  other, 
and  that  they  may  in  a  greater  degree  unite  in  the  work  which  none 
can  separately  prosecute  with  vigor  and  success.  And  in  this  aspect 
of  the  matter  should  be  particularly  emphasized  the  influence  which 
the  churches  of  the  land  should  exert  upon  its  citizens  for  the  preser- 
vation of  their  religious  inheritances  and  the  maintenance  of  their 
fundamental  principles. 

"This  proposition  is  first  addressed  to  the  Synods  and  Assemblies 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  system  with  a 
view  to  securing  their  co-operation  in  extending  a  similar  proposition 
to  the  other  Evangelical  Churches  of  our  country. 

"May  we,  dear  brethren,  ask  you  to  take  this  into  consideration, 
and  if,  in  its  general  idea,  it  commends  itself  to  your  judgment,  appoint 


272  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

a  committee  to  confer  with  us  and  with  similar  committees  that  may 
be  appointed  by  other  churches  to  consider  and  report  upon  it. 
"Fraternally  yours, 

"JOSEPH    T.    SMITH,    Chairman, 

"925  McCulloh  street. 

"Baltimore,  April  23d,  1891." 

Your  committee  regarding  this  movement  of  grave  importance 
and  one  calling  for  the  wisest  legislation,  do  recommend  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  following  committee,  consisting  of  four  ministers  and 
three  elders,  viz. : 

Revs.  Drs.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  Joachim  Elmendorf,  Jno.  A.  DeBaun, 
Peter  Moerdyke;  Elders  Henry  W.  Bookstaver,  H.  D.  Van  Orden, 
J.   R.    Hardenberg. 

This  committee  to  be  a  Committee  of  Conference,  with  power  to 
fill  vacancies,  to  report  at  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  General 
Synod.     1891,  11,  343-5. 

FEDERAL    UNION    WITH    OTHER    BRANCHES    OF   THE   CHURCH. 

The   following  report  was  presented  by  the   Committee   of   Con- 
ference appointed  last  year.     It  was  accepted,  and  the  committee  was 
continued.     The  Rev.  Lewis  Francis  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy 
caused  by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor. 
To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 

Your  "Committee  of  Conference,"  appointed  in  June,  1891,  con- 
sisted of  the  following  members : 

Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  Rev.  Dr.  Joachim  Elmendorf,  Rev.  Dr. 
John  A.  De  Baun,  Rev.  Dr.  Peter  Moerdyke;  Elders  H.  W.  Bookstaver, 
H.  D.  Van  Orden,  J.  R.  Hardenberg. 

By  reason  of  the  lamented  death  of  Dr.  Taylor  the  chairmanship 
devolved  upon  the  member  of  the  committee  whose  name  was  next 
in  the  list,  who  would  now  make  the  following  report  for  the  com- 
mittee. 

In  response  to  an  invitation,  our  members,  Drs.  Elmendorf  and 
De  Baun  and  Elder  J.  H.  Hardenberg,  met  with  the  committee  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
in  New  York,  on  December  17th,  1891.  From  various  causes  the 
attendance  of  the  representatives  of  the  ecclesiastical  bodies,  which 
had  been  invited  to  appoint  them,  was  smaller  than  was  anticipated 
and  desired. 

After  free  conference,  the  following  deliverance  was  unanimously 
adopted,  as  supplemental  to  the  original  letter,  a  copy  of  which  is  in 
Synod's  minutes  of  1891.  It  was  also  resolved  that  the  deliverance 
be  sent  to  the  General  Assemblies  and  Synods  who  have  not  yet 
appointed  committees  on  Federation. 

The  communication  is  as  follows  : 

From  the  failure  of  some  of  the  Synods  and  Assemblies  to  act, 
and  the  nature  of  action  taken  by  others  which  have  not  appointed 
committees,  it  is  thought  that  the  purpose  of  the  letter  sent  to  them 
was  not  properly  apprehended.  It  is  deemed  proper,  therefore,  to 
emphasize  these  points : 

1.  This  movement  has  no  connection  with  an}^  consensus  creed 
movement. 

2.  It  involves  nothing  that  would  affect  any  of  the  peculiarities  of 
any  of  the  churches. 

3.  It  looks  to  the  formation  of  a  Federal  Union  of  the  churches 
for  the  purpose  of  doing  what  cannot  be  successfully  done  by  them 
apart,  as  they  now  are. 

4.  It  designs  to  clothe  a  federal  council  with  constitutional  power 
as    distinguished    from    the    voluntary    advisory    functions    of    the    evan- 


FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES  273 

gelical  alliance  and  of  the  Council  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding- 
the  Presbyterian  System — said  constitutional  power  to  be  carefully 
specified  by  the  united  judgment  of  the  denominations  entering  into 
the  federation. 

As  to  the  nature,  constitution  and  functions  of  the  federal  council 
proposed  to  be  created,  it  would  be  premature  to  enter  into  details 
here;  they  should  be  left  to  a  full  conference  of  the  committees  which 
have  been  and  may  yet  be  appointed  by  the  various  bodies. 

Referring  to  the  statements  of  the  original  letter,  concerning  the 
importance  of  the  movement  and  the  objects  to  be  accomplished  by 
it,  we  join  in  a  renewed  request  to  your  venerable  body  to  appoint  a 
committee  to  confer  with  us  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  whole 
subject  into  consideration,  and  reporting  to  the  various  Synods  and 
General  Assemblies  suitable  recommendations  for  action. 

Signed  by  Jos.  T.   Smith,  Chm.   Com.,  G.  A.  of  the  Pres.   Church 

in  the  U.  S.  of  America;  J.  P.  Sankey,  Chm.  Com.  United  Presbyterian 

G.  A.;  Joachim  Elmendorf,  Chm.  Com.  of  Gen.  Syn.  of  Ref.  Ch.  in  A.; 

James  Boyce,  Chm.  Com.  of  Associate  Ref.  Pres.  Synod  of  the  South. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

JOACHIM    ELMENDORF,    Chairman. 

1892,  585. 

II.  A  communication  presenting  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
conference  appointed  last  year  to  confer  with  churches  of  the  Presby- 
terian system,  and  to  seek  to  bring  about  a  closer  federation  of  the 
Christian  churches  of  this  land.  From  various  causes  the  attendance 
of  the  representatives  of  the  ecclesiastical  bodies  which  had  been 
invited  to  be  represented  was  smaller  than  was  anticipated  or  desired. 

After  free  conference  the  following  deliverance  was  unanimously 
adopted  as  supplemental  to  the  original  call  for  such  a  conference, 
which  was  ordered  to  be  sent  to  those  assemblies  and  Synods  not  yet 
represented  in  the  conference.  The  points  emphasized  in  this  com- 
munication on  account  of  their  importance  are  quoted  in  full,  viz. : 

"i.  This  movement  has  no  connection  with  an}^  concensus  creed 
movement. 

"2.  It  involves  nothing  that  would  affect  any  of  the  peculiarities 
of  any  of  the  churches. 

''3.  It  looks  to  the  formation  of  a  federal  union  of  the  churches 
for  the  purpose  of  doing  what  cannot  be  successfully  done  by  them 
apart  as  they  now  are. 

"4.  It  designs  to  clothe  a  federal  council  with  constitutional 
power  as  distinguished  from  the  voluntary  advisory  functions  of  the 
Evangelical  Alliance,  and  of  the  council  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
holding  the  Presbyterian  systern,  said  constitutional  power  to  be  care- 
fully specified  by  the  united  judgment  of  the  denominations  entering 
into  the  federation." 

Your  committee  would  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  com- 
mittee, or  rather  the  continuance  of  the  former  committee,  with  the 
vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Dr.  Taylor  filled,  to  confer  with  other 
bodies  in  taking  this  whole  matter  into  consideration.  They  suggest 
the  following  committee  for  the  confirmation  of  the  Synod  : 

Revs.  Joachim  Elmendorf,  D.D.,  John  A.  De  Baun,  D.D.,  Peter 
Moerdyke,  D.D.,  Lewis  Francis;  Elders  H.  W.  Bookstaver,  H.  D. 
Van  Orden,  J.  R.  Hardenberg.     1892,  575-6. 

FEDERAL    UNION    WITH    OTHER   BRANCHES    OF    THE    REFORMED   CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Joachim  Elmendorf,  on  behalf  of  the  committee  on 
"Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States 
holding  the  Presbyterian  System,"  presented  a  report  which  was 
accepted.     This   was   accompanied   with   a   "Plan   of   Federation."   not 


^274         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

for   adoption,    but    "incomplete    and    tentative,"    and    as    such    recom- 
mended to  be  printed  in  the  minutes.     1893,  820-3. 

To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 

Your  "Committee  of  Conference"  would  make  the  following 
report: 

In  response  to  an  invitation  the  following  members  of  our  com- 
mittee— the  Rev.  Dr.  John  A.  De  Baun,  Rev.  Lewis  Francis,  and  Rev. 
Dr.  J.  Elmendorf  attended  a  meeting  in  New  York  on  March  2d,  '93, 
of  the  Committee  of  Conference  on  Federation  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America;  the  United  States  Presby- 
terian Church;  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  General  Synod, 
and  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  in  the  South. 

After  conference  a  sub-committee  was  appointed  to  digest  and 
report  a  plan  of  federation  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  to  the 
Presbyterian  System,  to  be  a  basis  for  further  conference. 

A  second  meeting  of  the  Committees  of  Conference  was  held  in 
New  York  on  the  25th  of  April,  '93,  at  which  the  same  members  of 
the  Committee  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  (named  above) 
were  present. 

The  sub-committee  presented  its  report  of  a  plan  of  union,  which 
was  considered  at  length,  amended  and  adopted.  A  copy  of  the  same 
accompanies    this    report. 

It  was  further  resolved  that  the  Chairmen  of  the  different  com- 
mittees be  requested  to  report  this  action  to  their  General  Assemblies 
and  General  Synods,  and  to  ask  for  the  continuance  of  the  committees 
for  the  purpose  of  further  consideration  of  the  subject  with  each 
other  and  with  other  committees  that  may  yet  be  appointed. 

It  was  also  resolved  that  the  Secretary  of  our  joint  committees 
send  a  copy  of  our  action  to  the  General  Assemblies  and  General 
Synods  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  holding  to 
the  Presbyterian  System  that  have  not  yet  taken  action  on  the  ques- 
tion of  federation,  and  to  ask  for  the  appointment  of  Committees  for 
Conference  on  the  Plan  with  a  view  to  perfecting  it,  and  reporting  it 
to  all  the  General  Assemblies  and  General  Synods  for  action.  He 
was  also  authorized,  after  the  meeting  of  the  Assemblies  and  Synods, 
and  after  receiving  their  action  in  the  premises,  to  call  a  meeting  of 
all  the  committees  appointed  further  to  consider  and  act  upon  the 
Plan.  Respectfully  submitted, 

JOACHIM    ELMENDORF,    Chairman. 
PLAN  OF  FEDERATION.     {Tentative.) 

For  the  glory  of  God,  and  for  the  greater  unity  and  advancement 
of  the  Church  of  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Head,  the  fol- 
lowing Articles  of  Constitution  and  Federal  Union  between  the 
Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  holding  to  the  Presbyterian 
system  are  recommended  for  adoption: 

1.  Every  denomination  entering  into  this  Union  shall  retain  its 
distinct  individuality,  as  well  as  every  power,  jurisdiction  and  right, 
which  is  not  by  this  Constitution  expressly  delegated  to  the  body 
hereby  constituted. 

2.  Full  faith  and  credit  shall  be  given  by  all  of  these  denomina- 
tions to  the  acts,  proceedings  and  records  of  the  duly  constituted 
authorities  of  the  other  denominations. 

3.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  that  can  be  better  done  in  union 
than  separately,  an  Ecclesiastical  Assembly  is  hereby  constituted, 
which  shall  be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  The  Federal  Council 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  of  America  holding  to 
the  Presbyterian  system. 


FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES  275 

4.  The  Federal  Council  shall  consist  of  four  ministers  and  four 
elders  from  each  of  the  constituent  denominations,  who  shall  be 
chosen  with  alternates,  under  the  direction  of  their  respective  General 
Assemblies  or  Synods  in  such  manner  as  those  Assemblies  or  Synods 
shall  respectively  determine. 

5.  The  Federal  Council  shall  endeavor  to  promote  united  work 
for  the  reclamation  of  the  Christless  masses  in  the  large  cities,  towns 
and  old  rural  settlements  of  the  country;  co-operation  in  Home  Mis- 
sionary work  by  the  different  denominations  in  the  new  settlements 
and  among  the  Freedmen  of  the  South,  in  such  a  way  as  to  remove 
denominational  friction  and  prevent  the  multiplication  of  weak  and 
antagonistic  organizations  where  unnecessary;  and  the  prosecution 
of  the  Foreign  Missionary  work  by  the  different  denominations  on 
the  same  principle  of  comity,  so  that  different  denominations  shall 
cultivate  particular  fields.  It  shall  also  keep  a  watchful  eye  on 
current  religious,  moral  and  social  movements,  and  take  such  action 
as  may  concentrate  the  influence  of  all  the  churches  for  the  preser- 
vation of  their  religious  inheritance  and  the  maintenance  of  their 
fundamental  principles. 

6.  The  Federal  Council  may  advise  and  recommend  in  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ,  but 
shall  not  exercise  authority,  except  such  as  is  conferred  upon  it  by 
this  instrument,  or  such  as  may  be  conferred  upon  it  by  the  federated 
bodies.  It  shall  not  interfere  with  the  creed,  worship,  or  govern- 
ment of  the  denominations.  All  matters  of  discipline  shall  be  left 
to  the  exclusive  and  final  judgment  of  the  ecclesiastical  authorities  of 
the  denomination  in  which  the  same  may  arise. 

7.  The  Federal  Council  shall  have  the  power  of  opening  and 
maintaining  a  friendly  correspondence  with  the  highest  Assemblies 
of  other  religious  denominations,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  union 
and  concert  of  action  in  general  or  common  interests. 

8.  All  differences  which  may  arise  between  the  federated  bodies, 
or  any  of  them  in  regard  to  matters  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Federal  Council  shall  be  determined  by  such  executive  agencies  as 
may  be  created  by  the  Federal  Council,  with  the  right  of  appeal  to 
the  Federal   Council  for  final  adjudication. 

9.  The  officers  of  the  Federal  Council  shall  be  a  President,  Vice- 
President,  Clerk  and  Treasurer. 

10.  The  Federal  Council  shall  meet  annually,  at  such  time  and 
place  as  may  be  determined. 

11.  The  contingent  expenses  of  the  Federal  Council  shall  be 
divided  equally  between  the  denominations. 

12.  Amendments  to  this  Constitution  may  be  proposed  by  the 
Federal  Council  or  by  any  of  the  General  Assemblies  or  General 
Synods,  but  the  concurrent  action  of  the  General  Assemblies  and 
General  Synods  shall  be  necessary  for  their  adoption.     1893,  820-3. 

To  your  committee  has,  also,  been  referred  the  report  of  the 
"Committee  of  Conference'' — Rev.  Dr.  Elmendorf,  chairman — and  a 
"Plan  of  Federation''  for  "Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  the  United  States  holding  to  the  Presbyterian  system." 
The  plan  thus  submitted  is  not  in  final  form,  but  incomplete  and 
tentative,  and  should  be  in  the  minutes  for  consideration.  It  has 
not  been  acted  upon,  so  far  as  known,  by  any  of  the  bodies  repre- 
sented in  the  conference.  These  were  the  Presbyterian  Church 
(North),  the  United  Presbyterian,  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Synod, 
the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  (South),  and  our  own  Synod;  Rev. 
Dr.  De  Baun,  Rev.  Lewis  Francis  and  Dr.  Elmendorf  being  the  mem- 
bers present  of  our  own  committee.  With  some  of  the  features  of 
the  late  plan  for  Federal  Union  with  the   German  church,  this  plan 


276         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

contains  important  differences.  Instead  of  a  Federal  Synod,  it  con- 
templates a  "Federal  Council"  of  four  ministers  and  four  elders  from 
each  denomination;  and  its  objects  are  stated  to  be  to  "promote  united 
work  among  the  Christless  masses";  co-operation  in  home  missionary- 
work  in  new  settlements  and  among  the  freedmen;  the  removal  of 
friction  and  preventing  the  multiplication  of  weak  and  antagonistic 
organizations;  the  same  principle  l)eing  extended  to  the  Foreign 
field.  The  determination  of  differences  between  the  Federated  bodies 
is,  also,  within  stipulated  limits,  to  be  committed  to  this  council;  and 
all  expenses  are  to  be  equally  divided.  Such  is  its  general  scope  as  at 
present  presented,  not  for  adoption,  but  rather  to  ask  a  continuance 
of  the  committee  "for  the  purpose  of  further  consideration  of  the 
subject.  Such  continuance  your  committee  recommend.  1893,813-814. 
Federal  Union  among  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United 
States  holding  the  Presbyterian  System.     1894. 

FEDERAL    UNION    WITH    OTHER    BRANCHES    OF    THE    REFORMED    CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  Joachim  Elmendorf,  on  behalf  of  the  joint  committee 
on  "Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United 
States  holding  the  Presbyterian  system,"  presented  a  report,  accom- 
panied with  a  "Plan  of  Federation,"  which  was  discussed,  approved 
and  handed  down  to  the  Classes  for  their  action.  The  report  and  plan 
are  as  follows : 
To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 

Your  Committee  on  "Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  the  United  States,  holding  the  Presbyterian  System," 
would   make  the   following  report : 

The  only  meeting  of  the  Committees  of  Conference  during  the 
year  was  held  in  Philadelphia,  April  12,  1894.  In  consequence  of  Dr. 
De  Baun's  illness,  and  of  serious  sickness  in  Brother  Francis'  family, 
of  the  great  distance  between  the  place  of  meeting  and  Dr.  Moer- 
dyke's  home,  and  of  the  official  engagements  of  Elder*  H.  D.  Van 
Orden,  the  undersigned  was  the  only  member  of  our  General  Synod's 
Committee  present. 

The   meeting  was   encouragingly   large,    earnest   and   enthusiastic. 

The  account  of  the  proceedings  is  given  in  the  accompanying 
communication,  which  is  adopted  and  respectfully  submitted  as  the 
report  of  your  Committee. 

JOACHIM    ELMENDORF,     Chairman. 
J.    A.    DE    BAUN, 
P.    MOERDYKE, 
LEWIS    FRANCIS. 

To  the  Venerable,  The  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 
Dear  Brethren  : 

At  a  meeting  in  Philadelphia  on  the  12th  of  April,  1894,  of  Com- 
mittees of  Conference  on  a  Federal  Union,  appointed  by  the  Associate 
Reformed  Synod  of  the  South,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  General 
Assembly,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  the  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  the  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  the  United  Presbyterian  Assembly, 
and  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  a  Plan  of  Federation,  after  long  and  careful  cori- 
sideration,  was  unanimously  adopted;  and  it  was  agreed  to  report  it 
to  the  different  appointing  Judicatories,  with  a  recommendation  that 
it  be  adopted  by  them,  and  the  necessary  steps  taken  to  put  it  in 
operation. 

The  undersigned  were  appointed  a  committee  to  communicate 
this  action  to  the  Judicatories,  and  to  conduct  further  correspondence 


FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES  277 

upon  the  subject.  We,  therefore,  inclose  the  Plan,  asking  that  it  be 
adopted  by  your  venerable  body,  if  it  be  in  accord  with  your 
judgment. 

The  conference  asks  also  that  the  different  committees  be  con- 
tinued by  their  appointing  Judicatories,  in  order  to  receive  the  reports 
of  the  action  of  all,  and  if  the  Plan  be  adopted,  to  agree  upon  the 
time  and  place  of  the  meeting  of  the  tirst  Council,  for  recommendation 
to  the  Judicatories,  and  for  their  appointment  of  delegates  to  it. 

Fraternally  yours, 

R.    M.    PATTERSON, 
JOACHIM    ELMEXDORF, 
DAVID    STEELE, 
H.    W.    BOOKSTAVER. 
Philadelphia,  April  12th,  1894. 

PLAN    OF    FEDERATIOX. 

The  following  is  the  Plan  of  Federation  which  the  committees  of 
the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  the  South,  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian General  Assembly,  the  Synod  of  the  (Dutch)  Reformed  Church 
in  America,  the  Synod  of  the  (German)  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  United  Presbyterian  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  at  their  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  on  the  12th 
inst.,  agreed  to  recommend  to  their  appointing  bodies  for  adoption : 

For  the  glory  of  God,  and  for  the  greater  unity  and  advancement 
of  the  Church,  of  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Head,  the 
Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  holding  to  the  Presbyterian 
system  adopt  the  following  Articles  of  Federal  Union  : 

1.  Every  denomination  entering  into  this  Union  shall  retain  its 
distinct  individuality,  as  well  as  every  power,  jurisdiction,  and  right 
which  is  not  by  this  Constitution  expressly  delegated  to  the  bod\^  hereby 
constituted. 

2.  The  acts,  proceedings  and  records  of  the  duly  constituted 
authorities  of  each  of  the  denominations  shall  be  received  in  all  the 
other  denominations,  and  in  the  Federal  Council,  as  of  full  credit  and 
with  proper  respect. 

3.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  that  can  be  better  done  in  union 
than  separately,  an  Ecclesiastical  Assembly  is  hereb}'  constituted, 
which  shall  be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  Federal  Council 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  of  America,  holding 
the  Presbyterian  system. 

4.  The  Federal  Council  shall  consist  of  four  ministers  and  four 
elders  from  each  of  the  constituent  denominations,  who  shall  be 
chosen,  with  alternates,  under  the  direction  of  their  respective 
supreme  judicatories  in  such  manner  as  those  judicatories  shall  respec- 
tively determine. 

5.  The  Federal  Council  shall  promote  the  co-operation  of  the 
federated  denominations  in  their  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary 
works,  and  shall  keep  watch  on  current  religious,  moral  and  social 
movements,  and  take  such  action  as  may  concentrate  the  influence  of 
all  the  churches  in  the  maintenance  of  the  truth  that  our  nation  is  a 
Protestant  Christian  nation  and  of  all  that  is  therein  involved. 

6.  The  Federal  Council  may  advise  and  recommend  in  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ,  but 
shall  not  exercise  authority,  except  such  as  is  conferred  upon  it  by 
this  instrument,  or  such  as  may  be  conferred  upon  it  by  the  federated 
bodies.  It  shall  not  interfere  with  the  creed,  worship  or  government 
of  the   federated  denominations.      In   the   conduct   of  its   meetings   it 


278         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEIGISLATION 

shall  respect  their  conscientious  views.  All  matters  of  discipline 
shall  be  left  to  the  exclusive  and  final  judgment  of  the  ecclesiastical 
authorities  of  the  denomination  in  which  the  same  may  arise. 

7.  The  Federal  Council  shall  have  the  power  of  opening  and 
maintaining  a  friendly  correspondence  with  the  highest  assemblies 
of  other  religious  denominations,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  union 
and  concert  of  action  in  general  or  common  interests. 

8.  All  differences  which  may  arise  among  the  federated  bodies, 
or  any  of  them,  in  regard  to  matters  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Federal  Council,  shall  be  determined  by  such  executive  agencies  as 
may  be  created  by  the  Federal  Council,  with  the  right  of  appeal  to 
the  Federal  Council  for  final  adjudication. 

9.  The  officers  of  the  Federal  Council  shall  be  a  President,  Vice- 
President,  Clerk,  and  Treasurer. 

10.  The  Federal  Council  shall  meet  annually,  and  on  its  own 
adjournment,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be  determined.  Special 
meetings  may  be  called  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  officers  of  the 
Council  on  thirty  days'  notice. 

11.  The  expenses  of  the  Council  shall  be  met  by  a  contingent 
fund  to  be  provided  by  a  pro  rata  apportionment  on  the  basis  of  the 
number  of  communicants  in  each  denomination;  and  the  expenses  of 
the  delegates  to  the  Council  shall  be  paid  from  this  fund. 

12.  Amendments  to  these  Articles  may  be  proposed  by  the 
Federal  Council,  or  by  any  of  the  supreme  Judicatories  of  the 
Churches  in  the  Federation;  but  the  approval  of  all  these  Judicatories 
shall  be  necessary  for  their  adoption. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod,  approving  the  plan  of  Federal 
Union,  submitted  by  its  joint  committee,  order  the  same  to  be  sent 
to  the  Classes  for  their  action. 

Resolved,  That,  pending  the  action  of  the  Classes,  the  Committee 
of  last  year  be  continued,  and  that  they  be  authorized  to  meet  with 
committees  on  negotiation  of  other  denominations;  and  that  further 
to  facilitate  such  action  the  Committee  be  instructed  to  print  and  send 
to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  every  Classis  a  sufficient  number  of  copies  of 
the  Plan  of  Federation  for  every  pastor  and  elder.     1894,  137-141. 

See  "Alliance  of  Reformed   Churches." 

5.  Thirty-three  official  reports  have  been  received  of  classical 
action  on  the  proposed  Plan  of  Federation,  of  which  twenty-three  are 
in   favor,  and   ten   against   such   Plan. 

We  recommend  that  General  Synod  declare  said  Plan  to  be 
adopted.     1895,  132. 

FEDERATION. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  General  Synod  has  acted  favorably 
upon  the  question  of  the  Federation  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Re- 
formed Churches,  your  Committee  recommend  that  Synod's  Com- 
mittee on  the  Plan  of  Federation  be  continued.     1895,   140. 

1896. 

The  Committee  on  the  Federation  of  Churches  reported  prog- 
ress.     1896,  503. 

No  further  report. 

The  Committee  on  State  of  the  Church  in   1900,  say: 

The  subject  of  Union  or  Federation  with  other  bodies  had 
already  undergone  not  a  little  discussion,  and  two  or  three  attempts 
at  Union  or  Federation,  even  before   1850,  had  failed.     1900,  815. 

1851-1000. 

Various  schemes  of  Organic  Union  have  been  started  again  and 
again,  first  with  the  Associated  Reformed  Church,  and  then  with  the 


FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES  279 

Presbyterian  and  German  Churches.  In  1873,  an  effort  was  made  to 
unite  the  Presbyterians,  North  and  South,  with  the  German  Reformed 
and  ourselves.  Another  effort,  beginning  in  1886,  was  made  to  unite 
with  the  German  Church;  but  all  these  efforts  have  failed.  Federa- 
tion of  the  churches  for  practical  Christian  work  has  begun  in  our 
foreign  fields,  and  to  some  extent  in  our  cities  at  home.  This  move- 
ment is  more  promising,  and  it  ought  to  be  encouraged,  both  for  an 
exhibition  of  Christian  unity,  and  for  greater  practical  results  than 
can  otherwise  be  attained.     1900,  824. 

1900. 

A  communication  is  placed  in  our  hands  from  the  Secretary  of 
the  National  Committee  on  the  Federation  of  Churches  asking  the 
Synod  to  appoint  a  Committee  on  this  special  line  of  work.  Your 
Committee  notes  with  thankfulness  the  growth  of  a  spirit  of  comity 
and  co-operation  among  the  different  denominations,  but  deems  it 
unnecessary  to  increase  the  number  of  Committees  of  Synod  by  the 
appointment  of  the  one  asked  for.     1900,  yTJ. 

See  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States;  National  Federation 
of  Churches. 

FEDERAL    UNION    OR    CHURCH    UNITY.       I902-6. 

8.  A  communication  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church  stating  that  their  General  Synod  had  appointed 
a  Committee  of  five  to  confer  with  any  similar  Committees  appointed 
by  bodies  represented  in  the  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches,  holding 
the  Presbyterian  system,  touching  the  important  matter  of  closer 
co-operation  or  unity  of  organization  among  the  Presbyterian 
Churches   of  the  United   States. 

In  view  of  the  suggestion  offered  we  therefore  propose  the 
following: 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  appoint  a  similar  Committee 
of  five  and  that  said  Committee  report  to  the  next  General  Synod 
the  result  of  an}^  such  conference  which  ma}'-  be  held  in  the  course 
of  the  year. 

We  recommend  that  the  following  shall  constitute  the  Committee  : 

Rev.  E.  B.  Coe,  Rev.  J.  P.  Searle,  Rev.  J.  W.  Beardslee,  Rev.  J. 
Elmendorf,   Rev.  J.   H.  Karsten.     1902,   127-8. 

COMMUNICATION. 

A  proposition  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  (South)  to  the  General  Synod,  for  the 
appointment  by  each  body  of  a  Committee  on  Conference,  to  consider 
the  whole  question  of  closer  relations,  and  the  possible  organic  union 
of  these  bodies.  Also  a  recognition  of  the  greeting  of  the  General 
Synod,  by  letter  from  Rev.  Peter  Crispell,  our  delegate,  and  the 
appointment  by  the  Assembly  of  Rev.  J.  R.  Graham,  D.D.,  as  a 
commissioner  to  communicate  with  the  General  Synod  concerning 
the  appointment  of  a  Committee  of  Conference.  Referred  to  a  special 
committee,  consisting  of  Revs.  Cornelius  Brett,  David  J.  Burrell, 
James  I.  Vance.  Elders,  W.  L.  Brower,  George  W.  Pool  and  Matthew 
Kolyn.     1903,  267-8. 

2.  A  letter  from  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  in  session  at  Lexington, 
Va.,  May  26,  1903,  acknowledging  the  letter  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Crispell, 
responding  to  the  expressions  of  good  will  therein  contained,  noting 
the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Graham  to  convey  to  this  Synod 
the  action  of  that  Assembly  respecting  a  committee  to  confer  with  a 
like  committee  appointed  by  that  Assembly  with  reference  to  closer 
relations  between  the  two  bodies.  Also  a  letter  from  the  said  fraternal 
delegate,  greeting  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  name  of  the  Presby- 


28o         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

terian  Church  in  the  United  States.  As  the  letter  referred  hirgely 
to  the  question  of  Church  unity  it  was  passed  on  by  your  committee 
to  the  Synod's  Special  Committee  on  Church  Unity.     1903,  394. 

1903. 
The  special  committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod,  1902,  127, 
to  confer  with  committees  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presby- 
terian System,  concerning  closer  relations,  presented  their  report  through 
the  Chairman  Rev.  J.  Preston  Searle :  [The  report  was  referred  to  the 
Special  Committee  on  Propositions  for  Church  Union,  Rev.  Cornelius 
Brett,  Chairman.]     It  is  as  follows :     1903,  398. 

REPORT   OF   COMMITTEE   ON    CHURCH    UNITY. 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  session  of  this  General  Synod  in 
response  to  the  invitation  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  (General 
Synod),  to  meet  with  a  committee  representing  that  church  and  any 
similar  committees  appointed  by  other  churches,  to  consider  the  question 
of  closer  relations  between  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  to  the  Pres- 
byterian order,  would  respectfully  report  that  after  correspondence  between 
its  own  members  and  with  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  a  joint  meeting  of  the  two  committees 
was  held  on  April  24th,  in  the  chapel  of  the  Twenty-ninth  Street  Col- 
legiate Church,  New  York  City.  In  addition  to  the  representatives  of  the 
two  churches  there  were  present  a  committee  from  the  local  Synod  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  not  its  General  Assembly.  The  members  of 
this  committee  did  not  present  themselves  as  officially  representing  their 
Church,  but  were  cordially  welcomed  to  the  conference. 

The  tone  of  the  conference  which  followed  was  fraternal,  spiritual, 
and  practical.  The  conviction  seemed  unanimous  that  closer  relations 
should  be  established  between  churches  holding  so  much  in  common,  and 
that  these  closer  relations  were  possible  if  the  difficulties  in  the  way  should 
be  fairly  recognized  and  the  method  of  their  removal  patiently  studied 
under  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

After  this  friendly  and  prayerful  deliberation  it  was  agreed  that,  as 
only  our  own  Synod  has  been  in  session  subsequent  to  the  action  of  the 
Reformed  Presbyterian  in  issuing  invitations  to  such  a  conference,  an 
adjournment  should  be  taken  to  Jime  24th,  after  the  May  meetings  of 
the  various  ecclesiastical  bodies,  from  which  representation  was  desired, 
should  have  been  held.  It  was  also  agreed  that  the  original  invitation  of 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian  General  Synod  to  these  bodies  should  be 
renewed  with  the  endorsement  of  the  entire  Joint  Committee. 

We  respectfully  ask  approval  of  the  above  action,  and  the  authoriza- 
tion of  continued  conference.     For  the  Committee  : 

J.  W.  BEARDSLEE, 
JOACHIM  ELMENDORF, 
J.  PRESTON  SEARLE. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  referred  to  the  Special  Committee  on 
Propositions  for  Church  Union,  Rev.  Cornelius  Brett,  Chairman.     1903,  399. 

REPORT    OF    THE     SPECIAL    COMMITTEE    ON     PROPOSITIONS     FOR    CHURCH     UNION. 

The  special  Committee  on  Propositions  for  Church  Union,  would 
respectfully  report : 

To  your  committee  have  been  referred  three  papers.  First,  a  commu- 
nication to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  from 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
suggesting  the  appointment  of  Committees  on  Conference  to  consider  the 
whole  question  of  fraternal  relations  and  the  possible  organic  union  of 
these  two  churches. 

Secondly,  A  communication  from  the  Rev.  James  R.  Graham,  delegate 
from   the   General   Assembly   of   the    Presbyterian    Church   in   the   United 


FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES  281 

States  to  this  General  Synod,  repeating  with  renewed  assurance  of 
personal  and  ecclesiastical  confidence  and  affection,  the  action  of  the  said 
General  Assembly,  certified  in  the  above-mentioned  communication. 

Thirdly,  A  report  of  the  Committee  to  Confer  with  the  Committees 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  order,  concerning 
closer  relations. 

Your  committee  would  respectfully  report : 

I.  The  communication  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  [South]  and  the  salutation  of  their 
delegates,  conveys  the  information  that  seven  overtures  have  been  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Correspondence  of  said  Assem- 
bly, three  from  Synods  and  four  from  Presbyteries,  asking  the  General 
Assembly  to  appoint  a  Committee  of  Conference  to  meet  a  similar  com- 
mittee of  our  Church,  "to  consider  the  whole  question  of  closer  relations 
and  a  possible  organic  union  to  these  two  churches." 

These  documents  further  reiterate  "the  entire  confidence  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  in  the  doctrinal  soundness  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  their  appreciation  of  the  noble  testi- 
mony which  this  body  of  Christians  has  borne  to  the  spirituality  of  the 
Church  of  Christ."  It  also  expresses  a  warm  personal  affection  for  the 
brethren  of  our  Church ;  and  finally,  it  affirms  the  readiness  of  the  said 
General  Assembly  "to  appoint  such  a  Committee  on  Conference,  whenever 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  shall  indicate 
that  such  a  committee  would  be  agreeable  to  it." 

Your  committee  recommend  that  our  delegate  to  be  hereafter  appointed, 
be  instructed  to  convey  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  the  warmest  fraternal  greetings  of  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  assure  the 
Assembly  that  personally  and  as  a  denomination,  we  both  reciprocate 
their  affectionate  regard,  and  are  grateful  for  their  expressions  of 
confidence. 

Your  committee  further  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following 
resolutions : 

Resolved  first,  That  should  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
'  Church  of  the  United  States  appoint  a  Committee  of  Conference  to  con- 
sider the  whole  question  of  closer  fraternal  relations  and  possible  organic 
union  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  this  Synod  hereby  signifies 
its  cordial  willingness  to  appoint  a  similar  committee  to  take  the  matter 
into  prayerful  consideration. 

Resolved  second.  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  this  Synod  send  this  resolu- 
tion to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States.      [South.] 

II.  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Church  Unity  signed  by  the 
Rev.  Drs.  Searle,  Elmendorf  and  Beardslee,  conveys  to  the  Synod  the 
information,  that,  in  response  to  an  invitation  of  the  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  to  meet  with  a  committee  representing 
that  Church  and  any  similar  committees  appointed  by  other  churches  to 
consider  the  question  of  closer  relations  between  the  Reformed  Churches 
holding  the  Presbyterian  system,  a  joint  meeting  of  the  two  committees 
was  held  in  New  York  City.  Representatives  from  the  Local  Synod  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church  were  also  present.  With  prayerful 
deliberation  it  was  agreed  that  the  original  invitation  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church  should  be  renewed  with  the  endorsement  of  the 
entire  Joint  Committee.  The  report  asks  approval  of  the  above  action 
and  the  authorization  of  continued  conference. 

Your  committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved   first.   That   the    Synod   heartily   approves   the  action   of   the 

Committee  on  Church  Unity  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  of  1902,  in 

renewing    and    endorsing    the    invitation    of    the    Reformed    Presbyterian 


282         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

General  Synod  for  an  appointment  of  Committee  on  Conference  by  the 
Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  system,  to  consider  the 
question  of  closer  relations  between  said  Churches. 

Resolved  second,  That  said  Committee  on  Church  Unity  appointed 
by  the  General  Synod  of  1902,  be  continued  with  power  to  fill  vacancies 
and  add  to  its  number,  and,  further  that  said  committee  be  and  hereby 
is  authorized  to  confer  with  similar  committees  appointed  by  other 
Churches  concerning  the  question  of  closer  relations  between  the  Reformed 
Churches  holding  to  the  Presbyterian  system. 
All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

CORNELIUS    BRETT, 
DAVID   JAS.    BURRELL, 
JAMES    I.    VANCE, 
MATTHEW   KOLYN, 
GEO.    W.    POOL, 
WM.    L.    BROWER. 
The  report  was  accepted  and  adopted.     1903,  400-3. 

1904. 

Conference  in  New  York  in  Dec,  1903 ;  representatives  of  the  Refd. 
Presbyt.,  of  the  Presby.  Ch.  in  U.S.A.,  and  of  Refd.  Ch.  in  A.,  and  an 
informally  appointed  Com.  of  the  United  Presbyt.  Ch. — The  following 
action  was  taken : 

Resolved,  That  this  Joint  Conference  on  the  closer  co-operation  of 
the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  System,  after  full,  frank 
and  prayerful  conference,  is  unanimously  agreed : 

1.  That  some  form  of  union  closer  and  more  tangible  than  any  at 
present  existing  between  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian 
order,  is  desirable  for  the  work  intrusted  to  them  by  the  Head  of  the 
Church.  • 

2.  That  such  closer  union  is  possible: 

a.  Through  the  complete  consolidation  of  some  of  these  churches,  and 

b.  Through  such  federation  as  shall  preserve  the  identity  of  the 
various  bodies  entering  into  it,  and  shall  provide  for  effective  adminis- 
trative co-operation. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  committees  constituting  this  Joint  Confer- 
ence, not  fully  instructed  on  this  point,  be  requested  to  report  to  the 
bodies  appointing  them  the  above  conclusions  and  to  seek  further  instruc- 
tions as  to  which  of  the  lines  indicated  shall  be  pursued  in  the  future 
conferences  of  these  committees. 

Resolved,  That  this  Joint  Conference  extends  the  invitation  already 
given  by  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  (General  Synod)  to  the 
various  churches  of  the  Presbyterian  family,  to  appoint  committees  to 
confer  with  us  upon  this  great  question  of  closer  co-operation  or  unity. 
1904,  747-8. 

We  ask  for  authority  to  prosecute  further  conference  along  either  of 
the  above  lines,  always,  however,  guarding  the  unimpaired  identity  and 
autonomy  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

The  following  resolutions  are  respectfully  submitted : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  Special  Committee  on  Church  Unity  be  and  it 
is  hereby  authorized  to  express  to  the  representatives  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church  (General  Synod)  the  sentiments  of  Christian  friend- 
ship and  confidence  entertained  for  that  Church  by  the  Reformed  Church 
in  America  and  to  welcome  any  overtures  that  may  be  made  by  them  for 
union  with  this  Church,  the  same  to  be  reported  to  the  next  General  Synod. 

2.  Resolved,  That  in  general  the  form  of  union  with  other  Reformed 
Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  order,  which  is  contemplated  and 
approved  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  is 
such   a   federal   union   as   will   maintain   unimpaired   the   identity   of   the 


FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES  283 

various  bodies  entering  into  it,  while  providing  for  efficient  administrative 
co-operation. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Special  Committee  be  continued  with  authority 
to  add  to  its  numbers,  if  occasion  requires,  and  to  prosecute  further 
conference  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing  resolutions. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

EDWARD    B.    COE, 
JOACHIM    ELMENDORF, 
J.    PRESTON    SEARLE, 
J.    W.    BEARDSLEE, 
JOHN    H.    KARSTEN, 

Committee. 
1904,  749-750. 
1905. 

Seven  Churches  represented :  The  Presbyterian  Churches,  North  and 
South ;  the  United  Presbyterian  Church ;  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church ;  the  Reformed  Church  in  America ;  the  Reformed  Presbyt.  Ch. ; 
and  (informally)  the  Refd.  Ch.  in  the  U.  S.,  (German  Refd). 

The  discussion  took  form  in  favor  of  "such  a  Federal  Union  as  will 
maintain  unimpaired  the  identity  of  the  various  bodies  entering  into  it, 
while  providing  for  efficient  administrative  co-operaton." 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  approves  the  principle  of  federa- 
tion underlying  the  Plan  of  Federation  herewith  submitted. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Special  Committee  on  Church  Unity  be  con- 
tinued, with  the  addition  Rev.  J.  B.  Drury,  Rev.  T.  H.  Mackenzie, 
Frederick  Frelinghuysen  and  G.  J.  Diekema. 

3.  Resolved,  That  this  committee  be  instructed  to  consider  in  detail 
the  said  Plan  of  Federation,  to  confer,  as  opportunity  may  be  given,  with 
the  representatives  of  other  churches  on  the  subject,  and  to  report  to  the 
next  (jeneral  Synod.     1905,  150-152. 

PLAN    OF    FEDERATION. 

1.  Every  Church  entering  into  this  Federation  retains  its  distinct 
individuality,  its  own  creeds,  government  and  worship,  as  well  as  every 
power,  jurisdiction  and  right,  which  is  not  by  these  articles  expressly  and 
exclusively  delegated  to  the  body  hereby  constituted. 

2.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  that  can  be  better  done  in  union  than 
separately  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  is  hereby  established,  which  shall  be 
known  by  the  name  and  style  of  "The  Federal  Council  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  the  United  States  of  America  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System." 

3.  The  Federal  Council  shall  consist  of  at  least  four  representatives, 
ministers  or  elders,  from  each  of  the  constituent  Churches,  for  each  one 
hundred  thousand  communicants  or  fraction  thereof  up  to  three  hundred 
thousand,  and  where  a  Church  has  more  than  three  hundred  thousand 
communicants,  then  four  representatives,  ministers  or  elders,  for  each 
additional  two  hundred  thousand  communicants  or  fraction  thereof. 
These  persons  shall  be  chosen  with  their  alternates  under  the  direction 
of  their  respective  supreme  judicatories  in  such  manner  as  those  judica- 
tories shall  respectively  determine. 

4.  The  Federal  Council  shall  exercise  only  such  authority  as  is 
conferred  upon  it  by  these  Articles,  or  such  as  may  hereafter  be  conferred 
upon  it  by  the  Federated  Churches.  It  shall  not  interfere  with  the  creed, 
worship  or  government  of  the  churches,  and,  in  particular,  all  matters  of 
discipline  shall  be  left  to  the  exclusive  and  final  judgment  of  the  ecclesi- 
astical authorities  of  the  Churches  concerned. 

5.  The  Federal  Council  shall  promote  the  co-operation  of  the  Fed- 
erated Churches  in  their  Foreign  Missionary  work,  and  also  in  their 
general  work  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  connection  with  home 
missions,  work  among  the  colored  people,  church  erection.  Sabbath-schools, 


284         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

publication  and  education ;  and  may  initiate  movements  having  this 
co-operation  in  view  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Churches  concerned 
The  Council  may  also  advise  and  recommend  in  other  matters  pertaining 
to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ. 

6.  The  Federal  Council  shall  have  power  to  deal  with  differences 
which  may  arise  between  the  Federated  Churches,  in  regard  to  matters 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Council,  which  the  constituted  agencies  of 
the  Churches  concerned  have  been  unable  to  settle,  and  which  may  be 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Council  by  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the 
parties  thereto ;  and  such  deficiencies  shall  thereupon  be  determined  by 
the  Council  or  by  such  agencies  as  it  may  appoint.  If  determined  by  an 
agency,  such  as  a  committee  or  commission,  there  shall  be  the  right  of 
appeal  to  the  Council  for  linal  decision.  Every  final  decision  shall  be 
transmitted  by  the  Council  to  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the  churches 
concerned  for  their  action. 

7.  The  Federal  Council  shall  have  power  to  deal  with  any  other 
matters  of  interest  common  to  any  two  or  more  of  the  Federated  Churches, 
which  may  be  referred  to  it  by  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the  churches 
concerned,  for  its  action,  with  such  authority  in  the  premises  and  under 
.-uch  conditions  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the  churches  which  make  the 
referv^nce. 

8.  The  Federal  Council  shall  have  power  to  open  and  maintani  a 
friendly  correspondence  with  the  Presbyterian  and  oth^r  evj.ngeli^al 
churches  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  concert  of  action  in  matters  of 
commrin  interest,  but  nothing  in  this  Article  shall  be  construed  a« 
affecting  the  present  rights  of  correspondence  of  the  Federated  Churches. 

9.  The  Federal  Council  shall  give  full  faith  and  credit  to  the  acts, 
proceedings  and  records  of  the  duly  constituted  authorities  of  the  several 
Federated  Churches. 

10.  The  officers  of  the  Federal  Councd  shall  be  a  President,  Vice- 
President,  Stated  Clerk,  Treasurer,  and  such  other  subordinate  officers 
as  may  be  necessary. 

11.  The  Federal  Council  shall  meet  in  regular  session  at  least 
biennially,  and  on  its  own  adjournment,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be 
determined.  In  the  conduct  of  its  meetings  it  shall  respect  the  conscien- 
tious views  of  its  constituent  members.  The  President  shall  call  special 
meetings  at  any  time  when  requested  so  to  do  by  a  majority  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  each  of  two  or  more  of  the  constituent  bodies,  thirty  days' 
notice  of  such  meetings  shall  be  given  to  all  the  members,  and  only  such 
business  may  be  transacted  as  is  specified  in  the  notice. 

12.  The  incidental  expenses  of  the  Council  shall  be  met  by  a  fund 
to  be  provided  by  a  pro  rata  apportionment  on  the  basis  of  the  represen- 
tation-of  each  church  in  the  Council.  The  expenses  of  the  representatives 
shall  be  paid  by  their  respective  Churches.  All  the  expenses  involved  in 
the  settlement  of  any  difference  between  the  Churches  shall  be  borne 
equally  by  the  Churches  concerned. 

13.  When  the  representatives  of  one-half  of  the  Churches,  at  a 
meeting  of  either  the  Council  or  its  agencies,  request  a  unit  vote  by 
churches  upon  a  pending  motion  the  vote  shall  be  so  taken. 

14.  The  Federal  Council  shall  have  power  to  make  such  regulations 
and  by-laws  as  shall  be  deemed  necessary  for  the  conduct  of  its  business. 

15.  After  this  Federation  shall  have  been  constituted,  any  Church 
holding  the  Reformed  Faith  and  Presbyterian  System  may  be  received 
into  the  Federation  by  a  majority  of  the  representatives  of  the  Churches, 
voting  by  the  unit  rule,  and  upon  its  adoption  of  the  Articles  of  Federation. 

16.  Any  Church  in  the  Federation  may  withdraw  therefrom  on  notice 
officially  given,  and  on  its  observance  of  the  same  constitutional  steps  as 
were  followed  in  its  adoption  of  these  Articles. 

17.  Any  amendment  to  these  Articles  proposed  to  the  Federal 
Council,  shall,  before  its  adoption,  be  approved  by  the  Council,  and  receive 


FEDERATION  285 

the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  Federated  Churches  acting  in  accordance 
with  their  respective  x:onstitutions.  When  the  Council  shall  have  been 
notified  of  such  consent  it  shall  declare  the  amendment  to  be  a  part  of  the 
Plan  of  Federation.  Respectfullv  submitted, 

'EDWARD    B.    COE, 
J.    PRESTOX    SEARLE, 
JOACHIM   ELMEXDORF, 
lOHX    W.    BEARDSLEE, 
J.   H.    KARSTEX. 

1905,   152-4. 

[Action  of  1906  not  yet  at  hand  when  this  Digest  was  going  to  press.] 

Federatiox — of  Reformed  [Dutch]  Church  with  the  Reformed  [Ger- 
man] Church.     See  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States. 

Fellowships.     Establishment  of,  proposed.     1888,  544. 

Fellowship  with  Christ.  Heid.  Cat,  Quests.  21,  47;  Forms  for 
Baptism  and  the   Supper ;  Canons,  i.  7. 

Female  Cent  Societies.  For  the  Permanent  Fund  and  current  ex- 
penses. Synod  recommended  "the  formation  of  Female  and  other  Cent 
Societies ;  and  that  such  societies  designate  the  object  to  which  their 
contributions  shall  be  applied."'     1816,  S3,  .34- 

Female  Members.  May  not  serve  as  Elders  or  Deacons ;  Constit.  of 
1874,  30;  may  not  vote  at  the  first  election  of  Elders  or  Deacons,  in  form- 
ing a  new  church:  of  1874,  Art.  31;  may  vote  at  other  elections  of  elders 
and  deacons,  when  chosen  by  the  church  generally ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art  32. 

Female  Suffrage.  A  request  from  the  X'ational  Woman  Suffrage 
Association  that  General  Synod,  as  representing  the  Church,  petition 
Congress  to  amend  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  in  favor  of 
female  suftrage.  As  compliance  with  the  request  would  open  the  way 
for  many  of  a  similar  kind  aside  from  our  regular  business,  the  Committee 
report  that  no  action  be  taken.  Synod  has  no  right  to  bind  the  churches 
in  such  matters.     1900,  j/j. 

Ferxow,  B.  His  valuable  services  in  translating  many  ecc.  docu- 
ments; 1887,  441;  '89,  921. 

Ferris,  Isaac,  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod.  1832;  Chan- 
cellor of  X.  Y.  University-,  1852-70.  See  Manual  for  particulars ;  see  also 
Art.   "Christian  Intelligencer.'' 

Ferris,  Johx  Masox,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Sec.  of  Bd.  Foreign  Missions, 
1865-83;  Editor  of  Christian  Intelligencer,  1883 — to  present   (1906). 

Ferris  Seminary,  in  Yokohoma,  for  girls,  founded,  1875.  It  owes  its 
establishment  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Kidder,  now  Mrs.  E.  R.  Miller.  She  was 
sent  by  Bd.  For.  Miss.  R.  C.  A.  to  Japan,  in  1869.  She  started  a  girls' 
school  in  1870,  of  six  pupils,  under  the  patronage  of  the  governor  of 
Kanagawa,  which  in  a  couple  of  years  grew  into  a  school  of  22.  In  1872, 
the  American  Mission  Home  was  established  by  the  Union  Missionary 
Society.  In  the  same  year  a  large  normal  school  for  girls  was  opened  in 
Tokyo  under  the  patronage  of  the  Empress.  In  the  autumn  of  1874  a 
lease  was  obtained  of  an  acre  of  land  on  the  Bluff,  near  Yokohama. 
Here  was  erected  a  school  building  and  a  home  for  the  missionary  at  a 
cost  of  $5.5000,  given  chiefly  by  the  Sunday-schools  of  R.  C.  A. 

In  Sept.,  1876,  the  Bd.  of  For.  Miss,  of  R.  C  A.  called  this  school 
'The  Isaac  Ferris  Seminary" ;  later,  simply  'The  Ferris  Seminary"  in 
honor  of  both  Chancellor  Isaac  Ferris  and  his  son,  Rev.  Dr.  John  M. 
Ferris,  for  many  years  Cor.  Sec.  of  the  Board. 

After  the  marriage  of  Miss  Kidder  to  Rev.  E.  R.  Miller,  in  1875.  she 
and  her  husband  conducted  the  school  until  the  spring  of  1879.  having 
been  joined  in  Xov.,  1874,  bv  Miss  E.  C.  Whitbeck,  now  Mrs.  Milton  S. 
Vail. 


286  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

On  June  ist,  1875,  the  Ferris  Seminary  was  formerly  opened  with 
appropriate  exercises.  Nineteen  pupils  attended  during  the  summer  term. 
Soon  there  were  40  pupils  in  the  boarding  department.  In  the  spring  of 
1879.  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Miller  visited  America.  In  the  autumn,  Miss  H.  L. 
Winn  came  to  Miss  Whitbeck's  assistance.  In  1881  Miss  Whitbeck  visited 
America. 

In  1 881  the  school  was  placed  in  charge  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Eugene  S. 
Booth.  Excepting  the  visit  of  one  year  in  America,  1886-7,  they  continue 
to  superintend  this  school. 

The  First  Prospectus  of  the  school  was  issued  in  1882,  and  brought 
many  pupils.  Enlarged  facilities  were  needed,  and  the  Woman's  Bd.  of 
For.  Aliss.  at  once  appropriated  $2,500.  Foreign  merchants  and  others  in 
Yokohoma  added  $800  more,  and  the  enlargement  was  completed  in  the 
autumn  of  1883.  Pupils  continued  to  increase  in  numbers,  and  in  two 
years  it  became  apparent  that,  could  the  accommodations  be  increased, 
the  income  of  the  school  would  meet  all  its  expenses,  except  the  care  of 
the  property  and  the  salaries  of  the  foreign  teachers.  Nearly  200  appli- 
cations had  to  be  denied  for  want  of  room.  In  1886-7  Rev.  Mr.  Booth 
and  family  visited  America,  to  raise  funds  to  enlarge  the  Seminary,  and 
he  succeeded.  The  lot,  originally  leased,  was  purchased,  with  an  adjoin- 
ing lot,  at  a  cost  of  $3,300.  The  property  is  held  in  trust  for  the  Bd.  of 
For.  Miss,  of  R.  C.  A.,  by  Revs.  E.  R.  Miller  and  E.  S.  Booth,  as  Trustees. 

In  1887  the  school  was  graded  according  to  a  new  curriculum.  It 
was  necessary  to  build  a  temporary  annex.  Several  Japanese  teachers 
were  now  added,  most  of  them  being  graduates  of  the  school.  Van  Schaick 
Hall — so  named  in  honor  of  Miss  Jane  C.  Van  Schaick,  of  Albany,  who 
had  contributed  largely  for  its  erection — was  opened  on  June  ist,  1889. 
This  building  comprises  a  chapel,  seating  300,  a  Principal's  office,  four 
Class  rooms,  a  reception  room,  Japanese  head-master's  office,  the  schooi- 
physician's  dispensary,  a  dormitory  of  20  rooms,  with  lavatories,  a 
spacious  dining  hall  and  kitchen,  and  a  recreation  hall. 

Japanese  teachers  and  patrons  contributed  about  $1,200*  in  connec- 
tion with  this  building.  Many  native  teachers  are  now  employed.  About 
700  pupils  have  been  in  attendance,  the  larger  number  of  whom  became 
Christians. 

Festivals.     See  Feast  Days. 

Field  Secretaries.  See  Domestic  Missions ;  Foreign  Missions ;  Evan- 
gelistic Work. 

Fifth  Professorship  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  First  suggested, 
1872,  436;  see  1882,  30,  130;  bequest  for,  1883,  z^j,  332-5;  established,  '84, 
522-3,  as  that  of  "Old  Testament  Languages  and  Exegesis." 

Figures  of  the  Law.    Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  25 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  19. 

Filial  Duties.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  104. 

Filial  Fear.     Canons,  i.  12;  v.  12. 

Filioque.    Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  11. 

Finance;  a  System  of,  recommended,  1824,  23. 

Finance;  Committee  of,  appointed;  1827,  7.     See  Accounts. 

Financial  Agents.  Often  appointed,  to  raise  money  for  special 
objects.     See  Schermerhorn ;  Dumont;  Cornell;  Zwemer,  etc. 

Fines.  In  the  Coetus,  if  any  member  spoke  out  of  his  turn,  he  must 
pay  two  pence ;  for  coming  in  late,  must  pay  six  pence ;  if  absent  from  a 
whole  session,  must  pay  a  shilling;  if  absent  from  the  whole  meeting,  must 
pay  six  shillings;  in  case  of  officers,  these  fines  were  doubled;  for  the  use 
of  abusive  language,  must  pay  not  less  than  two  pence,  nor  more  than  six 
shillings.     1748,  p.  xix. 


FIRST  LESSONS  IN  CHRISTIAN  TRUTH        287 

First  Lessons  in  Christian  Truth.  Committee  appointed  to  pre- 
pare. 1887,  321;  report,  '88,  574;  referred  back,  '88,  572-4;  second  report, 
'89,  802-7,  799,  giving  plan  of  the  work,  which  was  approved.  See  also 
1901,  1 121. 

First  Professorship — in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1784,  124-5,  styled 
"Prof,  of  Sacred  Theolog}'." 

Fisher,  George  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1849. 

Five  Articles  of  Calvinism,  The.  These  are  Predestination; 
Redemption,  through  the  Atonement  of  Christ;  the  Depravity  of  Alan; 
the  Necessity  of  his  Conversion  through  Divine  Grace  ;  and  Perserverance 
of  the  Saints.  It  is  these  points  which  are  elaborated  in  the  Canons  of 
the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19.  See  General  Statement,  at  the  Conclusion 
of  these  Canons. 

Flag  of  Holland.  In  1600,  three  horizontal  bars — orange,  white  and 
blue ;  in  1650,  orange,  red  and  blue. 

Flatbush  Academy — or  Erasmus  Hall.  Founded  by  Rev.  Dr.  John 
H.  Livingston  and  Senator  John  Vanderbilt.  £915  raised  for  the  erection 
of  a  building.  See  Laws  of  N.  Y.,  1786,  Ch.  54.  Chartered,  Nov.  20,  1787. 
Dr.  Livingston  located  his  Divinity  School  in,  1794,  260.  Dr.  Livingston 
was  the  first  Principal,  altho'  only  an  honorary  position.  Rev.  Dr.  Wm. 
H.  Campbell,  Principal,  1834-9. 

Flatbush  Church  Scholarship  for  Arcot;  $2,000,  held  by  General 
Synod,  1895,  51- 

Florence,  Italy.  American  Chapel  at;  Sept.,  1871,  10,  in  charge  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Ab.  Van  Nest. 

Fonda  Academy,  N.  Y.  Synod  will  not  receive  the  transfer  of, 
1847,  114,  179- 

Fonda,  Jesse.  (Rev.)  Called  from  Congregational  Church;  action 
on;  1809,  389,  390;   President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1823. 

Foreign  Churches.  Must  not  be  rejected  when  differing  in  non- 
essentials; see  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  85. 

Foreign  Ministers.  Constit.  of  1619,  Arts.  9;  of  1833,  Art.  24.  All 
reference  to  ministers  as  "Foreign  Ministers,"  eliminated  from  Constit.  of 
1874;  Art.  21.     See  Admission  of  Ministers. 

Foreign  ^Missions.  See  Provisions  for,  in  Constit.,  1874,  Art.  ^i, 
final  paragraph.  For  the  general  history  of,  see  'A  Century  of  Missions 
in  R.  C.  A.,"  1796-1896,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  N.  Cobb;  a  small  pamphlet  of 
20  pages;  also  Manual  of  R.  C.  A.  1902,  pp.  230-281.  The  first  references 
in  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod;  1816,  16,  17;  1817,  39,  where  the  Constitution 
of  the  First  Foreign  Missionare  Society  of  R.  D.  C.  is  given.  See  United 
Foreign  Alissionary  Society;  also  Scudder,  John.  In  1826,  61,  this 
United  Foreign  Miss.  Soc.  was  merged  in  the  American  Board;  which 
see.     1827,  75.     See  also  Abeel,  David;  and  1831,  381-3. 

In  Oct.,  1832,  138-140,  the  '"Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  R.  D. 
Church,"  was  formed,  but  it  operated  thro'  the  American  Board.  It  now 
assumed  the  support  of  Rev.  John  Scudder,  in  Ceylon,  and  Rev.  David 
Abeel  in  Java. 

The  interest  in  Foreign  Missions  now  rapidly  increased ;  '33,  162-3, 
188.  The  Particular  Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany  urged  the  matter 
on  Gen.  Synod,  1832,  57;  Synod's  action,  '2>^,  88-90;  First  annual  report  of 
the  Board.  '33,  221;  subsequent  reports;  '34,  326;  '35,  429;  '36,  519;  $2,106 
received  for  this  cause ;  relations  with  the  Am.  Board ;  references  to 
Scudder  and  Abeel;  reports  to  be  published  in  a  religious  paper;  $30  to 
constitute  an  honorary  member;  'zi,  230-4;  $3,905  reed,  for  this  cause;  Dr. 
Abeel  to  visit  Holland  in  reference  to  a  Mission  in  the  Dutch  East  Indies; 
1834,  I2(i,  329,  330;  the  Church  has  yet  but  two  missionaries  on  the  Foreign 


288  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

field;  action  of  Synod,  1835,  432-5,  439;  '36,  450-2,  472,  492,  519,  522-8.  See 
Borneo  Mission;  Amoy  Mission;  Arcot  Mission. 

Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  our  Board  be  requested 
to  present  the  claims  of  the  foreign  held  to  the  students  of  our  Seminary 
as  often  during  each  year  as  he  may  find  it  convenient.     1857,  225. 

Independent  action  proposed;  1856,  114;  an  Independent  Board  estab- 
lished ;  '57,  227-236 ;  courteous  resolutions  in  reference  to  relations  with  the 
American  Board;  235-6;  Synod  approves  the  Constitution  and  Rules  of 
Business  adopted  by  the  Board,  Oct.,  '57.  263 ;  as  follows : 

CONSTITUTION 

OF    THE 

BOARD    OF   FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 
Approved  by  the  General  Synod,  October,  1857. 

W'lTU 

RULES    OF   BUSINESS. 

PREAMBLE. 

Whereas  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  Divine  Head  of  the  Church, 
has  enjoined  on  all  His  people  the  duty  of  giving  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature ;  and.  Whereas  the  condition  of  all  men  without  the  Gospel  is  one 
of  exposure  to  eternal  death,  as  well  as  of  present  suffering  and  sorrow — 
Therefore,  under  the  conviction  of  duty,  and  with  earnest  desire  for  the 
best  interests  of  our  fellow-men  here  and  hereafter — the  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  acknowledging  with  gratitude  what  God  has 
been  pleased  to  accomplish  by  the  Church,  deems  it  important  in  entering 
on  a  distinct  and  separate  management  and  support  of  Foreign  Missions, 
to  remodel  its  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  with  a  view  to  greater  effi- 
ciency and  a  more  faithful  conformity  to  the  Divine  requirement,  and 
adopts  the  following,  viz. : 

CONSTITUTION. 

Art.  I.  The  management  and  control  of  the  Foreign  Missions  of  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  as  well  as  the  institution  of  new 
Missions,  and  the  appointment  of  missionaries,  shall  be  committed  to  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  subject  to  the  revision  and  instruction  of 
the  General  Synod. 

Art.  2.  This  Board  shall  not  be  restricted  in  the  sending  of  mission- 
aries to  any  part  of  the  world,  or  to  any  class  of  persons  who  are  without 
a  pure  Gospel,  when  Divine  Providence  opens  the  way  to  them,  and  the 
men  and  means  are  furnished. 

Art.  3.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  consist  of  twenty-seven 
members  (of  whom  one-third  shall  be  chosen  at  each  meeting  of  the 
General  Synod),  with  the  Corresponding  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who 
shall  be  ex-oHicio  members. 

Art.  4.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  hold  its  first  meeting 
each  year  as  soon  as  practicable  after  the  meeting  of  the  General  Synod, 
at  which  the  officers  for  the  year  shall  be  chosen. 

Art.  5.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  have  authority  to 
employ  ordained  Ministers  and  Licentiates,  the  wife  of  each  of  whom 
shall  be  regarded  as  an  Assistant  Missionary;  Physicians,  Colporteurs, 
Printers,  unmarried  Female  Teachers,  all  to  be  at  the  time  of  appoint- 
ment members  in  communion  with  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church, 
or,  having  taken  the  measures  necessary  to  become  such — (but  in  cases  of 
necessity,  the  Board  shall  have  discretionary  powers  in  regard  to  appointees 
for  work)t — and  all  proper  agencies  for  raising  means  in  our  churches 
for  the  support  of  the  Missions,  and  the  use  of  the  Press,  both  at  home 
and  abroad. 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS  289 

Art.  6.  Any  person  by  the  contribution  of  Fifty  Dollars  at  one  time 
may  become  a  member  for  life  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  shall 
have  the  privilege  of  meeting  with  the  Board,  and  participating  in  its 
deliberations,   without   being  entitled   to   vote. 

Art.  7.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  submit  to  the  General 
Synod,  at  each  annual  meeting,  a  faithful  report  of  its  acts,  with  the 
annual  account  of  the  Treasurer,  properly  audited,  and  submit  for  approval 
such  plans  and  measures  as  may  require  the  specific  attention  of  the 
General  Synod.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  be  present  at  each 
meeting  of  the  Synod,  to  make  such  explanations  as  may  be  called  for. 

Art.  8.  It  shall  be  the  steady  aim  of  the  Board  oif  Foreign  Missions 
to  secure  as  early  as  may  be  wise  the  organization  by  the  Missionaries  of 
Churches,  Classes,  and  other  Church  Courts,  according  to  the  order  of 
the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church. 

Art.  g.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  shall  meet  at  least  quarterly, 
at  such  hour  and  place  as  it  may  itself  agree  on,  and  when  convened,  seven 
members  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

Art.  10.  The  Board  shall  have  power  to  fill  vacancies  which  may 
occur  in  the  progress  of  the  year — the  person  chosen  to  hold  such  place 
until  the  meeting  of  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  II.  Extra  meetings  of  the  Board  may  be  called  on  the  vote  of 
the  Executive  Committee,  or  the  written  request  of  any  three  members. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Prot- 
estant Dutch  Church  be,  and  hereby  is  authorized  to  apply  to  the  Legis- 
lature of  this  (New  York)  State  for  an  act  of  incorporation  under  the 
above  title.     1859,  458. 

ACT   OF   INCORPORATION. 

An  Act  to  Incorporate  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Reformed 

Protestant  Dutch  Church. 

Passed,  April  7,  i860. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows  : 

Sec.  I.  William  B.  Cro.sby,  Thos.  De  Witt,  Jeremiah  S.  Lord,  Wm. 
W.  Halloway,  Sanford  Cobb,  Jr.,  Alexander  R.  Thompson,  D.  McL. 
Quackenbush,  Ab'm  J.  Beekman,  Ezra  A.  Hayt,  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  John 
T.  Moore,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  E.  P.  Rogers,  Isaac  Ferris,  Abram  B. 
Preston,  Thos.  M.  Strong,  J.  J.  Johnson,  D.  D.  Demarest,  citizens  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  such  others  as  they  may  associate  with  them- 
selves, are  hereby  constituted  a  body  corporate  and  politic  forever,  by  the 
name  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  and  conducting  Christian  missions 
among  the  unevangelized  or  pagan  nations,  and  the  general  diffusion  of 
Christianity;  and  by  that  name  they  and  their  successors  and  associates 
shall  be  capable  of  taking  by  purchase,  grant,  devise  or  otherwise,  holding, 
conveying  or  otherwise  disposing  of  any  real  or  personal  estate  for  the 
purposes  of  the  said  Corporation.  But  which  estate,  within  this  State, 
shall  not,  at  any  time,  exceed  the  annual  income  of  twenty  thousand 
dollars. 

Sec.  2.  The  said  Corporation  shall  possess  the  general  powers,  rights 
and  privileges,  and  be  subject  to  the  liabilities  and  provisions  contained  in 
the  eighteenth  chapter  of  the  first  part  of  the  Revised  Statutes,  so  far  as 
the  same  are  applicable. 

Sec.  3.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 

change  of  name. 
Chap.  217. 
An  Act  to  change  the  name  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 


290         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  to  "Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America." 

Passed  April  13,  1873. 
The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in   Senate  and 

Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows  : 
Sec.  I.     The  corporate  name  of  the  association  incorporated  as  the  Board 

of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  by  an 

act  passed  on  the  seventh  day  of  April,  one  thousand  eight  hundred 

and  sixty,  is  hereby  changed  to  the  "Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the 

Reformed  Church  in  America." 
Sec.  2.     Nothing  contained   in  this   act   shall   be   held   in  any   manner   to 

affect  any  of  the  rights,  powers  or  liabilities  of  the  association  as  now 

incorporated,  nor  any  existing  suits. 

Sec.  3.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 

State  of  New  York,  ) 

Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State.  ) 

I  have  compared  the  preceding  with  the  original  law  on  file  in  this 
office,  and  do  hereby  certify  that  the  same  is  a  correct  transcript  there- 
from and  of  the  whole  of  said  original  law. 

G.    HILTON    SCRIBNER, 

Secretary  of  State. 

See  Japan  Mission;  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

Request  of  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  to  amend  certain  of  its  Rules 
in  accordance  with  the  (supposed)  meaning  of  a  certain  Law — "But  no 
officer  or  person  receiving  a  salary  or  emolument,  directly  or  indirectly, 
from  the  Treasury  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Board."  Granted;  1872, 
487-8.  But  this  was  subsequently  found  to  refer  only  to  Charitable  Insti- 
tutions, while  the  Boards  of  the  Church  did  not  come  under  this  designa- 
tion. Hence  the  action  of  1872  was  repealed.  1875,  246-7. 
tion.  Hence  the  action  of  1872  was  repealed.  1875,  246-7.  See  1895, 
below. 

Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  be  authorized  to  arrange  for  a  Jubilee  Conference,  to  be  held 
at  such  time  and  place  as  they  may  select,  for  the  purpose  of  reverently 
and  gratefully  acknowledging  the  divine  favor  in  the  history  of  our 
Foreign  Mission  work  during  the  past  fifty  years. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod,  recognizing  with  gratitude  the 
blessing  of  God  in  the  expansion  of  the  work  on  the  foreign  field,  would 
hereby  authorize  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  to  expend  the  sum  of 
$70,000  during  the  current  year  on  the  missions  under  the  care  of  the 
Board.     1881,  768. 

This  year  the  Board  has  attained  its  semi-centennial  anniversary,  and 
completed  a  quarter  century  of  separate  and  independent  existence.  For 
this  we  should  render  humble  and  devout  gratitude  to  God,  through  whose 
grace  and  benediction  our  beloved  Church  has  been  permitted  and  enabled 
to  do  so  much  in  spreading  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ  in  lands  overshadowed  by  the  darkness  of  heathenism. 

In  the  year  1832,  when  our  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  was  organized, 
the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church  had  but  two  missionaries  in  the  foreign 
field.  The  Rev.  David  Abecl  was  laboring  in  China,  and  Dr.  John  Scudder, 
in  India.  Both  these  brethren,  though  members  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  were  laboring  under  the  direction  of  the  American  Board.  We 
had  then  not  a  single  missionary  station,  no  native  churches,  no  schools, 
no  converts. 

At  the  present  time  we  have  in  foreign  lands  9  missionary  stations, 
loi  outstations,  16  missionaries,  24  assistant  missionaries,  13  native  min- 
isters, 39  catechists  or  preachers,  37  churches,  with  2,625  communicants,  5 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS  291 

academies,  90  day  schools,  with  2,210  scholars,  and  14  theological  students. 
During  the  year' the  contributions  of  the  native  churches  have  amounted 
to  $3,233-     1882,  136. 

3.  Resolved,  That  Pastors  and  Churches  be  recommended  to  make 
one  Prayer  Meeting  of  each  month,  where  it  has  not  been  observed,  a 
Monthly  Concert  of  Prayer  for  the  extension  of  Christ's  Kingdom,  at 
which  missionary  intelligence  shall  be  communicated,  the  interest  of  the 
people  awakened  in  the  work  of  Missions  at  home  and  abroad,  and  an 
offering  made  to  the  Lord  to  carry  on  the  work  of  spreading  the  knowl- 
edge of  His  truth  throughout  the  world.     1882,   141. 

CO-OPERATION    IN   FOREIGN    MISSIONS.       1886. 

Concerning  the  most  important  feature  of  the  Supplementary  Report 
which  is  the  great  question  of  ''Co-operation  in  Foreign  Missions,"  we 
beg  leave  to  submit  as  the  mind  of  the  Committee,  which  is  nearly  unani- 
mous, the  subject-matter  of  the  action  of  our  Board. 

Early  in  the  year  1885  the  Board  received  a  communication  from  the 
American  section  of  the  Committee  on  Co-operation  in  Foreign  Missions, 
appointed  by  the  Council  of  the  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches  which 
met  in  Belfast  in  June  and  July,  1884.  This  letter  sought  an  expression 
of  the  views  entertained  by  the  Board  upon  certain  specific  aspects  of 
the  subject  therein  presented.  To  a  communication  from  such  a  source, 
and  on  a  subject  of  so  great  importance,  the  Board  deemed  it  only  proper 
that  a  carefully  considered  response  should  be  sent.  The  reply  of  the 
Board  was  adopted  and  sent  to  the  Committee  of  the  Council  in  February, 
1886,  and  is  herewith  presented  for  the  information,  and  submitted  to  the 
judgment  of  the  Sj^nod.    It  is  as  follows : 

To   the  Revs.   E.   Kempshall,   D.D.,   Chairman,    W.   J.   R.    Taylor,   D.D., 
Secretary,  and  others  of  the  Committee: 

Dear  Brethren : 

The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America, 
gratefully  acknowledge  and  cordially  reciprocate  "the  Christian  and 
fraternal  greetings  of  the  Council"  of  the  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches, 
which  met  at  Belfast,  Ireland,  in  June  and  July,  1884,  as  presented  by  the 
American  section  of  its  Committee  on  Co-operation  in  Foreign  Missions, 
in  their  circular  letter  of  June,  1885. 

They  rejoice  in  the  assurance  that  the  proceedings  of  the  Council 
"developed  a  very  strong  drift,  and  unanimous  desire  for  larger  and  more 
energetic  practical  union  and  co-operation  in  the  conduct  of  Foreign 
Missionary  work"  by  all  the  branches  of  the  Church  there  represented; 
and  they  cheerfully  comply  with  the  request  of  the  Committee  to  present 
their  own  conclusions  on  the  important  topics  submitted  for  their 
consideration. 

I.  Of  Co-operation: — Of  "the  urgent  need  of  friendly  co-operation 
by  the  Foreign  Missionary  Boards  of  all  the  Churches  represented  in  the 
Alliance,"  this  Board  does  not  entertain  a  doubt.  To  this  principle  it  is 
already  committed  by  its  own  action.  With  the  full  approval  of  the 
Board,  and  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church,  whose  agent 
and  representative  it  is,  our  Missionaries  in  China  and  Japan  have,  for 
years,  been  closely  associated  and  co-operating  with  those  of  kindred 
Churches  in  Missionar\'  work.  From  this  association,  we  believe,  no 
evil  has  resulted,  but  much  good  every  way.  Had  the  principle  been 
recognized  and  operative  everywhere,  much  painful  rivalry  and  contention 
might  have  been  avoided  in  one,  at  least,  of  the  stations  now  occupied 
by  our  Missionaries,  between  those  of  different  branches  of  the  same 
family.  To  prevent  such  rivalries  and  competitions  in  the  future,  so  far 
as  possible,  is  most  important.  They  cannot  but  be  injurious  to  those 
who  engage  in  or  are  immediately  affected  by  them.  They  must  appear 
indefensible  and  disgraceful  in  the  eyes  of  the  native  Christians  and  even 


292         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

of  intelligent  heathen.  Nor  can  the  Church  of  Christ  afford  the  loss 
occasioned  by  them  to  the  general  cause  of  Gospel  propagation  to  which 
it  is  commissioned  and  committed.  The  field  is  wide  enough  for  all, 
without  the  necessity  of,  or  excuse  for,  trespass  upon  the  portion  properly 
occupied  by  any.  The  number  of  missionaries  that  can  be  obtained  and 
sent  forth  to  occupy  it,  is  far  too  small  to  make  it  right  or  wise  for  one 
to  tread  upon  the  heels  of  another. 

Such  co-operation  is  attended  with  special  advantages  in  the  support 
and  conduct  of  the  more  extensive  and  costly  enterprise  connected  with 
the  Missionary  work,  in  fields  where  different  branches  of  the  Church  are 
laboring  side  by  side,  as,  for  example,  in  the  Christian  College  and  the 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  Tokyo,  Japan,  and  the  Middle  and  Theo- 
logical Schools  at  Amoy  in  China. 

Not  less  important  is  the  added  strength  that  must  come  to  those  at 
work  in  separate,  but  contiguous  fields,  and  with  interests  hitherto  some- 
what divided,  from  the  sense  of  association,  combination,  mutual  relief 
and  support,  union  of  effort  for  one  definite  result.  Nor  less,  the  oppor- 
tunity that  such  co-operation  will  afford,  for  the  distribution,  by  mutual 
arrangement  and  agreement,  of  the  different  fields,  in  such  a  way  as  to 
secure  the  most  general,  speedy  and  effective  evanglization  of  the  nations 
with  the  most  economical  use  of  the  men  and  means  supplied  by  the 
Churches. 

2.  Of  One  Native  Church: — The  establishment  of  "one  united  eccle- 
siastical organization,  in  each  Mission  field,  of  the  family  of  Reformed 
Churches  holding  the  Presbj^terian  system,"'  is  also  an  object  to  which  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America  stands  fully  committed.  So  long  ago  as 
1875,  in  adopting  a  plan  of  co-operation  with  the  American  Presbyterian 
Church  (South),  the  General  Synod  made  use  of  the  language  following: 
'And  this  agreement  is  made  not  only  for  the  purpose  of  expressing,  as 
it  does,  the  confidence  which  these  two  American  Churches  have  in  each 
other,  but  chiefly  with  the  view  of  contributing  to  the  establishment,  in 
each  Mission  country,  of  a  national  Church  that  shall  grow  from  its  own 
root."  So  long  ago  did  this  branch  of  the  Reformed  Church  openly 
avow  its  desire  for  that  consummation  which  it  is  the  object  of  this 
present  effort  to  secure. 

We  have  no  desire  to  see  the  multitudinous  divisions  of  the  Reformed 
family  established  and  perpetuated  in  countries  now  heathen,  but  one 
day  to  become  Christian.  On  the  contrary,  we  would  view  the  possibility 
of  such  a  result  with  profound  regret  and  apprehension,  as  a  crime 
against  the  Churches  and  believers  in  those  lands  and  a  sin  against  God. 
On  one  point,  only,  have  we  hesitation.  It  is  no  doubt  true  that  a 
special  interest  attaches  to  the  possession  of  a  distinct  field  of  Missionary 
operations,  of  which  the  results,  in  churches,  ministers,  communicants, 
etc.,  may  be  reported,  and  to  which  the  Church  at  home  may  point,  and 
be  pointed,  as  her  own.  And  so  far  as  this  element  of  influence  can  be 
retained  consistently  with  the  position  expressed  above,  we  deem  it 
important,  and  to  be  carefully  guarded  and  preserved.  But  we  take  that 
position  in  the  full  expectation  that  the  establishment  of  a  single  national 
Church  cannot  be  attained  without  some  sacrifice  of  merely  denomina- 
tional interest,  but  also  in  the  sure  conviction  that  the  opposite  principle 
cannot  be  adopted  and  acted  out,  without  a  sacrifice  of  far  greater 
moment — of  the  interests  and  prospects  of  the  Church  in  Mission  countries 
— and  so  wounding  and  crippling  the  body  of  Christ. 

If,  as  in  Japan,  it  should  become  impossible,  in  the  progress  of  the 
work,  to  distinguish  the  churches  properly  dependent  on,  or  under  the 
care  of,  the  four  or  five  Missions  and  churches  already  united  in  building 
up  the  union  "Church  of  Christ  in  Japan,"  by  means  of  closeness  of 
association,  frequent  interchanges  of  Ministers,  etc.,  we  could  hardly 
view  such  a  result  without  some  regret.     Far  more  to  be  regretted,  how- 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS  293 

ever,  would  be  the  establishment  of  four  or  five,  or  more,  distinct  Presby- 
terian or  Reformed  Churches,  distinct  in  little  else  than  name,  in  place  of 
the  one,  united,  flourishing  Church,  now  numbering,  after  only  thirteen 
years  of  labor,  five  Presbyteries  or  Classes,  forty-five  churches  and  more 
than  4,000  members,  with  a  newly  organized  Board  of  Missions  of  its 
own.  In  such  results  all  Christendom  may  well  rejoice.  On  such  an 
enterprise,  we  believe,  rests  and  will  ever  rest  the  special  blessing  of  Him 
whose  prayer  for  His  disciples  was,  "that  they  may  be  one." 

To  "the  best  way  to  accomplish  this  result,'*  experience  seems  to 
point.  The  plan  of  union,  in  Japan,  originated  with  the  missionaries 
there  laboring,  and  was  accepted  and  approved  by  the  proper  authorities 
in  the  Home  Churches.  It  is  not  easy  to  see  why  the  Missionaries  of  the 
Reformed  family  in  China  or  India  might  not,  with  equal  propriety,  take 
similar  steps,  subject  to  hke  approval  by  the  Churches  that  sent  them 
forth.  If  the  Assemblies  or  Synods  that  have  not  already  done  so,  should 
deem  it  wise  to  formally  adopt  this  principle,  and  suggest  corresponding 
action  to  their  Missionaries,  the  day  of  its  attainment  might  be  hastened. 
We  believe  it  cannot  come  too  soon. 

3.  Of  self-support  and  self-government: — In  a  broad  sense,  the 
organization  of  such  a  Church  in  every  Mission  country  where  it  is 
practicable,  and  the  incorporation  into  it  of  all  Churches  of  like  faith  and 
order,  would,  perhaps,  be  found  one  of  the  most  effective  means  for 
promoting  self-support,  self-extension  and  self-government  among  those 
who  compose  it.  It  immediately  becomes  their  Church.  They  have  a 
new  motive  to  labor  for  its  support  and  extension,  a  new  and  increased 
degree  of  responsibility  for  its  order  and  government. 

It  is  the  view  of  this  Board,  in  which  we  believe  all  our  Missionaries 
are  agreed,  that  responsibility  should  be  thrown  upon  the  native  churches, 
both  for  government  and  maintenance,  as  early  and  as  far  as  possible. 
We  believe  that  actual  participation  in  government  is  the  best  training 
for  self-government,  and  that  such  participation  should  go  hand  in  hand 
with  some  corresponding  measure  of  self-support.  It  is  not  unworthy  of 
question,  whether,  in  countries  where  the  mass  of  the  native  Christians 
are  in  great  ignorance  and  deep  poverty,  the  organization  of  local  churches 
may  not  sometimes  be  delayed  longer  than  is  wise,  through  a  creditable 
but  mistaken  reluctance  to  put  responsibility  on  those  who  seem  every 
way  unfit  for  it,  or  to  seek  contributions  toward  self-support  from  those 
who  seem  to  have  nothing  to  give ;  but  who,  yet,  have  always  borne, 
before  their  conversion,  the  not  inconsiderable  burdens  of  their  idol 
worship. 

The  special  methods  by  which  the  spirit  of  manly  independence  can  be 
best  developed,  in  the  members  of  Native  Mission  churches,  would 
probably  vary  as  much,  according  to  local,  temporary  or  national  pecu- 
liarities, as  they  do  among  the  Home  churches.  We  are  content  to  leave 
them  largely,  if  not  entirely  to  the  discretion  of  those  in  the  field.  The 
experience  of  some  of  our  Missions  and  of  other  IMissions  also,  suggests 
the  inquiry,  however,  whether  much  might  not  be  accomplished  by  associa- 
tion of  intelligent  natives  in  the  management  of  the  secular  affairs  of  the 
Mission,  without  loosing  or  resigning  that  final  control  of  expenditures 
which  must  remain  in  the  hands  of  those  who  represent  the  Churches 
contributing  the  funds.  In  the  same  line  is  the  management  and  disburse- 
ment of  moneys  contributed  by  the  native  churches  themselves,  which 
should,  of  course,  be  chiefly  if  not  entirely,  in  the  hands  of  their  own 
representatives.  The  establishment  of  Funds  or  Associations  for  pastoral 
support,  ministerial  relief  and  of  Mission  Societies  or  Boards  has  served 
a  useful  purpose,  and  might  be  made  more  general  and  serviceable 
than   it   is. 

Too  great  importance  in  this  connection  can  hardly  be  attached  to  the 
raising   up   and   training   of   men    of    intelligence,    piety    and    independent 


294        DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

spirit,  fitted  to  be  leaders,  as  pastors  and  teachers,  of  the  people,  or  to 
the  provision  of  means  by  which  such  training  can  be  supplied. 

4.  Of  the  Relation  of  Native  to  Home  Churches: — It  would  seem  to 
follow  directly  from  what  has  been  already  said,  that,  in  our  view,  the 
relation  between  the  Native  Churches  and  the  Churches  at  home,  should 
be  "voluntary  and  temporary,"  and  should  exist  "only  so  long  as  may 
be  required  by  the  infancy  and  growth  of  the  Native  Churches,"  and 
"until  they  can  stand  alone  and  take  care  of  themselves."  We  believe 
that  any  other  policy  would  be  preventive  of  the  object  professedly 
sought  under  Article  3,  and  would  therefore  be  mistaken  and  injurious 
and  might  easily  become  oppressive  to  the  Native  Churches.  Questions 
must  frequently  arise  on  which,  because  of  distance  and  lack  of  informa- 
tion, or  of  sympathy  with  native  feelings  and  modes  of  thought  and  life, 
the  Home  Churches  would  not  be  in  a  position  to  reach  wise  conclusions 
and  pronounce  equitable  judgment.  With  the  best  intentions,  grave 
mistakes  would  be  likely  to  be  made.  In  cases  of  discipline  and  appeal, 
the  Native  Churches  would  be  practically  cut  off  from  access  to  any  higher 
Court,  possessed  of  proper  authority  to  revise  and  reverse  or  confirm  the 
decisions  of  the  local  Session  or  Consistory  and  the  Presbytery  or 
Classis. 

The  difficulties  attending  such  appeal,  on  the  part  of  an  aggrieved 
Church  or  Church  member  can  hardly  be  exaggerated.  They  would  be 
such  as  virtually  to  make  the  exercise  of  the  right  impossible.  The 
early  history  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  the  contentions 
that  arose  and  rent  the  air  about  this  very  subject  of  dependence  upon  the 
authority  and  decisions  of  a  foreign  ecclesiastical  body,  afford  us  an 
abundant  and  emphatic  warning  against  the  effort  to  exercise  and  per- 
petuate  such   control   over    Churches    in   their    turn    foreign    to    us. 

It  is  indeed  true  that  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  in  India,  is  in  close 
ecclesiastical  connection  with  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  and  so 
with  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church.  Yet,  should  the  prin- 
ciples avowed  in  this  paper  be  accepted,  and  a  united  Presbyterian  or 
Reformed  Church  be  organized  in  India,  we  do  not  anticipat'e  any  great 
difficulty  in  its  transfer  to  and  union  with  such  a  body.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  however,  no  questions  have  yet  arisen  to  bring  the  difficulties  above 
mentioned  into  prominent  view. 

5.  Of  Ecclesiastical  Relations  of  Missionaries: — In  theory  our  Mis- 
sionaries are  all  regarded  and  commissioned  as  Apostolic  Evangelists. 
Nor  does  their  practice  really  conflict  with  this  theory.  Some  of  them 
have  acted,  and  still  act,  as  pastors  of  local  churches.  But  this  relation 
is  recognized  as  temporary  and  not  permanent.  They  are  not  called 
by  the  churches  they  thus  serve,  nor  installed  over  them.  Nor  do  they 
at  all  derive  their  support  from  them,  relying  for  that  entirely  upon 
the  funds  of  the  Home  Church.  They  confessedly  discharge  the  duties 
of  their  office  only  until  such  time  as  it  may  be  possible  to  ordain  native 
pastors  over  all  the  churches.  At  the  same  time  they  exercise  a  sort  of 
Apostolic  supervision  and  care  over  the  other  churches,  besides  perform- 
ing such  Evangelistic  labor  among  the  heathen  as  they  have  time  and 
strength  for.  It  would  be,  to  them,  a  great  relief  if  the  care  of  all  the 
local  churches  could  be  speedily  committed  to  faithful  men,  natives, 
worthy  to  assume  the  position  and  responsibilities  of  the  pastoral  office. 

In  regard  to  the  other  branch  of  this  question,  the  relation  of  the 
Missionaries  to  the  Native  Ecclesiastical  bodies,  Presbyteries  or  Classes 
and  Synods,  we  have  no  experience  or  information  which  enables  us  to 
arrive  at  a  definite  conclusion.  It  is  believed  that  our  Missionaries 
generally,  with  the  possible  exception  of  those  in  Japan,  (of  whose 
opinions  on  this  point  we  are  not  advised,)  would  decidedly  deprecate  the 
formation,  at  present,  of  Ecclesiastical  bodies  composed  exclusively  of 
Ministers  and  Elders  of  the  Native  Churches.     They  are  all  members  ot 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS  295 

the  bodies  existing  in  the  fields  they  occupy,  and  on  an  equality  with  the 
Native  Ministers,  with  some  limitations  as  regards  the  power  and  exercise 
of  discipline,  however,  in  Japan.  In  view  of  the  benefits  resulting  from 
such  intimate  association,  the  influence  they  are  able  to  exert  and  the 
help  they  afford  in  training  the  Native  brethren  in  the  administration 
of  ecclesiastical  affairs,  they  would  no  doubt  be  reluctant  to  withdraw  at 
once  from  such  relations. 

On  the  other  hand,  they  are  also  members  of  the  appropriate  bodies  in 
the  Church  at  home.  Both  they  and  the  Church  would,  doubtless,  consider 
the  propriety  of  severing  this  relation  as  open  to  very  grave  question,  so 
long,  at  all  events,  as  they  were  supported  by  the  Home  Church  and  its 
Board  of  Missions.  We  are  perfectly  ready  to  admit  that  this  dual 
relation  is  anomalous  and,  from  the  necessities  of  the  case,  must  be 
temporary.  We  are  not  therefore  prepared  to  admit  that  it  is  inadmissable 
or  unjustifiable,  and  we  submit  the  question  whether  is  is  necessary  to 
force  a  conclusion  at  once.  The  Native  Churches,  whenever  organized, 
must  still  be,  for  a  longer  or  shorter  period,  under  pupilage  to  the 
Churches  and  Missionaries  to  whose  instrumentality,  under  God,  they 
owe  their  existence.  May  there  not,  then,  be  found  a  practical  place 
and  justification  for  a  condition  of  things  which  all  would  acknowledge 
to  be  inconsistent,  theoretically,  with  the  idea  of  an  independent,  self- 
supporting,  self-governed  Church  ?  When  such  a  Church  is  made  real, 
in  any  country,  doubtless  this  question  will  have  been  decided  by  the 
logic  of  events.  May  it  not  be  safely  left  to  that  decision,  and  to  the 
godly  wisdom  and  discretion  of  the  brethren  in  the  field? 

6.  Of  Conferences  with  Other  Boards  and  Churches: — The  statement 
of  the  sixth  Point  or  Article,  seems  to  leave  it  in  doubt  whether  public 
Conferences  be  referred  to,  on  Missionary  subjects,  in  which  representa- 
tives of  all  Missionary  Boards  or  Societies  may  be  brought  together,  and 
topics  of  common  interest  presented  and  discussed,  or  rather  to  more 
private  Conference  and  correspondence,  whether  regular  and  formal,  or 
informal  and  occasional,  with  such  Societies  and  Boards.  In  either  view, 
this  Board  deem  such  friendly  Conference  not  only  expedient,  but  most 
important  and  desirable ;  promising  good  results  at  once,  and  laying 
foundation  for  the  larger  hope,  of  practical  union  and  co-operation  among 
all  Missionary  Boards  and  Societies  of  our  Protestant  Christianity,  to 
which  union  and  co-operation  among  the  Reformed  Churches,  we  hope, 
may  prove  a  stepping  stone. 

The  success  and  practical  value  of  such  public  Conferences  as  those 
held  in  Liverpool  in  i860,  at  Mildmay  Park,  London,  in  1878,  and  of 
the  Inter-Seminary  Missionary  Alliance  of  the  United  States,  held  annually 
for  the  last  five  years,  are  beyond  question ;  as,  also,  of  similar  Confer- 
ences in  Mission  fields,  at  Shanghai  in  1877,  Calcutta  in  1882,  and  Osaka 
in  1883. 

It  is  within  our  knowledge  and  experience  that  private  Conference,  of 
the  kind  referred  to  above,  has  resulted  in  benefits  sometimes  the  greatest 
when  least  expected. 

In  conclusion.  Dear  Brethren,  we  would  implore  for  your  Committee, 
as  well  as  for  the  ultimate  deliberations  of  the  General  Council  on  matters 
of  such  grave  importance,  the  very  special  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
the  Spirit  of  counsel,  of  wisdom  and  of  understanding;  and  we  remain, 
in  the  Bonds  of  the  Lord  Jesus  and  His  service.  On  behalf  of  the  Board> 
Yours  very  sincerely,  C.    L.    WELLS, 

[Signed]    JOHN    M.    FERRIS, 
HENRY    N.    COBB. 

Approved  and  ordered  to  be  forwarded ; 
New  York,  February  10,  1886.  Wm.  H.  Steele,     President. 

Henry  N.  Cobb, 

Corresponding  Secretary, 


296  .      DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Action  of  Synod  on  the  Proposed  Plan. 
Your  Committee  would  propose  the  following  resolution  : 
Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  approves  the  stand  taken  by  its  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  in 
their  paper  submitted  for  its  judgment  on  the  important  subjects  of 
Union  and  Co-operation  in  Foreign  Missions ;  of  self-support  and  self- 
government  in  the  native  churches  established ;  and  of  co-operation 
between  Home  Boards  of  different  churches  in  the  selection  and  occupancy 
of  contiguous  fields  in  Foreign  Lands ;  and  that  the  General  Synod  will 
be  prepared  to  take  the  necessary  legislation  to  give  effect  to  the  views 
of  the  Board  as  occasion  shall  arise. 

[Signed]  W.    R.    DAVIS,  Chairman. 

J.    CHAMBERLAIN, 
GEO.    S.    BISHOP, 
WILLIAM    H.    JACKSON, 
W.    C.    BAILEY,    M.D. 

1886,  94-100. 
In  1888  the  two  Boards  of  Missions  sent  a  Memorial  to  the  Synod, 
setting  forth  that  the  missionary  operations  of  the  Church,  both  at  home 
and  abroad,  should  receive  distinct  recognition  in  the  organic  law  of  the 
Church.  A  draft  of  such  an  addition  to  the  Constitution  was  presented, 
and  sent  down  to  the  Classes  for  action.  1888,  609.  Strange  to  say,  only 
9  Classes  voted  for  it,  and  15  against  it.  1889,  830.  But  see  below  under 
1900-1. 

Your  Committee,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Board,  calls  attention  to 
the  desirability  of  a  change,  which  is  hereby  recommended,  as  to  the 
time  of  hearing  the  Report  on  Foreign  Missions,  from  Tuesday  morning 
to  the  first  order  of  business  of  Monday  afternoon.  Two  weighty  reasons 
for  this  proposed  change,  are: 

1.  That  for  the  sake  of  the  effectiveness  of  and  the  cumulative 
impression  made  by  the  Report,  discussion  and  accompanying  addresses, 
the  entire  consideration  of  this  important  business  should  be  -disposed  of 
on  the  same  day. 

2.  That  the  ladies,  whose  meeting  in  behalf  of  the  same  work  takes 
place  on  Tuesday  morning,  may  have  the  coveted  opportunity  to  attend 
the  session  of  this  Synod  devoted  to  Foreign  Missions.     1894,  106-111. 

The  Board  requested  that  the  words  in  Art.  3,  of  its  Constitution, 
*'With  the  Corresponding  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who  shall  be  ex-oMcio 
members,"  be  stricken  out,  as  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  This  was  done.  1895,  in.  [But  see  action  of  1872,  and  1875, 
above.] 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  are  hereby  directed  to 
seriously  consider  the  desirability  of  adopting  more  effective  means,  by 
which  they  shall  come  into  closer  touch  with  the  families  in  all  our 
churches,  imparting  to  each  one  full  information  as  to  the  Foreign 
^Mission  work  of  our  church.     1896,  392-5. 

The  action  of  the  Board  was  commended  in  reference  to  the  extension 
of  missionary  interest  in  Sunday-schools  and  Young  People's  Societies, 
by  means  of  a  monthly  paper ;  and  approves  the  action  of  the  two  Boards 
of  Missions  in  the  appointment  of  Rev.  A.  De  Witt  Mason,  as  their 
representative,  for  the  development  of  the  work  among  the  Young  People 
of  the  Church.     (See  pp.  xxi.,  xxii.  of  Report  of  Board,  1896).     1896.  391. 

The  Foreign  work  has  greatly  grown.  We  have  now  (1899)  86 
missionaries  on  the  field,  448  native  ministers  and  assistants,  42  native 
churches,  4,458  communicants,  23  seminaries  and  boarding-schools  with 
1,100  students,  177  day  schools  with  6,200  scholars,  215  Sunday-schools 
with  6,550  children  in  them,  and  6  hospitals  and  dispensaries  where,  in 
1898-9,  31,000  were  treated.     1899,  439. 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS  297 

The  Results:  Contributions  $105,000,  of  which  $10,000  came  from  one 
man.  Interest  and  legacies  increased  this  to  $112,000.  Expenditures,  (not 
including  the  Arabian  Mission),  $121,000.     1899,  440. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  in  1900,  say,  in  reference 
to  these  operations  : 

1 796- 1 850. 

In  the  field  of  Foreign  Missions,  the  development  was  as  follows: 
During  the  first  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century,  individuals  of  the 
Dutch,  the  Presbyterian  and  the  Baptist  Churches,  raised  from  $1,000  to 
$1,500  annually,  chiefly  for  work  among  the  American  Indians,  although 
small  sums  were  occasionally  sent  to  some  of  the  English  Foreign  Mission 
Societies.  Our  own  Synod  took  no  separate  official  action  on  the  subject 
of  Foreign  Missions  until  1816.  During  the  next  ten  years,  1816-26,  the 
Dutch  and  Presbyterian  Churches  formed  "The  United  Missionary 
Society,"  which  in  1826  was  merged  into  the  American  Board.  In  1832, 
however,  the  Dutch  Church,  while  maintaining  its  connection  with  the 
American  Board,  for  the  benefit  of  that  Board's  experience,  was  allowed 
to  manage  its  own  missions  according  to  its  own  ecclesiastical  polity. 
In  1832,  the  contributions  of  the  Dutch  Church  for  Foreign  Missions  were 
only  a  couple  of  thousand  dollars  per  year.  By  1850,  the  annual  receipts 
had  increased  to  about  $10,000.     1900,  814. 

1851-1900. 

In  185 1  the  Dutch  Church  was  still  operating  her  Foreign  Missions 
through  the  American  Board.  There  were  then  two  struggling  missions, 
one  at  Amoy,  and  one  in  India,  but  none  yet  at  Arcot.  In  1856,  our 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  gave  expression  to  a  growing  conviction  that 
a  separation  from  the  American  Board  was  desirable.  The  next  year 
this  was  amicably  accomplished,  the  union  having  existed  for  twenty-five 
years,  1832-57.  The  results  have  abundantly  justified  the  movement.  In 
the  same  year  the  missions  and  the  missionaries  were  transferred  to  the 
Dutch  Board  of  Missions,  and  the  following  year,  the  real  estate.  At  the 
time  of  separation  from  the  American  Board,  the  receipts  were  only 
$12,303.  Three  years  later,  in  i860,  they  had  risen  to  $30,000,  and  in  1865 
to  over  $80,000.  although  that  standard  was  not  maintained.  The  total 
receipts  from  all  sources  for  the  Foreign  Work,  in  1900,  were  $160,259. 

Since  1850,  the  advance  in  the  work  has  been  correspondingly  great. 
In  1859  the  Mission  in  Japan  was  started,  two  individuals,  and  the  South 
Church  of  Xew  York  City,  offering  $800  each,  for  a  term  of  years,  to 
facilitate  this  enterprise — an  example  well  worthy  to  be  followed.  In 
Japan  and  China,  our  missions  have  operated  for  a  number  of  years  in 
concert  with  other  Bodies  of  the  Reformed  Faith  and  Presbyterian  Order. 
Arcot  ak)ne  has  a  distinctive  Classis  of  our  own  Church,  which  was 
organized  in  1854.  There  is  now  in  Arcot  a  Theological  Seminary  with 
endowments  for  Professorships  and  Scholarships  amounting  to  about 
$61,000.  The  Arcot  Seminary  has  already  sent  about  thirty  men  into  the 
ministry,  besides  training  many  others  for  various  forms  of  Christian 
work. 

The  Arabian  Mission  was  begun  in  1889  by  private  enterprise,  and 
was  transferred  to  the  care  of  our  Board  in  1894.  It  is  supported  by 
independent  gifts,  amounting  in  1900  to  $10,637.50. 

In  all,  one  hiindred  and  ninety-six  missionaries,  men  and  women,  have 
been  sent  out  to  our  various  mission  fields,  mostly  during  the  past  half- 
century.  On  account  of  union  v/ork,  it  is  difficult  to  decide  just  how 
many  churches  and  communicants  belong  to  our  own  work,  distinctively ; 
but  probably  it  would  not  be  far  out  of  the  way  to  say  that  about  forty 
organized  churches,  and  five  thousand  communicants,  now  living,  represent 
the  work  of  our  own  missionaries,  not  to  speak  of  the  work  at  outstations, 
in  hospitals,  schools,  and  in  higher  education.  United  Seminaries  of  the 
Reformed  and  Presbyterian  Churches  also  exist  in  China  and  Japan. 


298         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

In  all,  about  fifty  natives  have  been  ordained  to  the  ministry  as  the 
result  of  the  labors  of  our  own  missionaries.  The  results  of  the  United 
Church  in  Japan  would  show  much  larger  figures,  but  we  cannot  expand 
on  these  matters  in  this  report.     1900,  821-3. 

They,  therefore,   further  suggested  the  following: 

The  Book  of  the  Acts  of  the  Holy  Apostles  refers,  in  its  preface,  to 
"all  that  Jesus  began  both  to  do  and  to  teach."  The  Apostles  and  the 
New  Testament  Church  were  to  enter  upon  that  beginning,  and  to  continue 
that  work. 

The  time  has  come  for  the  Church  to  declare  in  unmistakable  terms 
that  the  conquest  of  the  world  for  Christ  is  the  fundamental  argument  of 
the  church's  existence ;  that  the  command  "evangelize  all  nations"  is  not 
to  be  a  subsidiary  work.  Is  it  not  our  imperative  duty  to  give  stronger 
emphasis  than  we  have  heretofore  given  to  the  foremost  commission  of 
our  Lord ;  to  recognize  and  assert  the  essentially  evangelistic  nature, 
purpose  and  obligation  of  the  church?  As  the  Constitution  now  stands, 
reference  to  this  sacred  trust  appears  only  incidentally.  Some  of  our 
missions  apparently  lack  complete  Constitutional  sanction.  To  give  all 
the  present  and  prospective  missionary  enterprises  at  home  and  abroad 
full  Constitutional  recognition  and  support  the  following  amendment  to 
the  Rules  of  the  Church  Government  is  recommended  for  adoption : 
1900,  837-8. 

1.  Resolved,  That  Art.  IX.,  Sec.  4,  of  the  Constitution,  be  amended 
by  the  addition  of  the  following  words,  and  the  same  be  recommended  to 
the   Classes   for  adoption : 

"To  the  General  Synod  also  belong  the  power  and  duty  to  institute 
and  organize  such  general  agencies  as  shall  best  enable  the  Church  to 
fulfill  the  command  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  which  he  has  enjoined 
on  all  His  disciples  the  duty  of  teaching  all  nations  and  preaching  the 
Gospel  to  every  creature ;  to  maintain,  supervise  and  direct  such  agencies 
when  erected  in  the  conduct  of  missionary  operations  at  home  and 
abroad ;  and  to  recommend  such  methods  in  the  churches  as^  shall  effect- 
ively sustain  such  agencies  and  tend  to  secure  the  largest  'possible  dis- 
semination of  the  Gospel."     1900,  838. 

This  was  found  to  have  been  adopted,  1901,  1124. 

2.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  urge  upon  single  churches,  or 
groups  of  them,  and  upon  individuals  whom  God  has  blest  with  means, 
and  upon  associations  within  the  churches,  to  take  upon  themselves  the 
support  of  individual  missionaries  or  fields.  It  being  understood  that 
the  missionaries  so  supported  should  be  as  completly  under  the  directian 
and  subject  to  the  rules  of  the  Board  as  any  others. 

3.  Your  Committee  further  recommend  the  more  complete  organiza- 
tion of  the  Church  for  missionary  work  by  the  adoption  of  methods 
similar  to  those  employed  by  the  Women's  Execeutive  Committee  of 
Domestic  Missions,  and  the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.    1900,  839. 

See  "Almanac  and  Year  Book,"  1900. 

4.  For  the  more  adequate  representation  of  the  Church  as  a  whole 
and  of  the  Western  portion  in  particular,  your  Committee  recommend 
that  Synod  enlarge  the  present  membership  of  each  of  the  Boards  of 
Missions  by  three,  and  that  one  member  each  year  shall  be  elected  from 
the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago.     1900,  839. 

The  movement  on  the  part  of  individuals,  individual  churches,  and 
Classes  toward  extra  efforts  in  sending  out  and  supporting  our  mission- 
aries is  specially  gratifying  to  the  Board,  while  it  desires  to  emphasize 
its  high  appreciation  of  such  munificent  gifts  as  that  of  Mr.  Voorhees  for 
India,  and  Mr.  Mason  and  his  family  for  Arabia.     1902,  97. 

In  1884,  548,  the  Board  was  requested  to  incorporate  in  its  reports 
a  detailed  statement  of  its  expenditures.  For  reasons  given,  1902,  100, 
this  resolution  of  1884  was  repealed. 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS  299 

In  our  live  missions  of  China,  India,  North  Japan,  South  Japan,  and 
Arabia,  there  are  now  twenty-four  stations,  two  hundred  and  forty-six 
outstations,  eighty-six  missionaries,  thirty-three  native  ministers,  five 
hundred  and  six  native  helpers,  thirty-eight  churches  and  four  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  seventeen  communicants.  During  the  year  three 
hundred  and  four  have  been  received  on  confession.  There  are  eight 
Boarding  schools  for  boys,  with  seven  hundred  and  seven  scholars,  11 
Boarding  schools  for  girls  with  live  hundred  and  thirty-four  scholars, 
three  Theological  schools  with  sixty-live  students,  two  hundred  and  forty- 
four  Sunday-schools  with  seven  thousand  six  hundred  and  fifteen  scholars, 
one  hundred  and  eighty-five  Day  schools  with  five  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  eighty-three  scholars,  and  eight  hospitals  and  dispensaries  which 
have  treated  during  the  year  sixty-three  thousand  and  thirty-one  patients. 
The  contributions  of  these  native  churches  have  amounted  to  $12,263. 
1903,  364-5. 

8.  The  support  of  individual  missionaries  by  individuals  or  by  con- 
gregations, is  strongly  urged  and  the  importance  of  a  more  systematic 
and  thorough  study  of  missions  is  emphasized.  The  Board  is  requested 
to  devise  means  to  further  both  of  these  interests.     1903,  368. 

The  Deputation  to  the  Mission  Fields  alluded  to,  1905,  107-8;  see 
Report  of  the  Board,  1905,  iv. 

IV.  Resolved,  That  the  efficient  maintenance  of  our  missions  demand 
of  our  Church  not  less  than  $135,000  for  the  regular  work  of  the  Board, 
and  not  less  than  $20,000  for  the  Arabian  Mission,  and  that  we  as  Min- 
isters and  Elders  will  use  our  best  endeavors  toward  securing  these 
amounts. 

V.  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  great  importance  of  educating  our 
children  and  youth  in  the  knowledge  and  love  of  Foreign  Missions,  we 
heartily  commend  the  new  methods  employed  by  the  Young  People's 
League  and  urge  a  wide  dissemination  of  the  Missionary  literature  issued 
by  our  several  Boards.     1905,  no. 

Receipts  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  Since  1857,  in  Periods  of 

Fr-e  Years,  with  Totals;  A\^rages;  Increase;  Decrease. 
jgcg  $1607687        Totals  Averages      Increase  Decrease 

1859 25,03461 

i860. 30,18158 

1861 34,15926 

1862 28,60317 

$134,05549     $26,811  10 

1863 42,25736 

1864 35,39118 

1865 82,03822 

1866 55,78375 

1867 *63,o3o89 

278,50140      55,70028    $28,88918 

1868 53,47291 

1869 81,41038 

1870 57,34294 

1871 71,12552 

1872 65,17326 

328,52501      65,70500      10,00472 

1873 ••        83,94861 

1874 55,35295 

1875 54,24995 

1876 64,34291 

1877 58,15253 

316,046  95      63,209  2>7     $2,495  63 

*  In  addition  $56,500  were  given  by  Mr.  Warren  Ackerman  to  remove 
the  debt  resting  on  the  Board. 


300         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Totals  Averages      Increase  Decrease 

1878 69,08587 

1879 58,44349 

1880 63,18571 

1881 92,984  32 

1882 58,18471 

341,88410   68,37682    5,16745 


1883 65,28458 

1884 76,95523 

1885 88,13104 

1886 86,38655 

1887 86,78702 


ti09,946ii 

1889 93,14224 

1890 117,09014 

1891 116,26545 

1892 112,16359 


1893 136,68810 

1894 106,571  48 

1895 105,506  72 

1896 147,15665 

f897 105,66159 


1898 109,24479 

1899 115,54802 

1900 136,57628 

1901 163,826  'j^i 

1902 149,52700 


403,544  42      80,708  88      12,332  06 


548,60753    109,72150      29,01262 


601,58956    120,31791      10,59641 


674,722  82    134,944  56      14,626  65 


1903 142,83406 

1904 123,39758 

1905 133,70560 

1906 141,57807 

t  In  addition  $45,335.06  were  given  for  the  Endowment  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  the  Arcot  Mission,  through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  Jacob 
Chamberlain,  D.D. 

The  total  amount  given  since  1857  is   $4,270,80765 

Funds  Held  by  Board  of  Foreign  Missions, 
trust  funds,  for  special  work. 

Dr.  Cr. 

Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  Special  Loan..  $5,00000 

Income     225  00 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate $5,ooo  00 

Income  paid  to  Woman's  Board 225  00 

Geo.   B.   Walbridge  Fund  for  Ministerial  Education, 

India    5,000  00 

Income    209  46 

Bonds  of  Metropolitan  St.  Ry.  Co.,  N.  Y.  City..       4,79000 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate 210  00 

Income  paid  to  Board  of  Direction 209  46 

Christiana   Jansen   Fund   for   support   of   students   in 

Arcot  Theological  Seminary,  India 5,ooo  00 

Income   206  46 

Bonds  of  N.  Y.  Gas  &  Electric  L,  H.  &  P.  Co. . .       4,85625 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate I43  75 

Income  paid  to  Board  of  Direction 20646 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS  301 

Joseph    Scudder    Scholarship    in    Arcot    Theological 

Seminary,   India    2,000  00 

Income    90  00 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate 2,000  00 

Income  paid  to  Board  of  Direction 90  00 

William  R.   Gordon  Fund 2,000  00 

Income    80  00 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate 2,000  00 

Income  paid  to  Mrs.  W.  R.  Gordon 80  00 

Elizabeth  R.  Voorhees  College  Endowment 10,000  00 

Income,   three  years 1,212  50 

Bonds  of  Reading  Co.  and  R.  &  P.  C.  &  I.  Co 10,00000 

Cash    1,21250 

Isaac  Brodhead  Fund  for  bed  in  Ranipettai  Hospital.  1,00000 

Income 45  00 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate 1,000  00 

Income  transferred  to  Ranipettai  Hospital  acc't..  45  00 

Arni  Industrial  School  Endowment 1,126  50 

Erie  R  R.  First  Preferred  Stock 144  57 

Cash    981  93 

Martha  Schaddelee  Memorial  Bed  in  Sio-Khe  Hosp'l  785  00 

Cash    785  00 

TRUST   FUNDS,    FOR   GENERAL    WORK. 

A.  J.   Schaf  er  Fund $194  25 

Erie  R.  R.  First  Preferred  Stock 194  25 

Semelink  Family  Mission  Fund 14,000  00 

Bonds  and  Mortgages  on  Real  Estate 13,087  57 

Erie  R.  R.  First  Preferred  Stock 462  43 

Cash    450  00 

A.  C.  Van  Raalte  Mission  Fund 3,000  00 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate 3,000  00 

Alida  Van  Schaick  Fund 30,000  00 

Bonds  and  Mortgages  on  Real  Estate 30,000  00 

Jas.   Y.   Elmendorf  Fund 9,934  68 

Bond  and  Mortgage  on  Real  Estate 9,934  68 

SECURITY   FUND. 

Present 
Market 
This   consists   of:  Par  Value.       Value. 

29  First  Mortgage  Bonds,  Illinois  Central  R.  R.  Co.  $29,00000  $30,01500 

6  First  Mortgage  Bonds,  Lehigh  Valley  Ry.  Co 6,00000      6,67500 

12  First  Mortgage  Bonds,  West  Shore  R.  R.  Co....     12,00000     13,11000 
6  General  Mortgage  Bonds,  Central  N.  J.  R.  R.  Co.       6,00000      8,16000 

$53,000  00  $57,96000 

LOANS. 

Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions $2,017  60 

Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions ']22  50 

The    Arabian    Mission 4,000  00 

$6,740  ID 
1905,  115,  116 
FoREORDi NATION.     See  Predestination. 

Forgery.     Deserves   suspension;    Constit.   of    1874,   Art.   91.      Not   in 
previous  Constitutions. 

Forgiveness  of  Sins.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.   15,  2^',  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
23,   56,   84.    126. 


302  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Formation  of  Churches.    Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  31,  44,  59. 

Form  of  Call.  Before  1792,  no  Constitutional  Form.  The  "Form'' 
is  only  recommended,  Constit.  1792,  Art.  36;  in  1833,  Art.  60;  1874,  Art. 
53,  it  is  made  obligatory. 

Forms  of  Certificates.  Proposed,  Oct.,  1832,  134;  1833,  204;  adopted, 
1834,  288-9. 

Forms,  Liturgical.     See  Liturgy. 

Forms  of  Prayer.     See  Liturgy. 

Formulas  of   Subscription.     See   Subscriptions. 

Fornication.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  108-9;  deserves  suspension;  Con- 
stit. of  1874,  Art.  91. 

Fourth  Professorship  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  Suggested: 
1857,  260;  '59,  450;  '65,  548;  established,  '65,  626-630;  styled,  "Professorship 
of  Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric." 

Fourth  Year  of  Study.  Suggested;  1883,  325;  '84,  540;  '85,  730-1; 
'86,  58;   '88,  542. 

France,  Evangelical  Church  of.  Letters  prepared  and  sent  to,  1829, 
178;  '30,  254;  '31,  345,  347;  '2>'2;  43;  Synod  heard  with  pleasure  Dr. 
Baird's  account  of  the  labors  of  the  Evangelical  Society  in  France,  '48, 
437 ;  Rev.  Dr.  Ab.  Van  Nest  suggests  the  opening  of  a  correspondence 
with,  '62,  138,  139;  '63,  333;  claims  of  the  Evangelical  churches  of  France 
presented  by  Rev.  T  Monod,  '65,  649 ;  Rev.  Dr.  Phihp  Reltz  commissioned 
to  present  the  salutations  of  the  Synod  of  R.  C.  A.  to  the  French  Refd. 
Ch.,  'yj,  645 ;  his  report,  '78,  45 ; 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  heartily  sympathize  with  the  aims 
of  the  Franco-American  Committee  of  Evangelization,  and  earnestly 
recommend  to  all  our  people  a  prompt  and  liberal  support  of  its  excellent 
work.  We  also  recommend  the  celebration  of  the  210th  anniversary  of  the 
Revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantz,  on  the  third  Sunday  of  October,  1895, 
as  affording  a  suitable  opportunity  for  a  large  offering  in  aid  of  the 
Huguenot  churches,  '95,  147;  allusions  to,  1903,  397. 

Freeborn,  Maria,  (Miss).  Bequeaths  to  Gen.  Synod  $1,000  toward 
a  Scholarship ;  1844,  289 ;  treasurer  directed  to  allow  it  to  accumulate  to 
make  a  full  Scholarship,  352;  completed,  $2,000.  i860,  489. 

Free  Church  of  Italy.    See  Italy. 

Free  Church  of  Scotland.     See  Scotland. 

Freed  men,  The.  1865,  626,  644,  648;  '95,  123;  '98,  130;  '99,  452;  1900, 
yyy ;  see  Domestic  Missions ;  Presbyt.  Ch.,  South ;  Colored  People. 

Freehold,  N.  J.,  First  Church  of.  Presents  a  portrait  of  Prof.  S.  A. 
Van  Vranken  to  the  Seminary;   1862,  117,  118. 

Free  Masonry.  The  Classes  of  Holland  and  Wisconsin  present 
extended  testimonies  against  Free  Masonry,  and  ask  Synod  to  disapprove 
of  the  same ;  Synod  declined  to  express  an  opinion ;  1868,  376-7 ;  461 ; 
ayes  and  noes  recorded,  463 ;  overtures  repeated  from  same  Classes ; 
matter  referred  to  a  Special  Committee;  '69,  551,  662;  report:  Synod 
cannot  interfere  with  Consistorial  prerogatives  of  discipline ;  the  path 
of  prudence  and  safety  lies  outside  of  all  oath-bound  secret  societies 
wherewith  obligations  may  be  exacted  in  conflict  with  the  liberty  of  the 
individual  Christian  conscience ;  the  Christian  religion  furnishes  all 
needful  moral  culture,  and  its  pledges  of  mutual  love  represent  a  higher 
capacity  for  practical  benevolence  than  the  moral  lessons  of  any  mere 
human  organization;  1870,  96-7.  Another  overture;  no  action  necessary; 
1871,  264,  273-4.     See  Manual,  203. 

,  Communications  from  four  Western  Classes  and  from  the  Particular 
Synod  of  Chicago,  1880,  462,  533;  the  subject  elaborately  discussed;  the 
following  action  taken: 


FREE   UNIVERSITY   OF   AMSTERDAM  303 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod,  after  deliberate  consideration 
of  the  memorials  of  the  Classes  of  Holland,  Wisconsin,  Grand  River  and 
Illinois,  do  hereby  recognize  and  appreciate  with  those  bodies  and  the 
Churches  which  they  represent,  the  practical  difficulties  and  perplexities 
which  are  set  forth  in  their  respective  papers. 

2.  Resolved,  That  while,  on  the  ex  parte  evidence  of  the  memorials 
now  before  it,  this  Synod  cannot  properly  give  its  official  testimony  for 
or  against  Free  Masonry  and  other  oath-bound  secret  societies ;  and  while 
it  holds  as  sacred  the  indefeasible  rights  of  all  its  ministers  and  members 
to  their  individual  conscientious  convictions  and  liberty  of  speech  and 
action,  subject  only  to  their  prior  loyalty  to  Christ  and  to  His  Church, 
yet  it  hereby  declares  that  no  communicant  member,  and  no  minister  of 
the  Reformed  Church  in  America  ought  to  unite  with  or  to  remain  in 
any  society  or  institution,  whether  secret  or  open,  whose  principles  and 
practices  are  anti-Christian,  or  contrary  to  the  faith  and  practice  of  the 
Church  to  which  he  belongs. 

3.  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  solemnly  believes  and  declares  that 
any  system  of  religion  or  morals  whose  tendency  is  to  hide  our  Saviour, 
or  to  supplant  the  religion  of  which  He  is  the  founder,  should  receive 
no  countenance  from  His  professed  followers ;  and,  furthermore,  that  no 
humane,  benevolent  or  philanthropic,  or  reforming  agency  in  this  world 
can  take  the  place  of  the  Church  of  Our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
whose  principle  is  to  "do  good  unto  all  men,  but  specially  to  them  that 
are  of  the  household  of  faith,"  and,  therefore,  that  all  who  belong  to  this 
Church  are  in  duty  bound  to  give  it  the  pre-eminence  over  all  orders  or 
institutions,  and  to  promote  to  the  utmost  of  their  powers  its  unity, 
peace  and  prosperity,  and  especially  its  great  charities  and  philanthropies. 

4.  Resolved,  That  this  Sj-nod  also  advises  Consistories  and  Classes 
of  the  Church  to  be  very  kind  and  forbearing  ,and  strictly  constitutional 
in  their  dealings  with  individuals  on  this  subject,  and  that  they  be  and  are 
hereby  affectionately  cautioned  against  setting  up  any  new  or  unauthor- 
ized tests  of  communion  in  the  Christian  Church. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed  to  send  a  certified 
copy  of  this  deliverance  to  each  of  the  four  Classes  whose  memorials  are 
now  before  Synod.     1880,  533-6. 

See  substance  of  the  debate  in  Christian  Intelligencer  of  June  17,  1880. 

New  overtures  presented;  1881,  650;  action  of  Synod:  action  of  1870 
and  1880,  referred  to,  and  re-affirmed ;  '81,  733-4.  Additional  overtures : 
1882,  2)^ ;  action  of  Synod :  exhortation  to  charity  and  forbearance ; 
inability  of  Synod  to  prescribe  to  Consistories  as  to  their  course  in 
exercising  their  constitutional  duties ;  former  action  of  Synod  re-affirmed ; 
'82,  109-111.  Further  communications  on;  '83,  219,  253;  former  action 
re-affirmed ;  church  members  exhorted,  since  connection  with  Free  Masons 
gives  offence  to  many,  in  accordance  with  the  law  of  Christian  love,  to 
refrain  from  connection  with  such  societies.  Synod  expresses  its  regrets 
that  certain  Hollanders  in  the  West,  for  reasons  connected  with  this 
subject,  have  seceded,  and  exhorts  them  to  return;  '83,  303-4.  Another 
communication  on  same  subject;  '84,  419;  Synod  can  add  nothing  to  its 
former  deliverances ;  '84,  502-3. 

Reference  to  the  subject  in  a  letter  from  the  Christian  Refd.  Ch.  of 
the  Netherlands ;  answer  of  Synod,  reviewing  its  action  on  the  subject; 
see  said  letter;  1889,  837-840. 

Free  University  of  Amsterdam.  Invitation  to  attend  its  opening 
exercises;  1881,  682;  further  details;  courteous  response  to  the  invitation 
to  be  sent ;  685 ;  congratulations  of  said  University  to  New  Brunswick 
Seminary  at  its  Centennial ;  see  Centennial  Vol.  of  N.  B.  Sem.,  188 ;  regret 
of  Prof.  Rutgers  of  said  University,  at  his  inability  to  represent  the 
Christian  Refd.  Ch.  of  the  Netherlands  to  R.  C.  A.     1898,   161. 


304         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Free  Will.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  14;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  7,  8,  9;  Canons, 
iii.   10,  14. 

Frelinghuysen,  Theodore,  (Hon.)  Allusion  to,  as  President  of 
Rutger's  College,   1854,  451 ;  death  of,  noticed ;    1862,   120,   188,   195. 

French  Language.  In  the  French  churches,  only  Beza's  and  La 
Moret's  Psalms  and  Hymns  to  be  used;  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  65;  the 
Theological  Faculty  object  to  the  compulsory  study  of  French,  in  Rutger's 
College,  to  student's  preparing  for  the  ministry,  to  the  neglect  of  Greek ; 
1847,  III,  112,  185. 

French  Reformed  Church.    See  France;  allusion,  1755,  96. 

Friends'  Press  Association.    In  behalf  of  pure  literature.     1902,  129. 

Fritts,  Charles  W.   (Rev.  Dr.)      President  of  General  Synod,  1897. 

Froeligh,  Solomon,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Appointed  Lector  in  Theology,  1792, 
242 ;  opened  the  First  General  Synod,  as  President  of  the  General  Con- 
vention of  1792  (p.  243),  which  framed  the  Constitution;  1794,  255;  elected 
Professor  of  Theology,  1797,  270;  1814,  44,  45,  (1813,  37,)  60;  '18,  13,  14, 
32,  33;  '19,  41;  '20,  19;  '22,  52,  53,  56;  his  secession,  1823,  43,  44;  his  sus- 
pension from  the  ministry ;  46,  47,  57.  See  his  name  in  Manual ;  in 
Taylor's  Annals  of  Classis  of  Bergen ;  in  Romeyn's  Hist,  of  Church  of 
Hackensack;  and  in  Hist,  of  Classis  of  Paramus.     See  also  Secession. 

Full  Communion.  First  use  of  the  term;  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  32, 
62;  see  also  in  Constits.  of  1833,  Arts.  53,  54;  of  1874,  Arts.  46,  47.  Term 
does  not  occur  in  Constit.  of  1619.     See  1905,  183,  186. 

Fuller,  Jeremiah.  Scholarship  of  $3,007.50,  to  Board  of  Education, 
1877. 

Fulton  Street  Prayer  Meeting,  New  York.  1858,  292-5;  see 
Chambers'  "Fulton  St.  Prayer  Meeting" ;  Prince's  Hist,  of  same ;  also 
Collegiate  Church  Year  Book,  1880,  '49;  '81,  66. 

Funds.  See  Professorial  Fund ;  Permanent  Fund ;  Permanent  Semi- 
nary Fund ;  Corporation,  Bd.  of  Direction  of ;  Education,  Bd.  of ;  etc. 
Analysis  of  Funds,  1903,  324.  The  term  "Funds"  in  the  Minutes,  before 
1794,  was  the  term  referring  to  efforts  for  Endowments. 

Funeral  Sermons.  To  be  discouraged;  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  65; 
left  to  discretion  of  minister;  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  68;  no  reference  to,  in 
Constits.  of  1833,  1874. 

Funeral  Service.    One  prepared  by  Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston,  1812. 

A  form  for  this  service  having  been  introduced  to  the  attention  of 
Synod,  "after  mature  deliberation  the  motion  passed  in  the  negative,  as 
far  as  it  respects  the  limitation  to  any  prescribed  form ;  but  the  Synod 
approve  of  speaking  a  word  in  season,  either  at  the  grave  or  in  the  house, 
or  the  church,  and  to  close  the  solemnity  with  a  prayer  and  benediction. 
1812,  419,  420.  See  elaborate  report  on.  See  also  Burial  Services  in  the 
more  recent  Liturgies. 

Gambling.     See  Scandalous  Traffic;  Amusements. 

Gaming.     1896.  440.     See  Sabbath. 

Gamesters.     See  Communion  Form. 

Gannon,  P....  (Dr.)  Bequest  of  $350  to  be  loaned  to  Theological 
students,  at  five  per  cent,  interest ;  and  to  be  reloaned ;  but  no  coercive 
measures  for  payment  to  be  used ;  1854,  467 ;  amout  given  as  $335.37. 
1855,  517- 

Ganse,  Harvey  D.  (Rev.)  Elected  to  Professorship  of  Biblical 
Literature;  declined;  1863,  327;  President  of  General  Synod,  1866;  on 
many  important  Committees,  but  especially  on  the  one  to  report  on  change 
of  Title  of  the  Church,  1866,  112;  1867,  240-1.    See  Report,  1867,  Appendix. 

Gardner  A.  Sage  Endowment,  Library,  etc.  See  under  Sage, 
Gardner  A. 


GARFIELD,  JAMES  A.  305 

Garfield,  James  A.     Resolutions  on  his  assassination;  Oct.,  1881,  15. 

Garretsox,   John,    (Rev.    Dr.)      President   of    General    Synod,    1862; 
Corresponding  Sec.  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions,  1849-59  I  his  death,  '76,  527. 

Gaston,   John,    (Rev.    Dr.)      President   of   Bd.    of   Education,    1883- 
1901 ;  1902,  85,  202. 

Gaston,  Robert.     Scholarship  of  $2,000;  1891,  240. 

Gates,  Merrill  E.  (Dr.)     President  of  Rutger's  College,  1882-90. 

Gates,  Samuel.     The  following  sums  received   (recovered)    from  his 
estate,   for   Scholarships : 

$107.28;   1863,  252.  $300.00;   1879,  240, 

300.00;   1877,  609.     I       300.00;   1881,  651,  676. 


300.00;  1878,     17.     I 


Total,  $1,307.28. 

Gavels.  A  gavel  made  in  Jerusalem  of  olive  wood  from  the  Mount 
of  Olives  was  presented  to  the  Synod  by  Colonel  Augustus  Pruyn ; 
received  with  thanks;  put  in  custody  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  1870,  135. 

A  gavel  made  of  wood  from  the  Holy  Land  was  presented  to  the 
Synod  by  the  Rev.  H.  D'B.  Mulford,  in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  M.  A. 
Denman,  of  Canajoharie,  N.  Y.,  and  one  made  of  wood  from  India,  by 
the  Rev.  W.  H.  Williamson,  in  behalf  of  the  Berkey  and  Gay  Manufactur- 
ing Company  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan.  The  thanks  of  the  Synod  were 
given  to  the  donors  of  the  two  gavels.     1895,  223. 

Gay,  Teofilo,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Credentials  pi:esented,  as  a  delegate  from 
the  Waldensian  (Zhurch,  which  see;   1892,  572-3. 

Gebhard,  John  G.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Corresponding  Secretary  of 
Bd.   of   Education;    1900,   728,   734. 

Gedeneock,  or  "Memorial  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam"  on  the  325th 
Anniversary  of  her  organization,  1903;  reviewing  her  history,  1578-1630. 
One  large  4to,  pages  470.  Copy  sent  to  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin,  by  said 
Classis,  1903.  Translation  made  by  Rev.  Henry  Utterwick  through  pri- 
vate subscriptions.     1903,  267,  397. 

General  Body  or  Meeting.  The  name  applied  to  the  ecclesiastical 
body  formed  by  the  union  of  the  Ccetus  and  Conferentie  in  1771,  10.  See 
"Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York,"  Vol.  6,  for  the  correspondence 
of  this  period ;  also  "Articles  of  Union."  This  body  was  allowed  to 
examine  students  for  licensure,  and  to  ordain,  and  it  alone  could 
approve  of  ministerial  calls.  In  1784,  128,  it  assumed  the  name  of  Synod, 
and  in  1793  became  the  Particular  Synod  of  the  whole  Church.  Its 
minutes  should  have  been  printed  consecutively  right  after  1793,  254, 
instead  of  as  an  Appendix,  pp.  445-488.  The  minutes  of  its  last  session, 
Oct.,  1799,  were  not  printed,  because  they  were  never  transcribed  into 
the  Minute  Book.  The  original  copy  is  in  the  Archives.  The  following 
is  the  list  of  the  sessions  of  this  Body,  and  the  Moderators : 

Convention  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  New  York,  October,  1771,  Rev. 
John   H.  Livingston,  D.D. 

Conventions  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  New  York,  June,  1772,  Rev. 
Isaac  Rysdyck,  D.D. 

General  Body  at  New  York,  October,  1772,  Rev.  John  H.  Goetschius. 

General  Body  at  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  October,  1773,  Rev.  John  C  Rubel. 

General  Body  at  New  York,  October,  1774,  Lambertus  DeRonde. 

General  Body  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  April,  1775,  Rev. 
Lambertus  DeRonde. 

General  Body  held  at  New  York,  October,  1775,  Rev.  Jacob  R. 
Hardenberg,   D.D. 

General  Body  held  at  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  October,  1778,  Rev.  John  Leydt. 

General  Body,  at  Pompton,  N.  J.,  October,  1779,  Rev.  Hermanus 
Meyer,  D.D. 


3o6         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

General   Body,  at  New   Paltz,   N.   Y.,   October,   1780,   Rev.  Jacob  R. 
Hardenberg,  D.  D. 

General    Body,    at    New    Hurley,    N.    Y.,    October,    1781,    Rev.    Isaac 
Rysdyck,  D.D. 

General  Body,  at  New  Millstone,  N.  J.,  October,  1782,  Rev.  Hermanus 
Meyer,  D.D. 

General  Body,  at  New  Paltz,  N.  Y.,  October,  1783,  Rev.  Jacob  Har- 
denberg, D.D. 

General  Body  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  May,  1784,  Rev.  Jacob 
R.  Hardenberg,  D.  D. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1784,  Rev.  Dirck  Romeyn,  D.D. 

Synod  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  May,  1785,  Rev.  Dirck 
Romeyn,  D.D. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1785,  Rev.  Eilardus  Westerlo. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1786,  Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenberg. 

Synod  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  May,  1787,  Rev.  Jacob  R. 
Hardenberg. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1787,  Rev.  Reynier  Van  Nest. 

Synod  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  May,  1788,  Rev.  Reynier  Van 
Nest. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1788,  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston. 

S^^nod  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  May,  1789,  Rev.  John  H. 
Livingston. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1789,  Rev.  Dirck  Romeyn. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1790,  Rev.  Isaac  Blauvelt. 

Synod  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  May,  1791,  Rev.  Isaac  Blauvelt. 

Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1791,  Rev.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten. 

Synod  (Extraordinary),  at  New  York,  May,  1791,  Rev.  Elias  Van 
Bunschoten. 

Convention,  at  New  York,  October,  1792,  Rev.  Solomon  Froeligh. 

Particular  Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1793,  Rev.  John  H.  Liv- 
ingston. 

Particular  Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1794,  Rev.  Peter  Studdiford. 

Particular  Synod  (Extraordinary),  May,  1796,  Rev.  Wm.  Linn. 

Particular  Synod,  at  New  York,  (Dctober,  1796,  Rev.  John  Duryee. 

Particular  Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1797,  Rev.  Ira  Condict. 

Particular   Synod    (Extraordinary),   May,    1799,   Rev.   Samuel   Smith. 

Particular  Synod,  at  New  York,  October,  1799,   (?) 

(The  sessions  of  1776,  1777  were  omitted  because  of  the  Revolutionary 
War;  those  of  Oct.,  1795,  Oct.,  1798,  because  of  Yellow  Fever  in  New 
York.) 

STUDENTS   ORDAINED   BY   THE   GENERAL   BODY. 

Teachers. 

Stephen    Van    Voorhis 1772 

Elias  Van  Bunschooten Meyer     1773 

Rynier  Van  Nest Hardenbergh     1773 

Solomon    Froeligh D.  Romeyn,  J.  H.  Goetschius 1774 

Q4-^r.u^„   r-^^fo^i,;,,.                      i  T.    H.    Goetschius,    Livingston,   }  ^__ 

Stephen   Goetschius y          Westerlo,  V^rbryck,             f  ^775 

Peter  De  Witt Livingston     1778 

Mathew    Leydt Livingston     1778 

Nicholas  Lansing Westerlo     1780 

Isaac   Blauvelt Hardenbergh     1780 

Simeon  Van  Arsdale Livingston     1782 

Theodore  F.  Romeyn Livingston 1783 

John  Duryee Livingston     1784 

Timothy  Blauvelt Livingston     1784 

General  Education  Society.  1828,  131.  See  Education,  Board  of, 
under  date. 


GENERAL  RUMOR  307 

General  Rumor.  When  a  person  is  thus  charged  with  an  offence, 
the  proper  Judicatory  is  bound  to  investigate;  Constit.  1874,  89;  what 
constitutes  a  General  Rumor,  1874,  Art.  90. 

General  Synod.  Sometimes  used  in  the  sense  of  the  National  Synod 
of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  29;  and  in  the  Forms  of  Subscription;  Constit.  of  1874, 
Art.  12;  and  sometimes  in  the  sense  of  a  General  Convention,  as  May, 
1792,  Art.  14.     See  next  Article  "General  Synod." 

General  Synod.  General  Articles  on,  in  the  successive  Constitutions ; 
1619,  Art.  50;  1792,  Arts,  51-55;  1833,  Arts.  82-85;  1874,  Arts.  70-75. 

1.  In  Holland:  Called  the  General  or  National  Synod,  1619, 
Art.  29;  the  highest  Ecclesiastical  Assembly,  1619,  Arts.  29,  36;  to 
be  held  once  in  three  years,  with  the  privilege  of  Extra  Sessions, 
if  necessary;  said  Synod  to  consist  of  two  ministers  and  two  elders  from 
each  Particular  (or  Provincial)  Synod,  1619,  Art.  50;  the  Minutes  of  the 
last  session  to  be  furnished  [in  manuscript]  by  the  church  where  it  next 
meets ;  1619,  Art.  45 ;  to  hold  a  Censiira  Mornm  at  its  close,  1619,  Art.  43. 
—  [This  plan  of  holding  a  Triennial  General  Synod  was  not  carried  out 
in  Holland,  on  account  of  political  troubles.  There  was  no  General  Synod, 
after  the  famous  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19,  for  about  two  centuries,  or 
until  1816;  but  a  "Correspondence,"  by  the  "Deputati  Synodi,"  kept  up 
intercourse  among  all  the  Particular  Synods.  See  Constitution  in  America 
of  1792,  Art.  53.] 

2.  In  America:  There  was  no  General  Synod,  strictly  speaking,  in 
America,  until  1794.  The  American  Church  Constitution,  which  was 
ratified  at  a  General  Convention  in  Oct.,  1792,  provided  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  "The  General  Synod."  [The  General  Body,  formed  in  1771, 
according  to  the  "Articles  of  Union,"  and  which  continued  until  1793,  was 
somewhat  anomalous  in  character,  but  partook  chiefly  of  the  nature  of  a 
Particular  Synod,  which  it  ultimately  became,  1793-1799.  Prejudice  did 
not  allow  the  use  of  the  term  "Synod"  until  the  close  of  the  Revolution, 
Oct.,  1784,  p.  128,  (Art.  23).  Previousl^r,  1771-1784,  the  term  General 
Meeting  {Algemeen  Vergaderinge,)  had  been  used  in  the  titles  of  the 
Minutes.  Subsequently,  the  term  "Synod''  was  employed,  with  some 
qualifying  epithet  such  as  "Christian"  or  "Reverend,"  or  both  were  some- 
times combined.  But  in  an  Extra  Session  of  this  Body,  in  May,  1792, 
page  22,2,  (Art.  14,)  we  read:  "It  is  ordained  for  special  reasons  that 
a  "General  Synod"  shall  be  held  in  New  York  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
October  ensuing."  But  this  expression,  as  here  used,  means  a  "General 
Convention."  The  term  "General  Synod"  is  used  of  this  General  Conven- 
tion again  in  the  meeting  of  Oct.,  1793,  page  246,  (Art.  6)  ;  and  also  in 
that  of  the  constitutionally  organized  General  Synod,  1794,  page  257, 
Art.  5  ;  and  still  again,  in  the  last  clause  of  the  Constitution  itself,  (or 
Explanatory  Articles)  of  1792: — "The  preceding  Explanatory  Articles 
were  ratified  in  the  General  Synod  held  at  New  York,  the  loth  day  of 
October,  1792"  .  .  .  ;  but  in  all  of  these  cases  it  means  that  General 
Convention  of  Oct.,  1792,  which  adopted  the  first  American  Church  Con- 
stitution, and  therein  provided  for  the  Constitutional  "General  Synod"  of 
the  Church.] 

For  its  general  character  and  duties,  see  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  72,. 
Its  composition  has  varied  at  different  times.  In  America  it  was  first 
made  Conventional,  but  with  the  privilege  of  changing  this  plan  by  its  own 
resolution.  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  53.  This  change  was  made,  1800,  279, 
303,  when  8  mmisters  and  8  elders  from  each  of  the  two  Particular 
Synods,  constituted  its  membership ;  but  no  more  than  2  ministers  and  2 
elders  could  come  from  the  same  Classis.  See  1806,  357-8.  In  1812,  421,  it 
was  made  to  consist  of  3  ministers  and  3  elders,  nominated  by  each 
Classis  to  the  Particular  Synod  for  confirmation.  This  was  adopted  in 
the  Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  82.     But  in  the  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  70,   any 


3o8         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL  LEIGISLATION 

Classis  having  more  than  15  churches  was  entitled  to  another  minister 
and  elder  for  each  additional  five  churches. 

As  to  time  and  place  of  meeting,  and  a  quorum:  No  rule  in  the 
Articles  of  Dort,  except  it  was  to  be  ordinarily  triennial;  1619,  Art.  50. 
In  America  it  was  to  be  triennial,  1792,  Art.  54,  but  this  was  amended  to 
"annual,"  1812.  441  ;  1813,  9.  Time  and  place  to  be  fixed  by  preceding 
General  Synod ;  Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  83  ;  of  1874,  Art.  72 ;  or  otherwise, 
Art.  75;  and  12  ministers  and  12  elders,  regularly  convened,  now  consti- 
tuted a  quorum.  [By  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  54,  it  was  ten  of  each.] 
See  Adjourned  Sessions ;  Extra  Sessions. 

As  to  proposing  amendments  to  the  Constitution,  see  Constit.  of  1874, 
Art.  23. 

The  General  Synod  resolved,  That  for  the  future  their  minutes  shall 
be  kept  in  the  English  language;  and  that  such  minutes  be  considered  as 
original  and  authentic.     1794,  257. 

Resolved,  That  if  circumstances  should  require  a  meeting  of  the 
General  Synod,  previous  to  the  next  ordinary  meeting,  the  President  be, 
and  he  is  hereby  authorized,  on  a  joint  application  of  six  or  more  Minis- 
ters, requesting  the  same,  to  call  an  extraordinary  meeting  at  the  place 
where  the  next  ordinary  meeting  is  appointed  to  be  held.     1800,  312. 

[Special  example,  when  Synod  failed  to  meet  in  1803  on  account  of 
a  great  epidemic.  1804,  322.  The  session  declared  to  be  competent  to 
decide  on  all  matters  which  might  be  regularly  brought  up  at  an  ordinary 
session.     1804,  325.] 

The  method  of  calling  an  extra  session  was  incorporated  in  Constit. 
of  1833,  Art.  85;  and  amended,  in  that  of  1874,  Art.  75. 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church,  when  convened  in 
special  session  by  the  call  of  the  President,  has  full  power  and  authority 
to  transact  generally  any  business  within  the  ordinary  limits  of  its  consti- 
tutional power,  whether  specified  in  the  call  or  not.  1831,  9.  See  Constit. 
of  1874,  Art.  75. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  be  authorized  to  pay 
the  necessary  travelling  expenses  of  the  President  of  the  former  Synod 
when  he  attends  to  open  the  Synod,  and  is  not  a  delegate  to  Synod. 
1853,  376. 

Resolved,  That  hereafter,  the  annual  meetings  of  the  General  Synod 
commence  at  3  o'clock,  p.m.,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  June;    1869,  662. 

Resolved,  That  the  manner  of  electing  the  President  shall  be  as 
follows : 

The  time  having  arrived,  and  having  been  announced  by  the  Presiding 
Officer; 

First,  a  nominating  ballot  shall  be  taken,  and  each  individual  voted 
for  shall  be  considered  in  nomination.  If,  however,  any  person  shall  on 
this  ballot  receive  two-thirds  (2/3)  of  the  votes  cast  he  shall  be  deemed 
elected. 

After  the  first  electing  ballot  the  voting  shall  be  confined  to  the  two 
receiving  the  greatest  number  of  votes.     1886,  205. 

Resolved,  That  hereafter,  the  President  of  General  Synod,  if  not 
appointed  as  a  delegate  of  the  Classis  to  which  he  belongs,  shall  be 
entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  succeeding  General  Synod  as  a  corre- 
sponding member,  with  the  right  to  participate  in  the  discussions,  but 
not  to  vote.     1889,  834. 

The  following  action  was  taken  with  reference  to  the  retiring  Presi- 
dent of  Synod : 

Whereas,  Apparently  through  inadvertence,  the  action  of  a  previous 
Synod,  recommending  that  the  retiring  president  of  the  General  Synod,  be 
nominated  by  the  Classis  to  which  he  belongs,  as  a  member  of  the  suc- 
ceeding Synod,  has  been  lost  sight  of,  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  re-affirm  the  aforesaid  action,  and  hereby  instruct 


GENERAL  SYNOD 


309 


the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Synod,  regularly  to  call  the  attention  of 
the  Classis  of  which  the  retiring  President  is  a  member,  to  this  resolution, 
and  at  such  time  as  shall  be  likely  to  insure  the  carrying  out  of  the 
wishes  of  the  General  Synod  in  this  regard.     1899,  502. 

See  Rules  of  General  Synod ;  Minutes  of  General  Synod ;  Lemmata. 

PRESIDENTS    AND    PLACES    OF    MEETING    OF   THE    GENERAL    SYNOD    OF    THE    R.    C.    A. 


Volume  One. 


6. 

7- 

8. 
9- 

10. 


II 
12 

13 

14 

15 
16 

17 
18 

19. 


21. 

22. 

23- 

24. 

25- 


26. 

27. 
28. 
29. 
30. 


DATE. 

June,  1794 — Rev. 

"  1797 — Rev. 

"  1800 — Rev. 
1803— Rev. 

May,  1804— Rev. 

June,  1806 — Rev. 

Sept.,  1807 — Rev. 

June,  1809 — Rev. 

"  1812— Rev. 

Oct.,  1813— Rev. 

June,  1814 — Rev. 
1815— Rev. 

Oct.,  1815— Rev. 

June,  1816 — Rev. 


PRESIDENTS. 


PLACE    OF    MEETING. 


Oct., 
June, 
Aug., 
June, 

Oct., 
June, 

Feb., 
June, 

Feb., 
June, 
Sept., 
Mar., 
June, 


June, 
Apr., 
June, 


Nov., 
June, 
Oct., 
June, 


1817— Rev. 
1817— Rev. 
181S— Rev. 
1818— Rev. 
1819 — Rev. 
1820 — Rev. 
1820— Rev. 
1821— Rev. 
1822 — Rev. 
1823 — Rev. 
1823— Rev. 
1824 — Rev. 
1825— Rev. 
1825— Rev. 
1825— Rev. 
1826— Rev. 
1826— Rev. 


1827— Rev. 
1828— Rev. 
1828— Rev. 
1829 — Rev. 
1830— Rev. 
1831— Rev. 


1831— Rev. 
1832— Rev. 
1832 — Rev. 
1833— Rev. 
1834— Rev. 
1835— Rev. 
1836— Rev. 


Wm.  Linn Albany,  N.  Y. 

Dirck  Romeyn New  York  City 

Ira  Condict Albany,  N.  Y. 

John  H.  Livingston Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

John  H.  Livingston New  York  City 

James  V.  C.  Romeyn Albany,  N.  Y. 

James  V.  C.  Romeyn Harlem,  N.  Y. 

Nicholas  Lansing New  York  City 

Jacob   Sickles Albany,   N.  Y. 

James   S.   Cannon New  York  City 

John  M.  Bradford New  York  City 

John  Schureman Albany,  N.  Y. 

Jacob   Brodhead New  York  City 

Jacob  Brodhead "  '* 

Volume  Two. 

Cornelius   D.   Westbrook Albany,    N.   Y. 

Cornelius  D.  Westbrook Kingston,  N.  Y. 

Wm.   McMurray New  York   City 

Wm.  McMurray Albany,  N.  Y. 

John  M.  Bradford Albany,  N.  Y. 

James  S.  Cannon New  York  City 

James  S.  Cannon Albany,  N.  Y. 

Selah  S.  Woodhull Albany,  N.  Y. 

Philip  Milledoler New  York  City 

Philip  Milledoler Albany,  N.  Y. 

Jesse  Fonda Albany,  N.  Y. 

Thomas  De  Witt New  York  City 

Thomas  De  Witt Albany,  N.  Y. 

Jacob  Brodhead New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Jacob  Brodhead New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Jacob  Brodhead New  York  City 

John  Ludlow New  York  City 

Volume  Three. 

Cornelius  C.  Cuyler Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Cornelius  C.  Cuyler Albany,  N.  Y. 

Jacob  Schoonmaker Albany,  N.  Y. 

John  Knox New  York  City 

Wilhelmus  Eltinge New  Brunswick,   N.  J. . 

John   Gosman Albany,  N.  Y. 

Volume  Four. 

John  Gosman New  York  City 

Isaac  Ferris New  York  City 

Isaac    Ferris Albany,    N.    Y. 

Jacob  Janeway Schenectady,   N.   Y. 

Samuel  A.  Van  Vranken New  York  City 

Robert    Bronk Philadelphia,    Pa. 

Thomas  M.  Strong Albany,  N.  Y. 


3IO         DIGEST   OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Volume  Five. 

31.  June,    1837 — Rev.  Isaac  N.  Wyckoff New  York  City 

32.  "        1838 — Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Taylor Albany,  N.  Y. 

33.  "       1839 — Rev.  George  W.  Bethune Philadelphia,  Pa. 

July,    1839 — Rev.  George  W.  Bethune New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

34.  June,    1840 — Rev.  James  Murphy New  York  City 

Nov.,    1840 — Rev.  James   Murphy Albany,   N.  Y. 

35.  June,    1841 — Rev.  James  Romeyn Albany,  N.  Y. 

Volume  Six. 

Sept.,    1841 — Rev.  James  Romeyn New  York  City 

Oct.,     1841 — Rev.  James  Romeyn New  York  City 

36.  June,    1842 — Rev.  James  B.  Hardenbergh New  York  City 

37.  "       1843 — Rev.  William  C.   Brownlee Albany,  N.  Y. 

38.  "       1844 — Rev.  Jocob  Van  Vechten Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

39.  "       1845 — Rev.  Maurice  W.  Dwight New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Volume  Seven. 

40.  June,    1846 — Rev.  William  H.  Campbell Albany,  N.  Y. 

41.  "       1847 — Rev.  Abraham  Messier New  York  City 

42.  "       1848 — Rev.  Thomas  E.  Vermilye Kingston,  N.  Y. 

Sept.,   1848 — Rev.  Thomas  E.  Vermilye Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

43.  June,    1849 — Rev.  George  H.  Fisher New  York  City 

Volume  Eight. 
Aug.,    1849 — Rev.  J.  Van  Vechten Schenectady,  N.  Y. 

44.  June,    1850 — Rev.  Jeremiah  Searle Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

45.  "  1851 — Rev.  Alexander  M.  Mann Albany,  N.  Y. 

46.  "  1852 — Rev.  Gustavus  Abeel Williamsburg,  N.  Y. 

47.  "  1853 — Rev.  Duncan  Kennedy Philadelphia,   Pa. 

48.  "  1854 — Rev.  Mancius  S.  Hutton Hudson,  N.  Y. 

49.  "  1855 — Rev.  Ransford  Wells New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Volume  Nine. 
Oct.,     1855— Rev.  Ransford  Wells New  York  City 

50.  June,    1856 — Rev.  Francis  M.  Kip / Utiea,  N.  Y. 

51.  "       1857 — Rev.  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord Ithaca,  N.  Y. 

Oct.,     1857 — Rev.  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord Newark,  N.  J. 

52.  June,    1858 — Rev.  David  D.  Demarest Newark,  N.  J. 

53-  "       1859 — Rev.  Samuel  B.  How Albany,  N.  Y. 

54.  "       i860 — Rev.  Oscar  H.   Gregory Philadelphia,   Pa. 

Volume  Ten. 

55.  June,    1861 — Rev.  Cornelius  Van  Cleef Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

56.  "       1862 — Rev.  John  Garretson Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

57.  "       1863— Rev.  Talbot  W.  Chambers Newburgh,  N.  Y. 

58.  "       1864— Rev.  Philip  Phelps Schenectady,  N.  Y. 

59.  "       1865 — Rev.  Anson  Dubois New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Volume  Eleven. 

60.  June,    1866 — Rev.  Hervey  D.  Ganse New  York  City 

61.  "       1867 — Rev.  Thomas  C.  Strong Geneva,  N.  Y. 

Nov.,    1867— Rev.  Thomas  C.  Strong Albany,  N.  Y. 

62.  June,    1868— Rev.  Elbert  S.   Porter Hudson,  N.  Y. 

63.  "       1869— Rev.  Charles  H.  Stitt Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Volume  Tzvelve. 

64.  June,    1870 — Rev.  Ashbel  G.  Vermilve     Newark,  N.  J 

65.  "       i87i_Rev.  William  J.  R.  Tavlor Albany.  N.  Y 

Sept.,    1871— Rev.  William  J.  R.  Taylor Brooklyn,  N.  Y 

66.  June,    1872 — Rev.  Joachim  Elmendorf Brooklyn,  N.  Y 

67.  "       1873 — Rev.  Acmon  P.  Van  Gieson New  Brunswick,  N.  J 


GENERAL  SYNOD  311 

Volume  Thirteen. 

68.  June,    1874 — Rev.  Goyn  Talmage Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

69.  "       1875 — Rev.  Charles  Scott Jersey  City,  N,  J. 

70.  "       1876 — Rev.  John  McC.  Holmes Kingston,  N.  Y. 

71.  "       i877_Rev.  Rufus  W.  Clark New  York  City 

Volume  Fourteen. 

y2.  June,  1878 — Rev.  Jacob  Chamberlain Utica,  N.  Y. 

73.  "  1879 — Rev.  Abraham  R.  Van  Nest Newark,  N.  J. 

74.  "  1880— Rev.  John  A.  De  Baun Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

75.  "  1881— Rev.  Isaac  S.  Hartley Hudson,  N.  Y. 

Volume  Fifteen. 
Oct.,     1881— Rev.  Isaac  S.  Hartley Schenectady,  N.  Y. 

76.  June,    1882 — Rev.  Edward  P.  Ingersoll Schenectadv,  N.  Y. 

77.  "       1883— Rev.  William  R.  Duryee Albany,  N.  Y. 

78.  "       1884 — Rev.  David  Cole Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

79.  "       1885 — Rev.  J.  Howard  Suydam Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Volume  Sixteen. 

80.  June,    1886 — Rev.  John  B.  Drury New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

81.  "       1887— Rev.  Charles  I.  Shepard Catskill,  N.  Y. 

82.  "       1888— Rev.  Mancius  H.  Hutton Catskill,  N.  Y. 

83.  "       1889— Rev.  Evert  Van  Slyke Catskill,  N.  Y. 

Volume  Seventeen. 

84.  June,    1890 — Rev.  J.  Romeyn  Berry Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

85.  "       1891 — Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

86.  "       1892— Rev.  F.  S.  Schenck Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

87.  "       1893 — Rev.  CorneHus  Brett Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

Volume  Eighteen. 

88.  June,    1894 — Rev.  Edward  A.  Collier Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

89.  "       1895 — Rev.  Peter  Stryker Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

90.  ''       1896— Rev.  John  B.  Thompson Catskill,  N.  Y. 

91.  "       1897 — Rev.  Charles  W.  Fritts Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

Volume  Nineteen. 

92.  June,    1898 — Rev.  Edward  B.  Coe Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

93.  "       1899 — Rev.  George  S.  Bishop Catskill,  N.  Y. 

94.  "       1900 — Rev.  Edward  P.  Johnson Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

95.  "       1901 — Rev.  Denis  Wortman New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

Volume  Twenty. 

96.  June,    1902 — Rev.  Abbott  E.  Kittredge Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

97.  "       1903 — Rev.  Cornelius  L.  Wells Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

98.  "       1904 — Rev.  James  F.  Zwemer Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Volume  Twenty-one. 

99.  "       1905 — Rev.  James  M.  Farrar Asbury  Park,  N.  J. 

100.  "       1906 — Rev.  D.  Sage  Mackay New  York,  N.  Y. 

Volumes  one  and  two  of  these  minutes  are  indexed  in  a  small 
separate  volume  of  115  pages,  which  was  printed  in  1831.  From  1794  to 
1812,  however,  only  extracts  of  the  Minutes  were  at  first  published,  and 
for  those  years,  this  Index  is  only  made  to  said  extracts,  each  annual 
number  of  which  was  paged  separately.  In  1859  the  so-called  First 
Volume  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  was  issued,  but  was  not 
properly  edited.  It  contains  a  part  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Coetus  and  Con- 
ferentie,  1737-1767;  the  minutes  of  the  General  Body  or  Provisional 
Synod,  1771-92;  of  the  General  Synod,  in  full,  1794-1812,  but  unfortu- 
nately, did  not  complete  the  first  volume,  which  runs  to  1816;  and  of  the 


312         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

first  Particular  Synod,  1792,-^799',  l>^it  these  Minutes  of  1793  are  therein 
separated  from  those  of  1794-99,  and  the  last  session,  Oct.,  1799,  is  not 
included  in  the  printed  volume.  Also  only  the  extracts  of  1797  of  the 
General  Synod,  are  published.  Each  volume  of  the  Minutes  of  General 
Synod,  from  the  Third  onward,  has  its  own  index;  and  since  1902,  each 
year's  minutes  has  also  its  own  index.  On  account  of  the  increasing  size 
of  the  volumes,  the  Minutes  of  three  years  are  henceforth  to  constitute  a 
volume.  It  will  be  noticed  that  there  have  been  23  double  sessions,  but 
none  such  since  1881,  now  (1906)  25  years.  The  reasons  are  that 
appeals  are  now  generally  not  allowed  to  go  beyond  the  Particular  Synod, 
(see  Constit.  1874,  Art.  116).  and  temporary  instruction  is  provided  when 
a  Professor  dies  or  resigns,  until  the  next  regular  meeting. 

Geneva,  Switzerland.  Letter  from  the  Pastoral  Association  of; 
1902.   126. 

Geneva,  Classis  of.  Organized  in  1852,  consisting  then  of  the 
churches  of  Arcadia,  Buffalo,  Caroline,  Cato,  Clymer,  Farmersville, 
Geneva.  Ithaca,  Lodi,  Pultneyville,  Rochester,  Tyre,  Waterloo,  Wolcott. 
This  Classis  was  disbanded,  1887,  its  churches  going  into  the  neighboring 
Classes  of  Rochester,  etc. 

German  Churches  and  Ministers  in  R.  C.  A.  See  Conference  on 
Union  with  Refd.  Ch.  in  U.  S.,  1888;  Memorial  from  German  Ministers 
in  respect  to  the  importance  of  the  missionary  work  among  the  Germans; 
1857,  254,  262;  '98,   136.     See  Classis  of  Pleasant  Prairie. 

German  Hymn  Book: — The  German  churches  in  R.  C.  A.,  until  1855, 
used  mostly  the  so-called  "Union  Hymn  Book"  [Gemeinschaftliche 
Gesangbuch],  or  the  "Collection  of  Evangelical  Hymns,"  published  at 
Chambersburg,  1842.  But  the  "Psalms"  were  not  in  either  of  these  col- 
lections. Therefore,  the  German  Evangelical  Mission  Church  in  New 
York  City,  and  in  behalf  of  other  German  chs.,  requested  Gen.  Syn.  to 
provide  a  German  Hymn  Book  containing  also  the  Psalms.  1853,  298. 
Special  Com.  to  report  on,  354 ;  Revs.  Guldin,  Berg  and  Berkey,  Com.  to 
prepare  such  Book,  and  when  endorsed  by  Drs.  T.  DeWitt,  W.  H. 
Campbell  and  John  Proudfit,  to  be  printed  by  Bd.  of  Direction,  381. 
Approved,  '54,  392 ;  Palatinate  Form  for  Preparatory  Service  allowed  to 
be  incorporated,  395. — This  Book  contains  a  historical  review  of  German 
Hymnology. 

Desire  an  improved  Hymn  Book ;  183,  220 ;  authorized,  360.  German 
churches  permitted  to  use  the  Hymn  Book  of  Refd.  Ch.  in  U.  S.     '90,  104. 

German  Reformed  Church.     See  Refd.  Ch.  in  the  U.  S. 

Gillespie.  John  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Professor  of  Hellenistic 
Greek  and  New  Testament  Exegesis  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary; 
1898,  84,  90. 

Gesner,  Oscar,    (Rev.)     Gives  $1,000  to  the  Sage  Library;    1870,  32. 

God.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts,  i,  2,  8,  9,  20,  21;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  25;  see 
Name  of  God. 

Godliness.  Any  decision  of  a  Church  court  affecting  the  interests 
of  truth  or  vital  godliness,  may  be  complained  of  to  the  next  higher 
Judicatory.     Constit.  of  1874,  Art.   119. 

God  the  Father.    Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  8 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23,  24,  26-28. 

God  the  Holy  Ghost.  Belg.  Conf,  Arts.  8-1 1;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
23,  24,  53-85- 

God  the  Son.    Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  8-10;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23,  24,  29-52. 

Godparents.     See  Sponsors,  Witnesses. 

GoETSCHius,  John  H.   (Rev.)     President  of  the  Coetus,  175 1. 

GoLjENBOOM,  Jacob.    Gives  $25  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  1899,  321. 

Golden  Rule.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,   in,  112. 


GOOD  FRIDAY  313 

Good  Friday.  Not  mentioned  among  the  Holy  days,  in  the  Consti- 
tution of  1619,  67;  nor  in  that  of  1792,  Art.  67.     See  Feast-Days. 

Good  Pleasure  of  God.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  24;  Canons  of  Dort,  i.  3, 
7-10,  15;  ii.  5;  iii.  6,  7,  11;  v.  10,  12. 

Good  Works.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  24;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  62,  63,  86-129. 

Gordon,  Wm.  R.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Vedder  Lecturer,  1877. — 1876,  535. 
Bequest  of  $2,000  to  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions ;  income  to  be  paid  to  his 
wife  during  her  life ;   1898. 

GosMAN,  John,   (Rev.  Dr.)      President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1831. 

GovERNAiENT  OF  THE  Church.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  30.  See  Consti- 
tution. 

Grace  before  and  After  Meat.  See  Forms  in  Liturg>',  1792,  pp.  139, 
140 ;  also  Forms  in  later  Liturgies. 

Grace,  Doctrines  of.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  12,  85;  (21,  63;)  Canons, 
i.  8;  ii.  7;  iii.  15-17;  indeed,  all  the  Canons  emphasize  these  doctrines. 

Graces  of  the  Spirit.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  51. 

Graham,  Cornelia,  Legacy.     See  Milledoler  Memorial  Fund. 

Graham,  Cornelia,  Memorial  Fund.  Gift  of  $14,212.50;  held  by 
Board  of  Domestic  Alissions,  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Western 
States  and  Territories. 

Grand  River,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1870,  containing  then  the  fol- 
lowing churches :  Fremont  Centre,  Grand  Haven,  Grand  Rapids,  Grand- 
ville,  Kalamazoo,   Muskegon,   Polkton,   Spring  Lake. 

Grant,  Ulysses  S.  Quoted,  in  reference  to  unsectarian  schools. 
1892,  662. 

Gratitude.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  86-129;  Canons,  i.   13;  iii.   15;  v.  12. 

Gravamina.  Such  an  Article  is  found  in  all  the  older  Minutes,  1748, 
23.  It  corresponds,  in  part,  to  our  later  Articles,  "Grievances,"  "Cen- 
sures," and  still  later  to  "Synodical  References."  In  the  Articles  of 
Union,  1771,  14,  "Gravamina"  occurs  as  a  sort  of  supplement  to  said 
Articles,  and  treats  of  the  difficulties  which  might  yet  remain,  after  the 
Union  of  the  Coetus  and  Conferentie ;  such  as  : — where  two  rival  Con- 
sistories existed  in  one  church,  and  two  ministers,  one  belonging  to  each 
party ;  or  one  minister  and  two  Consistories ;  to  alleged  irregular  ordina- 
tions ;  and  to  the  special  case  of  dominie  Meyer,  at  Kingston,  N.  Y. 
Special  cases  are  also  often  treated  under  special  heads,  and  not  under 
"Gravamina."  All  complaints  would  naturally  come  under  this  head,  1793, 
247.  Public  rumors  against  the  characters  of  ministers,  and  the  preaching 
of  students,  were  placed  under  '"Gravaminia,"  and  even  the  failure  to 
transcribe  the  Minutes  of  Synod,  1804,  335-6;  also  complaints  about  the 
manner  of  constituting  General  Synod,  1806,  357.  In  1812,  408,  this 
Article  begins  to  be  styled  "Grievances,"  which  see. 

Graves,  Nathan  F.  Provides  for  a  course  of  lectures  on  Missions ; 
1889,  769;  continued  from  year  to  year;  90,  46;  '91,  275;  '92,  507;  '93,  754; 
94,  59;  '95.  60;  '96,  333;  '97,  611;  gives  $10,000  for  the  Graves  Library 
at  Hope  College,  with  his  own  valuable  legal  Library,  in  addition;  1892, 
527 ;  erects  Library  Building  at  Hope  College,  94,  85 ;  its  dedication ; 
gives  $300  to  purchase  certain  books ;  '95,  85  ;  makes  provision  in  his  will 
for  the  continuance  of  Lectures  on  Missions  in  New  Brunswick  Sem.,  '97, 
611;  notices  of  his  death,  '97,  635,  744;  the  lectures  to  be  continued, 
pending  the  settlement  of  his  estate;  1904,  666;  $2,500  received,  on 
account;  1905,  14,  35,  38.  Balance,  $5,613.64.  Report  of  Bd.  of  Direction, 
1906,7. 

Great  Consistory.     See  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  51,  57. 


314         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Greene,  Classis  of.  Organized  1834,  then  consisting  of  the  following 
churches:  Athens,  Catskill  ist,  Catskill  2d,  Coxsackie  ist,  Coxsackie  2d, 
Kiskatom,  Leeds,  Prattsville,  Roxbury. 

Greenwood  Scholarship;  for  Arcot  Seminary,  $2,000.  Held  by 
General  Synod. 

Gregory,  Oscar  H.    (Rev.   Dr.)      President  of  General  Synod,   i860. 

Grievances.  As  a  Lemma,  took  the  place  of  Gravamina,  (which  see), 
in  1812,  408;  names  of  absentees  inserted  under;  '15,  36;  unauthorized 
changes  by  the  printer,  in  the  Hymn  Book,  placed  under;  '15,  37.  This 
Lemma  discontinued,  by  resolution ;   1821,  6. 

Gunn,  Alexander,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Appointed  to  prepare  a  Memoir  of 
Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  1828,  137;  completion  of  the  work,  '29,  153; 
his  liberal  ofifer  relative  to  the  profits  of  the  work,  154-5 ;  his  death ; 
embarrassment  of  the  family;  '30,  241,  261;  the  Bd.  of  Direction  to 
advance  $600  to  Mrs.  Gunn;  286;  further  action  on,  '31,  316,  319,  37^-3; 
Mrs.  Gunn  assigns  copyright  of  the  Memoirs  to  Synod,  '32,  26. 

Hackensack,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1771,  consisting  then  of  the 
churches  of  Aquackononck,  (Passaic).  Bergen,  Clarkstown  (New  Hemp- 
stead), EngHsh  Neighborhood,  Horseneck  (Fairfield),  Hackensack, 
Hackensack,  2d,  Kakiat  (West  New  Hempstead),  Montville,  Panne 
(Ponds),  Paramus,  Parsippany,  Pompton  (Pompton  Plains),  Schraalen- 
berg,  Schraalenberg,  2d,  Second  River  (Belleville),  Staten  Island  (North 
Side,  South  Side,  S.  I.),  Tappan,  Totowa  (Paterson).  In  1800  this 
Classis  was  divided  into  the  Classes  of  Bergen  and  Paramus;  which  see. 
1771,  10,  18-20;  1784,  113;  1800,  302,  316.  See  Taylor's  Annals  of  Classis 
of  Bergen;  Centennial  Hist,  of  Classis  of  Paramus,  1814,  66;  1815,  53. 

Hackensack,  Particular  Body,  Organized,  1771,  same  as  Classis  of 
Hackensack.     Name  ''Classis"  assumed,  1784,   128. 

Hades.     May  be  used  instead  of  "Hell."     1882,  31,  112. 

Haeghoort,  Geradus,  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  the  Ccetus,  1748,  1752, 

Hager  and  Ishmael.  a  beautiful  piece  of  statuary  in  the  Sage 
Library,  given  by  J.  Ackerman  Coles  and  sister,  Miss  Emilie  S.  Coles. 
1897,  610,  621. 

Hague,  The.  Desirability  of  regular  English  services  there;  1901, 
1126-7;   1904,  740;   1905,  143- 

Hallowing  God's  Name.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  99-102,  122. 

Hardenberg,  Jacob  Rutsen,  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  Queens  Col- 
lege, 1785-90.  Many  allusions  to  him  in  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York.  See 
index,   when  published. 

Hardenberg,  Jas.  B.   (Rev.  Dr.)      President  of  General  Synod,   1842. 

Harder,  Chs.  Nash,  (Mrs.)  Left  $5,000  to  Bd.  of  Education  for 
Oklahoma  Academy;  report  of  Board,  1905,  4. 

Harlem,  Church  of.  Gives  $400  toward  Professorial  Fund ;  1809, 
381 ;  gives  $2,000  for  Scholarship  in  Arcot  Seminary,  1895,  51. 

Harris,  Townsend,  (Hon.)  Ex-minister  to  Japan;  gives  $1,000 
toward  the  building  of  a  chapel  in  Japan ;  1862,  196 ; 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  (Hon.)  Resolutions  sent  to,  in  honor  of  the 
Centennial  of  Washington's  inauguration;  1889,  930;  acknowledgments 
by,  '90,  198;  resolutions  sent  to,  about  closing  Columbian  Exhibition  on 
the  Lord's  Day;  1892,  660-1;  acknowledgment  of,  '93,  709. 

Hartley,  Isaac  S.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Vedder  Lecturer,  1873.  735; 
President  of  General  Synod,  1881. 

Hartranft,  Chester  D.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Appointed  on  Com.  of  Co-opera- 
tion for  selecting  books  for  Sage  Library,  1875,  326;  requested  to  prepare 
a  Critical  Edition  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  '76,  548;  elected  Vedder 


HASBRROUCK,  A.  BRUYN  315 

Lecturer;  'T],  715;  declines,  '78,  16,  98;  elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  Theology 
for  New  Brunswick  Sem.,  '81,  762;  declines,  Oct.,  '81,  7,  8 

Hasbrouck,  a.  Bruyn,  (Hon.)  President  of  Rutger's  College, 
1840-50;  Synod  invites  him  to  visit  Gen.  Synod,  then  in  session,  in 
Kingston;  accepts;   Synod  attends  a  reception  at  his  house;   1876,  550-1. 

Hasbrouck,  Ellen  H.  (Mrs.)  Bequest  of  $500  to  New  Brunswick 
Sem. ;  put  in  Permanent  Fund,  1882,  '}>'h- 

Hasbrouck,  Louisa.    Gives  $S,ooo  for  a  scholarship. 
Hatred.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  105-6. 

Hayt,  Ezra  A.  Resigns  being  Treasurer  of  Bd.  of  For.  Missions ; 
thanks  for  long  service;   1861,  85. 

Hazen,  a.  F.  Scholarship  to  Bd.  of  Education  of  $1,960.28.  1899, 
728,  735- 

Headship  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  29,  31 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
49-51;  Canons  i.  7. 

Hearing  the  Word.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  24. 

Heaven.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  37;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  49-52,  57,  58,  103; 
Canons,  i.  7,  8,;  ii.  8. 

Hedges,  Jas.  E.  Bequests  of  $2,500  for  Scholarships  and  Education; 
1893,  714;  $1,000  for  Hope  College;  714. 

Heidelberg  Catechism.  Composed  in  1563  by  Ursinus  and  Olevi- 
anus.  See  Tercentenary  Edition,  1863,  with  full  history,  and  four  ver- 
sions : — the  original  German ;  the  Latin ;  modern  German ;  and  English. 
See  also  Berg's  Translation  of  Von  Alpen's  History  of. — Translated  into 
Hollandish,  1563.  [Collegiate  Church  of  New  York  has  a  copy  of  this 
orignal  Dutch  Edition.  See  Manual  of  1902,  p.  13,  note  8.]  This  Cate- 
chism was  adopted  by  the  Synod  of  Wesel  for  the  Dutch  Churches,  1568; 
by  the  Synod  of  Embden,  1571 ;  by  the  (early)  Synod  of  Dort,  1581.  In 
1576  the  Prince  of  Orange  and  the  States  of  Holland  and  West  Friesland 
published  certain  ecclesiastical  Rules,  requiring,  among  other  things,  the 
regular  exposition  of  this  Catechism.  This  rule  was  adopted  by  the 
Synod  of  the  H^gue,  1786,  and  frequently  repeated,  and  finally  adopted 
at  the  Great  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19.     See  Rules  of  1619,  Arts.  68  and  44. 

[In  1764  DeRonde's  English  translation  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism 
was  published  in  New  York,  (see  his  name  in  Manual,  418,)  and  in  1767, 
a  second  edition,  (revised  by  Laidlie,)  under  the  auspices  of  the  Collegiate 
Church.] 

These  rules  were  adopted  by  the  Convention  in  New  York,  1771, 
page  9,  Art.  i.  In  1780,  80,  and  1788,  176,  the  Provisional  Synod  would 
only  approve  of  certain  calls  on  condition  that  such  exposition  of  the 
Catechism  was  required.  Professors  and  Ministers  are  required  to  sub- 
scribe to  its  teachings,  (which  are  experimental  and  practical,  rather 
than  theological)  ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  12,  24;  and  ministers  also  promise 
to  explain  it,  1874,  Art.  53,  64.  The  Classes  are  enjoined  to  make 
inquiries  whether  this  duty  is  complied  with ;  1816,  28.  In  1827,  the 
Classis  of  New  York  inquired  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  N.  Y.  whether 
this  requirement  was  to  be  rigidly  enforced,  or  left  to  the  discretion  of 
Consistories.  This  was  referred  to  General  Synod,  which  directed  all 
the  Classes  to  obey  the  Rule ;  1827,  52,  60.  Sundaj^-schools  exhorted  not 
to  neglect  the  standard  Catechisms  of  the  Church ;  1830,  278-9 ;  the  church 
of  Glenville  asks  to  be  excused  from  this  requirement;  not  granted;  1831, 
367.  In  the  new  Constitution  of  1833,  the  exposition,  which  had  before 
been  required  annually,  was  extended  to  four  years.  Art.  61 ;  72 ;  and  the 
form  of  the  call,  with  its  requirements,  which  was  only  recommended  in 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  36,  was  made  obligatory,  1833,  Art.  60.  Resolutions 
exhortinar  to  this  dutv.   1854,  4i7,  420;    1865,  618. 


3i6  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

In  1867  the  Particular  Synod  of  Xew  York  asks  for  the  exact  meaning 
of  the  requirement ;  Synod  replied  that  the  meaning  of  the  Constitution 
cannot  be  misunderstood ;  18O7,  235,  238.  In  1870  the  Classis  of  New- 
Brunswick  sent  a  communication  to  Synod,  on  the  same  subject;  report: 
— Four  things  required ;  the  doctrines  must  be  explained ;  not  stated 
whether  such  explanations  should  be  lengthy  or  brief;  whether  it  should 
take  the  place  of  the  sermon,  or  be  an  additional  feature  of  the  service ; 
nor  is  it  stated  whether  it  should  explain  the  very  language  of  the 
Catchism,  or  follow  the  exact  order.  Question  of  methods  left  to  the 
conscientious  judgment  of  the  individual;  1870,  58,  59. 

In  1872,  the  second  question  in  Art.  74,  of  the  revised  Constitution, 
about  the  regular  explanation  of  the  Catechism,  was  sent  down  separately 
from  the  whole  Constitution,  for  the  action  of  the  Classes ;  1872,  489 ; 
1873,  722 ;  but  it  was  retained,  not  eliminated,  by  a  vote  of  18  Classes  for 
retention,  and  12  against ;  1874,  108-9. 

In  1876  the  Classis  of  Montgomery  requested  Synod  to  secure  statis- 
tical information  as  to  obedience  to  this  requirement.  Synod  replied  that 
the  Constitutional  provision  was  already  sufficient ;  but  if  this  failed, 
further  legislation  was  undesirable ;  also  that  the  report  in  1870,  on  the 
method  of  explaining  was  not  intended  to  do  away  with  the  reading  of 
the  sections;  1876,  500,  513. — In  1877,  in  view  of  the  varied  legislation  on 
the  subject,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  examine  into  the  whole  sub- 
ject, as  to  the  origin,  history,  practice  and  legislation  of  Synod  on  the 
subject;  1877,  688;  names,  '^2^2.  Report  of  the  Committee.  The  report 
was  accepted,  but  referred  back  to  the  Committee,  and  subsequently  the 
Committee,  because  of  great  opposition,  requested  permission  to  with- 
draw their  report ;  1878,  146.  [The  above  resume  of  Synod's  action,  is  an 
abstract  of  said  report.] 

In  1876  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  Critical  Edition  of 
the  Catechism  in  its  English  version ;  names ;  and  that  Rev.  Dr.  C.  D. 
Hartranft  be  requested  to  prepare  a  history  of  the  Catechism;  1876,  548; 
'78,  98,  99;  their  first  report;  copies  of  editions  before  them,  (one  being  a 
reprint  of  first  German  edition)  ;  the  third  edition,  of  1563,  (Heidelberg), 
the  basis  of  their  work ;  1877,  731 ;  further  report :  1878,  145  ;  the  history 
and  new  version,  1878,  201-222.  A  communication  sent  to  Refd.  Ch.  in 
U.  S.  (German)  to  appoint  a  Com.  to  co-operate  with  Com.  of  R.  C  A., 
to  consider  the  question  of  the  best  text,  and  to  agree  upon  one  standard 
version  for  the  two  Bodies ;  1881,  785-6 ;  Committee  requested  to  revise 
their  work,  and  after  submitting  it  to  the  theological  professors,  to  publish 
the  same,  with  their  approval,  adding  Scripture  references,  1882,  158-9. 
No  report.     1883,  359. 

Further  exhortation  to  the  duty  of  explaining  the  Catechism  from 
the  pulpit;  '81,  693. 

In  1886  the  new  version  of  the  Catechism,  of  1878,  was  adopted  as 
the  authorized  one,  and  to  be  substituted  for  the  old  version ;  '86,  155. 

In  1891,  the  Classis  of  Westchester  asked  Synod  to  grant  some  relief 
from  giving  categorical  answer  to  questions  2  and  3  of  Constit.  of  1874, 
Art.  64;  elaborate  report,  vindicating  the  requirement;  yet  //  there  is  suM- 
cient  reason  for  omitting  the  explanation,  there  is  to  be  no  censure;  1891, 
332-4 ;   request  repeated  : 

Resolved,  That  this  whole  matter  of  expounding  the  catechism  and 
catechizing  the  youth  of  the  Church  must  be  left  to  the  conscience  of  the 
pastor  and  judgment  of  the  church  he  serves,  and  of  the  Classis  to  which 
he  belongs. 

Resolved,  That  the  answers  of  the  Classes,  under  Art.  VII.,  Sec.  7, 
of  our  Constitution,  need  not  be  categorical.     1892,  567. 

Particular  Synod  of  New  York  requested  that  the  Centennial,  of  the 
first  edition  of  the  English  version  of  the  Catechism  in  America,  be 
appropriately  celebrated.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin  was  requested  to  publish  a 
suitable    article    on    the    subject    in    the    Christian    Intelligencer;    and    the 


HEIRS  OF  SALVATION  317 

churches  were  requested  to  commemorate  the  event  on  the  first  Sunday 
of  October.  Consistories  and  pastors  were  exhorted  to  comply  with  the 
requirements  regularly  to  explain  the  Catechism. 

A  special  Committee  was  appointed  to  compare  the  old  and  new  ver- 
sions of  the  Catechism  with  each  other,  and  with  the  original,  and  report; 
names  of  Com.,  1893,  809.  Report :  Action  of  1876-78,  referred  to ;  also 
that  of  1881  and  1886,  and  the  adoption  of  the  new  version  of  1886,  155-6; 
then  the  action  of  1893,  instituted  by  Bd.  of  Publication,  on  account  of 
variations  in  the  new  version.  This  new  version  was  made  from  the 
German  text  of  1563 ;  but  it  was  the  Dutch  version  which  was  approved 
by  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  and  from  which  the  English  version  in 
America  was  made  in  1767;  and  it  was  this  version  adopted  in  1792  by 
the  R.  D.  C.  Therefore  the  action  of  Synod  in  1886,  adopting  the  new 
version,  was  repealed.     1894,  130-2. 

Additional  overtures  from  the  North  Classis  of  Long  Island,  asking 
that  that  action  be  taken  to  strike  out  the  second  Constitutional  Question 
— "Is  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  regularly  explained,"  etc.  ?  As  several 
recent  Synods  have  refused  to  take  any  action  in  this  matter,  the  present 
Synod  refused  also  to  act,  1894,  127-8.  Request  repeated ;  liberty  is  left 
to  the  minister  to  choose  the  method  of  obeying  this  Rule ;  1895,  135-6. 
Classis  of  Albany  makes  same  request.     No  action  taken;  1901,  1121,  1123. 

T)ie  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  endorses  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism  in  a  very  elaborate  paper,  adopted,  June  30,  1870. 
See  Plumley,  in  Manual,  page  657.  This  was  partly  in  return  to  the 
Synod's  action,  endorsing  the  Westminster  Catechism,  1839,  261. — Rev. 
Dr.  Jas.  I.  Good  of  R.  C.  in  U.  S.  has  published  many  valuable  papers  on 
the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  and  its  adoption  by  Presbyterian  Churches  in 
England  and  Scotland. 

Not  a  few  simplified  editions  of  the  Catechism  have  been  issued  by 
pastors.  Synod  has  also  taken  action  in  the  matter ;  1877,  732 ;  '78,  146 ; 
'81,  784;  etc. 

Heirs  of  Salvation.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  60. 

Hell.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  12,  20,  24,  35,  27',  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  10.  11, 
;^y,  44,  52 ;  Canons,  ii.  i ;  iii.  2,  10.     See  Punishment  of  Sin. 

Hell,  Descent  into.  The  phrase  "He  descended  into  Hell"  may  be 
bracketed ;   1856,  95. 

Hellenbroek  Catechism.  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  suggested  the 
reprinting  and  translating  of  the  Catechism  of  Abraham  Hellenbroek. 
Synod  replies  that  since  various  Catechisms  are  already  in  use,  it  would 
be  difficult  to  secure  uniformity,  and  hence  it  would  be  of  little  advantage 
to  recommend  this  matter  to  the  several  Classes,  1781,  92. 

Hendrickson,  Elias  J.  Leaves  $10,000  to  General  Synod,  for 
Scholarships,  1894,  17.  Difficulty  about  the  construction  of  his  will,  as  to 
who  should  have  the  right  of  naming  the  candidates.  Report  on  the 
matter  awarding  it  to  the  Church  of  Queens,  L.  I.     1894,  95-98. 

Heresy.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  85 ;  Preface  to  Constit.  of  1792,  near 
beginning;  see  also  Creeds.  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  91;  Professors  of 
Theology  must  vindicate  the  pure  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  against  heresy; 
Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  18. 

Herriman,  Catharine,  (Mrs.)  Bequest  of  $3,000  for  New  Brunswick 
Seminary;  and  $3,000  for  Rutgers  College;  1873,  752;  '74,  15. 

Hertzog,  Ann,  (Mrs.)  Gives  $30,000  for  the  erection  of  a  Theo- 
logical Hall,  to  be  called  "Peter  Hertzog  Theological  Hall,"  in 
honor  of  her  deceased  husband ;  thanks  of  Synod ;  Oct.,  1855,  10,  18.  She 
died,  June  9,  1866;  resolutions  of  Synod  in  view  of  her  death,  1866,  ill, 
112;  leaves  $10,000  by  will  for  repairs  of  Hertzog  Hall.  1869,  554;  interest 
on  same  to  be  paid  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  Hertzog  Hall,  1869,  580. 


3i8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

For  sketch,  see  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.,  1902,  p.  185.  Resolutions  on 
her  death;   1866,  ill. 

Hertzog  Hall.     See  Peter  Hertzog  Theological  Hall. 

Hertzog  Hall  Library.  With  the  building  of  Hertzog  Hall,  it  was 
proposed  that  the  "Theological  Library"  in  the  College  Building,  should 
be  removed  thither. — See  Theological  Library. — In  1857  the  Professors 
reported  that  about  500  volumes  had  already  been  given  tov^ard  this 
Library,  and  money  also  for  the  erection  of  cases.  [This  Library  occupied 
what  is  now  the  Chapel  of  Hertzog  Hall.]  Names  of  donors  given;  1857, 
132-3,  213;  Synod  directed  the  books  formerly  donated  by  Mrs.  Chinn  to 
the  Exegetical  Department,  with  the  case,  to  be  removed  to  Hertzog  Hall; 
also  that  the  Professors,  with  Rev.  John  DeWitt,  be  a  Committee,  to 
co-operate  with  a  similar  Committee  of  the  Trustees  of  the  College, 
amicably  and  equitably  to  divide  the  Library  in  Rutger's  College;  and 
that  the  Libraries  of  both  institutions  be  accessible  to  the  Professors  and 
students  of  each,  1857,  213,  214;  donations  of  books  from  the  Collegiate 
Church  and  from  the  Library  of  the  late  Dr.  Knox  were  received ;  a 
portion  of  Dr.  Ludlow's  Library  was  purchased;  1858,  340;  more  than 
2,000  volumes  were  assigned,  as  the  Seminary's  portion,  from  the  old 
"Theological  Library"  (which  see)  in  Rutger's  College,  to  the  Hertzog 
Hall  Library,  which  now  possessed  about  4,000  volumes ;  '59,  376.  In  1863 
a  large  part  of  Dr.  Van  Vranken's  Library  was  added,  250,  330;  as  well 
as  about  3,000  volumes  from  Library  of  Dr.  Bethune ;  '63,  251,  331;  '64, 
506;  '65,  548,  627;  its  further  increase  was  recommended,  '66,  11,  98;  but 
duplicates  may  be  exchanged ;  '69,  546-7,  645. 

Further  bequests  from  Dr.  Bethune's  Library,  '70,  13 ;  and  Dr.  Cornell 
had  raised  $37,500  for  the  Library;  '70,  13,  16,  114.  A  site  was  now  pro- 
posed for  a  new  Library  Building  east  of  Hertzog  Hall;  '70,  113,  and 
Col.  Sage  promises  to  build  a  Library;  '71,  218,  and  the  cornerstone  of 
such  Building  was  laid  on  June  5th,  1873,  750,  west  of  Hertzog  Hall,  and 
to  be  called  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library ;  and  the  books  from  the  Hertzog 
Hall  Library  were  removed  thither  in  1875,  203.     See  Sage  Library. 

Herterodoxy.     See  Heresy. 

Heyer,  Cornelius.  Chosen  Treas.  of  Bd.  of  Direction ;  declines,  1819, 
47;  chosen  member,  each  year,  1826-42;  treasurer,  pro  tem,  1827,  20; 
President  of  the  Board,  1837-42;  his  death,  1843,  166. 

Heyer,  Isaac.  Chosen  member  of  Bd.  of.  Direction,  1819,  47 ;  acting 
treasurer,  1820,  21 ;  chosen  treasurer,  1821,  51,  and  rechosen,  yearly,  until 
1826,  30;  deputed  a  delegate  to  Synod  by  the  Board,  1826,  29;  his 
death ;  bequeaths  $2,500  to  Theological  Seminary,  1827,  20,  69,  105 ;  thanks 
for  gift ;  the  money  appropriated  to  found  the  "Heyer  Scholarship,"  1828, 
130- 1 ;    1829,    158. 

Heyer  Scholarship.  $2,500;  extract  of  will,  1828,  105,  130;  1829,  158, 
172;  1830,  253;  1831,  344;  1832,  39,  70;  1833,  179;  1834,  264,  297,  319;  the 
funds  constituting  the  Scholarships,  except  the  Heyer,  now  entrusted  to 
the  Treas.  of  Bd.  of  Education,  320;  the  Board  have  withdrawn  $1,700  of 
the  Heyer  legacy,  from  the  "Permanent  Fund,"  and  devoted  the  same  to 
the  Education  Fund,  1835,  355,  404.  Since  1835,  this  Scholarship,  the  first 
of  all  the  distinctive  Scholarships,  has  always  been  put  down  at  $1,700. 

Higher  Criticism.  The  adoption  of  any  S.  S.  Helps  advocating  the 
principles  of  the  Rationalistic  Higher  Criticism,  warned  against;  1894, 
105;  '95,   104. 

HiNCHMAN,  Janet.  Bequeaths  a  Scholarship  of  $500  (less  $30  Reve- 
nue tax),  and  $500  (less  $30  tax)  for  support  of  Theological  Seminary, 
1870,  14.— [In  1867,  285,  the  treasurer  is  directed  to  receive  her  bequest, 
and  receipt  for  same;  but  this  is  under  "Particularia."] 

Historical  Society  of  New  York.    An  invitation  received,  thro  Fred. 


HISTORICAL  THEOLOGY  319 

De  Peyster,  Esq.,  the  President,  for  the  Synod  to  visit  the  rooms  of, 
1866,  II. 

Historical  Theology.  Chair  of,  in  Western  Theological  Seminary, 
established;  1894,  75;  '95,  63.     See  '88,  542. 

Historiographer.  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin  authorized,  as  Official 
Historiographer  of  the  Church,  to  gather,  arrange  and  edit  historical 
material,  as  the  Amsterdam  Correspondence,  the  Digest  and  the  Manual; 
1897,  n^- 

History.  In  the  year  of  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  for  the 
American  Reformed  Church,  that  General  Convention  urged  the  Classes 
to  make  careful  inquiry  after  all  books  and  papers  of  the  old  Coetus, 
[1747-54,]  as  well  as  of  the  subsequent  Ccetus  [1755-1771,]  and  of  the 
Conferentie,  [1755-1771,]  and  to  bring  them  forward  to  the  Synod;  and 
also  an.  account  of  the  formation  and  histories  of  the  several  congrega- 
tions, that  they  may  be  preserved  among  the  papers  of  the  Synod,  as  the 
historical  documents  of  the  Church,  1792,  241 ;  1793,  251.  See  Amsterdam 
Correspondence;  Archives;  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York;  Manual 
of  R.  C.  A.    Also  1841,  491-3;  1843,  371-7- . 

Hoes,  R.  Randall,  (Rev.)  Chaplain  in  U.  S.  Navy,  invited  to  sit  in 
Synod  as  a  Corresponding  member ;  addresses  Synod  on  a  recent  visit  to 
the  Archives  of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam;  1887,  440;  '89,  921. 

Holland.     See  Netherlands. 

Holland  Academy.  At  Holland,  Mich.  Notice  of,  and  first  annual 
report ;  1853,  267 ;  history  of ;  taken  under  care  of  Synod,  363 ;  '54,  458, 
477;  '55,  581-2;  '57,  197;  deed  for  land,  '58,  277;  '58,  Z7>Z\  endowment 
begun,  '59,  378,  435;  '60,  486,  492,  550,  557-8;  '61,  72;  '62,  184;  title  of, 
secured  to  Synod,  '63,  253;  plan  of  support  and  operation;  '63,  319-321; 
'64,  398 ;  proposition  to  endow  it  as  a  College,  '64,  466-7,  473 ;  arrange- 
ments to  secure  a  College  Charter,  '64,  484;  '65,  620-3,  631.  See  Hope 
College.     Holland  Academy  still  continues  as  a  preparatory  school. 

Holland,  Classis  of.  Received  into  the  Refd.  Dutch  Church,  1850. 
This  Classis,  composed  of  recent  immigrants  from  Holland,  made  appli- 
cation to  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  to  be  received  by  that  Body. 
This  fact,  under  "Synodical  Rererences,"  was  referred  to  a  Special 
Committee :  They  reported  that  that  Classis  consisted  of  nine  organized 
churches,  averaging  100  members  each,  and  six  ministers.  They  con- 
sisted of  emigrants  from  Holland,  driven  by  temporal  necessities,  onerous 
taxation  and  interference  with  the  rights  of  conscience,  to  America. 
Their  exemplary  habits  and  thrift  were  referred  to ;  one  of  the  same 
stock  and  church  as  the  earlier  Dutch  settlers.  Said  Classis  was  received 
under  the  care  of  the  General  Synod,  to  be  connected  with  the  Particular 
Synod  of  Albany ;  and  were  commended  to  the  particular  attention  of  the 
Board  of  Domestic  Missions. 

When  received,  this  Classis  consisted  of  the  following  churches : 
Drenthe,  Franklin,  Graafschap,  Grand  Haven,  Grand  Rapids,  Holland, 
Kalamazoo,  Milwaukie,  Milwaukie  2d  or  Tows,  Overyssel,  Vriesland, 
Zeeland.     1850,  68,  69;  '51,  130,  149;  '52,  230;  '53,  324. 

Holland  Daaies  of  New  Netherland.  They  make  request  that  the 
Synod  would  set  apart  some  day  to  be  annually  observed  as  "Dutch  Fore- 
fathers' Day,"  in  honor  of  the  first  settlers.  Object  commendable,  but  it 
does  not  fall  within  the  province  of  Synod.     1901,  1127. 

Holland,  Ecclesiastical  Correspondence  with.  See  Amsterdam 
Correspondence,  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  State  of  New  York. 

Hollanders  in  the  West.  See  DeWitt,  Thomas;  a  new  body  of 
pilgrims;  1847,  191,  196;  Sept.,  '48,  425;  '49,  503;  sympathy  for,  '51,  197; 
'52,  231,  281;  '54,  458,  477.  See  Domestic  Missions,  1846  onward;  also 
Manual  of  1902,  136-142.     Semi-Centennial  of  their  coming,  1896,  375. 


320         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Holland,  Queen  of.  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corvvin  accredited  as  repre- 
sentative of  Reformed  Church  in  America,  at  the  coronation  of  Wil- 
hclmina;    1898,  259. 

Holmes,  John  ]\IcClellan,  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Svnod, 
1876. 

Holy  Catholic  Church.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  27-29;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  23,  54. 

Holy  Days  or  Holidays.  For  custom  in  Holland,  see  Constit.  of 
1619,  Art.  67 ;  discretion  to  be  exercised  in  America ;  Constit.  of  1792, 
Art.  67;  no  reference  to,  in  Constit.  of  1833,  1874. 

Holy  Scripture.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7;  duty  of  Professor 
to  explain  and  vindicate,  1619,  Art.  18. 

Holy  Spirit.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  8,  11,  18,  24;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23, 
31,  49,  53,  72,  IZ,  116;  Canons,  iii.  6,  11. 

Home  Department  of  Sunday  School  Work.  Schools  recommended 
to  introduce  the  "Home  Department,"  to  induce  families  and  individuals 
not  able  to  attend  S.  Ss.  to  study  the  lessons  regularly  at  home;  1890,  "JT, 
'95,  105- 

Honorary  Degrees  or  Titles.  These  titles  not  to  be  appended  in 
the  Statistical  Tables,  but  may  be  affixed  in  the  Alphabetical  Catalogue 
of  addresses.     1876,  493. 

Hope  College,  Holland,  Mich.  See  Holland  Academy;  also  Article 
"Hope  College"  in  Manual  of  1902,  pp.  191-8.  As  the  details  of  the 
history  of  this  College  have  been  so  often  and  elaborately  treated  in 
various  pamphlets,  catalogues,  and  in  other  ways,  it  does  not  seem  neces- 
sary, even  were  it  possible,  to  treat  its  affairs  in  detail  with  its  many 
references,  in  this  Digest.  For  the  details  of  events  which  led  up  to  the 
founding  of  Hope  College,  see  "First  Catalogue  of  Hope  College,"  1865-6, 
pages  40-48.  The  first  Articles  of  Incorporation  were  obtained  in  1866. 
See  1864,  484-5 ;  '66,  14. 

Respecting  the  legality  of  a  certain  transfer  of  land,  knc>wn  as  "Hope 
College  Addition,"  see  1878.  41;  "79,  242;  '85,  650-1. 

A  new  Constitution  of  Hope  College  was  approved,  1879,  366-378; 
1880,  581.  In  1891  the  Library  contains  8,534  volumes.  Rev.  J.  F. 
Zwemer,  the  financial  agent,  then  reported  subscriptions  obtained  by  him 
to  the  amount  of  $50,000,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Particular  Synod  of 
Chicago. 

In  1892,  523-535,  elder  N.  F.  Graves  gave  $10,000  for  the  erection  of  a 
Library  Building,  with  the  promise  to  bestow  his  own  valuable  Library; 
Mrs.  Garret  E.  Winants  added  $10,000  for  a  Chapel.  The  Council  then 
held  about  $56,081;  the  Bd.  of  Direction  about  $67,050;  and  the  Bd.  of 
Education  about  $1,000;  and  the  Benevolent  Boards  [of  the  West]  about 
$15,000.  all  for  the  endowment  of  Hope  College;  in  all,  $139,142.  Rev.  J. 
F.  Zwemer  now  reports  about  $75,000  in  subscriptions,  obtained  by  him, 
for   all   the    Western    Institutions. 

The  Graves  Library  and  the  Winants  Chapel  were  completed  at  a 
cost  of  about  $40,000.  Certain  amendments  were  made  in  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  College  which  Synod  ratified.  The  General  Professorial 
Endowment  Fund  of  the  Institution  reached  $100,000  in  1894,  89,  91-3. 
Dedication  of  the  Library  and  Chapel ;  Mr.  Graves  has  also  given  his  own 
Library,  and  $300  to  buy  certain  needed  works.  95.  83-89.  The  new 
Charter  for  the  College;  1896.  371-3-  375-  Synod  again  ratified  a  New 
Constitution  of  the  College.  The  detailed  financial  reports  not  to  be  hence- 
forth printed  in  the  Minutes  of  Synod ;  '97,  629-635,  639-642.  The  Graves 
Donation  of  5,000  volumes  received;  '98,  97-102,  106-7;  the  Synod  gives 
permission  to  the  Board  of  Direction  to  transfer  the  funds  which  it  holds 
for  Hope  College,  to  the  Council  of  the  College,  if  this  can  be  done  with- 
out personal  responsibility  to  the  members  of  the  Board;   '98,  66-69. 


HOPE  COLLEGE  321 

The  entire  Permanent  Fund  of  Hope  College,  including  moneys  held 
in  trust  by  the  Board  of  Direction,  by  the  Board  of  Education,  as  well 
as  by  the  Council,  is  not  quite  a  quarter  of  a  million.  About  $15,000  is 
for  Scholarships  for  students  in  Hope  College;  '99,  408-411,  419-420;  1900, 
717,  730-1;  1901,  1053-61,  1065.  The  Council  is  requested  to  divide  its 
report  hereafter,  that  Synod  may.  readily  perceive  vt'hich  part  belongs  to 
th$-  Com.  on  Education,  and  which  part  to  the  Com.  of  Bd.  of  Direction ; 
J902,  53,  54.  Van  Raalte  Hall,  containing  Lecture  Rooms,  a  Museum, 
and  a  Historical  Room,  just  finished;  1904,  671,  686;  1905,  81-86. 

CHRONOLOGICAL    MEMORANDA. 

Beginning  of  the  Netherland  Immigration  into  Michigan,  Iowa,  etc .  .  1847 

Village  of  Holland  laid  out 1848 

Five  acres  donated  by  Rev.  A.   C.   Van   Raalte,   D.D.,  as  a  site   for 

an   Academy 1850 

"Pioneer  School"  opened,  Mr.  W.  T.  Taylor,  Principal Oct.,  1851 

Placed  under  the  care  of  the  General  Synod June,  1853 

Mr.   W.  T.  Taylor  resigned Oct.,  1853 

Rev.  F.  B.  Beidler,   Principal 1854 

Rev.   John   Van   Vleck,    Principal 1855 

The  school  named  the  Holland  Academy 1855 

Van  Vleck  Hall  erected  on  "Tjie  five  acres'* .....: 1856 

The  Academy  more  fully  organized i857r'i858 

Rev.-  John  Van   Vleck,   resigned, .1859 

Rev.  Philip  Phelps,  Jr.,  Principal , 1859 

Campus   enlarged   to    16   acres 1859 

"Oggel  House"  erected  as  a  residence. i860 

Gymnasium   built,   largely   by    students 1862 

A  Freshman  Class  Formed,  10  in  number 1862 

A  ^'Board  of  Superintendents"  appointed  by  General  Synod 1863 

A  College  proposed^  and . approved ,  by  ith^  Synods 1864 

Over  $40,000  contributed  as  an  endowment. , 1865 

Hope  College  begun,  1865  ;  incorporated. May,  1866 

Faculty  of  six  appointed  and  organized ;   Rev.   P.   Phelps,  Jr.,   D.D., 

Pres.,    . :  .  ,, July,  1866 

Fir^t  Commencement ;  eight  became  A.  B 1866 

A  weekly  newspaper,  De  Hope,  established .  1866 

Theological  instruction 'begun,  with  a  class  of  seven Sept.,  1866 

Rev.    E.    C    Crispell,    D.D.,    elected    Professor   of    Theolog>' ;    Profs. 

Phelps,  Oggel,  Beck,  and  Scott  being  elected  ''Lectors" 1867 

The  Theological  Departrnerit  adopted  by  General  Synod  as  its  "West- 
ern   Theological  'Seminary". .;;. .  ... .-:. .1869 

Death  of  Rev.  Peter  J.  Oggel,  Professor,  and  Editor  of  De  Hope. .  Dec,  1869 

First  Theological  Class  of  seven  graduated. , , , 1869 

First  Formal  Constitution  of  the  College  adopted. . . ,  .,>... 1871 . 

C.  Doesburg,  A.M.,  elected  Professor. 1872 

Brick  printiiig  office  for  De  Hope  erected ....;.....;.. 1876 

Death  of  Rev.  A.  C  Van  Raalte,  D.D Nov.  7,  1876 

Suspension  of  the . Theological  Department .June,  1877 

Reorganization  of  the  College;  Dr.  PheJps  resigns. June,  1878 

Rev.-G.   H.    Mandevilie,    D.D.,    Provisional    President   and   Financial 

Agent ;  Prof.  C.  Scott,  Vice-President 1878 

Wm.  A.  Shields,  A.M.,:  and  G..  J.  Kollen,  A.M.,  elected  Professors. . . .  1878 

Prof.  Charles  Scottj  D.D.,  Provisional   President. 1880 

Theological  Instruction  restored;. a  Professorship  of  $30,000  completed; 

Rev.  N.  M.  Steffens,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Theology 1884 

Revs.  P.  Moerdyk  and  Henry  E.  Dosker,  elected  Lectors 1884 

H.  Boers,  A.M.;  J.:  H.  Kleinheksel,  A.M. ;  J.  G.  Sutphen,  A.M.,  and 

Rev.  John  J.:  Anderson,.  A.M.,  elected  Professors 1885 

Election  of  Prof.  Charles  Scott,  D.D.,  as  Constitutional  President. .  ..1885 


322         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

President   Scott  inaugurated 1886 

Synod's  House  for  the  President  erected 1886 

First  number  of  The  Anchor  issued May,  1887 

Mrs.  C  Van  Raalte  Gilmore  elected  Lady  Principal 1887 

Rev.  J.  W.  Beardslee,  D.D.,  elected  Prof,  of  Biblical  Languages  and 

Exegesis  in  the  Theological   Seminary 1888 

Rev.  James  F.  Zwemer  appointed  Financial  Agent 1888 

Rev.  J.  H.  Gillespie,  A.M.,  elected  Professor 1888 

Quarter    Centennial    Celebration June,  26,  1890 

Graves  Library  and  Winants  Chapel  begun;  cornerstone  laid. Oct.  12,  1892 

President    Scott   resigned 1893 

Prof.  G.  K.  Kollen,  A.M.,  elected  President June  29,  1893 

T>.  B.  Yntema,  A.M.,  elected  Professor 1893 

Death  of  Prof.  Charles  Scott,  D.D Oct  31,  1893 

Oraves  Library  and  Winants  Chapel  dedicated June  26,  1894 

President    Kollen    inaugurated June  27,  1894 

J.  B.  Nykerk,  A.M.,  elected  Professor 1895 

Rev.  Henry  E.  Dosker,  D.D.,  elected  Professor  of  Historical  Theology 

in    the    Seminary 1895 

Rev.  J.  T.  Bergen,  A.M.,  elected  Professor 1895 

Rev.  E.  Winter,  D.D.,  elected  Professor  of  Theology  in  the  Seminary, 

in  the  place  of  Rev.  N.  M.  StefiFens,  D.D.,  resigned 1895 

Death  of  Hon.  N.  F  Graves,  LL.D July  21,  1896 

Death  of  Rev.  Philip  Phelps,  D.D.,  LL.D Sept.  4,  1896 

Henry  Veghte,  A.M.,  elected   Professor 1897 

Endowment  Fund  increased  by  $100,000 1897 

Prof.  J.  H.  Gillespie,  D.D.,  resigned 1898 

E.  D.  Dimnent,  A.M.,  elected  Professor 1898 

A.  J.  Ladd,  A.M.,  elected  Professor 1898 

Rev.  Peter  Siegers,  elected  Professor 1899 

Samuel  O.  Mast,  B.S.,  elected  Instructor  in  Natural  Sciences 1899 

Rev.  Peter  Siegers,  resigned ,^ 1900 

Rev.  Albert  W.  De  Jonge  appointed  Instructor  in  Dutch  Languages 

and   Literature    1900 

Samuel  O.  Mast,  elected  Professor 1901 

John  G.  Winter,  A.B.,  appointed  Instructor  in  Latin  and  Greek 1901 

Hope  Hospital  and  Woman's  Netherland  Hospital,  China.  See 
Report  of  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions,  1903,  7-9. 

Hope  Seminary.     See  Western  Theological  Seminary. 

HoPKiNSiANiSM.  The  seceders  charge  the  R.  D.  C.  as  holding  such 
doctrines;  Synod  repudiates  the  charge;  1824,  51,  52. 

Hopkins,  Josephine,  (Miss).  Contributes  to  the  Alcove  Endow- 
ments in  Sage  Library;  1902,  331. 

Hopper,  Hetty,  (Mrs.)  Bequeaths  $8,043  to  Widows'  Fund,  1878, 
17,  39- 

HoRNBECK,  Elizabeth  P.  (Mrs.)  Bequeathed  to  the  Theological 
Senminary  at  New  Brunswick  $4,000;  and  portions  of  her  residuary 
estate  to  Synod's  "Board  of  Missions"  and  "Board  of  Domestic  Missions." 
The  executor  declined  payment  because  of  indefiniteness  in  the  language, 
and  exhibited  his  bill  before  the  Chancellor,  for  relief.  The  Board  of 
Direction  filed  an  answer,  1844,  296;  Synod  endorsed  the  action  of  the 
Board,  367-8;  suit  still  pending,  1845,  409;  Synod  gives  discretionary 
power  to  the  Board  of  Direction,  486;  $4,451.88  have  been  paid  for 
educational  purposes;  $4,000  invested,  and  the  balance,  being  interest, 
paid  to  the  Board  of  Education,  minus  counsel  fees.     1846,  13. 

Resolved,  That  two  Scholarships  be  founded  (with  the  $4,000)  to  be 
designated  the  "Hornbeck  Scholarships,"  78,  79', 


HORNBECK,  JOSHUA  323 

Two  thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty-eight  dollars  were  also  paid 
into  the  Treasury,  being  two-sixths  of  the  residuary  estate,  bequeathed 
equally  to  the  Boards  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions;  this  was  paid 
over  to  those  Boards,  and  subsequently  $120  on  same  account ;  1846,  13,  80. 

HoRNBECK,  Joshua.     Scholarship  of  $2,000.     1868,  378,  414. 

Horse  Racing — on  Long  Island;  connected  with  many  abominations; 
1825,  23. 

HoRTON,  E.  B.  (Mrs.)  Cor.  Sec.  of  Woman's  Executive  Com.  of  Bd. 
of  Dom.  Missions.  Died  Dec.  23,  1903.  See  Report  of  Board,  1904, 
3,  4;  1904,  718. 

HosFORD,  Frederick  J.  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Education,  1856-89, 
died,  Ap.  30.    Report  of  Bd.  of  Ed.     1889,  9.— 1889,  789. 

HosFORD,  Frederic  J.,  Scholarship.    $2,500,  1891,  240,  246. 

Hospers,  Henry,  (Hon.)  Donates  site  for  Northwestern  Academy; 
1882;  gives  additional  land;  '91,  298;  gives  $1,000  toward  debt  of  said 
institution;  1900,  'JZ'^. 

How,  Samuel  B.  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1859. 

Hudson  Church  Scholarship,  for  Arcot  Seminary,  $2,000. 

Hudson,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1845,  consisting  then  of  Claverack, 
Claverack  2d  or  Mellenville,  Germantown,  Greenport,  Hillsdale,  Hudson, 
Linlithgow,  Upper  Red  Hook.     1848,  463. 

Huguenot  Churches.  Synod  recommends  the  celebration  of  the 
2ioth  anniversary  of  the  Revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantz,  on  third 
Sunday  of  Oct.,  1895,  as  affording  opportunity  for  large  offering  for  the 
Huguenot  churches.     1895,  147. 

Huguenots.  Allusion,  1903,  397.  See  Vermilye's  Centennial  Dis- 
course on,  in  Centennial  Discourses,  1876,  139. 

Huguenot  Seminary,  South  Africa.     1881,  688.     See  South  Africa. 

HuiziNGA,  Abel  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Instructor  in  Hebrew  in  New  Bruns- 
wick Seminary,  1902,  55,  70;  1903,  313. 

Humiliation  of  Christ.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  82. 

Humility.     Canons,  i.  13 ;  iii.  7,  v,  2,  12. 

HuNN,  Abraham.  Executes,  with  others,  a  deed,  for  621  acres  of 
land  in  Essex  and  Montgomery  counties,  N.  Y.,  in  1811. — 1819,  50;  1829, 
157- 

Hungary.  Synod  asked  to  aid  in  building  a  church  in  Hungary;  no 
available  means;  1901,  1127;  1904,  743-5;  attention  called  to  the  needs  of 
the  Church  in  Hungary,  1903,  397. 

Hutton,  Mancius  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1888, 
appointed  Chairman  of  Committee  to  revise  the  Liturgy,  1902,  121 ;  report 
in  full,  1902,  427-464;  on  Deputation  to  visit  all  the  Mission  Fields;  1905, 
107;  on  many  important  Committees, 

Hutton,  Mancius  S.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1854. 
Chairman  of  Committee  to  prepare  revision  of  the  Constitution,  1871,  279; 
conapleted,  1874,  lOQ-     On  many  important  Synodical  Committees. 

Hymnology.  See  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  69;  of  1792,  Art.  65;  of 
1833,  Art.  90;  of  1874,  Art.  80. 

The  Dutch,  French  and  German  Hymn  Books,  alluded  to  in  the  above 
reference  to  1792,  were  brought  to  this  country  with  the  immigrants, 
and  used  generally  until  the  Revolution,  and  in  not  a  few  churches  still 
later.  But  in  1767,  the  Collegiate  Church  of  New  York  published  an 
English  Psalm  Book,  with  the  Dutch  music.  See  Coll.  Ch.  Year  Book, 
1882,  73-77.  In  1773  ^  new  version  of  the  Psalms,  with  Hymns  also,  was 
compiled  in  Holland,  and  a  few  copies  found  their  way  to  America. 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  65.     But  Synod  now  felt  the  necessity  of  making 


324        DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

preparation  for  more  general  English  services;  1785,  142.  Accordingly 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  secure  a  better  English  Psalm  Book  than 
that  issued  by  the  Collegiate  Church  in  1767,  (2,000  copies  of  which  had 
been  published).  Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee; 
1787,  167;  progress  was  reported  the  next  year.  The  Committee  was 
directed  to  limit  their  selections  to  the  English  Psalm  Book  of  the  Col- 
legiate Church,  to  that  of  Tate  and  Brady,  and  to  that  of  Isaac  Watts; 
to  correct  erroneous  translations,  and  to  put  the  book  to  press  as  soon  as 
possible;  also  to  add  some  well-composed  spiritual  hymns;  and  that  the 
English  translation  of  the  Catechism,  Confession  of  Faith  and  Liturgical 
Forms  be  added,  from  the  Collegiate  Church  Book.  1788,  182.  Reported 
to  be  in  press,  1789,  199.     Thanks  of  Synod  to  Com.,  1790,  212;  1792,  239. 

This  first  Psalm  and  Hymn  Book  contained,  besides  the  Psalms,  100 
Hymns.  Nos.  1-52  were  suited  to  the  52  days  of  the  Catechism;  53-73 
were  adapted  to  the  Sacraments;  while  74-100  were  on  miscellanenous 
subjects.  The  book  was  without  music,  and  thus  were  all  the  subsequent 
Hymn  Books  approved  by  Synod,  down  to  1869,  or  for  80  years.  This 
book  continued  in  use  for  25  years. 

A  revision  of  this  book  was  asked  for,  by  the  Classis  of  New  York, 
1812,  406.  Dr.  Livingston  was  again  made  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  to 
revise  and  enlarge  the  Book;  to  prepare  a  table  of  contents  and  an  index, 
1812,  424.  A  lengthy  and  interesting  report  is  made  in  1813,  14-18.  The 
revision  was  adopted,  and  the  following  action  taken  : 

Resolved,  That  this  selection  be  forthwith  published  and  introduced 
into  public  worship  in  all  our  Churches :  And  the  General  Synod  recom- 
mend the  same  to  all  families  and  individuals  within  their  cornmunion, 
to  be  adopted  instead  of  the  book  which  has  hitherto  been  in  use.     1813,  16. 

This  book  contained  273  hymns,  but  the  old  hymns  did  not  have  their 
numbers  changed,  but  new  hymns  were  added,  as  second  and  third  parts 
to  the  former  numbers.  A  copy  of  the  new  edition  was  presented  to 
Synod,  1814,  18,  and  ordered  to  be  deposited  in  the  Archives.  See  1815, 
37,  38.  In  1830  action  was  taken  to  add  a  number  of  additional  Hymns, 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  make  selections ;  of  this  Com.  Rev.  Dr. 
Thos.  DeWitt  was  chairman.  The  new  Hymns  were  to  be  added  as 
Book  Second,  so  as  not  to  disturb  the  former  numbers;  1830,  300-1.  One 
hundred  and  fifty  new  Hymns  were  selected.  These  were  also  to  be 
published  separately;  1831,  312.  Successive  editions  were  published  in 
different  sizes  for  many  years. 

In  1842,  119,  the  S.  S.  Board  requested  the  preparation  of  a  Hymn 
Book  for  the  use  of  Sabbath-schools.  A  Committee  was  appointed  of 
which  Rev.  Dr.  John  Knox  was  Chairman.  About  331  hymns  were 
selected  from  various  sources,  (none  being  taken  from  the  Church  Hymn- 
Book,)  many  of  which  were  also  adapted  for  social  worship.  The  book 
was  styled  "Sabbath  School  and  Social  Hymns."  1843,  163-5;  '44,  350; 
new  edition,  with  a  few  new  hymns,  '45,  478-9 ;  '46,  93. 

In  1845,  478,  the  whole  subject  of  the  Hymn  Book  was  referred  to  a 
Special  Committee,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Ferris  was  Chairman ;  350 
new  hymns  were  presented ;  many  collections  had  been  consulted ; 
necessity  of  a  re-classification ;  the  Catechisms,  Confession  and  Liturgy 
should  be  put  in  the  larger  sized  books,  but  not  in  the  smaller;  the 
report  was  adopted;  the  suggestion  to  classify  the  Psalms  and  Hymns 
together,  under  one  general  arrangement,  made  by  Dr.  DeWitt  in  1830, 
and  now  by  Dr.  Ferris,  was  not  yet  adopted ;  1846,  93-96-  Some  criticisms 
of  the  additional  Hymns;  '47,  114,  200-205.     See  German  Hymn  Book. 

In  1858,  360,  '59,  463,  the  printing  of  the  Psalmody  (Psalms  and 
Hymns)  of  the  Church  was  taken  out  of  other  publishers'  hands,  and 
committed  to  the  Bd.  of  Publication.  No  edition  to  be  issued  unaccompanied 
by  the  Doctrinal  Standards  and  Liturgy.  A  separate  "Book  of  Selection," 
from  the  "Psalms  and  Hymns"  allowed,  suitable  for  social  worship ;  and 
also  a  "Book  of  Selections,"  for  Sabbath-schools;   '59,  463.— In   1862,  207, 


HYMNOLOGY  325 

the  "Fulton  street  Hymn  Book."  which  contained  22  hymns  not  pre- 
viously approved,  was  approved.     It  contained  in  all,  326  hymns. 

In  1864,  502,  the  Bd.  of  Publication  was  requested  to  inquire  into  the 
propriety  of  preparing  a  new  S.  S.  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,  more  thor- 
oughly evangelical  in  tone  and  sentiment,  than  books  in  use;  1864.  502; 
see  report ;  Committee  appointed,  of  which  Rev.  Joseph  T.  Duryea  was 
chairman;   '65,  646;   committee  contmued.  '66,    no. 

In  1866  the  Board  published  '"The  Book  of  Praise,"  being  the  "Psalms 
and  Hymns  of  the  Church"  arranged  to  400  pages  of  carefully  prepared 
music.     Funds  privately  furnished.     Commended ;  '66,  109. 

In  1868,  376.  the  South  Classis  of  Long  Island  sent  a  communication 
in  reference  to  a  "Hymn  Book";  other  collections  of  Hymns  also  pre- 
sented ;  referred  to  a  special  committee  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  John  B. 
Thompson  was  Chairman.  Report :  Said  Classis  asked  for  the  approval 
of  250  new  hymns  and  chants,  to  be  published  with  about  350  of  the  best 
of  those  hitherto  approved;  with  appropriate  music;  also  collections, 
asking  for  approval,  made  by  Rev.  Dr.  Anson  DuBois,  and  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Rufus  W.  Clark. — Synod  approved  and  recommended  the  350  "Social  and 
S.  S.  Hymns"  herewith  submitted ;  and  the  South  Classis  of  Long  Island 
was  permitted  to  issue  its  250  hymns  and  chants.  Rev.  Drs.  J.  B. 
Thompson,  A.  G.  Vermilye  and  A.  R.  Thompson  were  appointed  the 
Com.  of  Publication ;  '68,  467-8 ;  thus  about  600  new  hymns  were  approved ; 
'69,  638.  The  book  styled  "Hymns  of  the  Church,"  with  95  additional 
hymns  to  those  referred  to  in  1868,  was  approved  by  Synod;  '69,  641. 
[See  also  Dr.  Thompson's  general  review  of  the  "Hvmnology  of  the 
Church,"  1869,  634-641.] 

The  action  of  Synod  of  1848,  requiring  the  Doctrinal  Standards  and 
Liturgy  to  be  printed  in  all  Hymn  Books  for  use  in  the  churches,  was 
reaffirmed ;  '69,  641. 

In  1870.  102,  the  "Hymns  of  the  Church"  were  again  approved  and 
recommended;  and  the  materials  of  the  "Book  of  Hymns"  for  children 
received  the  endorsement  of  Synod. — The  collection — "Hymns  of  the 
Church"  was  making  steady  progress,  being  in  use  in  more  than  50 
churches.  The  book  entitled  "Hymns  of  Praise  and  Prayer."  containing 
320  hymns,  about  one-fourth  new%  was  adopted  for  social  worship;  1871, 
279,  280. 

The  Classes  of  Poughkeepsie  and  Hudson  asked  Synod  to  approve 
the  extensively  used  collection  of  hymns,  styled  "Songs  of  the  Sanctuary."- 
The  Synod,  however,  appointed  a  Committee  of  five,  of  which  Rev.  Dr. 
A.  P.  Van  Gieson  was  chairman,  to  revise  the  music  and  hymns  of 
"Hymns  of  the  Church" ;  1873,  719,  720. — The  Classis  of  Po'keepsie 
again  asks  Synod  to  approve  of  "Songs  of  the  Sanctuary,"  and  also  of 
"The  Church  Hymn  Book,"  that  churches  which  wash  to  do  so  may 
constitutionally  use  these  books.  The  request  was  refused;  '74,  105-6; 
the  Committee  of  1873.  however,  reported,  that  they  had  revised  the 
music  of  "Hymns  of  the  Church."  but  had  not  changed  the  hymns;  and 
the  revised  book  was  ready  for  use.  This  revision  of  "Hymns  of  the 
Church"  was  now  adopted;  '74,  in,  112. — Memorials  from  the  Classes  of 
Po'keepsie  and  Westchester  requested  Synod  to  take  steps  to  amend  the 
Constitution  by  striking  out  section  5  of  Art.  10  of  the  Constitution — "that 
no  hymns  may  be  sung  but  such  as  are  approved,"  etc.  This  was  indefi- 
nitely postponed;   '76.   501-2.      (Constit.   of   1874,   Art.   80.) 

Synod  approved  of  the  new  compilation  called  "Christian  Praise," 
consisting  of  500  hymns,  only  50  of  which  were  new;  to  be  furnished  by 
the  Bd.  of  Publication,  with  music,  for  50  cts. ;  or  without  music,  for 
25  cts.  The  Catechism  and  Sacramental  Forms  to  be  included ;  '79,  238, 
396;  '80.  576,  578;  the  Synod  refused  to  endorse  "Spiritual  Songs,"  and 
"Spiritual  Songs  for  Social  Worship,''  simply  not  to  multiply  boolcs ;  '79, 
397;  success  of  "Christian  Praise'';  '82.  157-8;  '83.  359. — The  whole  series 
of  Hymns  of  Rev.  Dr.  Chs.  S.   Robinson  approved,  on  condition  that  the 


326  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

publishers  furnish  an  edition  containing  the  Standards  and  Liturgy ;  also 
a  Hymn  Book  is  needed  containing  a  wise  selection  from  "Christian 
Hymnody" ;  Com.  appointed,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  E.  A.  Collier  was  Chair- 
man ;  '84,  557-8.  The  Com.  of  1867,  consisting  of  Rev.  Drs.  A.  G.  Vermilye, 
A.  R.  Thompson  and  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  at  their  own  request  were  dis- 
charged as  Com.  on  Hymnology ;  the  copyright  held  by  them  to  be  trans- 
ferred to  Bd.  of  Publication;  '85,  771-2;  776-7;  '86,  in. 

The  Com.  of  1884,  558,  reported;  reviewed  the  situation  elaborately; 
several  alternative  plans  suggested ;  the  Church  should  have  a  "Hymnal" 
of  its  own ;  this  should  contain  about  500  of  the  best  devotional  lyrics ; 
the  wants  of  the  great  heart  of  God's  people  should  be  regarded,  rather 
than  the  critical  taste  of  the  cultivated  few ;  didactic  and  hortatory 
hymns  need  not  be  wholly  excluded,  "teaching  and  admonishing  one 
another  in  Psalms  and  Hymns  and  Spiritual  Songs" ;  about  half  as  many 
tunes  are  needed.  But  no  definite  action,  owing  to  the  practical  difficulties 
in  the  way,  was  recommended ;  '85,  772-5. — A.  S.  Barnes  and  Co.  now 
offered  reduced  terms  for  "Hymns  of  the  Church,"  and  Synod  accepted 
their  offer;  '85,  776. 

In  1888  two  new  books  were  referred  to  Synod;  (i)  "The  People's 
Hymn  Book,"  by  Samuel  B.  Schieffelin,  and  published  by  the  Am.  S.  S.  U. 
This  is  one  of  the  best  of  its  class;  and  (2)  "Carmina  Sacra."  For  both 
these  books  the  publishers  ask  the  approbation  of  Synod.  Great  changes 
of  view  on  Hymnology  in  the  last  score  of  years.  The  Hollanders  of  the 
West  are  looking  for  a  book  adapted  to  their  circumstances  in  passing 
over  from  the  use  of  the  "Dutch  Psalmody"  to  English  services.  Com- 
mittee appointed,  of  which  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Clark  was  chairman,  to  consider 
the  whole  matter;  '88,  599,  600,  602.  Committee  continued;  '89,  823,  Rev. 
Dr.  E.  A.  Collier  being  added  to  it. 

Elaborate  report  in  1890.  Experience  shows,  during  a  century  and 
a  quarter,  that  a  new  Hymnal  is  demanded  about  every  25  years ;  refer- 
ence to  Dr.  Robinson's  Hymn  Books,  in  1884;  the  action  in  1888-9, 
appointing  the  present  Committee ;  reference  to  Bedell's  "Church  Hymn- 
ary" ;  its  superior  character,  and  high  recommendations ;  comprises  994 
hymns,  most  carefully  selected;  800  tunes,  preserving  those  especially 
endeared  to  the  Church ;  excellent  classification,  making  a  practical  and 
useful  Hymnal ;  published  without  cost  to  Synod,  with  Standards  and 
Liturgy,  and  offered  at  a  low  rate.  Synod  approved  this  Book ;  1890, 
98-104;  '95,  124-S. 

Synod  refuses  to  approve  certain  new  Hymn  Books,  but  re-endorses 
"Hymns  of  the  Church,"  and  "The  Church  Hymnary";  '97,  672. 

On  account  of  the  many  different  Hymn  Collections  used  in  Sunday- 
schools,  a  Com.  was  appointed,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  E.  A.  Collier  was 
chairman,  to  consider  the  matter  and  report;  1898,  115.  Report:  58 
different  collections  in  actual  use ;  reference  to  former  action  on  S.  S. 
Hymns,  1842,  when  350  hymns  were  approved ;  many  books,  now  in  use, 
are  faulty  in  teaching;  morbid,  sentimental;  tunes  often  trivial  and 
rollicking.  Hymns  and  music  should  be  devotional ;  the  educational  power 
of  song  in  the  early  centuries  and  at  the  Reformation ;  character  of  the 
books  needed ;  found  none  to  recommend,  some  being  of  too  high  an 
order,  and  others  not  worthy ;  practical  difficulties  in  issuing  a  book  of 
our  own ;  books  now  in  preparation  by  the  Refd.  Ch.  in  U.  S.,  and  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church  will  probably  meet  the  necessities  of  R.  C.  A.  Com. 
continued;  1899,  423-428. — The  "S.  S.  Hymnal  of  R.  C.  U.  S."  recom- 
mended;  1900,  738-9. 

Idolatory.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  36;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  80,  94,  95,   121. 

Illegitimate  Children.  Can  only  be  baptized  upon  public  confession 
of  the  mother,  and  evidence  of  repentance;  1779,  75,  76;  1780,  82. 

Illinois,  Classis  of.  Organized  1841,  consisting  then  of  the  follow- 
ing churches:     Fairview,  Copperas,   (or  Brunswick)   and  Vanderveer. 


IMAGE  OF  GOD  327 

Image  of  God.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  41;  Held.  Cat.,  Quests.  6,  9,  94,  95; 
Canons,  i.  7;  iii.  and  iv.  i,  16. 

Images  in  Worship.    Heid  Cat.,  Quests.  96-98,  121. 

Imbrie,  William,  (Rev.)     Delivers  Graves'  Lecture,  1895,  10. 

Immanuel.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  18. 

Immigrant  Mission,  at  Castle  Garden;  1894,  115,  118.  See  also 
Bechthold  in  Manual;  missionaries  have  been  kept  at  Castle  Garden  or 
Ellis  Island,  almost  constantly,  to  meet  the  Dutch  immigrants,  ever  since 
these  localities  have  been  used  for  reception  of  immigrants. 

Immortality.     Belg.  Conf,  Arts.  19,  20; 

Imposition  of  Hands.  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  13.  Compare  1833, 
Art.  14;  1792,  Art.  13;  1619,  Art.  4.     See  Ordination  of  Ministers. 

Imputation  of  Christ's  Merits.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  22,  2i\  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  56,  59,  60,  126. 

Imputation  of  Sin.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  15;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  5,  7,  9; 
Canons,  i.  i. 

Inability  of  all  Creatures  to  save.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  14;  Heid. 
Cat,  Quest.  14, 

Inability  of  Man.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  14;  Heid.  Cat.,  Questions  5,  8, 
13,  114,  115. 

Inability  of  the  Law.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  5 ;  Canons,  iii.  and  iv.  5. 

Incarnation,  The.  Belgic  Conf.,  17,  18,  20,  21 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
23,  35-     See  Apostles'  Creed ;  Nicene  Creed ;  Athanasian  Creed. 

Incest.  Used  in  the  sense  of  marriage  within  certain  degrees  of 
consanguinity.  Not  included  in  list  of  offences  deserving  censure  or  sus- 
pension ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  91 ;  nevertheless  the  interpretation  of 
Lev.  18 :  16,  18,  by  Dutch  theologians,  generally  forbade  such  marriages. 
See  Dutch  commentaries.  The  Professors  at  Leyden  in  171 1,  also  issued 
a  document  holding  such  views.  Dr.  Livingston,  in  a  volume  on  the 
subject,  issued  in  1816,  endorsed  the  same  views. — References  in  Minutes: 
1787,  168;  1788,  183;  1797,  271-2;  1804,  340;  baptism  denied  to  children 
of  such  marriages,  1815,  28,  32,  33;  the  law  emphasized,  '16,  22,  23;  Dr. 
Livingston  presents  his  book  on  the  subject  to  Synod,  '16,  43.  Title:  "A 
Dissertation  on  the  Marriage  of  a  Man  with  his  Sister-in-law." 

Requests  now  began  to  come  in  for  some  modification  or  repeal  of 
legislation  on  this  subject;  [it  was  not  in  any  of  the  Constitutions:]  '24,. 
50,  51 ;  Synod  declared  this  to  be  inexpedient;  '25,  19,  33;  '26,  47;  '^rj,  53,  59, 
[Presbyterians  decided  same  way;  '27,  36.]  In  1841,  the  Particular  Synod 
of  Albany  sustained  the  appeal  of  a  man  who  had  been  suspended  on  this 
ground;  but  General  Synod  declared  that  all  inferior  judicatories  were 
bound  to  stand  by  the  laws  of  the  Church  until  they  were  constitutionally 
changed ;  '41,  505 ;  certain  resolutions  offered  were  indefinitely  postponed ; 
'41,  506.  But  Synod  now,  by  a  vote  of  35  to  29,  asked  the  views  of  all 
the  Classes  on  the  subject;  '42,  104,  107;  reports  in  full,  '43,  217-222;  in 
favor  of  the  law,  3;  2  Classes  were  a  tie;  14  in  favor  of  repeal.  As  to 
members  in  the  Classes,  100  in  favor  of  the  law;  196  in  favor  of  repeal; 
3  Classes  did  not  report.     Synod  took  the  following  action: 

Whereas,  The  rule  prohibiting  the  marriage  of  a  man  with  his 
deceased  wife's  sister  is  found  only  in  resolutions  passed  by  General  Synod 
at  its  previous  sessions,  and  not  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed 
Church ;  and  whereas  a  majority  of  the  Classes  have  reported  against 
such  rule,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  all  resolutions  which  may  have  been  passed  by  the 
General  Synod,  forbidding  a  man  to  marry  his  deceased  wife's  sister,  be 
and  hereby  are  rescinded.     Ayes  48;  Xays  22.     1843,  221. 

Incidental  Expenses.    See  Contingent  Expenses. 


328  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Income  and  Expense  Account.  In  the  report  of  a  Special  Com. 
appointed  Nov.,  1867,  324-5,  on  Classical  Assessments  or  Apportionments, 
(see  report,  1868,  403-414).  it  was  resolved  that  the  following  By-law  (ix.) 
should  be  adopted  for  the  Bd.  of  Direction: 

"It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  to  propose  to  the  Synod  from  year 
to  year,  in  the  form  of  resolutions,  those  financial  measures  which  they 
may  deem  necessary" ;  also.  That  the  Expense  Account,  and  Estimate  of 
Expenses  and  Income  for  the  current  year,  which  are  annually  submitted 
by  the  Board  of  Direction,  be  read,  and  published  in  the  Minutes   ;'68,  411. 

This  was  not  yet  done  in  1869,  and  in  1870  the  Classis  of  New  Bruns- 
wick called  attention  to  the  fact,  and  the  Board  was  reminded  that  the  act 
was  "worthy  of  their  attention  and  faithful  observance"' ;  '70,  12,  46,  47. 
(See  1871,  187.)  Such  a  table  of  Income  and  Expenses  was  printed,  '71, 
215;  and  have  been  found  regularly  since.     (See  such  tables,  1818,  1819.) 

Incorporation  of  Con(;regations.  See  Charters.  The  first  genera] 
law  of  the  State  of  New  York  for  the  incorporation  of  churches  was 
chapter  18  of  the  Laws  of  1784.  This  related  to  the  appointment  of 
Trustees,  and  was  applicable  to  all  denominations.  But  since  the  Con- 
sistory, or  the  Elders  and  Deacons,  had  always  been  the  Trustees  in  all 
Dutch  churches,  and  are  often  thus  referred  to  in  the  early  charters,:  an 
Act  was  secured  in  1788,  chap.  61,  allowing  this  principle  to  hold  in  all 
Reformed  Dutch  churches.  For  similar  reasons  a  third  law,  applicable 
only  to  Protestant  Episcopal  churches,  was  enacted,  chapter  25,  1795.  In 
the  revision  of  1801,  chapter  79,  these  three  laws  were  consolidated.  This 
last  law  was  substantially  re-enacted  in  the  revision  of.1813,  chapter  60, 
and  was  included  in  the  Revised  Statutes,  and  as  amehded  to  date,  is  still 
\n  force.  ■  •      ■■. 

In  the  revision  of  1813,  the  law  of  1795,  for  the  incorporation  of 
Episcopal  churches,  was  made  the  basis  of  section  i  ;  the  law  of  1788,  for 
the  incorporation  of  Dutch  churches,  was  made  the  basis  of  section  2; 
and  the  general  law  of  1784,  originally  applicable  to  all  churches,  was 
made  the  basis  of  section  3.  Since  1813,  separate  statutes  have  been 
passed  for  the  incorporation  of  various  other  Religious  Bodies. 
■'■'■■■  The  members  of  the  church,  or  congregation,  instead  of  the  trustees 
iith  now  universally  made  the  corporation.  All  limitations  on  the  amount 
of  property  which  a  religious  corporation  is  Enabled  to  hold,  are  omiUed 
from  the  revision.  .  .1 

'  The  New  York  Legislature  of  1895  revised  both  the  Religious  Cor- 
poration Law  and  the  General  Corporation  Law.  The  latter  is  the  ibasjs 
of  all  corporation  law,  and  hence  many  provisions  formerly  found  in  the 
iReligious  Corporation  Law  are  omitted.  .  .  j' 

.    .  The  laws  relating  to  exemption  from  taxation  of  religious  corporation^ 
'are -of  interest  to  such  bodies.      ^ 
v:i.-iThe  following  is  the  original  New  York  Act :  ;  -   ;• 

iyi'  incorporation    OF   RELIGIOUS    BODIES.' 

',,':'  .'fextract  from  'An  Act  to  enable  all  the  religious  denominations  in 
itiiis'State  to  appoint  Trustees,  who  shall  be  a  Body  Corporate,  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  care  of  the  temporalities  of  their  respective  congrega- 
tVons.'and  for  other  purposes  therein  mentioned."  .     '' 

Passed  6th  of  April,  1784.  ' 
; '•'  i.  Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
'rdfiresented  in  Senate  and  Asserhbly.  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the 
authority  of  the  same'  That  frotii  aiUl  after  the  passing  of  this  Act,  it 
shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  male  per.sons  of  full  age,  belonging 
to  any  church,  congregation,  or  religious  society,  not  already  established 
'"Withiri  this  State,  or  which  may  at  any  time  hereafter  be  within  the  same, 
'■\6  assemble  and  meet  together  at  the  church,  meeting-house  or  other  place 
where  they  statedly  attend  for  divine  wotjihip,  and  then  and  there  by 
plurality  of  voices. "to  elect,  nominate  and  appoint  any  members,  discreet 


INCORPORATION  OF  CONGREGATIONS  329 

and  prudent  persons  of  their  church,  congregation,  or  society,  not  less 
than  three,  or  exceeding  nine  in  number,  as  1  rustees,  to  take  the  charge 
of  the  estate  and  property  belonging  to  their  respective  churches,  congre- 
gations or  religious  societies,  and  to  transact  all  affairs  relative  to  the 
temporalities  of  their  respective  churches,  congregations  or  societies : 
That  at  such  election  every  male  person  of  full  age,  who  has  statedly 
worshipped  with  the  said  church,  congregation  or  society,  and  has  for- 
mally been  considered  as  belonging  thereto,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  voice  at 
such  election. 

*  *  >K  *  *  :       =i=  * 

XIV.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  it 
shall  and  may  be  lawful,  to  and  for  every  religious  corporation  created 
by  Letters  Patent  under  the  Great  Seal  of  the  Colony  of  New  York,  to 
have,  hold,  occupy  and  enjoy,  lands,  tenements,  goods  and  chattels  of  the 
yearly  value  of  one  thousand  two  hundred  pounds,  although  the  Letters 
Patent  by  which  such  corporations  respectively  were  created,  should 
contain  a  clause  or  clauses  restricting  and  limiting  the  annual  revenue 
and  income  of  such  corporation,  at  a  sum  less  than  one  thousand  two 
hundred  pounds ;  any  law,  usage  or  custom  to  the  contrary  in  anywise 
notwithstanding.     See  Oct.  5,  1784;  also  Amendment,  May  7,  1788. 

Efforts  were  at  once  begun  to  secure  a  modification  of  this  legislation. 
See  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston's  Life,  ist  ed.,  1829,  pages  283-7.  The 
Synod  also  took  action  as  follows  : 

ECCLESIASTICAL    INCORPORATION. 

In  the  Rev.  Body  mention  was  made  of  an  Act  of  Legislature  of  the 
State  of  New  York  for  the  incorporation  of  all  the  religious  persuasions 
within  said  State,  against  which  some  weighty  objections  have  been 
brought.  This  Rev.  Body,  though  upon  the  eve  of  separation,  and  unable 
to  bestow  suitable  attention  upon  the  subject,  yet  judge,  on  account  of 
the  weight  of  the  objections,  that  the  respective  Reformed  Dutch  Churches 
within  that  State  should,  if  possible,  not  be  hasty  in  avaihng  themselves 
of  this  law,  but  abide  a  more  particular  consideration  of  the  subject  in 
the  coming  meeting.     1784,  129. 

Since  it  has  become  further  apparent  to  the  Rev.  Body  that  there  are 
highly  objectionable  features  in  the  Act  of  Ecclesiastical  Incorporation, 
passed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  the  Rev.  Body 
determine  to  appoint  a  committee  both  for  the  congregations  in  the  State 
of  New  York  and  those  in  New  Jersey,  to  solicit  of  the  Siupreme  Magis- 
trates of  the  respective  States  the  right  and  privilege,  by  means  of  an  Act, 
or  change  of  Act  or  Acts  already  passed,  to  incorporate  the  Ecclesi- 
astical Societies  of  the  same  according  to  the  State  and  Constitution  of 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches,  and  agreeably  to  the  manner  and  mode  in 
w^hich  some  of  the  same,  as  those  of  New  York  and  Albany,  Hackensack, 
New  Millstone  and  others,  have  already  been  long  actually,  incorporated. 
As  the  committee,  are  appointed,  Dr.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  Doct.  and  Prof. 
J.  H.  Livingston,  Dr.  Is.  Blauvelt,  Dr.  D.  Romeyri,  and  Dr.  J.  R.  Harden- 
bergh,  for  the  State  of  New  York;  Drs.  Hermanns  Meyer,  Solomon 
Frolich,  and  Simon  Van  Arsdalen,  for  New  Jersey.  The  Rev.  Committee 
are  directed  to  avail  themselves  of  all  such  means  for  obtaining  the  end 
as  they  shall  judge  serviceable  thereto.     I7§5,.  141-2. 

The  Rev.  Gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  upon  this  subject  reported 
for  both  of  the  States,  that  the  execution  of  their  commission  had,  by 
unavoidable  hindrances,  been  thus  far  prevented,  but  that  they  had  made 
decided  progress;  and  placed  upon  the  table  a  copy  of  a  certain  petition 
to  their  high  Excellencies,  the  authorities,  together  with  a  correspondent 
plan,  both  of  which  were  approved  by  the  Rev.  Body ;  who  also  ordain 
that  a  committee  be  appointed  in  the  name  of  this  Rev.  Body  to  subscribe 
said  petition,  and  further,  according  to  opportunity,  to  advance  the  object 


330         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

with  the  Legislative  authorities  of  said  States.  As  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, are  appointed  Drs.  J.  H.  Livingston,  E.  Westerlo,  and  D.  Romeyn, 
with  their  Elders,  for  the  State  of  New  York,  and  Drs.  J.  R.  Hardenbergh, 
Frolich,  and  Meyer,  with  their  Elders,  for  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 
1786,   150-1. 

The  Rev.  Synod,  having  learned  from  the  Rev.  Prof.  J.  H.  Livingston, 
that  there  has  already  been  presented  to  the  supreme  authority  of  the 
State  of  New  York  a  petition  for  the  incorporation  of  Consistories  as 
Trustees  of  the  property  of  the  churches,  in  accordance  with  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Netherlands  Church,  but  that  the  same  has  not  yet  been 
answered,  judge  that,  for  the  further  promoting  and  effecting  the  object  of 
said  petition,  there  shall  also  be  received  a  request  from  the  respective 
members  of  the  various  congregations,  to  be  presented  at  the  next  session, 
in  accordance  with  the  form  on  the  subject  drawn  and  approved  by  the 
present  Synodical  Meeting;  of  which  a  copy  shall  be  taken  and  presented 
to  the  respective  Classes,  that  the  same  may  be  subscribed  by  all  the  con- 
gregations in  a  uniform  manner,  before  the  coming  session  of  the  honorable 
Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  York,  in  such  way  as  the  respective 
Consistories  shall  judge  most  suitable.     May,   1787,   156-7. 

The  anxiety  of  the  Synod  on  this  subject  may  be  seen  by  a  reference 
to  their  action  respecting  Hackensack  and  Schraalenberg : 

The  Rev.  Body,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  respective  members  of  the 
Rev.  Classis  of  Hackensack  and  Dr.  H.  Meyer,  as  a  member  of  the 
commiteee  of  that  Classis,  appointed  to  effect  a  union  between  the  two 
distinct  congregations,  both  belonging  to  this  Synod,  according  to  the 
Plan  of  Union,  Gravam.  Art,  i,  have  ordained  to  communicate  the  follow- 
ing advice  in  name  of  this  Rev.  Body,  to  the  two  Consistories  of  those 
congregations. 

"The  Rev.  Body,  learning  from  report  that  the  principal  hindrance 
to  the  desired  and  before  sought  union  consists  of  a  doubt  in  relation  to 
certain  power  in  the  well-known  charter  to  lay  burdens  and  make  assess- 
ments upon  the  members  of  the  Church,  have  heard  read  from  said  charter 
the  expression  so  construed,  and  are  of  opinion  that  all  right  and  privilege 
to  collect  moneys  for  the  maintenance  of  public  worship  by  no  means 
extend  to  the  dreaded  power  above  mentioned,  but  only  to  voluntary  gifts 
and  offerings.  The  Rev.  Body  are  further  of  opinion,  from  credible 
reports,  that  the  said  charter  embraces  many  and  great  privileges  to  the 
advantage  of  the  Church  of  God  in  those  places,  and  therefore  should  be 
preserved  for  the  general  good,  with  the  property  and  income  appertaining 
under  it  to  the  congregations  to  be  united,  the  more  inasmuch  as  the  Rev. 
Synod  have  long  felt  that  the  old  charters  for  the  incorporation  of  Con- 
sistories as  Trustees  of  ecclesiastical  property  ought  to  be  preserved ;  for 
which  purpose,  also,  a  petition  is  now  preparing  to  the  authorities,  in 
order  to  secure,  by  means  of  an  act,  the  right  and  power  to  all  the  congre- 
gations to  be  incorporated  in  the  same  manner.     1787,  166. 

The  result  of  these  petitions  is  seen  in  the  following  action,  1789: 

"Whereas,  The  Legislature  is  willing  to  grant  relief  in  the  premises, 
and  to  communicate  equal  privileges  to  every  denomination  of  Christians, 

"Be  it  therefore  enacted,  That  the  minister  or  ministers,  elders  and 
deacons  for  the  time  being,  or,  if  there  be  no  minister  or  ministers,  the 
elders  and  deacons  for  the  time  being,  of  every  Reformed  Dutch  congre- 
gation, shall  be  trustees  of  the  same,  and  a  body  politic  and  corporate  in 
law,  by  such  name  as  the  said  trustees  shall  assume  in  manner  hereinafter 
directed." 

It  was  for  these  reasons  we  find  the  following  language  in  connection 
with  the  adoption  of  the  first  American  Dutch  Church  Constitution : 

The  committee  further  remark,  that  the  proceedings  of  the  National 
Synod,  held  at  Dordrecht,  are  the  basis  of  the  government  of  all  Reformed 
Dutch  churches  throughout  the  world,  and  that  all  charters  which  have 


INCORPORATION  OF  CONGREGATIONS  331 

been  given  to  the  Dutch  churches  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey  are  also  founded  thereon ; 

In  the  Explanatory  Articles,  1792,  Art.  xxvii.  refers  to  the  fact  that 
in  all  charters  the  Elders  and  Deacons  have  always  been  joined  together 
as  one  Consistory,  having  an  equal  voice  in  all  that  relates  to  the  tempo- 
ralities of  the  church.  In  Art.  xxix.,  they  are  referred  to  as  the  Corpora- 
tion; and  in  xxxv.  it  is  said  the  seal  of  this  Corporation  must  be  affixed 
to  calls.  The  same  phraseology  is  repeated  in  the  revisions  of  the  Con- 
stitution of  1833,  Arts.  50,  59;  of  1874,  Art.  43. 

Other  Acts  relating  to  the  incorporation  of  churches,  as  said,  were 
passed  in  1813,  also  in  1835,  amending  the  Charter  of  the  2d  church  of 
Albany;  also  a  general  Act,  in  1835;    1850;   1869,   1876,   1880,   1884,   1889. 

The  general  Act  of  1835  authorized  any  R.  D.  C.  to  form  a  Board  of 
Trustees  distinct  from  the  Consistory,  and  transfer  the  management  of 
their  temporal  affairs  from  the  Consistory  to  this  Board;  but  no  provision 
was  made  for  a  transfer  from  a  Board  of  Trustees  to  a  Consistory.  The 
General  Synod  took  the  following  action  in  reference  to  this  law: 

Resolved,  i.  That  this  General  Synod  consider  the  Act  of  the  Legis- 
lature as  opposed  to  the  practice,  injurious  to  the  interests,  and  subversive 
of  the  Constitution  and  rules  of  government  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

2.  That  all  our  churches  be,  and  they  are  hereby  enjoined  against 
adopting  the  provisions  of  said  Act,  and  that  the  churches  which  have 
already  adopted  them  be  directed  to  dispense  with  them  and  adhere  to 
the  Constitution  and  orders  of  the  Church. 

3.  That  the  Elders,  P.  D.  Vroom,  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  John  D. 
Keese  and  Abraham  Van  Nest,  and  the  Rev.  Andrew  Yates,  D.D.,  be 
appointed  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  church  at  whose  request  it  was 
passed,  and  those  churches  which  may  have  adopted  its  provisions,  as  to 
the  expediency  of  requesting  its  repeal.     1835,  437-8. 

This  committee  reported  the  next  year  (1836)  that  they  had  met  with 
a  committee  of  the  Consistory  of  the  church  referred  to,  and  had  had  a 
full  and  free  conference  with  them  in  relation  to  the  Act  and  the  expe- 
diency of  procuring  its  repeal,  but  had  not  been  able  to  come  to  any 
specific  agreement  or  understanding : 

Whereupon,  it  was  Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  do  still  enter- 
tain the  opinion  expressed  at  their  last  meeting,  as  to  the  effect  of  the  law 
upon  the  Constitution  of  our  Church  and  its  permanent  welfare.  And 
they  do  most  earnestly  and  affectionately  advise  and  recommend  to  the 
congregations  and  Consistories  that  have  availed  themselves  of  its  pro- 
visions, to  adopt  such  measures  in  relation  to  it  as  will  best  tend  to  remove 
existing  embarrassments,  promote  the  harmony  and  order  of  our  Zion, 
and  preserve  the  purity  of  its  principles  and  faith.     1836,  533. 

The  church  of  St.  Johnsville  availed  themselves  of  this  law  in  1873, 
but  they  found  it  worked  badly.  Hence  their  pastor,  Rev.  A.  D.  Minor, 
secured  the  following  bill  in  1884,  for  their  relief : 

Any  of  the  churches  in  this  State  in  connection  with  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  (until  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-nine  known  as  the 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church),  that  in  accordance  with  section 
eight  of  an  act  passed  April  fifteenth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-five, 
and  entitled  "An  act  to  amend  the  charter  of  the  Minister,  Elders  and 
Deacons  of  the  Second  Protestant  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  the  city 
of  Albany,"  have  removed  the  management  of  their  temporal  concerns 
from  the  hands  of  a  Consistory,  and  have  committed  the  same  to  the  care 
of  a  board  of  trustees  distinct  from  that  Consistory,  or  who  have,  at  the 
time  of  their  organization,  confided  the  management  of  their  temporal 
concerns  to  a  board  of  trustees  distinct  from  the  Consistory,  may,  if  the 
said  Consistory  and  board  concurrently  so  determine,  at  any  time  here- 
after confide  the  management  and  care  of  the  temporal  concerns  of  the 
said  church  to  the  Consistory ;  and  such  determination   shall  be  reduced 


332         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

to  writing,  and  signed  by  the  President  and  Secretary  or  clerk  of  said 
Consistory,  and  l)y  tlie  President  and  Secretary  or  clerk  of  said  board, 
with  the  seal  of  the  said  corporation  (if  any)  thereto  affixed,  and  shall 
be  acknowledged  by  the  President  of  said  Consistory  before  some  person 
authorized  to  take  the  acknowledgment  of  deeds,  and  be  recorded  in  the 
office  of  the  County  Clerk  of  the  County  in  which  such  church  shall  be 
situated,  in  the  book  of  records  relative  to  religious  incorporations,  or 
other  proper  book  of  records.  Then  the  said  board  shall  by  vote  signify 
its  desire  to  dissolve,  and  shall  thereupon  cease  to  exist ;  and  the  Consis- 
tory of  said  church  shall  be  the  board  of  trustees  of  said 
church,  as  provided  by  section  two  of  an  act  passed  April 
fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirteen,  and  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for 
the  incorporation  of  religious   societies."     Law^s  of   1884. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  churches  which  shall  solicit 
pecuniary  aid  for  the  erection  of  church  edifices  and  parsonages  and  for 
the  purchase  of  land  or  other  property  for  church  uses,  to  take  all  proper 
legal  measures  to  secure  such  property  to  the  possession  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  and  especially  to  provide,  in  case  of  the  alienation  of  said 
churches  from  our  denomination,  that  the  amount  so  collected  from  indi- 
viduals and  congregations  of  the  Reformed  Church  shall  be  returned  to 
the  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Reformed  Church,  to  be  granted  by  them 
upon  similar  terms,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Board  of  Domestic 
Missions,  for  the  erection  of  church  edifices  for  needy  congregations, 
under  the  care  of  said  Missionary  Board. 

Resolved,  That  the  contributors  to  such  enterprises  be  recommended 
to  affix  the  same  terms  to  their  gifts,     i860,  575. 

After  the  change  of  name  of  the  Denomination  from  ''Refd.  Prot. 
Dutch  Ch.  in  U.  A."  to  "Refd.  Ch.  in  Amerca,"  the  Synod  took  the  follow- 
ing action  about  congregational  names : 

Resolved,  That  the  corporate  titles  of  individual  churches  are  properly 
and  legally  subject  only  to  the  choice  of  such  churches;  and  that  any 
diversity  in  said  titles  that  may  exist  now  or  hereafter,  shall  in  no  way 
affect  the  recognized  relations  of  said  churches  to  this  Synqd  and  to  the 
denomination.      1867,    241. 

See  discussion  of  this  matter,  1867,  338-9. 

Jn  1875  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  procure  the  enactment  of  such 
laws  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be  necessary  for  the  protection  of  church^ 
property.      Names :    Elders    Jas.    Anderson,    D.    P.    Ingraham,    Jacob    B. 
Jewett.  Samuel  A.  Foote.  Geo.  S.  Conover;  1875,  357-8. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  for  the  purpose 
of  procuring  the  enactment  of  such  laws  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be 
necessar}'  for  the  protection  of  church  property,  presented  the  following 
report,  which  was  accepted  and  adopted : 

The  Committee  appointed  June,  1875,  (357-8,)  "for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  the  enactment  of  such  laws  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be 
necessary  for  the  protection  6i  church  property,"  report  the  following 
Acts  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  1876.  See 
Chapter   no  and  176,  as  follows: 

Laws  of  New  York. — By  Authority. 

[EverV  l;i\V,  unless  a  different  time  shall  be  prescribed  -therein,  shall 
cominence  ahd  take  effect  throughout  the  State,  on  and  not  before  the 
twentieth  day  of  its  final  passage,  as  certified  by  the  Secretary  of  State. 
Sec.  12.  title  4.  chap.  7.  part  r.     Revised  Statutes.] 

CHAPTER    no. 

An  Act  sUpplertiental  to  chapter  sixty  of  the  Laws  of  eighteen  hundred 
;'  '  and  thirteen,  entitled  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation  of 
religious  societies."  and  of  the  several  acts  amendatory  thereof. 


INCORPORATION  OF  CONGREGATIONS  333 

Passed  April   11,   1876. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  any  diocesan  convention,  presbytery, 
classis,  s)'nod,  annual  conference,  or  other  governing  body  having  juris- 
diction over  a  number  of  churches,  congregations  or  societies  of  any 
church  or  religious  denomination  in  this  State,  now  or  hereafter  to  be 
constituted  or  established,  and  not  already  incorporated,  at  any  stated 
meeting  thereof,  by  a  plurality  of  voices,  to  elect  any  number  of  discreet 
persons,  not  less  than  three  nor  exceeding  nine  in  number,  as  trustees  to 
take  charge  of  the  estate  and  property  belonging  thereto,  and  to  transact 
all  affairs  relating  to  the  temporalities  thereof.  The  presiding  officer  and 
clerk  of  such  governing  body  shall  immediately  thereafter  certify,  under 
their  hands  and  seals,  the  names  of  the  persons  elected  as  trustees  as 
aforesaid,  in  which  certificate  the  name  or  title  by  which  the  said  trustees 
and  their  successors  shall  be  known,  shall  be  particularly  mentioned, 
which  said  certificate,  being  duly  acknowledged  by  the  said  presiding 
officer  and  clerk,  shall  be  recorded  by  the  clerk  of  one  of  the  counties 
situated  in  whole  or  in  part,  within  the  bounds  of  the  jurisdiction  of  such 
governing  body,  or  in  the  book  kept  for  the  record  of  religious  corpora- 
tions ;  and  such  trustees  and  their  successors  shall  thereupon,  by  virtue 
of  this  act,  be  a  body  corporate,  by  the  name  or  title  expressed  in  such 
certificate. 

§  2.  Such  trustees  shall  be  capable  of  taking  for  religious,  educa- 
tional and  charitable  purposes,  by  gift,  devise,  bequest,  grant  or  purchase, 
and  of  holding  and  disposing  of  the  same,  an}-  real  and  personal  estate 
held  for  the  benefit  of  any  such  governing  body,  or  of  any  parish,  congre- 
gation, society,  church,  chapel,  mission,  religious,  benevolent,  charitable 
or  educational  institution,  existing,  or  acting  under  such  governing  body 
at  the  time  of  their  election,  or  which  had  then  or  may  thereafter  be  given 
for  any  such  purposes,  provided  that  the  net  yearly  income  received  from 
the  said  property  shall  not  at  such  time  exceed  the  sum  of  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars. 

§  3.  Whenever  any  parish,  church,  congregation  or  religious  society 
in  connection  with  any  such  governing*  body  shall  become  extinct  by 
reason  of  the  death  or  removal  of  its  members,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the 
trustees  elected  by  such  body  as  aforesaid  to  take  possession  of  the 
temporalities  and  property  belonging  to  such  extinct  church  or  organiza- 
tion, and  manage  and  dispose  of  the  same,  and  apply  the  proceeds  thereof 
to  any  of  the  objects  mentioned  in  the  second  section  of  this  act. 

§  4.  The  trustees  elected  by  virtue  of  this  act  shall  hold  their  offices 
at  the  pleasure  of  the  governing  body  by  whom  they  are  elected,  and  all 
vacancies  shall  be  filled  by  such  body  as  they  occur. 

State  of  New  York, 
Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 
ss.  : 

I  have  compared  the  preceding  with  the  original  law  on  file  in  this 
office,  and  do  hereby  certify  that  the  same  is  a  correct  transcript  there- 
from, and  of  the  whole  of  said  original  law. 

JOHN    BIGELOW,  Secretary  of  State. 
CHAP.    176. 
AN  ACT  supplementary  to  chapter  sixty  of  the  laws  of  eighteen  hunderd 

and   thirteen,   entitled   'An   act   to   provide   for   the   incorporation   of 

religious  societies,  and  the  acts  supplementary  thereto." 

Passed  April  26,   1876. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  The  rector,  wardens  and  vestrymen  or,  the  trustees,  con- 
sistory or  session  of  any  church,  congregation  or  religious  society,  incor- 


334         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

porated  under  any  of  the  laws  of  this  State,  shall  administer  the  tem- 
poralities thereof  and  hold  and  apply  the  estate  and  property  belonging 
thereto,  and  the  revenues  of  the  same,  for  the  benefit  of  such  corporation 
according  to  the  rules  and  usages  of  the  church  or  denomination  to  which 
said  corporation  shall  belong;  and  it  shall  not  be  lawful  to  divert  such 
estate,  property  or  revenue  to  any  purpose,  except  the  support  and 
maintenance  of  any  church  or  religious  or  benevolent  institution  or  object 
connected  with  the  church  or  denomination  to  which  such  corporation 
shall  belong. 

§  2.  Each  and  every  of  the  corporations  aforesaid  may  receive,  use 
and  apply  all  rents  and  income  derived  from  pews  of  their  respective 
churches,  in  addition  to  the  annual  income  limited  by  any  statute  now  in 
force  relating  thereto. 

§  3.  Any  two  or  more  of  the  corporations  aforesaid,  are  hereby 
authorized  to  unite  and  consolidate  themselves  into  a  single  corporation 
of  the  denomination  to  which  at  least  one  of  such  corporations  shall 
belong,  in  the  manner  following:  The  said  corporations  may  enter  into 
an  agreement  under  their  respective  corporate  seals  for  the  union  and 
consolidation  of  the  said  corporations,  setting  forth  the  terms  and  condi- 
tions thereof,  the  name  of  the  proposed  new  corporation,  the  church  or 
denomination  to  which  it  shall  belong,  the  names  of  the  persons  who  shall 
be  the  church  wardens  and  vestrymen,  or  elders  and  deacons,  or  trustees 
or  other  officers,  as  the  case  may  be,  until  the  first  annual  election  of  the 
proposed  new  corporation,  and  fixing  the  day  of  such  election.  But  in  the 
case  of  Protestant  Episcopal  churches,  no  such  agreement  shall  be  valid 
unless  approved  by  the  bishop  and  standing  committee  of  the  diocese  in 
which  such  churches  are  situated.  Each  of  the  said  corporations  may 
make  its  separate  petition  to  the  Supreme  Court,  in  the  judicial  district 
in  which  such  corporations  are  situated,  for  an  order  for  such  union  and 
consolidation,  setting  forth  in  such  petition  the  reasons  for  such  union  and 
consolidation,  the  agreement  made  as  hereinbefore  provided,  and  a  state- 
ment of  all  of  its  property,  real  and  personal,  all  its  debts  and  liabilities, 
and  the  amount  and  sources  of  its  annual  income.  Upon  such  petition 
from  each  of  such  corporations  so  proposing  to  be  united  and  consolidated, 
and  upon  the  said  agreement,  satisfactorily  proved  or  certified,  the 
Supreme  Court  may,  in  case  it  shall  deem  it  proper,  make  an  order  for 
the  union  and  consolidation  of  such  corporations,  determining  all  the 
terms,  conditions  and  provisions  thereof.  All  parties  interested  therein 
may  be  heard  on  such  petition.  When  such  order  is  made  and  entered, 
according  to  the  practice  of  the  court,  the  said  corporations  shall  be 
united  and  consolidated  into  one  corporation,  by  the  name  designated  in 
the  order ;  and  it  shall  have  all  the  rights  and  powers,  and  be  subject  to  all 
the  obligations  of  religious  corporations  under  the  act  to  which  this  is 
supplementary  and  the  acts  amendatory  thereof  and  supplementary  thereto. 

§4.  And  thereupon  all  the  estate,  rights  and  property,  of  whatsoever 
nature,  belonging  to  either  of  said  corporations,  shall  without  further  act 
or  deed,  be  vested  in  and  transferred  to  the  new  corporation  as  effectually 
as  they  were  vested  in  or  belonged  to  the  former  corporations,  and  the 
said  new  corporations  shall  be  liable  for  all  the  debts  and  liabilities  of  the 
former  corporations,  in  the  same  manner  and  as  effectually  as  if  said 
debts  or  liabilities  had  been  contracted  or  incurred  by  it. 

§  5.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 
State  of  New  York, 
Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State. 
ss.: 

I  have  compared  the  preceding  with  the  original  law  on  file  in  this 
office,  and  do  hereby  certify  that  the  same  is  a  correct  transcript  there- 
from and  of  the  whole  of  said  original  law. 

JOHN    BIGELOW.  Secretary  of  State. 


INCORPORATION  OF  CONGREGATIONS  335 

Your  Committee  think  that  these  two  enactments  contain  several 
points  of  importance  to  the  Church.  There  are  others  that  may  be  worthy 
of  attention  hereafter. 

It  is  with  deep  sorrow  that  your  Committee  are  called  upon  further 
to  report  that  one  of  their  number,  Jacob  B.  Jewett,  has,  by  Divine  Provi- 
dence, been  removed  by  death. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

JAMES   ANDERSON, 

1876,  553-7.  D,    P.    INGRAHAM, 

The  Committee  appointed  in  1875,  357-8,  and  which  reported  in  1876, 
553-7>  again  reported  as  to  certain  laws  secured  in  1879,  one,  Chap,  117^ 
Laws  of  1879,  providing  for  the  purchase  of  lands,  and  providing  for  the 
erection  of  churches,  chapels  and  parochial  schools;  and  one,  Chap,  55,  of 
the  Laws  of  1880,  providing  for  the  taking  possession  of  the  temporalities 
of  any  church  which  shall  become  extinct.    1880,  585.    They  are  as  follows : 

LAWS   OF   NEW   YORK — BY   AUTHORITY, 

[Every  law,  unless  a  different  time  shall  be  prescribed  therein,  shall 
commence  and  take  effect  throughout  the  State,  on  and  not  before  the 
twentieth  day  after  the  day  of  its  final  passage,  as  certified  by  the  Secre- 
tary of  State.     Sec.  12,  title  4,  chap.  7,  part  i,  Revised  Statutes,] 

CHAP,  117. 
AN  ACT  to  amend  chapter  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  of  the  laws  of 
eighteen  hundred  and  fifty,  entitled  'An  act  to  amend  the  act  entitled, 
An  act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  societies,  passed 
April  five,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirteen,  and  the  several  acts  amenda- 
tory thereof,' " 

Passed  March  2T,  1879, 

The  People  of  the  State  of  Nezv  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  Section  two  of  chapter  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  of 
the  laws  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty,  entitled  "An  act  to  amend  the  act 
entitled  An  act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  societies,' 
and  the  several  acts  amendatory  thereof,"  is  hereby  amended  so  as  to 
read  as  follows : 

§  2.  Whenever  any  religious  corporation  incorporated  under  the 
"Act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  societies,"  passed  April 
fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  thirteen,  or  by  any  special  charter,  shall  deem 
it  necessary  or  expedient  for  the  accommodation  of  its  members  in  conse- 
quence of  their  number  or  dispersed  habitations  or  otherwise,  to  increase 
the  facilities  of  public  worship,  the  vestry  or  trustees  thereof  may  purchase 
and  hold  grounds  in  the  same  village,  town  or  city,  and  may  erect 
thereon  suitable  associate  houses  or  churches,  or  convenient  chapels,  and 
also  at  the  same  time  or  thereafter,  purchase  and  hold  other  grounds  for 
the  purpose,  and  erecting  thereon  suitable  school-houses  for  Sunday  or 
parochial  schools  of  the  said  associate  meeting-houses,  or  churches  or 
chapels,  or  may  hire  or  purchase  and  hold  any  such  grounds,  with  suitable 
buildings  already  erected  thereon  for  the  like  purpose,  notwithstanding 
any  restriction  contained  in  the  said  act,  or  in  any  such  charter;  and  the 
persons  statedly  worshipping  in  any  such  associate  meeting-house  or 
church,  or  in  said  chapel,  may,  with  the  consent  of  the  vestry  or  trustees 
of  said  corporation,  be  separately  organized  and  incorporated,  and  when 
so  separately  organized  and  incorporated  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  primary 
or  parent  corporation  to  grant,  demise  and  convey,  to  the  new  corporation 
so  organized  and  incorporated,  the  grounds  so  purchased  with  the  afore- 
said associate  meeting-houses,  or  churches,  or  chapels  erected  thereon 
with  or  without  consideration  and  subject  to  such  conditions  and  reserva- 
tions not  forbidden  by  law,  as  the  trustees  of  the  said  primary  or  parent 


336         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

corporation  may  deem  best.  Provided  only  that  such  demise,  grant,  or 
conveyance  shall  be  made  in  the  manner  now  prescribed  by  law  for  the 
sale  or  mortgage  of  the  real  estate  of  religious  corporations. 

§  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 
State  of  New  York, 
Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
ss.  : 

I  have  compared  the  preceding  with  the  original  law  on  file  in  this 
office,  and  do  hereby  certify  that  the  same  is  a  correct  transcipt  therefrom 
and  of  the  whole  of  said  original  law. 

ALLEN    C.    BEACH,   Secretary   of  State. 

1880,  587-8. 
CHAP.    55.     [Laws,  N.  Y.,  1880.] 

AN  ACT  to  amend  section  three  of  chapter  one  hundred  and  ten  of  the 
laws  of  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-six,  entitled  "An  act  supple- 
mental to  chapter  sixty  of  the  laws  of  eighteen  hundred  and  thirteen, 
entitled  An  act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  societies, 
and  of  the  several  acts  amendatory  thereof.'  " 

Passed  March  10,  1880. 
The  People  of  the  State   of  Xew   York,  represented  in   Senate   and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  Section  three  of  chapter  one  hundred  and  ten  of  the  laws 
of  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-six,  entitled  "An  act  supplemental  to 
chapter  sixty  of  the  laws  of  eighteen  hundred  and  thirteen,  entitled-  An 
act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  societies,  and  of  the 
several  acts  amendatory  thereof,'  "  is  hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as 
folows : 

§  3.  Whenever  any  church,  parish  or  religious  society,  in  connection 
with  any  such  governing  body,  shall  become  extinct,  or  shall  cease  to 
maintain  religious  services  therein  for  two  consecutive  years,  by  reason 
of  the  death  or  removal  of  its  members,  or  for  any  other  cause,  it  shall 
be  lawful  for  the  trustees  elected  by  such  governing  bod3%  as  aforesaid,  to 
take  possession  of  the  temporalities  belonging  to  said  extinct  church  or 
society,  and  manage  or  dispose  of  the  same,  and  apply  the  proceeds  thereof 
to  any  of  the  objects  mentioned  in  the  second  section  of  this  act.  The 
governing  body  to  which  the  church  or  society  belongs  shall  determine 
when  a  church  or  society  has  become  extinct,  or  has  ceased  to  maintain 
religious  services  for  two  consecutive  years,  provided  that  no  church  or 
society  having  more  than  thirteen  resident  members  shall  be  declared 
extinct,  unless  it  has  failed  for  two  consecutive  years  to  maintain  religious 
services  therein. 

§  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 
State  of  New  York, 
Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
ss.  : 

I  have  compared  the  preceding  with  the  original  law  on  file  in  this 
office,  and  do  hereby  certify  that  the  same  is  a  correct  transcipt  therefrom 
and  of  the  whole  of  said  original  law. 

JOSEPH    B.    CARR,  Secretary  of  State. 

1880,  586. 
notes. 
In   the   Revised    Statutes   of    New    York,    1895,   chapter   72t,   is    'The 
Religious  Corporations  Law." 

The  term  "minister"  includes  a  clergyman,  pastor,  rector,  priest,  rabbi. 
A    religious   corporation    consists    of   the    church   proper    or    spiritual 
body,  consisting  of  the  office-bearers  and  pther  communicants;   the  con- 
gregation or  electors;  and  the  directors  or  trustees. 


INCORPORATION— BOARDS  OF  CHURCH         337 

The  legal  tribunals  of  the  State  have  no  jurisdiction  over  the  church 
or  spiritual  body  as  such,  the  tenents  of  its  creed  or  the  forms  and  disci- 
pline of  its  polity;  the  action  of  the  church  it  not  reviewable  by  the  civil 
courts. 

The  rehgious  corporations  consist  of  every  member  of  the  society 
having  the  privilege  of  voting;  exclusion  of  a  member  from  spiritual 
privileges  does  not  exclude  him  from  his  rights  as  corporator,  [?] 

The  certificate  of  incorporation  oi  a  religious  corporation  shall  be 
filed  and  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  county  in  which  its 
principal  office  or  place  of  worship  is,  or  is  intended  to  be  situated. 

The  legal  title  to  the  corporate  property  vests  in  the  corporate  body 
and  not  in  the  trustees. 

Religious  corporations  may  acquire  property,  for  the  purposes  of  the 
corporation,  not  exceeding  in  value  $3,000,000,  or  an  annual  income  of 
$500,000.  No  person  having  a  husband,  wife,  child  or  parent,  shall  devise 
or  bequeath  to  any  religious  corporation  more  than  half  his  estate,  after 
paying  debts,  etc. 

Trustees  must  administer  the  temporalities  according  to  the  discipline, 
rules  and  usages  of  the  denomination  to  which  the  church  belongs. 

A  legislative  enactment  is  necessary  for  a  religious  corporation  to 
divide  its  real  estate  and  vest  a  portion  in  a  part  of  its  congregation. 

The  property  of  a  religious  society  cannot  be  distributed  among  the 
individual  members  by  the  trustees  or  the  court. 

A  subscription  to  pay  a  certain  sum  toward  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice  or  the  support  of  a  minister  is  binding. 

A  pew  owner  has  only  a  limited  and  usufructuary  interest  in  the  pew, 
which  entitles  him  to  the  use  of  the  pew  during  divine  service. 

Incorporation  of  the  Benevolent  Boards  of  the  Church.  The 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  i860;  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  1867; 
the  Board  of  Education,  1869;  the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions, 
1892.  For  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation,  see  Incorporation  of 
the  General  Synod. 

See  also  1872,  486-8;  1875,  245;  also  Nov.,  1867,  388. 

Incorporation  of  General  Synod.  This  did  not  take  place  until  1819, 
but  the  attempts  to  raise  money  and  hold  property,  by  the  Denomination, 
before  that  date,  may  properly  be  treated  under  this  head. 

The  incorporation  of  a  Denomination,  as  such,  before  the  Revolution, 
was  probably  unknown  in  America.  Several  Colleges  had  already  received 
Royal  Charters,  and  some  congregations  of  the  Reformed  and  Episcopal 
Churches,  had  also  been  granted  Charters  at  an  early  date,  but  such 
incorporations  were  denied  to  all  other  congregations  in  the  State  of  New 
York.  Trustees  may  have  held  property  for  Denominations,  if  any  such 
property  existed  before  the  Revolution,  which  is,  perhaps,  doubtful.  With 
the  first  efforts  of  the  Dutch  Church  to  endow  a  Professorship  of 
Theology,  1771,  13,  14,  16,  the  Synod  proposed  to  entrust  the  funds  which 
might  be  secured,  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  provided  they  would 
give  bonds  to  such  Incorporated  Congregation  as  the  Synod  should  name 
that  the  said  funds  should  be  used  only  for  the  support  of  Professors  of 
the  Dutch  Church  in  fellowship  with  the  Church  of  the  Netherlands, 
1773,  39,  40. 

At  the  same  session,  1773,  the  desirability  of  a  Widows'  Fund  was 
discussed,  and  Dr.  Livingston  was  requested  to  draw  up  a  Plan  for  the 
same,  1773,  40.  Certain  legal  gentlemen  suggested  to  him  that  this 
involved  the  necessity  of  a  Royal  Charter  for  the  Synod.  The  delegates 
from  the  Classes  of  New  York,  New  Brunswick  and  Hackensack  were 
commissioned  to  seek  to  obtain  such  a  charter,  either  in  New  York  or  in 
New  Jersey,  or  in  both  Provinces,  on  as  good,  sure  and  advantageous 
conditions  as  possible,  1774,  48. 

The  following  spring  the  draft  of  such  a  Charter  was  introduced,  and 


338         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

after  some  amendments,  the  four  ministers  of  New  York,.  t:ogether  with 
Elders  CorneHus  Clopper  and  Abraham  Lott,  were  commissioned  to  obtain 
such  Charter  as  speedily  as  possible,  from  the  Provincial  government  of 
New  York ;  while  the  delegates  from  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  were 
directed  to  try  to  secure  a  similar  charter  from  the  government  of  New 
Jersey,  April,  1775,  56. 

[The  original  draft  of  this  proposed  Charter  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
finding  about  1880  among  the  p^ers  of  the  older  Dr.  McKissack,  at 
Millstone,  N.  Y.  He  had  been  the\dministrator  of  several  estates,  and  it 
had  probably  thus  come  into  his  hands.  It  is  now  in  the  Archives  of 
•General  Synod. — E,  T.  Corwin.] 

Other  Denominations  were  also,  at  the  same  time  seeking  Charters, 
and  Governor  Tryon  had  already  written  to  the  Home  Government  on 
the  subject.  The  Earl  of  Dartmouth  in  his  reply  to  the  Governor,  thus 
alludes  to  the  matter : 

''The  King  has  no  doubt  that  the  religious  communities  in  New  York, 
as  well  the  Dissenters  as  those  of  the  Established  [?]  Church,  are  fully 
satisfied  of  His  Majesty's  gracious  Intentions  to  aflford  them  all  reasonable 
support  and  Protection;  His  Majestys '  good  disposition  in  that  respect 
hath  been  manifested  in  many  recent  Instances  of  Grace  and  favor  to  both. 

What  is  now  requested,  however,  by  the  reformed  Dutch  &  Presby- 
terian churches,  and  by  the  Members  of  Kings  College,  involves  constitu- 
tional questions  of  great  difficulty,  and  it  is  more  especially  necessary  that 
the  Charter  proposed  in  the  latter  case,  should  have  the  fullest  considera- 
tion before  any  step  is  taken  upon  it.  To  that  end  I  have  received  the 
Kings  Commands  to  lay  the  Draft  of  that  charter,  transmitted  to  you  by 
M'"  Colden,  before  the  Privy  Council,  in  order  that  it  may  be  put  into 
such  a  train  of  examination  as  shall  be  judged  necessary,  but  I  do  not 
think  it  likely  that  their  Lordships  will  be  induced  to  advise  the  King,  to 
grant  a  charter  which  is  to  have  the  effect  to  increase  the  number  of 
Members  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  without  the  consent  and  con- 
currence of  that  House ;  in  other  respects  the  Charter  does  not  appear  to 
me  to  be  liable  to  any  material  objection. 

The  only  doubt  or  difficulty  that  has  occurred,  upon  the  request  of 
the  reformed  Dutch  &  Presbyterian  Churches  for  Charters  of  Incorpora- 
tion, is,  whether  such  Charters  would  not  have  the  effect  to  give  an 
establishment  inconsistent,  with  the  Principles  of  the  Laws  of  England ; 
and  it  is  the  more  necessary  to  attend  to  this  difficulty,  as  it  was  first 
stated  by  the  Council  of  New  York,  in  the^  case  of  the  application  made  in 
1766  by  the  Ministers,  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
■within  the  City  of  New  York ;  if  however  upon  consideration  of  the 
several  cases  in  which  this  privilege  is  rjow  requested,  the  Law  Servants 
of  the  King  in  the  Province,  and  the  Council  whom  you  will  consult  upon 
them,  shall  be  of  opinion  that  they  are  free  from  any  difficulty  of  such  a 
nature,  it  is  the  Kings  pleasure  that  you  do  grant  such  charter  of  incor- 
poration, conformable  to  what  has  been  approved  of  by  His  Majesty 
in  a  like  Case,  within  the  Province  of  New  Jersey,  of  which  you  will 
be  particularly  informed  by  the  enclosed  Papers."  Documents  relat- 
ing to  Col.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.     VIII.  573-4- 

Whitehall,  May  4,  1775. 

But  the  Revolution  was  at  hand  and  prevented  success  to  these  last 
efforts  of  non-Episcopalian  Denominations  to  secure  their  rights  from  the 
Government  of  England.    Oct.,  1775,  60.     ,  ..; 

The  subject  was  renewed  after  the :  R-evolution,  but  owing  to  the 
pressure  af  other  duties,  it  was  postponed  from  time  to  time,  1785,  142; 
1786,  151;  but  in  1787,  167,  a  Committee' was -ctppointed  to  develop  plans. 
They  presented  a  Plan,  embracing  ways  by  which  a  Widows'  Fund  could 
be  provided;  and  another  Committtee  (Hon;  Fred.  FsreHnghuysen  and 
Richard   Varick)    was    appointed   to   obtain   a    Charter,    1788,    181-2;    but 


INCORPORATION  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD         339 

nothing  was  accomplished,  1789,  199;  1790,  210.  It  does  not  seem  to  have 
occurred  to  their  minds  that  one  Charter  could  have  included  Funds  for 
different  purposes  under  Synod's  care. 

In  May,  1791,  the  Synod  proposed,  that  all  moneys,  subscribed  for  the 
Professorship,  should  be  transmitted  to  Peter  Wilson,  of  Flatbush,  who 
should  therewith,  negotiate  a  capital,  [tot  het  opkoopen  van  een  capitaal], 
and  should  deposit  the  bonds  with  the  incorporated  Consistory  of  New 
York,  May,  1791,  215,  216;  but  with  the  Constitutional  organization  of 
General  Synod  in  1794,  it  was  directed  that  all  moneys  raised  for  the 
Professorship  should  be  under  the  care  of  four  Trustees,  namely,  Peter^ 
Wilson,  John  Vanderbilt,  Robt.  Benson  and  Richard  Varick;  but  there, 
was  very  little  money  to  care  for.  1794,  262-3.  In  1804  the  Consistory' 
of  Xew  York  offered  to  take  charge  of  any  funds  for  the  Professorship, 
1804,  300;    1806,  337. 

With  the  Covenant  between  the  Synod  and  the  Trustees  of  Queens 
College  in  1807,  the  funds  for  the  Theological  Professorship  were  natur- 
ally committed  to  the  College  Trustees,  and  soon  $i6,ig2  were  in  their 
hands,  1807,  363-6;  1809,  381;  1813,  5,  6,  12,  23;  but  subsequently  misun- 
derstandings arose  between  the  Synod  and  the  College  Trustees,  which 
lasted  for  many  years.  See  Professorial  Fund.  This  was  one  of  the 
causes  which  led  to  the  establishment  of  a  separate  Fund,  called  the 
Permanent  Fund,  1815,  (which  see,)  and  to  the  incorporation  of  General 
Synod  in  1819.  [Meantime,  Dr.  Livingston  and  others,  on  March  10,  1815, 
Chap.  63,  had  had  themselves  incorporated  as  "The  Widows'  Fund 
Society,"  but  nothing  was  ever  accomplished  thereby.  See  1814,  49,  53,  54. 
See  index  of  1831.] 

An  incorporation  of  General  Synod  was  suggested  by  the  Particular 
Synod  of  New  York,  1818,  26;  and  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  report 
on  the  matter,  27.  They  reported  that  there  was  no  legal  objection  to  the 
incorporation  of  General  Synod,  and  that  this  was  preferable  to  the 
incorporation  of  a  Board  of  Trustees ;  the  General  Synod  could  then 
appoint  a  Board  of  Directors,  such  as  they  pleased ;  and  they  suggested 
the  appointment  of  five  influential  laymen  to  make  the  application  for 
the  Synod  to  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  and  proposed  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  this  Synod,  deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
being  incorporated,  do  hereby  appoint  Messrs.  Abraham  Van  Vechten, 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Henry  Rutgers,  John  D.  Ditmas  and  Peter 
Sharpe,  a  Committee,  to  take  the  necessary  means  for  procuring  from  the 
Legislature  of  this  state  an  Act  of  Incorporation  of  themselves  [the 
Synod]  and  their  successors  in  office,  as  a  General  Synod,  in  order  that 
they  may  be  enabled  to  hold  property  productive  of  a  yearly  income  of 
$15,000,  (or  as  near  that  sum  as  possible,)  and  manage  their  pecuniary 
affairs  to  the  best  advantage."     1818,  28,  29. 

The  Synod  also  proposed  that  in  case  "the  Legislature  should  be 
unwilling  to  incorporate  the  General  Synod,  as  such,  that  they  should 
apply  for  an  Act  incorporating  Henry  Rutgers,  Abraham  Van  Vechten 
Abraham  Van  Ness,  Isaac  L.  Kip,  John  Nitchie,  Stephen  Van  Renssalaer, 
John  I.  Ostrander,  Jacob  Brodhead,  Philip  Milledoler,  Selah  S.  Woodhull, 
John  DeWitt,  Jas.  M.  Mathews,  Chs.  Hardenbergh,  Paschal  M.  Strong 
and  Alexander  Gunn,  and  their  successors  in  office,  to  be  annually  chosen 
by  the  General  Synod,  as  a  Board  of  Trustees,  to  hold  in  trust  the  prop- 
erty of  this  Synod,  subject  to  their  control  and  direction."     1818,  29. 

The  Act  for  incorporating  General  Synod  was  obtained  without  diffi- 
culty, and  is  as  follows : 

"An  Act  to  incorporate  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church,  passed  April  7,  1819. 

Be  it  enacted,  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in 
the  Senate  and  Assembly,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church  shall  be  and  hereby  is  declared  to  be  a  body 


340         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

corporate  and  politic,  by  the  name  and  style  of  "The  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church/'  with  full  power  to  sue  and  be 
sued,  defend  and  be  defended  by  that  name,  in  all  courts  of  law  and  equity ; 
iand  to  have  a  common  seal,  and  to  alter  the  same  at  pleasure ;  and  also 
to  take,  purchase  and  hold  real  and  personal  estate,  and  to  sell  and  con- 
vey the  same,  provided  the  yearly  value  of  the  same  shall  not  exceed  the 
sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  that  the  same  shall  not  be  appropriated 
to  any  other  than  religious  and  charitable  uses  and  purposes. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  regular 
members  of  the  said  General  Synod,  at  their  stated  annual  meetings,  to 
appoint  a  President,  three  Directors  and  a  Treasurer  of  said  corporation ; 
and  to  make  and  ordain  by-laws  and  regulations  relating  to  the  manage- 
ment and  disposition  of  their  real  and  personal  estate,  the  duties  of  the  said 
President,  Directors  and  Treasurer,  and  the  duration  of  their  respective 
offices :  Provided  always,  That  such  by-laws  and  regulations  shall  not 
be  inconsistent  with  the  Constitution  and  Laws  of  this  State,  or  of  the 
United  States. 

And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  it  shall  at  all  times  be  lawful  for  the 
Legislature  to  repeal  or  amend  this  act. 
State  of  New  York, 
Secretary's  Office. 

I  certify  the  preceding  to  be  a  true  copy  of  an  original  Act  of  the 
Legislature  of  this  State  on  file  in  this  office. 

ARCHIBALD  CAMPBELL,  Dep.  Sec. 

Albany,  Apr.  9,  1819.  1819,  46. 

Additional  legislation  has  been  obtained  not  only  in  New  York,  but 
in  New  Jersey  and  Michigan,  to  facilitate  the  business  of  General  Synod. 

When  arrangements  had  been  made  by  the  Synod  to  purchase  the 
Queens  College  Property,  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  in  connection  with 
the  adjusting  of  the  accounts  concerning  the  Professorial  Fund,  the  Board 
of  Direction  suggested  that  the  conveyance  be  made  to  "The  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church";  1823, -52,  53.  But 
doubts  were  expressed  as  to  the  legality  of  such  conveyance,  as  the 
property  was  in  another  state,  1824,  17.  The  Synod,  therefore,  at  first 
directed  that  the  conveyance  of  said  property  should  be  made  to  certain 
Trustees,  who  might  subsequently  convey  it  to  the  Synod.  A  Form  of 
conveyance  to  Trustees  was  accordingly  prepared.  But  it  was  later  sug- 
gested that  an  application  should  be  made  to  the  Legislature  of  New 
Jersey,  to  authorize  the  Synod  to  hold  property  in  that  state.  1823,  52,  53 ; 
1824,  17,  24,  54;  1825,  9;  Sept.,  1825,  19;  1826,  15;  1827,  19.  The  following 
is  the  Act: 

An  Act  to  enable  the  General  Synod  of  the  Refd.  Prot.  Dutch  Church  to 
take,  hold  and  convey  real  estate  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 
Be  it  enacted,  By  the  Council  and  General  Assembly  of  this  State, 
and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Church,  as  a  corporate  body  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  their  successors,  shall  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
enabled  to  take  real  estate  within  this  State,  either  by  devise,  descent  or 
purchase,  and  to  hold  and  dispose  of  the  same,  in  like  manner  as  natural- 
born  citizens ;  and  the  title  to  any  lands,  tenements  or  hereditaments 
heretofore  devised  to,  or  purchased,  or  acquired  by  them,  or  which  may 
hereafter  be  devised  to,  or  purchased,  or  acquired  by  them  and  their  suc- 
cessors, shall  not  be  impeached  or  defeated  by  reason  of  their  being  a 
corporation  of  the  State  of  New  York,  but  the  same  is  hereby  declared 
to  be  vested  in  the  said  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  and  their  successors,  in  like  manner  as  real  estate  is  vested  in 
natural-born  citizens  of  this  State:  Provided  always,  That  the  annual 
value  of  the  same  shall  not  exceed  twenty  thousand  dollars. 


INCORPORATION  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD  341 

C.     Passed  November  30,   1825. 
Page  45  of  Acts,  etc.,  N.  J.,  1825. 

[It  will  be  noticed  that  in  the  Charter  of  1819,  the  income  was  hmited 
to  $10,000 ;  but  in  the  New  Jersey  Act,  it  was  tixed  at  $20,000.  See  Laws 
of  1889  and  1890  below.] 

On  May  ist,  1858,  Rev.  A.  C.  Van  Raalte  and  wife,  deeded  to  the 
General  Synod  the  land  and  buildings,  known  as  "The  Holland  Academy," 
at  Holland,  Michigan.  It  became  necessary  to  have  this  title  confirmed  by 
the  Michigan  Legislature,  and  also  that  the  Synod  should  be  authorized 
to  hold  property  in  that  State,  1858,  277;  i860,  492,  557.  This  was  accom- 
plished by  the  following  Act : 

No.   64.    (House) 
State  of  Michigan,  1863. 

"The  People  of  the  State  of  Michigan  enact  that  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  a  body  corporate  under  the 
laws  of  the  State  of  New  York,  is  hereby  authorized  and  shall  have  the 
capacity  to  have,  receive,  hold,  and  enjoy  by  gift,  grant,  purchase,  devise, 
or  other  legal  or  equitable  form  of  conveyance,  the  real  estate  and 
premises  in  the  County  of  Ottawa  and  State  of  Michigan,  known  as  the 
Holland  Academy,  and  the  grounds  connected  therewith,  for  the  purposes 
of  said  Academy,  and  their  appurtenances  ;  and  the  sale  of  said  property 
heretofore  made  to  said  Church  is  confirmed.  And,  also,  any  other  real 
estate  that  may  be  conveyed  to  said  corporation  for  educational  purposes. 

Provided,  that  said  corporation  shall  not  continue  to  hold  any  real 
estate  in  this  State,  not  actually  occupied  by  it  in  the  exercise  of  its 
franchises,  for  a  longer  period  than  ten  years."     1863,  253. 

The  title  by  which  the  Church  had  become  popularly  known,  and 
which  was  employed  in  the  Act  of  Incorporation,  1819,  46,  was  'The 
Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church."  But  in  Nov.,  1867,  331-9,  it  was 
finally  determined  to  drop  the  word  "Dutch"  from  the  Name  or  Title. 
See  "Title  of  the  Church."  It  therefore  became  necessary  also  to  amend 
the  Corporate  Title.  [This  would  not  affect  the  corporate  titles  of  indi- 
vidual churches,  1867,  241.  See  "Incorporation  of  Churches."]  The 
Synod,  accordingly,  appointed  a  Committee  of  legal  gentlemen  to  effect 
this  object,  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  Hon.  Wm.  J.  Bacon,  Hon.  Robt.  H.  Pruyn,  Hon. 
Lewis  B.  Woodruff,  Hon.  Joseph  P.  Bradley,  and  Hon.  H.  D.  Maxwell 
be  a  committee  to  consider  all  the  details  of  the  civil  legislation  which  the 
proposed  change  of  name  may  make  necessary,  and  to  report  on  the  same 
at  the  adjourned  meeting  of  Synod.     1867,  241. 

They  reported  in  November,  1867,  and  because  of  its  importance,  it  is 
given  in  full : 

The   Committee  "to  consider  all  the   details  of  the   Civil   Legislation 
which  the  proposed  change  of  name  may  make  necessary,"  presented  the 
following  report,  which  was  accepted  and  adopted : 
To   the  General  Synod   of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch   Church: 

The  undersigned,  to  whom  it  was  referred  by  the  vote  of  General 
Synod,  at  its  regular  Session  in  June,  "to  consider  all  the  details  of  the 
CivilLegislation  which  the  proposed  change  of  narhe  "may-make  necessary, 
and  to  report  thereon,  at  the  adjourned  meeting  of  Synod?'  beg  leave  to 
submit  the  following  report : 

They  assume  in  the  outset  that  the  change  of  our  name,  or  rather 
perhaps  as  it  may  be  more  correctly  affirmed,  the  resumption  of  our 
original  and  most  distinctive  title,  has  been,  or  will  be  accomplished  by 
means,  and  in  a  mode  not  to  be  legally  questioned.  It  is  no  part  of  the 
business  of  the  Committee  to  vindicate  the  propriety,  or  uphold  the 
constitutional  validity  of  the  action  that  has  already  been  or  that  remains 
to  be  taken  on  this  subject.     They  may,  however,  be  allowed  to  remark, 


342         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

that  if  the  change  is  to  be  brought  about  by  an  amendment  to  the  Consti- 
tution in  the  manner  prescribed  by  that  instrument,  then  it  will  have 
been  accomplished  by  the  vote  of  the  Synod,  the  submission  to  and  the 
expression  of  the  majority  vote  of  the  several  Classes,  and  the  final  ratifi- 
cation of  the  General  Synod  for  the  time  being,  at  this  adjourned  Session. 
If  by  a  power  outside  of  the  Constitution  and  inherent  in  the  Church 
for  the  highest  purposes  of  self-preservation,  and  the  perpetuation  and 
extension  of  its  power  and  influence,  and  speaking  in  the  forms  of  legisla- 
tion, by  and  through  the  several  judicatories  where  such  power  resides, 
then  the  same  result  will  have  been  reached  when  these  bodies  have 
spoken  in  the  modes  in  which  the  voice  of  the  Church  has  been  accus- 
tomed to  be  uttered. 

The  change  of  name,  in  the  Judgment  of  the  Committee,  is  subject 
to  no  legal  objection,  as  tending  to  impair  or  affect  any  corporate  rights, 
or  imperil  the  property  of  the  Church,  or  the  franchises  of  its  corporate 
bodies.  The  name  is  merely  formal  and  adventitious,  it  is  not  of  the 
essence  of  the  Church,  or  of  any  of  its  institutions.  So  far  as  the  mere 
temporalities  of  the  Church  are  concerned,  these  depend  for  their  continu- 
ance on  a  question  of  identity,  and  not  of  name — identity,  we  mean  of 
doctrines,  canons,  confessions,  discipline  and  order.  These,  the  proposed 
change  of  name  does  not  alter  or  affect  in  the  smallest  degree.  The 
Reformed  Church  in  America  is  the  same  body  as  the  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church,  in  its  faith,  its  usages,  and  its  order,  and  will  so  continue 
until  changed,  if  it  ever  shall  be,  by  some  act  specifically  adopted  to 
secure  such  ends.  No  idea,  therefore,  need  be  entertained,  in  our  opinion, 
that  there  is  any  legal  peril  in  respect  to  the  possession,  use  and 
enjoyment  of  the  property  of  the  Church  acquired  by  purchase  or  by 
gift,  nor  in  respect  to  that  of  any  of  the  corporate  bodies,  through  which 
the  Church  has  been  accustomed,  and  proposes  still  to  act,  by  reason  of 
the  change  of  name.  A  doubt  has  indeed  been  suggested  in  some 
quarters,  whether  there  is  strictly  a  necessity  for  any  legislation  in  this 
matter — there  is  clearly  none  in  order  to  give  validity  to  the  present  action 
of  the  Church  upon  the  subject  of  the  name. 

Still,  to  save  all  question,  and  with  reference  to  those  bodies  which 
have  sought  and  obtained  legislative  sanction  for  their  corporate  existence, 
there  is  doubtless  a  propriety,  even  if  there  be  not  a  legal  necessity,  for 
some  very  simple  legislation.  This  will  consist,  in  our  judgment,  in  the 
enactment  of  laws  merely  changing  the  names  of  these  several  bodies  to 
adapt  them  to  the  name  by  which  the  Church  is  henceforth  to  be  known, 
and  saving  as  well  as  transferring  all  vested  rights  of  property,,  and  all 
franchises,  powers  and  duties,  to  the  newly  named  corporation. 

The  bodies  which  have  obtained  acts  of  incorporation,  by  the  direct 
action  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  are  as  far  as  we  understand,  the 
General  Synod,  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missiops  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  The  Board  of  Domestic 
Missions,  and  perhaps  some  of  the  other  Boards  or  associations  of  the 
Church  have  been  formed,  so  far  as  we  can  ascertain,  by  filing  a  certificate 
and  becoming  incorporated  under  the  general  Act  passed  in  1848,  provid- 
ing for  the  incorporation  of  benevolent,  charitable,  scientific  and  missionary 
associations. 

The  'General  Synod  was  incorporated  in  the  year  1819,  by  the  name 
of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church ;  the 
Board  of  Publication  under  the  same  ecclesiastical  title  in  1856,  and  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  in 
the  year  i860. 

We  propose  to  amend  the  several  acts  by  which  these  bodies  were 
respectively  incorporated,  by  striking  out  the  words  "Protestant'  and 
"Dutch,"  wherever  they  occur  in  the  section  naming  the  body,  and  adding 
after  th6  word  "Church"  the  words  "in  America,"  so  that  the  section 
amended  will  read  in  every  instance,  "The  Reformed  Church  in  America." 


INCORPORATION  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD  343 

We  propose  also  to  add  another  section,  confirming  in  substance  the  titles 
of  the  newly  named  corporations,  in  and  to  all  the  property,  rights  and 
franchises,  now  vested  in  the  present  corporations,  and  continuing  the 
officers,  agents  and  Boards  precisely  as  they  are  now  constituted,  and 
devolving  all  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  present  corporations  upon  the 
newly  named  bodies.  There  is  to  be  no  change  whatever  in  the  Constitu- 
tion, organization  or  modes  of  action  of  these  bodies,  nor  in  the  agencies 
through  which  they  operate — not  a  break  nor  even  a  ripple  in  the  con- 
tinuous flow  of  the  current  of  their  present  life.  The  forms  of  the 
appropriate  acts  to  accomplish  this  change  are  herewith  submitted,  and 
are  to  be  deemed  a  part  of  our  report.  These  forms  are  adapted  to 
effect  the  amendment  proposed  in  the  charters  which  are  created  by  the 
direct  action  of  the  Legislature  in  the  shape  of  laws.  The  same  forms, 
with  a  slight  change  in  the  phraseology,  can  be  applied  to  those  corpora- 
tions which  are  made  such  by  the  filing  of  a  certificate  under  the  pro- 
visions of  the  general  Act  in  respect  to  corporations. 

A  word  only  remains  to  be  said  in  respect  to  the  position  of  the 
several  individual  Churches  throughout  our  denomination.  There  is 
nothing  in  the  action  of  the  Synod  that  alters  their  condition,  or  aflfects 
their  status  in  regard  to  the  Church  generally,  or  their  corporate  rights 
and  immunities.  It  was  very  properly  said  in  one  of  the  resolutions  of 
the  General  Synod  in  June,  that  the  corporate  titles  of  individual  Churches 
are  properly  subject  only  to  the  choice  of  such  Churches,  and  it  was 
perhaps  superfluously,  but  still  very  properly  added,  that  any  diversity  in 
such  titles  that  may  exist  now  or  hereafter,  shall  in  no  way  aff^ect  the 
recognized  relations  of  said  Churches  to  the  Synod  and  to  the  denomi- 
nation. 

The  name  then  by  which  each  individual  Church  organization  elects 
to  be  known  is  a  matter  of  its  own  choice.  Whether  the  word  "Dutch'^ 
shall  continue  to  form  part  of  its  corporate  title,  or  shall  be  exchanged 
for  some  other,  is  a  point  for  each  Church  to  determine  for  itself^ 
Instances  are  not  wanting  in  our  denomination  where  Churches  have 
corporate  names  descriptive  of  no  ecclesiastical  connection  whatever,  but 
which  are  purely  a  matter  of  fancy,  taste  or  local  significance.  Still  it 
would  seem  desirable,,  and  such  will  probably  be  the  general  conviction^ 
that  the  titles  of  Churches  should  in  the  main  conform  to  that  by  which 
the  Church  organically  is  known  and  recognized,  and  changes  will  no> 
doubt  be  made  in  accordance  with  this  sentiment.  To  accompish  this 
end  the  statute  of  this  State,  passed  in  June,  1853,  entitled,  "An  Act  tc^ 
authorize  religious  corporations  to  change  their  names,"  provides  a  very- 
simple  and  inexpensive  mode  by  which  this  may  be  accomplished.  It  is 
no  longer  necessary  for  each  Church  to  go  to  the  Legislature  and  ask  for 
the  passage  of  a  special  act  to  "change  the  name  of  such  Church,  but  the 
application  is  made  by  petition,  verified  by  affidavit,  setting  forth  the 
reasons  for  which  a  change  is  desired,  to  the  County  Court  of  any  county 
within  whose  bounds  a  Church  is  situated,  and  leave  will  be  granted 
almost  as  a  matter  of  course.  No  particular  difficulty  can,  in  our  opmion, 
occur  in  effecting  this  change  whenever  it  shall  be  desired,  since  nothing 
can  be  more  obvious  than  the  propriety  of  changing  the  names  of  the 
churches  of  a  denomination  to  conform  to  that  by  which  the  Church  at 
large  is  known  and  designated. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

^'^'>yi'  ;o    l':v,    WILLIAM   J.    BACON, 
November  20,   1867.  Chairman. 

Resolved,  That  so  much  of  the  above  report  as  concerns  the  details 
of  the  necessary  legislative  enactments,  be  recommitted  to  the  Committee, 
with  power  to  secure  such  enactments  as  they  shall  find  to  be  necessary. 

Resolved,  That  the  names  of  Judges   Newkirk  and   Danforth,  Hon. 


344         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEIGISLATION 

J.  R.  Wortendyke,  and  Peter  A.  Voorhees,  and  of  Hon.  Theodore  Romeyn, 
be  added  to  this  Committee.     Nov.,   1867,  336-9. 

REPORT   IN    1868. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  to  secure  the 
legislative  action  demanded  by  the  change  of  name  of  the  Church  presented 
a  verbal  report,  which  was  accepted. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  and  Stated  Clerk  prepare  a  memorial 
to  be  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  shall 
briefly  and  fully  set  forth  the  action  of  the  Church  on  the  Constitutional 
Amendment  in  reference  to  its  ecclesiastical  title,  and  asking  that  the  civil 
legislation  shall  be  conformed  to  the  ecclesiastical  action  of  the  Church. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  Synod  to  present 
the  above  subject  to  the  Legislature  be  continued. 

The  President  and  Stated  Clerk  reported  the  following  memorial  to 
be  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  was 
adopted  unanimously,  signed  by  the  President  and  Stated  Clerk,  and 
ordered  to  be  presented  by  them  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New 
York. 
To  the  Senate  and  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  York: 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  (known  for 
a  time  as  the  "Reformed  Dutch  Church,"  and  also  designated  in  the  Act 
of  Incorporation  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  April  7,  1819,  as 
"The  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church")  respectfully  requests  your 
honorable  body  to  amend  its  corporate  style  and  title  as  found  in  the  act 
above  cited,  so  that  it  may  read  thus — The  General  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America. 

Your  petitioner  in  support  of  this  its  requests  enumerates  and  sets 
forth  the  following  considerations  : 

First. — The  Church  for  whose  relief  this  application  is  made  is  not 
•composed  of  those  who  wish  to  maintain  a  foreign  title  expressive  of 
un-American  affinities  and  descriptive  of  foreign  language  and  usages ; 
nor  is  its  membership  confined  to  persons  of  one  race  or  of  a  single 
nation.  Having  been  founded  here  early  in  the  seventeenth  century,  its 
relations,  sympathies  and  customs  are  American,  so  that  the  word  Dutch, 
(which  was  no  part  of  its  original  title)  whatever  value  it  may  have 
once  had,  is  now  and  has  long  been  believed  to  be  inappropriate  and 
prejudicial  to  the  interests  confided  to  its  care. 

Second. — In  the  year  1866,  such  had  become  the  opinion  and  feeling 
widely  prevalent,  that  the  General  Synod,  by  a  very  large  and  nearly 
unanimous  vote  appointed  a  special  Committee  to  report  on  the  name  of 
the  Church,  and  particularly  upon  the  expediency  of  removing  the  epithet 
Dutch  therefrom. 

Third. — The  special  Committee  aforesaid  reported  with  great  fullness 
of  fact  and  of  detail  to  the  General  Synod  of  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
seven,  which  body,  after  due  deliberation,  by  a  vote  of  no  ayes  to  9  nays, 
adopted  resolutions  recommending  to  all  the  Classes  (or  Presbyteries) 
under  its  care,  that  they  approve  the  proposed  change  in  the  ecclesiastical 
title  of  the  Church  as  described  in  aforesaid  resolutions,  and  adopt  them 
as  amendments  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Church. 

Fourth. — More  than  three-quarters  (25  out  of  31)  of  the  Classes 
comprised  in  the  denomination,  voted  in  favor  of  the  resolutions  sub- 
mitted, and  sent  up  their  suffrages  in  official  form  to  the  General  Synod, 
in  adjourned  session  in  the  city  of  Albany,  in  Noverriber,  1867,  at  which 
meeting  that  body  by  a  vote  of  112  to  7,  confirmed  and  ratified  the  resolu- 
tions as  adopted  by  the  Classes,  and  declared  them  to  be  a  part  of  the 
Constitution  of  the   Reformed  Church  in  America. 

Fifth. — The  General  Synod  of  the  year  1868,  approving  of  what  its 
predecessors  did  in  the  premises,  and  entirely  confident  that  all  the  steps 


INCORPORATION  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD         345 

and  proceedings  taken  by  them  to  effect  the  long  desired  amendment  to  its 
ecclesiastical  Constitution,  defining  its  ecclesiastical  name,  were  regular 
and  strictly  according  to  the  Constitution,  under  which  its  legislation  is 
conducted,  does  therefore  solicit  of  your  honorable  body  an  amendment 
to  the  Act  under  which  it  was  incorporated  in  the  year  1819,  in  manner 
following,  to  wit : 

The  ecclesiastical  body  hitherto  incorporated  and  known  as  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  shall  hereafter 
be  designated  and  known  by  the  corporate  title  of  the  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  as  such,  exercise  and  enjoy  all  the 
rights  and  powers  it  has  hitherto  possessed. 

This  Synod  of  June,  1868,  with  but  one  dissenting  vote  adopted  the 
following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  President  and  stated  Clerk  prepare  a  memorial 
to  be  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  shall 
briefly  and  fully  set  forth  the  action  of  the  Church  on  the  Constitutional 
Amendment  in  reference  to  its  ecclesiastical  title,  and  asking  that  the 
civil  legislation  shall  be  conformed  to  the  ecclesiastical  action  of  the 
Church. 

In  pursuance  of  which  the  President  and  Stated  Clerk  sign  their 
names  to  this  memorial,  and  forward  the  same  as  an  official  expression  of 
the  wishes  of  their  body  in  the  matter  to  which  it  relates. 

ELBERT    S.    PORTER,  President. 
DAVID    D.    DEMAREST,  Stated  Clerk. 

1868,  464-6. 

The  Committee  to  secure  legislative  action  on  the  change  of  the 
Name  of  the  Church  reported  that  the  legislation  desired  had  been  granted 
by  an  Act  of  which  they  presented  a  certified  copy,  as  follows : 

CHAPTER    197. 

AN  ACT  TO  CHANGE  THE  CORPORATE  TITLE  OF  THE  GENERAL  SYNOD  OF  THE 
REFORMED  PROTESTANT  DUTCH  CHURCfe  TO  THAT  OF  THE  GENERAL  SYNOD 
OF    THE    REFORMED    CHURCH     IN    AMERICA. — PASSED    APRIL     I5,     1869. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  The  ecclesiastical  body  hitherto  incorporated  and  known 
as  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  shall 
hereafter  be  designated  and  known  by  the  corporate  title  of  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  as  such  exercise  and 
enjoy  all  the  rights  and  powers  it  has  hitherto  possessed,  but  this  act 
shall  not  affect  any  contract,  suit,  or  proceeding,  claims  or  demand  now 
existing  against  said  corporation. 

§  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 
State  of  New  York,  Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  ss.: 

I  have  compared  the  preceding  with  the  original   law  on  file  in  this 
office,  and  do  hereby  certify  that  the  same  is  a  correct  transcript  there- 
from, and  of  the  whole  of  said  origininal  law. 
Given   under   my   hand   and   seal   of   office,   at   the   City   of   Albany,   this 

twelfth   day  of   May,   in   the  year   one  thousand   eight  hundred   and 

sixty-nine. 

[seal]  D.    WILLERS,   Jr., 

Deputy  Secretary  of  State. 

1869,  625,  6. 

On  the  suggestion  of  their  counsel,  L.  K.  Miller,  Esq.,  that  as  an 
application  was  before  the  Legislature  of  our  State,  for  some  necessary 
legislation  relating  to  the  name  of  our  Church,  it  would  be  a  fitting  time 
to  obtain,  if  possible,  an  enlargement  of  the  amount  of  funds  which  the 
Church  is  allowed  by  law  to  hold : — Your  Board  made  arrangements  to 


346  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

procure  an  amendment  of  the  Act  of  Incorporation  of  General  Synod  to 
meet  this  object;  and  they  are  happy  to  be  able  to  report,  that  such  an 
amendment  has  been  obtained,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 
"Chapter    171    


An  Act 


To  amend  'An  Act  to  incorporate  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church" :  passed  April  seventh,  eighteen  hundred  and  nineteen ; 
and  to  enable  said  Synod  to  hold  property  to  a  greater  amount.  Passed 
April  14th,  1869, 

"The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church,  to  take  and  hold  by  gift,  grant,  devise  or 
otherwise,  hereafter  made,  and  by  purchase  hereafter  made,  to  hold  and 
convey  any  estate,  real  or  personal,  provided  that  the  clear  annual  value 
or  income  of  such  estate  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  Fifteen  Thousand 
dollars,  exclusive  of  such  Professorships  and  Scholarships,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  theological  education,  as  may  be  from  time  to  time  endowed; 
but  the  right  herein  granted,  to  take  and  hold  real  or  personal  estate  by 
bequest  or  devise,  shall  be  subject  to  all  provisions  of  law  in  relation  to 
devises  and  bequests  by  last  will  and  testament.  Nothing  herein  con- 
tained is  to  be  construed  to  apply  to  any  question,  matter,  thing  involved 
or  at  issue  in  any  action  now  pending  in  any  Court  in  which  said  Synod 
is  a  party,  or  to  any  action  or  proceeding  which  may  hereafter  be  com- 
menced against,  or  by,  or  on  behalf  of  said  Synod,  or  in  which  said  Synod 
shall  be  a  party  and  which  shall  not  relate  to  property  granted,  bequeathed 
or  devised  to  or  acquired  by  said  Synod  subsequent  to  the  passage  of 
this  act. 

Section  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately." 

The  following  may  also  be  added :  1869,  555. 

CHAP.    498. 
AN  ACT  in  relation  to  the  exemption  of  the  real  property  of  religious, 

charitable,  and  educational  corporations  and  associations  from  taxation. 
Approved   by   the    Governor   April   25,    1889.      Passed,    three-fifths    being 

present.* 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  The  real  property  of  a  corporation  or  association  organ- 
ized exclusively  for  the  moral  and  mental  improvement  of  men  and  women 
or  for  religious,  charitable,  missionar>',  hospital,  educational,  patriotic, 
historical  or  cemetery  purposes,  or  for  two  or  more  of  such  purposes,  and 
used  exclusively  for  carrying  out  thereupon  one  or  more  of  such  purposes 
shall  be  exempt  from  taxation.  But  no  such  corporation  or  association 
shall  be  entitled  to  any  such  exemption,  if  any  officer,  member  or  employe 
thereof  shall  receive  or  may  be  lawfully  entitled  to  receive  any  pecuniary 
profit  from  the  operations  thereof,  except  reasonable  compensation  for 
services  in  affecting  one  or  more  of  such  purposes,  or  as  proper  bene- 
ficiaries of  its  strictly  charitable  purposes;  or  if  the  organization  thereof, 
for  any  of  such  avowed  purposes,  be  a  guise  or  pretense  for  directly  or 
indirectly  making  any  other  pecuniary  profit  for  such  corporation  or 
association  or  for  any  of  its  members  or  employes,  or  if  it  be  not  in  good 
faith  organized  or  conducted  exclusively  for  one  or  more  of  such  pur- 
poses. The  real  property  of  any  such  corporation  or  association  entitled 
to  such  exemption  held  by  it  exclusively  for  one  or  more  of  such  purposes, 
and  from  which  no  rents,  profits  or  income  are  derived,  shall  be  so 
exempt,  though  not  in  actual  use  therefor,  by  reason  of  the  absence  of 

*  Certified  as  having  passed  the  Senate  by  a  two-thirds  vote. 


INCORPORATION  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD         347 

suitable  buildings  or  improvements  thereon,  if  the  construction  of  such 
buildings  or  improvements  is  in  progress,  or  is  in  good  faith  contemplated 
by  such  corporation  or  association.  The  real  property  of  any  such  cor- 
poration not  so  used  exclusively  for  carrying  out  thereupon  one  or  more 
of  such  purposes,  but  leased  or  otherwise  used  for  other  purposes  shall 
not  be  so  exempt ;  but  if  a  portion  only  of  any  lot  or  building  of  any 
such  corporation  or  association  is  used  exclusively  for  carrying  out  there- 
upon one  or  more  of  such  purposes  of  any  such  corporation  or  association, 
then  such  lot  or  building  shall  be  so  exempt  only  to  the  extent  of  the  value 
of  the  portion  so  used,  and  the  remaining  portion  of  such  lot  or  building 
to  the  extent  of  the  value  of  such  remaining  portion  shall  be  subject  to 
taxation.  Property  held  by  an  officer  of  a  religious  denomination,  shall 
be  entitled  to  the  same  exemption,  subject  to  the  same  conditions  and 
exceptions  as  property  held  by  a  religious  corporation. 
§  2.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 

CHAR    553. 

AN  ACT  to  amend  chapter  one  hundred  and  ninety-one  of  the  laws  of 
eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-nine,  entitled  "An  act  to  limit  the 
amount  of  property  to  be  held  by  corporations  organized  for  other 
than  business  purposes,"  and  relating  to  such  corporations. 

Approved  by  the  Governor  June  7,  1890.     Passed,  three-fifths  being  present. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  Chapter  one  hundred  and  ninety-one  of  the  laws  of 
eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-nine,  entitled  'An  act  to  limit  the  amount 
of  property  to  be  held  by  corporations  organized  for  other  than  business 
purposes,"  is  hereby  amended  so  as  to  read  as  follows : 

§  I.  Any  religious,  educational,  bible,  missionary,  tract,  literary, 
scientific,  benevolent  or  charitable  corporation,  or  corporation  organized 
for  the  enforcement  of  laws  relating  to  children  or  animals,  or  for 
hospital,  infirmary,  or  other  than  business  purposes,  may  take  and  hold, 
in  its  own  right  or  in  trust  for  any  purpose  comprised  in  the  objects  of 
its  incorporation,  property  not  exceeding  in  value  three  million  dollars, 
or  the  yearly  income  derived  from  which  shall  not  exceed  two  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  any  special 
or  general  act  heretofore  passed  or  certificate  of  incorporation  affecting 
such  corporations.  In  computing  the  value  of  such  property  no  increase 
in  value  arising  otherwise  than  from  improvements  made  thereon,  shall 
be  taken  into  account.  The  personal  estate  of  such  corporations  shall  be 
exempt  from  taxation,  and  the  provisions  of  chapter  four  hundred  and 
eighty-three  of  the  laws  of  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-five,  entitled  'An 
act  to  tax  gifts,  legacies  and  collateral  inheritances  in  certain  cases,"  and 
the  acts  amendatory  thereof,  shall  not  apply  thereto,  nor  to  any  gifts  to 
any  such  corporation  by  grant,  bequest  or  otherwise;  provided,  however, 
that  this  provision  shall  not  apply  to  any  moneyed  or  stock  corporation 
deriving  an  income  or  profit  from  the  capital  or  otherwise,  or  to  any 
corporation  which  has  the  right  to  make  dividends  or  to  distribute  profits 
or  assets  among  its  members. 

§  2.  This  act  shall  not  affect  the  right  of  any  such  corporation  to 
take  and  hold  property  exceeding  in  value  the  amount  specified  in  section 
one  of  this  act,  provided  such  right  is  conferred  upon  such  corporation  by 
special  statute ;  nor  affect  any  statute  by  which  its  real  estate  is  exempt 
from  taxation. 

§  3.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 
State  of  New  York, 
Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
,vj. ; 

I  have  compared  the  preceding  with  the  original  law  on  file  in  this 


348         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

office,  and  do  hereby  certify  that  the  same  is  a  correct  transcript  there- 
from, and  of  the  whole  of  said  original  law. 

FRANK   RICE, 
Secretary  of  State. 

CHAP.    191. 

AN   ACT   to   limit    the   amount  of  property   to   be   held   by   corporations 
organized  for  other  than  business  purposes. 

Approved    by    the    Governor    April    29,    1893.      Passed,    three-fifths    being 
present. 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows: 

Section  i.  Any  religious,  educational,  literary,  scientific,  benevolent, 
or  charitable  corporation,  or  corporation  organized  for  hospital,  infirmary, 
or  other  than  business  purposes,  may  take  and  hold  property  not  exceed- 
ing in  value  two  million  dollars,  or  the  yearly  income  derived  from  which 
shall  not  exceed  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  notwithstanding  the  pro- 
visions of  any  special  or  general  act  heretofore  passed  or  certificate  of 
incorporation  affecting  such  corporations.  In  computing  the  value  of 
such  property  no  increase  in  value  arising  otherwise  than  from  improve- 
ments made  thereon,  shall  be  taken  into  account. 

Section  2.  This  act  shall  not  affect  the  right  of  any  such  corporation 
to  take  and  hold  property  exceeding  in  value  the  amount  specified  in 
section  one  of  this  act,  provided  such  act  is  conferred  upon  such  corpora- 
tion by  special  statute. 

Section  3.     This  act  shall  take  effect  immediately. 

Incumbents.  A  name  by  which  those  receiving  aid  from  the  Van 
Bunschoten  Fund  were  long  known:  e.g.,  1820,  7,  67,  70;  Oct.,  '20,  5,  36; 
'21,  18,  54,  55;  '22,  9,  62;  '23,  6,  53;  '24,  7,  54;  '25,  8,  28,  39;  '26,  6,  45,  54, 
etc.,  etc. 

Independency.  The  Reformed  Church  holds  the  middle  position 
between  two  extremes.  She  denies  all  superiority  of  one  minister  over 
another,  but  considers  unconnected  congregations  as  unsafe  and  incon- 
venient.    See  Art.  38,  of  Constit.  of  1792. 

Index.  The  first  Index  to  any  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  was 
published  in  1831.  It  covers  the  period  from  1794  to  1826.  It  is  a  small 
separate  volume  of  115  pages.  It  was  prepared  by  Rev.  Thos.  M.  Strong, 
then  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod.  He  exhibited  it  to  the  Synod,  and 
the  Synod  ordered  it  printed  in  pamphlet  form  as  an  Appendix  to  the 
Minutes,  1831,  387.  Copies  are  now  scarce.  From  1794  to  1809,  the  Synod 
only  published  extracts  of  its  Minutes,  and  each  of  these  issues  was  paged 
separately.  From  1812-1826,  the  full  Minutes  of  each  year  were  paged 
separately.  The  references  in  this  Index  from  1794  to  1809  are  only  to 
these  "extracts." 

With  Vol.  III.,  (1827-31,)  an  index  began  to  be  made  for  each 
volume,  covering  four  or  five  years,  paged  consecutively. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church  suggested  that  the  Minutes 
of  each  session  should  be  indexed,  1900,  834;  1902,  118,  119;  and  also  that 
the  Minutes  of  three  years  should  constitute  a  volume.  An  index  to  the 
Constitution  was  first  proposed  in  1846,  83,  but  not  made  until  1867,  and 
then,  only  of  the  Rules  of  Church  Government,  and  not  of  the  entire 
Constitution,  including  Standards  and  Liturgy. 

India.  See  Arcot,  Classis  of;  Mission  of;  etc.;  also  Alliance  of 
Refd.  Churches,   1867,  onward. 

Indian  Elder — present  in  General  Synod,  a  native  lndia,n,  a  delegate 
from  Colony,  Okl.,  and  a  member  of  Classis  of  New  York:  Wautan  by 
name.  1905,  2,  105. 


INDIAN  MISSIONS  349 

Indian  Missions.  For  early  operations  among  the  Indians,  see  under 
names  of  Megapolensis,  Freeman,  Lydius  and  Van  Driessen,  Peter,  in 
Corwin's  Manuals,  and  the  histories  of  the  churches  of  Albany  and  Schen- 
ectady. See  also  in  this  Digest  under  "New  York  Missionary  Society" ; 
''Northern  Missionary  Society" ;  "United  Missionary  Society" ;  also 
Manual  of  1902,  pp.  233,  237-9;  and  the  index  of  "Ecclesiastical  Records 
of  N.  Y.,"  soon  to  be  published. 

The  duty  of  labors  among  the  Indians  has  also  been  recognized  in 
more  modern  times;  1824,  29;  in  1826,  61,  the  following  action  was  taken: 
'Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Missionary  Board  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  taking  measures  to  begin  missionary  operations  among 
the  aborigines  of  our  country,  and  elsewhere."  See  also  '60,  365 ;  special 
efforts  were  made  to  reach  the  Indians,  by  governmental  support  of  mis- 
sionaries, of  all  denominations,  beginning  with  the  Presidency  of  Gen. 
Grant.  In  1891,  the  South  Classis  of  Long  Island  brought  the  matter  to 
the  attention  of  Synod,  and  the  following  action  was  taken : 

Resolved,  i.  That  in  view  of  the  recent  Indian  trouble,  we  recognize 
again  the  need  of  preaching  and  teaching  the  pure  Gospel,  for  we  believe 
that  the  life  and  power  of  the  true  Messiah,  when  apprehended,  will  expel 
all  false  notions  of  impostors  or  false  messiahs. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we,  as  a  Synod,  express  our  entire  and  hearty 
sympathy  with  the  President  of  the  United  State  and  those  associated 
with  him  in  the  government,  and  with  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Aflfairs, 
in  their  efforts  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  this  long  neglected  race,  and 
that  we  bid  them  god-speed  in  all  such  efforts. 

Resolved,  3.  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions,  officially  signed  and 
sealed,  be  forwarded  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  to  the 
Commissioner  of  Indian  Aflfairs.     1891,  361. 

Since  then  the  work  in  Oklahoma  has  developed;  1895,  113,  117,  121, 
133;  '96,  398,  400;  '97,  670;  1900,  814,  821;  1902,  125;  1903,  106;  1904,  717; 
1905,  113- 

Infallibility  of  Scripture.    Belg.  Conf.,  Arts,  2,  3,  4,  5,  7. 

Infant  Baptism  and  Infant  Church  Membership.  Belg.  Conf,  Art. 
34,  allusion.  Art.  15;  Heid.  Cat,  Quest.  74;  Form  for  Infant  Baptism.  In 
Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.,  see  Constits.  of  1619,  Arts.  56-58,  60;  of  1792,  Arts. 
57-60;  of  1833,  Arts.  86,  93;  of  1874,  Arts.  76,  84.  For  allusions  to  the 
validity  of  certain  acts  of  baptism  (by  irregularly  ordained  ministers,) 
and  subjects  of  baptism,  see,  1749,  42;  1753,  83;  1779,  75,  76;  1780,  82. 
Synod  recommends  that  the  ministers  keep  the  Register  of  baptisms ; 
1790,  211. 

What  infants  are  proper  subjects  of  baptism?  Does  not  depend  on 
full  communion  of  parents,  if  the  parents  are  moral ;  one  parent  may 
present  a  child;  1804,  328,  330,  333;  this  action  partially  repealed,  1816,  26; 
but  re-enacted,  1834,  2i87-8. 

[In  1814  the  Classis  of  Po'keepsie  asked  the  meaning  of  "Infants  of 
believers,"  in  Belg.  Conf,  Art.  34;  also,  in  what  sense  "Baptism  is  a  seal 
of  the  righteousness  of  faith" ;  and  "Whose  faith  does  it  seal"  ?  also,  the 
meaning  of  "Beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ"  in  the  exhortation  to 
parents  or  sponsors.  Answers :  In  "Infants  of  believers," — believers  are 
those  who  give  some  evidences  of  piety,  whether  full  communicants  or 
not;  that  baptism  "seals  the  righteousness  of  faith"  of  such  as  receive  the 
administration  of  the  ordinance  to  themselves  or  their  children;  that 
"Beloved  in  the  Lord,"  etc.,  means  those  who  by  confession  of  the  mouth 
and  the  tenor  of  the  life,  give  probable  evidence  of  piety.  The  Synod 
refused  to  adopt  the  report,  but  it  was  printed.     1814,  29,  37-40] 

In  1816,  the  following  action  was  taken : — That  the  decision  of  the 
Synod  of  1804  be  so  far  altered,  as  to  recommend  to  the  ministers  and 
consistories,  not  to  admit  to  baptism  the  children  of  parents,  who  do  not 
manifest  evidences,  from  which,  according  to  the  judgment  of  charity,  it 


350         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

may  be  concluded  that  they  possess  faith  and  piety.  (20  to  19.)  1816, 
26,  27.  [Synod  refused  to  repeal  this  action  at  request  of  Partic.  Synod 
of  New  York,  and  censures  that  Synod  for  its  language  that  the  act  of 
1816.  was  unscriptural,   1817,  24-27.] 

In  the  revision  of  the  Constitution,  1833,  certain  features  of  the 
preceding  legislation  were  incorporated :  such  as  Baptism  shall  always  be 
administered  in  the  church  or  some  other  place  of  public  worship,  at  the 
time  of  public  worship;  Rules  of  1833,  Art.  86;  ['The  covenant  of  God 
shall  be  sealed  by  Baptism,  to  the  infants  of  Christians  in  the  pubHc 
assembly,  wh^n  the  Word  of  God  is  preached";  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  56: — 
"The  sacrament  of  baptism  ought  always  to  be  administered  in  the  church, 
at  the  time  of  public  worship;  Rules  of  1792,  Art.  58;]  in  the  revision  of 
the  Constitution,  1874:  "The  Sacrament  of  Baptism  shall,  if  possible,  be 
administered  in  the  church,  or  some  other  place  of  public  worship" ;  and 
"it  is  recommended  that  no  private  baptism  shall  be  administered,  without 
the  presence  of  at  least  one  Elder,"  etc.;  Rules  of  1874,  Art.  86. — Also 
the  following:  "All  baptized  persons  are  members  of  the  Church,  are 
under  its  care,  and  subject  to  its  government  and  discipline" ;  Rules  of 
1833,  Art.  93 ;  of  1874,  Art.  84. 

In  1834  a  Form  for  the  Register  of  Baptisms  is,  for  the  first,  given; 
First  column,  the  date;  second,  the  name  of  the  party  baptized;  third, 
names  of  the  parents;  fourth,  time  of  birth;  fifth,  remarks;  1834,  288-9; 
(1832,  134;   1833,  204.) 

Resolved,  That  the  recommendation  of  1816,  (pp.  26,  27,)  be  and 
hereby  is  rescinded,  and  that  the  resolution  of  1804,  (pp.  333,)  be 
reaffirmed  by  this  Synod;   (yeas  35,  nays  17;)   1834,  287. 

To  a  question  concerning  the  baptism  of  illegitimate  children,  Synod 
referred  to  the  action  of  1804. — 1839,  251. 

To  question — "Whose  children  shall  be  admitted  to  baptism"  ?  Synod 
referred  to  action  of   1834,  286. — 1844,  340. 

In  1878,  14,  Classis  of  Michigan  asked  for  a  column  in  Statistical 
Tables,  to  represent  the  number  of  baptized  children ;  report,  1879, 
favoring  the  proposition,  with  reference  to  1857,  191,  directing  that  in  the 
transfer  of  parents,  the  baptized  children  be  referred  to;  now  reaffirmed; 
and  a  column  for  baptized  "Non-communicants"  to  be  inserted ;  and  finally 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  renewedly  calls  the  attention  of 
pastors.  Consistories,  and  members  to  the  exceeding  importance  of  the 
baptismal  covenant,  with  its  solemn  responsibilities  and  holy  privileges  for 
both  parents  and  children.  1879,  322-3.  See  also  1895,  163-4;  1902,  120. 
See  Baptismal  Forms. 

Infant  Salvation.  Belg.  Conf.,  Articles  16,  34;  Form  of  Infant 
Baptism;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  36,  74;  Canons,  i.  17,  and  Conclusion  of  the 
Canons. 

Infants,  Original  Sin  of.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  15;  see  also  Form  of 
Baptism; 

Infants,  Partakers  of  Grace  in  Christ.  Form  of  Baptism ; 
Canons,  i.  17. 

Infidelity.     See  Vedder  Lectures. 

Informers.    Hasty  informers  to  be  censured,  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  87. 

Ingersoll,  Edward  P.  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1882. 

Inn-Keepers.  Synod  circulates  a  general  petition  for  subscriptions 
in  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Legislatures  of 
those  States,  praying  for  an  Amendment  to  the  law  for  granting  licenses 
to  inn-keepers,  and  for  affixing  a  penalty  on  those  who  allow  frolicking 
to  be  carried  on  in  their  taverns  or  other  buildings.  Other  Denominations 
were  to  be  invited  to  unite.  Upon  inquiry  it  was  found  there  were  laws 
prohibiting  disorderly  houses,  etc.,  already,  and  hence   it  was  considered 


INNOCENTLY  CONDEMNED  351 

inexpedient  to  press  the  matter.     1812,  404,  407,   (old  ed.  9,   10,  13.)      See 
Temperance. 

Innocently  Condemned.  An  ungrammatical  clause  in  the  Form  for 
Administering  the  Lord's  Supper,  standing  in  the  Form  from  1792  until 
1859,  when  it  was  Constitutionally  changed  to — "He  being  innocent,  was 
condemned."     1858,  331 ;  '59,  433. 

Inspiration.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  3-7. — With  respect  to  the  request  of 
the  Memorial,  that  the  General  Synod  shall  make  a  deliverance  on  the 
subject  of  the  Inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  your  Committee  believe,  that, 
in  the  language  of  the  memorial  itself,  "the  declarations  in  our  Standards 
are  sufficiently  explicit  upon  this  point,  and  that  the  doctrinally  conserva- 
tive character  of  our  Denomination  is  too  well  known  to  make  such  an 
extra-affirmation  necessary.     1894,  126-7. 

Installation.  Classis  has  the  power  to  install  ministers ;  Constit  of 
1874,  Art.  59.  This  act  is  included  under  the  word  "ordain"  in  Constit.  of 
1833,  Art.  66;  of  1792,  Art.  39;  but  in  that  of  1619,  Art.  5,  the  word 
"install"  is  used.  The  Dutch  word  bevestigen  was  used  for  both  "ordain" 
and  "install."  See  Form  for  Installation,  (separate  from  that  of  Ordina- 
tion,) first  proposed,  1876,  500-1,  513;  allowed  to  be  printed,  '78,  105;  sent 
down  to  the  Classes  for  adoption,  '86,  156;  probably  adopted,  '89,  831; 
declared  adopted,  '96,  414. 

Special  Form  needed  for  installation  of  Elders  and  Deacons  who  have 
already  been  ordained,  1900,  828;  830;  see  Liturgy. 

Note  by  translator.  Rev.  Wm.  Demarest,  in  1859.  Bevestiginge  en 
inhuldiginge.  Where  ordination  and  installation  meet  in  the  same  exercise, 
(as  is  the  case  in  the  ordination  of  a  Pastor  as  distinguished  from  an 
Evangelist  or  Missionary,)  the  ordination  is  that  part  of  the  exercise 
which  consists  of  the  solemn  investment  with  the  ministerial  office,  and 
the  inhuldiginge  is  the  presentation  of  the  ordained  to  mutual  regard  in 
the  use  of  the  words,  "Take  heed,  etc.  And  you  likewise,  beloved  Chris- 
tians, receive  this  your  minister,  etc."  (Inhuldiginge  from  hulde,  homage.) 
The  settlement  of  a  minister  already  ordained,  includes  the  same  parts, 
viz.,  the  declaration  and  assumption  of  ministerial  vows  and  the  presenta- 
tion.    1781,  91. 

Instruction  of  Children.     See  Catechical  Instruction. 

Instrumental  Music.     See  Music. 

Intemperance.     See  Temperance. 

Intercession  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  31, 
49 ;  Canons  v.  8 ;  excluding  the  intercession  of  saints  or  angels. 

Interchurch  Conference  on  Marriage  and  Divorce.  Committee 
requested  from  R.  C  A.  1903,  396-7;  appointed;  report,  1904,  775-7. 
Resolution  requesting  ministers  not  to  marry  divorced  persons,  excepting 
those  divorced  on  Scriptural  grounds ;  not  passed,  1903,  396-7 ;  passed, 
1904,  775-7;  interview  with  President  Roosevelt  on  the  subject  of  National 
legislation  on  the  subject;  the  following  resolutions  were  finally  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod,  R.  C  A.,  in  compliance  with  the 
recommendation  of  the  "Inter-Church  Conference  on  Marriage  and 
Divorce,"  hereby  earnestly  enjoins  all  ministers  under  its  care  and 
authority  to  refuse  to  marry  any  divorced  persons,  except  the  innocent 
party  in  a  case  where  the  divorce  has  been  granted  on  Scriptural  grounds ; 
— nor  then  until  assured  that  a  period  of  one  yea^r  has  elapsed  from  the 
date  of  the  decision  allowing  the  divorce. 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  approve  the  "Act"  recommended  by  the 
American  Bar  Association  of  1900,  seeking  a  uniform  and  radical  reform 
in  divorce  laws  throughout  the  United  States ;  urging  however  the  amend- 
ment of  the  sixth  section  of  the  "Act,"  so  as  to  provide  that  "if  action  is 
to   be   taken   on   the   subject   of   remarriage   the   innocent   party   shall   not 


352         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

marry  again  within  a  year  from  the  date  of  the  decision  allowing  the 
divorce;  and  that  a  just  discrimination  shall  be  made  between  the  innocent 
and  guilty  party." 

Resolved,  also,  That  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  will  heartily 
co-operate  with  the  other  Churches  associated  in  the  work  of  the  "Inter- 
Church  Conference  on  Marriage  and  Divorce,"  through  duly  appointed 
delegates,  and  in  all  suitable  ways,  "in  endeavoring  to  obtain  such 
ecclesiastical  unity,  and  such  state  and  national  legislation,  as  may  shield 
both  Church  and  State  from  existing  and  impending  perils." 
All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

E.    P.   JOHNSON. 
Delegate  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  to  the  Inter-Church  Con- 
ference on  Marriage  and  Divorce. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  adopted,  and  the  following  resolution 
was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  E.  P.  Johnson,  Rev.  M.  H.  Hutton  and  Gerard 
Beekman  be  a  permanent  committee  to  represent  the  Reformed  Church 
in  America  in  the  "Inter-Church  Conference  on  Marriage  and  Divorce." 
1905,  216-219. 

Intercommunion.  Question  considered,  and  intercommunion  allowed 
at  the  discretion  of  Consistories ;  1800,  297-8. 

Intermediate  State.     Nothing  on  the  subject. 

International  Sunday  Rest  Congress.  See  Sabbath  Observance, 
1894. 

Inter-Seminary  Missionary  Convention.     1880,  460. 

Introduction  Outlines  of  Old  Testament — by  Prof.  Lansing.  Re- 
ferred to,  1896,  334-5. 

Intrusion  into  Another's  Office.  Deserves  suspension,  Constit.  of 
1874,  91. 

Invocation  of  Saints.    See  Meditation  of  Saints. 

lowA,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1885,  consisting  then  of  the  following 
churches :  Alton,  Belmond,  Centreville,  Dak.,  Charles  Mix,  Dak.,  Harri- 
son, Dak.,  Lennox,  Dak.,  Marion  Junction,  Dak.,  Maurice,  North  Orange. 
Orange  City,  ist.,  Parkersburgh,  Salem,  Dak.,  Sioux  Falls,  Dak.,  Turner, 
Dak.,  Washington,  West  Branch. 

Italy,  Free  Church  of.  Rev.  Dr.  Ab.  Van  Nest  speaks  of  his  labors 
at  Florence,  and  the  growing  work  of  the  Free  Church  of  Italy :  Sept., 
1871,  10;  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Thompson  tells  of  the  progress  of  Evangelical 
Christianity  in  Italy;  '73,  668-9,  ^7Z\  Rev.  John  R.  McDougall  addressed 
Synod  on  same  subject;  '74,  45;  Rev.  Dr.  John  B.  Thompson  again 
represents  this  Church,  and  speaks  of  the  importance  of  a  Biblical  Col- 
lege in  Rome;  '76,  445,  449.  See  Waldenses.  Rev.  Prof.  Salvatore 
Vincenzo  Ravi,  delegate  from  Evangelical  Church  of  Italy,  '96,  417,  420; 
letter  from  the  Evangelical  Ch.  of,  asking  for  delegate  or  letter  at  their 
meeting  in  Florence,  Oct.,  '98;  delegates  appointed;  '98,  161-3 ;  '99,  474; 
1900,  779;  1901,  1 130;  1902,  126,  128;  1903,  393,  395;  1904,  747;   1905,  148. 

Jackson,  William  H.  President  of  the  Bd.  of  Direction  of  the 
Corporation  since  1888  to  present  time. 

James,  Ann.  Bequeaths  $2,500  (less  revenue  tax,  $150)  for  a 
Scholarship;  and  $1,000  (less  $60  tax,)  for  needy  ministers  and  churches; 
1871,  183;  $150  more,  received  on  the  Scholarship  fund;  and  $60  more  on 
Disabled   Ministers'   fund;    1878,   17,  39. 

James   Suydam   Gifts.     See   Suydam,  James. 

Janeway,  Jacob  J.  (Colonel).  Offers  to  maintain  a  medical  mis- 
sionary at  Amoy,  Dr.  I.  S.  F  Dodd,  for  a  term  of  years.     1894,  107. 


JANEWAY,  JACOB  J.   (REV.  DR.)  353 

J  ANEW  AY,  Jacob  J.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1833; 
member  of  Bd.  of  Superintendents  of  Rutgers  College,  '36,  236;  one  of 
four  to  sustain  Professorship  of  Nat.  Hist,  and  Chemistry,  (Prof.  Beck), 
in  Rutgers  Coll.,  '34,  ZT^\  elected  Vice-President  of  Rutgers  College,  and 
Prof,  of  Evidences  of  (Christianity,  Rhetoric  and  Belle-lettres,  '33,  212,  215; 
resigns  these  offices,  '38,  173,  180;  '39,  284;  effort  to  secure  his  services  in 
Theological  Sem.,  '39,  210. 

Jansen,  Christiana.  Fund  of  $5,000,  held  by  Bd.  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions. For  support  of  students  in  Arcot  Seminary,  India.  See  Report 
of  Board,  1903,  95. 

Jansen,  John  N.  (Rev.)  Bequeaths  $5,000  for  Scholarships  in  Arcot 
Seminary.     1899,  322,  415. 

Japan  Mission.  In  1858  Japan  was  opened  to  foreigners  by  treaty. 
In  Feb.,  1859,  an  elder  in  the  South  Reformed  Church,  (cor.  5th  Av.  and 
2ist  St.,  New  York),  offered  to  give  $800  per  year,  for  a  term  of  years, 
for  the  support  of  a  missionary  in  Japan ;  another  made  a  similar  offer ; 
and  the  church  offered  to  support  a  third.  The  Board  of  Missions 
appealed  for  men.  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  R.  Brown  and  Rev.  Guido  F. 
Verbeck,  a  student  of  the  Auburn  Theological  Seminary,  offered  them- 
selves, and  were  accepted.  D.  Simmons,  M.D.,  was  also  commissioned 
as  a  medical  missionary.  These  brethren  with  their  wives,  and  a  daughter 
of  Dr.  Brown,  and  Miss  Caroline  E.  Adriance,  sailed  in  May,  1859 ;  they 
reached  Kanagawa,  Japan,  Nov.   ist;   1859,  456;  '60,  565;  '61,  85. 

Rev.  James  H.  Ballagh  and  wife  joined  the  mission  in  1862,  195. 
Dr.  Simmons  and  wife  returned  in  about  a  year.  Miss  Adriance,  having 
gone  at  her  own  expense,  not  finding  an  opportunity  to  teach  women, 
sailed  for  Amoy.  Hon.  Townsend  Harris,  United  States  Minister  in 
Japan,  gave  $1,000  toward  the  erection  of  a  Chapel.  Thus  was  the 
Japan  Mission  established.  See  names  of  Brown,  Samuel  R. ;  and 
Verbeck,  Guido  F.,  in  Manual  of  R.  C  A.  of  1902. 

Encouraging  prospects  reported ;  efforts  to  be  made  to  establish  an 
American  church  for  American  merchants  and  others,  for  whom  Dr. 
Brown  would  officiate ;  '63,  342 ;  he  labored  in  Kanagawa,  1859-63,  and  in 
Yokohama,  1863-67,  laboring  also  on  the  translation  of  the  Scriptures. 
The  Mission  was  preserved  amid  all  the  political  convulsions  of  the 
times ;  '64,  487 ;  and  the  prospects  were  encouraging ;  '65,  365 ;  but  Dr. 
Brown  lost  his  house,  all  his  books  and  papers  by  fire  in  1867,  and  he 
returned  to  America  for  a  couple  of  years,  1867-69. 

Edicts  existed  against  Christianity,  with  severe  penalties,  and  these 
were  posted  on  every  side ;  nevertheless  Mr.  Ballagh's  teacher  of  the 
language,  was  converted  and  baptized,  in  1864,  and  others  soon  after ;  and 
the  Church  at  home  was  exhorted  to  pray  for  the  removal  of  the  hin- 
drances in  Japan;   '66,   106. 

In  1866  Japanese  students  began  to  steal  away  to  America,  to  secure 
a  Western  education,  with  letters  from  Mr.  Verbeck.  The  Board  of 
Missions  temporarily  assumed  their  support.  Their  offence  was  con- 
doned, and  ultimately  the  government  supported  them.  In  the  next  few 
years  no  less  than  600  students  came  to  America,  fully  half  of  them 
seeking  advice  of  the  Board  of  Missions.  About  thirty  were  in  Next; 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  before  and  after  1870.  Six  graves  with  Japanese  and 
Chinese  inscriptions  are  in  Willow  Grove  Cemetery.  During  this  time 
the  first  translations  of  the  entire  Scriptures  had  been  made  in  Japa- 
nese. 1869,  653.  In  the  meantime  the  kindness  shown  to  these  Japanese 
students  was  reported  in  Japan,  and  greatly  helped  in  liberalizing  opinions 
there,  and  in  preparing  the   way  for  religious  toleration. 

For  many  years  the  missionaries  were  engaged  in  teaching  in  gov- 
ernment or  private  schools.  Rev.  Dr.  Verbeck,  immediately  after  the 
deposition  of  the  Tycoon,  in   1868,  and  the  restoration  of  the  Mikado  ta 


354         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

power,  was  invited  by  the  progressive  daimios  to  Tokyo,  and  made  the 
President  of  the  Imperial  College.  Americans  were  thus  brought  into 
most  friendly  relations  with  Japanese  gentlemen,  and  mutual  confidence 
was  secured,  altho'  the  Edicts  against  Christianity  remained  in  pubHc 
places,  and  persecution  of  those  disposed  to  Christianity  continued.  The 
R.  C.  A.  now  united  with  the  Prot.  Episcopal  Church  of  the  U.  S.,  in 
the  following  appeal : 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  in  the  name  of  the 
R.  C.  A.,  "be  and  are  hereby  requested  to  use  such  means  as  may  seem 
to  them  best,  to  secure,  thro'  the  representative  of  the  U.  S.  in  Japan, 
the  abrogation  of  the  law  in  that  country,  which  attaches  the  death  penalty 
to  the  profession  of  Christianity,  among  its  own  people" ;  '70,   120. 

The  sum  of  $3,000  was  now  paid  by  the  Board  to  Messrs.  Verbeck 
and  Ballagh,  for  the  erection  of  a  church-building  in  Japan ;  this  amount 
iDeing  the  principle,  with  interest,  of  money  appropriated  for  this  purpose 
"by  native  Christian  of  the  Sandwich  Islands ;  1870,  123. 

In  1871  an  effort  was  made  to  secure  greater  liberty  for  the  mission- 
aries publicly  to  preach.  The  government  showed  great  confidence  in  the 
missionaries  as  teachers;  great  progress  had  been  made  toward  an 
excellent  translation  of  the  Scriptures ;  not  a  few  Japanese  had  made 
profession  of  their  faith;  yet  the  public  preaching  of  the  Gospel  was 
prohibited  under  severe  penalties  ;  therefore  "Resolved,  That  Revs.  John 
Forsyth,  M.  S.  Hutton,  with  tfle  elders,  Robt.  H.  Pruyn  and  S.  B. 
Schieffelin,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  present  to  the  government  of  the 
U.  S.  the  views  of  this  Synod  in  relation  to  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
our  missionaries  in  Japan."     1871,  328. 

The  restrictions  were  removed.  Students  in  Yokohama  had  been 
much  affected  by  the  exercises  of  the  week  of  prayer,  and  the  meetings 
v^ere  daily  continued.  This  led  to  the  formation  of  the  first  church  in 
Japan  on  March  loth,  1872.  It  was  composed  of  9  young  men,  who  were 
then  baptized,  and  2  older  men,  baptized  previously.  It  took  the  name 
of  "The  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan."  1874,  142-3.  It  was  popularly 
known  as  the  Kaigan  Church,  and  has  had  nearly  1,000  mernbers  up  to 
the  present  time,  having  been  wonderfully  blessed.  It  has  become  the 
mother  of  several  other  churches.  A  fine  brick  building  was  dedicated 
July  10,  1875.  In  1873,  741,  it  is  declared  that  Japan  is  wide  open  for  the 
Gospel. 

In  1874  the  Board  sent  a  communication  to  Synod  about  this  church. 
Rev.  Mr.  Ballagh  was  its  acting  pastor.  It  is  without  any  ecclesiastical 
connection,  or  recognized  form  of  government,  yet  is  evidently  of  the 
iDody  of  Christ  and  blessed  of  Him.  It  is  impracticable  to  adopt  the  name 
or  order  of  R.  C.  A. ;  and  the  missionaries  cannot  be  required  to  carry 
out  the  former  policy  of  Synod  without  imperiling  their  work.     Therefore 

"Resolved,  That  the  resolution  of  1864,  in  reference  to  the  churches 
of  Amoy,  so  far  as  the  principle  therein  stated  is  applicable  to  this  case, 
be  adopted  in  regard  to  the  Church  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  Japan." 
1874,  142-3.  [This  action  was :  .  .  .  "In  consideration  of  the  pecuHar 
circumstances  of  the  Mission  of  Amoy,  the  brethren  there  are  allowed  to 
defer  the  formation  of  a  Classis  of  Amoy,  until,  in  their  judgment,  such 
a  measure  is  required  by  the  wants  and  desires  of  the  churches  gathered 
by  them  from  among  the  heathen."  1864,  490.]  A  Girls'  School  was 
established  at  Yokohama  in  1875,  340. 

There  was,  from  the  beginning,  a  tendency  of  the  different  mission- 
aries and  converts,  especially  those  of  the  Reformed  and  Presbyterian 
Missions,  to  unite,  and  form  one  native  Church.  In  1876,  the  mission- 
aries of  R.  C.  A.,  of  the  Presbyt.  Ch.,  North,  and  of  the  United  Presbyt. 
Ch.  of  Scotland,  met  in  Council.  On  Oct.  3,  1877,  they  formed  "The 
United  Church  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  Japan."  They  adopted 
the  "Standards"  of  the  Presbyt.  and  Refd.  Chs.     There  were  8  churches 


JAPAN  MISSION  355 

and  623  members.  The  council  formed  is  called  a  Chu-Kwai.  In  1878 
there  were  15  missionaries,  2  physicians,  8  foreign  teachers,  3  native 
ministers,  3  licentiates,  25  theological  students,  13  churches,  33  out- 
stations,  648  communicants,  and  16  Sabbath-schools  with  685  scholars. 
In  1879,  there  were  17  churches,  and  970  communicants. 

In  1881,  the  progress  had  been  so  great  that  the  original  Chu-Kwai 
was  divided  into  three,  and  a  Dai-Kwai  or  Synod  was  formed.  The 
death  of  Dr.  Brown  occurred  on  June  20,  1880. — 1881,  767.  In  1882,  two 
Japanese  students,  (Kimura  and  Oghimi),  who  had  just  graduated  from 
the  Xew  Brunswrck  Seminary,  asked  to  be  sent  back  to  Japan,  as  mis- 
sionaries; '82,  140.  The  next  year  there  were  7  missionaries  and  11 
assistants,  and  a  remarkable  work  of  grace  was  reported  at  Yokohama; 
83,  339.  But  for  22,  years  there  had  been  but  one  missionary  at  Nagasaki, 
and  there  now  comes  a  loud  call  from  that  southern  section  of  the 
Empire.  Three  attempts  to  increase  the  force  there  had  failed,  and 
suggestions  were  made  to  abandon  that  field,  when  3  men  offered  them- 
selves. $5,000  were  needed,  and  the  matter  was  referred  to  Synod;  '83, 
340-1.  In  1885  the  Mission  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  South,  and  in 
1886,  that  of  the  Refd.  Ch.  in  the  U.  S.  (German),  united  with  the 
Council,  and  two  more  Chu-Kwai  were  formed.  The  missionaries  of 
"The  Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society,"  of  which  Mrs.  T.  C.  Dore- 
mus  was  President,  co-operated  with  the  United  Church.  In  1884,  six 
more  missionaries  were  sent  to  Japan. 

The  Board  was  now  requested  to  furnish  to  the  Committee  on  the 
State  of  ReHgion,  statistical  tables  of  the  Churches  in  Japan  and  Amoy 
for  publication,  like  those  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot;  '85,  756;  but  the 
impracticability  of  this  was  shown  the  next  year,  and  this  action  was 
repealed;  '86,  92. — In  1886,  Rev.  E.  S.  Booth  returned  from  Japan,  in 
order  to  study  up  the  best  methods  of  school  instruction  and  management, 
with  a  view  of  increased  efficiency  in  the  conducting  of  the  Ferris  Semi- 
nary- ;  '86,  82.  There  were  now  45  churches,  with  4,000  members,  consti- 
tuting 5  Classes  or  Presbyteries,  and  one  General  Synod  or  Assembly. 
This  constituted  "The  United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan." 

In  1886,  in  answer  to  a  communication  from  the  American  Section 
of  the  Committee  on  Co-operation  in  Foreign  Missions,  appointed  by  the 
Council  of  the  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs.  meeting  in  Belfast,  in  1884,  the 
Board  prepared  an  elaborate  paper.  It  treats  of  Co-operation  on  Mission 
Fields ;  of  the  desirability  of  One  Native  Church ;  of  Self-support  and 
Self-government;  of  the  Relation  of  the  Native  to  our  Home  Churches; 
of  the  Ecclesiastical  relations  of  Missionaries ;  and  of  Conferences  with 
Other  Boards  and  Churches.  Synod  endorsed  this  paper  by  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  approves  the  stand  taken  by  its  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  in 
their  paper  submitted  for  its  judgment  on  the  important  subjects  of 
Union  and  Co-operation  in  Foreign  Missions ;  of  self-support  and  self- 
government  in  the  native  churches  established;  and  of  co-operation 
between  Home  Boards  of  different  churches  in  the  selection  and  occupancy 
of  contiguous  fields  in  Foreign  Lands ;  and  that  the  General  Synod  will 
be  prepared  to  take  the  necessary  legislation  to  give  effect  to  the  views 
of  the  Board  as  occasion  shall  arise.     1886,  94-100. 

See  Foreign  Missions  under  date. 

The  Union  Church  has  made  a  gain  in  membership  during  the  past 
year  of  nearly  45  per  cent.  It  has  organized  a  Board  of  Home  Missions 
of  its  own.     1887,  326. 

Eight  new  churches.  Of  the  58  churches  in  all,  more  than  half  are 
self-supporting.  Gain  in  membership,  1,600,  an  increase  of  2>7  Per  cent. 
Synod  approved  of  the  carefully  guarded   statements  of  the   Board  con- 


356         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

cerning  the  plan  of  union  with  the  Congregational  Churches  of  Japan. 
'88,  556:8. 

Indications  that  the  churches  of  the  American  Board  will  join  the 
Union ;  123  students  in  the  Tokyo  Institution,  one-half  of  whom  are 
professing  Christians ;  43  are  in  the  Theological  Department.  Another 
missionary  to  be  sent  to  Nagasaki.     "89,  808. 

Ferris  Seminary  finished.  South  Japan  Mission  reports  large  increase 
of  members,  with  two  new  stations.  Tokyo  calls  for  5  more  laborers. 
Union  with  the  Congregationalists  has  failed,  but  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  has  joined  the  Union,  bringing  14  missionaries,  9 
churches,  and  604  communicants.   '90,  85. 

First  National  Diet  held;  30,000  Christians  in  Japan;  13  members  of 
the  Diet  are  Christians.  A  simplified  Creed  has  been  adopted  for  the 
Union  Church.     1891,  314. 

This  is  so  important  that  it  is  here  inserted  from  the  Report  of  the 
Board : 

Two  events  of  more  than  ordinary  importance  have  marked 
the  year  in  Japan — one  of  a  political  and  the  other  of  a  religious  character. 
The  former,  the  assembling  of  the  First  National  Diet,  realizes  the 
promise  of  the  Emperor  and  the  hopes  of  the  people,  and  forms  an  epoch 
in  the  history  of  that  remarkable  nation.  When  the  small  proportion  of 
Christians  to  the  whole  population  of  the  Empire  is  borne  in  mind  (about 
30,000  to  thirty-eight  or  forty  millions),  it  is  a  surprising  thing  that 
thirteen  out  of  300  members  of  the  Diet  should  be  Christian  men.  one 
of  whom  w^as  selected  for  the  President  of  the  lower  House  and  another 
for  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole.  Such  facts  are  eloquent 
in  their  testimony  to  the  influence  of  Christianity  and  the  character  of 
the  native  Christians. 

The  second  event  referred  to  was  the  adoption,  in  December,  1890, 
by  the  Synod  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan,  formerly  known  as  the 
United  Church,  of  a  new,  or  revised.  Constitution  and  Confession  of 
Faith.  An  account  of  the  steps  which  led  to  the  present  result,  together 
w^ith  the  Confession  finally  adopted,  from  the  Fourteenth  Report  of  the 
Council  of  Missions  co-operating  wnth  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan,  is 
herewith  presented  for  the  information  of  Synod.  While  it  would, 
perhaps,  be  too  much  to  expect  that  so  brief  a  formula  will  be  satisfactory 
to  all  minds  in  this  country,  yet  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  it  is  the 
result  of  long,  earnest  and  sometimes  heated  discussion,  not  only,  but 
also  of  much  earnest  prayer  for  divine  guidance.  When  attained,  it  was 
hailed  with  emotions  and  expressions  of  devout  thankfulness,  the  entire 
Synod  uniting  in  prayer   and  thanksgiving. 

The  steps  leading  to  a  Revised  Constitution  and  Confession  of  Faith. 

The  Synod  of  the  Church  of  Christ  met  in  the  City  of  Tokyo  on 
December  3d.  The  session  continued  for  a  fortnight.  It  is  commonly 
agreed  that  the  meeting  will  rank  in  importance  with  the  one  first  held 
for  the  founding  of  the  Church.  The  principal  business  was  the  consid- 
eration of  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Church. 

The  question  of  the  revision  of  the  Constitution  had  been  before  the 
Church  for  a  considerable  time.  Some  six  years  ago  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  take  the  matter  in  hand ;  but  upon  the  opening  of  negotia- 
tions with  a  view  to  organic  union  with  the  Congregational  churches, 
the  committee  was  released  from  further  service.  When,  however,  it 
became  apparent  that  the  negotiations  for  union  with  the  Congregational- 
ists would  prove  fruitless,  the  Synod  (in  May,  1889)  appointed  a  new 
committee  to  resume  the  work  of  the  former  committee.  On  June  2d, 
1890,  the  new  committee  published  its  work  in  Japanese  and  English,  and 
distributed  it  throughout  the  Church.  Six  months  later  (on  December  3d) 
the  Svnod  assembled  to  take  final  action  in  the  matter. 


JAPAN  MISSION  357 

"The  document  presented  by  the  Committee  is  divided  into  four 
parts,  viz. :  Constitution,  Canons,  Articles  of  Faith  and  Appendix.  The 
Constitution  contains  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Presbyterial 
system,  and  can  be  amended  only  by  a  carefully  guarded  process.  The 
Canons  are  laws  based  upon  these  principles,  and  can  be  amended  by  a 
two-thirds  vote  of  the  Synod  after  due  notice.  The  Appendix  contains 
forms  of  procedure,  not  binding,  but  added  as  helps  to  orderly  adminis- 
tration. This  distribution  of  matter  was  adopted  as  conducive  to  sim- 
plicity, clearness,  flexibility,  and  a  due  distinction  between  things  essential 
and  things  expedient.  This  part  of  the  document  was  adopted  with 
various  amendments  of  minor  importance ;  but  no  change  was  made 
affecting  the  integrity  of  the   Presbyterial   system. 

"In  presenting  the  document  to  the  Synod  the  Committee  on  Revision 
made  the  following  statement  regarding  the  Articles  of  Faith :  'There 
is  a  widespread  conviction  that  the  Confessions  of  Faith  prepared  for 
the  needs  of  the  Church  in  Europe  in  the  seventeenth  century  are  not 
perfectly  adapted  to  its  needs  throughout  the  world  at  the  close  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  The  question  of  creed  revision  is  therefore  agitating 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  England,  Scotland  and  America.  But  the 
Church  of  Christ  in  Japan  not  only  shares  the  need  of  revision  common 
to  churches  in  Christian  lands.  It  requires  a  statement  of  doctrine 
-especially  suited  to  its  own  environment ;  and  the  preparation  of  such  a 
Confession  of  Faith  is  a  work  not  to  be  forgotten  in  the  future.  But 
from  such  a  work  the  Committee  shrinks,  agreeing  that  the  best  service 
within  its  power  is  the  selection  from  among  the  various  existing 
revisions  of  one  that  on  the  whole  may  commend  itself  to  the  judgment 
of  the  Church.  After  careful  consideration  it  was  finally  decided  to 
recommend  the  Articles  now  before  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  England 
for  adoption.  Doubtless  many  will  be  of  the  opinion  that  there  are 
points  in  which  these  Articles  might  be  changed  for  the  better.  But 
the  changes  commending  themselves  to  one  will  not  commend  themselves 
to  all ;  and,  therefore,  the  committee  unanimously  agreed  to  present  them 
to  the  Synod  without  alteration.' 

"But  before  the  Synod  convened  it  was  clear  that  there  was  a  growing 
feeling  in  favor  of  substituting  the  Apostles'  Creed  for  the  English 
Articles  ;  and  early  in  the  session  a  motion  to  that  effect  was  introduced. 
No  doubt  the  national  spirit  now  dominant  influenced  the  minds  of  some 
against  the  English  Articles  as  being  the  work  of  a  foreign  church. 
That,  however,  is  by  no  means  the  whole  explanation  of  the  movement. 
The  Standards  of  Doctrine  adopted  when  the  United  Church  was  organ- 
ized were  the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  the  Westminster  Confession 
■of  Faith ;  the  Shorter  Catechism  and  the  Heidelberg  Catechism.  From 
the  beginning  there  was  a  strong  feeling  that  these  documents  do  not 
form  the  right  Confession  for  a  Church  in  Japan.  However,  out  of 
■deference  to  the  judgment  of  a  majority  of  missionaries,  they  were 
adopted ;  though  at  that  time  the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  and  the 
Westminster  Confession  were  not  accessible  to  any  who  could  not  read 
English.  The  Church  was  organized  in  October,  1877.  In  October,  1880, 
these  two  documents  were  for  the  first  time  published  in  Japanese. 
Again  they  were  objected  to;  and  Mr.  Ibuka  gave  notice  that  he  would 
introduce  a  motion  six  months  later  (as  provided  in  the  Constitution)  to 
erase  from  the  Constitution  the  words  'the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort 
and  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith.'  At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod 
held  in  April,  1881,  this  resolution  was  introduced.  It  is  to  be  observed 
that  the  offering  of  this  resolution  was  in  effect  a  proposition  on  the  part 
of  Mr.  Ibuka  and  other  to  make  the  two  Catechisms  the  Confession  of 
Faith  of  the  Church.  But  in  the  judgment  of  a  majority  of  the  mission- 
aries it  was  advisable  to  retain  the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort  and 
the  Westminster  Confession.     And  again  the  point  was  yielded. 


358  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

"Thus  the  desire  for  the  Apostles'  Creed  had  its  roots  in  the  past — in 
the  old  conviction  that  the  needs  of  the  Church  in  Japan  should  be 
the  determining  element  in  the  adoption  of  a  Confession  for  the  Church 
in  Japan.  The  argument  as  now  put  is  this:  The  Church  of  the  Nicene 
age  adopted  the  Nicene  Creed.  The  Churches  of  the  Reformation 
adopted  the  Confessions  of  the  Reformation.  The  Presbyterian  Church 
of  England  has  just  adopted  the  English  Articles.  The  Presbyterian 
Church  of  America  is  now  revising  the  Westminster  Confession.  The 
Church  of  Christ  in  Japan  should  follow  these  examples.  It  should 
adopt  the  Confession  which  its  circumstances  demand. 

"Such  being  the  case,  what  are  the  characteristics  necessary  to  a 
Confession  to  be  adopted  by  a  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan  at  this  era  in 
its  history? 

(i.)  It  should  be  simple  and  brief.  Men  are  constantly  asking,  what 
are  the  doctrines  of  your  Church?  They  will  not  read  a  long  document 
in  reply. 

(2.)  It  should  be  a  Confession  about  which  the  whole  Church  will 
rally — a  Confession  for  pastor  and  people  alike.  This  does  not  mean 
that  the  knowledge  of  the  pastor  regarding  the  contents  of  the  Confession 
should  be  no  broader  and  no  deeper  than  that  of  the  children  of  his 
church.  But  all  belong  to  one  Church ;  and  there  should  be  one  Confes- 
sion— one  banner  for  all. 

(3.)  Such  a  Confession  should  be  irenic.  The  Church  in  Japan  is 
face  to  face  with  Buddhism,  Confucianism,  Agnosticism,  Rationalism  and 
radical  Unitarianism.  Its  Confession  of  Faith  should  proclaim  the 
whole  difference  between  these  things  and  Christ.  It  should  set  forth 
the  great  truths  of  historical  Christianity.  But  it  should  not  be  a  symbol 
of  division  among  those  who  love  and  worship  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
The  Apostles'  Creed  meets  all  these  conditions.  It  is  simple ;  it  is  a  Creed 
for  all ;  and  it  is  the  Confession  of  the  Universal  Church. 

'Tn  reply  to  this  argument  for  the  adoption  of  the  Apostles'  Creed 
and  the  Apostles'  Creed  alone,  the  following  was  urged :  Admitting  that 
a  Church  should  adopt  a  Confession  suited  to  its  needs,  and  admitting 
also  that  very  much  can  be  said  in  favor  of  the  Apostles'  Creed,  it  still 
remains  true  that  the  Apostles'  Creed  alone  will  not  meet  all  the  require- 
ments of  the  case.  There  are  doctrines  of  transcendent  importance  for 
Japan  to-day  which  are  contained  in  the  Apostles'  Creed  only  by  impli- 
cation. The  atonement,  justification  by  faith,  sanctification,  the  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  and  its  necessity,  the  inspiration  and  supremacy  of  the 
Scriptures,  are  all  of  them  doctrines  which  should  be  not  only  believed 
but  proclaimed  by  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan.  More  than  this, 
experience  has  shown  that  it  is  possible  to  read  into  the  Apostles'  Creed 
an  unhistorical   Unitarian   interpretation. 

"These  points  were  presented  with  great  clearness ;  and  the  Synod 
was  satisfied  that  the  Apostles'  Creed  alone  would  not  suffice.  It  was 
evident  that  a  supplementary  statement  was  needed.  The  suggestion  was 
made  that  it  be  in  the  form  of  an  introduction  to  the  Apostles'  Creed. 
During  the  recess  the  following  Confession  was  prepared ;  and  on  pres- 
entation to  the  Synod,  it  was  adopted  unanimously.  It  should  be 
remarked,  in  passing,  that  the  sacraments  appear  in  the  Constitution 
and  Canons. 

"confession  of  faith. 

"The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whom  we  worship  as  God,  the  only  begotten 
Son  of  God,  for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation  was  made  Man  and 
suffered.  He  offered  up  a  perfect  sacrifice  for  sin ;  and  all  who  are  one 
with  Hijn  by  faith  are  pardoned  and  accounted  righteous ;  and  faith  in 
Him,  working  by  love,  purifies  the  heart. 


JAPAN  MISSION  359 

"The  Holy  Ghost,  who,  with  the  Father  and  Son,  is  worshipped  and 
glorified,  reveals  Jesus  Christ  to  the  soul,  and  without  His  grace  man, 
being  dead  in  sin,  cannot  enter  the  kingdom  of  God.  By  Him  the 
Prophets  and  Apostles  and  holy  men  of  old  were  inspired;  and  He,, 
speaking  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  is  the 
supreme  and  infallible  judge  in  all  things  pertaining  unto  faith  and  living, 

"From  these  Holy  Scriptures  the  ancient  Church  of  Christ  drew  its 
Confession;  and  we,  holding  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  joirt 
in  that  Confession  with  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

'T  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker  of  Heaven  and  Earth. 

'And  in  Jesus  Christ,  His  only  Son,  Our  Lord;  who  was  conceived 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary ;  suffered  under  Pontius 
Pilate,  was  crucified,  dead  and  buried;  He  descended  into  Hades;  the 
third  day  He  rose  from  the  dead ;  He  ascended  into  Heaven,  and  sitteth 
at  the  right  hand  of  God,  the  Father  Almighty ;  from  thence  He  shall 
come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

"I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  the  Holy  Catholic  Church ;  the  com- 
munion of  saints;  the  forgiveness  of  sins;  the  resurrection  of  the  body; 
and  the  life  everlasting.     Amen. 

"Another  important  action  of  the  Synod  was  the  change  in  the  name 
of  the  Church.  This  was  accomplished  by  dropping  the  word  'United/ 
The  United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan  becomes  thus  the  Church  of  Christ 
in  Japan.  The  United  Church  was  originally  formed  by  the  union  of 
a  Presbytery  belonging  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  American  Pres- 
byterian Church  (North)  ;  of  work  connected  with  the  Mission  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland,  and  of  the  first  Protestant 
Church  organized  in  Japan.  The  body  last  named  bore  the  title  of  the 
Church  of  Christ  in  Japan,  and  was  the  fruit  of  the  labors  of  mission- 
aries connected  with  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church,  and  the  American 
Presbyterian  Church  (North).  The  word  United  was  adopted  to  set 
forth  the  fact  of  union.  The  Japanese  word  employed  to  render  the 
word  'United'  has  never  been  satisfactory,  and  no  satisfactory  substitute 
has  ever  been  suggested.  This  fact,  together  with  a  lasting  affection 
for  the  old  name,  is  the  explanation  of  this  action  of  the  Synod.  May 
the  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan  walk  worthily  of  its  name." 

Report  of  Board,  1891,  7-1 1. 

Nothing  is  distinctively  referred  to,  1892-97,  relating  to  the  "Church 
of  Christ  in  Japan,"  in  the  Minutes  of  Synod.  The  Synodical  reports 
generally  simply  refer  to  the  elaborate  Reports  of  the  Board.  In  1898 
the  death  of  Dr.  Verbeck  is  noticed;  that  Japan  has  completed  a  quarter 
of  a  century  since  the  first  church  was  organized ;  that  all  Japan  is  now- 
open  to  the  Gospel ;  that  Ferris  Seminary  has  been  re-organized,  for  the 
training  of  Christian  women  workers ;  and  that  Steele  College  has  more 
students  than  ever  before.     1898,   117-119. 

In  1899,  1900,  no  details  are  given  in  the  Minutes.  In  1901,  ft  is 
recounted  that  a  Union  Conference  of  missionaries  had  been  held  in 
Tokyo  to  take  steps  for  enlarged  evangelistic  efforts;  that  the  Japanese 
Schools  have  renounced  all  government  help  and  privileges,  rather  than 
to  cease  giving  Christian  Instruction  therein ;  1901,  pp.  1092-3 ;  great 
interest  in  Christianity;  1902,  96;  the  governmental  hostile  attitude  to 
Christian  Schools  is  disappearing;  the  "Church  of  Christ  in  Japarr"  now 
numbers  11,000  members;  1903,  366;  the  war  with  Russia  has  had  its 
depressing  effects,  but  the  members  feel  their  personal  responsibilities 
more;  the  restriction  to  teaching  Christianity  in  the  schools  has  com- 
pletely disappeared;  1904,  711.  The  war,  instead  of  hindering,  seems 
rather  to  have  acted  for  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel ;  1905,  196-. 


36o 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


LIST   OF    MISSIOXARIKS,    SOUTH    JAPAN    MISSION. 

Arrived. 

Rev.  G.  F.  Verbeck  and  Mrs.  Verbeck 1859 

Rev.  Henry  Stout  and  Mrs.  Stout 1869 

Rev.  C.  H.  H.  Wolff  and  Mrs.   Wolff 1874 

Miss  E.    F.    Farrington .• 1878 

Miss  M.   J.    Farrington 1878 

Rev.  E.  S.  Booth  and  Mrs.  Booth 1879 

Rev.  N.   H.   Demarest  and   Mrs.   Demarest 1883 

Rev.  H.    Harris   and    Mrs.    Harris 1884 

Miss  C.    B.    Richards 1884 

Miss  M.    E.    Brokaw 1884 

Rev.  A.    Oltmans   and    Mrs.    Oltmans 1886 

Mrs.  R.    L.    Irvine 1887 

Miss   C.   B.    Lanterman 1890 

Rev.  A.  Pieters  and  Mrs.   Pieters 1891 

Miss   S.   M.   Couch 1892 

Rev.  H.  V.  S.  Peeke  and  Mrs.  Peeke 1893 

Miss  H.   M.  Lansing 1893 

Miss   M.   E.   Duryea 1893 

Miss  Anna   K.   Stryker 1897 

Miss  A.   B.   Stout 1898 

Rev.   C.    M.    Myers 1899 

TEACHERS    EMPLOYED. 

Mr.   H.  V.   S.   Peeke 1888 

Miss  A.   B.   Stout 1891 

Mr.  A.  A.  Davis 1896 

LIST  OF  missionaries:  north  japan  missions. 

Went  out. 

Rev.  S.  R.  Brown,  D.D.,*  and  Mrs.  Brown* 1859 

D.  B.  Simmons,  M.D.,*  and  Mrs.   Simmons 1859 

Miss   C.    Adriance* 1859 

Rev.  G.  F.  Verbeck,  D.D.,*  and  Mrs.  Verbeck 1859 

Rev.  Jas.   H.   Ballagh  and   Mrs.   Ballagh 1861 

Miss  Mary  E.  Kidder  (Mrs.  E.  Rothesay  Miller) 1869 

Rev.  C.  H.  H.  Wolff*  and  Mrs.  Wolff 1871 

Miss  S.  K.  M.  Hequembourg ; 1872 

Miss  Emma   C.   Witbeck 1874 

Rev.  E.    Rothesay    Miller 1875 

Rev.  J.  L.  Amerman,  D.D..  and  Mrs.  Amerman 1876 

Miss  Harriet   L.    Winn 1878 

Miss  Elizabeth  F.  Farrington 1878 

Miss  Mamie   J.    Farrington 1878 

Rev.  Eugene  S.  Booth  and  Mrs.  Booth 1879 

Miss    Carrie    Ballagh 1881 

Prof.  Martin  N.  Wyckoff,  Sc.D..  and  Mrs.  Wyckoff....  1881 

Miss   M.   Leila  Winn 1882 

Rev.  Howard  Harris  and   Mrs.  Harris 1884 

Miss   Mary  E.   Brokaw 1884 

Miss    Anna    DeF.    Thompson 1887 

Miss    Mary   Deyo 1888 

Miss   Julia    Moulton 1888 

Rev.  Jacob   Poppen,   Ph.D.,  and   Mrs.    Poppen 1896 

Rev.  Frank  S.  Scudder  and   Mrs.   Scudder 1897 

Mrs.   J.    D.   Schenck 1897 

Miss    Harriet    Wyckoff 1898 


Retired. 
1869 

1876 
1879 
1879 
1881 
1890 
1885 
1885 
1890 

1893 
1892* 


1897 


1892 

189s 
1898 


Retired. 
1879* 
i860 
i860 
1898* 


1876 
1874 
1882 

1893 
1887 
1879 
1879 

1885 


1899 


[898 


*  Deceased 


JERMAIN,  JAMES  B.  361 


See    Dr.    Verbeck's    History   of    Protestant    Missions    in   Japan, 
Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor's  Progress  and  Prospects  of  the  Gospel  in  Japan, 

1883.  Sketch  of  the  Japan  Mission,  by  Rev.  Jas.  L.  Amerman,  D.D.,  1889. 
Sketch  of  the  South  Japan  Mission;  by  Rev.  Henry  Stout,  D.D.,  1894, 
new  edition,  enlarged,  1899.  Rev.  E.  S.  Booth's  Sketch  of  the  Ferris 
Seminary,  1887.  Sketch  of  the  North  Japan  Mission,  1901.  Corwin's 
Manual,  ed.  of  1902,  265-277. 

Jermain,  James  B.     See  West  Troy,  South  Church. 

Jersey,  Circle  of.  Embraced  the  ministers  of  Navesink,  (Mon- 
mouth), Second  River,  (Belleville),  and  Hackensack.  1747,  p.  xii.  In 
1771  the  churches  of  New  Jersey  were  divided  into  the  Particular  Bodies 
(or  Classes)  of  New  Brunswick  and  Hackensack;  which  see. 

Jessup,  Thomas.  Scholarship  of  $2,500  for  Hope  College  students ; 
of  $2,500,  for  students  in  the  Northwestern  Academy,  Orange  City ;  of 
$2,500,  general ;  all  held  by  the  Board  of  Education ;   1892. 

Jessup,  Thomas  and  Sarah  A.  Scholarship  of  $2,000  for  Arcot 
Seminary.     Held  by  General  Synod. 

Jesus.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  21 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  29,  30. 
Jesus  Christ.     Belg  Conf.,  Arts.  10,  18-23;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  18, 
23,  29-52 ;  Canons,  ii.  4. 

Jewell,    Elizabeth.      Bequest,    $500    to    Disabled    Ministers'    Fund, 

1884,  622. 

Jewett,  Fanny,  (Mrs.)  Bequeaths  $1,000,  (less  $60  revenue  tax),  to 
Bd.  of  Education;  $1,000,  (less  $60  tax),  to  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions; 
1869,  553-4,  577- 

John's  Baptism.    Alluded  to,  in  Form  of  Infant  Baptism. 

Johnson,  Edward  P.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1900/, 
elected  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church  Government,  1906. 

Jones,  David  A.  (Rev.)     Legacy  of  $3,000  for  a  Scholarship.    1891,  240. 

Jones,  David  S. — of  Philadelphia.  Numerous  appeals  in  connection 
with  Third  Ch.  of  Philadelphia;  1873,  617,  720;  1885;  1886;  1889,  924,  927, 
etc.,  etc.     See  index  to  successive  volumes  of  Gen.  Synod. 

Journal  of  Missions — recommended.     1852,  279;  '55,  607. 

Judgment.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  yi\  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  10,  23,  52,  84; 
Canons,  i.  15. 

Judgeship  of  Christ.    Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  37 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  2-^,  52. 

Judicatory  or  Judicature.  Terms  used  loosely,  sometimes  as 
referring  only  to  an  ecclesiastical  assembly,  and  sometimes  when  an 
assembly  is  turned  into  a  court  for  the  trial  of  a  person.  Properly,  an 
Ecclesiastical  Judicatory  is  only  an  Ecclesistical  Assembly,  when  acting 
as  a  Court.  For  the  use  of  the  word  as  a  Court,  see  Constitution  of  1874, 
Arts.  25,  loi,  102,  105,  109,  no,  III,  113,  114,  115,  116,  where  it  is  called  a 
Court,  118,  119,  120.  For  the  use  of  the  word  as  a  mere  Assembly  (or 
Classis),  Art.  27;  used  in  a  transitional  or  doubtful  sense.  Arts.  86,  88, 
89,  95,  96,  112.  The  word  Assembly  used  in  the  sense  of  Judicatory, 
Art.  117.  In  the  Rules  of  Synod,  3,  (11),  Judicatory  is  used  in  the  sense 
of  Assembly.     Compare  under  Rules,  23,   (i),   (2),   (3). 

Judicial  Business.  See  Appeals  and  Complaints;  Protests;  Rules 
of  Order.  Appeals  are  generally  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Judicial 
Business.    This  is  at  present  Article  XV.  in  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod. 

Judicial  Decisions,  Civil.  These  are  found  in  the  records  of  the 
Civil  Courts.  Several  of  these  are  given  in  Taylor's  Annals  of  the 
Classis  of  Bergen,  respecting  the  Secessions  of  1822.  Decisions  in  refer- 
ence to   the   Third   Church   of   Philadelphia   were   also   published   in   the 


362         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Christian  Intelligencer  of  Nov.,  1876,  and  later  issues.  For  opinions  on 
the  illegality  of  churches  to  change  their  ecclesiastical  connections  by  a 
vote  of  a  majority,  and  to  divert  their  property,  see  D.  H.  Van  Orden's 
legal  opinion,  published  in  pamphlet  form,  1882,  as  counsel  of  Bd.  of 
Dom.  Missions.  See  also  the  Marselus  case,  against  the  Collegiate 
Church,  1850;  the  Ebaugh  case;  and  several  decisions  quoted  in  Ecclesi- 
astical Records  of  New  York,  not  yet  indexed. 

Judicial  Decisions,  Ecclesiastical.  Shall  be  entered  on  the  records; 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  70;  of  1833,  Arts.  44,  in;  of  1874,  Arts.  103,  117. 
The  judicial  decisions  of  the  General  Synod  are  not  generally,  by  its 
method  of  record,  of  such  a  character  that  they  can  be  quoted  as  a 
principle  or  precedent.  The  writer  made  a  list  of  all  judicial  cases  which 
have  come  before  the  General  Synod,  but  concluded  not  to  print  thetti, 
because  they  taught  next  to  nothing.  See  Index  of  successive  volumes  of 
General  Synod,  under  "Judicial  Business."  See  also  1838,  161 ;  1839, 
252-4;  and  Rules  of  Order. 

Justice  of  God.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  16,  20;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  10, 
17,  40;  Canons,  ii. 

Justification.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  20-23;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  22-24, 
60,  61 ;  Canons,  i.  7 ;  v.  6. 

Kampen  Theological  Seminary,  Netherlands.  1884,  531 ;  sends 
congratulations  to  New  Brunswick  Seminary  at  its  Centennial ;  sketch 
of  the  Kampen  School;  Centennial  of  N.  B.  Sem.,  pp.  189-196.  Allusion, 
1896,  337- 

Kennedy,  Duncan,    (Rev.  Dr.)      President  of  General   Synod,   1853. 

Kentucky.     1790,  209;  1791,  224;  1800,  308-9;  1804,  331.     See  Labagh, 

Peter,    in    Manual ;    also    pp.    1027-8,    under    Salt    River.      Missions    have 

recently  been  begun  among  the  Kentucky  Mountaineers ;   1900,  759 ;   1901, 

1 104;   1902,  106;   1903,  370,  372;  1904,  717;   1905,   114. 

Keys  of  the  Kingdom.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  83-85 ;  see  also  Discipline. 
KiMURA,  KuMAGi,   (Rcv.)     A  Japanese,  graduated  frorn.  New  Bruns- 
wick   Theological    Seminary ;    also    studies    medicine ;    1880,    460,    554-5 ; 
'82,  29. 

Kingdom  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  36;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  103, 
123,  128. 

King's  College.     See  Columbia  College,  N.  Y.  C. 
King's   Daughters.     In   1900,   the   Committee   on   the   State   of  the 
Church  say : 

"Among  the  societies  which  have  been  organized  in  recent  years, 
mention  should  be  made  of  the  King's  Daughters.  What  the  Brotherhood 
of  Andrew  and  Philip  is  doing  for  the  Young  Men,  this  Society  is 
striving  to  do  for  the  Young  Women  of  the  Church."     1900,  825. 

These  Societies  have  their  regular  meetings  and  raise  increasing 
amounts,  generally,  from  year  to  year,  chiefly  for  Foreign  and  Domestic 
Missions.  In  1905  there  were  no  Societies,  which  raised  $311  for 
Foreign   Missions  and  $82  for   Domestic.     1905,   100-5. 

King's  Messengers.  A  Missionary  Catechism  for  the  young,  pub- 
li.shed  by  the  Board  of  Publication. 

Kingston  Academy.  Founded  about  1773.  See  Regents'  Bulletin, 
1893,  236. 

Kingston,  Church  Scholarship  of — for  Arcot  Seminary;  $782. 
Held  by  General  Synod. 

Kingston,  Classis  of.  1771-1800.  In  the  Articles  of  Union,  the 
Particular  Body  (or  Classis)  of  Kingston  was  organized,  1771,  consisting 
then  of  the  churches  of  Ulster  and  Dutchess  Counties,  N.  Y.,  with  the 
congregation   of   the   Camp,    1771,    10;    in    1784   the   name   of   Classis   was 


KINGSTON,  CLASSIS  OF  363 

assumed,  1784,  128.  The  churches  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  in  1771, 
were  Claverack,  Clove,  Dover,  East  Camp,  Fishkill,  Linlithgow,  Xew 
Hackensack,  Hopewell,  Old  Stissick,  Poughkeepsie,  Red  Hook,  Rhinebeck, 
Rhinebeck  Flatts,  Stissick  and  Taghkanick.  In  1800,  302,  these  became 
the  Classis  of  Po'keepsie. — The  churches  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson 
in  1771,  were  Catskill,  Coxsackie,  Kingston,  Marbletown,  Montgomery, 
Xew  Hurley,  Xew  Paltz,  Mombacus  (or  Rochester,)  Saugerties,  Shawan- 
gunck,  and  Wawarsing. — These,  [with  a  few  later  churches.  Blooming- 
dale,  Klein  Esopus,  Oakill  (or  Durham),  Paghkathkan,  Shokan  and 
Woodstock,]  became,  in  1800,  302,  the  Classis  of  Ulster.  [The  Minutes 
of  this  older  Classis  of  Kingston,  1772-1800,  were  sent  by  Dr.  Anson 
DuBois,  per  Dr.  E.  T.   Corwin,   to   the   Synodical   Archives   about    1880.] 

KiNGSTOX,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1856,  and  then  consisting  of  the 
churches  of  Bloomingdale,  Clove,  Dashville  Falls,  Guilford,  Hurley, 
Kingston  2d,  Marbletown,  Xew  Paltz,  Xorth  Marbletown,  Rochester, 
(Accord),  Rosendales,  Samsonville. 

KiXGSTOx,  Particular  Body  of,  1771.  Same  as  Classis  of  King- 
ston, 1 77 1. 

Kip,  Francis  M.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1856. 
Presents  portrait  of  Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston  to  the  Seminary,  in  behalf  of 
the  family  of  his  late  revered  father,  Isaac  L.  Kip.     i860,  485,  559. 

KiP,  Isaac  L.  Appointed  Special  Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  1812, 
430,  (old  ed.  49,)';  his  reports,  1813,  24;  1814,  55;  1815,  12;  1816,  39.  42; 
1817,  43;  1818,  41;  the  state  of  his  accounts,  as  set  forth  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Professorate,  1815,  40;  thanks  of  Synod,  1815,  41 ;  percentage 
to  be  allowed  him,  Oct.,  1815,  17;  all  moneys  payable  to  him,  henceforth 
to  be  paid  to  Guisbert  B.  Vroom,  Oct.,  1815,  18;  made  member  of  Board 
of  Corporation,  1819-1826;  one  of  the  Superintendents  of  Rutgers  Col- 
lege, Sept.,  1825,  25.  See  F.  M.  Kip,  above.  President  of  Bd.  of  Corpo- 
ration,   1830-37. 

Kip,  Isaac  L.     Scholarship,  $1,700;   1837,  106,   163. 

KiTTRiDGE,  Abbott  E.   (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1902. 

Kline,  John.     Bequest,  $500  for  educational  purposes,  1881,  651,  676, 

Knowledge  of  Divine  Grace.     Heid.  Cat.,  Questions  12-85. 

Knowledge  of  our  Duty.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  86-129. 

Knowledge  of  God.    Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  2. 

Knowledge  of  our  Misery.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  2-1 1,  117. 

Knowledge  of  our  Xeeds.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  2,  19. 

Knox,  John,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Appointed  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod, 
1820,  6;  resigns,  1828,  99;  President  of  General  Synod,  1829;  his  death; 
'58,  342 ;  100  books  from  his  library,  given  to  Seminary  Library ;  '59,  376. 

Knox,  John — the  Reformer.  First  Sabbath  of  Xovember,  1905,  to 
be  celebrated  as  Reformation  Day,  in  honor  of  his  birth.     1905,   145. 

Knox,  Rebecca,  (Miss).  Bequeaths  $2,000  for  a  Scholarship,  1815,  43. 
Interest  was  paid;  but  Principal  not  paid  in  until  1820,  41.  Allusions, 
1816,  32,  33;  1819,  8,  73;  1825,  34;  Sept.,  1825,  20;   1826,  6,  45,  54. 

Kollen,  Gerret  J.  (Dr.)  Appointed  Financial  Agent  for  endowment 
of  the  Western  Institutions ;  1876,  529 ;  elected  President  of  Hope  College, 
1894;    1895,  84,  94. 

KoLONGSU  Boys'  Academy;  at  Amoy,  China.  Founded,  1881,  to  give 
a  Christian  education  to  the  boys  connected  with  the  English  Presby- 
terian and  the  American  Reformed  Churches.  In  1885  the  superintendent 
of  this  School  was  transferred  to  the  Mission  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
while,  at  the  same  time,  the  superintendence  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
was  transferred  to  the  Mission  of  the  English  Presbyterian  Church,  thus 
dividing  responsibility  in  the  Educational  eflforts.     About  250  boys   have 


364         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

been  trained  in  this  School,  many  of  whom  afterward  studied  for  the 
ministry.  Rev.  A.  S.  Van  Dyck  was  Principal,  1885-7.  when  Rev.  P.  W. 
Pitcher  became  Principal.  Chinese  instructors  have  also  been  employed. 
About  1892  the  Talmage  Memorial  Hall  was  built  for  the  accommodation 
of  this  School. 

KoRE.\.  Allusion;  Foreign  Miss.  Report,  1895,  p.  17.  See  also  Cor- 
win's   Manual  of  1902,  248. 

KowENHOVEN,  Garret.     Scholarship  of  $3,000,  to  Board  of  Education. 

Krankenbezoeckers.  One  of  the  Dutch  terms  for  Visitors  or  Com- 
forters of  the  Sick ;  which  see. 

KuvpERS,  Gerardus  a.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Is  requested  to  translate  the 
'Articles  of  Union"  of  1771 ;  1813,  32;  1840.  40;  reports  the  work  done; 
receives  thanks,  1815,  9,  10. 

Kuvpers,  Zechariah  H.  (Rev.)  Presents  146  Dutch  books  to  the 
Theological  Library.     1844,  294,  374. 

Labagh,  Isaac  P.  (Rev.)  Translates  Constitution  of  Ger.  Refd.  Ch. 
into  English  for  General  Synod;  1814,  22;  1815,  10;  missionary  to 
Canada,  1816,  35,  yj '^  enters  Episcopal  Church;  name  erased.     1847,   114. 

Lab.\gh,  John  I.  Bill  for  tombstones  of  Rev.  Drs.  Livingston  and 
Woodhull,  $331-82.     1826,  30. 

Laidlie,  Archibald,  (Rev.)  His  call  to  preach  in  English,  in  Col- 
legiate Church  Year  Book,  1881,  'j']  \  his  sermons  on  Heidelberg  Catechism, 
(only  exposition,  then,  in  English),  to  be  printed,  if  possible;   1786,   149. 

Laidlie  Memorial  Fund.  Gift  of  $5,000  by  a  descendant  of  Rev. 
Archibald  Laidlie  for  "Seminary  Printing"  exclusive  of  Catalogues,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Faculty,  each  publication  to  bear  the  imprint  of  the 
name  of  the  Fund;  1901,  979,  1020,  1031-2;  thanks  of  Synod  to  donor, 
1901,  1038.  In  1902  the  Inaugural  Addresses  of  Profs.  Schenck,  Raven 
and  Demarest  were  published  from  the  proceeds  of  this  fuod ;  also  Dr. 
J.  C.  Van  Dyke's  Sketch  of  the  Sage  Library;  1902,  56.  In  1903,  Prof. 
Schenck's  "Practical  Theology"  was  issued,  partly  at  the  expense  of  this 
fund ;  also  Prof.  Demarest's  "Outline  of  Church  History" ;  and  Prof. 
Raven's  "Old  Testament  Introduction." 

Laing,  James  B.     Gives  $7,500  for  Scholarships,   1873;   1874,  15. 

Lake,  John  I.     Memorial  Fund  of  $3,000  to  Bd.  of  Education,  1903. 

Languages.  Churches  using  different  languages  shall  unite  in  calling 
a  General  Synod;  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  50;  churches  using  different 
languages,  (Dutch  and  Walloon)  shall  have  their  distinct  Consistories, 
Classes  and  Particular  Synods;  Art.  51;  nevertheless,  there  shall  be  joint 
meetings  of  ministers  and  elders,  monthly,  to  preserve  unity ;  Art.  52. — If 
any  other  language  than  English  is  used,  it  shall  be  specified  in  the  Call. 
Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  53;   (of  1833,  Art.  60;  of  1792,  Art.  36.) 

Petition  for  English  preaching  in  New  York,  headed  by  David  Abeel, 
etc.,  1730.  [This  was  printed  in  Christian  lutelligencer  about  1870-80, 
but  the  exact  reference  does  not  turn  up.] 

At  the  Revival  of  Rutger's  College,  in  1825,  the  Covenant  required 
that  the  Trustees  should  at  once  appoint  one  or  more  Profs,  of  Languages, 
and  pay  his  salary,  Sept.,  1825,  20. 

Lanphier,  Jeremiah  C.  Founder  of  the  Fulton  St.  Prayer  Meeting, 
Xew  York,  1857.  Born  1809.  Died  1898.  He  was  an  attendant  of  the 
Middle  Dutch  Church.  A  Tablet  was  erected  to  his  memory  in  that 
church,  1899. 

Lansing,  Gerrit  Y.  Scholarship,  $2,500,  received  from  Susan  Y. 
Lansing.    1867,    161. 


LANSING,  JOHN  A.   (REV.  DR.)  365 

Lansing,  John  A.,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Publica- 
tion, 1866-75  ;  chaplain  of  American  Union  Church,  Rome,  1878.  Financial 
Agent  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  1874,  16,  44.     Died  1884. 

Lansing,  John  G.  Elected  Professor  of  Old  Testament  Languages 
and  Exegesis ;  salary,  the  interest  of  the  Sage  Professorship  of  $50,000. 
1884,  533-4;  enriches  the  Seminary  Museum  from  Oriental  sources;  1886, 
60,  61;  proposes  a  plan  for  a  mission  to  Arabia,  1889,  811;  asks  leave  of 
absence  for  a  year  on  account  of  illness;  granted,  1891,  270,  282;  com- 
plains of  decrease  of  his  salary,  1896,  325;  action  on,  326-7;  publishes 
"Introduction  Outlines  of  the  Old  Testament,"  1896,  334-5,  345 ;  publishes 
"Notes  on  the  Archaeology  of  the  Old  Testament,"  1897,  612;  illness  of 
Prof.  Lansing,  1899,  367-8,  his  v^ithdrawal  from  the  Seminary,  371,  his 
resignation,  384,  the  Stated  Clerk  authorized  to  give  him  a  certificate  of 
dismission  to  such  body  as  he  may  choose,   1899,  399. 

Lansing,  Keziah  A.  Gives  $2,000  to  Bd.  of  Education  for  students 
in  Hope  College,  1900,  728. 

Lansing,  Nicholas,  (Rev.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1809; 
bequest  of  $600  for  education,  1837,  16 ;  1838,  107,  163 ;  1844,  349. 

Lansing,  Raymond  A.  (Rev.)  Bequest;  $285  to  Bd.  of  Education; 
Report  of  Bd.,  1905,  16. 

Lasco,  John  a.  See  pages  319,  322,  327,  337,  of  Centennial  Dis- 
courses, 1876,  for  account  of  his  labors  in  connection  with  the  Standards 
of  the  Netherlands  Reformed  Church.  See  also  in  this  Digest — Austin 
Friars. 

Latin  and  Greek.  Theological  Professors  complain  of  detriment  to 
theological  students  by  the  omission  of  Latin  and  (jreek  during  the  last 
two  years  in  College;  1871,  178-9;  Synod  requires  that  besides  the  usual 
diploma,  students  shall  satisfy  the  Examining  Committee  that  they  have 
pursued  these  studies  throughout  their  College  course,  subject  to  the 
discretion  of  the   Bd.   of   Superintendents,  321-2. 

Latour,  Waldensian  College  of.  Synod  orders  $400  to  be  raised 
for;  1853,  2>72>- 

Law  of  God.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  3-5,  92-115;  Canons,  iii.  and  iv.,  5,  6. 

Lawrence,  Olivia  H.  (Miss).  Elected  Corresponding  Secretary  of 
Wonman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions;   1903,  367. 

Lay  Agents'  Class,  Arcot.     1895,  68,  74. 

Leave  of  Absence.  See  Absentees.  All  applications  for,  must  be 
made  thro'  Committee  on ;  1867,  284 ;  Resolved,  That  hereafter  no  excuse 
for  leave  of  permanent  absence  be  granted  except  in  case  of  sickness  or 
death,  or  to  a  clergyman  to  perform  a  marriage  ceremony,  unless  the 
appHcant  for  the  excuse  can  state  to  the  Committee  on  Leave  of  Absence 
that  he  has  notified  his  secundus  that  he  is  expected  to  take  his  place  at 
the  time  of  his  leaving  Synod.     1905,  291. 

Le  Conte,  Mary,   (Miss).     Gives  Scholarship  of  $3,000.     1873,  724. 

Lectors.  Implied  in  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  3  and  23.  Rev.  Herman 
Meyer,  Lector  of  Theology,  1786-91. — 1786,  147.  Rev.  Solomon  Froeligh, 
Ditto,    1792-7;   Rev.   Dirck  Romeyn,   Ditto,   1792-7. 

In  Western  Seminary:  Prof.  T.  R.  Beck,  Lector  in  Biblical  Criticism 
and  Philology,  1867-77;  Rev.  Peter  J.  Oggel,  Lector  in  Pastoral  Theology 
and  Sacred  Rhetoric,  1867-70;  Rev.  Philip  Phelps,  Lector  in  Exegetical 
Theology,   1867-77;   1867,  269,  271. 

[In  1768,  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  proposed  that,  if  union  with 
Princeton  were  effected,  a  Lector  should  be  appointed  there  to  keep  up 
the  knowledge  of  the  Dutch  language;  pages  74,  335,  of  Seminary  Cen- 
tennial; see  also  pp.  84,  85,  86;  175-9;  414;  and  Ecclesiastical  Records  of 
New  York,  under  date.]     There  has,  for  a  score  or  more  of  years,  been 


366 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


a  "Lector  Fund"  for  the  Western  Seminary.  Occasional  Lectors  have 
also  been  appointed  in  the  Arcot  Seminary,  as  1887,  290;  '88,  515;  '89,  758; 
'90,  35;  '91,  262;  '92,  497,  etc. 

Lefferts,  Maria  R.  (Mrs.)  Fund  of  $5,000,  (less  $250  for  U.  S. 
Revenue  tax),  for  scholarships;  $500,  (less  $25  tax),  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions; $500,   (less  $25  tax),  for  Western  Missions;   1867,  161. 

$2,095,  (less  tax  of  $125.70),  for  Scholarships;  $209.50,  (less  $12.57 
tax),  for  Western  Missions;  $209.50,  (less  $12.57  tax),  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions; 1869,  553,  565. 

$2,500,  (less  $150  tax),  for  Scholarships;  $250,  (less  $15  tax),  for 
Western  Missions;  and  $250,  (less  $15  tax),  for  Foreign  Missions;  1871, 
182,  216. 

Lemmata.  Before  1812  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod  were  kept 
in  journalistic  form;  yet  each  topic,  as  treated,  was  numbered,  and  con- 
nected with  the  similar  topics  in  the  preceding  session,  thus :  Article 
VIII.  ad  X.  This  fashion,  begun  in  1774,  was  kept  up  until  1800,  when 
some  irregularities  began  to  be  introduced.  In  1809,  395,  we  find  a 
Committee  on  Lemmata  existing,  which  reported  in  1812.  After  this, 
occasionally,  new  Lemmata  were  added : 

LIST   OF  LEMMATA  FOR   REGULATING   THE   PROCEEDINGS   OF   GENERAL   SYNOD. 


I.      FORMATION    OF    SYNOD. 

Article. 

1.  Opening  of  Synod. 

2.  Members  present. 

3.  Moderators. 

4.  Advisory   Members. 

5.  Reading  of    Minutes. 

II.      ACTS    OF   SYNOD. 

Article. 

1.  Orders  and  Rules. 

2.  Standing  Committees. 

3.  Communications. 

4.  Correspondence. 

5.  Synodical     Reports    on 

State  of  the  Churches. 

6.  Synodical  Appeals. 

7.  Synodical  References. 

8.  Grievances. 


the 


Article. 

9.  Church  Government. 

10.  Doctrines  and  Morals. 

11.  Customs  and  Usages. 

12.  Schools  and  Christian  Edu- 
cation. 

13.  Queen's  College. 

14.  Professorate. 

15.  Students  in  Theology. 

16.  Church  Visitatfon. 

17.  Prevailing  Sins. 

18.  Missions. 

19.  Widows'  Fund. 

20.  Particularia. 

21.  Questorate. 

22.  Pastoral  Letter. 

23.  Resumption  and  Close. 

24.  Adjournment. 

1812,  407-9,  (old  ed.  14,  15.) 

Resolved,  That  the  Minutes  of  the  present  session  be  entirely  con- 
formed to  the  List  of  Lemmata,  1814,  57. 

Eliminations,    additions    and    substitutions    have,    from    time    to    time, 
been  made  in  the  List  of  Lemmata,  as  follows : — 

CHANGES    IN   THE   LEMMATA. 

I.     No.  4,  Advisory  Members,  dropped.     1815,  6. 
"    23,  Synodical   Archives,    inserted,    1815,   51. 
"     4,  Board  of  Corporation,  inserted,   1820,  20. 
"    21,  Questorate  omitted,   1820,  20. 
"     8,  Grievances    (Gravamina)    omitted,   1821,  6. 
"    13,  Queens   College,  changed  to   Rutgers   College,    1826. 
"   24,  Finance,  added,   1827,  7.     Finance,  changed  to   "Acounts," 

1829,  213. 
"    21,  Benevolent  and  Religious  Institutions,  added,  1828,  21. 


LETSON,  JOHNSON 


367 


No 

further  chansre  was  made  for 

25  years,  or  until  1854.     The  order 

during  this  time  stood  as  follows: 

I. 

FORMATION   OF    SYNOD. 

No.  12. 

Schools  and  Christian  Ed- 

No. I. 

Opening  of  Synod. 

ucation. 

"     2. 

Members  Present. 

"    13- 

Rutgers  College. 

"     3. 

Moderators. 

"    14. 

Professorate. 

"     4. 

Reading  of  Minutes. 

"    15. 

Students  in  Theology. 

II.      ACTS    OF    SYNOD. 

"    16. 

Church  Visitation. 

No.  I. 

Orders  and  Rules. 

"    17. 

Prevailing  Sins. 

"     2. 

Standing  Committees. 

"    18. 

Missions. 

"      3- 

Communications. 

"    19- 

Widows'   Fund. 

"     4. 

Board  of  Corporation. 

"    20. 

Particularia. 

"     5. 

Correspondence. 

"    21. 

Benevolent    and    Religious 

"     6. 

Synodical    Reports   of   the 

Institutions. 

State  of  the  Churches. 

"    22. 

Pastoral  Letter. 

No.  7- 

Synodical  References. 

"    23. 

Synodical  Archives. 

"     8. 

Synodical  Appeals. 

"    24. 

Accounts. 

"     9. 

Church  Government. 

"    25. 

Resumption  and  Close. 

"    10. 

Doctrines  and  Morals. 

"    26. 

Adjournment. 

"    II. 

Customs  and  Usages. 

No. 

20,  "Board  of  Publication,"  added,  1854. 

In  1862  it  was  ordered  that  the  ''List  of  Lemmata"  be  annually 
printed,  with  reference  to  the  page  where  each  might  be  found.     1862,  208. 

No.  19,  "Widows'  Fund"  changed  to  "Widows'  and  Disabled  Min- 
isters' Fund" ;    1864,   19. 

No.   13,  "Rutger's  College,"  changed  to  "Church  Colleges";   1866,  91. 

No.  I,  "Orders  and  Rules  changed  to  "Rules  of  Order,"  1872. 

The  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the  Constitution  recommended  no 
change  for  the  present;   1874,  109. 

Special  Committee  appointed  to  report  on  the  rearrangement  of  the 


Lemmata  with  special  reference 
to  facilitate  business,  1885,  778. 

The  following  order  was  reported 
since. 

Present  Order  of  the  Lemmata  since  1895 

Article. 


to  the  Standing  Committees,  with  a  view 
1886,  203-4,  with  a  few  changes 


I.     Formation  of  Synod. 
Article. 

1.  Opening  of  the  Synod. 

2.  Members  Present. 

3.  Moderators. 

4.  Reading  of  Minutes. 

II.      ACTS    OF   THE    SYNOD. 

Article. 
I 
2 
3 
4 


5- 


7. 


Rules  of  Order. 

Standing  Committees. 

Communications. 

Board  of  Direction  of  the 
Corporation. 

Professorate  and  Theologi- 
cal  Seminaries. 

Education,  Academies  and 
Colleges. 

Sunday-schools  and  Young 
People's  Societies. 

Foreign  Missions. 

Domestic    Missions   and   the 


10.  Publication. 

11.  Widows'  Fund. 

12.  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 

13.  Overtures. 

14.  Synodical  Minutes  and  Ref- 

erences. 

15.  Judicial  Business. 

16.  Correspondence. 

17.  Benevolent  Societies. 

18.  Systematic   Beneficence. 

19.  Church  Government. 

20.  Customs  and  Usages. 

21.  Public  Morals. 

22.  State  of  Religion  and   Sta- 

tistical Tables. 

23.  Synodical  Archives. 

24.  Accounts. 

25.  Particularia. 

26.  Resumption  and  Close. 

27.  Adjournment. 


Church  Building  Fund 
Letson,  Johnson.     Leaves  $1,000  for  Hope  College,  1885. 


368         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Letson,  Sarah   M.     $500  to  Widows'  Fund.     1901,  679. 

Letters  of  Dismission.     See  Dismission. 

Lewis,  Tayler,  Professor;  Vedder  Lecturer,  1875. — 1873,  711',  '75,  245. 

Leydt,  John,  (Rev.)     President  of  the  Ccetus,  1751. 

Liberia.     See  Am.  Colonization  Society. 

Liberty,  Civil.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  36.  See  American  Revolution; 
National  Affairs. 

Liberty,  Religious.  Magistrates  must  protect  the  people  in  religious 
liberty.     Rules  of  1619,  28.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  36. 

Librarians.  First  appointed  in  Sept.,  1813;  see  1814,  19;  for  names 
of,  1813,  57,  see  under  Theological  College;  1857-75,  under  Hertzog  Hall 
Library;  since  1875,  see  under  Sage  Library. 

Librarian's  House.  Proposed;  funds  for,  1891,  284-5;  1892,  469; 
house  completed,  1893,  749. 

Libraries,  Sunday-school;  see  Sunday-school  Libraries. 

Library,  at  New  Brunswick;  see  Theological  Library,  in  Rutger's 
College,  1807-57;  Hertzog  Hall  Library,  1857-75;  Sage  Library,  1875  to 
present  time. 

Library  Alcove  Endowment.     See  Sage  Library. 

Library  of  Hope  College.     See  Hope  College. 

Library  of  Western   Seminary.     See  Western  Seminary. 

Licenses.     See  Inn-Keepers  ;  Temperance. 

Licensure.  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  3-11.  Form  of  Licensure;  1832, 
134;  '33>  204;  '44,  288-9. — Form  adopted  by  the  Ccetus;  1748,  p.  xxx. 
Revocation  of  Licensures ;  example,  1845,  464,  468-9 ;  defence  of  action, 
1846,  81.     See  Dispensations;  also   1876,  512;   1877,  694-5. 

Licentiates.     See  Candidates. 

Licentiates  of  Other  Bodies.  See  Admission  of  Ministers  from 
other  Churches. 

Life  Eternal.  Belgic.  Conf.,  20,  34,  ^7;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  23,  58; 
Canons,  iii.  4,  6,  9. 

LiGHTBODY,  Jane.     Gives  $500  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  1892,  472. 

Light  of  Nature.    Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  2. 

Likeness  to  God.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  14. 

Limitation  of  Time  in  Bringing  Charges.  Constitution  of  1874,  Art. 
104.     [Compare   1833,  112;   1792,  69.] 

Lincoln,  Abraham  ;  student  suspended  because  of  intemperate  lan- 
guage respecting  the  President's  assassination,  1865,  548 ; 

Resolved,  That  in  the  sudden  and  violent  death  of  our  tried  and 
trusted  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  we  recognize,  with  the  submission 
of  faith,  a  mystery  which  says,  "Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God" ;  a 
chastisement  which  shows  that  even  four  years  of  civil  war  have  not 
sufficiently  humbled  and  purified  us  as  a  Nation ;  and  a  call  to  all  of  us 
to  be  ready  at  our  posts  of  duty  for  the  Master's  summons,  whether  it 
come  in  the  middle  watch  of  the  night  or  at  the  cock-crowing.  We  bless 
God  for  the  incalculable  service  that  our  late  beloved  President  rendered 
to  the  cause  of  Union  and  liberty,  and  for  the  testimony  for  Christianity 
which  he  left  behind  him;  and  over  his  new  made  grave  we  consecrate 
ourselves  afresh  to  the  country  and  the  cause  for  which  he  lived  and 
died,  and  to  the  Saviour  whom  he  honored.     1865,  648. 

Lindsley,  Florence,  Memorial.  $1,000,  held  by  Board  of  Domestic 
Missions. 

Linn,  William,  (Rev.  Dr.)     First  President  of  General  Synod,  I794- 


LIQUOR  TRAFFIC  369 

Liquor  Traffic.     See  Temperance. 

Lists  of  Churches  and  Ministers.     See  Catalogues  of. 

Litany  of  Bucer.  Added  to  revision  of  Liturgy,  1856,  93.  Not 
finally  adopted. 

Liturgy  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  As  published  in 
English,  in  America,  in  1793  and  1815,  the  Forms  were  as  follows : 

I.  Prayers. 

1.  A  Prayer  on  the  Lord's  Day,  before  Sermon.   . 

2.  A  Prayer  to  be  used  on  the  Lord's  Day,  after  Sermon. 

3.  A  Prayer  before  the  Explanation  of  the  Catechism, 

4.  A  Prayer  after  the  Explanation  of  the  Catechism. 

5.  A  Prayer  before  Sermon  in  the  Week. 

6.  A  Prayer  after  Sermon  in  the  Week. 

7.  A    Morning   Prayer. 

8.  An  Evening  Prayer. 

9.  A  Prayer  at  the  Opening  of  the  Consistory. 

10.  A  Prayer  at  the  Close  of  the  Consistory. 

II.  A  Prayer  at  the  Meeting  of  the  Deacons. 

12.  Grace  before  Meat. 

13.  Grace  after  Meat. 

14.  A  Prayer  for  Sick  and  Tempted  Persons. 

15.  Another  form  for  the  same. 

11.  The  Sacramental  Forms. 

1.  The  Form  for  the  Administration  of  Baptism  to  Infants  of 
Believers,  with  a  Prayer;  Exhortation  to  the  Parents;  and  a  Thanks- 
giving. 

2.  The  Form  for  the  Administration  of  Baptism  to  Adult  Per- 
sons; with  five  questions.      (No  prayer  following.) 

3  The  Form  for  the  Administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper;  with. 
Prayer;  and  the  Apostles'  Creed;  the  Words  of  Distribution;  Words 
of  Thanksgiving;   and   Final   Prayer. 

discipline. 
I.     Form  of  Excommunication;  with  Confession. 
,  2.     Form   of   Readmission,   with    Prayer. 

III.  The  Forms  for  Ordinations. 

1.  Form  for  Ordaining  the  Ministers  of  God's  Word;  with 
Questions.     Exhortations  and  Prayer. 

2.  Form  for  Ordaining  Elders  and  Deacons;  with  Questions. 
Exhortations  and  Prayer. 

IV.  Form  for  the  Confirmation  of  Marriage. 
V.     Form  for  the  Consolation  of  the  Sick. 

VI.     The  Nicene  Confession,  A.D.,  325. 
VII.     The  Creed  of  Athanasius,  A.D.,  333. 
allusions  to  the  liturgy  in  the  rules  of  church  government. 
These  allusions  related  only  to  the  Sacramental  and  Ordination 
Forms.     The  other  Forms  are  not  obligatory,  but  optional,  and  are 
only  given  as  guides. 

sacramental   forms. 

Forms  for  Baptism.  Ministers  shall  make  use  of  the  adopted 
Forms;  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  58;  of  1792,  Art.  58;  of  1833,  Art.  86;  of 
1874,  Art.  76. 

Forms  for  the  Lord's  Supper.  "The  Form"  .  .  .  together  with 
the  prayer  suited  to  the  occasion  shall  be  read";  Rules  of  1619,  62; 
"the  Form  .  .  .  shall  be  read,  and  a  prayer  shall  be  offered" ; 
of  1833,  87;  of  1874,  T]. 


370         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Forms  of  Discipline.  Rules  of  1619,  76,  78,  of  1833,  114,  116;  of 
1874,  106,  108. 

ORDINATION   FORMS. 

Forms  for  Ordaining  Elders  and  Deacons.  To  be  done  "agree- 
ably to  the  Form  instituted  for  that  purpose";  Rules  of  1619,  22,  24; 
in  Rules  of  1833,  Art.  50,  there  is  only  an  allusion  to  the  Form:  "from 
the  Form  of  their  ordination";  but  not  even  an  allusion  to  the  Form, 
in  the  Rules  of  1874.  [The  obligation  to  use  the  Form,  should  have 
been  inserted  in   1833,  Art.  22;  in   1874,  in  Art.  31.] 

Forms  for  Ordaining  Ministers  of  God's  Word.  To  be  done  ac- 
cording to  the  Form  adopted  for  that  purpose;  Rules  of  1619,  Art. 
4;  of  1792,  Art.  13;  of  1833,  Art.  14;  of  1874,  Art.  13. 

The  Liturgy  w^hich  had  been  revised  and  adopted  at  the  Synod 
of  Dort,  1618-19,  was  accepted  by  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in 
America,  by  the  Coetus,  1738,  vii.,  viii.;  and  subsequently  by  the  Con- 
vention of  1771,  which  adopted  the  Articles  of  Union:  "We  abide 
in  all  things  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Netherlands  Reformed  Church, 
as  established  by  the  Ecclesiastical  Regulations  of  the  Synod  of 
Dort,  1618-19";  1771,  9;  and,  still  more  formally,  in  the  adoption  of 
the  first  American  Church  Constitution.  .  .  .  "The  subjects  to 
be  included  in  the  Constitution  of  the  R.  D.  Chs.  in  America  .  .  . 
should  be  restricted  to  what  constitutes  the  Doctrine,  Liturgy  and 
Government  of  said  Churches";   May,   1791,  217,  218;   1792,  235-6. 

There  was  no  suggestion  of  any  change  or  modification  in  the 
use  of  the  Liturgy  until  1840,  altho'  a  sentence  or  two  had  been  edi- 
torially eliminated  from  the  "Thanksgiving  Prayer"  in  the  Form  of 
Infant  Baptism,  in  the  edition  of  1836  and  all  subsequent  editions; 
but  this  was  done  without  Synodical  authority,  yet  a  positive  im- 
provement. But  in  1840,  43,  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  re- 
quested some  liberty  in  the  use  of  some  of  the  obligatory  Forms;  but 
Synod  referred  them  to  the  Constitution,  and  enjoined  the  Classes 
to  secure  the  observance  of  uniformity;   1840,  389. 

In  1848,  329,  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church  referred 
to  the  great  diversity  that  had  obtained  in  the  use  of  the  Liturgy. 
The  Order  of  Service  varied;  (old)  Marriage  Form  was  generally 
disused;  and  even  the  obligatory  Sacramental  Forms,  which  were 
intended  to  be  careful  expositions  of  the  mysteries  of  the  faith  in 
connection  with  the  sealing  ordinances  of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  were  not  uniformly  followed.  A  Burial  Form  was  also  de- 
sirable. It  was  suggested  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  report 
on  the  best  means  of  securing  greater  uniformity  in  the  use  of  the 
Liturgical  Forms.  Such  Committee  was  appointed,  1848,  217,  but 
all   efforts  to  convene  it  failed,  and  it  was  discharged;    1849,  491. 

First  Effort  to  Revise  the  Liturgy,  1853-58. 

In  1853,  357-8,  a  committee  of  ten  was  appointed  to  re- 
port on  any  desirable  changes.  They  reported,  1854,  45i- 
2;  that  they  did  not  propose  to  make  the  Church  more 
liturgical,  nor  fetter  individual  gifts;  they  had  improved 
the  translations,  abridged  the  Forms,  changed  the  position  of  the 
long  and  short  prayers  for  Sabbath  morning,  so  as  to  conform  them 
to  actual  practice,  (see  Prayers  5  and  6,  above),  and  had  prepared 
a  few  new  Offices.  They  referred  to  a  few  verbal  changes  and  ab- 
breviations, which  had  crept  in  without  authority. 

They  suggested  new  Offices  for  Grace  and  Thanks  at  Meals,  (12 
and  13  above),  and  left  the  other  prayers  untouched.  The  preliminary 
part  of  the  Form  of  Infant  Baptism  was  slightly  condensed,  and  the 
thoughts  re-arranged;  and  the  Thanksgiving  at  the  close  was  modi- 
fied, so  as  to  relieve  it  of  an  apparent  sacramentarian  character.     The 


LITURGY  371 

Form  for  the  Supper  was  abridged  and  re-arranged;  and  amendments 
were  made  in  the  Forms  of  Church  Discipline  and  Ordination.  A 
new  Marriage  Form  was  proposed.  The  Office  for  the  Consolation 
of  the  Sick  had  been  changed,  by  some  Editor  to  a  mere  list  of  texts, 
but  no  suggestions  were  made  upon  this  subject.  New  Forms  were 
prepared  for  the  Dedication  of  a  Church,  for  a  Burial  Service,  and 
for  the  Systematic  Reading  of  the  Bible.  The  Liturgy,  as  thus  re- 
vised, was  printed,  (not  published),  for  the  use  of  the  Synod.  1854, 
451-3. 

After  elaborate  discussion  the  whole  subject  was  re-committed, 
for  further  revision,  to  the  same  Committee,  453. 
Second  Report,  1855. 

Reference  was  now  made  to  the  Liturgical  character  of  the 
Church,  the  general  excellence  of  the  Liturgy,  the  importance  of 
removing  defects  and  making  desirable  improvements.  The  second 
Revision  was  again  printed.  After  an  elaborate  discussion,  the  Form 
of  the  Supper  was  committed  to  a  Special  Committee  to  make  some 
verbal  and  punctuational  changes,  and  report  next  day.  Their  report 
was  recommitted,  and  finally,  the  whole  subject  was  postponed  until 
the  extra  session  to  be  held  in  Oct.,  1855. — 1855,  576-9. 

Two  hundred  and  fifty  copies  of  the  Liturgy,  as  now  further 
revised,  were  submitted  in  October.  This  contains  also  the  report 
of  the  Special  Committee  on  the  Form  for  the  Administration  of  the 
Supper,  appointed  June,  1855,  579, — two  Forms  on  this  subject.  After 
full  discussion,  the  whole  subject  was  re-committed — a  report  to  be 
made  in  June,  1856. — Oct.  1855,  16. 

Five  hundred  copies  were  printed  of  the  report  for  1856.  Many 
verbal  changes  had  been  made,  with  abridgments  and  eliminations, 
and  care  taken  with  the  grammar  and  punctuation.  The  Litany  of 
Bucer  was  now  added,  as  well  as  a  few  prayers  for  the  more  com- 
mon occasions  of  importunate  want.  Besides  the  New  Offices  before 
alluded  to,  (1854),  an  Installation  Service,  distinct  from  that  for 
Ordination,  had  been  added. 

After  thorough  discussion,  it  was  resolved  to  send  down  all  the 
Sacramental  Forms,  as  finally  amended  at  this  Synod,  to  the  several 
Classes  for  their  action;  but  Synod  failed  to  recommend  the  action, 
as  legally  required;  while  the  rest  of  the  Report  was  referred  to  the 
Synod  of  1857.  The  phrase  in  the  Creed — "He  descended  into  hell," 
the  Synod  put  in  brackets,  by  a  vote  of  50  to  36.     1856,  92-95. 

It  was  found  in  1857  that  only  13  Classes  out  of  30  had  reported 
action.  Of  these,  only  5  approved  the  amended  Sacramental  Forms, 
while  8  disapproved  them.     Nothing  accomplished. 

Resolved,  That  (for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  sense  of  the  Church 
on  the  subject)  the  Synod  hereby  approve  the  portions  of  the  Revised 
Liturgy  of  1856,  not  yet  acted  upon,  so  far  as  to  authorize  the  Board 
of  Publication  to  issue  the  same  in  a  separate  volume,  and  also  to 
allow  Ministers  and  Consistories  who  may  choose  to  do  so,  to  use 
them — it  being  understood  that  this  is  a  provisional  arrangement,  to 
continue  until  the  stereotype  plates  from  which  the  Liturgy  is  now 
printed  are  worn  out,  when  the  whole  subject  shall  be  finally  deter- 
mined. 

Whereas.  The  Sacramental  Forms  contain  certain  verbal  errors, 
which  it  is  thought  desirable  to  correct: 

Resolved,  That  each  Classis  be  requested  to  transmit  to  the  next 
General  Synod  a  list  of  such  changes,  if  any,  as  they  may  desire  to 
have  made  in  those  forms.     1857,  193-4. 

At  an  extra  session  of  the  Synod  in  Oct.,  1857,  the  following  ac- 
tion was  taken : 


372  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Resolved,  That  so  much  of  the  resolution  of  1857,  193-4,  "concern- 
ing the  printing  of  the  Amended  Liturgy,  as  authorizes  the  use,  by  the 
churches,  of  the  Amended  Forms  for  Ordination  and  Church  Disci- 
pline, be  hereby  rescinded,  as  conflicting  with  the  Constitution"; 
those  Forms  being  obligatory.  And  now  all  the  Revised  Forms,  not 
previously  sent  down  to  the  Classes,  were  sent  down,  for  Classical 
action.  Oct.,  1857,  256.  [The  Synod  here  again  failed  to  recommend 
such  changes,  as  were  proposed,  and  hence  its  action  was  not  strictly 
legal.] 

In  1858,  it  appeared  that  the  Revised  Sacramental  Forms  had  not 
yet  been  adopted.  Only  16  Classes  out  of  30  had  taken  action,  and 
6  of  these  were  opposed  to  any  change.  The  other  ten  suggested  a 
variety  of  changes.  Two  recommended  the  change  of^"He  was 
innocently  condemned,"  to — ''He,  although  innocent,  was  con- 
demned." .  .  .  Only  two  Classes  had  endorsed  the  Re- 
vised Liturgy  as  a  whole.  The  Synod,  therefore,  con- 
cluded that  the  Church  did  not  desire  any  general  revision;  but  re- 
ferred to  the  Classes  the  propriety  of  correcting  the  grammar  of  the 
clause  "innocently  condemned";  and  that  the  Board  of  Publication,  on 
receiving  authentic  information,  that  two  -thirds  of  the 
Classes  assent  to  this  change,  be  authorized,  in  printing  the 
said  Form  in  our  Hymn  Books,  etc.,  to  make  the  change 
aforesaid!  1858,  330-1.  [The  Synod  here  again  failed  to  recommend 
the  change,  and  to  delay  publication,  until  it  declared  the  same  ac- 
complished.] This  change  was  approved  by  17  Classes,  1859,  433. 
Meantime,  however,  the  Board  of  Publication  had  issued  an  edition 
of  the  Revision  of  the  Liturgy  as  proposed,  1857,  193.     See  1858,  360. 

Thus  ended  the  first  attempt,  after  five  years  of  labor,  to  revise 
the  Liturgy.  The  only  result  was  the  correction  of  a  single  gram- 
matical error. 

Second  Effort  to  Revise  the  Liturgy,  1868-78. 
After  a  decade,  a  Committee  was  again  appointed  to  revise  the 
Liturgy,  "so  that  it  may  more  fully  meet  the  wants  of  the  Church," 
1868,  467.  This  Committee  made  no  report  until  1870,  when  its 
Chairman  (Rev.  Dr.  E.  S,  Porter),  asked  to  be  relieved.  Rev.  Dr. 
M.  S.  Hutton,  of  New  York,  was  appointed  in  his  place,  1870,  102. 
In  1871,  progress  was  reported,  with  some  general  observations  as 
to  the  real  design  of  a  Liturgy,  and  as  to  what  a  Liturgy  ought  to 
be.  They  also  showed  the  position  of  the  Reformed  Church  as  a 
Presbyterian  Liturgical  Church,  and  gave  a  brief  statement  as  to  the 
origin  and  history  of  our  Liturgy,  1871,  281.  Progress  reported,  1872, 
490. 

In  1873,  their  Report  was  made,  but,  unfortunately,  the  printed 
copies  of  their  Revised  Liturgy  failed  to  arrive  in  time  for  the  use 
of  Synod.  The  Committee,  in  their  Report,  referred  to  the  tivo  lead- 
ing sentiments  in  the  Church,  the  one  demanding  a  more  Liturgical 
Service,  and  the  other  demanding  a  shortening  of  the  Forms.  These 
opposite  tendencies  could  not  be  combined.  The  Forms  in  use  were 
also  so  excellent,  and  so  imbedded  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  that 
any  advantage  gained  by  a  change  would  not  compensate  for  the  loss 
of  prestige.  They,  therefore,  had  suggested  few  alterations,  and  the 
bracketing  of  parts  which  might  occasionally  be  omitted.  The  work 
of  former  Committees  had  been  of  great  service,  yet  the  present 
Committee  sometimes  preferred  the  original  form.s  of  expression.  The 
greatest  changes  had  been  made  in  the  Marriage  Form  and  in  the 
Burial  Service,  which  were  proposed  by  the  former  Committee. 

New  Forms  were  presented  for  the  "Admission  of  Baptized  Mem- 
bers to  Full  Communion";  and  for  the  "Laying  of  a  Corner-Stone  of 
a  Church-Edihce." 


LITURGY  373 

Besides  the  bracketed  parts  of  the  Form  for  the  Administra- 
tion of  the  Supper,  it  was  suggested  that  the  part  relating  to  Self-ex- 
amination might  be  read  at  the  Preparatory  Lecture. 

The  Committee  had  met  monthly  for  two  years.  They  had  pre- 
pared, for  those  who  might  desire  it,  a  more  Liturgical  Service,  fol- 
lowing in  part,  that  of  the  Anglican  Church;  but  had,  finally,  decided 
not  to  present  it.  Synod  could,  if  it  thought  proper,  authorize  the 
use  of  the  English  Liturgy,  except  the  Sacramental  Forms;  for  much 
of  that  Liturgy,  dating  back  to  the  early  centuries,  belongs  equally 
to  all  Churches.  Some  details  as  to  parts  of  that  Liturgv,  were  here 
given.  A  brief  review  of  the  history  of  our  own  Form  for  the  Ad- 
ministration of  the  Supper  was  here  given.  A  new  translation  of  the 
Form  for  the  Supper,  with  transpositions  and  eliminations,  had  been 
prepared,  but,  finally,  the  Committee  decided  not  to  present  it.  The 
Report  was  recommitted,  that  it  may  be  printed,  and  presented  to  the 
Synod  of  1874;  and  copies  of  the  Revised  Liturgy  were  ordered  to  be 
sent  to  each  Consistory,  1873,  722,  as  well  as  the  general  printed  Re- 
port. 

In  1874,  after  a  full  discussion  of  the  whole  subject,  the  following 
resolution  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  79  to  39: 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  approve  of  so  much  of  the  Liturgy  re- 
ported by  the  Committee  as  is  not  inconsistent  with,  or  forbidden 
by  the  Constitution,  and  give  permission  to  use  the  same,  this  reso- 
lution not  sanctioning  any  change  in  the  Baptismal  form,  or  the  form 
for  the  Administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Passed  by  82  to  41. — 
1874,  no. 

In  1875,  the  Classis  of  New  York  complained  of  the  vague  and 
ambiguous  character  of  this  resolution,  and  its  unconstitutionality, 
and  gave  a  review  of  the  adoption  of  the  Liturgy  in  1792.  The  Synod 
rescinded  the  Resolution  of  1874.  The  Xew  Marriage  Form  was 
now  recommended  to  the  Classes  for  their  action,  as  a  substitute  for 
the  Old  Form.  But  an  attempt  to  recommend  the  other  New  Forms, 
namely,  for  the  Public  Reception  of  Baptized  Members  into  Full 
Communion,  for  the  Installation  of  a  Minister,  for  the  Laying  of  a 
Corner-Stone,  for  the  Dedication  of  a  Church,  and  for  a  Burial  Ser- 
vice,— was  temporarily  defeated  by  a  resolution  laying  them  on  the 
table,  1875,  311-313- 

In  1876,  the  returns  for  the  adoption  of  the  New  Marriage  Form, 
as  a  substitute  for  the  Old  Form,  showed  that  it  was  adopted,  by  22 
Classes  in  its  favor,  to  7  against.  The  Synod  declared  it  adopted, 
J876,  513- 

In  1876,  the  Classis  of  Po'keepsie  overturned  the  Synod  to  take 
from  the  table  the  resolutions  of  1875,  3i3-  This  was  done,  and  these 
resolutions  were  now  recommended  to  the  Classes,  after  slight  amend- 
ments, for  consent,  "that  they  be  printed  with  our  Standards,  not  as 
authoritative  and  imperative  formulas,  but  as  specimens,  embody- 
ing the  sense  of  the  Church  in  reference  to  the  most  edifying  mode 
of  rendering  these  services."  Those  thus  recommended  were  No. 
4;  Reception  of  Members  Baptized  in  Infancy;  No.  8;  the  Installa- 
tion of  Ministers;  No.  9,  the  Laying  of  the  Corner-stone  of  a  Church; 
and  No.  12,  the  Burial  of  the  Dead.     1876,  500-1. 

In  1877,  it  was  found  that  only  12  Classes  had  approved  the  print- 
ing of  the  said  Forms,  as  recommended;  while  19  Classes  had  taken 
no  action.  Synod  enjoined  the  Classes  to  vote.  1877,  696.  The  next 
year  22  Classes  out  of  3:^  had  endorsed  the  printing  of  these  Forms 
as   specimens,   1878,   105. 

Thus  ended  the  Second  Attempt  to  revise  the  Liturgical  Forms. 
After  ten  years  of  effort,  only  a  5s^ew  Marriage  Form  was  adopted 
as  a  substitute  for  the  Old  Form,  which  was  indelicate  to  American 


374        DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ears;  and  the  above-mentioned  New  Forms  were  permitted  to  be 
printed  as  Specimens.  It  was  not,  however,  until  1882  that  the 
proof-sheets  of  the  Liturgy,  so  far  as  it  had  been  revised,  with 
these  New  Specimen  Forms,  were  submitted  to  the  Synod,  with  the 
Book  of  Psalms  appended,  for  Responsive  Readings. 

These  were  now  approved,  and  the  Liturgy  was  issued,  Oct.,  1881, 
15;  1882,  157-8. 

Third  Attempt  to  Revise  the  Liturgy,  1881. 

Meantime,  in  1881,  an  overture  was  received  from  the  Classis  of 
Po'keepsie  about  certain  expressions  in  the  Forms  of  Baptism,  as 
being  ambiguous,  perplexing,  and  a  burden  to  tender  consciences, 
etc.     E.g. 

1.  "Wholly  incapable  of  any  good,  and  prone  to  all  evil."  Said 
Classis  urged  the  Synod  either  to  expunge  these  words,  or  make  their 
use  optional  with  the  applicant  for  baptism[l] 

2.  "Dost  thou  assent  to  all  the  Articles  of  the  Christian  Reli- 
gion as  they  are  taught  here  in  this  Christian  Church,  according  to 
the  Word  of  God?  Said  Classis  requested  Synod  to  declare  that 
these  Articles  meant  only  the  Apostles'  Creed;  or  modify  the  language 
to  make  it  mean  only  this;  or  make  the  use  of  the  question  optional! 

3.  The  Second  Question  in  the  Form  of  Infant  Baptism  involv- 
ing the  same  points. 

The  whole  subject  was  very  ably  discussed  in  the  report  of 
Synod's  Committee;  the  importance  of  private  instruction,  before 
baptism,  is  referred  to,  to  remove  difficulties,  and  that  "tender  con- 
sciences" need  enlightenment  from  the  Word  of  God  as  to  their 
"moral  inability."  The  Seventh  Lord's  Day  of  the  Catechism,  Ques- 
tion 22,  explains  that  it  is  the  Apostles'  Creed  which  it  is  necessary 
for  *a  Christian  to  believe.  The  report  further  says  that  it  would 
be  injurious  for  the  Synod  to  adopt  the  suggestions  of  said  Clas- 
sis;   and    the    Classis    had    permission    to    withdraw    their    Memorial. 

188 1,  649,  730. 

But  a  similar  Memorial  came  from  the  Classis  of  Po'keepsie  in 

1882.  The  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  and  the  Classis  of  Greene 
also  sent  Memorials  on  the  use  of  the  word  "Hell"  in  the  Apostles^ 
Creed,  suggesting  that  Hades  be  substituted.  All  referred  to  Com- 
mittee on  Overtures.  1882,  31.  Majority  and  minority  reports  came 
from  the  Committee,  '82,  111-113,  on  the  use  of  the  word  "Hell,"  and 
the  minority  report  was  adopted,  allowing  the  alternative  use  of 
"Hades,"  by  a  vote  of  97  to  27.  (See  1856,  92-95-)  Majority  and 
minority  reports  were  also  presented  in  reference  to  the  ex- 
pressions in  the  Baptismal  Forms;  also  a  resolution  from 
a  single  member  of  the  Committee;  suggesting  the  reference 
of  the  whole  subject  to  a  Special  Committee;  this  resolu- 
tion was  adopted;  '82,  113,  158. 

This  Special  Committee  reviewed  the  whole  subject,  sustaining 
the  Memorial  of  the  Classis  of  Po'keepsie  and  proposing,  in  conclu- 
sion, an  alternative  question,  in  the  Form  of  Adult  Baptism,  as  fol- 
lows: "Is  this  your  faith,  and  are  these  your  engagements,  as  far 
as  you  understand  them  in  accordance  with  the  Word  of  God;  and 
do  you  express  your  earnest  and  sincere  desire  to  be  further  in- 
structed therein?"  A  vote  on  this  report  was  postponed,  until  the 
report   of  the    Committee   on    Overtures   should   be   presented.     1883, 

295-9. 

For  another  communication  had  come  to  the  Synod,  1883,  219, 
from  the  Church  of  Plainfield,  thro'  the  Classis  of  Newark,  on  the 
subject  of  the  Forms  for  receiving  church-members,  which  was  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  on  Overtures.  The  report  of  this  Commit- 
tee,   (of  which   Dr.   Drury  was  chairman),   referred  to   the   Memorial 


LITURGY  375 

from  Plainfield,  which  declared  that  a  fuller  doctrinal  statement  was 
required  from  adults  who  had  not  been  baptized  in  infancy,  than 
from  those  baptized  and  brought  up  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Church. 
The  Committee  suggested  that  "incapable  of  any  good"  meant  "in- 
capable of  any  saving  good."  So  also  the  meaning  of  "good,"  as 
used  in  this  Form,  is  defined  in  the  Catechism  under  "good  works," 
(Question  91),  as  "only  those  which  proceed  from  a  true  faith,  and 
are  performed  according  to  the  Law  of  God,  and  to  his  glory."  So 
also  the  "Articles  of  the  Christian  Religion,  as  they  are  taught  here 
in  this  Christian  Church,"  are  defined  by  the  Catechism,  (Ques- 
tion 22,)  as  relating  to  the  Apostles'  Creed.  The  same  fact  also  ap- 
pears in  the  Form  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

The  report  also  referred  to  the  fact  that  adults  are  not  admitted 
to  the  church  upon  their  answer  to  the  questions  in  the  Form  of  Bap- 
tism, but  upon  their  prior  examination  by,  and  confession  before,  the 
Elders.  Explanatory  foot-notes  or  references  would  not  be  alto- 
gether satisfactory.  It  was,  therefore,  suggested  that  the  questions 
in  the  Form  for  admission  of  those  baptized  in  infancy,  suggested 
by  the  Apostles'  Creed,  should  be  allowed  as  alternative  questions; 
but  that  also  the  references  to  other  parts  of  the  Standards  be  in- 
serted, to  explain  "good"  as  incapable  of  any  saving  good,"  that  be- 
ing the  Catechism's  explanation  of  "good  works,"  Question  91 ;  and 
that  the  "Articles  of  Faith"  be  explained  as  meaning  the  Apostles' 
Creed. 

This  report  of  Com.  on  Overtures  was  adopted  in  place  of  that 
of  the  Special  Committee;  1883,  299,  303. 

But  in  1884,  overtures  were  received  from  several  Classes  about 
the  unconstitutionality  of  alternative  questions  for  adults,  as  reported 
in  1883.  Resolutions  were,  therefore,  adopted  to  submit  the  refer- 
ences or  foot-notes  proposed,  and  the  yet  unadopted  Form  of  those 
baptized  in  infancy  to  the  Classes  for  their  approval;  1884,  419,  501;. 
But  the  proposal,  of  Constitutional  amendments  by  foot-notes,  was 
rejected  by  the  Classes;  1885,  702-6.  The  history  of  the  adoption  of 
the  Liturgy  in  America  was  now  excellently  reviewd,  as  well  as  the 
more  recent  efforts  to  amend  it.  None  of  the  newly-proposed  Forms 
had  yet  been  adopted  except  the  Marriage  Form,  altho'  they  had 
been  printed  as  specimens.  The  report  suggested  that  marginal  ref- 
erences to  other  parts  of  the  Standards  might  be  appended,  by  reso- 
lution, without  making  them  Constitutional  amendments;  that  present 
foot-notes,  so  far  as  they  represent  better  translations  might  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  text;  and  that,  without  disturbing  the  old  Forms,  ad- 
ditional Forms  might  be  added,  according  to  the  necessities  of  the 
times;  that  a  Committee  should  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  Critical 
Edition  of  the  Constitution,  accurate  as  to  translation,  arrangement, 
etc.,  for  publication.  This  report  was  adopted,  and  such  Committee 
was  appointed;  1885,  702,  713.  That  Special  Committee  reported  in 
1886,  150-155.  They  presented,  in  the  first  place,  an  accurate  historical 
arrangement  of  the  different  parts  of  the  Constitution.  These  em- 
braced, first,  the  Standards  of  Doctrine;  secondly,  the  Liturgy,  giving 
first  the  Obligatory  Forms,  and  then  the  Optional  Forms;  and  finally, 
the  Rules  of  Church  Government. 

Reference  was  then  made  to  the  work  of  the  Committees 
on  the  Revision  of  the  Liturgy;  that  it  had  not  touched  "Doctrine/' 
but  that  it  had  been  limited  to  improving  the  translations,  bracket- 
ing certain  portions,  and  proposing  some  new  Offices;  that  in  1878, 
105,  upon  the  Synod's  recommendation,  the  Classes  had  approved  the 
printing  of  these  new  Offices  as  "specimens."  This  Com.  now  pro- 
posed that  these  "specimens"  should  be  recommended  to  the  Classes 
for    Constitutional    adoption    as    Optional    Forms.     This    was    accord- 


376         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

ingly  done;  1886,  156,  resolution  2.  In  the  publication  of  a  "Critical 
Edition  of  the  Constitution,"  the  Com.  referred  to  the  importance 
of  careful  editorial  supervision,  to  distinguish  the  Constitution  proper, 
from  Synodical  Forms  of  Certificates,  etc. 

In  the  second  place,  this  Com.,  in  accordance  with  directions  of 
Synod  in  1885,  706,  attempted  to  improve  the  translations  of  the  Ques- 
tions in  the  Forms  of  Baptism;  the  foot-notes  were  transferred  to  the 
margin  or  to  the  text,  and  references  were  given  to  the  Standards 
to  explain  alleged  ambiguous  words.  Thus — "to  be  the  true  and 
complete"  (for  perfect)  "  doctrine  of  salvation,"  in  the  2nd  question, 
under  Infant  Baptism,  and  in  the  Form  of  the  Supper,  "judgment 
was  substituted  for  "damnation" — "eateth  and  drinketh  judgment  to 
himself."  All  foot-notes  were  thus  abolished.  Also  the  reference 
to  I  Cor.  7;  14,  as  explaining  "sanctified  in  Christ,"  was  put  on  the 
margin,  opposite  this  expression,  in  first  question  under  Infant  Bap- 
tism; and  references,  to  the  Catechism  and  Canons,  were  put  oppo- 
site the  second  question  in  Form  of  Adult  Baptism,  to  explain  "wholly 
incapable  of  any  good";  and  opposite  the  fourth  question  to  ex- 
plain "Articles  of  the  Christian  Religion."  See  under  "Constitution, 
1886." 

The  changes,  as  proposed  by  this  Special  Committee  on  a  Critical 
Edition  of  the  Constitution,  were  not  considered  to  be  amendments 
to  the  Constitution,  (1885,  706).  They  were,  therefore,  adopted 
simply  by  resolution.  1886,  151-156.  Yet,  thro'  delay  or  neglect,  no 
edition  of  the  Liturgy  with  these  changes  in  it  was  ever  issued. 

In  1887,  374,  it  was  found  that  only  12  Classes  out  of  34  had  ap- 
proved the  new  Optional  Forms.  The  Synod  now  enjoined  the 
•Classes  to  take  action.  In  1888,  607,  "a  few  additional  returns"  were 
received,  "but  not  enough  to  establish  the  proposed  changes." 
[The  implication  is,  that  out  of  the  six  additional  Classes 
needed  to  adopt  the  new  Forms,  only  3  or  4  had  voted  to  adopt.] 
•Carelessly,  the  number  was  not  given.  In  1889,  831,  four  riiore  Classes 
reported,  three  approving,  and  one  disapproving  the  new  Optional 
Forms.  It  was  probable  that  enough  Classes  had  now  approved 
these  Forms,  (18  were  required),  to  make  them  Constitutionally 
;adopted,  but  thro'  the  imperfection  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  of 
1888,  surety  was  lacking.  No  declaration  as  to  the  result  was,  there- 
fore, made. 

Additional  Amendments  Suggested. 

Form  for  Ordination  of  a  Missionary.     Prayers  for  Sabbath-schools  and 

Families. 

In  the  meantime,  however,  in  1888,  688,  by  resolution,  another 
Committee  was  appointed  "to  recommend  such  additions  to  the  Liturgy 
■of  the  Reformed  Church,  as  may  make  it  a  more  available  and  com- 
prehensive Manual  for  service  and  worship,  and  report  at  the  next 
General   Synod."     Such   Committee  was  appointed. 

Report,  1889,  858-870.  A  new  Office  for  the  Ordination  of  a  Mis- 
sionary was  proposed;  860-3.  Two  Forms  of  Prayer  were  presented 
for  the  opening  of  the  Sunday  School;  863-4.  Forms  of  Family  Prayer 
were  also  prepared  sufficient  for  a  week.  Also  certain  rubrics  were 
prepared,  explaining  the  uses  of  the  Liturgy,  and  suggestions  about 
its  publication.  These  Forms  were  recommended  to  the  Classes  for 
approval. 

In  1890,  17  Classes  had  approved  the  Form  for  the  Ordination  of 
a  Missionary,  and  4  disapproved.  Eighteen  Classes  were  necessary 
to  adopt.  Twelve  Classes  approved  the  new  Forms  of  Prayers, 
■while  9  disapproved.  The  Classes  were  exhorted  to  vote.  1890,  114. 
In  1891,  it  was  found  that  22  Classes  had  approved  the  Form  for  the 


LITURGY  377 

Ordination  of  a  Missionary,  and  4  had  disapproved.  Declared  adopted. 
— 16  Classes  had  now  voted  in  favor  of  the  new  Forms  of  Prayer; 
10  had  disapproved.     Xot  yet  adopted. 

Nothing  further  occurs  in  reference  to  the  vote  on  these  prayers 
until  1896,  when  the  following  is  found  : — The  Classis  of  New  York 
inquired  whether  the  additions  to  the  Liturgy  reported  in  1889  had 
been  adopted.     The  Classis  of  Westchester  having  voted  affirmatively. 

Resolved,  That  a  majority  of  the  Classes  having  approved  of  the 
proposed  additions  to  the  Liturgy,  reported  by  the  Committee  of  the 
General  Synod  of  1889,  this  Synod  declares  the  same  adopted  and 
authoritative  in  the  terms  of  their  enactment.     1896,  414. 

Action  on  the  Liturgy,   1900-1906. 

In  1900,  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church  suggested  the 
following: 

Resolved,  That  a  Special  Committee  be  appointed  to  revise  our 
Forms  for  Installation  and  Ordination,  or  to  prepare  new  Forms  as 
follows  : 

(i)  A  distinct  Form  for  the  Ordination  of  a  Minister  inde- 
pendently of  the  service  of  installation. 

(2)  A  distinct  Form  for  the  Installation  of  a  Minister  already 
ordained. 

(3)  A  distinct  Form  of  Ordination  and  Installation  at  the  same 
time. 

(4)  A  revised  Form  for  the  Ordination  of  a  Missionary. 

(5)  A  revised  Form  for  the  Ordination  of  Elders  and  Deacons, 
and  a  distinct  Form  for  the  Installation  of  Elders  and  Deacons  pre- 
viously ordained. 

Resolved,  That  a  Special  Committee  be  charged  with  the  duty 
of  revising  the  Baptismal  Forms;  and  that  this  same  Committee  be 
instructed  to  prepare  a  Form  which  may  be  used  in  the  reception 
of  members  who  come  by  certificate  from  other  churches.  1900, 
830;   names   of  Committees,  845.     See   Baptismal    Forms. 

Reports  on  these  New  Forms,  1901,  1155-1186.  General  report 
on  the  Installation  and  Ordination  Forms,  1155-1157:  proposed  new 
Forms  for  ordaining  ministers,  1158-1165;  for  installing  a  minister 
immediately  after  his  ordination,  1165-1169;  for  installing  ministers 
at  other  times,  1169-1176.     Sent  down  to  the  Classes,  1176. 

General  report  on  the  Baptismal  Forms;  1177-1178;  history  of 
these  Forms  in  America,  1179-1180;  proposed  amended  Forms,  1181, 
1182.     Recommended  to  the   Classes,   1181. 

Proposed  Form  for  the  Public  Reception  of  Members  received 
by  Certificate  from  Other  Churches,  and  of  those  Received  on  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  who  have  been  Baptized  in  Infancy,  1183-1185.  Rec- 
ommended to  the  Classes,  1185. 

Action  of  the  Classes  on  all  these  Forms;  1902,  119-121.  Seven 
Classes  approved  of  all  the  Forms  and  amendments;  seven  other 
Classes  approved  of  some  of  them  and  rejected  others,  or  made  their 
approval  conditional  upon  further  revision.  Eighteen  Classes  dis- 
approved or  gave  only  a  qualified  approval,  and  suggested  further 
revision.     Recapitulation  of  views;   120. 

Action  of  General  Synod: 

Resolved,  I.  That  a  committe  of  eight  ministers  and  five  lay- 
men be  appointed  to  whom  the  whole  subject  under  consideration 
be  referred,  together  with  the  action  of  the  Classes  pertaining  there- 
to, and  also  the  minority  report  to  the  last  Synod. 

Resolved,  II.  That  this  Commitee  be  instructed  to  prepare 
amended  Forms  conforming  as  nearly  as  may  be  to  the  prevailing 
views  of  the  Classes,  and  to  be  submitted  to  the  next  General  Synod. 


378         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Resolved,  III.  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Synod  that  in  these 
Forms  simplicity,  dignity  and  brevity  should  be  sought,  rather  than 
elaboration  of  form. 

Resolved,  IV.  That  the  Committee  be  instructed  to  have  the  re- 
sults of  their  work  accurately  printed,  and  two  copies  sent  to  each 
church  in  time  for  careful  consideration  before  the  Spring  meeting 
of  the  Classes. 

Resolved,  V.  That  this  Committee  consist  of  the  following  per- 
sons, Revs.  M.  H.  Hutton,  J.  R.  Duryee,  J.  W.  Beardslee,  G.  H.  Dub- 
bink,  W.  S.  Cranmer,  E.  P.  Johnson,  F.  S.  Schenck;  Laymen: — D. 
J.  Diekema,  David  Murray,  J.  S.  Bussing,  F.  J.  Collier,  Samuel  Row- 
land with  power  to  fill  vacancies.  Rev.  E.  A.  Collier  and  Elder  Ben- 
son Van  Vliet  were  added  to  the   Committee.     1902,   121. 

Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  in  1902,  121,  is  found  in  1903, 
427-464,  embracing  almost  the  entire  revised  Liturgy.  General  re- 
port: 428-434;  Forms  for  Baptism;  434-440;  Forms  for  Public  Recog- 
nition of  Adults  as  Members  of  a  Church;  440-442;  Forms  for  Ad- 
ministration of  the  Lord's  Supper;  442-449;  also  427;  Marriage  Form, 
449-452;  Burial  Form,  452-3;  Forms  of  Ordination  and  Installation  of 
Ministers;  453-460;  for  ordaining  and  Installing  Elders  and  Deacons,  460- 
464. — These  were  recommended  to  the  Classes  for  adoption;  1903, 
427. 

Reports  of  the  Classes;  1904,  773-5.  Proposed  revision  rejected 
by  a  vote  of  18  to  16  Classes.  Analysis  of  the  vote.  Twenty-five 
Classes  out  of  34  desire  some  revision.  A  new  Committee  ap- 
pointed, of  which  Rev.  E.  B.  Coe  was  Chairman.     Instructions;  774. 

Report  of  Committee  of  1904,  774. — General  report;  1905,  177-179. 
Revised  Forms  of  Baptism;  179-183;  Reception  into  Full  Communion 
of  those  Baptized  in  Infancy;  183-185.  Public  Recognition  of  Mem- 
bers who  have  been  received  into  the  Church;  186-7.  Forms  for  the 
Administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper:  The  Present  Form;  the 
Abridged  Form;  187-194.  Forms  of  Church  Disciplia^e,  194-196. 
Forms  for  Ordination  and  Installation  of  Ministers;  196-202.  Form 
for  Ordination  of  a  Missionary;  202-206.  The  Confirmation  of  ]Mar- 
riage,  206-208.  The  Burial  of  the  Dead,  208-216.  Recommended  to 
the  Classis  for  approval;   1905,  216. — Approved,   1906. 

Livingston,  John  H.,  (Rev.  Dr.).  President  of  Convention  at 
the  adoption  of  the  Articles  of  Union,  1771,  7;  elected  Professor  of 
Sacred  Theology,  1784,  124-5;  his  Inaugural  Address  in  Latin  on  "The 
Truth  of  the  Christian  Religion,"  1785,  135;  requested  to  compile  a 
better  version  of  the  Psalms,  1787,  167;  reports;  some  hymns  to  be 
added,  and  the  Standards  and  Liturgy  to  be  printed  therewith,  1788, 
182;  the  book  in  press,  1789,  199;  its  issue,  1790,  212. 

Appointed  Chairman  of  Committee  to  translate  the  Standards  and 
the  Rules  of  Church  Government  into  English,  with  additions  from 
the  Acts  of  the  American  Synod,  1788,  185;  partial  reports,  1789,  201; 
1790,  210,  211;  May,  1791,  217-219;  Oct.,  1791,  226;  final  report,  and 
adoption  of  the  Constitution,  1792,  235-6;  report  on  the  printing  of  the 
Constitution,  1793,  245-6. 

To  take  charge  of  books  for  the  use  of  students,  1794,  258-9;  ar- 
rangements made  with  Collegiate  Church  respecting  division  of  Dr. 
Livingston's  time,  as  Professor,  and  his  salary,  1794,  261-2;  Synod 
informs  Dr.  Livingston  that  they  are  unable  to  raise  a  Professorial 
Fund,  1797,  269;  made  President  of  General  Synod.  1803;  made  "Per- 
manent Professor,"  1804,  339;  elected  President  of  Queens  College, 
and  Professor  of  Theology  therein,  1809,  382;  declines  the  Presidency, 
387;  removes  to  New  Brunswick  in  1810;  see  1812,  416,  429,  (old  ed. 
27,  47;)  first  official  communication  from,  concerning  the  New 
Brunswick   Seminary,    1812,  415-418;   his   salary,  417. 


LIVINGSTON,  JOHN  H.  (REV.  DR  )  379 

The  Psalm  and  Hymn  Book  of  1790,  referred  to  him  for  revision, 
1812,  424,  (40,);  prepared  a  "Funeral  Service,"  419,  420,  (33,);  reports 
on  the  Revised  Hymn  Book,  1813,  15-18;  makes  certain  observations 
on  the  inadequacy  of  the  Professorial  Fund,  1814,  45;  arrearages  of 
his  salary  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Principal,  46;  his  portrait,  painted  by 
Mr.  Ames  of  Albany,  presented  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  to 
be  preserved  in  the  Theological  Hall,  1815,  53;  [now  in  Kirkpatrick 
Chapel]  ;  presents  his  book  to  Synod  on  A  Dissertation  on  the  Mar- 
riage of  a  Man  with  his  Sister-in-law,  1816,  43;  his  faithfulness  and 
diligence  commended,  1818,  13;  1819,  11;  1824,  8;  is  requested  to  pub- 
lish his  Lectures  on  Theology,  1819,  10;  his  death  on  Jan.  20,  1825, 
Jan.,  [Feb.],  1825,  5;  a  monument  to  be  prepared,  6;  his  epitaph,  1825, 
43,  44;  cost  of  tombstones  [for  Profs.  Livingston  and  Woodhull] 
$331.82;  1826,  30,  63;  Rev.  Alexander  Gunn  requested  to  write  a  Memoir 
of,  1828,  137;  his  compensation,  to  be  75  per  cent,  of  the  profits,  1829, 
153-5;  the  Board  of  Direction  ordered  to  pay  $600  to  Dr.  Gunn's 
widow,  1831,  241,  261;  286;  delay  in  payment,  1831,  317-319;  the  Board 
directed  to  advance  the  $600,  372-3. 

Col.  Henry  A.  Livingston  puts  the  Lectures  of  his  father  at  the 
disposal  of  the  Synod,  1831,  389;  committee  reported  that  they  were 
not  in  condition  for  publication,  withont  revision;  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  C. 
Brownlee  requested  to  revise  them,  1832,  23-25;  Dr.  Browmlee  de- 
clined, Oct.,  1832,  100;  ordered  to  be  bound,  and  deposited  in  the  Li- 
brary, Oct.,  1832,  142;  1833,  163-4.     See  Neal,  Rev.  Ava. 

Balance  of  edition  of  Dr.  Livingston's  Memoir  given  to  S.  S. 
Board,  for  the  use  of  the  Schools,  1844,  297,  369.  Second  edition 
published,  1856. 

Rev.  Dr.  F.  M.  Kip,  in  the  name  of  his  late  father,  Isaac  L.  Kip, 
presented  to  the  Seminary  a  beautiful  portrait  of  Dr.  Livingston. 
Accepted  with  thanks,  i860,  485,  559. 

Livingston,  Mary  T.  Bequeaths  $100  to  the  Permanent  Fund, 
1840,  336. 

Livingston  Scholarship.  Certain  funds  to  be  appropriated  for 
founding  such  a  Scholarship,  1832,  70;  not  done;  no  such  funds  on 
hand,  1835,  424,  453. 

Loans.  Board  of  Corporation  formerly  limited  to  making  loans 
for  more  than  a  year;  now  extended  to  five  years.     1882,  59. 

London  Missionary  Society.  Offers  £200  for  the  expense  of  the 
return  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Scudder  to  India;  and  i200  more  for  his  support 
in  the  field.     1862,  196. 

Long  Island,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1813,  by  a  division  of  the 
Classis  of  New  York;  1812,  421;  consisting  then  of  the  following 
churches:  Bushwick,  Flatbush,  Flatlands,  Gravesend,  Jamaica,  New- 
town, New  Utrecht,  Oyster  Bay,  Staten  Island,  Success.  [It  will  be 
observed  that  Brooklyn  was  left  in  Classis  of  New  York,  1814,  25, 
26.] 

Lord's  Day.  See  Sabbath;  Prayers  in  Liturgy  for  the  Lord's 
Day. 

Lordship  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts,  26,  37;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
34,  46,  47-52. 

Lord's  Prayer.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  119-129. 

Lord's  Supper.  Doctrine  of:  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  33,  35;  Heid. 
Cat.,  Quests.  65-68,  75-82;  Form  for  the  Administration  of,  in  Liturgy. 
[At  the  end  of  the  Compendium,  the  following  is  found: 

When  those  who  are  inclined  to  become  members  in  full  com- 
munion of  the  church,  and  to  approach  the  Holy  Supper  of  the  Lord, 
thoroughly  know  and  confess  these  fundamental  truths,  they  are  then 


38o         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

to  be  asked  whether  they  have  any  doubt  in  any  point  concerning 
the  doctrine;  to  the  end  they  may  be  satisfied;  and  in  case  any  of 
them  should  answer  in  the  affirmative,  endeavours  must  be  used  to 
convince  them  from  the  scriptures;  and  if  satisfied,  they  must  be 
asked  whether  they  have  experienced  the  power  of  the  truth  in 
their  hearts,  and  are  willing  and  desirous  to  be  saved  by  Jesus 
Christ  from  their  sins;  and  whether  they  propose,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  to  persevere  in  this  doctrine,  to  forsake  the  world,  and  to  lead 
a  new  Christian  life. 

Lastly,  they  are  to  be  asked,  whether  they  will  submit  them- 
selves  to  the   Christian  discipline. 

Which  being  done,  they  are  to  be  exhorted  to  peace,  love  and 
concord  with  all  men,  and  to  reconciliation,  if  there  is  any  variance 
subsisting  between  them  and  their  neighbours. 

The  clause  "whether  they  have  experienced  the  power  of  the 
truth  in  their  hearts,"  was  not  in  the  older  editions;  is  not  in  the  Con- 
stitutions of  1793  and  1815;  it  first  appears  in  the  Hymn  Book  is- 
sued by  Dr.  Livingston  in  1814;  and  has  been  incorporated  in  all  edi- 
tions of  the  Constitution,  (except  1815,)  and  of  the  Hymns  Books, 
since.     E.  T.  C] 

Constitutional  Rules  of:  [Rules  of  1619,  Arts.  23,  59,  61-63,  76-78, 
82;  of  1792,  Arts.  27,  32,  S3,  61-63;  of  1833,  Arts.  30,  50,  53-57,  72,  87, 
88,  114-116;]  of  1874,  now  in  force;  Arts.  28,  43,  46-50,  64,  77,  78,  106- 
108. 

Members  of  other  churches,  and  of  other  Denominations  ought, 
in  general,  to  have  certificates,  before  being  admitted  to  communion, 
1775,  62,  63;  inter-communion  of  members  of  Churches  in  Correspond- 
ence, allowed,  1800,  283,  297;  the  Lord's  Supper  to  be  celebrated  on 
the  second  day  of  General  Synod's  session,  1800,  310;  Classes  to  see 
to  it  that  the  Lord's  Supper  is  administered  in  vacant  churches  at 
least  once  a  year,  1817,  37;  the  cases  of  habitual  neglecters  of  the 
Supper,  being  members,  referred  to  Synod;  Synod  refused  to  act 
on  abstract  cases,  1824,  44,  46;  duty  of  humiliation  and  f)rayer,  before 
the  Lord's  Supper,  for  the  revival  of  religion,  1826,  36;  the  Synod 
to  celebrate  the  Supper  on  the  Sabbath  during  its  session;  ,  .  . 
resolution  revoked;  to  be  celebrated  on  the  afternoon  of  the  second 
day,  1853,  320;  recommended  to  the  Particular  Synods  to  celebrate 
the  Lord's  Supper,  1854,  420;  arrangements  for  celebrating  the  Sup- 
per referred  to  a  Committee,  1855,  537;  see  "Form  for  Administra- 
tion of,"  under  date,  with  attempts  at  revision;  arrangements  for; 
to  be  referred  hereafter  to  the  Committee  on  Devotional  Exercises, 
1856,  55;  for  efforts  to  revise  or  abridge  the  Form,  see  Liturgy. 

Lost  Minutes.     1815,  73.     See  Minutes  of  General  Synod. 

LoTT,  John  A.,  (Hon.).  Gives  $1,000  to  Hope  College,  1879,  336. 
Held  by  the  Council. 

LoTT,  Peter.  Gives  $3,000  to  establish  the  "Sarah  Suydam  Lott 
Scholarship,"  1896,  288,  318;  his  Estate  gives  $2,850  to  the  Educational 
Fund,  1903,  274. 

Lott,  Sarah  Suydam,  Scholarship,  $3,000.     1896,  288.     See  above. 

Love.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  4,  86-129. 

Love  of  God.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  16-23;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  12- 
85;  Canons,  i.,  2,  3. 

Love  to  God,  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  4,  86-104. 

Love  to  Man,  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  4,  105-  129. 

Loyalty  to  the  United  States.  See  National  Affairs;  Revolu- 
tion;  Rebellion. 


LUDLOW,  JOHN   (REV.  DR.)  381 

Ludlow,  John,  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Professor  of  Biblical  Litera- 
ture and  Ecc.  History,  1819,  39;  1820,  15.  Resigned,  Feb.,  1823,  5-8; 
Synod  refused  to  accept  his  resignation;  subscriptions  to  endowment 
promised  on  condition  of  his  remaining;  resigns  positively,  1823,  14- 
16;  resignation  finally  accepted,  1823,  54-56. 

Elected  again  Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist,  and  Ch.  Government.  Declines, 
Sept.,  1825,  27.       ( 

President  of  General  Synod,   1826. 

Elected  by  Bd.  of  Direction  and  General  Synod  as  agent  to  visit 
Holland,  to  raise  funds  for  Endowment  of  Seminary,  with  special 
offers  of  introduction,  etc.,  by  the  Dutch  Minister  Plenipotentiary, 
(Chevalier  C.  D.  E.  J.  Bangeman  Huyghens;)  but  declined.  1827, 
19,  38. 

Elected  Prof,  of  Biblical  Literature;  declined;  Nov.,  1831,  8;  1832, 
64. 

Elected  President  of  Rutgers  College,  by  the  Trustees,  and  by 
General  Synod;  declined;  1839,  313-317;  331. 

Elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  Theology;  declined;  Sept.,  1841,  26. 

Elected  Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist,  and  (Ih.  Gov.,  1852,  272-5;  accepted. 
Died,  1857,  131-2;  257;  1858,  273. 

[Was  Provost  of  University  of  Pennsylvania,  1834-52.] 

Portrait  presented,  1863,  247,  250. 

Lutheran  Church.  Its  minister,  one  of  the  Trustees  of  Kings 
College,  N.  Y.  C.     I755,  96. 

Lutherans.     See  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. 

Lying.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  112;  deserves  suspension.  Constitu- 
tion of  1874,  Art.  91. 

Lynch  Law.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  deplores  and  depre- 
cates the  prevalence  of  "Lynch  law"  in  many  parts  of  our  country, 
and  requests  our  several  Classes  and  Churches  to  unite  with  the 
moral  and  religious  press  of  the  country,  to  create  a  controlling  pub- 
lic opinion  against  it,  and  to  influence  our  legislatures  and  our  courts 
of  justice  to  so  reform  our  laws  and  modes  of  criminal  procedure,  that 
justice  shall  not  miscarry,  and  that  the  common  pretext  for  these 
summary  and  lawless  proceedings  may  be  removed.     1894,   129-130. 

Mabon,  John  S.  (Rev.).  Appointed  by  Bd.  of  Superintendents 
to  teach  the  Hebrew  and  Greek,  1819,  9,  11,  12;  his  death,  1849,  462. 

Mabon,  Wm.  V.  V.,  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Prof,  of  Did.  and 
Pol.  Theology,  Oct.,  1881,  9,  10,  12;  died  Nov.  3,  1892;  1893,  748,  750, 
755;  1894,  17- 

M'Clelland,  Alex.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Prof,  in  Dickinson  College,  Car- 
lisle, Pa.,  chosen  Prof,  of  Languages  in  Rutgers  College,  in  place 
of  Dr.  Nelson,  1830,  281;  instructs  Junior  Class  in  Hebrew,  in  Sem- 
inary, 1832,  22;  elected  Prof,  of  Biblical  Literature,  1832,  64-66,  95; 
his  induction  into  office,  '33,  162;  appointed  Prof,  of  Oriental  Litera- 
ture in  Rutgers  College,  212;  his  sermon  on  Spiritual  Regeneration 
brought  to  attention  of  Synod,  1834,  283;  report  on,  285;  action  of 
Synod,  disapproving  of  the  Sermon,  but  accepting  of  his  declaration 
of  full  belief  in  the  Standards,  301-319,  333;  claims  to  be  free  from 
teaching  in  the  College,  by  act  of  his  appointment,  '38,  173-4;  new^ 
Plan  for  certain  duties  in  the  College,  '39,  278,  308,  312,  315;  refuses 
to  give  instruction  in  College  on  Evidences  of  Christianity, 
'44,  294;  exhorted  to  do  it,  '44,  246;  action  of  Synod,  371; 
asks  for  prepayment  of  salary  to  go  to  Europe,  1851,  132; 
his  resignation,  188;  notice  of  his  death,   1865,  579. 

McDouGALL,  John  R.  (Rev.)  Delegate  from  the  Evangelization  Com- 
mittee of  the  Free  Church  of  Italy.     1874,  45. 


382         DIGEST   OFSYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

McDovvALL,  RoBT.  (Rev.)  His  missionary  labors  in  Canada,  1800,  307, 
(old  ed.  21,)  ;  conference  with  him,  1806,  349,  (12,)  ;  letter  on  Canada 
missions,  351-3,  (15-18,)  ;  donation  from  Synod  of  $60,  356-7,  (23,)  ;  later 
missionaries  to  consult  with  him,  1809,  386,  (21,)  ;  a  copy  of  Scott's  Com- 
mentary to  be  presented  to  him,  1816,  36;  1817,  13,  36;  recommends  Abner 
Wright  for  a  dispensation;  case  referred  to  the  Classis  of  Albany,  24,  30; 
other  theological  books  sent  him,  to  amount  of  $30.37^,  the  value  of 
Scott's  Bible,  818,  8. 

McKiNLEY,  William,  (President).  Receives  Committee  of  Alliance, 
Dec.  29,  1898,  on  the  subject  of  International  Arbitration,  proposed  by  the 
Czar  of  Russia,  and  on  Disarmament;  his  sympathy  on  the  subject,  1899, 
471 ;  Synod  appeals  to  him,  as  Head  of  the  Army,  to  suspend  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquor,  as  a  beverage,  and  in  the  territories  under  military 
occupation,   1899,  503. 

McMuRRAY,  Wm.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1818;  mem- 
ber of  Bd.  of  Direction,  1826-33 ;  delegate  to  Presbyterian  Assembly,  1828, 
109;  1833,  182,  267;  delegate  to  Ger.  Church,  1834,  268. 

Magazine  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  Edited  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Wm.  C.  Brownlee.  1826-1830.  A  monthly.  4  Volumes.  The  predecessor 
of  the  Christian  Intelligencer.  The  issuing  of  a  Periodical  Magazine  was 
recommended  to  the  Board  of   Missions  by  the   following: 

"Resolved,  That  this  Synod  recommend  to  the  Boards  of  Managers  of 
the  Missionary  Society  of  the  R.  D.  C.  the  issuing  of  a  periodical  publi- 
cation, as  a  necessary  vehicle,  to  spread  abroad  in  all  the  borders  of  the 
Church  such  general  and  particular  information  as  is  necessary ;  and  that 
the  Synod  recommend  the  same  to  the  patronage  of  the  Church ;  and  the 
Synod  warmly  recommend  to  all  their  churches  the  favorable  reception 
of  any  agent  or  agents  sent  among  them  by  the  Missionary  Society,  in 
the  furtherance  of  their  laudable  efforts  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  Sept., 
1825,  31,  32. 

The  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missionary  Society  accordingly  issued 
a  Circular  of  two  pages.  They  spoke  of  the  importance  of  diffusing 
religious  information,  and  invigorating  missionary  efforts.  They  pro- 
posed, at  first,  to  call  it  "The  Missionary  Herald  of  the  R.  D.  Church," 
but  the  name  was  changed  to  the  above.  It  was  to  be  a  monthly,  of  32 
pages,  containing  a  history  of  R.  D.  C,  proceedings  of  Synod  and  Classes 
and  of  the  Missionary  Society,  religious  intelligence,  biography,  editorials, 
obituaries,  sermons,  etc.,  etc.,  $1.50  per  annum,  payable  on  the  issue  of  the 
sixth  number,  to  the  Missionary  Society,  for  its  benefit,  etc.  Second 
Appendix  to  Sept.,  1825.  Commended,  1826,  36.  Exceptional  matter,  as 
alleged,  having  appeared,  a  Committee  to  report  thereon ;  the  matter 
referred  to  animadversions  upon  debates  and  proceedings  of  Synod, 
reflecting  on  certain  members,  upon  which  Synod  expressed  its  unqualified 
disapprobation,  1828,  135-6. 

Magistrates.  Believers  must  unite  with  the  True  Church,  not- 
withstanding Magistrates  oppose;  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  28;  object  of 
Magistrates;  Belg.  Conf.;  Art.  36;  Held.  Cat.,  Quests.  38,  loi,  105.  All 
reference  to  Magistrates  is  omitted  in  the  Church  Constitutions  (Rules 
of  Government,  of  1833  and  1874;  but  in  the  Constitution  of  1619,  in 
Holland,  their  duties  are  referred  to.  See  1619  Arts.  28,  66;  also,  in 
Amerian  Constitution  of  1792,  the  matter  is  touched  upon,  that  the 
Church  should  request  the  Civil  Rulers  to  appoint  days  of  fasting, 
and  prayer;  also  thanksgiving  days,  Art.  66.  In  a  note  to  Art.  35, 
it  is  said  that  in  America,  the  approbation  of  Magistrates,  to  minis- 
terial calls,  is  no  longer  necessary,  1792,  Art.  35,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  Preface  to  the  Constitution  of  1792,  it  is  said,  that  in  the  transla- 
tion of  the  Articles  of  Church  Government  of  1619.  all  allusions 
found    therein    to   "Magistrates"   is    omitted.     In    1791,    Synod    decides 


MAGNIFICAT,  THE  383 

what  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  in  America  should  consist  of, 
namely.  "Doctrine,  Liturgy  and  Government,"  omitting  all  reference 
to  State-Churches,  and  position  of  Magistrates  therein.  May,  1791, 
218. 

Magnificat,  The.     See  1619,  Art.  69;  Hymnology. 

Mail  on  the  Sabbath.  The  Church  requested  to  unite  with  other 
Denominations,  in  petitioning  Congress  to  prevent  the  transporta- 
tion and  opening  of  the  mail,  on  the  Sabbath;  Form  of  Petition,  1815, 
53,  54;  the  pleasure  of  Synod  referred  to,  in  that  the  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral, [Wanamaker]  is  seeking  to  lessen  the  handling  and  distribu- 
tion of  mail  on  the  Sabbath,  1899,  871,  7.     See  Sabbath. 

Maintenance  of  the  Ministry.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  103.  See  an 
able  Report  of  the  Com.  of  Classis  of  Albany,  on  "Ministerial  Sup- 
port," by  Rev.  Dr.  John  A.  Lansing;   1854,  PP-  4i-     See  Ministry. 

Majorities.  Professors  chosen  by  a  majority  vote;  Rules  of 
1792,  Art.  21;  of  1833,  Art.  25;  of  1874,  by  a  vote  of  three-fourths  of 
the  members  present.  Art.  22. — A  majority  of  the  Consistory,  regu- 
larly convened  is  a  quorum;  Rules  of  1833,  Art.  52;  of  1874,  Art.  45. 
See  legal  article  in  Christian  Intelligencer  on  "Rights  of  Majorities," 
on  March  24,  1881.  by  Benj.  V.  Abbott. 

Man.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  17;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  6;  Canons, 
iii.,   I. 

Mandeville,  Giles  H.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Member  of  the  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion, 1862-85;  Corresponding  Sec.  of,  1884-1900;  treasurer  of,  1898-1902; 
resigns;   1900,  727-8,  734,  737-8;  died  Nov.  8,  1904. 

Manhood  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  18,  19;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest. 
35- 

Mann,  Alex.  M.   (Rev.  Dr.).     President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1851. 

Manual  Labor  Institution.  Synod  endorsed  a  plan  for  such  an 
Institution,  in  the  bounds  of  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  by  which 
young  men  could  contribute  to  their  own  support  while  securing  an 
education;  exhorted  the  churches  to  aid;  a  convention  to  be  held 
at  Kingston,  in  Sept.,  to  devise  a  plan,  etc.,  1835,  398-9,  400,  415;  to  be 
located  at  Xew  Paltz,  N.  Y.;  endorsed  as  a  Preparatory  School,  1836, 
503- 

Manual  of  Board  of  Education.     See  Education,  Board  of. 

Manual  of  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  See  Foreign  Missions, 
Board  of. 

Manual  of  Christian  Truth.     1889,  799. 

Manual  of  Instruction  Adapted  to  Young  Children.  1887,  321; 
1889,  802-7. 

Manual  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  Editions  of  1859, 
'69  '79,  1902,  presented  to  Gen.  Synod;  accepted  and  commended,  with 
thanks,  1869,  663;  1879,  421;  1903,  379.  See  Centennial  of  Xew  Bruns- 
wick Seminary,  479,  480. 

Manual  of  the  R.  P.  D.  Church,  1859.  First  edition  of  the 
above. 

Mark's  Medulla.  Adopted  as  a  Text  Book  in  Theology,  Sept., 
1825,  18,  26;  continued  as  a  Text-Book,  1833,  163,  219,  220;  1841,  522-3; 
Sept.,  1841,  16;  recommended  for  reference,  1888,  544. 

Marot,  Clement.  Translated  the  Psalms  into  French  verse,  for 
congregational  singing.  See  Baird's  Eutaxia,  28;  Beza,  Theodore. 
1792,  Art.  65. 

Marriage  or  Martimony.  For  Church  Law  in  Holland,  see  Con- 
stit.    of    1619,    Art.    70.     In     first    American     Constitution,     ministers 


384         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Emeriti,  not  allowed  to  celebrate  marriage  without  permission  of  Classis, 
1792,  Art.   17;   a  record  must  be  kept  of  every  marriage,    1792,  Art.  3^; 

1833,  Art.  55 ;  1874,  Art.  48. 

A  Form  of  Marriage  provided  in  Liturgy  of  1792;  see  Edition  of 
Constitution,  1793,  pp.  190-8;  for  later  Forms,  see  Liturgy;  but  these 
not  obligatory.     A  Form  of  Marriage  Certificate  provided  by  Synod, 

1834,  289,  291. 

There  was  much  Synodical  legislation  about  a  man  marrying 
his  deceased  wife's  sister,  all  of  which  was  finally  repealed  in  1843. 
This  is  treated  under  "Incest."  Marriages  on  the  Sabbath,  objected 
to,  because  of  the  hilarity  developed  therewith,  1781,  92.  The  mar- 
riage of  students  was  discussed,  1902,  56,  69,  70,  but  the  resolutions 
proposed,  not  passed;  such  marriages  were  finally  forbidden  with- 
out first  obtaining  formal  consent  of  the  Faculty;  without  such  con- 
sent, it  might  be  cause  for  susp>ension,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Faculty, 
1903*  330;  all  ministers  are  enjoined  not  to  marry  any  divorced  per- 
sons, except  the  innocent  party,  when  the  divorce  has  been  secured 
on  Scriptural  grounds;  nor  then,  until  after  a  year  from  the  date 
of  the  divorce,  1905,  218,  219.  See  Divorce.  Form  of  Marriage,  finally 
adopted,  1905,  206. 

Mary  Taber  Schell  Hospital.     See  Schell. 

Mason,  A.  DeWitt,  (Rev.  Dr.).  Editor  of  Missionary  Period- 
icals, and  General  Secretary  of  Young  People's  Mission  Work,  1894 
to  present  time   (1906). 

Mason,  John  M.  (Rev.  Dr.  and  Prof.).  His  Professorial  Cer- 
tificates to  be  honored,  1809,  388-9;  1812,  434;  1814,  45;  1815,  17;  dis- 
pensations to  study  elsewhere  than  in  R.  D.  Seminary,  disallowed, 
1815,  17,  41;  1816,  12,  31,  32. 

Mason  Memorial  Hospital — at  Bahrein,  Arabia.  $6,000  given  for 
a  Memorial  Hospital,  in  memory  of  Dr.  Theodore  L.  Mason,  and  his  son, 
Edward  DeWitt  Mason,  by  surviving  members  of  the  family.  Reported 
in  course  of  construction,  1902,  97,  loi ;  furnished  and  occupied  in  Oct., 
1902 ;  $600  additional  given  for  its  equipment,  by  the  original  donors.  Re- 
port of  Bd.  1903,  xii. 

Mason,  Theodore  L.  (M.  D.).  For  seveial  years  Vice-President 
of  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  died;   1882,  137. 

Masonry.     See  Free  Masonry. 

Massachusetts,  General  Association  of,  proposes  a  plan  of  Cor- 
respondence, 1823,  18;  committee  appointed  to  report  at  next  Synod, 
30;  kindly  feelings  toward;  fellowship  desirable  so  far  as  consists 
with  mutual  comfort  and  edification;  their  former  standards  excel- 
lent, but  subscription  to,  no  longer  required;  their  Church  Govern- 
ment not  in  close  harmony  with  our  own;  cannot  discover  that  the 
advantages  from  such  a  Correspondence  would  exceed  the  incon- 
veniences; Synod  declines  to  appoint  a  Committee  of  Conference, 
1824,  27,  28.     See  Congregationalists. 

Mass,  The.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  35;   Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  80. 

Mathematics.  Prof,  of,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Trustees,  in 
Plan   to   revise   Queens   College,   Sept.,    1825,  20. 

Mather,  S.  Talmage.  Scholarship  of  $2,000  for  Arcot  IMission. 
Held  by  General  Synod,  1895,  51;  1896,  351. 

Mathews,  Geo.  D.,  (Rev.  Dr.).  General  Sec.  of  the  Alliance  of 
Ref.  Chs.,  (from  London,  England,)  bringing  also  the  salutations  of 
the  Refd.  Chs.  of  South  Africa,  addressed  the  Synod,  1895,  139;  hav- 
ing recently  returned  from  Poland  and  Russia,  again  addressed  the 
Synod,  speaking  of  the  progress  of  the  Stundist  movement  in  those 
countries,  and  of  the  importance  of  America  and  England  sending 
missionaries  thither  to  help  those  brave  reformers,   1902,   127. 


MATHEWS,  JAS.  M.   (REV.  DR.)  385 

Mathews,  Jas.  M.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Assistant  Prof,  of  Bib.  Lit.  in 
Mr.  Mason's  Associate  Reformed  Seminary,  New  York  City,  1809-18, 
at  which  a  number  of  R.  D.  ministers  studied;  Chancellor  of  X.  Y. 
University,  1831-9. 

Matriculation  Book.  First  suggested,  in  the  Centennial  Volume 
of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  by  the  editors,  page  480;  Faculty 
directed  to  have  such  a  Book  prepared,  and  begin  the  Seminary's 
second  century  by  signatures  therein,  1885,  735;  duty  performed.  '86, 
16;  incorporated  in  Plan  of  Seminary,  "88,  540. 

Matrimony.     See  Marriage. 

Means  of  Grace.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  103.  Expression  used  in 
Form  of  Call,  Constitutions  of  1792,  36;  of  1833,  60;  of  1874,  Art.  53. 

Mediation  of  Saints  and  Angels.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  26;  Heid. 
Cat.,  Quests.  14,  30;  Sacramental  Form. 

Mediator,  The.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  15-19. 
34,  46;   Canons,  i.  7;  v.  7. 

Medical  Missionaries.  Most  of  the  missionaries  have  also  taken 
a  course  in  medicine;  hospitals  generally  erected;  Lord  Napier's  com- 
mendations of,  1870,  119,  120;  physicians,  male  and  female,  of  ten,  sent 
by  the  Board;  see  lists  of  names;  in  view  of  the  increasing  demand 
for  physicians,  the  Bd.  of  Education  authorized  to  modify  its  rules, 
so  as  to  help  medical  students,  having  the  approbation  of  the  Bd.  of 
Foreign  Missions;  1896,  365,  370,  375;  ordination  of  Dr.  Otte.  348; 
and  of  Dr.  Silas  D.  Scudder  in  1862. 

Meditation  on  the  Word.  Enjoined  on  Elders  in  the  Form  of 
their  ordination. 

Meenk,  Alida.  Bestows  $9,178.68  to  the  Council  of  Hope  College, 
in  trust  for  the  Board  of  Benevolence,  1902,  76. 

Meenk,  Hiram  J.  Legacy  of  $384,  for  Bd.  of  Education.  See 
1905,  40. 

Meenk,  J.  A.  (Mrs.).     Gifts  for  students  in  Hope  College. 

Meiji  Gakuin;  A  Christian  College  in  North  Japan,  founded, 
1886.  See  Manual  of  1902,  270;  needs  an  endowment  of  $100,000;  Re- 
port of  Bd.  For.  Miss.  1903,  6;  1902,  96;  1904,  711;  report  of  Bd.  1905, 
57;   1906,  61-63. 

Meinema,  Benj.   (Rev.).     President  of  the  Coetus,  1750. 

Membership  of  the  Church.  Doctrinal:  Comes  by  baptism  and 
includes  infants;  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  74;  includes  all 
believers,  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  2S,  who  are  to  be  recognized  by  their  faith 
and  works;  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  29;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  54,  55,  85. 

Rules  of  Government:  All  baptized  persons  are  members;  Rules  of 
1619,  Arts.  56-58;  of  1792,  Arts.  57-60;  of  1833,  Arts.  86,  93;  of  1874, 
Arts.  76,  84. — See  Admission  of  Members ;  Dismission  of  Members. 

Privileges  and  Duties  of  Members:  either  directly  or  indirectly,  they 
elect  the  officers;  Rules  of  1619,  Arts.  22,  24;  of  1792,  Art.  26;  of  1833, 
Art.  33;  of  1874,  Art.  32;  choose  a  minister;  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  4;  of  1792, 
Arts.  34,  35;  of  1833,  Arts.  58,  59;  of  1874,  Arts.  51,  52;  must  support  the 
ministers;  Rules  of  1619,  Arts.  11,  13;  of  1792,  Arts.  36,  16;  of  1833,  Arts. 
60,  19 ;  of  1874,  Arts.  53,  16.  See  also  Forms  of  Installation  and  Classical 
Questions. 

Care  of  Members:  Must  be  watched  over  by  the  minister  and  elders; 
Rules  of  1619,  Art.  23;  of  1792,  Art.  32;  of  1833,  Arts.  30,  33;  of  1874, 
Arts.  28,  46. 

Allusions:  1781,  92;  1790,  211;  1809,  396;  1812,  404,  406,  428;  1889, 
833;  membership  can  be  dissolved  only  by  death,  or  dismission,  or  disci- 
pline; 1824,  46;  ministers  retain  their  membership  in  the  local  church  of 


386         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

which  they  were  members,  when  they  are  hcensed  to  preach,  1894,  128; 
roll  of  membership  to  be  revised  every  five  years,  1898,  145 ;  separate 
list  to  be  kept  of  non-resident  members,  1899,  507;  pastors  of  other 
churches  to  be  notified,  when  members  remove  within  their  bounds,  1900, 
829;  request  for  a  special  statistical  column,  for  non-resident  members, 
not  granted,  1900,  176. 

Memorials  to  General  Synod.  These  were  very  common  in  earlier 
days,  but  cannot  be  treated  in  detail.  Some  of  the  References :  1800,  294-5, 
298;  1806,  351,  355,  357;  1812,  409;  1813,  12;  1819,  30;  1822,  43;  1839,  206; 
Nov.,  1840,  433;  1841,  450,  522;  1878,  118;  1889,  224-9;  1890,  117. 

Memorial  Windows  in  Sage  Library  ;  see  Alcove  Endowments ; 
Sage  Library. 

Mennonites.    Their  baptism  valid,  1748,  xxvii. 

Mercersberg  Theology.  The  delegates  to  the  German  Reformed 
Church  appointed  in  1851,  146,  (Rev.  Drs.  Halloway  and  Porter,)  reported 
the  resignation  of  the  Professors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Mer- 
cersberg, Pa.,  compelling  the  Synod  thereby  either  to  repudiate  or  endorse 
Dr.  Nevin's  theology.  The  German  Synod,  almost  unanimously,  refused 
to  accept  their  resignations,  thereby  endorsing  the  opinions  of  the  Pro- 
fessors. These  were  believed  to  be  of  a  Romanizing  tendency.  Synod 
felt  unable  at  once  to  take  any  definite  action,  but  resolved  henceforth  to 
send  only  one  delegate  to  the  German   Synod,   1852-3. 

The  German  Synod  felt  hurt  at  this  action  of  the  Dutch  Synod,  and 
elaborately  defended  themselves.  The  case  is  largely  reviewed ;  the  Synod 
defended  the  report  of  their  delegates,  in  1852,  and  emphasized  the  necessity 
of  standing  by  the  faith,  and  opposing  any  Romanizing  tendencies ;  entered 
a  protest  against  the  Mercersberg  Theology,  and  suspended  correspond- 
ence,  1853,  316-319- 

[Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  F.  Berg,  one  of  the  principal  opponents  of  the  Mer- 
cersberg Theology  in  the  German  Church,  left  that  Church  in  1852,  with 
his  congregation,  and  joined  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  arrd  published 
pamphlets  on  the  subject.  See  his  Bibliography  in  Corwin's  Manual,  1902, 
page  314.]  See  also  "North  Carolina  Classis,"  of  Ger.  Refd.  Ch.,  which 
sought  admission  to  Refd.  D.  Ch. — 1855,  531.  See  Correspondence  with 
Refd.  Ch.  in  U.  S. 

Mercy  of  God.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  20;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  11; 
Canons,  ii.,  i. 

Mercy  of  God  in  Christ.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  16,  20. 

Merits  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  22-24,  35;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
21,  36,  60,  84;  Canons,  v.  8. 

Merrit,  Jas.  O.  Bequest  of  $100  to  Thos.  DeWitt  Professorship, 
1881,  651,  676. 

Messler,  Abraham,  (Rev.  Dr.).     President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1847. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Requests  R.  C.  A.  to  unite  with 
them  and  others  in  forming  a  National  Sabbath  Committee,  to  make 
a  deliverance  on  the  Sabbath  Question,  in  behalf  of  the  Evangelical 
Church  at  large.  Committee,  Rev.  Drs.  Bishop  and  Collier,  with 
Elders  Perlee  and  Heath,  1888,  615,  616;  co-operates  with  other  Bodies 
on  the  subject  of  Divorce  and  Remarriage,  1903,  396. 

Methodist  Protestants  enter  into  a  Plan  of  Federation  with  the 
Congregationalists  and  the  United  Brethren,   1905,   151. 

Metrical  Version  of  the  Psalms,  Revision  of.     See  Psalms. 

Meyer,  Hermanus,  (Rev.  Dr.).  To  join  in  the  Plan  of  Union, 
1771,  15;  his  relations  to  church  of  Kingston,  1772,  25,  33;  1773,  Z7\ 
Ap.,  1775,  57;  Oct.,  1775,  62;  President  of  the  General  Meetmg,  i779» 
72;   again,    1782,   96;    Deputatus    Synodi,    1779,   77  \    again    1785,    143;    in- 


MICHIGAN  387 

structor  in  Greek  and  Hebrew,  1784,  125;  elected  Lector  of  Theology, 
1786,  147;  writes  a  "Treatise  on  Baptism,"  May,  1787,  155.  Dr.  Liv- 
ingston to  take  charge  of  books  for  students  lodged  with  Dr.  Meyer, 
1794,  258;   (1814,  59). 

Michigan.  General  Synod  to  hold  property  in;  see  Corporation, 
Bd.  of  Direction  of;  Incorporations,     i860,  557;  1863,  253. 

Michigan,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1841,  (see  1842,  T]) ,  with  the 
following  churches:  Grand  Rapids,  Centreville  Constantine,  Ridge- 
way,  Allegan,  Bedford.     1842,  133;   1844,  313,  378;   1845,  500. 

Micron's  Catechism.  For  youth;  published  in  London,  in  Latin 
and  Dutch,  1551.  This,  (together  with  A'Lasco's  Catechism,  pub- 
lished at  Embden,  in  Latin  and  Dutch,  for  youth,  1546,)  was  intro- 
duced into  Holland,  and  used  until  the  Heidelberg  was  adopted.  They 
were  both  distinguished  for  their  simple  and  well-arranged  statements 
of  evangelical  truth,  and  were  used  in  the  composition  of  the  Heidel- 
berg.     Thos.   DeWitt.      See   Centennial   Discourses,    1876,   page   377,   325. 

Middle  Dutch  Church,  New  York  City.  The  second  edifice,  out- 
side the  Fort,  built  in  1729,  on  Nassau  St.,  (east  side),  between  Cedar 
and  Liberty  Sts.  See  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  996,  (6).  After  1854, 
the  name  attached  itself  to  the  Church  on  corner  of  Lafayette  Place 
and  Fourth  St.,  and  is  now  applied  to  the  church  on  Second  Av., 
below  7th  St.  See  Collegiate  Ch.  Year  Book,  1883,  70-86;  also  Ecc. 
Records  of  New  York,  Vol.  3,  under  date. 

Midwinter  Examinations.     1897,  612;  made  permanent,  1899,  370. 

MiLLEDOLER  MEMORIAL  FuND.  $14,212.50,  held  by  the  Board  of  Do- 
mestic Missions,  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  in  the  Western  states 
and  territories;  Report  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  IMiss.  1905,  27.  See  also 
Graham,  Cornelia. 

MiLLEDOLER,  Philip,  (Rcv.  Dr.).  President  of  General  Synod, 
1822;  elected  Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology,  Feb.,  1825, 
7,  8;  authorized  to  draw  certain  moneys  to  pay  for  Dr.  DeWitt's 
Library,  1832,  66;  memorials  and  papers  relating  to  his  method  of 
teaching,  1841,  450-1;  action  of  Synod  thereon,  520-523,  516;  final  re- 
ports, Sept.,  1841,  10-25;  resignation  of  Professor  Milledoler,  25.  See 
name  in  Manual. 

Miller,  Livingston  Kip;  Acting  Treasurer  of  Board  of  Direction, 
1857. 

Ministerial  Support.  Consistories  must  provide  their  ministers 
with  a  decent  support,  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  11;  must  free  them  from 
worldly  cares  and  avocations.  Rules  of  1792,  36;  of  1833,  60;  of  1874, 
53;  must  punctually  fulfil  the  temporal  contract.  Rules  of  1833,  72; 
of  1874,  64;  when  old,  sick  or  infirm,  must  support  them.  See  Min- 
isters Emeriti;  Widows'  Fund;  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund.  Allusions; 
1749,  xli.;  1852,  275;  1854,  491-4;  1871,  273,  etc. 

Ministers.  Doctrine  of;  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  30,  31,  34;  Heid.  Cat, 
Quest.  103;  Canons,  iii.  6;  Rules  of  Church  Order,  1619,  Arts.  3-17,  84; 
of  1792,  Arts.  1-18;  of  1833,  Arts.  3-24;  of  1874,  3-2i,  61. 

Other  duties  of;  Rules  of  1874,  46,  47,  48,  53,  54,  64,  76,  78,  79-  See 
Form  of  Ordination;  Admission  of  Ministers;  Dismission  of  Ministers; 
charges  against;  Rules  of  1874,  Arts.  92,  93,  12,  109. 

I.  Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  ministers  to  transfer  their 
Classical  relation  to  the  Classis  within  whose  bounds  they  may  at  any 
time  remove,  within  one  year  after  the  time  of  such  removal.  1831,  363, 
364,  366. 

It  is  enjoined  upon  the  several  Classes  to  require  of  the  ministers 
under  their  care  without  charges  to  render  an  account  annually,  at  the 
ordinary   session  next  preceding  the  meeting  of   General   Synod,  of  the 


388         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

manner  in  which  they  have  been  employed  the  preceding  year,  in  order 
that  their  doings  may  more  immediately  come  under  the  review  of 
Classis.     1839,  256. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  be  advised  to  the  utmost  strictness, 
in  requiring  ministers  not  declared  Emeriti,  or  disabled  by  infirmity,  or 
conscientiously  engaged  in  the  education  of  youth,  diligently  to  exercise 
their  sacred  functions,  and  to  command  those  who,  without  good  reason, 
have  engaged  in  worldly  business,  if  any  such  there  be,  that  they  return 
to  their  duty,  under  penalty  of  the  discipline  enjoined  by  the  Church  for 
such  offences.     1846,  68. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  different  Classes  be  enjoined 
to  pay  special  attention  to  this  matter  in  their  reports,  and  to  append  to 
such  reports  the  names  of  all  ministers  within  their  bounds,  not  only  such 
as  have  charges,  but  also  such  as  have  none,  and  that  they  append  also 
short  but  expressive  notes  to  their  respective  names  designating  the  posi- 
tions they  hold,  the  occupations  they  pursue,  and  the  reasons  of  their 
being  without  a  pastoral  charge.     1866,  83. 

Ministers  without  pastoral  charges;   1876,  493;   1900,  828. 

9th.  Resolved,  That  a  Special  Committee  be  appointed  to  devise 
some  plan  of  oversight  and  regulation  for  bringing  vacant  churches  and 
unemployed  ministers  and  candidates  together.  1900,  830 ;  names  of 
Committee,  845. 

(2.)  The  Classis  of  Hudson  asks  General  Synod  to  pass  a  measure 
by  which  ministers  who  have  become  mentally  incapacitated  may  be 
honorably  retired  from  the  ministry. 

Resolved,  That  General  Synod  ^an  afford  no  relief  to  the  condition 
complained  of  by  the  Classis  of  Hudson  save  such  as  is  offered  by  the 
provisions  of  the  Constitution.     1902,  116,  117. 

Lists  of  Ministers:  1771,  5-7,  18-20;  1784,  112-114;  1800,  313-316;  1829, 
208,  216-224.  Ordered  that  an  alphabetical  list  of  all  the  ministers  with 
their  addresses,  be  annually  published  in  the  Minutes ;  1862^  208.  See 
new  Forms  of  Ordination  and  Installation,  1905,  1906. 

Ministry.  Importance  of  recruits  for;  1800,  305;  Sept.,  1825,  31; 
1829,  205;  Pastoral  letter  calling  attention  to;  1835,  398,  400,  416-420; 
ministers  to  preach  on,  435;  1836,  497-8,  500-1;  report  on,  511-515;  1837, 
13,  61;  1838,  166,  171;  1839,  266-7;  1840,  356;  1841,  508;  premium  tract 
prepared  on,  1850,  71;  1851,  183;  small  number  preparing  for,  1854.  459; 
1855,  583;  etc.,  etc.  I  Overtures  on,  1890,  74,  75;  report  of  Committee  on, 
1891,  302-6;   1901,  1067;   1905,   146-7- 

Minorities.  1806,  349;  1845,  466,  468;  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  119. 
See  Protests. 

Minors.     Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  2>^. 

Minute  Books — of  Churches  or  Assemblies.  May  be  deposited  in 
Synod's  Archives. 

Minutes  of  Ecclesiastical  Bodies.  Constitutional  requirements :  Rules 
of  1619,  Arts.  34,  45,  60;  of  1792,  Art.  33;  of  1833,  Arts.  40,  55,  56;  of 
1874,  Arts.  39,  48,  49. — Minutes  of  Consistories:  Rules  of  1792,  Arts.  33, 
57;  of  1833,  Arts.  54,  55,  56;  of  1874,  Arts.  47,  48,  49-  See  Register.— 
Minutes  of  Classes:  Rules  of  1792,  Arts.  42,  48;  of  1833,  Arts.  69,  80:  of 
1874,  Arts.  61,  78. — Minutes  of  Particular  Synods;  Rules  of  1619.  Art.  49; 
of  1792,  Art.  50;  Minutes  of  General  Synod;  Rules  of  1792,  Art.  55.  (The 
printing  of  the  Minutes  not  yet  anticipated.) 

Legislation. 
The  Questor    (Treasurer)   of  Ccetus  was  directed  to  provide  a  blank 
book,   in   which   the   Fundamental   Articles,   the   Rules   of   the   Coetus,   the 
subscription    of    members,    and    all    important    acts    and    letters,    shall    be 
recorded;  (ioetus  Mints.,  1748,  xx. 


MINUTES  OF  ECCLESIASTICAL  BODIES         389 

Nothing  is  said  in  the  Articles  of  Union,  1771,  about  Minutes;  but 
their  distribution  is  thus  referred  to  after  the  Revolution  : 

Since  many  subjects  in  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Body,  [or 
Synod],  which  have  relation  to  the  Particular  Bodies  [or  Classes]  have 
not  been  delivered  to  them,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  collect  such 
subjects  from  the  Minutes,  and  send  them.  [This  was  done  in  MSS. 
copies.]  1783,  105. — The  delegates  from  the  Particular  Bodies  shall  pro- 
vide themselves  with  copies  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Body,  for  their 
respective  Bodies;  and  shall  be  allowed  by  the  Questor,  twelve  shillings 
for  each  copy,  1784,  128. — These  transcripts  shall  be  made  within  three 
months,  and  forwarded  to  the  respective  Classes ;  and  if  the  Acts  are 
enlarged,  the  Synod  shall  increase  the  price  for  copying,  1785,  141. 

Translations  of  Dutch  Minutes. 

Rev.  Dr.  G.  A.  Kuypers  was  requested  to  translate  the  Articles  of 
Union,  1771,  and  present  them  to  General  Synod  at  their  next  meeting, 
1813,  32.  Not  yet  accomplished,  1814,  40.  He  reported  the  work  done 
in  1815,  and  they  were  ordered  to  be  printed  as  an  Appendix  to  Minutes, 
1815,  9,  36.  Translation  found,  1815,  57-72.  [Compare  another  translation. 
1771,  5-17] 

In  1817  a  Committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Dr.  Bradford, 
Stated  Clerk,  and  others,  to  have  translations  of  all  the  Dutch  Minutes 
made,  with  the  request  that  all  the  ministers  be  requested  to  subscribe 
for  the  volume,  Oct.,  1817,  21.     Nothing  done,  1818,  39;  1819,  51. 

In  1829  a  Committee  was  again  appointed,  of  which  Rev.  Jacob 
Schoonmaker  was  Chairman,  to  translate  the  Dutch  Minutes  of  the  early 
Synod,  1771-1793;  1829,  210.  This  was  reported  done  by  Rev.  Schoon- 
maker, and  a  Committee  to  which  the  translation  was  referred,  reported 
on  its  excellency,  and  another  Committee  was  appointed,  of  which  Dr. 
Brodhead  was  Chairman,  to  publish  said  translations,  if  they  can  obtain 
sufficient  subscriptions  to  defray  the  cost;  and  if  not,  to  have  them 
transcribed  [into  a  volume?]  for  their  preservation,  1830,  234-6.  [Dr. 
Thos.  DeWitt  says,  in  Ch.  Int.,  May  28,  1857,  that  the  copy  was  never 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Committee  of  Publication.  He  was  on  said 
Committee.] 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Publication  be  authorized  to  have  the 
Minutes  of  the  Synod,  from  year  1771  to  1794,  translated  at  the  expense 
of  this  body,  and  then  to  publish  them  in  a  convenient  form  in  connection 
with  the  Minutes  in  English,  down  to  the  year  1812,  when  the  Synod 
commenced  to  hold  annual  sessions.     1857,  243. 

The  Synod,  at  its  last  stated  session,  directed  the  Board  to  secure 
the  translation  of  certain  Minutes  of  ancient  sessions  of  this  Synod,  in 
the  Low  Dutch  tongue,  into  the  English,  with  a  view  to  their  publication. 
The  Board  have  secured  the  accomplishment  of  this  work,  and  in  view 
of  this  fact  the  Committee  recommend  the  passage  of  the  following 
resolution,  viz : 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  be  directed  to  pay 
to  the  translator,  Rev.  William  Demarest,  his  bill  for  such  service,  when 
it  shall  have  been  audited  by  the  Board  of  Publication.     1858,  361. 

As  it  is  desirable  that  the  early  records  of  the  Dutch  Church  should 
be  accessible  in  a  language  which  we  can  all  understand,  your  committee 
would  offer  the  following  resolution:     1859,  464. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Publication  be  authorized  to  have  the 
Minutes  of  the  Old  Coetus  translated  from  the  Dutch,  provided  that  the 
-expense  shall  not  exceed  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars ;  and  that  when 
the  work  is  done  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Board,  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Synod  be  directed  to  pay  the  sum  required,  to  their  order. 

See  Amsterdam  Correspondence. 


390  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

MINUTES   OF   THE   GENERAL   SYNOD. 

In  the  New  Constitution  of  the  Church,  1792,  we  find:  "The  General 
Synod  shall  keep  a  regular  and  distinct  record  of  all  its  proceedings." 
.  .  .  Art.  55. — In  the  future  the  Minutes  shall  be  kept  in  the  English 
language,  and  the  English  Minutes  shall  be  the  original  and  authentic 
copy.  1794,  257.  For  that  year  there  were  appointed  both  an  English 
and  a  Dutch  clerk. 

Lost  Minutes. 

[The  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod  for  the  year  1797  were  for  a  long  time 
lost.  There  was,  as  yet,  no  Stated  Clerk.  A  committee  had  been 
appointed  to  make  some  extracts  and  print  them,  1797,  267;  (also  extracts 
of  the  session  of  1794)  ;  the  Minutes  of  1797  were  not  on  hand  at  the 
opening  of  next  session,  1800,  275,  but  extracts  had  been  made  and  printed. 
These  were  on  hand,  and  were  read,  278,  279.  A  Committee  was  appointed 
to  inquire  why  the  Minutes  were  not  on  hand,  and  who  was  culpable, 
278 ;  no  report  appears,  and  later,  at  the  same  session,  the  Committee 
was  discharged,  291.  In  1804  the  two  clerks  of  1797,  (Revs.  John 
Bassett  and  Jeremiah  Romeyn,)  were  ordered  to  furnish  a  copy  of  said 
Minutes  for  transcription  in  the  Minute  Book,  1804,  329;  they  reported 
that  it  would  be  impracticable  during  that  session,  1804,  336.  They  do 
not  appear  to  have  performed  the  duty  at  all,  for  these  Minutes  have 
never  yet  been  transcribed  in  the  Minute  Book.  In  1815,  we  read,  that 
in  case  the  Minutes  of  1797  can  be  discovered,  [they  be  transcribed;] 
but  if  not,  that  the  printed  extracts  be  transcribed,  1815,  52,  73.  In  1817 
it  is  said,  that  "the  manuscript  Minutes  of  1797  have  lately  been  recov- 
ered," Oct.,  1817,  21. — They  are  now  in  the  Archives  in  the  original 
Journalistic  form.  They  ought  to  be  edited,  and  50  or  100  copies  printed,, 
to  make  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  complete.     E.  T.  C] 

Printing  Extracts. 

Committees  were  appointed  from  year  to  year  to  select  and  print 
extracts  from  the  Minutes;  in  1800,  also  to  publish  a  list  of  all  the 
ministers  and  congregations;  1800,  299,  301;  1804,  340-1;  1806, -360 ;  1809, 
395. — 500  copies   were   printed. 

In  1800,  a  Stated  Clerk  was,  for  the  first,  appointed,  to  transcribe 
and  transmit  a  fair  copy  of  the  Minutes  to  the  Classes,  and  to  transcribe 
them  in  the  Book,  1800,  312. — See  Stated  Clerk. 

Printing  the  Full  Minutes. 

The  Minutes  of  General  Synod  hereafter  to  be  printed,  and 
signed  by  the  Stated  Clerk;  that  copies  be  sent  to  each  Particular 
Synod,  Classis  and  Consistory,  which  copies  shall  be  considered  as 
authentic  in  all  the  Judicatures  of  the  Church,  1812,  403,  (old  ed.,  7, 
8)  ;  that  our  Minutes  be  kept  during  the  present  session  in  the  way  of 
journal,  but  in  future,  according  to  the  list  of  Lemmata,  1812,  408- 
9,  (16);  copies  to  be  furnished  to  the  German  Synod,  1813,  31;  1815, 
22;  1817,  15;  1818,  40;  1825,  43;  Consistories  requested  to  pay  25  cents 
for  each  copy,  1815,  55;  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  request  their 
more  speedy  publication,  1816,  23;  the  Classes  enjoined  to  appoint  a 
minister  to  distribute  them,  1816,  25. 

Classes  to  inform  Synod  the  number  they  require,  and  to  be  in- 
debted for  the  amount  thereof;  1816,  38;  the  numbers  required  by 
each  Classis,  1817,  41;  expenses  of  printing,  and  amounts  received 
from  the  Classes,  1818,  40,  53;  Classes  requested  to  pay  up  arrears, 
1818,  62;  measures  taken  to  collect  arrears,  1819,  78;  Board  of  Corpora- 
tion to  collect  arrears,  1820,  49;  Classes  must  be  punctual  in  payments, 
1824,  55;  arrears,  1826,  55;  copies  to  be  sent  yearly  to  the  Special 
Treasurer,  and  to  the  Treasurer  of  Queens  College  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, N.  J.;  Oct.,  1817,  21;  to  the  Professors  in  the  Seminary;  to  the 
President   of  the   Board  of  Superintendents;   to  the  Treasury   Board; 


MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD  391 

to  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Particular  Synods;  and  to  the  Chairman 
of  every  Committee,  (being  an  elder),  having  certain  duties,  1818, 
40;  1819,  40;  1825,  43;  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Presbyt.  Church, 
1823,  32;  1824,  29;  to  the  Professors,  for  the  students,  1825,  43;  a  set 
to  be  furnished  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  1825,  43;  surplus 
copies  to  be  sold  at  25  cents  each,  1818,  64;  1819,  80. 

One  hundred  copies  put  at  the  disposal  of  Elder  Ab.  Van  Nest, 
1827,  80;  12  copies  to  be  sent  annually  to  German  Synod,  1828,  iii; 
arrearages  of  the  Classes  for;  in  1820,  $185;  in  1829,  $511.13;  1829,  209; 
arrearages  in  1831,  $480;  1831,  388,  395-6. 

Indexing  the  Minutes. 

The  Index  of  all  the  printed  Minutes  1794-1826,  prepared  by  the 
Stated  Clerk,  (Rev.  Dr.  T.  M.  Strong),  ordered  printed,  1831,  387. 
[This  Index  refers  only  to  the  printed  Extracts,  down  to  1809;  after 
that  to  the  pages  of  the  full  Minutes  for  each  year.  References 
in  this  Digest  are  given,  down  to  1812,  from  the  edition  of  1857,  to- 
gether with  the   pages   of   Dr.    Strong,   when   convenient.] 

Two  hundred  and  fifty  extra  copies  of  the  Minutes  printed,  that 
a  copy  may  be  sent  to  each  donor  of  the  recently  subscribed  $41,000 
endowment  fund,  1835,  423;  Classes  urged  to  punctual  payments  for 
the  Minutes,  1836,  454,  518;  1837,  76;  1838,  192;  Consistories  urged 
to  appoint  Committees  to  examine  the  Minutes,  and  report  to  them 
the  subjects  requiring  attention,  1838,  162;  the  Stated  Clerk  requested 
to  prepare  a  Digest  of  the  Minutes,  1841,  535;  surplus  copies  of  the 
Minutes  deposited  in  the  Archives,  in  the  Collegiate  Church  Rooms, 
103  Fulton  St.;  copies  can  be  had  at  half  price,  1845,  487;  Com- 
mittee appointed  to  prepare  a  Digest,  1846,  96;  report  progress,  1847, 
200;  work  completed,  1848,  282;  the  work  itself,  1848,  341-406;  all 
distinctive  titles  or  appendages  to  the  names  of  members  of  Synod 
to  be  omitted  in  recording  the  Minutes;  such  titles  being  attached  in 
the  list  of  members,  1849,  407,  arrearages  of  Classes,  1849,  498. 

Copies  of  the  Minutes  to  be  sent  annually  to  those  who  have  en- 
dowed Scholarships,  1850,  71;  the  price  of  the  minutes  of  certain  ses- 
sions to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  1850,  107;  in- 
creasing value  of  the  Minutes;  copies  to  be  furnished  the  Board  of" 
Publication,  that  they  may  have  them  bound  and  offer  them  for  sale; 
that  they  reprint  numbers  out  of  print,  and  bind  full  sets,  and  have 
the  profit  of  them,  1855,  614;  request  that  the  Minutes  may  be  pub- 
lished also  in  the  Holland  language,  1858,  275;  inexpedient,  359. 
Title  Page  of  the  Minutes. 

The  Title-Page  of  the  Minutes  to  be  altered;  the  tabular  reports 
of  the  Classes  to  be  printed  in  alphabetical  order,  with  the  initials 
of  the  Particular  Synod  to  which  they  belong;  also  that  the  order 
of  Lemmata  be  printed,  with  reference  to  the  page;  that  lists  of  the 
Presidents  and  Stated  Clerks  be  printed,  with  an  alphabetical  list 
of  all  the  ministers,  with  their  addresses,  1862,  208;  that  pastors  bring 
matters  of  interest,  in  the  Minutes,  to  the  attention  of  their  churches, 

1862,  214;  that  arrangements  be  made,  if  possible,  for  the  permanent 
deposit  and  preservation  of  the  Archives  at  103  Fulton  St.,  New 
York,  (Collegiate  Church  Consistory  Room;)  that  the  Stated  Clerk 
be  directed  to  "have  a  copy,  (complete,  if  possible,)  bound,  for  the 
use  of  Synod;  and  an  additional  copy  (set?)  bound,  to  be  deposited 
in  the  Archives;  the  Board  of  Publication  has  not  been  able  to  carry 
out  the  direction  of  Synod  of  1855,  614; — 1862,  215;  correction  of  the 
Title-Page,  according  to  the  real  number  of  sessions,  1863,  355; 
(error  in  action  of  i862>  208);  two  full  sets  of  Minutes  from  the  be- 
ginning have  been  obtained,  except  that  the  Minutes  of  1823,  extra 
session,  are  lacking  in  one  of  the  sets;  these  ordered  to  be  reprinted, 

1863,  355,  367-8. 


392         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  Minutes  to  be  published  and  circulated  as  soon  as  practicable, 
1866,  83;  the  Classes  requested  to  provide  for  the  payment  of  the 
Minutes  at   their  fall   sessions,    1868,  499. 

The  Stated  Clerk  need  no  longer  transcribe  the  Minutes  of  Gen- 
eral Synod  in  volumes;  but  a  copy  of  the  printed  Minutes,  signed 
by  the  Stated  Clerk  be  considered  as  an  official  copy;  and  that  the 
orignial  Minutes,  signed  by  the  officers  of  the  Synod,  together  with 
all  the  original  papers  adopted  by  the  Synod,  be  carefully  preserved 
in  the  Archives,  1879,  421. 

A  communication  from  John  A.  Nexen,  of  Brooklyn,  concerning 
the  numbering  on  the  Title  Page  of  the  Minutes  of  Synod  was  re- 
ceived, reaffirming  the  action  taken  in  1862.  Synod  reaffirmed  the  ac- 
curacy of  the  present  numbering,  1880,  576,  578-9.  Synod  also  re- 
fused to  accede  to  the  request  that  the  reports  of  the  Boards 
should  not  be  bound  up  with  the  Minutes,  1880,  576,  578. 

Title  page  hereafter  to  read — "The  .  .  .  Regular  Session  of 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Refd.  Ch.  in  America,"  1884,  577- — The 
Stated  Clerk  instructed  to  solicit  proposals  for  printing  all  the  Min- 
utes of  the  next  Synod;  that  at  least  five  first-class  printing  houses 
be  asked  to  bid  on  the  same,  and  that  the  contract  be  given  to  the 
lowest  bidder,  1888,  689. 

Circulation  of  the  Minutes. 

The  Classes  urged  to  double  the  circulation  of  the  Minutes,  1888, 
689;  complaint  of  the  price;  1890,  10;  more  copies  now  printed  than 
can  be  disposed  of,  113;  committee  appointed,  relative  to  the  cost  of 
printing  the  Minutes,  etc.,  200;  Synod  refuses  to  distribute  the  Min- 
utes gratuitously  to  Ministers,  1894,  56;  Synod  emphasizes  the  im- 
portance of  typographical  accuracy  in  the  printing  of  the  Minutes ; 
the  Board  of  Publication  to  issue  them  in  connection  with  the  Stated 
and  Permanent  Clerks;  refuses  to  endorse  another  column  in  Statis- 
tical Tables,  1894,  133-4;  one  of  the  five  sets  of  Minutes,  belonging 
to  Synod,  deposited  with  the  Board  of  Direction  for  their  use,  1894, 
228;  in  order  to  call  attention  to  important  "resolutions,  recom- 
mendations and  instructions,"  the  Stated  Clerk  was  requested  to 
devise  some  plan,  1897,  683.  [Since  1898,  these  have  been  placed,  in 
small  type,  on  four  pages,  immediately  preceding  the  regular  Acts, 
etc.     See   1898  and  subsequent  issues.] 

The  following  preambles  and  resolutions  concerning  the  official 
copies  of  the  printed  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod  were  adopted  : 

Whereas,  The  transcription  of  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod 
into  MSS.  volumes  was,  by  resolution  of  the  Synod  at  its  session  in 
1879,  discontinued  (see  Minutes,  p.  42),  and  Synod  further. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  printed  Minutes,  signed  by  the  Stated 
Clerk,  be  considered  as  an  official  copy,  and 

Whereas,  It  is  desirable  and  important  to  have  more  than  one 
official  copy,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  hereafter  five  such  copies  be  preserved,  signed  by 
the  Stated  Clerk,  or  in  case  of  his  failure  to  do  so,  signed  by  the 
Permanent  Clerk,  and  that  such  copies  be  considered  as  official  copies, 
one  of  which  is  to  be  kept  by  the  Board  of  Direction,  and  the  others 
preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  Synod.     1897,  776. 

Resolved,  That  in  printing  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod 
hereafter,  the  list  of  Presidents  previous  to  1870,  be  omitted,  and 
a  note  at  the  head  of  the  printed  list  be  inserted,  stating  that  the 
names  of  all  the  Presidents  from  1794  to  1869,  inclusive,  will  be  found 
in  the  printed  Minutes  of  1899.  PP-  580,  581.     1900,  917. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  have  authority  to  bind  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  General  Synod  this  year,  the  Report  for  1899-1900,  of 


MINUTES  OF  GENERAL  SYNOD  393 

"The  Mission  Field,"  "The  Day  Star"  and  "Department  of  Young 
People's  Mission  Work.     1900,  917. 

We  would  recommend  that  the  Directory  include  notices  of  our 
Theological  Seminaries  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and  Holland,  Mich., 
with  the  addresses  of  the  proper  persons  to  whom  remittances  may 
be  made  for  the  benefit  of  these  institutions.     1901,  1123. 

On  account  of  the  increased  size  of  the  Minutes,  and  increased 
cost;  the  price  to  be  raised  from  65  to  75  cents  per  copy,  1901,  1123. 

Synod  refused  to  order  that  the  reports  of  the  Boards  should 
no  longer  be  bound  up  with  the  Minutes;  each  year's  Minutes  here- 
after to  be  indexed,  and  the  Minutes  of  three  years  to  make  a  volume, 
instead  of  four;  suggestions  that  the  reports  of  Committees  be 
printed  in  brevier  type,  and  the  rest  in  long  primer,  to  reduce  bulk 
and  facilitate  use;  referred  to  the  Stated  and  Permanent  Clerks  and 
Board  of  Publication;  typographical  accuracy  again  referred  to,  as 
in  1894;  names  of  Classical  Agents  to  be  printed  with  the  Reports 
of  Classes;  some  copies  of  the  Minutes  to  be  bound  in  muslin  covers 
at  an  increased  cost  of  10  cents,  1902,  118,  119. 

Contracts  for  printing  the  Minutes  obtained  at  an  estimate  $400 
less  than  heretofore;  the  Board  of  Publication,  with  the  Stated  and 
Permanent  Clerks  to  have  charge  of  the  issue  and  distribution  at 
65  cents  per  copy,  1903,  390;  to  sell  at  75  cents  per  copy,  1904,  702. 

Number  of  Copies  of  the  Minutes. 

No  Minutes  were  printed  until  1794,  with  the  organization  of  the 
General  Synod.  Then  for  the  7  triennial  sessions,  1794-1809,  only  ex- 
tracts were  published,  500  copies  of  each.  The  full  Minutes  began 
to  be  printed  in  1812,  as  follows: 

1812,  1813,  500  copies  each. 

1814-1819,  1,000  copies  each,  except  the  extra  sessions,  800  copies 
each. 

1820,  Oct.,  1820,  1821-1823,  750  copies  each. 

1824,   1,000  copies. 

1825-1830,  750  copies  each. 

1831,  1,000  copies;  Nov.,  1831,  750  copies. 

1832,  ?.  Oct.,  1832,  1,000  copies. 

1833,  800  copies. 

1834,  750  copies. 

1835,  1,000  copies. 

1836,  750  copies. 

1837,  700  copies. 

1838,  850  copies. 

1839,  900  copies.     July,  1839,  850  copies. 
1840-1851,  1,000  copies  each. 
1852-1854,   1,100  copies  each. 

1855  and  Oct.,  1855,  1,500  copies  each. 

1856-1862,   1,300  copies  each. 

1863-1871,  1,400  copies  each.     Sept.,   1871,   1,300  copies. 

1872-1877,  1,400  copies  each,  and 

1,400  or  1,500  copies  yearly  since. 

COMPLETE  SETS  OF   MINUTES. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  have  six  sets  of  all  the  printed 
Minutes  of  General  Synod,  which  he  can  procure,  bound;  that  he 
draw  on  the  Questor  for  the  amount;  and  that  three  sets  be  kept 
in  his  hands,  and  three  deposited  with  the  Permanent  Clerk,  for 
the  use  of  the  General  Synod,  1817,  43. 

He  reports  that  he  has  been  unable  to  obtain  six  complete  sets. 
He  proposed  the  printing  in  a  volume  of  all  the  [back]  Minutes. 
He  thought  this  would  pay  for  itself  and  leave  a  surplus.     A  Com- 


394         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

mittee  was  appointed  consisting  of  Dr.  Bradford,  S.C,  and  others, 
to  have  translations  of  the  Dutch  Minutes  made;  that  all  ministers 
be  requested  to  subscribe  for  the  volume,  Oct.,  1817,  20,  21.  Noth- 
ing done,  1818,  39;  1819,  51. 

The  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized  to  make  up  and  have  bound  two 
sets  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  and  forward  one  copy  to  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  Classes  of  Amsterdam,  and  the  other  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Church  of  Holland,  1845,  487-8.  [These  sets 
ran  only  from  1818-1845.  I  saw  them  in  the  Archives  of  Amsterdam  and 
the  Hague  in  1897-8.     E.  T.  C.] 

The  Stated  Clerk  authorized  to  have  a  complete  set,  if  possible,  of 
the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  bound,  for  the  use  of  the  Synod,  and  an 
additional  set  bound,  to  deposit  in  the  Archives.  1862,  215. — Two  full 
sets  made  up  from  the  beginning,  except  that  for  one  of  these  sets,  there 
are  lacking  the  Minutes  of  the  extra  session  of  Feb.,  1823.  Ordered  that 
these  be  reprinted.  1863,  355.  Not  yet  done;  attention  called  to  this 
deficiency  with  the  hope  of  supplying  it;  and  when  supplied,  both  sets  to 
have  suitably  printed  on  the  outside  cover — "The  Property  of  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Refd.  Prot.  Dutch  Church  in  N.  A." 

The  Permanent  Clerk  begs  leave  to  report  that  his  efforts  to  secure 
complete  sets  of  the  printed  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod  for  preservation 
in  the  Archives  and  the  use  of  the  Synod  are  accomplished.  The  Synod 
is  now  in  possession  of  five  complete  sets.  One  is  in  the  custody  of  the 
Stated  Clerk  for  use  at  the  meetings  of  the  Synod,  and  four  are  in  the 
Archives  in  the  fire-proof  vault  in  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library  Building 
at  New  Brunswick.     1889,  921. 

Complete  Sets  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  now  known  to  exist: 

In  possession  of  Libraries,  etc.     1895. 

Board  of  Direction,  i.  New  York  Public  Library,   i. 

Board  of  Foreign   Missions,   i.  Presbyterian    Hist.    Soc,    i. 

Board  of  Publication,   i.  Princeton   Seminary   Lib.,    i. 

Congressional  Library,  i.  Rutgers    College    Lib.,*i. 

General    Synod,    5.  Sage    Library,    i. 

[i  in  possession  of  Bd.  of  Direc-   Stated    Clerk   of   Gen.    Synod,    i. 
tion;  I,  with  Stated  Clerk.]  South  Classis  of  Long  Island,  i. 

Holland  Society,  i.  Union   Theological    Seminary,    i. 

Hope  College,   i.  Western  Theological   Seminary,   i. 

In  Private  Hands.     1895. 
Chambers,  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.,  i.  Lott,  Rev.  John  S.,  i. 

Beardslee,   Rev.    Dr.   J.   W.,    i.         Phelps,   Rev.   Dr.   Philip,   i. 
Burhans,  Mrs.  Chs.  (Kingston),  I.        Searle,   Rev.   Dr.   J.    P.,    i. 

(Dr.  J.  C.  F.  Hoe's  set.)  Strong,   Rev.   Dr.   T.    C,   i. 

Chapin,  Louis,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  i.     Taylor,  Rev.   Dr.  W.   R.,  i. 
Cole,  Rev.  Dr.  David,  i.  (Rev.  B.  C.  Taylor's  set. 

Corwin,   Rev.   Dr.   E.  T,   i.  Rochester,  N.  Y.) 

Crispell,  Rev.  Dr.  C.   E.,   i.  Ten    Eyck,    Rev.    Dr.    W.    H.,    i. 

Demarest,   Rev.  Dr.   A.   H.,  i.  Terry,    Rev.    Dr.    Roderick,    i. 

Demarest,   Rev.   Dr.    D.    D.,    i.         Thompson,   Rev.    E.   W.,   i. 
Demarest,    Rev.    Dr.    W.    H.  S.,  i.    (Rev.    Dr.   J.    B.   Thompson's   set.) 
DeWitt,  Rev.  Dr.  John,  i.  Van   Cleef,   Rev.   Dr.   P.   D.,   i. 

Drury,  Rev.   Dr.  John  B.,  i.  Van   Gieson,    Rev.    Dr.   A.    P.,    i, 

Ferris,   Rev.   Dr.  J.   M.,   i.  Vroom,  G.   D.  W.    (Trenton),  i. 

Gardner,  Rev.  John  S.,  i.  Welles,    Rev.    Dr.   T.    W.,    i. 

Holmes,   Rev.   Dr.   J.   McC,   i.         Wyckofif,  Wm.   F.    (Brooklyn),  i. 

Misery  of  Man.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  17;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  2, 
3-1 1 ;  Canons,  i.  7;  iii.  5. 

Missionaries.  For  names  of  early  Domestic  Missionaries,  see  Cor- 
win's   Manual,   1902,  pages  215-219;   for  Foreign   Missionaries,  see  under 


MISSIONARY  AGENTS  395 

the  respective  heads  of  Amoy,  Arabia,  Arcot,  Japan.  The  names  of 
those  in  Borneo,  tho'  prepared,  failed  to  be  printed  under  that  head. 
See  these  names  in  Manual  of  1902,  244-5.  See  also  various  brief  his- 
tories published  by  the  Foreign  Mission  Board,  respecting  each  of  the 
Missions,  and  the  Manual  of  1902,  pp.  230-280 — Missionaries  may  be  or- 
dained without  a  call  to  a  special  field.  Constit.  1874,  Art.  15.  Relation 
of  Missionaries  to  the  Home  Churches,  1886,  98. 

Missionary  Agents.     See  Agents,  Missionary.     1885,  755. 

Missionary  and  Contingent  Fund.  Collections  to  be  taken  up,  and 
equally  divided,  1818,  47,  61,  (53,);  1819,  72;  1820,  41,  44,  49,  50;  1821, 
13,  35,  ($901),  39-  40,  57;  1822,  26,  39,  ($566),  40;  1823,  26,  ($86)  ;  1824, 
21,  24,  ($100),  25;  after  this  the  above  name  disappears.  [This  Fund, 
with  this  double  name,  was  probably  established  to  pay  off  certain  sums, 
borrowed  for  general  purposes,  from  the  Missionary  Fund.     1821,  13,  15.] 

Missionary  Collections.  In  the  third  decade  of  the  19th  century, 
these  were  chiefly  for  Domestic  Missionary  operations  on  the  frontier. 
They  ran  as  follows:  $264,  1819,  44;  (1820-2  not  reported  in  Minutes); 
$1,943,  1823,  59;  $2,888,  1824,  59;  $2,856,  1825,  41;  $3,167,  1826,  59;  in  1827, 
74-77,  amount  not  reported ;  more  than  $5,000  (brief  review)  1828,  134 ; 
$4,470,  1829,  205;  amount  not  reported,  1830,  293-300;  $5,783,  1831,  379; 
see  Table  of  Subscriptions,  by  Classes,  to  Missions,  Education,  and  the 
Theological  Seminary ;  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  subscribed 
$5,911;  and  the  Partic.  Synod  of  Albany  $9,740  to  these  objects;  total 
of  benevolence  for  these  objects,  in  1831,  $15,651. — 1831,  376. — $4,849  for 
missions,  1832,  87.  The  Boards  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions 
were  now  more  distinctively  organized ;  which  see. 

Missionary  Conferences  or  Conventions.  A  Missionary  Conven- 
tion to  be  held  in  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary  in  Oct.,  1880,  to  which 
all  Evangelical  Theological  Seminaries  are  invited  to  send  delegates, 
1880,  555. 

2.  Resolved,  That  an  Annual  Missionary  Conference  be  held  in  the 
early  part  of  each  Autumn,  for  the  purpose  of  diffusing  information,  and 
creating  a  deeper  and  more  general  interest  in  all  the  missionary  opera- 
tions c^  our  Board,  and  that  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Board  be 
instructed  to  make  such  arrangements  as  they  shall  deem  proper  for 
carrying  this  project  into  eft'ect.  Also,  that  full  reports  of  such  Confer- 
ence be  nrinted  and  circulated  among  the  Churches  of  the  Denomination. 
1880,  570. 

Such  Conferences  have  been  held  in  different  parts  of  the  Church 
yearly  since  this  time.  E.g.  See  1893,  800;  1895,  117;  1901,  iioo-i.  See 
also  Ecumenical  Council. 

Missionary  Evangelists.  See  Evangelists.  Special  Form  for  ordain- 
ing;  1889,  860;  adopted,  1891,  336. 

Missionary  Herald.     Organ  of  the  American  Board. 

Missionary  League — of  Christian  Endeavor  Societies.  Organized, 
1893,  now  called  Young  People's  Missionary  League ;  which  see. 

Missionary  Lectureships.    See  Graves  Lectures. 

Missionary  Lesson  Leaflet.     Latest  reference,  1905,  119. 

Missionary  Pastors.  Term  objected  to,  and  changed;  1887,  347; 
1898,  130,  134. 

Missionary  Periodicals,  Publications,  or  Literature.  General 
sketch  of ;  see  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  228.  See  also  Christian's  Magazine ; 
Missionary  Herald,  which  contains  many  letters  of  our  Missionaries, 
1819-1857;  the  Christian  Intelligencer  also  formerly  printed  much  Mis- 
sionary Literature ;  the  Journal  of  Missions  and  the  Day  Soring  occupied 
this  field  about   1852;   then   came   "The   Sower  and   Gospel   Field"';   "The 


396         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Sower  and  Mission  Monthly,"  about  1855-88.  This  was  followed  by  "The 
Mission  Field."  The  Woman's  Board  publish  a  bi-monthly  Magazine, 
called  "The  Mission  Gleaner,"  devoted  especially  to  the  work  of  that 
Board  in  the  foreign  field.  "The  Day  Star"  was  begun  for  Sunday-schools 
in  1896.  Other  minor  publications  have  also  been  issued.  These  have  all 
been  commended  yearly  by  the  Synod,  and  their  larger  circulation  urged 
upon  the  churches.     See  1905,  116-119.     See  under  respective  names. 

Missionary  Recorder,  The.  One  of  the  missionary  periodicals  of 
the  Church,  finally  discontinued,  1865,  644-5.  See  '62,  195;  '63,  344-6; 
'64,  488. 

Missionary  Sermons.  Began  to  be  preached  before  Synod,  1818; 
preacher  appointed  year  before;  first  one  by  Rev.  John  F.  Schermerhorn, 
from  Mat.  6 :  10.  Thy  Kingdom  come.  1818,  36.  Names  regularly  given 
in  Lemma  18,  report  on  Missions  for  many  years. 

Missionary  Society  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  Its  forma- 
tion announced,  1822,  19;  for  its  history,  see  Art.  18,  m  the  Minutes  of 
Synod,  1822- 183 1 ;  auxiliaries  were  formed  in  many  of  the  churches; 
annual  collections  were  taken  up ;  Synod  requested  the  Society  to  issue 
a  Missionary  Periodical,  (see  Magazine  of  R.  D.  C.)  ;  and  the  propriety 
of  labor  among  the  Indians  was  already  under  consideration.  See 
Domestic  Missions ;  also  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  pp.  218-219. 

Missionary  Superintendents.  See  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  222,. 
Such  Superintendents  first  ordered,  1887,  347 ;  to  be  confirmed  by  Synod, 
88,  597;  requests  for,  '89,  812;  plan  for  their  appointment,  '89,  817-819,  821 ; 
more  definite  plan ;  Superintendent  for  each  Particular  Synod ;  his  duties ; 
his  salary;  1890,  94-96;  Rev.  R.  H.  Joldersma,  Superintendent  of  Western 
Missions,  1889-95;  Rev.  J.  H.  Enders,  in  Synod  of  Albany,  1890-99;  see 
1895,  114,  116;  each  Classis  has  also  its  own  Missionary  Agent,  chosen 
from  among  its  pastors. 

Mission  Bands.    Alluded  to,  1895,  120. 

Mission  Fields.  When  impracticable  for  a  Classis  on 'Mission  Fields 
to  comply  with  all  the  requirements  of  the  Constitution,  the  Synod  may 
grant  a  Dispensation,  as  the  necessities  of  the  case  require.  Constit.  of 
1874,  Art.  74- 

Mission  Field,  The.  A  Missionary  Periodical  begun  in  1887,  and 
annually  commended  by  the  General  Synod  to  the  churches,  in  the 
reports  on  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions.  1888,  601-2;  '89,  822;  '90,  97; 
'92,  545,  558;  etc. 

Mission  Gleaner,  The.  A  Missionary  Periodical  begun  in  1896,  and 
representing  especially  the  work  of  the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions.    Commended  annually  to  the  churches. 

Mission  Monthly,  The.  Suggestion  to  combine  it  with  The  Sower, 
1879,  276;  '87,  351-2. 

Missions.  Down  to  1816,  this  word  is  used,  in  the  Minutes  of  Synod, 
almost  entirely  of  Missions  in  our  own  land,  or  Church  Extension,  altho' 
there  are  a  few  allusions  to  evangelizing  the  Indians.  In  1816,  16,  17, 
Foreign  Missions  are,  for  the  first,  distinctively  mentioned.  See  Domestic 
Missions ;  Foreign  Missions. 

Missions,  Prize  Essays  on.  See  Van  Doren,  Wm.  H. ;  Van  Vechten, 
A.  V.  W. 

Missouri  Synod — of  Presbyterian  Church,  South.  Had  appointed  a 
Committee  to  meet  with  similar  Committees  of  the  Gen.  Synod,  and  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.,  on  the  desirability  and  practica- 
bility of  Union.  A  Committee  was  appointed  to  consider  the  subject  of 
Federal  or  Organic  Union  with  these  Bodies;  1873,  671-2;  names  of 
Com..  677. 


MODERATORS  397 

Moderators.  Art.  3,  under  the  First  Head — ''Formation  of  S3'nod." 
Term  applied  to  all  the  officers  of  Synod.  Term  "Moderators"  first  used 
in  Oct.,  1771,  7;  but  in  Oct.,  1774,  46;  and  April,  1775,  60,  these  officers 
are  styled  "Directors."  Rev.  Wm.  Demarest,  the  translator,  appends 
this  vote :  "In  Gelderland,  the  President,  Clerk,  and  Adsessors,  are 
denominated  Moderatores ;  in  Utrecht  and  elsewhere,  Directorcs." 
177 A,  46. 

Modes  of  Baptism.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  69-74; 
Forms  of  Baptism. 

MoERDYKE,  Peter,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Lector  in  New  Testament  Exegesis, 
Western  Sem.,  1884-6. 

Moffet,  Janet  G.  (Mrs.)  Bequest,  $50  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund, 
1885      1886,  27,  55. 

Monks.  Not  to  be  admitted  to  the  Ministry  without  care  and  pro- 
bation.    Rules  of  1619,  Art.  9. 

Monumental  Theology.     Alluded  to  in  Curriculum,  1888,  545. 

Monmouth,  Classis  of.  Organized  1854,  consisting  then  of  the  fol- 
lowing churches  :  First  Freehold ;  Second  Freehold ;  First  Middletown ; 
Spotswood ;  Middletown  Village ;   Keyport ;  Long  Branch. 

Monroe,  Ebenezer,  (Mrs.)  Bequest  to  the  Widows'  Fund,  $1,666.67. 
1895,  18,  26. 

Monroe,  Elizabeth  H.,  Scholarship  of  $2,500  to  Bd.  of  Education. 
1895,   18,  26. 

Montgomery,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1800,  302;  then  consisting  of 
the  following  churches :  Amsterdam,  Andriestown,  Canajoharie,  Charles- 
ton ;  Chenango,  Chukonot,  Coenraatstown,  Conewago,  Curriestown, 
Duanesborough,  Fonda's  Bush,  German  Flatts,  Herkimer,  Lower  Scho- 
harie, Mayfield,  New  Rhinebeck,  Owasco  Lake,  Remsen's  Bush,  Sacondaga, 
Schorarie   Kill,    Sharon,    Snell's    Bush,    Stone   Arabia,    Upper    Schoharie. 

Monthly  Concert  of  Prayer.  As  far  back  as  1744,  Whitefield  had 
proposed  that  special  hours  of  prayer  should  be  observed,  for  the  pouring 
out  of  the  Spirit  anew  on  the  churches,  and  on  the  whole  earth.  In  1747 
Edwards  also  published  a  pamphlet  exhorting  God's  people  to  union  in 
"Extraordinary  prayer  for  the  revival  of  religion  and  the  advancement  of 
Christ's  Kingdom  on  earth."  In  1784  Carey  repeated  and  emphasized  the 
same  thought.  See  Corwin's  Manual  of  1902,  235.  The  Directors  of  the 
New  York  Missionary  Society,  accordingly,  on  Jan.  18,  1798,  adopted  a 
"Plan  for  Social  Prayer."  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  "Monthly 
Concert  of  Prayer,"  which  led  on  to  the  formation  of  all  the  great 
Benevolent  Societies  in  the  first  part  of  the  19th  Century,  and  gave  that 
wonderful  impetus  to  Missions,  especially  in  Foreign  lands.  The  Plan  is 
as  follows : — 

1.  "That  the  second  Wednesday  evening  of  every  month,  beginning 
at  candlelight,  be  observed,  from  February  next,  by  the  members  of  this 
Society,  and  all  who  are  willing  to  join  with  them,  for  the  purpose  of 
offering  up  their  prayers  and  supplications  to  the  God  of  grace,  that  he 
would  be  pleased  to  pour  out  his  Spirit  on  his  Church,  and  send  his 
Gospel  to  all  nations ;  and  that  he  would  succeed  the  endeavors  of  this 
Society,  and  all  societies  instituted  on  the  same  principles,  and  for  the 
same  ends. 

2.  That  these  evenings  of  prayer  be  observed  in  rotation,  in  the 
churches  of  this  city,  [New  \Jork]  to  whose  judicatories  they  may  be 
acceptable,  and  of  which  there  is  a  minister  belonging  to  this  Society ; 
beginning  with  the  old  Presbyterian  Church  [Wall  St.],  and  proceeding 
next  to  the  Scots  Presbyterian  Church,  [Cedar  St.],  next  to  the  new 
Dutch  Church,   [Cedar  St.],  next  to  the  first  Baptist  Church,   [Gold  St.], 


398         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

next  to  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church,  [Beekman  St.],  next  to  the  North 
Dutch  Church,  [Fulton  St.],  and  then  the  service  to  revert  to  the  place  it 
began;  provided,  that  if  the  ministers  of  any  other  churches  become 
members  of  the  Society,  a  due  proportion  of  the  service,  in  the  regular 
course,  be  performed  in  said  churches.  Notice  to  be  given  on  the  Lord's 
Day  preceding  every  meeting,  from  the  several  pulpits. 

3.  That  the  order  of  the  service  be  as  follows:  (i)  The  singing  of 
a  psalm,  prayer,  and  a  short  discourse,  or  lecture,  adapted  to  the  occasion, 
(2)  a  prayer,  (3)  the  singing  of  a  psalm,  prayer,  the  singing  of  another 
psalm,  a  collection  and  then  the  blessing  to  be  pronounced. 

4.  That  a  minister  belonging  to  the  church  in  which  the  service  is 
held  always  preside  for  that  evening,  give  out  all  the  psalms,  make  the 
introductory  prayer,  deliver  the  discourse  and  pronounce  the  blessing; 
that  where  more  than  one  minister  belong  to  the  same  church,  they  preside 
and  perform  the  aforesaid  service  in  rotation,  beginning  with  the  eldest 
person  in  the  ministry. 

5.  That  the  second  prayer  be  made  by  the  minister  who  is  to  preside 
at  the  next  meeting,  and  the  third  by  the  minister  who  is  to  preside  at 
the  meeting  following;  observing  in  Collegiate  Churches  the  order  of  the 
preceding  article ;  provided,  however,  that  the  ministers  who  are  to 
officiate  may,  with  the  consent  of  the  presiding  minister,  exchange  their 
turns  with  others,  and  invite  any  ministers  belonging  to  the  Society,  when 
occasionally  present,  to  officiate  for  them. 

6.  That  though  no  contribution  shall  be  urged,  as  it  is  useful  and 
profitable  to  contribute  whenever  we  assemble  for  public  worship,  what- 
ever contribution  is  made,  shall,  after  the  expenses  of  the  evening  are 
defrayed,  be  applied  to  the  purposes  of  the  Society." 

The  Northern  Missionary  Society,  which  was  in  co-operation  with 
the  New  York  Missionary  Society,  adopted  the  following,  on  Sept. 
nth,  1798. 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  the  members,.of  the  Society 
to  spend  some  time  in  prayer  to  Almighty  God,  on  every  first  Tuesday 
afternoon,  in  each  quarter  of  the  year,  beginning  with  the  first  Tuesday 
in  October  next ;  and  in  such  places  where  several  members  live  con- 
tiguous to  each  other,  it  be  recommended  to  them  to  unite  in  social 
prayer  at  those  times.  It  is  particularly  recommended  to  all  the  members, 
to  be  engaged  at  the  throne  of  grace,  in  petitioning  the  infinite  Jehovah 
to  put  a  stop  to  the  progress  of  infidelity,  licentiousness  and  vice ;  to  pour 
out  the  Holy  Spirit  and  promote  pure  morality  and  undefiled  religion ;  to 
destroy  Satan's  Kingdom,  and  advance  the  Kingdom  of  the  glorious 
Redeemer  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  make  way  for  the  universal 
spread  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  throughout  all  the  world. 

Moody,  Dwight  L.  Allusion  to  the  spiritual  quickening  in  the  New 
Brunswick  Seminary  thro'  the  services  of,  in  the  city;  1885,  729. 

MoRMONiSM.  Memorials  from  eight  Classes  received  on  the  subject 
of   Mormon   Polygamy. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  continued  existence  of  Polygamy  in  any  part 
of  our  land  is  a  reproach  to  our  civilization,  a  foul  blot  on  the  national 
honor,  a  peril  to  political  and  social  virtue,  a  shameful  defiance  of  law 
— human  and  Divine — and  an  outrage  upon  the  moral  sentiment  of  all 
Christendom. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  representing  a  large  constituency,  do  hereby  most  solemnly 
protest  against  any  toleration  of  this  system,  as  subversive  of  the  family, 
and  most  corrupting  to  the  mind  and  degrading  to  morals. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  respectfully,  but  urgently  appeal 
to  the  Legislative,  Judicial  and  Executive  authorities  of  the  United  States, 
to  use  all  proper  means  to  secure  the  speedy  and  entire  destruction  of  this 
gigantic  evil. 


MORMONISM  399 

4.  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions,  signed  by  the  President, 
and  countersigned  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod,  be  transmitted 
to  the  President  of  the  United  States.     1881,  734. 

Against  Utah  becoming  a  State. 

Whereas,  We  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  every  citizen  who  has  the 
moral  and  political  welfare  of  this  country  at  heart  to  protest  against  the 
bill  now  pending  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  becoming  a  law ;  and, 

Whereas,  We  believe  that  giving  Statehood  to  Utah  at  the  present 
time  would  greatly  retard  the  educational  work  now  being  carried  forward 
in  said  territory;  and. 

Whereas,  We  believe  that  Statehood  should  be  postponed  until  such 
time  as  the  population  shall  have  become  sympathetic  with  American 
institutions ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)   Church 
in  America,  hereby,  most  respectfully,  but  earnesly,  protests  against  the 
admission    of    Utah    to    the    sisterhood    of    States,    and    memoralizes    the 
Senate  of  these  United  States  to  postpone  action  thereon.     1894,  162. 
Against  the  Seating  of  Roberts. 

Whereas,  Brigham  H.  Roberts,  of  Utah,  has  been  chosen  to  repre- 
sent his  Congressional  District  in  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Fifty-sixth  Congress  of  the  United  States;  and 

Whereas,  The  said  Brigham  H.  Roberts  is  known  to  be  an  avowed 
polygamist ;  and 

Whereas,  The  principle  and  practice  of  polygamous  co-habitation  are 
in  direct  violation  of  law,  morality,  public  sentiment  and  a  Christian 
civilization ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  constituting  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  and  representing  4  Particular  Synods,  35  Classes,  683 
Ministers,  633  churches  and  110,713  members,  do  hereby  most  respectfully 
and  most  earnestly  request  on  the  part  of  our  honorable  Representatives 
of  the  Fift3'-sixth  Congress  that,  in  case  the  aforesaid  Brigham  H.  Roberts 
should  on  the  strength  of  his  credentials  be  admitted  to  the  House,  they 
shall  proceed  without  delay,  by  virtue  of  the  power  vested  in  them  by  the 
National  Constitution,  promptly  to  expel  the  said  Brigham  H.  Roberts, 
to  the  end  that  the  crime  of  polygamy  may  be  publicly  rebuked  and  our 
honorable  Representatives  may  voice  the  earnest  wish  of  every  patriotic 
citizen,  that  no  polygamist  shall  ever  by  his  presence  disgrace  the  sacred 
precincts  of  the  House  of  Representatives.     1899,  449,  450. 

Protest  Against  Smoot  remaining  in  the  Senate. 

Whereas,  The  Mormon  Church  at  its  last  annual  conference  voted 
to  sustain  the  first  Presidency  and  the  Apostolate  as  prophets,  seers  and 
revelators,  which  Apostolate  claims  the  right  and  authority  to  dominate 
all  government;  and, 

Whereas,  The  Mormon  Church  is  a  menace  to  our  free  institutions ; 
therefore, 

First.  Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America 
in  Session  at  Asbury  Park,  New  Jersey,  hereby  protests  against  the  con- 
tinuance of  Reed  Smoot  in  the  office  of  U.  S.  Senator  from  the  State 
of  Utah,  because  he  is  an  Apostle  of  the  Mormon  Church,  and,  therefore 
owes  his  first  allegiance  to  that  hierarchy. 

Second.  That  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  be  petitioned  to 
pass  a  joint  resolution  submitting  to  the  States  of  this  Union  an  amend- 
ment to  the  Federal  Constitution  forever  prohibiting  polygamy  and 
polygamous  practices. 

Third.  That  we  are  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  efforts  being  made 
by    Christian    Denominations    for    the    suppression    of   this    evil,    and    the 


400        DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

preservation  of  the  purity  of  the  home,  which  is  the  foundation  of  all 
morality,  and  urge  upon  our  membership  active  co-operation  in  every 
effort  made  in  this  direction.     1903,  465. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  views  with  regret  and  alarm  the  insidious  and  persistent  policy 
of  the  Mormon  Church  and  its  constituents  in  their  maintenance  of 
practices  and  customs  which  are  antagonistic  to  the  laws  of  our  land,  and 
a  blot  upon  our  civilization,  and  the  Synod  appeals  to  Congress,  and 
especially  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  to  refuse  recognizance  and  admittance  to 
all  such  persons  who  are  either  openly  or  covertly  engaged  in  the  practices 
of  the  Mormon  Church. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  this  resolution,  properly  attested,  be  sent  to 
every  Senator  and  Representative.     1905,  149. 

See   Polygamy  ;   Divorce  ;   Adultery. 

Morning  Prayer.  See  Liturgy  of  1793,  133.  Repeated  in  most  of  the 
subsequent  editions.     See  Prayer. 

Morris,  J.  Ford,  (Rev.)     Bequest  of  $100  for  Hope  College.    1878,  114. 

Mortgages.  Authority  given  to  Bd.  of  Direction  to  sell  any  property 
purchased  under  foreclosure  of  mortgage.     1879,  242,  270;  '80,  464,  468. 

Mortification  of  the  Old  Man.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  88-90;  Can- 
ons, V.  2. 

Mosaic  Portrait — of  Rev.  Dr.  Geo.  W.  Bethune,  presented  by 
Third  Ch.  of  Philadelphia.     1897,  610,  621.     Placed  in  Sage  Library. 

Mould,  Mr,  Bequest,  $500  to  Educational  purposes.  Embarrass- 
ing to  family.     Relinquished.     1894,  423. 

Mountain   Whites.     See   Kentucky. 

Murder.     Heid.   Cat.,   Quests.    105-7. 

Murphy,  James,   (Rev.)      President  of  General  Synod,  1840. 

Murray,  Andrew^,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Delegate  from  R.  D:  C.  of  South 
Africa.     1877,  642, 

Museum  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  Enriched  by  various 
accessions  from  oriental  sources — a  mummy,  coins,  manuscripts; 
also  the  table  of  the  Old  Testament  Revisers;  1886,  60,  61;  an  an- 
cient Papyrus;  '87,  300;  '88,  528,  533;  '90,  96;  '97,  712,  etc.  See  "The 
Principle,  the  Object  and  the  Plan  of  a  Christian  Museum,"  in  a  lit- 
tle pamphlet  styled,  "The  Historical  Society"  in  Refd.  Ch.  Seminary 
Publications,  No.  2. 

Music — in  the  churches.  Account  of  first  Organ,  1720;  see  Col- 
legiate Church  Year  Book,  1880,  52,  53;  first  organ  of  American  manu- 
facture, 1883,  79;  Organ  of  Marble  Collegiate  Ch.,  1886,  88,  89.  First 
English  Psalm  Book,  with  Dutch  musical  notes,  1767;  Colleg.  Ch. 
Yr.  Book,  1882,  72,-77,  with  fac-simile  page  of  music. — Allusions  to 
music  in  the  churches,  1836,  533 ;  'z7,  89-92 ;  '39,  204-206 ;  '40,  421 ;  re- 
marks of  Com.  on  State  of  the  Church,  1848,  330;  '49,  488;  '70.  112; 
'71,  322;  '96,  334,  345;  '99,  369,  370,  391;  remarks  of  Com.  on  State  of 
the  Church,  1900,  829;   1901,   1048.     See  Hymnology. 

Music — in  New   Brunswick  Seminary,     1896,  334,  345. 

Muskegon,  Mich.     1867,   162. 

Myaki,  Aragi,   (Rev,)      1886,   15;  '87,  253. 

Myer,  Eleanor.  Bequeaths  $250  to  Educational  Funds;  $250  to 
Widows'  Fund;  $250  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund;  1896,  288-9;  balance 
of  $250  rec'd.     1897,  567. 

Myers,  H.  V,  S.  (Rev.)  Appointed  Business  Secretary  of  Board 
of  Publication;  1897,  674. 


NAME  OF  GOD  401 

Name  of  God.     To  be  hallowed.     Heid.   Cat.,  Quests.  99-102,   122. 
Name  of  the  Church.     See  Title  of  R.  C.  A. 

Napier,  Lord.  Commends  medical  service  of  Silas  Scudder.  1870, 
119. 

Nantz,  Revocation  of  the  Edict  of;  to  be  celebrated;  1895,  147. 
National  Affairs. 

The  American  Revolution. 

This  Body  taking  to  heart  the  present  sad  and  perilous  condi- 
tion of  our  land,  and  considering  that  our  multiplied,  aggravated, 
long-continued,  and  unlamented  sins,  have  afforded  reason  to  God 
to  give  up  our  land  to  the  most  deplorable  calamities,  judge,  that  its 
inhabitants  are  in  the  clearest  manner  called  to  repentance  and  con- 
version, and  they  thus  recommend  to  all  the  Reformed  Churches 
of  their  communion  in  the  two  Provinces  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  to  set  apart  Wednesday,  7th  May  next,  as  a  day  of  solemn 
humiliation,  with  fasting  and  prayer,  for  the  forgiveness  of  sins  and 
the  averting  of  deserved  miseries.     1775,  57. 

setting  apart  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer. 

The  Rev.  Body,  with  sorrowful  hearts,  contemplate  the  pitiful 
condition  of  land  and  Church :  some  of  our  cities  being  desolated, 
our  villages  and  boroughs  subverted,  many  of  our  houses  of  worship 
and  their  furniture  burned,  desecrated,  plundered,  and  cast  to  the 
ground;  many  dear  pledges  of  the  loving  Jesus,  together  with  the 
faithful  ambassadors  of  His  Cross,  driven  from  their  peaceful  homes 
and  compelled  to  roam  through  the  land,  so  that,  with  respect  to 
these  once  flourishing  congregations,  we  may,  even  weeping,  take  up 
the  lamentation  of  the  Church  of  old,  and  say:  "The  ways  of  Zion 
do  mourn  because  none  come  to  the  solemn  feasts;  all  her  gates 
are  desolate;  her  priests  sigh,  her  virgins  are  afflicted,  and  she  is 
in  bitterness."  And  what  increases  our  grief  is,  that  although  the 
Lord  smites,  we  yet  seem  so  little  affected;  for  our  youth,  upon 
the  brink  of  ruin,  indulge  in  vices  heretofore  unknown;  the  pro- 
fessors of  the  precious  doctrines  of  the  Cross  are,  in  general,  in- 
considerate in  discourse  and  careless  in  their  walk;  and  (which  grieves 
the  Rev.  Body  in  their  inmost  soul)  even  the  followers  of  the  cruci- 
fied Lamb,  as  well  ministers  as  members,  have  abated  in  their  zeal, 
lost  their  wonted  tenderness,  having  in  many  cases  left  their  first 
love  and  made  themselves  chargeable  with  many  iniquities.  For  all 
which  reasons,  therefore,  (notwithstanding  the  wonderful  instances 
of  Divine  help  experienced  by  our  land  and  Church,)  the  Rev.  Body 
regard  themselves  in  conscience  and  before  God,  solemnly  bound  to 
set  apart  a  day  for  our  humiliation  before  the  Lord,  and  for  the 
confession  as  well  of  those  sins  and  departures  from  God  which  have 
been  enumerated,  as  those  which  have  not  been  mentioned;  that 
with  fasting  and  mouring  we  may  humbly  beseech  Him  graciously 
to  blot  out  the  transgressions  of  the  land,  and  in  sovereign  love  heal 
our  backslidings  and  recover  us  from  our  wanderings,  by  pouring 
out  his  Spirit  and  commanding  his  blessing  upon  all  classes  in  our 
land,  both  civil  and  military,  rulers  and  subjects;  especially,  that  the 
great  King  of  Zion  will  graciously  have  compassion  upon  us,  caus- 
ing our  cities,  villages,  and  towns  to  be  rebuilt;  but,  above  all,  that 
he  will  again  gather  together  and  restore  our  now  desolated  and 
dispersed  congregations,  break  in  pieces  the  kingdom  of  darkness, 
and  renew  and  confirm  among  us  the  kingdom  of  the  King  of  Kings, 
and  so  effect  the  desired  turning  to  the  Lord,  that  we  remembering 
our   first    love,    may   also    do    our   first    works;    that    our    schools    and. 


402         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

seminaries  may  truly  be  nurseries  of  the  Lord's  dear  vineyard;  and 
that  he  will  renew  his  favor  and  kindness  to  us  as  in  days  of  old: 
Thursday,  the  12th  November,  approaching,  being  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

The  Clerk  of  this  Rev.  Body  is  directed  to  prepare  and  send  a 
copy  of  this  article  to  the  respective  Particular  Bodies,  or  at  least 
to  one  of  the  members  of  the  same,  with  the  accompanying  request, 
that  he  communicate  it  to  the  respective  ministers  and  congregations 
pertaining  to  them;  as  also  to  such  of  the  Rev.  Brethren  as  have  to 
this  time  not  yet  come  in.  1778,  68,  69.  See  American  Revolution. 
After  the  Revolution. 

DAY     OF     PRAYER. 

Since  the  Lord  is  affiicting  our  land  with  continued  visitations 
upon  the  increase  of  the  earth,  and  marked  unfruitfulness  also  pre- 
vails in  the  Church,  the  last  Wednesday  in  January  in  the  coming 
year  is  set  apart  by  the  Rev.  Synod,  in  unison  with  the  other  breth- 
ren, as  a  day  of  prayer  for  all  the  congregations  of  our  Church, 
liumbly  and  earnestly  to  call  upon  the  Lord  to  avert  his  well-deserved 
judgments,  and  to  grant  our  country  and  Church  the  enjoyment  of 
his  great  and  rich  blessings.     1788,  185. 

Address  to  the  Authorities. 

The  Rev.  Body,  having  seen  fit,  for  weighty  reasons,  to  present 
a  respectful  address  to  the  President  of  these  United  States,  by  a 
committee  from  their  number  appointed  for  the  purpose,  who  are 
commissioned  to  prepare  and  execute  said  address,  and  to  affix  to 
it  the  names  of  two  or  more  of  them.  The  committee  are  the  Rev. 
Professor  J.  H.  Livingston  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  William  Linn,  G. 
A.  Kuypers,  ministers  at  New  York,  and  Dr.  Petrus  Low,  with 
Messrs.  H.  Rome,  D.  LeflFerts,  J.  Rosevelt,  R.  Varick,  Maj.,  and  John 
Van  Der  Bilt.     1789,  200. 

The  committee  reported  that  a  respectful  address  hard  been  pre- 
sented by  them  in  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Synod  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  which  was  received  with  much  satisfaction,  and 
honored  with  an  afifectionate  and  friendly  reply  by  the  President. 
1790,  212. 

See  under  "Presidents  of  the  United  States." 
The  Civil  War. 
1861. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  draft  a  minute  expressive 
of  the  sentiment  of  this  Synod  in  reference  to  the  present  condition 
of  our  national  affairs. 

The  following  Committee  were  appointed:  Rev.  Cornelius  Van 
Santvoord,  D.D.,  Jeremiah  S.  Lord,  D.D.  Elder,  Samuel  B.  Schieffe- 
lin. 

The  Committee  presented  their  report,  which  was  accepted. 

At  this  stage,  it  was  moved  and  seconded,  that  the  further  con- 
sideration of  the  subject  contained  in  the  report  be  indefinitely  post- 
poned. The  question  being  taken  on  this  resolution,  it  was  decided 
in  the  negative.  The  ayes  and  nays  being  called,  were  taken,  and  are 
as  follows:     71  to  34.     See  names. 

The  report  was  then  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  preparing 
a  minute  expressive  of  the  sentiment  of  this  Synod  touching  the  pres- 
ent troubled  state  of  the  country,  would  present  the  following: 

Whereas,  In  the  providence  of  God,  our  beloved  country  has  been 
suffered  to  fall  from  a  condition  of  large  and  exuberant  prosperity, 
into  the  bitter  and  distressing  experiences  of  civil  war.     And  whereas. 


NATIONAL  AFFAIRS  403 

the  Government,  in  the  stern  necessity  forced  upon  it  of  maintain- 
ing by  a  resort  to  arms  its  rightful  authority,  is  entitled,  in  this  the 
hour  of  its  sore  trial  and  need,  to  the  warm  encouragement  of  all 
loyal  and  true  hearts.  And  whereas,  the  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
while  her  mission  is  peace,  and  she  proclaims  peace  and  loves  it,  is 
bound  by  the  allegiance  she  owes  the  Master  and  the  truth,  to  sup- 
port with  all  her  potential  influence  the  foundations  of  law  and 
order,  social,  civil  and  religious,  whenever  these  foundations  are 
in  danger  of  being  shaken  or  overthrown.  And  whereas,  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church  in  America,  sprung  from,  and  bearing  the 
honored  name  of  that  historic  Church  of  the  Fatherland  which, 
three  centuries  ago,  during  all  the  terrible  years  of  a  struggle  which 
has  no  parallel  in  the  records  of  the  world,  sent  forth  with  her  bene- 
dictions and  her  prayers  bands  of  her  devoted  children  to  lay  down 
life,  if  necessary,  in  defence  of  country  and  of  the  principles  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty — would  be  untrue  to  the  memory  of  the  fathers, 
to  the  impressive  teachings  of  history,  to  sacred  trusts  devolved,  to 
lofty  ideas  transmitted,  as  well  as  to  the  sentiments  inspired  by  the 
present  perilous  hour,  were  she  to  suppress  her  testimony,  or  speak 
only  faintly  in  behalf  of  a  cause  with  whose  success  her  highest 
interests   are   interwoven:   therefore,   be   it   by  this    General   Synod 

1.  Resolved,  That  our  deep  sympathies  are  with  the  Government  in 
all  its  honest  efforts  to  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  Union,  the  Con- 
stitution, and  the  Laws. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  successful  maintenance  of  these  great  trusts 
are,  under  God,  our  country's  only  safety  for  the  present,  and  hope 
for  the  future,  and  that  Christianity,  not  less  than  patriotism,  ap- 
plauds the  costliest  sacrifices  required  to  make  such  consummation 
sure. 

3.  Resolved,  That  we  deeply  lament  the  necessity  which  has  arrayed 
brethren  in  arms  against  each  other,  and  bewail  the  sins,  national  and 
individual,  which  have  justly  provoked  the  ]Most  High  to  visit  us  with 
this  direful  calamity;  that  we  cherish  no  feelings  of  bitterness,  wrath, 
or  hatred  towards  those  who  are  unhappily  arrayed  against  us,  and 
utterly  repudiate  the  spirit  of  retaliation  and  revenge  as  entering  into 
the  elements  of  this  deplorable  contest.  That  we  remember  our 
brethren  of  all  sections  in  our  prayers,  when  we  supplicate  God 
in  his  mercy  to  remove  his  heavy  pressing  hand  from  us,  and  that, 
with  unfaltering  trust  in  the  Divine  guardian  arm  which  has  been 
around  our  beloved  land  in  all  past  perils  and  distresses,  we  will  still 
beseech  him  without  ceasing,  that  with  the  speedy  restoration  of 
peace,  the  causes  of  our  troubles  may  disappear,  and  our  prosperity 
for  the  future  be  fixed  upon  an  immovable  basis. 

C.  VAN  SANTVOORD, 

Chairman  of  Committee. 
1861,   100,  lOI. 

1862. 

Whereas,  Our  beloved  country  is  distracted  by  an  unjustifiable  and 
atrocious  rebellion,  involving  consequences  of  the  greatest  magnitude ; 
therefore. 

Resolved,  That  not  only  the  natural  obligations  of  love  and  gratitude 
and  obedience,  which  as  Christian  citizens  we  owe  a  free  and  beneficent 
Government,  but  also  loyalty  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  his  cause  of  truth  and 
righteousness  in  the  earth,  demand  of.  us  an  earnest  and  unqualified 
support  of  our  Government  in  its  eflforts  to  suppress  this  disastrous  and 
most  wicked  rebellion. 

Resolved,  That  we  humbly  recognize  our  dependence  upon  the  good 
help  of  our  God  for  the  success  of  our  armies  and  the  triumph  of  our 
cause,  and  therefore  our  prayers  shall  continually  be  that  he  will  grant  all 


404  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

needed  grace  to  our  rulers,  that  he  will  bless  our  armies  and  go  forth 
with  them ;  that  he  will  prosper  the  right ;  that  he  will  eradicate  all  the 
causes  of  this  rebellion  ;  that  he  will  soon  restore  to  us  peace  and  har- 
mony ;  that  he  will  in  infinite  wisdom  guide  us  in  a  way  by  which  in  the 
best  manner  every  yoke  may  in  his  own  time  be  broken,  and  the  oppressed 
go  free ;  that  he  will  bring  rich  spiritual  blessings  to  all  parts  of  our 
nation  out  of  these  temporal  sorrows  ;  that  he  will  turn  the  hearts  of  all 
our  people  in  penitence  and  faith  toward  himself,  and  thus  in  Christian 
love  toward  each  other ;  and  that  thus,  according  to  his  word,  "the  work 
of  righteousness  may  be  peace,  and  the  effect  of  righteousness,  quietness 
and  assurance  forever,"  and  that  in  the  "unity  of  the  spirit"  we  may  have 
"the  bonds  of  peace." 

Resolved,  That  we  gratefully  acknowledge  the  goodness  of  God  in  all 
the  blessings,  civil,  social,  and  religious,  which  we  have  enjoyed  under 
this  Government,  the  best  enjoyed  by  the  sons  of  men;  that  we  hereby 
thank  Him  for  the  many  blessings  which  crown  us  even  now  in  the  midst 
of  these  sorrows,  for  the  excellent  spirit  which  he  has  given  our  rulers, 
and  for  the  many  instances  of  signal  success  which  he  has  given  to  our 
generals  and  armies. 

Resolved,  That  we  have  full  confidence  in  the  patriotism,  fidelity, 
wisdom,  and  prudence  of  the  President  of  the  United  States ;  that  we 
bless  God  for  the  guidance  he  has  given  him  in  his  perplexing  and  critical 
duties ;  and  that,  as  our  churches  have  given  many  of  their  sons  to  the 
armed  service  of  the  country,  so  we  pledge  him,  as  the  head  and  repre- 
sentative of  our  Government,  the  co-operation  of  our  prayers,  and  of 
every  form  of  influence,  effort,  and  sacrifice  which  duty  may  demand ;  and 
in  testimony  of  all  this,  we  respectfully  send  him  an  official  copv  of  these 
resolutions.     1862,  210,  211.  J.    ROMEYN    BERRY. 

1863. 
Resolved,  That  a  Special  Committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  draft  a 
minute  and  resolutions  on  the  duty  and  relations  of  the  Qhurch  to  the 
Country. 

Rev.  C.  Wiley,  J.  H.  Suydam,  C.  G.  Vanderveer,  and  Elders,  C. 
Dusenberry,  and  E.  Andrews  were  appointed. 

The  Committee  presented  the  following  Report,  which  was  accepted 
and  adopted. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  Minute  on  the  relation  of  the 
Church  to  the  State  in  the  present  crisis  of  our  public  affairs,  respectfully 
Report  the  following  for  the  consideration  and  action  of  the  General 
Synod : 

Whereas,  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  of  Christ  and  of  all  those 
who  minister  at  her  altars,  agreeably  to  the  teachings  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  the  injunctions   of  our   standards   and  formularies   of  doc- 
•  trine  and  worship,  to  yield  at  all  times  a  cordial  support,  both  by  pre- 
cept and  example,  to  the  legitimate  government  of  the  land: 

And  whereas.  This  duty  is  especially  incumbent  at  a  period  when 
the  Government  is  assailed  by  armed  violence  and  insubordination, 
and  its  very  existence  and  integrity  are  sought  to  be  subverted  by 
a  powerful  and  persevering  rebellion  : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  i.  That  we  tender  to  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  and  to  those  who  represent  it,  the  renewed  expression 
of  our  warmest  and  deepest  sympathy  in  its  present  protracted  strug- 
gle to  maintain  its  lawful  authority,  and  to  preserve  unbroken  the 
integrity  and  union  of  these  States. 

2.  That  we  hold  it  to  be  our  imperative  duty  as  ministers  of 
the  Gospel  and  members  of  this  Synod,  while  abstaining  from  all 
unseemly  mixing  up  of  ourselves  with  mere  party  politics,  in  our  own 
appropriate  sphere  and  by  every  possible  means  to  strengthen  the 
hands    of    the    Government    at    the    present    imminent    crisis,    wherein 


NATIONAL  AFFAIRS  405 

are  put  at  stake  the  national  life  and  the  noblest  example  and  experi- 
ment of  Constitutional  Government  the  world  has  ever  seen,  and  that 
we  will  yield  a  cordial  support  to  all  such  measures,  not  incompati- 
ble with  the  great  law  of  righteousness,  as  may  be  necessary  to  sup- 
press the  existing  rebellion,  and  to  assert  the  complete  authority  of 
the  Union  over  all  its  people,  territory  and  domain. 

3.  That  we  will  hail  with  satisfaction  the  earliest  practicable 
period  for  the  introduction  and  establishment  of  a  salutary  peace,  a 
peace  founded  on  the  full  ascendancy  of  law  and  rightful  authority, 
and  guaranteed  in  its  permanency  by  the  removal  or  the  sufficient 
coercion  and  restraint  of  whatever  causes  tend  necessarily  to  imperil 
the  existence  of  the  Nation,  and  to  endanger  the  preservation  of  the 
Union;  and  until  such  a  peace  can  be  obtained,  we  hold  it 
to  be  a  sacred  duty  to  ourselves,  our  children^  our  country,  the 
Church  of  God,  and  also  to  humanity  at  large,  to  prosecute  to  the  end 
a  war  forced  upon  us  by  an  imperative  necessity,  and  waged  on  our 
part  not  in  hatred  or  revenge,  but  in  the  great  cause  of  Constitu- 
tional liberty  and  national  self-government. 

4.  That  we  recognize  devoutly  our  dependence  upon  God  for 
a  happy  issue  and  termination  to  our  present  troubles;  that  we  ac- 
cept with  profound  humility  and  abasement  the  chastisements  of 
His  hand;  that  we  make  mention  of  our  deep  unworthiness  and  sin, 
and  that  we  endeavor  by  continual  self-searching  repentance  and  care- 
ful walking  before  God  to  conciliate  the  divine  favor,  so  that  ere  long 
His  heavy  judgments  in  our  national  calamities  may  be  removed, 
and  a  restoration  may  be  accorded  to  us  of  the  blessings  of  peace, 
fraternal   harmony,  national   Union,  and   established   government. 

The  Synod  directed  the  following  resolutions  to  be  added  to  the 
Report  of  the  Committee : 

Resolved,  That  we  view  with  admiration  and  gratitude  those  noble 
men,  our  sons,  brothers  and  kindred,  who  have  periled  and  sacrificed 
their  lives  in  the  present  crisis  in  the  cause  of  the  country;  that  we 
follow  them  to  the  camp  and  to  the  fields  with  our  warm  sympathies 
and  prayers;  that  we  pledge  to  them  our  exertions  to  relieve  their 
sufferings,  and  to  smooth,  as  far  as  may  be,  the  rough  experience 
of  war;  that  we  honor  them  while  they  live  and  cherish  their  names 
and  memory  when  they  die;  and  esteem  these  remembrances  and  re- 
spects the  smallest  return  we  can  make  for  their  personal  sacrifices 
in  the  great  cause  of  Constitutional  liberty,  and  enlightened  and 
national  self-government. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  resolutions  be  presented  by  the 
President  of  the  Synod  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
All  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

CHAS.  WILEY, 
Chairman    of    Committee. 
1863,   356-7- 

REPLY  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES : 
The  following  letter  from  the   Secretary  of  State   was   read   and 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence: 

Department  of  State, 
Washington,  June  26th,  1863. 
To  THE  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church, 
Newburgh,  N.  Y. 
Reverend  Sirs: — I  am  directed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States 
to   express   to   you   the   satisfaction   which   he    has   derived   from    the 
resolutions  which  your  venerable  association  have  caused  to  be  sub- 
mitted to  him  by  the  hands  of  their  President — the  Rev.  Dr.  Cham- 
bers. 


4o6         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

If,  dear  sirs,  it  could  happen  that  the  Christian  Church  should  all 
at  once  be  assailed  by  a  force  that  should  seriously  threaten  to  de- 
stroy all  its  assemblies,  judicatories,  temples,  and  altars,  to  extin- 
guish the  very  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  to  betray  its  disciples  into 
the  hands  of  a  heathen  foe,  I  apprehend  that  we  should  see  at  once 
a  decline  of  sectarian  zeal,  and  a  renewal  of  the  enthusiasm  which 
attended  the  institution  of  our  divine  religion  upon  the  earth.  We 
should,  for  a  time,  cease  to  hear  of  mutual  persecutions  among  the 
followers  of  the  cross,  and  he  who  should  attempt  to  distract  them 
by  memories  of  past  controversies  or  by  sowing  jealousies  with  a 
view  to  future  ecclesiastical  ascendency  would  be  thought,  if  not  an 
open  enemy  to  the  faith,  at  least  a  very  unwise  teacher  of  it.  We  may 
well  believe  that  such  a  crisis  in  religion  will  not  happen,  and  even 
if  it  should,  we  have  the  assurance  that  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not 
prevail  against  the   Church  which    God   himself  has   established. 

In  regard  to  our  political  faith  and  institutions,  just  such  a  crisis 
as  I  have  described  is  upon  us,  and  we  can  only  surmount  it  by  sur- 
rendering all  partizan  divisions  and  differences  and  reviving  through- 
out the  nation  the  simple  devotion  to  the  rights  of  man  which  in- 
spired and  guided  the  founders  of  the  republic.  The  President  thanks 
you  with  all  his  heart  for  the  teaching  of  this  effect  which  you  have 
given  to  that  large  and  pious  body  of  Christians  who  wisely  look  to 
you  for  the  needful  and  customary  religious  instructions  and  consola- 
tions. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect. 
Your  obedient   servant, 

William  H.  Seward. 

1864,  398. 

1864. 

Resolutions  on  the  state  of  the  country,  offered  by  Rev.  J.  W. 
Schenck  and  Rev.  J.  F.  Mesick,  were,  together  with  the,  whole  sub- 
ject, referred  to  a  Committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  R.  D.  Van  Kleek, 
J.  Forsyth,  O.  E.  Cobb,  and  Elders  T.  Jeremiah,  and  R.  N.  Perlee. 

The  Committee  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  unani- 
mously adopted : 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Country  would  report  as  fol- 
lows : 

In  view  of  the  duty  to  recognize  the  powers  that  be,  as  ordained 
of  God,  to  render  unto  Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's;  to  pray  for 
all  men,  for  all  that  are  in  authority,  that  we  may  lead  a  quiet  and 
peaceable  life  in  all  godliness  and  honesty,  and  to  acknowledge  and 
adore  the  providence  of  God,  especially  in  trying  and  perilous  times, 

1.  The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  heartily 
sympathizes  with  the  government  of  the  United  States  in  its  efforts 
to  crush  rebellion  against  its  rightful  authority,  and  to  restore  to  this 
now  distressed  people  their  once  cherished  integrity  as  a  union  of 
states. 

2.  This  Synod  gives  thanks  to  God  for  all  the  successes  which 
have  attended  the  efforts  to  suppress  this  rebellion;  and  for  all  the 
encouragements  to  hope  that  peace  may  soon  be  restored.  And  we 
trust  that  our  sense  of  gratitude  to  Him,  the  author  of  all  good,  may 
not  be  impaired  by  an  acknowledgement  of  inexpressible  and  incal- 
culable indebtedness  to  the  tens  of  thousands  of  our  fellow  citizens, 
who  have  devoted  their  property  and  their  labors,  sacrificed  their 
comforts  and  their  lives,  and  given  up  their  loved  ones  in  our  de- 
fence and  for  the  salvation  of  their  country  May  God  bless  them 
with  such  rewards  as  He  only  can  give.  May  He  especially  grant  His 
grace,  mercy,  and  peace  to  the  sick,  the  wounded  and  the  dying. 


NATIONAL  AFFAIRS  407 

3.  Inasmuch  as  all  success  depends  on  the  favor  of  God,  and  can 
be  hoped  for  only  through  His  controlling  influence  upon  the  hearts 
and  His  blessing  upon  the  efforts  of  the  people  of  our  land,  our 
Synod  will  not  cease  to  pray,  and  it  earnestly  urges  the  Churches 
under  its  care  that  they  cease  not  to  pray  for  repentance  and  forgive- 
ness of  all  our  sins,  whether  national  or  otherwise,  for  the  gift  of 
wisdom  to  our  counselors  and  rulers,  skill  to  our  commanders,  cour- 
age to  our  soldiers,  and  grace  to  all  the  people,  to  the  end  that  suc- 
cess may  attend  our  arms,  our  government  be  maintained,  and  peace- 
make  its  permanent  abode  in  the  land,  if  God  please,  never  more 
to  be  disturbed. 

4.  In  treating  of  the  present  state  of  our  country,  we  cannot  lose 
sight  of  the  acknowledged  principal  cause  of  this  deplorable  rebel- 
lion. In  time  past,  the  General  Synod  has  not  deemed  it  necessary 
to  give  forth  a  judgment  in  regard  to  the  system  of  American  slavery, 
inasmuch  as  it  existed  in  regions  beyond  the  bounds  of  our  Church; 
yet,  as  in  the  overruling  Providence  of  that  God,  who  knows  how  to 
make  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  Him,  there  is  a  prospect  opened 
for  the  ultimate  and  entire  removal  of  that  system  which  embodies 
so  much  of  moral  and  social  evil,  and  as  by  such  removal  there  is 
opened  a  wide  field  of  Christian  labors  to  employ  the  energies  of  the 
Christian  Church  in  this  land,  the  Synod  expresses  its  gratitude  to 
God  for  this  bright  prospect,  and  would  join  in  the  prayer,  that  the 
day  may  be  hastened  when  liberty  shall  be  effectually  and  finally- 
proclaimed  throughout  all  the  land,  to  all  the  inhabitants  thereof. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

R.  p.  VAN  KLEEK, 
Chairman  of  the  Committee. 
1864,  503-4- 
1865. 

It  was  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  resolutions 
in  recognition  of  God  in  the  recent  history  of  our  country  and  of  ihe 
indications  of  His  providence  in  the  future. 

The  following  committee  was  appointed  :  Revs.  F.  N.  Zabriskie, 
Wm.  Riley,  B.   C.  Taylor,  Elders  Peter  Crispell,  Jr.,  John  I.  Brower. 

The  committee  presented  the  following  Report,  which  was  accepted 
and  adopted  unanimously : 

The  committee  appointed  to  draft  resolutions  recognizing  the  provi- 
dence of  God  in  our  recent  national  victories,  respectfully  beg  leave  to 
report  for  the  consideration  of  the  Synod  the  following  resolutions : 

First,  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  recognizes  with  unfeigned  and 
devout  gratitude  the  marvelous  and  merciful  providence  of  God  during 
the  last  year,  particularly  in  the  victories  of  our  armies,  the  suppressior^ 
of  the  rebellion,  the  destruction  of  the  system  of  oppression,  and  the 
prospects  of  returning  harmony  and  prosperity.  With  mingled  joy  and 
humility  we  ascribe  all  these  things  to  that  mighty  God,  whose  right 
hand  and  whose  holy  arm  have  gotten  Him  the  victory,  and  with  intense 
longing  we  will  watch  and  pray  for  such  an  outpouring  of  His  Spirit  ora 
our  scourged  and  guilty  land  as  shall  heal  the  divisions,  console  the 
griefs,  and  remove  the  sins  of  the  nation,  and  insure  to  us  not  onlvr 
peace,  but  righteousness  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Second,  Resolved,  That  we  recognize  in  the  situation  in  which  the 
war  has  left  the  Southern  States,  a  loud  and  imperative  call  to  philan- 
thropic and  Christian  efforts,  and  pledge  ourselves  to  use  our  utmost 
exertions  for  the  harmonizing  and  evangelizing  of  the  population,  the 
amelioration  of  the  condition  of  the  freedmen,  and  the  restoring  of  the 
waste  places  in  Zion  by  our  Domestic  Missionary  operations. 

Third,  Resolved,  That  while  we  have  no  sympathy  with  that  false 
spirit  of  charity,  born  of  Universalism  and  Humanitarianism,  that  would 


4o8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

arrest  the  vindication  of  justice  and  the  punishment  of  guilt,  we  counsel 
the  largest  possible  exercise  of  clemency  toward  the  deluded  and  the 
repentant,  forgiving  their  trespasses  as   Christ  has  forgiven  us. 

Fourth,  Resolved,  That  in  the  sudden  and  violent  death  of  our  tried 
and  trusted  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  we  recognize,  with  the  sub- 
mission of  faith,  a  mystery  which  says,  "Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am 
God'' ;  a  chastisement  which  shows  that  even  four  years  of  civil  war  have 
not  sufficiently  humbled  and  purified  us  as  a  Nation;  and  a  call  to  all  of 
us  to  be  ready  at  our  posts  of  duty  for  the  Master's  summons,  whether 
it  come  in  the  middle  watch  of  the  night  or  at  the  cock-crowing.  We  bless 
God  for  the  incalculable  service  that  our  late  beloved  President  rendered 
to  the  cause  of  Union  and  liberty,  and  for  the  testimony  for  Christianity 
Avhich  he  left  behind  him ;  and  over  his  new  made  grave  we  consecrate 
ourselves  afresh  to  the  country  and  the  cause  for  which  he  lived  and 
died,  and  to  the  Saviour  whom  he  honored. 

F.    N.    ZABRISKIE,  Chairman. 
1865,  647-9. 
Centennial  of  American  Independence. 

Whereas,  The  One  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  American  Independ- 
ence is  approaching,  which  the  nation  expects  appropriately  to  celebrate, 
not  only  by  exhibitions  of  national  progress,  but  by  carefully  written 
histories  of  every  department  of  national  growth  and 

Whereas,  It  is  important  that  the  Church  of  Christ  should  carefully 
exhibit  her  progress  in  the  various  aspects  of  her  work,  for  the  first 
century  of  the  nation's  history ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  by  this  Synod  to  prepare 
-carefully  a  full  history  of  every  department  of  Christian  work  in  which  the 
Reformed   Church  has  been  engaged.  I.    S.    HARTLEY. 

The  Committee  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  D.  D.  Demarset,  and  E.  T. 
'Corwin  be  the  committee  called  for.  1873,  751.  See  Centennial  Dis- 
.courses,  page  109.  p^^^fy  ^f  fj^^  Fallot. 

In  view  of  the  rapid  growth  in  our  land  through  the  influx  of 
foreigners,  of  false  religions  and  infidelity,  and  their  consequent  evil 
fruits,  the  General  Synod  calls  upon  our  ministers  to  remind  our  members 
that  the  ballot  is  a  talent  committed  to  them ;  that  their  allegiance  is  due 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  their  duty  is  to  see  that  the  men  selected 
for  office  are  "able  men,  such  as  fear  God ;  men  of  truth,  hating  covet- 
ousness'' ;  and  also  that  they  urge  upon  the  parents  that  the  surest  safe- 
guard to  prevent  their  children  from  becoming  slaves  of  superstition  and 
«rror  is  to  have  them  well  grounded  in  the  catechisms  of  our  Church. 
J879,  329,  330.  Resolutions  on  the  Spanish   War. 

For  the  first  time  in  a  third  of  a  century,  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America,  on  assembling  for  the  transaction  of 
•ecclesiastical  business  listens  to  the  throbbing  of  the  wardrums  and  is 
.-saluted  by  the  booming  of  hostile  cannon. 

As  servants  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  ever  praying  for  the  coming  of 
His  Kingdom,  whose  establishment  shall  witness  the  forging  of  sword 
into  plow  share,  and  spear  into  pruning  hook,  we  deprecate  war  with  its 
awful  train  of  unspeakable  horrors ;  and  regard  the  menace  of  army  and 
fleet  as  the  last  resort  of  a  Christian  nation,  which  the  boasted  civilization 
of  this  latter  day  ought  imperatively  to  forbid. 

With  sad  hearts,  however,  we  recognize  the  patent  fact  that  war  may 
become  not  only  a  stern  necessity,  but  even  the  bounden  duty  of  a  people, 
feeling  their  responsibility  to  the  brotherhood  of  man:  that  nations  which 
transgress  every  law  of  humanity,  can  only  be  reached  by  superior  force, 
that  oppressed  and  suffering  peoples,  appealing  to  stronger  nations  for 
deliverance  and  help,  cannot  be  put  off  with  shadowy  good  wishes  and 


NATIONAL  AFFAIRS  409 

unsubstantial  sympathy,  without  a  cowardly  repudiation  of  unquestioned 
obligations. 

In  the  application  of  this  higher  law,  war  may  be  a  righteous  act,  and 
those  who  wage  it  may  be  acting  in  the  Spirit  of  the  Redeemer  of  the 
vvorld,  when  he  gave  himself  for  man.  For  these  reasons  the  Christian 
Church  defends  the  United  States  of  America  in  declaring  war  against 
Spain. 

Colonial  misrule  and  tyranny  over  subject  states  has  marked  the 
administration  of  the  Spanish  Crown,  since  the  days  when  our  fore- 
fathers, under  William  of  Orange,  resisted  with  courage  unequalled  and 
heroism  unexcelled  by  the  achievements  of  subsequent  years,  the  usur- 
pation of  Philip  II.  During  the  last  half  century,  her  power  has  blighted 
and  her  cruelty  has  devastated  that  Gem  of  the  Antilles,  which  lies  at  the 
gateway  of  our  Southern  ports,  against  repeated  acts  of  oppression,  we 
have  repeatedly  protested ;  while,  by  restraining  our  own  people  from 
premature  interference  with  the  Government  in  Cuba,  every  opportunity 
has  been  given  to  successive  Cabinets  to  reform  abuses  and  secure  the 
liberty  of  a  long-suffering  people,  without  securing  the  long-desired  result. 

In  this  emergency  an  appeal  to  arms  has  been  taken.  The  Church  of 
Christ  should  speak  in  words  that  cannot  be  misunderstood,  in  support 
of  those  who  are  charged  with  the  administration. 

Therefore   be   it   resolved : 

1.  That  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  declares  the  continued  and 
unquestioned  loyalty  to  the  Government  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
of  the  sons  of  sires  who  have  fought  in  every  previous  battle  of  the 
Republic,  and  have  never  faltered  in  allegiance  to  the  flag  of  our  country. 

2.  That  we  tender  to  our  honored  and  beloved  President  and  Ameri- 
can Congress,  our  heartfelt  sympathies  in  the  extraordinary  labors  and 
perplexing  cares,  in  which  the  crisis  has  involved  them ;  and  we  pledge 
our  united  and  enthusiastic  support  in  the  discharge  of  arduous  duties. 
We  have  noted  with  admiration  the  firmness  of  our  Chief  Executive  in 
resisting  the  impetuous  spirit  of  unthinking  patriots,  who  would  have 
rushed  into  battle  without  counting  the  cost,  or  exhausting  every  diplo- 
matic  effort  to   avert  the   conflict. 

And  further  we  have  full  confidence  in  the  Christian  manhood  of 
our  chief,  steadfastly  believing,  that  as  a  sure  pilot  at  the  helm  of  State, 
he  will  guide  the  Good  Ship  amid  rocks  and  shoals,  which  lie  close  to 
the  channel  which  war  has  made  inevitable. 

4.  It  is  our  firm  conviction  that  both  revenge  and  territorial  aggran- 
dizement should  be  eliminated  from  the  end  to  be  sought  by  conquest, 
and  that  the  sole  purpose  of  our  armies  and  navies  should  be,  to  relieve 
the  sufferings  of  our  fellow  men,  and  to  enfranchise  as  well  as  uplift, 
the  people  of  those  unhappy  Islands  over  which  the  banner  of  Spain  has 
floated   since   their   discovery. 

5.  In  the  execution  of  the  task  which  we  believe  has  been  set  for 
us  by  the  King  of  kings,  we  cheerfully  pour  out  our  treasure,  and  give 
our  best  and  noblest  to  the  strife,  and  as  our  brothers  and  sons  go  forth  to 
battle  we  follow  them  with  our  fervent  prayers,  that  life  and  health  may 
be  preserved,  and  that  an  early  victory  may  speedily  bring  back  a  beneficent 
peace. 

6.  In  the  distinguished  deeds  of  heroism  which  have  already  embla- 
zoned the  names  of  Dewey,  Bagley  and  Hobson  on  the  rolls  of  fame,  we 
gladly  recognize  the  presence  in  this  generation  of  that  hereditary 
courage,  which  has  made  the  Puritan  in  Holland,  Great  Britain  and 
America,  intrepid  in  the  face  of  the  most  determined  foes. 

That  a  copy  of  this  minute  duly  attested,  be  forwarded  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  ^^^^r^^  ^^r^    ^^       ^ 

CORNELIUS    BRETT, 
J.    FRANCIS    MORGAN. 
1898,  256-8. 


4IO         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

National  Council.     See   Evangelical  Churches.     1870,  52. 
National   Council  of   Evangelical   Free   Churches   of   England. 
1896,  418-9. 

NATIONAL  FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES. 
A  communication  from  the  National  Federation  of  Churches  and 
Christian  Workers  suggesting  a  conference,  in  Nov.,  1905,  and  ask- 
ing for  the  appointment  of  delegates  to  the  number  of  ten  to  said 
conference  v^ho  shall  be  a  committee  for  conference  with  a  like  com- 
mittee   of    the    National    Federation    of    Churches.     1904,    743;    (1900, 

Heartily  approved.  Committee  appointed,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  Jo- 
achim Elmendorf  was  Chairman.     1904,  747. 

PLAN  OF  FEDERATION  TO   BE   RECOMMENDED   FOR  AP- 
PROVAL BY  THE  CONSTITUENT  CHRISTIAN  BODIES. 

PREAMBLE. 

Whereas,  in  the  providence  of  God,  the  time  has  come  when  it 
seems  fitting,  more  fully  to  manifest  the  essential  oneness  of  the 
Christian  churches  of  America  in  Jesus  Christ  as  their  Divine  Lord 
and  Saviour,  and  to  promote  the  spirit  of  fellowship,  service  and  co- 
operation among  them,  the  delegates  to  the  Inter-Church  Conference 
on  Federation  assembled  in  New  York  City,  do  hereby  recommend 
the  following  plan  of  federation  to  the  Christian  bodies  represented 
in  this  conference  for  their  approval : 

PLAN    OF    federation. 

1.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  which  can  be  better  done  in  union 
than  in  separation,  a  Council  is  hereby  recommended,  to  be  known 
as  the  Federal  Council  of  the  Churches  of  Christ  in  America. 

2.  The  following  Christian  bodies  shall  be  entitled  to  representa- 
tion in  the  Federal  Council  on  their  approval  of  the  purpose  and 
plan  of  the  organization  : 

The  Baptist  Churches  of  the  United  States. 

The  Free  Baptist  General  Conference. 

The  Christians   (The    Christian    Connection). 

The  Congregational   Churches. 

The  Disciples  of  Christ. 

The  Evangelical  Association. 

The  Evangelical  Synod  of  North  America. 

The  Friends. 

The  Evangelical   Lutheran   Church,  General  Synod. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 

The  Primitive   Methodist    Church. 

The  Colored  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  America. 

The  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Zion  Church. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Mennonite  Church  of  North  America. 

The  Moravian  Church. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Welsh  Calvinistic  Methodist  or  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Reformed   Presbyterian   Church. 

The  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

The   Protestant    Episcopal    Church. 

The  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

The  Reformed   Church  in  the  U.   S.  A. 


NATIONAL  FEDERATION  OF  CHURCHES        411 

The  Reformed   Episcopal  Church. 
The  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Churches. 
The  United    Brethren   in    Chrust. 
The  United  Evangelical   Church. 

3.  The  object  of  this  Federal  Council  shall  be — 

I,     To    express   the   fellowship    and   catholic   unity   of   the    Chris- 
tian Church. 
II.     To  bring  the  Christian  bodies  of  America  into  united  service 
for  Christ  and  the  world. 

III.  To  encourage  devotional  fellowship  and  mutual  counsel  con- 

cerning   the    spiritual    life    and    religious    activities    of    the 
Churches. 

IV.  To   secure   a   larger   combined   influence   for   the    Churches   of 

Christ  in  all  matters  affecting  the  moral  and  social  condi- 
tion of  the  people,  so  as  to  promote  the  application  of  the 
law  of  Christ  in  every  relation  of  human  life. 
V.     To  assist  in  the  organization  of  local  branches  of  the  Federal 
Council  to  promote  its  aims  in  their  communities. 

4.  This  Federal  Council  shall  have  no  authority  over  the  con- 
stituent bodies  adhering  to  it;  but  its  province  shall  be  limited  to 
the  expression  of  its  counsel  and  the  recommending  of  a  course  of 
action  in  matters  of  common  interest  to  the  Churches,  local  councils 
and  individual  Christians. 

It  has  no  authority  to  draw  up  a  common  creed,  or  form  of 
government  or  of  worship,  or  in  any  way  to  limit  the  full  autonomy 
of  the  Christian  bodies  adhering  to  it. 

5.  Members  of  this  Federal  Council  shall  be  appointed  as  fol- 
lows: 

Each  of  the  Christian  bodies  adhering  to  this  Federal  Council 
shall  be  entitled  to  four  members,  and  shall  be  further  entitled  to  one 
member  for  every  50,000  of  its  communicants  or  major  fraction 
thereof.  The  question  of  representation  of  local  councils  shall  be  re- 
ferred to  the  several  constituent  bodies,  and  to  the  first  meeting  of 
the  Federal  Council. 

6.  Any  action  to  be  taken  by  this  Federal  Council  shall  be  by 
the  general  vote  of  its  members.  But  in  case  one-third  of  the  mem- 
bers present  and  voting  request  it,  the  vote  shall  be  by  the  bodies 
represented,  the  members  of  each  body  voting  separately;  and  ac- 
tion shall  require  the  vote,  not  only  of  a  majority  of  the  members 
voting,  but  also  of  the  bodies  represented. 

7.  Other  Christian  bodies  may  be  admitted  into  membership  of 
this  Federal  Council  on  their  request  if  approved  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  voting  at  a  session  of  this  council,  and  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  bodies  represented,  the  representatives  of  each  body 
voting  separately. 

8.  The  Federal  Council  shall  meet  in  December,  1908,  and  there- 
after once  in  every  four  years. 

9.  The  officers  of  this  Federal  Council  shall  be  a  president, 
one  vice-president  from  each  of  its  constituent  bodies,  a  correspond- 
ing secretary,  a  recording  secretary,  a  treasurer,  and  an  executive 
committee,  who  shall  perform  the  duties  usually  assigned  to  such 
officers. 

The  corresponding  secretary  shall  aid  in  organizing  and  as- 
sisting local  councils  and  shall  represent  the  Federal  Council  in  its 
work,  under  the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

The  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  seven  ministers  and 
seven   laymen,   together   with   the   president,   all     ex-presidents,    the    cor- 


412         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

responding  secretary  and  the  treasurer.  The  Executive  Committee 
shall  have  authority  to  attend  to  all  business  of  the  Federal  Coun- 
cil in  the  intervals  of  its  meetings  and  to  fill  any  vacancies. 

All  officers  shall  be  chosen  at  the  quadrennial  meetings  of  the 
Council,  and  shall  hold  their  office  until  their  successors  take  office. 

The  president,  vice-presidents,  the  corresponding  secretary,  the 
recording  secretar}-  and  the  treasurer  shall  be  elected  by  the  Federal 
Council  on  Nomination  by  the  Executive  Committee. 

The  Executive  Committee  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  after  nomina- 
tion by  a  nominating  committee. 

10.  This  plan  of  federation  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a 
majority  vote  of  the  members,  followed  by  a  majority  vote  of  the 
representatives  of  the  several  constituent  bodies,  each  body  voting 
separately. 

11.  The  expenses  of  the  Federal  Council  shall  be  provided  for 
by  the   several  constituent  bodies. 

This  plan  of  federation  shall  become  operative  when  it  shall 
have  been  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  above  bodies  to  which  it 
shall  be  presented. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  delegation  to  this  conference  to  pre- 
sent this  plan  of  federation  to  its  national  body,  and  ask  its  considera- 
tion and  proper  action. 

In  case  this  plan  of  federation  is  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the 
proposed  constituent  bodies  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  National 
Federation  of  Churches  and  Christian  workers,  which  has  called  this 
conference,  is  requested  to  call  the  Federal  Council  to  meet  at  a  fit- 
ting place  in  December,  1908.  See  the  Volume  styled  "Church  Federa- 
tion"— Inter-Church  Conference  on  Federation,  New  York,  Nov.  15-21, 
1905.     Edited  by  Elias  B.   Sandford,  D.D.     Pages  691. 

National  Reform  Association.  Asks  for  a  special  Day  of  Prayer 
for  educational  institutions.     1902,  129.     Such  days  already  designated. 

National  Synod  of  Holland.  Term  is  used  in  the  subscription 
Forms  for  Candidates,  Ministers  and  Professors : — Explanations  of 
certain  points  made  in  our  late  National  Synod — referring  to  the 
Synod  of  Dort;  1792,  5,  11,  22;  1833,  6,  12,  2"]',  1874,  6,  12,  24.— The  ex- 
pression seems  somewhat  anachronistic  at  the  present  time,  in  Amer- 
ica. 

National  Temperance  Society.     See  Temperance. 

National  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union. 

The  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction 
submits  the  following: 

There  has  been  placed  in  our  hands  a  communication  from  the 
National  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  calling  Synod's  at- 
tention to  the  need  of  more  earnest  and  systematic  instruction  in  our 
Sunday  Schools  upon  the  subject  of  temperance,  as  is  demonstrated 
by  the  fact  that  eighty  per  cent,  of  the  inmates  of  our  penal  insti- 
tutions have  at  some  time  been  Sunday  School  scholars,  and  that 
seventy-five  per  cent,  of  these  attribute  their  downfall  to  the  use  of 
intoxicating  drink,  and  asking  that  we  recommend  that  every  month 
fifteen  minutes  be  devoted  to  this  purpose. 

Your  committee  is  convinced  that  in  these  statistics  there  is 
presented  a  most  powerful  appeal  to  all  who  are  giving  prayerful 
consideration  to  the  training  of  the  youth  in  the  Sunday  School. 

There  is  no  enemy  to  righteousness  that  is  more  persistent  in  its 
efforts,  unscrupulous  in  its  means  or  destructive  in  its  eflFects,  than 
the  saloon,  because  it  attacks  the  nation  and  the  Church  of  Christ 
at  that  most  vital  point,  the  young  of  the  land;  the  foundation  upon 
which  depends  the  future  sobriety  and  godliness  among  us. 


NATIVE  FREE  CHURCH  IN  ITALY  413 

All  who  sincerely  love  their  country  and  their  fellows  must,  we 
are  sure,  sympathize  with  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union 
in  their  noble  aim  as  expressed  in  this  communication. 

The  deliverances  of  General  Synod  upon  the  subject  of  temper- 
ance have  been  frequent  and  of  no  uncertain  sound. 

We  do  not  think  it  advisable  to  recommend  any  specific  time 
for  teaching  upon  this  subject,  leaving  it  for  each  school  to  determine 
such  methods  as  are  the  best  suited  to  its  needs. 

We  are  reminded  that  the  international  lesson  series  makes  provi- 
sion for  such  instruction,  and  that  the  christian  duty  of  temperance 
can  be  taught  from  many  of  the  passages  of  scripture  that  are  se- 
lected for  use.  Yea,  all  instruction  that  has  for  its  object  the  saving 
of  the  soul,  does  it  not  include  rescue  from  that  merciless  destroyer 
of  manhood,  intemperance? 

However,  that  more  emphasis  may  be  given  to  Synod's  conclu- 
sions upon  this  important  matter,  we  recommend  the  following  reso- 
lution : 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  superintendents  and  teachers  in  our 
Sunday  Schools  be  called  to  the  facts  presented  in  this  report,  relat- 
ing to  the  moral  overthrow  of  so  many  through  the  curse  of  strong 
drink,  who  have  at  one  time  been  scholars  in  the  Sunday  School. 

And  that  we   recommend  that  renewed  and  continued   effort  be 
made  to  save  the  precious  youth   committed   to  their  care   from   its 
deadly  perils.     1891,  311,  312. 
See  Temperance. 

Native  Free  Church  of  Italy.     See  Italy;  Waldenses. 
Nature.     Reveals  God.     Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  2. 

Natures  of  Christ,  The  Two.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  18,  19,  26;  Heid. 
Cat.,  Quests.  15,  16,  47,  48.     See  Christ;  Athanasnan  Creed. 

Neal,  Ava,  (Rev.)  Presents  a  printed  copy  of  the  "Analysis 
of  Dr.  Livingston's  Theological  Lectures."  Thanked.  Book  depos- 
ited in  the  Library.  1832,  92.  [The  original  MSS.  Lectures,  in  full, 
are  in  the  Sage  Library.  Mr.  Neal's  Analysis  is  an  abstract  of  these 
Lectures.     i2mo,  pp.  332.     Two  editions.] 

Necrology.  A  "Standing  Committee  on  Necrology"  was  insti- 
tuted in  1884,  576.  This  Committee  was  to  be  appointed  a  year  in 
advance  and  to  report  on  all  deaths  of  ministers  during  the  year,  with 
brief  sketches,  which  were  to  be  inserted  in  the  Minutes  under  "Synod- 
ical  Archives,"  which  see.  The  Com.  on  State  of  Religion  in  1883, 
258,  gave  more  extended  sketches  of  the  deceased,  and  this  suggested 
a  Permanent  Com.  on  Necrology.  Previously  only  the  names  of  the 
deceased  had  been  mentioned. 

Neefus,  John  and  Mary  Martin.  Scholarship  founded  by  Peter 
I.  Neefus,  of  $17,000,  in  honor  of  his  parents,  and  expressive  of  his 
own  interest  in  the  work  of  the  Board.  Largest  amount  ever  re- 
ceived directly,  by  the  Bd.  of  Education,  since  its  incorporation  in 
1869.     1900,  728,  735- 

Neefus,  Peter  I.     See  above. 

Neerbosch  Hospital.  Founded  in  1889,  at  Sio-Khe,  China,  under 
charge  of  Dr.  Otte.  Evangelistic  work  is  carried  on  in  connection 
with  the  medical  work.  In  1897,  Hope  Hospital  was  erected  on  the 
Island  of  Kolongsu,  opposite  Amoy.     Frequently  commended. 

Neilson,  Abraham  Schuyler.  Gave  much  counsel  and  assistance 
in  the  original  laying  out  of  the  grounds,  planting  trees,  construct- 
ing drains,  etc.,  of  the  Hertzog  Hall  Campus.  Thanked.  1859,  439, 
448. 

Neilson,  James,  (Col.).  Gives  land  in  New  Brunswick,  to  Synod, 
valued  at  $14,000,  extending  300  feet  along  George  St.,  and  700  feet 


414         DIGEST   OFSYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

toward  College  Avenue,  (reaching  to  within  i66  feet  of  the  same),  as 
a  location  for  Hertzog  Hall;  with  additional  smaller  plots.  Synod 
thanks  him.  Oct.,  1855,  10,  18;  gives  also  $1,016.08,  to  aid  in  com- 
pleting Neilson  Avenue,  (now  Seminary  Place).  1859,  440,  448;  1862, 
115-118. 

Nelson,  Joseph.  Elected  Professor  of  Languages  in  Rutgers 
College.     1826,  50. 

Netherlands,  The  Reformed  Church  of.  See  Reformed  Church 
in  the  Netherlands;  Amsterdam  Correspondence;  Christian  Reformed 
Church. 

Netherlands,  Reformed  Churches  in.  A  communication  was 
received  from  the  General  Synod  of,  giving  notice  to  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  other  lands,  that  such  an  Ecclesiastical  Body  has  been 
formed,  by  the  fusion  of  the  "Synod  of  the  Christian  Reformed  Church," 
and  the  'Provisional  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches,"  successive 
to  the  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  1619. — Referred  to  Committee  on  Correspond- 
ence. 

A  communication  (which  will  appear  in  the  minutes)  has  been 
received  from  the  United  Synods  of  the  Reformed  Churches  of  the 
Netherlands,  in  which — as  a  new  Synod — they  invite  our  correspondence. 
It  is  signed  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Gispen  and  Dr.  Kuyper  as  the  deputati 
thereof.  The  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago,  also,  makes  request  that  two 
delegates  be  appointed  to  attend  the  meeting  to  be  held  at  Dordrecht 
during  the  coming  August,  1893.  Your  committee  have  consulted  with 
those  best  acquainted  with  the  circumstances  and  the  objects  of  the  new 
Synod,  which  has  already  700  churches  and  one-tenth  of  the  population ; 
and  it  is  deemed  by  them  highly  desirable  that  our  Church  be  represented 
upon  that  occasion.  It  can  only  be  done,  however,  by  such  as  can  meet 
the  expense  through  outside  sources.  The  Synod  itself  has  no  funds 
available  for  the  purpose.  With  this  understood,  your  committee  would 
recommend  that  Rev.  Prof.  Steffens  and  Rev.  Mr.  Jolde'rsma  be  the 
deputati  primarii  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Karston  and  Rev.  E.  Winter  their 
secundi.     1893,  813. 

The  following  is  the  communication  from  the  united  ''General  Synod 
of    the    Reformed    Churches    in    the    Netherlands,"    referred    to    in    the 
preceding   report. 
To  the  Reformed  Churches  in  other  Lands: 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  Netherlands, 
assembled  on  the  seventeenth  of  June,  1892,  at  Amsterdam,  have  resolved 
to  give  notice  thereof,  unto  the  Presbyterian  Reformed  Churches  in 
other  lands. 

This  Synod  originated  through  fusion  of  the  Synod  of  the  Christian 
Reformed  Church  and  of  the  Provisional  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Churches,  which  met  on  the  previous  day  at  Amsterdam.  The  seven 
hundred  Churches,  which,  each  for  about  half  that  number,  were  hitherto 
represented  by  the  respective  Synods,  are  now  united  in  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Refortned  Churches  in  the  Netherlands,  successive  to  the 
universally  known  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  1619. 

These  700,  Churches,  comprising  about  one-tenth  of  the  whole  popu- 
lation of  the  country,  subsist  now  once  more  under  the  Kerkenordening 
(Order  of  the  Churches)  of  1619,  and  find  their  unity  in  the  Confessio 
Belgica,  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  and  the  Canons  of  Dordrecht,  the 
Formulieren  van  Eenigheid  (Symbols  of  Concord)  which  they  do  not 
merely  hold  in  honour  in  name,  but  also  maintain  through  Church 
discipline,  so  that  no  Ministers  of  the  Word  are  allowed  but  those  who 
give  their  adherence  to  these  standards. 

These  Churches,  in  conformity  with  the  principles  of  Reformed 
Church  polity,  desire  to  hold  correspondence  with  all  Reformed  Churches 


NETHERLANDS,  REF.  CHURCHES  OF  415 

in  Europe  and  elesewhere,  which  are  equally  constituted  as  Presbyterian 
Churches,  in  the  proper  sense,  and  still  stand  by  and  maintain  the  Con- 
fession, which  they  historically  have  received 

It  is  therefore  that  the  General  Synod  of  Amsterdam  have  appointed 
the  Undersigned  as  their  Deputies  to  acquaint  the  Churches  in  other 
lands,  with  the  Union  which  has  taken  place,  and  to  invite  these  churches, 
being  of  the  same  inclination,  to  enter  into  correspondence  with  the 
united  churches. 

The  Deputati  Synodi,  hereby  giving  effect  to  the  said  resolution  of 
the  Synod,  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Reformed  Churches  in  other 
lands,  that  the  next  general  Synod  is  appointed  to  meet  in  August,  1893, 
at  Dordrecht.  Assuring  at  the  same  time  the  said  churches,  that  the 
churches  in  the  Netherlands  regard  with  sincere  interest  and  Christian 
sympathy  the  revival  of  Reformed  Church  life  also  in  other  lands. 

May  Jesus  Christ,  our  only  and  glorified  Head,  pour  out  in  a  rich 
measure  His  grace,  over  all  churches  which  still,  as  our  fathers  did, 
count  it  their  honor  to  hold  by  the  candid  and  unshaken  confession  of 
the  free  and  sovereign  grace  of  the  God  of  all  mercies. 

By  order  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the 
Netherlands. 

Amsterdam,  July  ist,  1892.  The  Deputati  ad  hoc, 

(w.  s.)  W.    H.    GISPEN, 
DR.    A.    KUYPER. 

1893,  815,  816. 

3.  A  report  from  Rev.  Prof.  Steffens  and  Rev.  R.  H.  Joldersma, 
delegates  of  this  Church  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
in  the  Netherlands,  held  in  August  and  September  of  last  year,  testifying 
to  the  hearty  reception  accorded  them  and  the  interest  manifested  in  the 
message  they  brought  from  the  sister  Church  over  the  sea. 

In  view  of  the  historical  relations  of  our  Denomination  with  those 
of  the  motherland  not  only,  but  of  the  importance  of  keeping  in  touch 
with  an  emigration  already  so  large  a  factor  in  our  church  life,  they 
suggest  that  a  delegate  be  appointed  to  attend  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Holland  Synod  in  1896. 

Your  Committee  recommend  that  this  suggestion  be  accepted  and  the 
appointment  of  such  a  delegate  be  referred  to  the  session  of  1895. — 1894, 
136-7. 

In  the  report  on  Domestic  Missions  we  also  find  the  following  from 
Mr.  Joldersma: 

His  recent  visit  to  the  Netherlands  leads  him  to  say  that  "the 
changed  attitude  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  Netherlands  toward 
our  Church  speaks  volumes  for  our  work  among  the  immigrants  of  the 
future.  The  royal  and  hearty  reception  tendered  to  the  delegates  of 
our  Denomination  by  the  Netherland  Churches  convened  in  General 
Synod  at  Dort,  last  summer,  reveals  what  we  may  reasonably  expect  in 
the  years  to  come.  Should  a  suitable  opening  be  found  for  Holland 
coloni.zation  then  in  the  judgment  of  your  Missionary  Superintendent  the 
influx  of  Holland  people  will  be  without  parallel  in  history,  and  as  a 
Church  we  must  be  prepared  for  such  an  emergency  and  ready  for  more 
than  ordinary  work  along  this  line."     1894,   115. 

The  nomination  of  delegates  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  the  Netherlands  to  be  held  in  August,  1896,  was  committed 
to  your  Committee  by  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  1894. 

We  recommend  for  appointment  as  delegates  to  the  above-named 
Synod,  at  their  own  expense : 

Primarii.  Secundi. 

Rev.   George   S.   Bishop,   D.D.,  Rev.   T.   W.   Chambers,D.D., 

Rev.  B.  Van  Ess,  Rev.  J.  H.  Karsten. 

1895,   140. 


4i6         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

A  communication  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
of  the  Netherlands  inviting  Synod  to  be  represented  at  its  meeting  in 
Aliddleburg,  August  15th. 

The  invitation  of  the  Reformed  Churches  of  the  Netherlands  to  be 
represented  at  their  General  Synod  was,  at  its  session,  accepted  by  the 
Synod  last  year,  and  delegates  appointed,  but  since  the  last  session  of 
Synod  one  of  these  delegates  has  been  removed  by  death,  the  Rev.  Talbot 
W.  Chambers,  D.D.,  and  the  Committee  having  learned  that  it  is  the 
purpose  of  the  Rev.  Herman  VanDervvart  to  visit  the  Netherlands  this 
summer,  therefore  your  Committee   recommend  the   following: 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Herman  VanDerwart  be  appointed  a  delegate 
from  this  Synod  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches  of  the 
Netherlands.     1896,  420. 

The  Rev.  George  S.  Bishop,  D.D.,  a  delegate  from  our  Synod  to  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  Netherlands,  was  heard 
by  the  Synod.  He  presented  the  printed  minutes  of  that  General  Synod, 
and  read  a  letter  addressed  to  this  Synod  by  the  Synod  of  the  Churches 
in  the   Netherlands. 

The  documents  presented  by  Dr.  Bishop  were  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Correspondence.     1897,  689. 

A  communication  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
in  the  Netherlands,  through  the  Rev.  George  S.  Bishop,  has  also  been 
referred  to  the  committee ;  and  a  resolution  regarding  the  propriety  of 
opening  correspondence  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  South  Africa.  1897, 
690. 

2.  In  the  communication  from  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches 
in  the  Netherlands  reference  is  made  to  the  action  of  that  Synod  at  its 
meeting  at  Middleburg  in  August  and  September,  1896,  requesting  that 
in  the  future  "upon  each  side  delegates  be  sent  to  the  General  Synods 
not  only  to  convey  the  greetings  of  the  Churches  and  other  very  much 
appreciated  communications,  but  also  to  take  seats  as  members,  having 
full  pozver  of  discussion,  that  by  this  means  the  bonds  between  us  may 
be  drawn  more  closely  together  in  the  love  of  Christ  and  in  the  unity 
of  the  Spirit,  and  that  the  discussion  of  affairs  which  pertain  to  the 
general  interests  of  the  Churches,  as,  for  instance,  the  modification  of 
any  article  of  the  Confessions  in  regard  to  which  we  might  correspond 
with  you  later,  could  be  brought  about  in  a  more  orderly  manner  and 
with   greater   facility. 

Your  Committee  is  disposed  to  regard  with  favor  this  overture  of 
our  Holland  brethren  in  the  Netherlands  and  recommends  that  the  sug- 
gestions be  adopted. 

The  following  resolutions  are  submitted : 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Synod  be  directed  to  extend 
a  cordial  invitation  to  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the 
Netherlands  to  send  a  representative  or  representatives  to  our  next 
General  Synod  with  the  understanding  that  full  power  of  discussion 
upon  the  floor  of  Synod  be  accorded  them  as  corresponding  members. 
Resolved,  That  the  session  of  the  General  Synod  next  preceding 
that  of  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  Netherlands,  which  meets  in  the 
Summer  of  1899,  be  requested  to  appoint  delegates  to  the  above-named 
body,  provided  such  delegates  can  be  secured  without  expense  to  the 
Synod.     1897,  692. 

A  communication  from  the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  Netherlands, 
expressing  much  gratification  at  the  reception  of  Synod's  invitation  to 
the  Church  of  the  Netherlands,  to  send  a  Delegate  to  this  body,  and 
expressing  regret  that  the  Deputy  appointed  to  attend  this  session  of 
Synod,  the  Rev.  Prof.  Rutgers,  is  unable  to  be  present  on  account  of  his 
duties  at  the  Free  University,  Amsterdam. 

Delegates  to,  Rev.  Jas.  F.  Zwemer,  Rev.  E.  Tilton.     1898,  160,  162. 


NEVIN,  JOHN  W.  417 

A  communication  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  the  Netherlands,  reminding  us  that  that  body  will  meet  at  Groningen 
on  August  15,  1899,  and  inviting  us  to  send  delegates  to  that  meeting,  and 
to  send  their  names  as  soon  as  possible  that  they  may  make  timely 
arrangements  for  their  reception  and  entertainment. 

Your  Committee  would  recommend  that  this  invitation  be  accepted, 
and  that  the  Revs.  James  F.  Zwemer  and  E.  C.  Oggel,  D.D.,  be  appointed 
our  representatives  to  that  body,  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  send  their 
names  to  F.  Lion  Cachet,  No.  18  Kruiskade,  Secretary  of  Foreign  Corre- 
spondence at  Rotterdam,  Holland,  as  soon  as  possible.     1899,  469,  470. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Roe  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Roe,  missionaries 
to  the  Indians  of  North  America,  be  given  credentials  to  the  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Churches  in  the  Netherlands,  to  represent  the  work  of  the 
Reformed  (Dutch)  Church  in  America  among  the  aboriginees  of  our 
country.     1902,  125. 

Nevin,  John  W.  (Rev.  Dr.)  1803- 1886.  Prof,  in  Refd.  German 
Church,  Mercersburg,  Pa.,  1840-51;  Pres.  of  Marshall  College,  Mercers- 
burg,  1841-53 ;  and  of  Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  1866-76. 
Editor  of  Mercersburg  Review,  '49-53 ;  among  many  other  publications, 
published  "The  Mystical  Presence,"  1846.  His  peculiar  views  referred 
to  by  Gen.  Syn.,  1835,  535-  See  also  "Mercersburg  Theology" ;  North 
Carolina  Classis";  "Reformed  Ch.  in  U.  S." 

Nevius,  Cornelius  S.  Gives  Scholarship  of  $1,483.49,  to  Board  of 
Education.     1901,  1063. 

Newark,  Church,  (Clinton  Av.)  gives  Scholarship,  $1,255,  for  Arcot. 
Held  by  Gen.  Synod,  1895,  51. 

Newark,  Classis  of.  Organized  1872;  then  consisting  of  the  follow- 
ing churches:  Belleville;  Franklin;  Irvington;  Linden;  Newark,  ist: 
Newark,  2d;  Newark,  Clinton  Av. ;  Newark,  East;  Newark,  North; 
Newark,  West. 

Newark,  North  Church.  Gives  $583  for  Elocution  Fund,  1888,  527 ; 
'89,  769;  '90,  46. 

Newark  Theological  School.     See  Bloomfield  Sem. 

New  Brunswick,  Classis  of.  This  was  originally  a  part  of  the 
"Circle  of  Jersey,"  which  see.  In  the  Articles  of  Union,  1771,  10,  the 
"Particular  Body"  (or  Classis)  of  New  Brunswick  was  organized.  It 
then  comprised  all  the  Dutch  churches  in  the  counties  of  Richmond,  (or 
Staten  Island;)  Monmouth,  Somerset,  Hunterdon  and  Sussex.  In  1784, 
128,  the  name  of  Classis  was  assumed,  and  the  following  churches  are 
then  reported,  viz. :  New  Brunswick ;  Six  Mile  Run ;  Raritan ;  Bedmin- 
ster ;  Millstone  ;  Shannock ;  Sourland  ;  Freehold ;  Middletown,  Conewago, 
Pa.;  North  Branch;  South  and  North  Hampton,  Pa.;  Walpack;  Minisink 
and  Mahakemack,  N.  Y.  This  Classis  was  not  divided  in  1800,  as  the 
Classes  of  Hackensack,  Kingston  and  New  York,  were.  The  following 
additional  churches  were,  in  1800,  315,  reported :  Reddington ;  Potter's 
Town ;  Clove ;  West  Town ;  Nominack ;  Wilkesbarre,  and  Hanover,  Pa. 
In  1814,  the  Classis  of  Philadelphia  was  set  off;  in  1854,  the  Classis  of 
Monmouth;  and  in  1859,  the  Classis  of  Raritan. — For  the  later  identifica- 
tion of  some  of  these  names,  see  Corwin's  Manual. 

New  Brunswick  Grammar  School.  Alluded  to  as  flourishing,  1809. 
383,  and  occasionally  afterwards. 

New  Brunswick,  Particular  Body  of.  1771-1784.  See  New  Bruns- 
wick, Classis  of  1771,  10. 

New  Brunswick,  Particular  Synod  of.  Organized  in  1869,  com- 
prising the  Classes  of  Bergen,  South  Bergen,  Monmouth,  New  Bruns- 
wick, Paramus,  Passaic,  Philadelphia  and  Raritan.     1869,  631. 


41 8         DIGEST    OF    SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

New  Brunswick  Review.  This  was  established  in  pursuance  of  a 
resohition  of  the  Alumni  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  in  July,  1853. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  regard  with  cordial  approbation  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  New  Brunswick  Review,  commenced  by  the  counsel  and 
patronage  of  the  Society  of  the  Alumni  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  as 
an  important  means  of  defending  and  fortifying  the  ancient  position  of 
our  Church,  of  illustrating  her  history  and  promoting  the  success  and 
efficiency  of  her  institution.  The  Synod  has  full  confidence  that  under 
the  care  of  the  Alumni  Association,  and  its  editor.  Dr.  Proudfit,  it  will 
be  ably  and  faithfully  conducted,  and  is  desirous  and  solicitous  that  it 
may  receive  an  adequate  and  permanent  support.  We  commend  it  to 
the  co-operation  and  patronage  of  the  ministers  and  members  of  our 
Church.     1854,  480. 

[This  Review  only  issued  four  Numbers,  viz.,  in  May,  Aug.  and  Nov., 
1854,  and  Feb.,  1855.  It  was  ably  edited,  and  had  many  excellent  Articles 
and  Reviews ;  but  it  did  not  meet  with  such  a  response  as  warranted  its 
continuance.  Many  bound  copies  of  the  four  Numbers  exist,  and  are 
highly  esteemed  by  those  who  possess  them.] 

New  Brunswick  Theological  Seminary.  [In  this  Article,  all  mere 
routine  matters,  such  as  the  giving  of  the  Professorial  certificates,  the 
advancing  of  the  classes  to  the  next  grade,  details  about  individual 
students,  items  about  the  examinations,  etc.,  are  omitted.  For  the  com- 
plete list  of  students,  see  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.,  1902,  pp,  1048-71.] 

1807. 
After  the  Covenant  between  General  Synod  and  Queens  College, 
(which  see,)  the  newly-appointed  Board  of  Superintendents  appointed  a 
Committee.  (Revs.  John  N.  Abeel,  Jer.  Romeyn,  G.  A.  Kuypers,)  to  issue 
an  Address  to  the  churches,  in  behalf  of  the  Professorship,  1807,  366.  It 
is  ten  pages  long,  and  reviews  the  efforts  of  the  Church  in  this  matter, 
1770- 1807.  It  first  presents  the  principles  upon  which  institutions  of 
learning  rest;  and  then  recounts  the  historical  circumstances  in  the  efforts 
to  establish  a  "Professorship  of  Theology"  in  America.  The  following 
is  the  line  of  thought  of  the  Address : 

I.  The  Principles: — The  Address  alludes  to  the  "Oracles  of  God" 
committed  to  the  Church;  the  necessity  of  teachers  for  the  spiritual 
enlightenment  of  the  people ;  the  mode  of  teaching  under  the  Old  Testa- 
ment ;  and  the  Gospel  Ministry  under  the  New  Testament ;  the  inspired 
Apostles;  their  successors,  building  on  their  foundation;  the  necessity 
of  learning  in  a  minister;  the  earlier  Institutions;  the  Middle  Ages; 
Protestantism,  and  the  necessity  felt  for  Theological  Schools  with 
endowed  Professorships ;  their  worth  and  necessity ;  they  are  a  part  of 
the  very  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church.     Pp.  368-371. 

II.  The  Historical  Circumstances  of  the  Reformed  Church,  in 
America: — The  original  Holland  immigrants;  the  first  congregations:  [not 
very  accurate  here:]  ministers  obtained  from  Holland  for  a  century ;  the 
difiiculties  experienced ;  necessity  of  educating  ministers  in  America ; 
opposition  thereto;  the  two  parties;  (372)  differences  as  to  the  means 
of  preparing  men  for  the  ministry ;  Dr.  Livingston's  efforts  for  a  recon- 
ciliation of  the  parties,  while  in  Holland,  (1766-70,)  and  to  obtain  a  Con- 
stitution for  the  American  churches ;  independence  granted,  on  condition 
that  they  should  have  a  Theological  Professor ;  'Articles  of  Union" 
between  the  parties,  1771  ;  (373)  desires  for  a  Professor,  and  early  efforts 
thereto.  Queens  College  Charter  obtained  by  only  one  of  the  parties; 
consequent  difficulties  of  its  success ;  efforts  to  obtain  a  Professor  from 
Holland  (374)  ;  delays  caused  by  the  Revolutionary  War;  Dr.  Livingston 
appointed  Professor,  1784;  all  students  must  have  his  Professorial  Cer- 
tificate; efforts  to  secure  an  Endowment;  (375)  Dr.  Livingston  does  not 
wait  for  an  Endowment,  but  begins  his  duties  at  once;  Lectors  in  other 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  419 

localities  appointed;  various  plans  tried;  expenses  of  students  residing 
in  the  City,  too  great,  1794;  the  Professor  opens  his  School  at  Flatbush, 
1796:  temporary  success;  other  [assistant]  Professors  appointed,  1797; 
(376)  scheme  not  a  success;  the  Institution  brought  back  to  its  original 
form — One  Permanent  Professor,  1804 !  delays  and  discouragements ;  the 
offer  of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  1807,  to  make  it  subservient  to 
the  Theological  Professorship ;  Synod  accepts  the  offer ;  the  Covenant 
between  the  Synod  and  the  Trustees.     {Z77)- 

Necessity  of  vigorous  measures;  theological  education  in  Holland; 
desire  for  an  educated  ministry  in  America ;  the  present  crisis ;  importance 
of  utilizing  the  Providential  opportunity ;  necessity  of  Theological  Insti- 
stutions ;  all  Denominations  founding  them ;  the  Dutch  Church  has  lagged 
behind ;  necessity  of  generous  contributions  for  Endowment.     1807,  368-378. 

1809. 
At  the  next  meeting  of  General  Synod,  reports  showed  remarkably 
preliminary  success  toward  Endowment,  381,  387.  See  "Professorial 
Fund."  Dr.  Livingston  called  as  "Professor  of  Theology"  in  Queens 
College,  at  a  salary  of  $750;  accepted;  called  also  to  be  President  of  the 
College,  at  a  salary  of  $250 ;  declined,  382,  387 ;  delayed  his  removal  to 
New  Brunswick,  lest  he  should  hinder  the  progress  of  the  Endowment; 
the  Board  of  Superintendents,  (which  see),  had  nothing  to  do;  exhorta- 
tions to  the  churches  to  come  to  the  help  of  the  Professorship,  387-8, 
391.  394 

1812. 

Dr.  Livingston's  first  Report  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  1812; 
had  removed  to  New  Brunswick  in  1810;  5  students;  call  of  the  Trustees 
had  been  made  upon  him  in  Aug.,  1808;  his  salary  in  New  York,  as 
pastor  of  Collegiate  Church  $2,500;  in  1810,  the  College  Trustees  had 
offered  him,  at  first,  $1,400;  subsequently,  $1,700;  had  accepted  their  call 
at  great  personal  sacrifice,  and  had  received  in  two  years,  (1810-12),  only 
$1,200.  in  all;   renounced  all  claims  to  arrearages,    [now  $2,200,]    415-418. 

Synod  reviewed  the  facts ;  emphasized  the  necessity  of  completing 
the  Endowment ;  of  securing  funds  for  needy  students ;  and  for  a  Library. 
See  "Students;"  "Education,  Board  of;"  "Theological  Library." 
The  Superintendents  were  directed  to  hold  their  meetings  at  the  time  of 
the  Commencements  of  Queens  College.  See  "Plans  of  the  Theological 
School"  elsewhere  in  this  Article,  428-430. 

1813. 
Board  of  Superintendents  had  been  formally  organized  in  Sept.,  1812; 
several  meetings;  8  students;  death  of  Prof.  Van  Harlingen ;  (see  his 
name:)  all  students  of  theology  must  report  themselves  to  this  Board  of 
Superintendents,  and  consider  themselves  under  its  care;  all  students 
studying  elsewhere,  must  apply  to  this  Board,  for  permission  to  be 
examined  by  Prof.  Livingston,  to  secure  his  Professorial  Certificate,  35-37. 

1814 

Elias  Van  Bunschooten  makes  his  great  bequest  for  needy  students, 
12-18;  see  "Van  Bunschooten  Bequest";  further  allusions  to  the  diverse 
labors  of  Prof.  Van  Harlingen;  $120  appropriated  for  the  purchase  of 
Hebrew  Bibles;  Prof.  Van  Harlingen  had  died  in  Nov.,  1813,  and  Rev. 
Peter  Studdiford  had  been  appointed  in  his  place;  a  committee  had 
been  appointed  to  superintend  admission  of  students;  11  students 
in  attendance.  Another  Professorship  needed;  to  sustain  it,  the 
church  of  Albany  had  offered  $750,  annually,  for  six  years,  and  the 
church  of  New  Brunswick,  $200  for  same  time;  Second  Professorship 
should  embrace  "Hebrew,  Biblical  Criticism  and  Ecclesiastical  History." 
18-21.  ^ 

Synod  reiterated  and  emphasized  the  necessity  of  a  Second  Professor; 


420         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

and  declared  that,  until  such  Hebrew  Professor  should  be  appointed,  the 
certificate  of  the  Bd.  of  Superintendents  should  be  sufficient,  so  far  as 
respects  Hebrew,  to  entitle  a  student  to  examination  for  licensure.  Dr. 
Livingston  urged  the  necessity,  in  Synod,  of  completing  the  Endowment, 
lest  the  Institution  should  fail.  Synod  directed  the  College  Trustees  to 
pay  the  arrearages  of  the  Professor's  salary  out  of  the  Principal  of  the 
Professorial  Fund;   (which  see;)  43-46. 

1815. 

Plan  of  the  Seminary,  as  to  Professorships,  and  as  to  its  control 
oyer  all  students,  not  carried  out;  15  students;  lack  of  Professors; 
dispensations  to  students,  to  study  elsewhere,  should  not  be  allowed; 
might  employ  a  settled  pastor  to  teach,  at  a  salary  of  $500;  the  Board 
urged  the  necessity  of  a  "Permanent  and  Adequate  Endowment." 
1815,  16-19,  41.  Synod  takes  action  accordingly.  See  "Permanent 
Fund,"  42,  46. 

A  "Plan"  was  now  proposed  for  a  Union  between  Queens  Col- 
lege and  the  Theological  Seminary,  by  which  a  "Theological  Col- 
lege" should  be  established,  44,  45.  This  "Plan"  was  somewhat  modi- 
fied and  then  endorsed  by  Synod;  Oct.,  1815,  9-11.  Under  this  Plan, 
the  Theological  Professors  were  also  to  teach  in  the  Literary  De- 
partments of  the  College,  and  their  salaries  paid,  in  part  by  the  Synod, 
and  in  part  by  the  College.     See  "Theological  College." 

SECOND    PROFESSORSHIP,    1815. 

In  1815,  Rev.  John  Schureman  was  elected  Professor  of  "Pastoral 
Theology  and  Ecclesiastical  History,"  45,  46,  49.  The  certificate  of 
his  "Professorial  Appointment"  given,  Oct.,  1815,  16;  his  installation, 
third  Tuesday  of  Nov.  See  Oct.,  1815,  15.  [Hebrew  and  Biblical 
Criticism,  according  to  1814,  21,  with  Ecc.  History,  were  to  be  the 
topics  belonging  to  this  Second  Chair;  but  they  are  not  mentioned 
in  this  appointment;  but  with  the  election  of  the  next  Professor  there- 
to, its  title  is  made  to  be — Biblical   Literature  and   Ecc.    Hist.,   1818, 

1816. 
Meetings  of  Board  of  Superintendents  for  business  were  some- 
times held  in  New  York  or  Albany.  Fourteen  students.  Prof. 
Schureman  has  entered  on  his  duties;  time. of  examination  of  students 
for  licensure  [for  Professorial  Certificate?]  to  be  on  last  Tuesday  of 
May;  applications  for  admission,  to  be  made  to  the  Professors;  dis- 
pensations to  study  elsewhere,  to  be  granted  with  caution,  9-12;  31, 
32;  on  account  of  the  closing  of  the  College,  Prof.  Schureman's  sal- 
ary reduced  from  $1,400  (Oct.,  1815,  11)  to  $1,200,  with  the  use  of 
the  [west]  wing  of  the  College,  34.  If  necessary,  the  Treasurer  may 
transfer  the  capital  stock  of  the  endowment,  to  pay  the  Professors, 
or  sell  it  in  their  behalf,  43.     [1816-1825,  Queens  College  closed.] 

1817. 

Sixteen  students;  at  their  request.  Prof.  Schureman  is  to  deliver 
a  course  of  lectures  on  Church  History,  7-9.  Particular  Synod  of 
Albany  asks  for  a  Theological  School  within  its  bounds.  Proposi- 
tion to  remove  the  Seminary  to  New  York  City.  Committee  of  con- 
ference with  Trustees  of  College,  appointed,  33,  34;  their  report;  ar- 
guments pro  and  con;  Oct.,  1817,  6-8;  Synod  decides  against  removal; 
Oct.,  1817,  13-16. 

1818. 

Sixteen  students;  death  of  Prof.  Schureman,  12,  32,  39;  students 
of  Prof.  Froeligh  have  not  reported  themselves,  according  to  1813,  36, 
to  Board  of  Superintendents,  13;  their  apology  therefor,  32,  33. 

Second  Professorship  defined  to  embrace  "Biblical  Literature  and 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  421 

Ecclesiastical   History."     Rev.   Thos.    DeWitt   elected  thereto,  31;   de- 
clines; Synod  defers  accepting  his  declination,  Aug.,  1818,  5,  6. 

1819. 
Rev.  James  S.  Cannon  had  been  temporarily  secured,  to  teach 
Ecc.  Hist.,  Church  Government  and  Pastoral  Theology;  and  Mr. 
John  S.  Mabon,  to  teach  Hebrew  and  Greek,  9;  Dr.  Livingston  re- 
quested to  publish  his  lectures,  10;  his  continued  health  and  useful- 
ness, at  the  age  of  74,  10,  11;  importance  of  completing  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Seminary  [with  three  Professors];  the  Board  needs  a  com- 
plete set  of  Synodical  Minutes;  desires  a  change  of  day  of  annual  ex- 
aminaton  from  last  Tuesday  of  May  to  fourth  Monday;  granted,  11- 
36,  40;  22  students,  10;  Synod  resolved  that  the  Professors  should 
not  thenceforth  hold  any  pastoral  charge.  Dr.  Thos.  DeWitt  still 
declining  the  Professorship,  (Aug.  1818,  5,  6,)  Rev.  John  Ludlow  was 
elected  Professor  of  "Biblical  Literature  and  Ecclesiastical  History," 
39.  The  admission  of  students  into  the  Theological  School,  or  the 
School  of  Prof.  Froeligh,  was  entrusted  to  the  Professors  and  the 
Bd.  of  Superintendents,  or  to  a  Committee  of  the  same.  The  The- 
ological College  to  open  on  Sept.  ist,  and  the  Board  to  meet  at  5 
P.M.  on  that  day.  The  Bd.  authorized  to  charge  $30  tuition  of  the 
students,  if  they  think  it  expedient,  39-41. 

1820. 
Twenty-one  students,  Prof.  Ludlow  had  been  installed.  Opening  of 
the  School  delayed,  (unofficially,)  to  accommodate  the  new  Professor. 
Xo  quorum  of  the  Board  present  in  Nov.,  and  students  could  not  be 
legally  received ;  their  testimonials  ratified  at  the  close  of  the  year.  If 
not  possessing  diplomas,  students  must  give  other  testimonials  of  proper 
attainments.  Board  of  Corporation  must  collect  moneys  paid  to  bene- 
ficiaries, who  leave  the  Church  within  ten  years,  14-17,  69. 

1821. 
Eighteen   students ;    Bd.   had   held   one   meeting  in   Albany ;    necessity 
of  increased  endowment,  6-8,  53-55. 

1822. 

Twenty-five  students ;  Pastoral  Letter  issued  in  behalf  of  the  Semi- 
nary's endowments ;  the  Bd.  of  Superintendents  to  meet  on  the  Tuesday 
preceding  meeting  of  General  Synod,  6-8,  59-63. 

Prof.  Ludlow  resigns  his  Professorship  to  the  Bd.  of  Superintendents 
on  account  of  the  embarrassed  finances  of  the  Seminary ;  Board  declares 
itself  unable  to  accept  it ;  Synod  seeks  to  induce  him  to  remain  as  the 
Endowment  is  succeeding.     Feb.,  1823,  5-8. 

1823. 

Twenty-one  students ;  $26,675  subscribed  toward  the  endowment  in 
southern  part  of  the  Church;  efforts  to  be  made  to  increase  it  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  Church,  6-9;  12-14;  52,  Prof.  Ludlow  willing  to 
withdraw  his  resignation  in  deference  to  Synod's  authoritative  interfer- 
ence ;  different  views ;  statement  of  the  whole  case ;  his  resignation  finally 
accepted,  14-18,  54,  55.  Gratitude  of  Synod  at  the  large  addition  to  the 
"Permanent  Fund,''  which  see.  Committee  appointed  to  raise  an  endow- 
ment in  the  northern  part  of  the  Church  for  a  Third  Professorship.  Rev. 
Dr.  John  Ludlow,  Christian  Miller  and  Ab.  Van  Dyke,  said  Committee, 
51.  52,  54.  Professors  have  power  to  reprimand  or  suspend  from  the 
School,  disrespectful,  immoral  or  incompetent  students,  subject  to  the 
revision  of  the  Board,  54. 

Rev.  John  DeWilt  elected  Prof,  of  Biblical  Literature  and  Ecclesias- 
tical History.  Salary,  $1,750,  with  right  wing  of  the  College  for  a  resi- 
dence, at  $200  rent.  1823,  58;  1824,  52.  Synod  buys  the  College  Property, 
53;   1824,   17,  54 


422  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

1824. 

Twenty-nine  students ;  Prof.  Livingston,  in  his  78th  year,  performs 
all  his  duties  with  alacrity.  Prof.  DeWitt  has  entered  on  his  duties.  A 
spirit  of  revival  prevails  among  the  students.  Importance  of  endowment 
for  a  Third  Professorship,  8-12,  30.  Synod  refers  to  success  of  the 
Endowment ;  Classes  must  not  simply  depend  on  the  credentials  of 
students,  but  examine  them  for  themselves ;  Committee  on  Third  Profes- 
sorship enlarged  by  nine  additions ;  Professors  must  preach  once  a  month 
before  the  students ;  Professors  requested  to  attend  Synod ;  power  of 
admitting  students  to  the  School  vested  in  the  Board ;  but  a  Committee  of 
nearby  members  to  be  appointed,  to  admit  applicants  during  the  recess  of 
Board,  53-56. 

Prof.  Livingston  died  suddenly  on  Jan.  20,  1825.  Rev.  Dr.  Philip  Mille- 
doler  elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology,  in  his  place.  Salary,. 
$Ij575»  with  use  of  one  of  the  wings  of  the  College.  Feb.  (not  Jan.  as 
printed,)    1825,  5-8. 

1825. 

Eighteen  students.  Prof.  DeWitt  has  also  taught  in  Didactic  Depart- 
ment. Prof.  Milledoler  installed  in  May,  6-8.  Queens  College  to  be 
revived  as  a  Literary  Institution,  19.  $25,000  needed  to  carry  out  the 
original  Plan  of  a  "Theological  College,"  besides  the  $1,700,  per  year,  for 
three  years,  promised  by  the  Collegiate  Church  of  New  York.  Speedy 
action  needed,  34-39.  Superintendents  to  meet,  to  open  the  School,  on 
Tuesday  preceding  second  Wednesday  of  Sept..  41. 

THIRD   PROFESSORSHIP,    1825. 

Twenty-six  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  fifteen  dollars  subscribed  in 
Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  toward  Third  Professorship.  Sept.,  1825. 
6-17,  25;  names.  New  Plan  of  Studies  proposed,  and  adopted,  Sept.,  1825, 
17,  18,  26.  Rev.  John  Ludlow  elected  Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist.,  Ch.  Gov.,  and 
Pastoral  Theology.  Declined.  Rev.  Selah  S.  Woodhull  elected.  Salary^ 
$i>575.  with  West  Wing  of  the  College  for  residence.  Sept.,  1825,  26-28. 
See  "Plan  of  the  Seminary,"  1825,  elsewhere  in  this  Article. 

Studies  to  be  reviewed  at  close  of  each  year,  and  Anniversary  Exer- 
cises held,  in  which  each  member  of  Senior  Class  to  bear  a  part ;  Mark's 
Medulla  to  be  the  text  book  in  Didactic  and   Polemic  Theology :    Sept., 

1825,  17,   18,  26. 

REVIVAL   OF    QUEENS    [rUTGERS]    COLLEGE,    1825. 

The  Theological  Professors  shall  have  certain  literary  duties  in  the 
College;  one  of  the  Theological  Professors  shall  be  President;  the  two 
principal  vacations  of  the  College  and  Seminary  shall  be  simultaneous ; 
Board  of  Superintendents  to  meet  on  first  Tuesday  of  April.  [Time 
changed  to  second  Wednesday  of  July,  Mar.,  1826,  6.]  Queens  College  to 
be  called  rutgers  college.     Sept.,  1825,  19-26.     June,  1826,  15. 

Death  of  Prof.  Woodhull,  Feb.  2-],  1826.  (See  June,  1826,  8,  16.) 
Choice  of  a  Professor,  not  limited  to  ministers  of  R.  D.  C.  Rev.  Dr.  Jas. 
S.  Cannon  elected  Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist.,  Ch.  Gov.,  and  Pastoral  Theology. 
Salary,    $1,575,    with    West    Wing    of    the    College    for    residence.      Mar., 

1826,  6,  7. 

1826. 
Eighteen    students ;    8 ;    Prof.    Cannon    has    been    inducted    into    his 
office,  52. 

1827. 
In  1827  there  is  no  report  from  Bd.  of  Superintendents,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  the  Board  did  not  meet  until  July  11,  1827.     (See  1828,  99.) 

Case  of  student  Leonard  B.  VanDyke,  for  unorthodoxy,  Ap..  1828, 
86-89,  91,  92;  1829,  174-6.  See  also  "Presbyterian  Church"  under  date^ 
1829;  and  Corwin's  ^lanual,  under  Van  Dyke,  L.  B. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  423 

1828. 

Fourteen  students ;  course  of  study  of  Junior  Class  made  to  include 
also  History  of  Old  Testament  and  Pastoral  Theology  so  far  as  it  relates 
to  composition  and  delivery  of  sermons,  99-101.  Time  of  meeting  of 
Board  changed  from  second  Wednesday  in  July,  to  Tuesday  preceding 
the  College  Commencement,  loi,  128-9.  Proposition  to  organize  the 
Theological  Professors  into  a  Faculty,  refused,  loi,  129.  Plan  of  the 
Seminary  of  1812,  revised,  by  incorporating  all  the  amendments  made 
thereto,  between  1812  and  1828,  127-8.  Amended  Plan,  1828,  139-143. 
See  this  "Plan"  elsewhere  in  this  Article. 

All  the  endowments  for  the  support  of  Theological  Professors  to  be 
placed  under  one  head,  to  be  called  the  "permanent  professorial  fund, 
which  see;  131. 

1829. 

Twenty-two  students;  151;  Memoir  of  Dr.  Livingston  prepared,  153; 
Trustees  of  the  College  requested  to  appropriate  $150  for  instruction  in 
Hebrew,  194;  the  Board  to  designate  the  students  to  be  supported  from 
the  Heyer  Scholarship,  158,  202;  annual  examinations  to  be  held  in  April, 
on  Tuesday  succeeding  the  close  of  the  winter  session,  202. 

1830. 

Twenty-four  students ;  time  of  examination  fixed  for  first  Tuesday 
in  April,  232-4,  280. 

1831. 

Twenty-one  students ;  Professors  urged  to  visit  the  churches  during 
vacations,  to  excite  interest  in  the  Institutions,  315,  316,  371-4. 

Nov.,  183 1. 
Death  of  Prof.  John  DeWitt  on  Oct.  11,  1831.    Rev.  Dr.  John  Ludlow 
elected  Prof,  of  Biblical  Literature.     Salary,  $1,750,  8. 

1832. 

Twenty  students ;  Prof.  M'Clelland  has  instructed  the  Juniors  in 
Hebrew;  time  of  examination  changed  back  from  April  to  close  of  College 
year,  21-23. 

Dr.  Ludlow  declined  the  election;  Rev.  Dr.  Alex.  M'Clelland  elected 
thereto;  salary,  $1,750.  Trustees  of  College  requested  to  appoint  a 
Professor  of  Oriental  Literature  in  the  College;  also  to  appoint  a  Pro- 
fessor of  Logic  and  Rhetoric ;  [to  relieve  the  Theological  Professor  from 
these  duties;]   64-66. 

1833- 

Sixteen  students;  Prof.  M'Clelland  had  been  installed  in  his  office; 
missionary  spirit  among  the  students;  further  development  of  this  spirit, 
anticipated  by  the  expected  visits  of  Rev.  David  Abeel,  161-3;  discussion 
of  the  wisdom  of  the  connection  of  Seminary  and  College ;  Mark's  Medulla 
to  be  continued  as  a  text-book,  212-216;  219,  220. 

1834. 

No  report  from  Bd.  of  Superintendents,  248-253 ;  Classis  of  New 
Brunswick  requests  Synod  to  consider  a  sermon  of  Prof.  M'Clelland,  on 
''Spiritual  R.egeneration,"  283,  285;  the  sermon  on  Luke  11:9,  "Ask,  and 
it  shall  be  given  unto  you,  etc.,"  which  has  been  printed.  Committee  com- 
pared its  teachings  with  the  Standards  of  the  Church,  on  "Depravity," 
"Good  Works,"  and  "Grace";  extracts  given,  301-310;  recommended  that 
Prof.  M'Clelland  be  heard  on  the  subject,  310,  311;  he  expressed  his 
full  belief  in  the  Standards  of  the  Church. 

Synod  expressed,  in  resolutions,  its  disapproval  of  the  sermon,  con- 
taining sentiments  and  phraseology'  not  warranted  by  the  Standards ;  but 
his    declaration    of    unequivocal    approbation    of    the    Standards,    deemed 


424         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

satisfactory,  and  justifies  continued  confidence  in  him;  his  remarks  to  be 
published  in  the  Minutes,  311;  given  in  full,  312-319. 

The  annual  examination  fixed  for  the  Thursday  of  the  week  preceding 
the  College  Commencement.     248,  321. 

1835. 
No    report    from    Bd.    of    Superintendents,    344-354;    the    Professors 
organized  into  a   Faculty,  to  exercise  the  powers  vested  in  them  in  the 
"Plan  of  the  Seminary,"   1828;  to  hold  monthly  meetings;   Professors  to 
preside,  quarterly,  in  rotation,  424. — Benefits  of,  1836,  514. 

1836. 
Twenty-five  students ;  visits  of  Rev.  David  Abeel  and  others  have 
excited  an  ardent  missionary  spirit  among  the  students,  three  of  whom 
expect  to  go  to  the  foreign  field ;  small  attendance  of  members  of  the 
Board  referred  to,  448-452.  Elaborate  report  of  Committee  on  the  causes 
of  the  small  number  of  students  for  the  Ministry,  51 1-5 16. 

1837. 

Twenty-three  students ;  Prof,  of  Didactic  Theology  should  be  relieved 
from  teaching  in  the  College;  10,  11;  high  price  of  living;  benefit  of 
"Commons" ;  Prof.  M'Clelland  has  divided  his  classes  into  "public"  and 
"private,"  11-15;  Synod  always  gratified  by  attendance  of  the  Pro- 
fessors.    78. 

1838. 

Twenty-four  students;  great  revival  in  New  Brunswick;  [600  taken 
into  the  churches]  ;  happy  effects  on  College  and  Seminary ;  many  will 
study  for  ministry ;  Bd.  of  Superintendents  to  meet  on  second  Wednesday 
in   July.      102-5,    134,    173,    178. 

1839. 

Twenty-seven  students,  208;  new  arrangements  between  the  Synod 
and  Rutgers  College,  274-283;  further  arrangements,  July,  1839,  305-316; 
the  President  of  the  College  needs  no  longer  be  one  of  the  Theological 
Professors  ;  certain  duties  in  the  College  assigned  to  each  of  these  Pro- 
fessors ;  Theological  Professors  are  to  preach  in  the  College  Chapel,  as 
usual ;  the  College  Trustees  now  elected  Rev.  Dr.  John  Ludlow  as  Presi- 
dent;  July,  1839,  313-317;  1840,  331. 

1840. 
Thirty-six   students,   331-2;    Prof.    Cannon's    severe   family   afflictions, 
1839,  272),  have  caused  an  intermission  of  instruction  in  his  department  of 
three  months,  333;  407. 

1841. 

Forty-four  students,  447-450;  stated  clerk  of  Bd.  of  Superintendents, 
made  a  permanent  officer;  450,  518;  time  of  meeting  of  Bd.  changed  to 
Tuesday  preceding  second  Wednesday  of  July,  450,  519. 

Memorial  from  the  students,  and  other  documents,  with  papers  from 
Prof.  Milledoler,  450-1.  Report:  Memorial  signed  by  26  students,  (names, 
448,)  in  reference  to  course  of  instruction,  and  use  of  a  text-book.  (Mark's 
Medulla).  Memorials  from  students,  of  doubtful  propriety;  returned  to 
them ;  papers  of  Prof.  Milledoler  also  returned  to  him ;  Committee 
appointed,    521-3- 

Sept.,  184 1. 

Further  communication  to  Synod  from  Prof.  Milledoler :  Review  of 
the  facts ;  Memorial  prepared  in  secret ;  Synod  countenanced  it  so  far  as 
to  appoint  a  Committee ;  its  powers ;  altered  course  of  instruction  without 
consulting  the  Professor;  his  plan  of  teaching;  no  criticism  of  it  ever 
before  offered;  does  not  believe  Synod  will  adopt  Committee's  report,  10-13. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  425 

Report   of   Committee : 

Instruction  from  Mark's  Medulla  partakes  too  much  of  a  catechetical 
nature ;  should  be  a  connected  system  of  original  lectures ;  a  radical 
change  in  the  mode  of  instruction  needed,  13-24. 

Prof.  Milledoler  resigns ;  resignation  accepted  with  expressions  of 
regard,  24,  25. 

For  "Amended  Plan,"  see  elsewhere  in  this  Article,  under  date  1841. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  Ludlow  elected  Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic 
Theology.     Salary,  $1,575,  with  the  East  Wing  of  the  College;  26. 

Dr.  Ludlow  declined,  Oct.,  1841,  38-40;  Synod  elected  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  A.  Van  Vranken,  on  same  terms.  Accepted  on  condition  of  not 
being  obliged  to  teach  in  the  College.  Conditions  adjusted,  Oct.,  1841, 
41,  42. 

1842. 

Thirty-five  students,  54;  College  Trustees  urge  the  necessity  of  the 
Theological  Professors  teaching  in  the  College ;  College  Commencement 
fixed  for  fourth  Wednesday  of  July ;  meeting  of  Seminary  Superintend- 
ents adapted  to  it,  126-7;  1843,  160. 

1843- 

Thirty-nine  students ;  vacation  should  be  three  months,  to  enable 
needy  students  to  teach  in  country  schools,  160;  Senior  Class,  (19  stu- 
dents, see  names,  159,)  presents  to  Synod  a  portrait  of  Prof.  Cannon; 
thanks ;  a  public  theological  Commencement  suggested  with  addresses 
by  Senior  Class,  and  by  one  of  the  Professors  ;  next  theological  year  to 
begin  Oct.   ist;  suggestions  adopted,  158-163,  247. 

Didactic  Prof.  Van  Vranken  and  President  Hasbrouck  of  the  Col- 
lege, were  requested  to  prepare  Rules  for  the  Library.  Prof,  of  Biblical 
Literature  "solemnly  urged"  to  give  instruction  in  the  College  on  the 
Evidences  of  Christianity.  Bd.  of  Superintendents  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  proposed  Theological  Commencement,  246-9. 

1844. 
Thirty-five  students ;  lack  of  punctuality  among  them ;  absences  from 
the.  city ;  matter  left  to  the  Faculty ;  Senior  Class  excused  from  obligatory 
attendence  at  the  reading  of  lectures  on  Didactic  Theology  [a  second 
time]  ;  Theological  Commencement  to  be  on  Thursday  preceding  fourth 
Wednesday  of  July ;  while  these  Commencements  last,  the  Sermon  be- 
fore the  Board  suspended,  289-293 ;  Synod  excused  Prof.  M'Clelland 
from  teaching  in  the  College;  requested  the  Didactic  Professor  to  teach 
the  "Evidences"  in  the  College;  Synod  promised  to  sustain  the  Faculty 
in  any  discipline  against  unpunctual  or  absent  students,  371-3. 

1845. 

Thirty-three  students ;  another  Memorial  from  students  against  a  The- 
ological Commencement,  405 ;   Commencements  discontinued,  488. 

1846. 

Thirty  students;  failure  to  prevent  students  preaching;  referred  to 
Synod,  10 ;  Didactic  Professor  will  lecture  on  the  "Evidences,"  80 ;  preach- 
ing by  students  prohibited  by  Synod,  81 ;  annual  examination  changed 
from  Julv  to  April,  79,  82-3. 

1847. 

Twenty-six  students ;  Senior  Class  secures  the  erection  of  a  Bethel 
Chapel  near  steamboat  dock ;  members  of  Middle  Class  to  act  as  colpor- 
teurs in  destitute  parts  of  Xew  Jersey;  Faculty  object  to  the  compulsory 
study  of  French  by  students  having  ministry  in  view ;  need  of  commenta- 
ries, etc..  in  Library,  111-113;  Synod  orders  Library  to  be  removed  to 
Van  Xest  Hall;  Synod  refuses  to  interfere  in  reference  to  the  study  of 
French;  first  allusion  to  students  of  the  new  Holland  immigration,   181-7. 


426         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1848. 
Twenty-six  students;  nothing  special,  214-216,  278.  General  Review 
of  the  Institutions  at  New  Brunswick  in  Report  of  "Committee  on  the 
State  of  the  Church'' ;  modification  in  the  organization  of  Bd.  of  Superin- 
tendents suggested;  importance  of  spiritual,  as  well  as  intellectual  devel- 
opment in  the  students ;  condition  and  necessities  of  Rutgers  College,  299 ; 
desirability  of  separating  the  College  and  Seminary,  301-4;  of  modifying 
the  course  of  study  in  the  College,  304-5 ;  importance  of  sustaining  the 
College,  305-7;  propriety  of  re-conveying  the  title  of  the  College  of  the 
Trustees,  307-8. — The  Educational  and  Beneficiary  System,  315-321. 

Sept.,    1848. 

Synodical  action  on  above  suggestions :  change  made  in  number  and 
mode  of  election  of  the  Superintendents,  419;  (action  rescinded,  1849^ 
496). 

1849. 

Thirty-two  students,  439;  a  Committee  appointed  to  formulate  the 
Covenant  Relations,  as  at  present  existing,  between  the  Synod  and  Rut- 
gers College,  496. 

1850. 

Thirty-two  students ;  small  attendance  of  the  members  of  the  Board ; 
students  petition  for  better  accommodations  in  the  Lecture-rooms,  19, 
20,  92 ;  elaborate  report  of  the  Trustees  on  the  Van  Bunschooten  and 
other  Funds ;  and  a  review  of  the  relations  of  General  Synod  and  the 
Trustees  of  the  College,  73-89. 

1851. 

Twenty-eight  students ;  missionary  spirit  among  them ;  need  of  ex- 
egetical  books,  and  of  greater  conveniences  in  the  Lecture-rooms ;  re- 
quest for  $400  for  these  objects,  129,  130;  Prof.  M'Clelland  requested 
payment,  in  advance,  of  salary,  as  he  was  about  to  sail  for  EuFope ;  granted, 
132. 

Trustees  of  College  had  been  asked,  (1850,  89)  to  appoint  Synod's 
Professor  of  Theology,  also  as  their  Professor  of  Theology,  in  the  Col- 
lege ;  assurances  given,  185-6. 

Resignation  of  Prof.  M'Clelland  accepted ;  payment  of  his  salary  in 
advance,  approved,  187-8;  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  H-  Campbell  elected  Professor 
of     Biblical     Literature.      Salary,    $1,750.      Duties    to    begin,    Sept.      ist. 

187-9- 

1852. 

Twenty-six  students ;  250  Dutch  books  from  Rev.  Dr.  Westerlo's 
Library,  210-212,  273 ;  Prof.  Van  Vranken  elected  Prof,  of  Theology  in 
the  College,  270 ;  resignation  of  Prof.  Cannon ;  sympathy  of  Synod ;  de- 
clared Emeritus;  Rev.  Dr.  John  Ludlow  elected  Prof,  of  Pastoral  Theol- 
ogy, Ecc.  History  and  Church  Government.  Salary,  $i,750,  270-3 ;  also 
to  have  west  wing  of  College  for  residence,  299. 

1853. 
Nineteen  students;  Dr.  Ludlow  has  accepted,  297;  Dr.  Campbell  has 
expended   certain   moneys    for   the   exegetical    department;    complaints    of 
small  number  of  students.     Dr.  Cannon  died  July  25,   1852;  325,  366-370, 
397- 

1854- 

Twenty-five  students;  four  Germans,  392-6;  the  Theologiccil  Pro- 
fessors perform  duties  in  the  College,  gratuitously ;  the  Church,  the  main- 
stay of  the  College;  effort  for  an  endowment  of  $100,000,  commended  to 
the  churches,  465-471. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  427 

1855- 
Twenty-nine  students;  additional  German  students,  and  one  Hol- 
lander; suggestion  to  separate  the  Librarj-  of  the  Seminary  from  that 
of  the  College;  Memorial  of  the  students  in  reference  to  the  cost  of  liv- 
ing; importance  of  a  Theological  Hall,  containing  a  dormitory,  refectory, 
lecture-rooms,  a  Library  room,  and  a  residence  for  the  Professor  of 
Biblical  Literature;  endorsed  by  the  Faculty;  committee  appointed  to  pro- 
cure plans  for  such  a  Hall,  raise  funds,  and  seek  the  approbation  of  Synod 
therefor;  the  Board  also  request  Synod  to  divide  the  Library;  place  the 
Theological  part  under  the  care  of  the  Theological  Faculty,  with  power 
to  employ  a  student  to  act  as  Librarian,  at  $50  per  year ;  also  to  empower 
Faculty  to  raise  money  to  increase  the  Library,  511-515;  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  dividing  the  Library;  subject  postponed,  597;  Professors  appointed 
guardians  of  all  beneficiaries,  582;  details  of  efforts  to  secure  a  Theolog- 
ical Hall,  584-592.     See  Hertzog  Hall. 

Oct.,  1885. 
Three  students  to  go  to  the  foreign  field ;  all  the  Classes  to  be  ex- 
amined in  Hebrew  each  year ;  suggestions  for  one  vacation  only ;  that 
the  meetings  of  the  Board  should  precede  that  of  Synod,  that  the  reports 
need  not  lie  over  a  year,  and  that  the  students  may  seek  settlements  in 
summer,  7-10;  term,  accordingly,  made  to  begin  Sept.  20th,  and  continue 
until  third  Tuesday  of  May,  with  an  interval  of  eight  or  ten  days  at  the 
Holidays,  19,  20;  salaries  of  the  Professors  made  $1,800  each;  with  $300 
for  house  rent  for  Prof,  of  Bib.  Literature.  [Dr.  Campbell  occupied, 
1851-63,  the  house  directly  west  of  St.  Peter's  Catholic  Church.] 

1856. 
Thirty  students ;  Hertzog  Hall  in  course  of  erection,  35-38,  105  ;  Pro- 
fessors requested  that  foreigners  should  be  required  to  spend  one  year 
in  the  Seminary,  before  enrollment  among  our  ministers ;  not  granted, 
as  cases  vary ;  Classes  requested  not  to  hold  sessions  to  examine  students 
for  licensure  during  the  week  that  the  Board  holds  its  annual  session, 
101-5. 

1857. 

Thirty-five  students,  including  E.  T.  Corwin,  Resident  Licentiate. 
Illness  of  Prof.  Ludlow,  129-131 ;  new  Library  in  Hertzog  Hall;  cases 
erected,  [costing  $1,000],  and  500  books  from  the  College  to  Hertzog  Hall; 
the  College  Library  to  be  divided;  students  forbidden  to  preach,  213- 
217. 

Oct.,   1857. 

Prof.  Ludlow  died  Sept.  8,  1857.  Rev.  Dr.  Geo.  W.  Bethune  elected 
Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist.,  Ch.  Gov.,  and  Pastoral  Theology.  Salary,  $1,800, 
with  west  wing  of  the  College  for  residence.  Declined.  Rev.  Samuel 
M.  Woodbridge  elected  on  same  conditions,  258-260.  Dr.  Bethune  re- 
quested to  deliver  a  course  of  lectures  on  "Pulpit  Eloquence,"'  at  some 
proper  compensation ;  committee  to  consider  practicability  of  establishing 
a  Professorship  of  Sacred  Rhetoric ;  efforts  to  be  made  to  secure  the 
Librarv  of  Prof.  Ludlow,  260. 

1858. 

Forty-four  students ;  four  to  go  to  foreign  field ;  relation  of  Bd.  of 
Superintendents  to  beneficiaries ;  importance  of  pressing  the  claims  of  the 
ministry  on  pious  youth,  271-5  ;  Dr.  Bethune  to  deliver  lectures  on  Sacred 
Rhetoric  and  Pulpit  Oratory  for  $700,  with  traveling  expenses,  $30,  338- 
340;  portion  of  Library  of  Prof.  Ludlow  secured,  for  $600,  340-1;  [57 
students  said  to  be  in  the  Seminary,  page  345,  but  only  44  names  given, 
page  2']2\  possibly  47]. 


428         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1859. 
Fifty-one  students;   payment  of  room-rents  in  Hertzog  Hall  made  a 
pre-requisite  to  securing  a  Professorial  certificate ;  2,000  books  from  Col- 
lege Library  to   Hertzog  Hall  Library,  373-6;   Faculty  propose  Rules  for 
government  of  Hertzog  Hall,  448. 

i860. 
Fifty-seven    students ;    Matthew    B.    Riddle,    Resident    Licentiate ;    R. 
Pieters,  of  Middle  Class,  for  special   reasons,  allowed  to  graduate ;   mis- 
sionary spirit ;   Rev.  Dr.  F.   M.  Kip  presents  to  Seminary  the  portrait  of 
Dr.  Livingston,  481-5 ;  students  who  preach  to  be  suspended,  558-560. 

1861. 

Fifty-seven  students ;  death  of  Prof.  Van  Vranken  on  Jan.  i,  1861 ; 
his  lectures  read  by  the  other  Professors ;  large  number  of  students ;  re- 
quire all  the  time  of  the  Professors,  who  desire  to  be  relieved  from  all 
College  duties,  7-11,  78,  79;  (see  Report,  1862,  192;)  Classis  of  Holland 
requests  Synod  to  annul  all  action  on  Students'  preaching,  11;  Synod  re- 
fers to  a  former  interpretation  of  these  acts,  79,  80;  committee  to  con- 
fer with  College  Turtsees  respecting  relief  of  the  Theological  Professors 
from  College  duties,  80;  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  F.  Berg  elected  Professor  of 
Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology ;  salary  ,$1,800,  with  east  wing  of  the 
Colege  for  a  residence,  82. 

1862. 

Fifty-five  students ;  Abraham  Thompson,  Resident  Licentiate ;  First 
church  of  Freehold  presents  portrait  of  Prof.  Van  Vranken ;  death  of 
Col.  Jas.  Neilson,  who  gave  the  land  for  Hertzog  Hall ;  Plan  of  Seminary 
of  1828  amended — no  sermon  before  the  Board  required,  115-118,  191; 
Didactic  Professor  under  obligation,  by  the  Covenant,  to  teach  in  the 
College ;  the  others  to  render  such  services  as  may  be  agreed  on ;  Col- 
lege cannot  spare  them,  192. 

1863. 

Fifty-one  students ;  one  has  enlisted  in  the  army ;  two  are  going 
to  the  foreign  field ;  portrait  of  Prof.  Ludlow  has  been  received ;  580  vol- 
umes of  Prof.  Van  Vranken's  Library  have  been  donated ;  Scudder  Monu- 
ment erected,  247-250,  329 ;  resignation  of  Prof.  Campbell ;  Rev.  Hervey 
D.  Ganse  elected  Professor  of  Biblical  Literature;  salary,  $1,800,  with 
$300  for  house  rent ;  declines ;  Rev.  Dr.  John  DeWitt  elected  on  same 
condition,  326-8;  Dr.  Bethune  has  bequeathed  all  his  theological  and  clas- 
sical books,  on  cetrain  conditions ;  accepted,  329-332. 

1864. 

Forty-eight  students ;  a  "Reading  Room"  has  been  established  in  Hert- 
zog Hall,  395-8,  482. 

1865. 

Forty-eight  students ;  one  student  dismissed  for  immorality ;  also  An- 
drew Doremus,  for  intemperate  language,  respecting  the  assassination  of 
President  Lincoln,  547. 

FOURTH    PROFESSORSHIP,    1865. 

Origin  of  the  Fourth  Professorship :  Subscription  of  $40,000  from 
Rev.  Dr.  Nicholas  E.  Smith  for  the  increase  of  the  present  "Permanent 
Professorial  Fund,"  on  condition  that  another  $40,000  be  secured  for  the 
endowment  of  a  Fourth  Professorship.  Success  near.  See  Smith,  Nicholas 
E. — Reception  of  2,000  books  from  Dr.  Bethune's  Library ;  of  80  volumes, 
from  Dr.  Dwight's  Library;  Prof.  VVoodbridge  requests  the  erection  of 
a  residence  for  himself;  Prof.  Berg  asks  for  relief  from  instruction  in 
the  College;  Andrew  Doremus  asks  to  be  restored  to  the  Seminary,  546- 
551.  627;   sec   Professorial    Residences;    Prof.    Berg  has   vacated   the   east 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  429 

wing  of  the  College ;  $150  allowed  him  for  moving  expenses ;  salaries  of 
the  three  Professors  raised  to  $2,500 ;  case  of  Andrew  Doremus  left  to 
the  decision  of  the  Faculty  or  Committee  of  Board  of  Superintendents ; 
the  Covenant  of  1807,  between  the  Synod  and  the  College,  finally  an- 
nulled; College  need  no  longer  elect  Synod's  Professor  of  Theology;  the 
Theological  Professors  need  no  longer  teach  in  the  College ;  the  College 
Property  conveyed  back  by  the  Synod  to  the  Trustees,  for  $12,000 ;  Rev. 
David  D.  Demarest  elected  Professor  of  Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred 
Rhetoric;  salary,  $1,800,  and  the  use  of  a  house;  $500  allowed  to  Prof. 
Berg,  and  $500  to  Prof.  DeWitt,  for  house  rent ;  Praf.  Demarest  to  have 
the  use  of  the  east  wing  of  the  College  until  1867,  unless  the  Trustees 
prefer  to  pay  him  $500  per  year,  to  obtain  possession  of  the  same,  623- 
631. 

1866. 

Thirty-nine  students ;  marble  bust  of  Dr.  Bethune  received ;  Prof.  Pea- 
body,  of  Princeton,  teacher  of  Elocution,  8-1 1;  endowment  of  Fourth  Pro- 
fessorship progressing;  Professorial  Residence  in  course  of  construction; 
$200  each,  to  be  allowed  to  Professors  for  removal  to  new  Residences,  98, 
100. 

1867. 

Thirty-four  students;  elaborate  review  on  lack  of  training  in  elocu- 
tion, 156-9;  review  of  efforts  for  the  Fourth  Professorship,  and  for  the 
Professorial  Residences,  with  subscription  lists,  254-262 ;  report  on  the 
Residences,  264-5;  the  College  Trustees  agree  to  action  of  Synod  of  1865, 
628,  in  reference  to  Synod's  relinquishment  of  the  right  to  nominate  a 
Professor  of  Theology  in  the  College,  265-6,  269 ;  more  strict  examina- 
tions, 267;  review  of  the  relations  of  the  Synod  to  the  College,  269,  270; 
all  the  Professors  to  receive  $2,500  salary;  rent,  at  rate  of  $500  per  year, 
allowed  to  Profs.  Woodbridge  and  Berg;  Prof.  DeWitt's  subscription  to 
Fourth  Professorship  cancelled  in  view  of  his  personal  efforts  in  its 
behalf;  committee,  to  raise  $2,800  to  equaHze  the  salaries  of  the  four 
Professors,  at  $2,500,  each,  271-272^- 

[Change  of  Name  of  Church  from  "Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church,"  to  "Reformed  Church  in  America,"  Nov.,  1867.  See  "Title  of 
the  Church."] 

1868. 

Twenty-seven  students ;  increased  missionary  spirit ;  necessity  of  en- 
larged endowment ;  necessity  of  a  Residence  for  the  Didactic  Professor ; 
the  "spirit  of  the  age,"  the  cause  of  few  students;  duty  of  consecrating 
the  young  to  the  ministry,  369-373,  475-6.     See  Hertzog  Hall  Committee. 

1869. 
Twenty-three  students ;  need  of  decreasing  expenses  in  Hertzog  Hall ; 
exchange  of  duplicates  in  Library,  544-7. 

1870. 
Sixteen  students ;  two  new  "Lectureships"  suggested ;  "Science  and 
Revelation" ;  and  "Theory,  Practice  and  History  of  Ecclesiastical  Music" ; 
Messrs.  Suydam  and  Sage  present  Synod  with  a  Fourth  Professorial 
Residence;  [southwest  corner  of  George  St.  and  Seminary  Place;]  Mrs. 
Bethune  bequeathes  1,160  books ;  besides  pamphlets,  to  Library,  8-13 ; 
Synod  calls  attention  of  Prof,  of  Pastoral  Theology  to  the  importance 
of  instruction  in  music ;  and  Prof,  of  Theology-  to  oppositions  of  "Science, 
falsely  so-called" ;  approved  of  changes  in  Hertzog  Hall,  and  of  certain 
"internal  regulations";  site  granted  for  a  Library,  112-114. 

1871. 
Twenty-four  students;  marked  moral  advantages  of  a  Rector  in  the 
Hall;  desirability  of  the  study  of  more  Latin  and  Greek  in  the  College, 


430         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

175-9:  great  success  of  Dr.  Jas.  A.  H.  Cornell  in  raising  endowment  funds; 
friends  requested  to  endow  the  two  "Lectureships"  proposed  in  1870;  and 
another  on  "Christian  Ethics";  Synod  names  the  new  Buildings  proposed, 
after  Messrs.  Sage  and  Suydam,  321-3. 

Sept.   1871. 
Death  of  Prof.  Berg,  6,  8-10;  Rev.  Dr.  W.  G.  T.  Shedd,  elected  Prof, 
of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology;  salary  $3,000,  with  a  residence. 

1872. 
Twenty-one  students ;  happy  results  of  the  Rectorship  in  Hertzog 
Hall;  request  that  it  may  be  put  on  a  permanent  footing;  Prof.  Wood- 
bridge  has  also  supplied  the  Chair  of  Didactic  Theology  since  Dr.  Berg's 
death.  399-401 ;  Synod  rescinded  the  Rule  about  inquiring  of  the  students 
whether  they  had  preached;  all  complaints  as  to  the  management  of 
Hertzog  Hall,  to  be  made  to  the  Hertzog  Hall  Committee;  Suydam  Hall 
to  be  finished  by  the  fall;  the  Sage  Library  Building  soon  to  be  begun, 

501-3- 

Dr.  Shedd  declines  the  Professorship;  Dr.  Woodbridge's  Analysis  of 
Theology  had  been  printed ;  a  Course  of  Lectures  has  been  delivered  in 
the  Seminary  by  several  ministers ;  small  number  of  students  deplored ; 
the  general  state  of  the  Seminary ;  measures  to  be  taken  for  a  Fifth  Pro- 
fessorship— of  Christian  Apologetics.  Rev.  Dr.  A.  B.  Van  Zandt  elected 
Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology ;  salary,  $2,800,  with  a  resi- 
dence.    510-515- 

1873- 

Twenty-one  students ;  Rev.  Peter  J.  Quick,  Rector  and  Librarian, 
had  prepared  a  catalogue  of  the  Library  in  Hertzog  Hall ;  [the  Library 
was  in  the  room  now  occupied  as  the  Chapel;]  death  of  James  Suydam, 
611-613;   laymen  introduced  into  the   Board  of   Superintendents,   726. 

1874- 

Twenty-eight  students ;  written  examinations  introduced ;  the  Board 
divided  into  sections ;  each  Professor  to  be  allowed  one  day  for  examina- 
tion of  his  students,  10,  134. 

1875- 

Thirty-seven  students ;  happy  influence  of  the  Rectorship  of  Rev.  Dr. 
John  Garretson;  the  Library  removed  into  the  Sage  Building;  request 
of  the  Faculty  for  a  Committee  of  Co-operation,  in  choosing  books  for  the 
Library;  success  of  written  examinations;  dedication  of  the  Sage  Library 
Building.  202-4;  Committee  of  Co-operation  with  the  Faculty  appointed. 
Rev.  Drs.  Chambers.  Hartranft  and  Corwin,  to  have  exclusive  charge 
of  selecting  books,  exchanging  books,  etc.     325-6. 

1876. 
Forty-three  students;  death  of  Rev.  Dr.  Garretson,  Rector;  Rev. 
Lawrence  H.  Van  Dyke  appointed  in  his  place ;  reference  to  dedication  of 
Sage  Library  Building  on  June  4,  1875, — 400-2,  527 ;  plans  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Co-operation  on  selection  of  books ;  their  request  to  have  the 
Amsterdam  Correspondence  translated,  with  certain  early  Dutch  pamph- 
lets ;  granted,  the  expense  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Library  Fund ;  request 
for  printed  book  and  specimen  MSS.  sermons  of  the  Alumni,  527-8. 

1877. 
Forty    students ;    two    additional    colored    students ;    College    students 
to  be  allowed  to  use  the  Gymnasium,  but  not  to  occupy  rooms  in  Hert- 
zog  Hall,  605-6;    Synod  authorized   the   Committee   to   refuse   the  use   of 
the  rooms  to  any  student  guilty  of  disorderly  conduct,  710-71 1. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  431 

1878. 

Forty  students ;  sickness  of  Prof.  Van  Zandt ;  Dr.  Chambers  has  as- 
sisted in'  his  department ;  illness  of  Rev.  Peter  J.  Quick,  the  Librarian, 
11-13;  Synod,  requested  to  provide  means  for  publishing  the  Annual 
Catalogue  of  the  Seminary,  116. 

1879- 

Thirty-two  students ;  not  all  the  theological  students'  room  in  Hert- 
zog  Halli  public  closing  exercises,  for  the  Seminary,  proposed;  Board 
divided  into  three  divisions,  so  that  the  examinations  of  the  classes  may 
be  carried  on  simultaneously,  235-7,  361-2. 

1880. 
Thirty-three  students ;  one  Japanese ;  Inter-Seminary  Missionary  Con- 
vention to  meet  here  in  the  Fall,  459,  460;  owing  to  the  diminishing  re- 
sources of  Synod,  each  of  the  Professors  relinquished  $500  on  his  salary, 
554-5,  561 ;  salaries  made  $2,400  each,  488. 

1881. 
Thirty-five  students;  continued  sickness  of  Prof.  Van  Zandt;  been 
unable  to  meet  his  classes  since  March ;  his  department  carried  on  by  the 
other  Professors;  Prof.  Van  Zandt  resigns,  645-8;  $20,000  legacy  from 
James  Suydam  for  the  ''Suydam  Professorial  Residence,"  paid  in;  resi- 
dence to  be  built  at  once ;  continued  benefactions  of  Mr.  Sage ;  Com- 
mittee of  Co-operation  have  given  special  attention  to  the  purchase  of 
the  more  costly  Works  of  Reference,  and  to  Denominational  History ; 
Prof.  Van  Zand's  resignation  accepted ;  salaries  of  Professors  renewed 
at  $2,400;  to  be  made  $2,500,  if  means  allow,  747-750;  Centennial  Endow- 
ment Committee  appointed,  755 ;  Rev.  Dr.  Chester  D.  Hartrauft  elected 
Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology^  salary,  the  income  of  the 
Suydam  Endowment  of  $60,000,   with   residence,   762. 

Oct.,   1881. 

Rev.  Dr.  Hartranft  decHned  the  Professorship,  7,  8;  Rev.  Wm.  V. 
V.  Mabon  elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theolog}^ ;  salary,  in- 
come of  Suydam  Professorship,  with  residence ;  memorial  resolutions 
on  Prof.  Van  Zandt,  9-13. 

1882. 

Forty-five  students ;  installation  of  Prof.  Mabon  on  Dec.  5th,  1881 ; 
illness  of  Dr.  Woodbridge ;  his  duties  performed  by  the  other  Professors  ; 
Prof.  DeWitt  suggests  the  necessity  of  aid  in  the  Hebrew  department ; 
this  approved.  29-31,  126;  preparation  to  erect  a  Professorial  Residence 
for  the  Suydam  Professor,  128 ;  Mr.  Sage  has  given  $60,000  to  endow  the 
Sage  Library;  preparation  for  the  Centennial  of  the  Seminary,  129,  130; 
Prof^  DeWitt  requests  that  Dr.  Chambers  be  invited  to  deliver  lectures 
on  Xew  Testament  Exegesis ;  importance  of  a  Chair  of  New  Testament 
Exegesis;  Dr.  Chambers  invited,  but  without  expense  to  Synod,  130-1. 

1883. 

Thirty-seven  students ;  oldest  Professor  in  service  to  be  styled  "Dean," 
to  whom  shall  be  intrusted  the  discipline  of  the  Institution ;  the  Classes 
which  lose  representation  in  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  by  removals 
of  members,  may  supply  their  places  till  next  meeting  of  Synod;  a  new 
Curriculum  proposed,  217,  218,  324;  pastors  urged  to  press  the  claims 
of  the  ministry  on  young  men  of  piety,  324;  Fifth  Professorial  Residence 
approaching  completion ;  death  of  Gardner  A.  Sage,  324 ;  memorial  reso- 
lutions. 325 ;  the  Building  and  Library,  each  to  be  called  by  his  name, 
327;  Prof.  DeWitt  again  refers  to  the  inadequacy  of  provi- 
sion     for     instruction     in      the      Department     of      Biblical      Literature ; 


432         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Col.  Sage  has  left  $50,000  for  the  endowment  of  another  un- 
specified Professorship,  327-8;  conditions  under  which  additional 
instruction  in  Biblical  Literature  may  be  had,  328;  communication  from 
Prof.  DeWitt  as  to  the  possible  use  of  the  income  of  the  Sage  Bequest, 
temporarily,  in  his  department;  and  as  to  making  the  new  Professorship 
one  of  Hebrew  and  Old  Testament  Exegesis,  332-5.  [In  reviewing  the 
history  of  the  successive  Professorships,  he  confounds  the  Second  and 
the  Third;  the  Second,  while  embracing,  at  first,  also  Ecc.  History,  etc., 
was  really  a  Professorship  of  Biblical  Literature.  It  was  first  proposed 
as  such,  1814,  20  21 ;  and  more  fully  defined  1818,  31,  and  limited  to 
Biblical  Literature,  1832,  64;  while  the  Third  Professorship  is  defined 
as  Ecc.  Hist.,  etc.,  1825,  25-28.] 

1884. 
Thirty-eight  students ;  request  that  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions 
would  employ  the  Seminary  students  during  the  summer  months ;  Profes- 
sorial Residence  for  the  Didactic  Professor,  completed;  expense  of  run- 
ning these  Residences ;  Rev.  Drs.  Chambers  and  Corwin  have  been  em- 
ployed to  assist  in  the  Department  of  Biblical  Literature,  according  to 
former  requests  of  Dr.  DeWitt  for  help;  students  preaching;  deficien- 
cies in  the  Curriculum,  in  Elocution,  in  Biblical  Introduction,  in  Biblical 
Criticism,  in  Sacred  History,  in  Apologetics,  417,  418;  Synod  endorsed 
the  request  that  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  should  employ  the  stu- 
dents during  the  summer  vacation;  a  Special  Committee  appointed,  (Rev. 
Drs :  Mandeville,  Van  Gieson,  Shepard,  with  Elders  Perlee  and  Dutcher,) 
with  power  to  employ  an  agent,  to  increase  the  endowment ;  Board  of 
Direction  directed  to  pay  Messrs.  Chambers  and  Corwin  $500  each,  with 
$50  for  traveling  expenses,  from  the  income  of  the  Sage  Fund,  for  their 
services  in  department  of  Biblical  Literature,  519,  520. 

FIFTH    PROFESSORSHIP,    1884. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  G.  Lansing  was  elected  Professor  of  OJd  Testament 
Languages  and  Exegesis ;  salary,  the  interest  of  the  Sage  Endowment  of 
$50,000,  with  a  residence,  533-4;  leaving  Prof.  DeWitt  Professor  of  Hel- 
lenistic Greek  and  New  Testament  Exegesis,  523. 


Twenty-six  students ;  request  that  Synod  would  devise  some  practical 
measures  for  remedying  the  small  number  of  students,  617,  618;  pastors 
urged  to  press  the  claims  of  the  ministry  on  pious  young  men ;  parents 
urged  to  consecrate  their  sons  to  the  ministry ;  new  Lecture  Room  in 
Suydam  Hall  for  Prof,  of  Hebrew ;  excellent  effects  of  the  Moody  meet- 
ings in  New  Brunswick  on  the  students ;  the  oldest  minister  from  the 
Classis  of  Arcot ;  at  any  time  in  this  country,  to  be  considered  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Superintendents;  the  subject  of  a  Fourth  Year  of 
Study,  or  Post-Graduate  Course,  referred  to  the  Faculty ;  time  of  the 
Vedder  Lectures  fixed  for  February;  an  "Elocution  Fund,"  started  by 
Dr.  James  Anderson. 

Report  of  the  Centennial  Endowment  Committee,  (1884,  520,) — that 
the  Board  of  Direction  employ  an  Agent;  great  success  of  the  Seminary 
Centennial  Celebration;  the  Centennial  Volume— its  character;  1,250 
copies,  costing  about  $2,000;  100  complimentary  copies  paid  for  by  Synod; 
a  Matriculation  Book  to  be  kept  by  the  Seminary ;  the  Plan  of  the  Semi- 
nary to  be  unified  according  to  suggestion  in  the  volume,  page  463;  re- 
port of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  of  the  Centennial;  the  Pro- 
gramme ;  presentation  of  a  copy  of  the  Volume  to  Synod,  728-738. 

1886. 
Twenty-three  students ;   one  Japanese  and  one  colored   student ;   les- 
sons in  Elocution ;  course  of  Lectures  on  Practical  Questions ;  Matricula- 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  433 

tion  Book ;  enlarged  Curriculum ;  the  Alumni  Association  ask  for  a  place 
in  Commencement  Week ;  special  statement  from  the  Faculty  on  the  small 
number  of  students ;  additional  statement  by  the  Board ;  written  ques- 
tions in  examinations,  15-20,  59;  one  delegate  from  Particular  Synod  of 
Chicago  to  be  on  the  Board,  60 ;  action  of  Synod  on  the  small  number  of 
students;  reason  and  remedy;  Pastoral  Letter  on  the  subject  to  be  read 
in  the  churches  ;  (207-210)  ;  members  of  the  Board,  in  their  Classes,  the 
Board  of  Education,  the  Professors,  all  exhorted  to  act  in  the  matter ; 
necessity  of  piety  in  the  Home,  62-65. 

1887. 

Twenty-two  students ;  increase  in  Junior  Class ;  Lectures  on  impor- 
tant topics,  delivered ;  Prof.  Lansing  absent,  on  account  of  the  sickness 
of  his  father — a  missionary  in  Egypt;  meeting  of  the  Alumni  during  the 
sessions  of  the  Board ;  an  Elocution  Fund  needed ;  Synod  requested  to 
make  provision  for  entertainment  of  mejnbers  of  the  Board ;  written 
examinations,  253-7 ;  Synod  requests  the  Classes  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  their  delegates  to  the  Board;  Prof.  Lansing  engaged  to  make  certain 
purchases  in  Egypt  for  the  Museum ;  "The  James  Suydam  Fund  for  Re- 
pair and  Improvement  of  the  Professorial  Dwellings :" — its  source,  297- 
300. 


[The  Report  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents  is  henceforth  taken 
out  of  Art.  3,  "Communications,"  and  put  under  Art.  5,  in  Minutes  of 
Synod ;  in  which  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate  is 
henceforth  included — formerly  found  in  Art.  14.] 

Nineteen  students;  Lectures  on  Practical  Subjects  given  by  several 
divines ;  lessons  in  elocution ;  a  Committee  appointed,  with  power,  to  ar- 
range for  the  entertainment  of  the  Board  next  year ;  thanks  to  Prof. 
Lansing  for  certain  gifts  to  the  Museum ;  funds  needed  to  care  for  the 
Museum;  526-8;  Dr.  Lansing  to  be  re-imbursed  for  certain  outlays  for 
the  Museum,  533;  Rev.  Ralph  Willis,  the  faithful  Rector  of  Hertzog 
Hall  [for  eight  years]  has  resigned,  and  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin  appointed 
in  his  place;  reference  to  the  Hebrew,  Arabic  and  Coptic  literature,  (in- 
cluding twenty-five  manuscripts  in  Arabic  and  Coptic,  of  ancient  date,  and 
a  Hebrew  scroll  of  the  Pentateuch,  700  years  old,)  brought  back  by  Dr. 
Lansing ;  eleven  portraits  have  been  hung  in  the  Library,  of  Professors 
and  benefactors,  and  six  others  are  known  to  be  on  the  way,  534-5. 

"Plan  of  the  Seminary,"  as  amended :  535-545.  See  the  same  else- 
where in  this  Article. 

1889. 

Thirty-two  students ;  Rev.  Dr.  Corwin  thanked,  for  his  services  in 
Prof.  Lansing's  Department  for  three  months,  during  the  Professor's  sick- 
ness ;  Board  recommends  that  $200  be  paid  Dr.  Corwin ;  the  North  Church 
of  Newark  had  again  provided  funds  for  instruction  in  elocution ;  method 
of  written  and  oral  examinations  made  a  standing  rule ;  the  Graves'  Lec- 
tures on  Missions,  begun ;  767-770 ;  recommendations  adopted,  772-4. 

1890. 

Thirty-eight  students ;  the  written  and  oral  examinations  to  be  held 
in  the  same  week,  the  former  on  Monday  and  Tuesday,  the  latter  on  Wed- 
nesday and  Thursday ;  Professors  DeWitt  and  Demarest  also  thanked  for 
their  services  in  Prof.  Lansing's  department  in  1888-9  \  the  Graves'  Lec- 
tures were  again  delivered ;  Rev.  Dr.  Corwin  again  thanked  for  efficient 
services  in  Prof.  Lansing's  department  during  the  past  year ;  Board  rec- 
ommends that  $300  be  paid  him ;  the  North  Church  of  Newark  has  again 
provided  funds  for  instruction  in  elocution,  44-46 ;  Synod  exhorted  the 
members  of  the  Board  to  be  punctual  in  their  attendance ;  that  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  the  Board  notify  them  of  meetings ;  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary 


434         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

is  amended,  that  the  Board  shall  annually  meet  on  the  third  Wednesday 
in  May,  instead  of  Tuesday;  the  recommendations  of  thanks  to  the  Pro- 
fessors and  to  Dr.  Corvvin,  and  the  compensation  of  the  latter,  adopted, 
54,  55 ;  Board  of  Direction  directed  to  pay  the  room-rent  of  the  few  non- 
beneficiaries  in  Hertzog  Hall,  that  the  privileges  of  the  Hall  may  be  free 
to  all  having  the  ministry  in  view,  57. 

1891. 

Forty-four  students ;  Prof.  Lansing  had  asked  in  Oct.,  1890,  for  leave 
of  absence  for  a  year,  and  to  throw  off  $1,000  of  his  salary  to  secure 
a  substitute;  the  Board  refused  to  allow  him  to  relinquish  $1,000,  but 
granted  leave  of  absence  for  a  year,  and  appointed  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Cor- 
win  to  take  charge  of  Prof.  Lansing's  department  for  the  year,  and  re- 
quested Synod  to  pay  him  $1,000  for  his  services,  271-3;  Dr.  Corwin 'had 
fulfilled  this  appointment,  275 ;  Synod  approved  of  the  arrangement  and 
directed  the  Board  of  Direction  to  pay  that  sum  to  Dr.  Corwin,  282; 
Synod  hopes  that  some  friend  will  provide  for  permanent  instruction 
in  elocution,  275 ;  Hon.  N.  F.  Graves  has  provided  for  continuous  courses 
of  Lectures  on  Foreign  Missions,  283 ;  a  house  for  the  Librarian  to  be 
erected,  284-5. 

1892. 

Forty  students,  with  three  special  students ;  Prof.  Barbour  has  given 
instruction  in  elocution ;  Synod  is  requested  to  appropriate  $400  for  elocu- 
tion for  next  year ;  also  to  amend  the  Constitution  by  striking  out  the 
clause  which  forbids  Professors  from  being  members  of  any  Ecclesiastical 
Assembly  or  judicatory;  diso,  that  in  case  of  the  temporary  disability  of 
any  Professor,  the  Faculty  shall  be  authorized  to  make  provision  for  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  chair,  but  in  case  of  permanent  disability 
or  death,  the  Rule  in  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary  shall  be  followed ;  on  ac- 
count of  the  illness  of  Prof.  DeWitt,  his  place  has  been  occupied  since 
January  by  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin ;  Synod  was  requested  .to  pay  him 
$500  for  his  services ;  506-8 ;  the  requests  of  the  Board  were  all  granted, 
516-518,  except  the  amendment  proposed  to  the  Constitution,  which  was 
referred  back  to  the  Board  for  a  more  detailed  statement,  568-9. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  DeWitt  sent  in  his  resignation  as  Prof,  of  New  Tes- 
tament, Greek  and  Exegesis ;  accepted  with  regrets,  and  recognition  of 
his  services  also  on  the  Bible  Revision  Committee ;  would  make  him  Pro- 
fessor Emeritus,  only  there  are  no  available  funds ;  but  it  is  understood 
that  friends  in  the  Church  are  making  satisfactory  provision.  [Rev.  Drs. 
Corwin  and  Doolittle  raised  $4,800  by  private  circulars,  which  amount  was 
paid  over  to  him;]  Board  of  Direction  was  requested  to  institute  meas- 
ures for  raising  a  fund  for  Professors  Emeriti ;  Rev.  James  F.  Riggs  was 
elected  Professor  of  Hellenistic  Greek  and  New  Testament  Exegesis; 
salarv,  $2,500,  with  a  Residence. 

1893. 

Thirty-nine  students ;  Prof.  Barbour  has  given  instruction  in  elocu- 
tion ;  rules  were  adopted  respecting  a  course  of  study  entitling  students 
to  the  degree  of  B.  D.,  [Bachelor  of  Divinity;]  the  death  of  Prof.  Mabon 
on  Nov.  3,  1892,  was  announced;  (see  also  page  750;)  Prof.  Wood- 
bridge  was  appointed  to  perform  the  duties  of  Prof.  Mabon's  Chair,  and 
authorized  to  spend  $500  in  securing  assistance  in  his  own ;  the  sum  of 
$300  is  requested  for  instruction  in  elocution;  the  Board  requested  the 
Synod  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  consider  the  Constitutional  Amend- 
ment proposed  about  Professors'  membership  in  Ecclesiastical  Bodies, 
752-6;  Synod  endorsed  all  the  recommendations,  766;  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  consider  the  whole  subject  of  the  ecclesiastical  relationship 
of  Professors,  771-2;  Names:  Rev.  Drs.  Elmendorf,  Hutton,  Schenck, 
Coe,  Collier.  Corwin,  Beardslee,  Jas.  F.  Zwemer  and  J.  P.  Searle,  773. 
(Their  Report,  1894,  75-8o.) 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  435 

Resolved,  That  no  Board  of  Superintendents,  or  Committee  of  the 
same,  or  Faculty  of  any  of  our  Seminaries,  shall  admit  to  these  institu- 
tions, with  a  view  to  his  securing  a  professorial  certificate,  any  one  who 
has  applied  to  the  Classis  having  jurisdiction  over  him,  for  an  applica- 
tion for  a  dispensation  [and  it  has  been  refused],  until  such  Board,  or 
Committee,  or  Faculty,  shall  have  inquired  fully  into  the  reasons  govern- 
ing said  refusal.     771.     (See  709.) 

Rev.  John  Preston  Searle  was  elected  Professor  of  Didactic  and  Pole- 
mic Theology;  salary,  the  income  of  the  Suydam  Professorship  (less  the 
expense  incurred  in  the  management  of  the  fund),  with  a  Residence,  773-4. 

1894. 
Forty  students ;  special  examinations  were  held  for  those  seeking  the 
degree  of  B.D.,  which  gave  great  satisfaction;  Prof.  Barbour  has  contin- 
ued to  give  instruction  in  elocution ;  Synod  made  request  for  an  appropria- 
tion of  $300  for  further  instruction  in  elocution ;  Synod  is  requested  to 
make  an  annual  appropriation  of  $500,  to  be  placed  to  the  credit  of  Fac- 
ulty, to  meet  various  incidental  expenses,  such  as  the  preparation  of  the 
Syllabi  of  the  lectures,  printing  of  examination  papers ;  reports  of  dis- 
bursements to  be  made  to  the  Board,  58-60 ;  the  above  requests  granted. 
See  Professors,  Mode  of  Electing;  Ecc.  Standing  of;  67,  68;  Curricula 
and  Government  of  Seminaries. 

1895. 
Forty-two  students ;  Rev.  Dr.  P.  D.  Van  Cleef  resigned  the  posi- 
tion of  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Board ;  Rev.  Dr.  P.  T.  Pockman  elected  as 
Stated  Clerk ;  Fred.  K.  Schild  and  Chs.  E.  Corwin,  were  the  first  to  be 
recommended  for  the  degree  of  B.D. ;  $300  again  requested  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  instruction  in  elocution  by  Prof.  Barbour ;  Prof.  Woodbridge 
has  published  his  lectures  on  Church  History ;  two  amendments  made  to 
the  Plan  of  the  Seminary  respecting  the  constitution  of  the  Committee 
on  Grounds  and  Property,  and  Discipline.  Synod  was  also  requested  to 
invite  the  Faculties  of  each  of  the  Theological  Seminaries  to  send  each 
year  one  of  their  number  to  Synod,  to  give  information,  58-61 ;  all  of 
which  requests  were  granted,  70,  71. 


Forty-three  students ;  it  was  resolved  that  an  additional  Standing 
Committee  of  the  Board  should  be  appointed  annually  on  the  "Report 
of  the  Committee  on  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property" ;  changes  in,  and 
additional  rules  made,  relating  to  the  B.D.  degree;  Prof.  D.  D.  Demarest 
resigned  as  Secretary  of  the  Faculty,  after  a  continuous  service  of  thirty 
years ;  Synod  is  requested  to  appropriate  $300  for  Vocal  Culture,  so  as 
to  include  music  as  well  as  elocution;  request  was  also  made  for  per- 
mission to  sell  the  Professors'  publications  to  others  than  students,  the 
money  to  be  returned  to  the  special  fund  for  such  publications ;  also  that 
the  Board  of  Education  be  authorized  to  grant  aid  to  any  student  regu- 
larly admitted  into  the  Theological  Seminaries,  330-5 ;  all  these  requests 
were  granted,  345-6 ;  arrangements  were  made  to  celebrate  the  40th  an- 
niversary of  the  Professorship  of  Dr.  Woodbridge,  346.  Rev.  Dr.  Cor- 
win resigned  his  Rectorship  of  Hertzog  Hall,  (June,  1895)  ;  353. 

1897. 
Forty-six  students ;  one  Japanese ;  J.  Ackerman  Coles  and  sister  pre- 
sents to  Seminary  a  piece  of  statuary  representing  Hagar  and  Ishmael; 
Third  Church  of  Philadelphia  presents  a  mosaic  portrait  of  Dr.  Bethune; 
and  Rev.  E.  S.  Booth,  of  Japan,  a  Shinto  shrine ;  Faculty  and  Permanent 
Committee  on  the  Grounds  and  Property  call  the  attention  of  Synod  to 
the  diminished  yield  of  the  funds  for  the  care  of  the  property ;  request 
was  made  for  a  Committee  to  consider  the  financial  interests  of  the  In- 


^36  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

stittition ;  300  again  asked  for  Vocal  Culture ;  a  mid-winter  examination 
was  proposed  ;  Prof.  Lansing's  Notes  on  the  Archaeology  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament, and  Prof.  Demarest's  Outlines  of  Lectures  on  Pastoral  Theology- 
have  been  published,  608-612;  the  thanks  of  Synod  given  to  Messrs.  Coles, 
Booth,  and  to  the  Third  Church  of  Philadelphia  for  their  gifts ;  the  sev- 
eral suggestions  of  the  Board  were  adopted,  621-2.  Committee  on  En- 
dowment appointed,  628. 

1898. 
Forty-one  students;  the  Board  deplores  the  decline  of  income,  and 
requests  Synod  to  devise  means  for  the  resumption  of  instruction  in  mu- 
sic and  elocution,  and  the  printing  of  lectures,  ']2,  y^l  Prof.  Jas.  F.  ?.iggs 
has  resigned  his  Professorship,  May  31,  1898;  nominations  were  made  for 
a  Professor  by  most  of  the  Classes,  and  General  Synod  nominated  three, 
in  addition.  Rev.  John  H.  Gillespie  was  elected  Prof,  of  Hellenistic  Greek 
and  New  Testament  Exegesis;  salary  $2,500,  with  a  Residence,  81-84; 
attention  was  drawn  to  the  decrease  of  income  from  lower  rates  of  in- 
terest, and  the  increase  of  expense  from  the  increase  of  the  real  estate ; 
necessity  of  enlarged  endowments ;  New  Brunswick  Seminary  needs 
$150,000  additional ;  the  Endowment  Committee  appointed  in  1897,  622, 
628,  and  who  had  begun  operations,  was  continued,  86,  87 ;  the  Bd.  of 
Publication  was  directed  to  publish  the  installation  services  of  Prof.  Gil- 
lespie, 90;  report  of  Committee  on  the  Finances  of  the  Seminary,  91-96. 

July,   1898. 

Death  of  Prof.  David  D.  Demarest ;  Committee  appointed,  to  arrange, 
with  the  present  staff  of  Professors,  for  instruction  in  his  department ; 
also  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  proper  Memorial  of  his  character  and  ser- 
vices;  this  was  printed  in  Christian  Intelligencer,  July  13,  1898; — 366-7. 
Since,  printed  in  pamphlet. 

Oct.,   1898. 

Serious  illness  of  Prof.  Lansing ;  Rev.  John  H.  Raven  .4iad  been  se- 
cured as  temporary  instructor  in  Prof.  Lansing's  department ;  Committee 
authorized  to  make  further  arrangements,  if  necessary,  368,  371. 

1899. 
Thirty-eight  students ;  no  instruction  in  elocution  and  music  owing 
to  lack  of  funds,  369;  copies  of  "Church  Hymnary"  presented  to  Chapel, 
and  a  piano,  369,  394;  mid-winter  examinations  made  permanent,  370; 
examination  papers  for  Greek  and  Hebrew  to  be  printed ;  minute  on 
death  of  Dr.  D.  D.  Demarest,  (July  21,  1898)  ;  withdrawal  from  service 
of  Prof.  Lansing  on  Dec.  ist,  1898;  request  made  that  the  Chair  of  "Pas- 
toral Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric"  be  called  the  Chair  of  "Practical 
Theology" ;  provision  to  be  made  for  instruction  in  elocution  and  music 
for  the  coming  year,  370,  391  ;  courses  of  lectures  on  "Pastoral  Work" 
have  been  given  by  several  ministers;  Rev.  John  H.  Raven  has  instructed 
in  Hebrew  during  the  year;  the  Board  requests  Synod  to  allow  it  to 
meet  at  any  hour,  instead  of  only  at  11  a.m.,  368-374;  granted,  391;  tribute 
of  the  Board  to  Dr.  David  D.  Demarest;  acceptance  of  the  resignation 
of  Prof.  Lansing;  mode  of  Synod  balloting  for  a  nomination  of  a  Pro- 
fessor (at  this  time),  383-6;  Rev.  Dr.  Ferdinand  S.  Schenck  was  elected 
Professor  of  "Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric";  (changed  to 
"Practical  Theology");  salary  $2,500  with  a  Residence;  Rev.  John  H. 
Raven  was  elected  Prof,  of  Old  Testament  Languages  and  Exegesis; 
salary,  the  income  of  the  Sage  Fund,  with  a  Residence;  salary  to  be 
raised  to  $2,500  as  soon  as  possible,  386-8;  discussion  of  conditions,  389- 
391 ;  resolutions  to  press  the  efforts  to  enlarge  the  endowment,  391 ;  $2,000 
more  needed  yearly,  or  an  additional  endowment  of  $50,000  for  Hert- 
zog  Hall  and  the  Library  Building,  394;  reports  of  Com.  on  the  finances 
of  the  Seminary,  400-408.     See  Permanent  Seminary  Fund,  under  date. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY   437 

1900. 

Thirty-five  students ;  uninterrupted  services  of  the  five  Professors ; 
instruction  in  oratory ;  lectures  given  during  the  year  by  many  clergy- 
men ;  a  mission  class  conducted ;  improvements  in  Hertzog  Hall ;  Com- 
mittees on  examinations  authorized  to  make  any  comments  or  suggestions, 
besides  their  routine  reports ;  only  qualified  and  experienced  men  should 
be  sent  as  members  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  685-9;  review,  with 
commendatory  resolutions,  702-3. 

1901. 

Thirty  students ;  resignation  of  Prof.  Woodbridge,  1044,  1019-20,  1039 ; 
declared  Professor  Emeritus,  with  salary  of  $1,000,  1,050,  1,039;  Laidlie 
Memorial  Fund,  for  printing,  (exclusive  of  catalogues),  given,  $5,000, 
1,038,  1,021 ;  see  Permanent  Seminary  Fund,  under  date ;  Rev.  Wm.  H. 
S.  Demarest  elected  Prof,  of  "Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church  Gov- 
ernment" ;  salary,  $2,500  with  a  Residence ;  1,046-7 ;  review ;  Prof.  Wood- 
bridge  requested  to  render  such  service  as  possible;  $1,500  needed,  for 
recataloguing  books  of  Sage  Library,  for  shelves,  etc.,  1,044-50. 

1902. 

Thirty  students ;  Prof.  Raven  receives  leave  of  absence  to  prosecute 
studies  in  Europe  for  a  year ;  Rev.  Dr.  Abel  H.  Huizinga  supplies  his  place. 
Two  publications  issued  with  income  of  Laidlie  Memorial  Fund,  viz., 
the  Inaugural  Addresses  of  Profs.  Schenck,  Raven  and  Demarest,  and 
a  sketch  of  the  Sage  Library  by  Dr.  John  C.  Van  Dyke,  the  librarian. 
Dr.  Woodbridge  has  taken  a  share  in  the  year's  work;  attention  called  to 
the  fact  that  Synod  had  provided  no  rule  touching  the  marriage  of  stu- 
dents;  [the  Bd.  of  Education  had  a  rule  forbidding  the  marriage  of  bene- 
ficiaries;] the  current  expenses  of  the  Seminary  have  been  fully  met; 
Prof.  Searle  has  been  elected  President  of  the  Faculty,  54-57. 

In  reference  to  the  marriage  of  students,  the  following  resolution  was 
proposed,  but  not  passed : 

Resolved,  That  no  student,  while  pursuing  his  studies  in  a  Seminary 
of  the  Church,  shall  contract  a  marriage  without  first  obtaining  the  for- 
mal consent  of  the  Faculty  of  his  Seminary.  The  President  of  each  Fac- 
ulty shall  duly  inform  all  students  of  this  rule,  so  that  there  may  be  no 
possible  misapprehension.  A  marriage  of  a  student  without  such  con- 
sent shall  terminate  his  connection  with  the  institution.     70,  71. 

Instead  of  this  rule,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  discretion  of  the 
Faculties  of  the  several  Institutions,  with  power,  69. 

1903. 
Twenty-six  students ;  Prof.  Raven  has  been  abroad  during  the  year, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  A.  H.  Huizinga  has  supplied  his  place  with  great  accept- 
ance, 312-314. 

1.  Resolved,  That  resolution  three  of  the  Committee  on  the  Profes- 
sorate for  1902.     (See  Minutes  1902,  page  70)  be  amended  so  as  to  read: 

Resolved,  That  no  student  while  pursuing  his  studies  in  a  Seminary 
of  the  Church  shall  contract  a  marriage  without  first  obtaining  the  formal 
consent  of  the  Faculty  of  his  Seminary.  The  President  of  each  Faculty 
chall  duly  inform  all  students  of  this  rule  so  that  there  may  be  no  pos- 
sible misapprehension.  A  marriage  of  a  student  without  such  consent 
shall  be  sufficient  basis  for  suspension  by  the  Faculty  at  its  discretion.     330. 

Post  Graduate  Course. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  following  outline  of  post-graduate  work  sug- 
:gested  by  the  Faculty  be  approved : 

I.     New  Testament  Department. 

Major. — Some  complete  course  in  exegesis,  such  as  the  Epistles  of 
Paul  not  studied  in  the  regular  course,  or  the  Prolegomena  of  the 
Testament. 


438         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Minor. — Textual  Criticism,  a  brief  course  in  N.  T.  Prolegomena,  the 
exegesis  of  a  single  book  or  a  rapid  survey  of  the  entire  New  Tes- 
tament with  explanation  of  difficult  or  noteworthy  passages. 

2.  Historical  Department. 

Major. — Some  Period  on  Church  History. 

Minor. — Some  National  or  Denominational  Division  of  Church  His- 
tory. 

3.  Systematic  Theology. 

Major. — History  of  Doctrine. 

Minor. — Biblical  and  Historical  Study  of  Special  Doctrines. 

4.  Practical  Theology. 

Major. — Sociology,  Descriptive,  Static  and  Dynamic. 
Minor. — Social  Pathology. 

5.  We  would  ask  that  Prof.  Raven  be. given  permission  to  announce  his 

course  in  the  next  Catalogue,  subject  to  the  approval  of  Synod. 

6.  The  Post-Graduate  course  shall  consist  of  at  least  one  of  the  above 

major  courses  and  two  minors.  It  shall  cover  the  full  Seminary 
year.  It  shall  be  available  only  for  approved  students.  Those  taking  it 
shall  be  under  the  same  discipline  as  the  regular  students.     330-1. 

1904. 

Twenty-six  students ;  for  two  years  past.  Synod  has  failed  to  confirm 
the  nominations  of  certain  Classes,  to  vacancies  in  Board  of  Superintend- 
ents. Stated  Clerks  have  sometimes  failed  to  report  Classical  action.  Care 
should  be  taken  to  keep  the  membership  of  the  Board  full. 

During  the  year,  Prof.  Schenck  has  published  a  book  styled — "Prac- 
tical Theology." 

The  Synod  approves  of  the  schedule  for  Post-Graduate  courses,  pre- 
sented by  Prof.  Raven  in  the  Faculty  report,  and  printed  in  the  Seminary 
Catalogue.  The  bestowal  of  the  B.D.  degree,  to  be  conditioned  on  the 
successful  completion  of  the  Post-Graduate  course  of  one  3^ear.  The  day 
of  opening  the  Seminary  to  be  changed  to  Wedesday  of  third  week  of 
September.  The  necessity  of  prayer  for  more  students,  urged.  Atten- 
tion of  Synod  called  to  the  need  of  a  Sixth  Professorship ;  647-650.  666-8. 

1905. 

Twenty-three  students ;  Profs.  Demarest  and  Raven  have  each  issued 
books  relating  to  the  subjects  of  their  respective  departments.  The  Fac- 
ulty requests  General  Synod  to  appoint  a  Com.  to  inquire  into  the  causes 
in  the  decline  in  the  number  of  students  for  the  ministry,  and  to  suggest 
a  remedy;  55,  78,  79- 

The  Board  of  Education  from  an  unexpended  balance  of  $8,500,  ap- 
propriated $2,000  to  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  of  Scholarship  Funds 
held  by  the  Board  of  Direction  and  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Bd.  of 
Education,  for  instruction  in  ''Biblical  Theology  and  Sacred  History"; 
Synod  asked  to  approve  said  action ;  and  committee  appointed  to  select 
an  instructor  in  said  branches,  57,  58;  action  approved,  79. 

Board   of  Superintendents   of  New  Brunswick    Seminary,    1807. 

This  Board,  at  first,  consisted  of  9  members,  3  from  each  of  the  two 
Particular  Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany ;  and  3  from  the  clerical 
members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Queens  College ;  to  be  chosen  by 
ballot,  at  the  triennial  meetings  of  General  Synod;  1807.  367;  repeated 
in  Plan  of  the  Seminary.  1812.  430-3;  Oct.,  1815.  13. — To  consist  of  15 
ministers,  five  from  each  Particular  Synod,  and  5  from  said  Trustees,  (as 
before)  ;  and  5  to  be  a  quorum;  1818,  30. — To  consist  of  2  from  each  Clas- 
sis.  excepting  that  of  New  York,  which  was  to  have  4;  and  5  to  be  a 
quorum  ;  1824,  45,  46. — Classis  of  New  York  put  on  same  footing  as  the 
other  Classes;  1829,  194. — No  change  made  in  new  "Plan  of  Seminary,"" 
1828,   139-143. — Instead  of  Synod  electing  them,  each  Classis  to  nominate 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  439 

2  members,  and  the  Synod  to  confirm  them ;  1834,  302 ;  '35,  422 ;  that  i 
member  be  nominated  by  each  Classis,  (on  account  of  increasing  number 
of  Classes),  subject  to  the  confirmation  of  Synod;  to  serve  for  3  years, 
one-third  to  be  elected  each  year;  6  to  be  a  quorum.  1838,  182. — The 
next  year  the  Synod  resumed  the  right  of  annually  appointing  the  whole 
Board,  1839,  283. — In  1841,  the  plan  of  1838  was  again  adopted,  the  mem- 
bers to  serve  for  three  years,  one  from  each  Classis,  but  all  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  Synod,  1841,  518. — In  1848,  the  Committee  on  the  "State 
of  the  Church"  recommended  that  the  number  of  superintendents  be  re- 
duced to  10,  and  that  these  be  appointed  by  the  Particular  Synods,  1848, 
297;  in  Sept.,  1848,  the  Synod  reduced  the  number  to  8  Pri- 
marii,  and  8  Secundi,  equal  numbers  to  be  appointed  by  each  Par- 
ticular Synod,  Sept.,  1848,  419 ;  but  at  the  next  session,  this  ac- 
tion was  rescinded,  and  the  Plan  of  1838  resumed,  1849,  496. — A  sugges- 
tion to  modify  this  Plan  in  1865,  was  refused,  1865,  613,  625 ;  again  refused, 
1868,  476-8. 

In  1872,  a  lay  element  was  introduced  into  the  Board.  The  nomina- 
tions of  members  were  also  removed  from  the  Classes  to  the  Particular 
Synods.  The  three  eastern  Synods  were  each  to  nominate  four  ministers 
and  four  elders ;  while  the  Synod  of  Chicago  was  to  have  one  representa- 
tive. It  was  also  proposed  that  this  Board  should  perform  the  duties  of 
the  Standing  Committee  of  Hertzog  Hall,  but  this  arrangement  did  not 
last  long.  The  members  of  the  Board  were  to  serve  for  four  years,  one- 
fourth  being  appointed  each  year.  1872,  505,  513.  But  the  change  created 
some  dissatisfaction.  In  1875,  therefore,  the  Board  was  made  to  con- 
sist of  one  member  from  each  Classis  of  the  three  Eastern  Synods,  who 
were  to  be  nominated  by  the  Classes,  and  confirmed  by  General  Synod; 
together  with  six  elders  to  be  appointed  directly  by  the  Synod;  the  terms 
of  all  to  be  three  years.  1875,  335-7.  This  was  ratified  anew  in  1876, 
where  "The  Plan  of  Reorganization"  is  given.  1876,  532.  In  1877,  when 
the  Theological  Department  in  Hope  College  was  suspended,  the  rights 
of  the  Classes  of  the  Synod  of  Chicago  to  representation  in  the  Board 
were  restored.     1877,  707;  '83,  218. 

A  New  Plan  for  the  government  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary 
was  adopted  in  1888.  Each  Classis  of  the  three  Eastern  Synods  was 
allowed  to  nominate  one  minister,  to  be  confirmed  by  the  General  Synod, 
for  a  term  of  five  years,  one-fifth  to  be  elected  each  year.  Two  elders 
shall  be  nominated  by  each  of  the  three  Eastern  Synods,  to  be  confirmed 
by  the  General  Synod,  to  serve  for  five  years ;  while  the  Particular  Synod 
of  Chicago  shall  have  one  ministerial  representative.  If  nominations  are 
not  made,  the  General  Synod  shall  appoint.  Vacancies  may  be  filled 
by  the  nominating  Classis  or  Particular  Synod,  until  the  next  General 
Synod  which  shall  appoint  for  the  unexpired  term.  The  Board  shall 
meet  annually  at  New  Brunswick  on  third  Tuesday  of  May.  See  1888, 
537    (Committee,   1887,  264)  ;   confirmed,    1894,   79. 

Professorships. 

First  Professorship — Theology. 

I.     Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Sacred  Theology,  1784-1825. 

Assistants. 

(i)     Rev.   Solomon  Froeligh,  D.D.,  Lector  in  Theolog>',   1792-7; 
Professor  of  Theology,  1797- 1822. 

(2)  Rev.    Dirck    Romeyn,    D.D.,    Lector    in    Theolog>',    1792-97; 

Professor  of  Theology,  1797-1804. 

(3)  Rev.   Hermanns   Meyer,   D.D.,  Lector  in  Theology,   1784-91. 


440         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology. 

2.  Rev.  Philip  Milledoler,  D.D.,  1825-41. 

3.  Rev.  Samuel  A.  Van  Vranken,  D.D.,  1841-61. 

4.  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Berg,  D.D.,  1861-71. 

5.  Rev.  Abraham  B.  Van  Zandt,  D.D.,  1872-81. 

6.  Rev.  William  V.  V.  Mabon,  D.D.,  1881-92. 

7.  Rev.  John  Preston  Searle,  D.D.,  1893 — yet  (1906). 

Second  Professorship — Languages,  Exegesis,  etc. 

1.  Rev.  Hermanns  Meyer,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Languages,  1784-91. 

(i)     Rev.  John  Bassett,  D.D.,  Teacher  of  Hebrew,  1804-12. 

2.  Rev.  Jeremiah  Romeyn,  D.D.,   Prof,  of  Hebrew,   1804-6. 

3.  Rev.  John  M.  Van  Harlingen,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Hebrew  and  Ecclesias- 

tical History,  1812-13. 

(i)     Hebrew,  Biblical   Criticism,   Pastoral   Theology  and  Eccle- 
siastical History. 

4.  Rev.  John  Schureman,  D.D.,  1815-18. 

5.  Rev.  John    Ludlow,    D.D.,    Prof,    of    Biblical    Lit.    and    Ecc.     Hist. 

1819-23. 

6.  Rev.  John   DeWitt,  D.D.,   Prof,  of  Bib.   Lit.   and  Ecc.   Hist.     1823- 

25;  of  Biblical  Literature,  1825-31. 

7.  Rev.  Alexander  McClelland,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Bib.  Lit.     1832-51. 

8.  Rev.  \Vm.  H.  Campbell,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Bib.  Lit.     1851-63. 

9.  Rev.  John  DeWitt,  D.D.,  Prof  of  Bib.  Lit.     1863-84. 

(2)     Hellenistic   Greek   and   New   Testament  Exegesis. 
Rev.  John  DeWitt,  D.D.,  1884-92. 

10.  Rev.  James  F.  Riggs,  D.D..  1892-98. 

11.  Rev.  John  H.  Gillespie,  D.D.,  1898— yet  (1906). 

Third   Professorship — Ecclesiastics. 

1.  Rev.    Selah    S.    Woodhull,   D.D.,    Prof,   of   Ecc.    Hist.,    Church    Gov. 

and  Pastoral  Theology,  1825-26. 

2.  Rev.  Jas.  S.  Cannon,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  same,  1826-52. 

3.  Rev.  John  Ludlow,  D.D.,   Prof,  of  same,   1852-57. 

4.  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Woodbridge,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  same,  1857-65. 

Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church  Government. 
Rev.  Samuel  M.  Woodbridge,  D.D.,   1865- 1901. 

5.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  S.  Demarest,  D.D.,  1901-6. 

6.  Rev.  Edward  P.  Johnson,  D.D.,  1906—. 

Fourth  Professorship — Pastoral  Duties. 

1.  Rev.  David  D.  Demarest,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Pastoral  Theology  and 

Sacred  Rhetoric,   1865-98. 

2.  Rev.  Ferdinand  S.  Schenck,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Practical  Theology,  1899 — 

yet    (1906). 
Fifth  Professorship — Old  Testament  Languages  and  Exegesis. 

1.  Rev.  John  G.  Lansing,  D.D.,  1884-98. 

2.  Rev.  John  H.  Raven,  1899— yet   (1906). 

PLANS  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SCHOOL. 

Plan  of  the  Theological  School.     1812. 

Of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  established  at  New  Brunswick,  in  New 
Jersey,  in  connection  with  Queens  College. 

ARTICLE   I. 
of    general    synod, 
I.     All  the  authority  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  is  vested  in  the 
General  Synod,  as  the  last  resort.     This  Synod  shall  have  paramount  au- 
thority over  the  Theological  School,  its  officers,  laws,  and  instructions. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  441 

2.  The  General  Synod  shall  appoint  a  Board  of  Superintendents, 
consisting  of  nine  persons,  all  of  whom  shall  be  members  of  the  Dutch 
Church,  to  be  chosen  in  the  following  manner,  viz. :  from  the  Particular 
Synod  of  Albany,  three  ministers ;  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York,  three  ministers ;  and  from  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  three 
ministers.  This  Board  of  Superintendents  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot,  at 
every  triennial  meeting  of  General  Synod. 

3.  All  the  professors  of  this  Theological  School  shall  be  chosen  by 
the  General  Synod ;  but,  in  the  recess  of  Synod,  the  Board  of  Superin- 
tendents may  temporarily  employ  a  person  or  persons  to  perform  the  duties 
of  a  professor. 

4.  The  General  Synod  may  alter,  amend,  or  abrogate  any  of  the 
articles  in  the  plan  of  this  school,  provided  such  alterations  do  not  con- 
travene the  mutual  engagements  of  Synod  and  the  Trustees  of  Queens 
College. 

ARTICLE  11. 

Of  the  Board  of  Superintendents. 

1.  The  Board  of  Superintendents  shall  meet  annually  in  the  Pro- 
fessorial Hall,  at  the  time  of  the  Commencement  in  Queens  College;  and 
any  four  members,  when  regularly  convened,  shall  be  a  quorum  for  the 
transaction  of  business. 

2.  This  Board  shall  open  and  close  all  their  meetings  with  prayer, 
and  shall  cause  one  sermon  at  least  to  be  preached  either  by  their  Presi- 
dent, or  some  member  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

3.  This  Board  shall  choose  a  President  and  Secretary,  keep  minutes 
of  all  their  transactions,  and  lay  them  with  a  summary  account  of  the 
state  of  the  school,  before  General  Synod,  at  every  stated  meeting. 

4.  The  Board  shall  superintend  an  annual  examination  of  all  the 
students,  under  the  care  of  the  Professors,  to  ascertain  their  talents  and 
proficiecny. 

5.  The  Board  shall  be  competent  to  reprimand  or  remove  immoral 
or  incompetent  students,  to  inspect  the  doctrines  taught  by  Professors  and 
the  general  course  of  study,  and  to  recommend  to  Synod  such  measures 
or  changes,  as  they  may  think  advantageous  to  the  school,  and  the  gen- 
eral interests  of  the  Dutch  Church. 

6.  The  President  is  authorized  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board 
at  the  request  of  a  Professor  or  Professors,  or  of  any  two  members  at 
any  time,  provided  four  weeks'  previous  notice  be  given. 

ARTICLE  III. 
Of  the  Professors. 

1.  The  number  of  Professors  in  this  school  shall  be  determined  by 
General  Synod,  and  their  duties  shall  be  prescribed  by  Synod,  or  by  the 
person  or  persons  who  may  endow  a  Professorship  under  the  immediate 
direction  of  the  Superintendents.  Provided  always,  That  the  school  be 
not  considered  as  completely  organized  without  three  Professors,  and  that 
all  of  them  be  ordained  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

2.  The  salaries  of  all  the  Professors  hereafter  appointed,  shall  be 
fixed  by  a  vote  of  General  Synod. 

3.  The  Professors  shall  attend  three  lectures  or  recitations  every 
week,  and  accompany  them  with  prayer. 

4.  Every  Professor  intending  to  resign,  shall  give  six  months'  notice 
to  the  Board  of  Superintendents. 

5.  They  shall  attend  morning  and  evening  prayers  with  their  pupils, 
either  separately  or  in  conjunction  with  the  faculty  and  students  of 
Queens  College,  and  supply  them  with  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  and 
the  administration  of  the  Sacraments  by  themselves  or  by  some  church 
in  Xew  Brunswick. 


442  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

ARTICLE  IV. 
Of  Students. 

1.  Every  student  upon  admission  to  the  Theological  School,  shall 
produce  a  certificate  of  his  membership  in  some  regular  Protestant 
Church,  and  testimonials  of  his  academic  attainments,  or  submit  to  an 
examination  upon  academic  studies. 

2.  The  students  shall  exhibit  to  the  Professors  weekly  in  rotation^ 
one  lecture  or  sermon  upon  such  subjects  as  the  Professors  shall  appoint^ 
and  each  one,  annually  to  the  Superintendents,  and  write  upon  such  sub- 
jects as  the  Professors  may  prescribe. 

3.  Strict  morality,  piety,  diligence  in  studies,  and  attention  upon  lec- 
tures, recitation  and  prayers,  are  required  under  pain  of  reproof  or  ex- 
pulsion. 

4.  Every  student  shall  spend  a  portion  of  his  time,  morning  and 
evening,  in  private  devotion,  and  every  Lord's  Day  in  public,  social 
and  private  worship,  with  a  particular  reference  to  personal  religion  and 
growth  in  grace. 

5.  Those  students  who  are  not  able  to  defray  the  expenses  of  their 
education,  shall  be  assisted,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  funds  devoted 
to  that  purpose. 

ARTICLE  V. 
Of  the  Time  and  Course  of  Study. 

1.  The  time  and  course  of  study  in  this  School  shall  not  be  less 
than  three  years. 

2.  In  each  year  there  may  be  two  vacations  corresponding  with  those 
in  Queens  College,  or  otherwise  as  the  Professors  and  Superintendents 
may  determine,  provided  that  the  whole  time  of  vacation  in  any  year  do 
not  exceed  three  months. 

3.  Every  student  shall  be  taught  Natural,  Didactic,  Polemic,  and 
Practical  Theology ;  Biblical  Criticism,  Chronology,  and  Ecclesiastical  His- 
tory;  the  form  and  administration  of  Church  Government,  and  Pastoral 
duties;  and  be  able  to  read  the  Scriptures  fluently  in  the  original  lan- 
guages. 

4.  Students,  at  the  expiration  of  three  years  of  regular  study,  shall 
be  admitted  to  an  examination,  to  be  conducted  by  the  Professors  before 
the  Board  of  Superintendents,  and  as  the  case  may  require,  be  continued 
longer  in  the  school,  or  furnished  with  a  certificate  signed  by  the  Pro- 
fessor, which  shall  admit  them  to  an  examination  for  licensure,  before 
their  respective  Classes.     1812,  431-3. 

See  'Theological  College"  for  some  modifications  of  this  'Tlan"  (at 
least  temporarily),  adopted  in  Oct.,  1815,  9-14. 

Revised  Plan  of  Studies  for  the  Theological  College,  1825. 

That  the  whole  course  of  instruction  consist  of  Natural,  Didactic, 
Polemic,  and  Practical  Theology.— Biblical  Literature,  including  Critica 
Sacra,  Hermeneutica  Sacra,  Biblical  Antiquities,  Sacred  Geography,  and 
the  Oriental  Languages. — Ecclesiastical  History,  including  Chronology, 
Church  Government,  and  Pastoral  Theology. 

That  the  studies  of  the  first  year,  or  Junior  Class,  be  Critica  Sacra, 
Biblical  Antiquities,  Sacred  Geography,  Composition,  and  the  Oriental 
Languages. 

That  the  studies  of  the  second  j-ear  be  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theol- 
ogy, Hermeneutica  Sacra,  so  much  of  Pastoral  Theology,  as  belongs  to 
the  composition  and  delivery  of  a  sermon;  Ecclesiastical  History,  and 
the  Original  Languages  continued. 

That  the  studies  of  the  third  year  be  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology; 
Pastoral  Theology;  Ecclesiastical  History;  Church  Government;  Her- 
meneutica Sacra;  and  the  Original  Languages. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY   443 

That  Mark's  Medulla  be  the  text-book  in  Didactic  and  Polemic 
Theology.     Sept.,  1825,  17,  18.     Adopted,  26. 

Study  of  the  Junior  Class  altered,  so  as  to  include  the  History  of 
the  Old  Testament,  and  so  much  of  Pastoral  Theology  as  relates  to  the 
composition  and  delivery  of  sermons,   1828,   loi.     Adopted,   1828,   128. 

PLAN  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SCHOOL.    1828. 

Of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

ARTICLE  I. 

Of  General  Synod. 

1.  All  the  authority  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  is  vested  in 
the  General  Synod,  as  the  last  resort.  This  Synod  shall  have  paramount 
authority  over  the  Theological  School,  its  officers,  laws,  and  instructions. 

2.  The  General  Synod  shall  appoint  a  Board  of  Superintendents,  con- 
sisting of  four  members  from  the  Classis  of  New  York,  and  of  two  from 
each  of  the  other  Classes  under  the  care  of  the  Synod.  This  Board  of 
Superintendents  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot,  at  every  triennial  meeting  of 
General  Synod. 

3.  All  the  Professors  of  this  Theological  School  shall  be  chosen 
by  the  General  Synod;  but  in  the  recess  of  Synod,  the  Board  of  Superin- 
tendents may  temporarily  employ  a  person  or  persons  to  perform  the  du- 
ties of  a  Professor. 

4.  The  General  Synod  may  alter,  amend  or  abrogate  any  -of  the 
articles  in  the  plan  of  this  School,  provided  such  alterations  do  not  con- 
travene the  mutual  engagements  of  Synod  and  the  trustees  of  Rutgers 
College. 

ARTICLE  11. 

Of  the  Board  of  Superintendents. 

1.  The  Board  of  Superintendents  shall  meet  annually  in  the  Pro- 
fessoral  Hall,  on  the  Thursday  immediately  succeeding  the  day  of  Com- 
mencement in  Rutgers  College ;  and  any  five  members,  when  regularly 
convened,  shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business. 

2.  This  Board  shall  open  and  close  all  their  meetings  with  prayer, 
and  shall  cause  one  sermon  at  least  to  be  preached,  either  by  their  presi- 
dent, or  some  member  appointed  for  that  purpose.* 

*Sermon  no  longer  required.     1862,  118. 

3.  This  Board  shall  choose  a  president  and  secretary,  keep  minutes 
of  all  their  transactions,  and  lay  them,  with  a  summary  account  of  the 
state  of  the  School,  before  General  Synod,  at  every  stated  meeting. 

4.  The  power  of  admitting  students  into  the  Theological  School,  is 
vested  in  the  Board  of  Superintendents ;  and  they  are  directed  to  ap- 
point a  Committee  in  the  neighborhood  of  New  Brunswick,  whose  busi- 
ness it  shall  be  to  admit  members  to  the  Theological  College,  during  the 
recess  of  the  Board. 

5.  The  Board  shall  superintend  an  annual  examination  of  all  the  stu- 
dents under  the  care  of  the  Professors,  to  ascertain  their  talents  and  pro- 
ficiency. 

6.  The  Board  shall  be  competent  to  reprimand  or  remove  immoral 
or  incompetent  students,  to  inspect  the  doctrines  taught  by  Professors 
and  the  general  course  of  study,  and  to  recommend  to  Synod,  such  meas- 
ures or  changes  as  they  may  think  advantageous  to  the  School,  and  the 
general  interests  of  the  Dutch  Church. 

7.  The  President  is  authorized  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board 
at  the  request  of  a  Professor  or  Professors,  or  of  any  two  members  at 
any  time,  provided  four  weeks'  previous  notice  be  given. 


444         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ARTICLE  III. 
Of  the  Professors. 

1.  The  number  of  Professors  in  this  School  shall  be  determined 
by  General  Synod,  and  their  duties  shall  be  prescribed  by  Synod,  or  by 
the  person  or  persons  who  may  endow  a  professorship  under  the  imme- 
diate direction  of  the  superintendents.  Provided  always,  that  the  School 
be  not  considered  as  completely  organized  without  three  Professors,  and 
that  all  of  them  be  ordained  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 

2.  The  salaries  of  all  the  Professors  hereafter  appointed  shall  be 
fixed  by  a  vote  of  General  Synod. 

3.  The  Professors  shall  attend  three  lectures  or  recitations  every 
week  and  accompany  them  with  prayer. 

4.  Every  Professor  intending  to  resign,  shall  give  six  months'  no- 
tice to  the  Board  of  Superintendents. 

5.  They  shall  attend  morning  and  evening  prayers  with  their  pu- 
pils, either  separately  or  in  conjunction  with  the  Faculty  and  students 
of  Rutgers  College,  and  supply  them  with  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel 
and  the  administration  of  the  Sacraments  by  themselves,  or  by  some 
church  in  New  Brunswick. 

6.  The  Professors  shall  have  the  power  of  reprimanding  or  sus- 
pending from  the  School  disrespectful,  immoral  and  incompetent  students, 
during  the  recess  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  subject  to  the  revi- 
sion of  the  Board. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Of  Students. 

1.  Every  student,  upon  admission  to  the  Theological  School,  shall 
produce  a  certificate  of  his  membership  in  some  regular  Protestant  Church, 
and  a  diploma  from  some  literary  College,  or  testimonials  of  such  literary 
attainments,  as  would  entitle  him  to  such  diploma.  He  shall  moreover, 
submit  to  an  examination  by  the  Board,  or  such  committee  as  they  may 
appoint,  of  his  piety,  talents,  and  such  other  qualifications  as  would  give 
reasonable  ground  to  hope  that  he  is  called  of  God  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

2.  Every  student  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  shall,  previous  to 
his  commencing  the  study  of  Theology,  make  himself  known  as  such  to 
the  Board  of  Superintendents,  and  shall  be  considered  under  the  care  of 
said  Board.  And  every  student  of  Divinity  under  whomsoever  he  may 
have  studied,  shall  previous  to  his  examination  by  the  Professor,  apply 
for  the  said  purpose  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  before  he  is  exam- 
ined and  licensed. 

3.  The  students  shall  exhibit  to  the  Professors  weekly  in  rotation, 
one  lecture  or  sermon  upon  such  subjects  as  the  Professors  shall  appoint, 
and  each  one  annually  to  the  superintendents,  and  write  upon  such  sub- 
jects as  the  Professors  may  prescribe. 

4.  Strict  morality,  piety,  diligence  in  studies  and  attention  upon  lec- 
tures, recitation  and  prayers,  are  required,  under  pain  of  reproof  or  ex- 
pulsion. 

5.  Every  student  shall  spend  a  portion  of  his  time,  morning  and  even- 
ing, in  private  devotion,  and  every  Lord's  day  in  public,  social  and  pri- 
vate worship,  with  a  particular  reference  to  personal  religion  and  growth 
in  grace. 

6.  Those  students  who  are  not  able  to  defray  the  expenses  of  their 
education,  shall  be  assisted,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  funds  devoted 
to  that  purpose. 

ARTICLE    V. 

Of  the  time  and  course  of  study. 
I.     The  time  and  course  of  study  in  this  School  shall  not  be  less  than 
three  years. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  445 

2.  In  each  year  there  shall  be  three  vacations  corresponding  with 
those  in  Rutgers  College,  provided  that  the  whole  time  of  vacation  in 
any  year,  do  not  exceed  three  months. 

3.  The  whole  course  of  instruction  shall  consist  of  Natural,  Didac- 
tic, Polemic,  and  Practical  Theolog3^  Biblical  literature,  including 
Critica  Sacra,  Hermeneutica  Sacra,  Biblical  Antiquities,  Sacred  Geography, 
and  the  Original  Languages,  Ecclesiastical  History,  including  Chronology, 
Church  Government,  and   Pastoral  Theology. 

The  studies  of  the  first  year,  or  Junior  Class,  shall  be  Critica  Sacra, 
Bibical  Antiquities,  Sacred  Geography,  Composition,  the  Original  Lan- 
guages, the  History  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  so  much  of  Pastoral 
Theology,  as  relates  to  the  composition  and  delivery  of  sermons. 

The  studies  of  the  second  year  shall  be  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theol- 
ogy, Hermeneutica  Sacra,  Ecclesiastical  History,  and  the  Original  Lan- 
guages continued. 

The  studies  of  the  third  year  shall  be  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theol- 
ogy; Pastoral  Theology;  Ecclesiastical  History;  Church  Government, 
Hermeneutica  Sacra,  and  the  Original  Languages. 

A  general  revision  of  former  studies  shall  be  required  at  the  close 
of  each  year ;  and  there  shall  be  anniversary  exercises,  in  which  each 
member  of  the  Senior  Class  shall  bear  a  part,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Professors. 

In  the  course  of  instruction  on  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology, 
Mark's  Medulla  shall  be  used  as  a  text-book. 

4.  Students  at  the  expiration  of  three  years  of  regular  study,  shall 
be  admitted  to  an  examination  to  be  conducted  by  the  Professors  before 
the  Board  of  Superintendents,  and  as  the  case  may  require,  be  continued 
longer  in  the  School,  or  furnished  with  a  certificate  signed  by  the  Pro- 
fessor, which  shall  admit  them  to  an  examination  for  licensure,  before 
their  respective  Classes.     1828,  139-143. 

Elaboration  of  the  Plan  in  Reference  to  Didactic  Theology,  in  1841. 

1.  While  the  present  text-book  (Mark's  Medulla)  shall  be  put  into 
the  hands  of  the  students,  and  they  shall  be  required  habitually  to  refer 
to  it  on  the  subjects  of  the  course,  as  they  occur,  it  shall  be  chiefly  used 
by  the  Professor  as  his  guide  in  the  order  of  his  instruction.  But  the 
students  shall  not  be  required  either  to  commit  to  memory  or  to  recite 
the  same  in  the  lecture-room.  A  general  syllabus,  however,  of  the  whole 
subject,  in  as  condensed  a  form  as  its  completeness  will  allow,  embrac- 
ing definitions  and  the  Classis  argument orum,  drawn  from  the  text-book 
by  the  Professor,  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  student  and  commit- 
ted to  memory  carefully  by  the  Junior  Class,  to  be  reviewed  from  time 
to  time  by  all  the  Classes. 

2.  The  Professor  shall  deliver  original,  full,  connected,  continuous 
and  well-digested,  written  lectures  upon  the  branches  of  Theological  Sci- 
ence, in  the  order  prescribed  in  the  present  text-book  used  in  the  Insti- 
tution, and  embracing  a  special  reference  to  the  Canons  and  the  other 
Standards  of  the  Church,  and  all  the  modern  controversies  in  theology-. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Didactic  Professor  to  institute  and 
prosecute  a  course  of  elementary  instruction  upon  the  subjects  of  theol- 
ogy with  the  first  or  Junior  Class,  regulated  by  the  Standards  of  the 
Church,  in  such  way  as  shall  prepare  them  to  enter  upon  the  full  study 
of  the  system  of  Didactic  Theology  in  the  second  year  of  their  course, 
during  which  year  his  lectures  on  Didactic  Theology  shall  be  delivered. 
And  when  the  students  shall  arrive  at  the  third  or  Senior  year,  the 
Professor  shall  meet  them  daily,  and  they  shall  receive,  in  addition  to 
such  other  instruction  as  he  may  give  them,  his  system  of  lectures  on 
Polemic  Theology,  and  shall  be  exercised  by  him  in  the  writing  of  theses 
in   divinity,   as   he   shall   from   time   to   time   assign   them.     Provided,   al- 


446         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ways,  that  the  Professor  shall  be  careful  to  examine  the  students  in  such 
way  as  he  shall  judge  most  advisable,  upon  the  substance  of  every  lecture 
delivered  by  him. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Professor  to  direct  the  attention  of 
the  students  to  the  reading  of  such  works,  on  the  several  subjects,  as 
they  occur  in  his  lectures,  as  he  may  think  calculated  to  give  them  full 
and  correct  information  in  relation  to  all  the  grand  doctrines  embraced 
in  the  system  of  theolog>',  and  he  shall,  from  time  to  time,  satjsfy  him- 
self that  these  works  are  consulted  by  them. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Professors  to  prepare  a  full  and  copious 
system  of  questions  upon  all  the  subjects  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  The- 
ology, which  the  students  shall  be  obliged  to  answer  in  writing  at  their 
rooms,  and  at  their  leisure,  and  which  shall  form  the  basis  of  their  ex- 
amination before  the  Board  of  Superintendents.     Sept.,   1841,   19,  21. 

Revision  of  Curriculum,  1884. 
Board  of  Superintendents  proposed  to  Synod  the  making  of  a  new 
Curriculum,  arranging  and  naming  the  studies  according  to  the  modern 
nomenclature ;  that  the  duties  of  the  Professors  be  defined  according  to 
the  new  classification ;  that  a  Special  Committee  be  appointed,  who,  after 
consultation  with  the  Professors,  shall  prepare  such  a  classification,  and 
define  the  duties  of  each  department ;  also  consider  the  feasibiFity  of  a 
fourth  year  of  study.  1883,  218.  Names  of  this  Committee,  Rev.  Dr. 
T.  W.  Chambers,  Chairman,  324-5 ;  their  report :  1884,  536-540,  and  is 
as  follows : 

THE  CURRICULUM  OF  THE  SEMINARY. 
Adopted  by  General  Synod,  June,  1884,  536. 


A— EXEGETICAL    THEOLOGY. 

I. — Old  Testament  Chair.  Palaeography. 

Hebrew  and  Cogriate  Tongues.   Canonics. 
Practical  Exegesis.  Textual   Criticism. 

II. — New  Testament  Chair.  Historic    Criticism. 

Hellenic  Greek.  Hermeneutics. 

Practical  Exegesis.  Biblical    Geography. 

Biblical   Chronology. 
[To   be   treated   by   both    Professors    according   to    such    arrangement    as 
they  may  make  between  themselves.] 
Successive  portions  of  the  Greek  Testament  to  be  assigned  at  each 
session,   so   that  the   whole   shall  be   read   through   with   care   during  the 
three-years'  course. 

Expository  Lectures. 

B— HISTORICAL  THEOLOGY. 

I. — THE    KINGDOM    OF    GOD    UNDER   THE    OLD    COVENANT. 

1.  Its  Rise  and  Growth. 

2.  History  of  Cultus. 

3.  History  of  Life  and   Morals. 

4.  History  of  Doctrine;  Biblical  Theology  of  the  Old  Testament. 

n. — THE    KINGDOM    OF    GOD    UNDER    THE    NEW    COVENANT. 

1.  Extension    of    Christianity. 

2.  History  of  Cultus   and   Government. 

3.  History  of  Life  and   Morals. 

4.  History  of  Doctrine;  Biblical  Theology  of  the  New  Testament. 

5.  History  of  Christian  Literature. 

6.  History  of  Philosophy  as  related  to  the   Church. 
Expository  Lectures. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  447 

C— DOCTRINAL  THEOLOGY. 

I. — DOGMA. 

1.  Outline  of  the  System   (Definitions,  Proofs,  etc.). 

2.  Standards  of  the  Church:  (Heidelberg  Catechism,  Belgic  Con- 
fession,  Canons   of  Dort). 

3.  History  of  Christian  Dogma;    (Post  Biblical). 

4.  Encyclopedia  and  Methodology. 

II. — APOLOGETICS. 

1.  Theism. 

2.  Comparative    Religions. 

3.  Evidences  of  Christianity. 

4.  Contemporary    Attacks. 

III. — ETHICS. 

1.  Principles. 

2.  History. 

IV. — LECTURES    AND   THESES    OX    SPECIFIC   THEMES. 

Two  Theses  from  each  student  every  year  to  be  discussed  by  the 
class. 

Expository  Lectures. 

D— PRACTICAL  THEOLOGY. 

I. — NATURE    AND    GROUNDS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    MINISTRY. 

*     The  Call   (outward  and  inward),  Qualifications,  Preparation  and  In- 
duction into  Office. 

II. — HOMILETICS. 

Practical  Exercises  in  Plan,  Compositon  and  Delivery  of  Sermons. 

III. — CATECHETICS. 

Theory,  History-,  Method,  including  Catechetical  classes,  Sunday 
School  and   Public  Exposition. 

IV. — LITURGICS. 

Conduct  of  worship,  the  History  of  the  Development  and  the  L^se  of 
Liturgies,  Hymnologv",  Feast  Days,  Christian  Art  and  Architecture,  as 
connected  with  worship. 

V. — ECCLESIASTICS. 

Administration  of  Discipline,  Pastor  as  member  of  Consistory,  Clas- 
sis,  Synod  and  Boards. 

VI. — POIMENICS. 

Marriages,  Funerals,  Visitation  of  the  Sick,  Inquirers,  Prayer  Meet- 
ings, Benevolence. 

VII. — HALIEUTICS. 

1.  Missions,  in  the  neighborhood,  in  the  Domestic  and  Foreign 
Fields. 

2.  History — General  and  Denominational. 
Expository  Lectures. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

T— The  use  of  some  Latin  compend  in  Doctrinal  Theology,  such  as 
Marckii,  Medulla  or  Amesii  Theologia,  as  tending  to  make  the  students 
familiar  with  scholastic  Latin,  as  well  as  giving  an  exact  Syllabus  of 
Definitions  and  Proofs.  The  book  and  the  manner  of  using  it  to  be  at 
the   discretion   of  the    Professor. 

H- — The  requisition  from  the  students  of  frequent  written  Theses 
on  given  subjects  to  be  read  and  discussed  by  the  class,  not  only  in  Doc- 
trinal Theolog)'.  but  in  all  other  Departments. 


448         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

III. — Occasional  lectures  by  pastors  and  others,  on  topics  with  which 
they  are  especially  famiHar. 

IV. — Instruction  in  Vocal  Culture,  with  training  by  an  expert. 

V.  Lectures  on  Physiolog}',  Hygiene  and  sanitary  arrangements  in 
general.     (This  might  be  secured  in  union  with  Rutgers   College.) 

VI. — The  establishment  of  Fellowships — of  about  $500  or  $600  yearly 
for  two  years,  to  be  given  to  such  students  as  at  the  end  of  the  course 
shall  show  most  proficiency,  and  shall  desire  opportunity  fcrr  fijrther 
study. 

VII. — The  establishment  of  new  Professorships,  as  soon  as  the 
means  shall  have  been  furnished — not  only  for  Biblical  Theology,  but 
also  for  Apologetics,  Symbolics  and  Monumental  Theology,  including 
Egyptology  and  Assyriology. 

6.  The  adoption  of  the  above  plan  carries  with  it  the  repeal  of  all  pre- 
vious rules  and  regulations  which  are  not  here  reaffirmed.  1884,  536-540. 
Repeated,   1888,  542-5. 

The  same  Committee  was  re-appointed  to  prepare  a  Plan  for  a  Fourth 
Year  of  study,  1884,  540.  The  Committee  referred  to  the  difficulties  in- 
volved, and  the  whole  question  was  referred  to  the  Facultv,  wuth  power, 
1885,  730-1. 

The  Faculty  was  requested  to  unify  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary,  ac- 
cording to  suggestion  of  page  463  (near  bottom),  of  the  Seminary  Cen- 
tennial Volume,  1885,  735.  Dr.  Demarest,  of  the  Faculty  presented  a 
report,  which  was  accepted ;  and  ordered  printed,  and  distributed.  1887, 
264.  Certain  amendments  were  proposed  (1888,  536),  and  the  following 
Plan  was  adopted: 

PLAN   OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY   AT   NEW  T3RUNS- 

WICK.     [1888.] 

Art.  I.  Of  the  General  Synod. — The  General  Synod  has,  by  the 
Constitution,  original  and  paramount  authority  over  tl\e  Theological 
Schools,  their  officers,  laws  and  instructions,  which  authority  is  to  be 
exercised  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution. — Con- 
stitution, Art.  9,  Sec.  4. 

Art.  II.  Of  the  Board  of  Superintendents. — i.  The  Board  of 
Superintendents  shall  consist  of  one  minister  from  each  Classis  in  the 
Particular  Synods  of  New  York,  Albany  and  New  Brunswick.  These 
shall  be  nominate^  by  their  respective  (Classes,  and  be  reported  to  the 
General  Synod  for  confirmation.  They  shall  be  appointed  for  a  term  of 
five  years,  and  be  so  arranged  into  five  classes,  that  annually  the  seats  of 
one-fifth  of  the  whole  number  shall  be  vacated.  See  Amendments,  1894, 
79. 

Two  elders  also  shall  be  nominated  by  each  one  of  the  above-mentioned 
Particular  Synods,  who,  after  confirmation  by  the  General  Synod,  shall 
serve  five  years.  One  vacancy  shall  be  made  annually  by  the  expiration 
of  a  term  of  service,  and  in  every  fifth  year  two  vacancies.  Also  a  min- 
isterial delegate,  shall  be  nominated  by  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago, 
who,  after  confirmation  by  the  General  Synod,  shall  serve  five  years. 

The  General  Synod  shall  appoint  the  members  in  all  cases  in  which 
nominations  have  failed  to  be  made. 

A  vacancy  occurring  before  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service  may 
be  filled  by  the  nominating  Classis  or  Particular  Synod  until  the  next 
stated  meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  which  shall  make  an  appointment 
for  the  unexpired  part  of  the  term. 

The  seat  of  a  member  who  has  ceased  to  be  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Classis  or  Particular  Synod  that  nominated  him,  shall  be  consid- 
ered vacant. 

2.  The  Board  shall  meet  annually  at  New  Brunswick,  (on  the  third 
Tuesday  (Wednesday,  1890,  55,)  in  May,  at  11  o'clock,  a.m.,  at  any  hour 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  449 

convenient  to  them,  1899,  391,)  and  seven  members  shall  be  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  business.  Every  session  shall  be  opened  and  closed 
with  prayer. 

3.  At  every  annual  meeting  the  Board  shall  choose  a  President  and 
Secretary  to  serve  one  year.  A  Stated  Clerk  shall  be  appointed  who  shall 
continue  in  office  from  year  to  year  until  a  vacancy  shall  be  made  by  his  res- 
ignation or  death,  or  by  the  action  of  the  Board. 

4.  The  Faculty,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Board,  shall  be  au- 
thorized to  admit  or  dismiss  students  at  any  time  during  the  year  after 
the  meeting  of  the  Committee;  but  students  under  the  care  of  the  Board 
of  Education  shall  not  be  dismissed  except  to  a  Theological  School  under 
the  care  of  the  General  Synod. 

5.  The  Board  shall,  at  its  annual  meeting,  superintend  an  examina- 
tion, to  be  conducted  by  the  Professors,  of  all  the  students  connected 
with  the  School,  on  the  studies  that  have  been  pursued  during  the  year. 
The  members  of  the  senior  class,  who  pass  their  examinations  satisfac- 
torily, shall  be  recommended  for  Professorial  certificates. 

6.  The  Board  shall  have  power  to  reprimand  or  remove  immoral  or  in- 
competent students ;  to  require  any  one  whose  examination  has  proved 
him  to  be  deficient  in  any  study,  to  make  up  such  deficiency,  or  to  re- 
mand him  to  a  lower  class ;  to  report  to  the  Synod  on  the  doctrines  taught, 
and  to  recommend  such  changes  in  the  course  of  study,  or  in  the  gen- 
eral management  of  the  Institution,  as  in  their  judgment  may  be  required 
for  its  greater  efficiency. 

7.  The  Board  may,  in  the  recess  of  the  General  Synod,  employ  prop- 
erly qualified  individuals  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  disabled  or  deceased 
professor  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Synod. 

8.  At  the  close  of  the  examinations,  public  exercises  shall  be  held, 
in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the  Board,  and  under  its  direc- 
tion. 

9.  The  President  of  the  Board  shall  call  a  special  meeting  at  the 
request  of  two  Professors,  or  of  any  two  members.  Of  this  meeting,  ten 
days'  notice  shall  be  given. 

10.  The  Board  shall  charge  itself  with  the  duty  of  devising  measures 
for  increasing  the  number  of  students  of  theology.  Each  member  shall 
regard  himself  as  an  agent  of  the  General  Synod  for  securing  a  full 
supply  of  the  students  for  this  School. 

11.  The  Board  is  directed  to  co-operate  with  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tion in  efforts  to  obtain  endowments  and  moneys  for  the  purposes  of 
the  School,  and  they  shall  pay  over  to  the  Board  of  Direction  all  moneys 
obtained  for  these  objects. 

12.  The  Board  shall  present  a  report  on  the  condition  of  the  School 
to  the  General  Synod  at  every  stated  meeting  of  that  body.  In  it  all 
vacancies  that  have  occurred  in  the  Board,  and  all  about  to  occur  through 
expiration  of  terms  of  office,  shall  be  reported. 

Art.  III.  Of  the  Professors. — i.  Every  Professor  shall  be,  at  the 
time  of  entering  on  his  office,  an  ordained  minister  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America. 

2.  The  number,  titles,  duties  and  salaries  of  the  Professors  shall  be 
determined  by  the  General  Synod. 

3.  Every  Professor  shall  have  the  right  to  select  the  text-books  to 
be  used  in  his  department,  and  to  determine  the  method  of  instruction  to 
be  employed  by  him. 

4.  The  Professors  shall  be  organized  into  a  Faculty  for  the  exercise 
of  the  powers  vested  in  them,  and  they  are  directed  to  hold  stated  monthly 
meetings  while  the  School  is  in  session,  and  special  meetings  whenever 
necessary. 

5.  One  of  the  Professors  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Super- 
mtendents,   President  of  the  Faculty,  to  whom  the  discipline  of  the  In- 


450         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

stitution  shall  be  generally  intrusted,  in  accordance  with  regulations  made 
by  the  Faculty,  and  subject  to  their  final  decisions.  He  shall  continue 
in  office  during  the  pleasure  of  the  Board. 

6.  The  President  of  the  Faculty  shall  call  a  special  meeting  at  any 
time  at  the  request  of  a  Professor.  In  his  absence  the  Faculty  -may  ap- 
point a  President  pro  tern. 

7.  The  Faculty  shall  have  the  power  of  arranging  the  times  of  lec- 
tures and  recitations,  requiring  of  every  class  at  least  fourteen  hours  per 
week ;  of  reprimanding  or  suspending  from  the  School  disrespectful,  im- 
moral, incompetent  or  negligent  students ;  of  allowing  absences  on  ac- 
count of  sickness,  pecuniary  straits,  or  for  any  other  imperative  reason 
— all  subject  to  the  revision  of  the  Board.  They  shall  make  an  an- 
nual report  to  the  Board. 

Art.  IV. — Of  the  Students. — i.  Every  student  shall,  before  his  ad- 
mission to  the  School,  present  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  or  to  its 
Committe,  or  to  the  Faculty,  a  certificate  of  membership  in  some  Prot- 
estant Church,  and  a  diploma  certifying  that  he  has  received  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts  from  some  College  or  University.  In  lack  of  this, 
he  shall  give  proof,  by  testimonials  or  examination,  of  such  literary  at- 
tainments as  will  enable  him  to  enter  upon  the  course  of  studies  in  the 
School.  His  piety,  talents  and  other  qualifications  shall  also  be  made 
matters  of  inquiry. 

2.  Every  Student  shall,  on  his  admission  to  the  School,  be  required 
to  subscribe  his  name  in  the  Matriculation  Book  provided  for 
this  purpose.  He  shall  also  consider  himself  pledged  to  lead  a  con- 
sistent Christian  life,  to  be  diligent  in  study,  and  punctual  in  attendance 
on  lectures,  recitations,  and  the  various  exercises  of  the  School. 

3.  The  work  of  the  students  shall  be  directed  by  the  Professors- 
They  shall  write  upon  such  subjects  as  the  Professors  may  assign  them, 
and  every  member  of  the  Senior  and  Middle  Classes,  shall  present  a  sermon 
to  the  Board  for  examination  at  the  annual  meeting. 

4.  Students  shall  not  be  allowed  to  preach  or  lecture  in  any  of 
our  churches  or  congregations,  except  the  students  of  the  Senior  Class. 
These  shall  be  allowed  to  deliver  their  own  discourses  under  the  direc- 
tion of  one  of  the  Professors  of  Theology,  with  the  understanding  that 
this  direction  is  to  extend  to  the  time  when,  the  place  where,  and  the  dis- 
course to  be  delivered.  The  same  privileges  shall  be  allowed  to  them 
in  the  churches  of  which  they  are  members,  under  the  direction  of  their 
own  pastors.  The  students  of  the  Middle  Class  shall  be  allowed  to  preach 
during  vacations  under  the  direction  of  their  Theological  Professors. 

Art.  V.  Of  the  Library. — i.  The  Faculty  shall  have  authority  to 
select  all  books  to  be  purchased  for  the  Library,  and  to  make  all  rules 
for  securing  its  largest  usefulness. 

2.  The  Committee  on  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property,  together  with 
the  Faculty,  shall  appoint  the  Librarian  and  fix  the  amount  of  his  salary. 

3.  The  Librarian  shall  conduct  the  correspondence  of  the  Library. 
He  shall  also  keep  a  record  of  all  books  received,  and  of  all  which  may 
be  loaned.  In  consultation  with  the  Faculty,  he  shall  arrange  and  cata- 
logue the  books,  and  shall  make  an  annual  report  of  the  condition  of 
the  Library  to  the  Standing  Committee. 

4.  The  Committee  on  the  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property  shall 
have  charge  of  the  Library  building  and  furniture,  to  keep  them  in  good 
order  and  repair,  and  to  make  additions  and  improvements.  All  salaries, 
bills  for  books  purchased  and  for  expenses  incurred,  shall  be  paid  by 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Committee,  from  funds  placed  in  his  hands  for  these 
purposes. 

Art.  VI.  Of  the  C.\re  of  the  Property.— i.  A  Standing  Commit- 
tee shall  be  appointed  which  shall  be  known  as  the  Committee  on  the 
Seminary  Grounds  and   Property. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  451 

2.  This  Committee  shall  consist  of  six  members,  one  of  whom  shall 
be  chosen  by  the  Faculty  from  their  own  number ;  five  shall  be  elected 
by  the  General  Synod,  for  a  term  of  five  years,  one  new  member  to  be 
elected  annually. 

Amended:  2.  ''This  Committee  shall  consist  of  the  members  of  the 
Faculty  together  with  five  others,  who  shall  be  elected  by  the  General 
Synod  for  the  term  of  five  years,  one  new  member  to  be  elected  annually." 
1895,  60,  61,  71. 

3.  It  shall  keep  the  buildings  in  good  repair,  and  the  grounds  in 
order.  It  shall  make  all  needed  improvements,  and  attend  to  such  mat- 
ters of  business  as  may  be  necessary  in  connection  with  these  objects. 
The  Committee  shall  not  make  expenditures  in  excess  of  the  moneys 
provided,  and  shall  make  a  full  report  annually  to  the  General  Synod. 

4.  It  shall  hold  meetings  at  New  Brunswick  at  least  three  times  a 
year,  while  the  School  is  in  session,  and  at  such  other  times  as  they 
shall  deem  advisable.  A  .special  meeting  ma}^  be  called  by  the  President 
at  the  request  of  one  of  the  members. 

5.  It  shall  have  power  to  make  rules  for  the  government  of  Peter 
Hertzog  Theological  Hall  and  to  provide  for  their  enforcement. 

Amended:  5.  "It  shall  have  power  to  make  rules  for  the  govern- 
ment of  Peter  Hertzog  Theological  Hall,  and  to  provide  for  their  en- 
forcement ;  provided  that  all  cases,  where  the  moral  character  of  The- 
ological students  is  concerned,  shall  be  referred  to  the  Theological  Fac- 
ulty for  adjudication."     1895,  61,  71. 

Art.  VII.  Course  of  Studies. — i.  The  course  of  studies  shall  be 
prescribed  by  the  General  Synod  and  shall  cover  a  period  of  three  years. 

The  year  shall  begin  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  third  Sunday  in  Sep- 
tember and  close  with  the  Commencement  exercises  in  May.  A  recess 
of  a  fortnight  shall  be  allowed  at  the  Christmas  holidays. 

2.  The  students  shall  be  divided  into  three  classes,  Junior,  Mid- 
dle and  Senior. 

3.  The  studies  of  the  first  or  junior  year  shall  be  Hebrew,  Old  Tes- 
tament Exegesis,  Biblical  Geography  and  Antiquities,  Hermeneutics, 
Greek  Testament  (Gospels),  Ancient  Sacred  History,  Sacred  Chronology, 
Methodology,  Comparative  Religions,  Reformed  Church  Standards,  Ho- 
miletics. 

The  studies  of  the  second  or  middle  year  shall  be  Hebrew,  Old  Tes- 
tament Exegesis,  Archaeolog}',  Greek  Testament  (Epistles),  Biblical 
Criticism,  Ecclesiastical  History,  Church  Government,  Systematic  The- 
ology, Liturgies  and  Catechetics. 

The  studies  of  the  third  or  senior  year  shall  be  Hebrew,  Old  Tes- 
tament Exegesis,  Greek  Testament  (Epistles),  Biblical  Criticism,  Eccle- 
siastical History,  Systematic  Theology,  History  of  Christian  Doctrine, 
Christian  Ethics,   Apologetics,   Ecclesiastics,    Poimenics,    Missions. 

4.  Optional  studies  may  be  pursued  by  a  student  under  the  direc- 
tion of  a  Professor  or  Professors,  and  graduates  or  others  may  take  a 
fourth  or  additional  year  for  the  pursuit  of  optional  studies  under  the 
direction  of  the  Faculty.     See  Curriculum,  1884,  1888  537-542. 

III. — CONCERNING     THE     GOVERNMENT     AND     CURRICULA     OF     THE     SEMINARIES. 

1894. 

I.     In  reference  to  the  Boards  of  Superintendents. 

I.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Seminary 
at  New  Brunswick  shall  consist  of  one  minister  from  each  of  the  Classes 
of  the  Particular  Synods  of  New  York,  Albany  and  New  Brunswick, 
with  two  elders  from  each  of  these  Particular  Synods,  and  one  minister 
from  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago.  These  members  shall  hold  of- 
fice for  five  years,  under  the  same  conditions  as  to  manner  of  appoint- 
ment, etc.,  as  at  present.     (See  Minutes  General  Synod,  1888,  p.  537.) 


452         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Western 
Theological  Seminary  shall  consist  of  one  minister  from  each  of  the 
Classes  m  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago,  with  three  ministers  and 
three  elders  at  large  from  the  same  Particular  Synods.  These  members 
shall  hold  office  for  five  years,  under  the  same  conditions  as  to  manner 
of  appointment,  etc.,  as  at  present. 

The  President  of  Hope  College  shall  be  a  member  ex-ofiicio  of  the 
Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Western  Theological  Seminary,  since 
that  college  is  under  the  direct  control  of  the  General  Svnod  of  the  Re- 
formed Church   in  America. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Arcot  Semi- 
nary, India,  shall  remain  as  at  present  constituted,  until  there  shall  be 
manifest  reasons  for  change. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  Faculty  in  each  of  our 
Seminaries,  shall  also  be  a  member,  ex-officio,  of  its  Board  of  Superin- 
tendents. 

5.  Resolved,  That  each  Board  of  Superintendents,  immediately  after 
its  adjournment,  through  its  Secretary,  shall  notify  in  writing,  the  Fac- 
ulty of  the  Institution  under  its  care,  of  all  acts  of  that  Board  which  de- 
pend on  the  Faculty  for  their  fulfillment. 

2.  In  reference  to  Students. 

1.  Resolved,  That  students  shall  not  be  admitted  to  examination 
before  the  Board  of  Superintendents  unless  recommended  by  the  Fac- 
ulty. This  recommendation  shall  certify  to  their  faithfulness,  good  be- 
havior and  scholarship.  But  any  professor  may  present  to  the  Board 
special  cases  of  deficiency  in  his  own  department. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  whole  matter  of  students  preaching  be  re- 
mitted to  the  control  of  the  Faculties  of  the  Seminaries. 

3.  In  reference  to   Curricula. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  curriculum  adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of 
1884  (page  536)  be  the  curriculum  for  all  the  Seminaries  of  our  Church 
so  far  as  practicable. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Faculty  of  each  Institution  be  requested  to 
devise  some  method  to  give  larger  instruction  to  the  students  in  the  Eng- 
lish Bible. 

4.  In  reference  to  Discipline. 

In  the  overtures  from  two  Classes  the  "Plan  of  the  Seminary"  is 
criticised  because  it  fails  to  provide  for  proper  discipline.  In  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Commission,  the  ground  of  this  criticism  has  been  largely 
removed  by  the  recommendations  already  made  in  this  report. 

It  is  well  known  that  discipline  has  long  been  a  difficult  and  perplex- 
ing matter  in  the  higher  educational  institutions  of  our  country.  It  has 
received  a  large  measure  of  the  study  given  to  proposed  reforms  in  the 
collegiate  aad  university  education  and  government,  by  the  ablest  and 
most  experienced  educators.  The  prevailing  theories  meet  in  controversy 
over  the  question  of  maintaining  or  relaxing  the  rigidity  of  law,  as  ex- 
pressed in  specific  rules  for  the  regulation  of  the  conduct  of  students, 
enforced  by  a  system  of  penalties  culminating  in  expulsion  from  the  in- 
stitutions. Without  touching  the  merits  of  the  discussion,  it  may  be  as- 
serted confidently  that  the  general  trend  has  been  in  the  direction  of 
greater  liberty  to  students.  The  view  is  growing  in  favor  that  the  ends 
of  good  government  are  to  be  reached  by  letting  students  govern  them- 
selves. Appeals  are  to  be  made  to  their  self-respect,  honor,  consciences, 
rather  than  to  their  fears.  The  system  of  government  is  to  press  upon 
their  attention  and  into  their  convictions  the  important  fact  that  it  is 
their  own  interest,  and  not  that  of  the  Faculty,  which  demands  that  the 
standard  of  scholarship  and  of  conduct  be  demonstrably  high. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  453 

In  the  face  of  this  growing  sentiment  with  respect  to  institutions 
whose  students  are  younger,  less  mature,  and  many  of  whom  are  less 
amenable  to  moral  and  religious  motives  than  are  those  with  whom  we 
have  to  do,  your  Commission  felt  that  it  could  not  formulate  a  series  of 
rules,  which  would  introduce  a  system  of  marking  in  the  class-rooms 
and  of  official  espionage  outside  of  them,  without  great  and  undeserved 
disparagement  of  the  students  of  our  Seminaries.  The  authority  belongs 
to  the  Professor,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  to  make  known  to  students  their 
duties,  and  to  demand  their  discharge  of  them.  Such  remissness  as  se- 
riously compromises  scholarship  or  character  should  be  reported  to  the 
Board  of  Superintendents,  and  such  reports  should  raise  the  serious 
question  of  the  fitness  of  the  delinquents  for  the  Gospel  ministry. 

In  reference  to  students  under  the  care  of  the  Board  of  Education, 
the  Commission  recommends  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  General  Synod  request  the  Board  of  Education  to 
send,  annually,  to  each  student  under  its  care,  a  circular  asking  whether 
he  needs  the  same  amount  of  financial  aid  that  he  has  been  receiving, 
and  whether  his  purpose  to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church 
abides ;  and  that  answers  be  sent  to  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
Board. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  that  a  special  committee  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Synod  to  prepare  and  publish  a  leaflet  containing 
the  rules  of  General  Synod,  of  the  respective  Theological  Institutions, 
and  of  the  Board  of  Education,  now  binding  on  the  students  ;  such  leaflet 
to  be  presented  to  each  student  at  the  commencement  of  each  year  by  the 
President  of  the  Fa  cult  v. 

Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin,  Rev.  G.  H.  Mandeville,  Rev.  Prof.  J.  W.  Beardslee, 
and  Elders  Austin  Scott  and  Henry  Camerden  were  appointed  such  com- 
mittee. 

While  your  Commission,  after  frequent  conferences  over  the  matters 
presented  in  the  various  overtures  referred  to  it,  has  reached  the  above 
conclusions,  it  is  felt  that  the  great  subject  of  the  development  of  our 
Theological  Seminaries  and  their  adjustment  to  the  demands  of  the  time 
lias  not  been  fully  treated.  And  it  cannot  be,  with  practical  results,  until 
the  Church  hears  and  responds  to  their  call  and  claims  for  largely  in- 
creased endowments.  While  bearing  grateful  testimony — without  the 
vote  of  our  professorial  members — to  the  faithfulness  and  ability  of  those 
occupying  the  chairs  of  instruction,  we  feel  that  they  are  entitled  to  the 
demonstrated  confidence  and  sympathy  of  the  Church,  in  her  generous 
responses  to  the  pecuniary  needs  of  her  institutions,  for  the  increase  of  in- 
structors and  aids  to  learning  in  the  ever-broadening  field  of  sacred  schol- 
arship. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

JOACHIM   ELMEXDORF, 
MAXCIUS  H.   HUTTON, 
FERDINAND  S.  SCHENCK, 
EDWARD  B.  COE, 
EDWARD  A.   COLLIER, 
JAMES  F.  ZWEMER, 
EDWARD  T.  CORWIN, 
JOHN  W.  BEARDSLEE, 
J.  PRESTON  SEARLE. 

1894,  75-82. 
Finances  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary. 
1896-97. 
Owing  to  decreased  rate  of  itnerest,  the  funds   for  the  care  of  the 
property,    insufficient.     1896,    353;    request    for    a    Committee   to    consider 
the  subject,  '97,  622. 


454  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

The  following  were  appointed  as  the  special  committee  on  the  finances 
of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  with  power  to  add  to  their 
number : 

From  the  Board  of  Direction,  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Vermilye  and  Frank 
R.  Van  Nest. 

From  the  Standing  Committee  on  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property, 
the  Rev.  J.  P.  Searle  and  Frederick  T.  Kirk. 

From  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  the  Revs.  E.  B,  Coe  and  C.  L. 
Wells.     1897,  628. 

1898. 

The  crippled  condition  of  the  finances  of  the  Seminary  is  impair- 
ing the  efficiency  of  its  work.  Report  of  Committee :  In  1882,  the  en- 
dowment, about  $329,000;  now  (1898)  about  $369,000.  Interest  decreased 
about  $4,800  or  about  one-fourth.  See  details  in  report.  $53,000  addi- 
tional needed  on  the  Property  Funds ;  $40,000  additional  needed  on  the 
Professorial  Funds.  Circular  letters  brought  in  $1,675,  which  was  spent 
on  current  expenses,  assessments  and  debts.  Same  Committee  continued. 
1898,  91-96. 

1899. 

Rev.  James  Demarest,  D.D.,  was  appointed  financial  agent.  $250,000 
needed  to  restore  the  income  to  its  former  amount,  and  make  some  ad- 
vances. 1899,  400-402.  Offerings  for  current  expenses,  1899,  $1,516.81. 
Total,  $3,166.81.  Sums  toward  endowment,  $1,614.  Needs :  $50,000  ad- 
ditional for  care  of  property;  $100,000  additional  for  Professorial  en- 
dowments, that  the  five  Professors  may  each  have  a  salary  of  $2,500; 
to  restore  training  in  music  and  elocution ;  to  do  some  printing,  and  pro- 
vide for  lectures.  Also  $100,000  additional  for  a  Professor  of  the  "Eng- 
lish Bible  and  Missions" ;  or  of  "Biblical  Theology,"  ''Apologetics,"  or 
otherwise;  and  to  provide  some  fellowships  for  Post-graduate  work. 
Synod  commended  the  report  to  the  churches  and  continued  the  Com- 
mittee.    1899,  403-408. 

1900. 

Review :  Circumstances  ;  appointment  of  Committee  ;  necessities  ;  ap- 
peals to  meet  current  expenses,  and  increase  endowments.  Amount  raised 
in  second  year,  $1,758,  and  $414  for  endowments;  [figures  do  not  quite  har- 
monize;] at  end  of  third  year  (1900),  $4,004  had  been  given  for  current 
expenses;  $27,936  for  endowments.  [Total  for.  current  expenses,  $7,438; 
for  endowments,  $28,351.  Total  expenses,  $2,706.]  Principal  gift  from 
Ralph  Voorhees,  (see  his  name);  Alumni  Association  has  also  helped; 
there  are  also  bequests  in  wills.  Only  by  these  gifts  for  current  expenses, 
have  the  salaries  of  the  Professors  and  the  expenses  for  care  of  the 
property  been  met.  Annual  offerings  from  the  churches  needed  ;  and  co- 
operation with  the  finanical  agent. 

Mr.  Voorhees  was  thanked  for  his  $25,000 — to  be  held  as  a  separate 
fund  for  the  Chair  of  New  Testament,  Languages  and  Exegesis.  The 
Alumni  were  thanked ;  churches,  pastors,  friends,  exhorted  to  co-operate. 
1900,  712-716. 

In  the  Report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  the  "State  of  the  Church" 
in  1900,  occurs  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  present  Special  Committee  on  the  Finances  of  the 
Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  coni'josed  of  representatives  of  the  Board 
of  Direction,  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  and  of  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee on  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property,  be  made  a  permanent  com- 
mittee, and  that  the  prosecution  of  its  work  be  pushed  with  renewed 
vigor.     1900,  835. 

1901. 

General  review :  a  sub-committee  appointed  to  further  the  work ; 
the  task  of  the  Committee  to  gather  funds  and  apportion  those  not  speci- 
fically designated,  so  as  to  secure  the  best  results  to  the  Seminary — sub- 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  455 

ject  to  approval  of  Synod.  Costs  of  collection  for  two  years  and  seven 
months,  $4,267.  Gifts  received  for  current  expenses  divided  equally  be- 
tween the  care  of  the  property  and  educational  [professorial?]  purposes. 
There  have  been  added  to  the  general  endowment,  (besides  the  Voorhees 
Fund),  $5,674;  from  Alumni  Endowment  Fund,  $1,000;  for  current  ex- 
penses, $3,174;  Laidlie  Memorial  Fund,  for  printing,  $5,000;  total 
$14,848.70. 

Total  receipts  for  current  expenses $10,613  19 

Interest  on  added  endowment 720  96 

Endowment   41,225  39 

Total    $52,559  54 

1901,  1029-32. 

GENERAL    SURX^EY    OF   THE    SITUATION. 

The  endowments  of  the  Seminary  amount  to  $463,187.45.  This  in- 
cludes the  endowments  reported  by  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  last 
year,  and  the  additions  to  the  endowments  made  since  then  as  reported 
by  us.     It  does  not  include  any  anticipated  additions. 

The  various  endowments  are  of  four  classes,  and  are  as  follows : 

I.  Specially  Designated  Funds,  not  Available  for  General  Current 
Expenses. 

Centennial  Seminary  Fund $1,416  95 

Alumni  Endowment  Fund 2,200  00 

James  Anderson   Memorial   Fund    (For  Elocution) 581  47 

Rev.   Archibald   Laidlie,    D.D.,   Memorial    Fund 5,00000 

Gardner  A.  Sage  Endowment  for  the  Purchase  of  Books 20,000  00 

Augustus   Elmendorf  Educational  Fund  for   Students 2,382  50 

$31,580  92 
II.     Educational    [Professorial^    Funds. 

Permanent    Seminary    Fund $108,005  9^ 

Fourth    Professorial    Fund    (Practical    Theology) 30o97  66 

Thomas  DeWitt  Professorship  (N.  Test.  Theo.) 6,015  00 

James   Suydam   Professorship    (Syst.   Theolog}-) 60,00000 

G.  A.   Sage,   Professorship    (O.  Test.   Theology) 50,000  00 

Ralph  Voorhees   Fund,    (N.   Test.   Theology) 25,00000 

New  Endowment,  other  than  Ralph  Voorhees  Fund 7,825  41 

Total $287,443  97 

Less  $1,020  included  in  New  Endowment  which  was  given  by 
the  Church  and  C.  E.  of  Franklin  Park,  N.  J.,  for  Property 
Improvement    1,020  00 

$286,423  97 

III.     Property  Funds. 

James  Suydam  Legacy  for  Care  of  James  Suydam  Hall $20,000  00 

James  Suydam  Legacy  for  Care  of  Buildings  and  Grounds...  20,000  00 

James  Suydam  Fund  for  Care  of  Professorial  Residences....  11,134  99 

G.  A.  Sage  Endowment  for  Maintenance  Sage  Library 35,ooo  00 

G.  A.   Sage  Endowment  for   Maintenance   Hertzog  Hall 25,000  00 

Ann  Hertzog  Leg'y  for  Repairs  of  Hertzog  Hall 10,000  00 

Franklin    Park   Fund    included   in    New    Endowment 1,02000 

Total   $122,154  99 

1901,  1033-34. 
The  Library  is  not  able  to   purchase  books   as   freely  as   heretofore. 
The  income  of  the  Educational    [Professorial?]    Funds  is  $565  less  than 


456         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

the  amount  required  to  pay  $2,500  to  each  of  the  five  Professors.  The 
net  income  of  the  Property  Fund  is  $5,091,  together  with  $1,100  received 
in  room-rents  from  Bd.  of  Education ;  total,  $6,200.  Salaries  of  Librarian, 
Superintendent,  Engineer,  with  coal,  gas  and  water  bills,  amount  to 
$4,400,  leaving  only  $1,800  for  repairs  on  extensive  property. — The  Semi- 
nary needs,  on  its  present  basis,  at  least  $3,500  per  annum,  more  than  the 
present  endowments  yield.  Collections  for  current  expenses,  with  their 
increase  by  $2,000,  are  necessary.  $150,000  increase  in  the  Endowment 
was  originally  estimated,  as  necessary,  to  restore  the  lost  income  of  the 
Seminary.  About  one-third  of  this  has  been  received.  Another  Chair 
ought  also  to  be  endowed  with  $100,000.     1901,  1035-36. 

Synod  thanked  the  various  donors ;  especially  those  of  the  Laidlie 
Memorial  Fund ;  urged  increasing  collections  for  current  expenses ;  the 
salaries  of  all  the  Professors  were  fixed  at  $2,500,  (to  be  taken  partly 
from  income  of  Silvernail  Fund,  or  collections,  if  necessar>-)  ;  and  the 
sum  of  $1,000  per  year  was  appropriated  to  the  Emeritus  Professor,  Wood- 
bridge,  to  be  taken  out  of  any  available  funds,  or  secured  by  special 
contributions.     1901,   1037-38. 

1902. 

Four  thousand  nine  hundred  and  ninety-four  dollars  added  to  the  En- 
dowment, making  total  increase  $46,000;  offerings  for  current  expenses, 
^3,437  y  total  for  this  purDOse,  $14,050.  Also  $4,000  given  and  spent,  at 
once,  on  the  property.  Total  from  all  sources,  $64,000.  Rev.  Jas.  Dem- 
arest,  D.D.,  financial  agent,  resigned,  Feb.  i,  1902. — Plan  of  Memorial 
Alcoves  for  Sage  Library,  for  securing  increased  support  thereto,  ap- 
proved.    Exhortatory  resolutions  repeated.     1902,  61-64. 

1903. 

Four  thousand  and  four  dollars  added  to  the  Endowment ;  total  ad- 
ditions, since  1897,  $50,000;  collected  for  current  expenses,  $3,632;  total 
for  this  object,  $17,683.  About  $4,500,  additional,  have  been  ^pent  on  the 
property,  during  five  years,  being  the  special  gift  of  a  member  of  the 
Committee.  Mr.  J.  S.  Mundy  has  also  given  $630  for  a  steam-heating 
■outfit  in  Prof.  Raven's  house;  and  $775  for  rebuilding  roadway  at  east 
•end  of  Campus. — $600  have  been  given  for  Memorial  Windows,  in  con- 
nection with  Library  Alcove  Endowments ;  and  $500  by  Dr.  J.  C.  Van 
Dyke  toward  re-cataloguing  the  Library.  Total,  $74,380.  Debts  have  been 
largely  extinguished,  property  improved,-  and  salaries  equalized  and  paid 
in  full. 

For  Library  Alcove  Endowments :  $4,500,  in  all,  and  more  is  in  view. 
($1,500  are  contributed  for  an  Alcove;  $200  of  which  are  expended  on 
a  Window,  and  $1,300  are  reserved  toward  the  Library  Endowment.    1903, 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

It  seems  desirable  in  the  interest  of  clear  and  simnle  bookkeeping, 
and  of  those  who  would  study  the  various  reports  of  the  finances  of  the 
Seminary,  to  avoid  as  far  as  possible  the  multiplication  of  funds  of  simi- 
lar character  and  purpose.  We,  therefore,  suggest  that  the  fund  known 
as  the  "Centennial  Seminary  Fund,"  which  has  been  compounding  since 
1876,  and  thus  has  not  contributed  to  the  support  of  the  Seminary,  the 
purposes  of  which  are  precisely  identical  with  those  of  the  Permanent 
Seminary  Fund,  shall,  the  Board  of  Direction  concurring,  be  incorporated 
lienceforth  with  the  Permanent  Seminary  Fund. 

The  "New  Endowment  Fund"  made  up  of  recent  undesignated  gifts 
for  endowment  has  been  drawn  upon  for  the  extinction  of  the  debt  of 
$2,600  on  the  Librarian's  house,  as  reported  by  the  Standing  Committe 
on  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property,  and  the  Board  of  Direction.  We 
suggest  that  $5,000  of  the  remainder  be  set  apart  as  the  nucleus  of  a 
•'Property  Endowment  Inmd"  which  shall  supplement  the  now  inadequate 


NEW  BRUNSWICK  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  457 

James  Suydam  Fund  for  Buildings  and  Grounds,  and  that  the  balance 
be  incorporated  with  the  Permanent  Seminary  Fund  for  the  same  rea- 
sons as  in  the  case  of  the  Centennial  Fund. 

The  general  statement  of  the  funds  made  by  us  in  our  report  of  1901, 
modified  already  by  subsequent  gifts,  would  be  further  modified  if  these 
changes  should  be  adopted  and  would  be  as  follows : 

I.     Designated  Funds  not  Available  for  General  Expenses. 

G.  A.  Sage  Fund  for  purchase  of  books $20,000  00 

Rev.   Archibald   Laidlie   Memorial   Fund 5,00000 

Alumni  Fellowship  Fund 3,200  00 

James  Anderson  Memorial  Fund 633  59 

Augustus  Elmendorf  Fund 2,382  50 

$31,216  09 
II.     Educational  Funds.     [Professorial.] 

Permanent    Seminary    Fund $115,283  00 

Fourth    Professorship    Fund 30,597  66 

Thomas   DeWitt  Fund 6,015  00 

James  Suydam  Professorship  Fund 60,000  00 

G.  A.  Sage  Professorship  Fund 50,000  00 

Ralph   Voorhees   Fund 25,000  00 

$286,895  66 

III.  Property  Funds. 

James  Suydam  Fund  for  Buildings  and  Grounds $20,000  00 

James  Suydam  Fund  for  Suydam  Hall 20,000  00 

James  Suydam  Fund  for  Prof,  residences 11,134  99 

G.  A.  Sage,  Fund  for  Library  maintenance 35,ooo  00 

Ann  Hertzog  Fund  for  Hertzog  Hall  repairs 10,000  00 

Library  Alcove  Endowment  Fund 3,900  00 

Property  Endowment  Fund 5,000  00 

$130,034  99 

IV.  General  Fund,  Applicable  Wherever  Needed. 

Angelina    Silvernail    Fund $23,027  57 

We  respectfully  ask  the  following  action  by  the  General  Synod : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  and  the  Special  Committee 
on  the  Finances  of  the  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick  be  authorized  to 
carry  out  the  suggestions  of  this  report  as  to  the  New  Endowment  Fund 
and  the  Centennial  Seminary  Fund. 

2.  Resolved,  That  General  Synod,  noting  gratefully  the  constantly 
growing  number  of  churches  contributing  to  the  current  expenses  of  the 
Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  urges  upon  every  Minister  and  Consistory 
the  importance  of  giving  their  congregations  an  opportunity  of  making 
an  offering,  however  small,  for  this  purpose,  and  of  furthering  in  every 
way  the  efforts  of  General  Synod  to  secure  a  substantial  addition  to  the 
endowment. 

3.  Resolved,  That  General  Synod  cordially  commends  to  those  desir- 
ing to  erect  lasting  memorials  to  worthy  men  and  women  whom  they 
wish  to  honor,  the  plan  so  successfully  begun  by  Dr.  John  C  Van  Dyke, 
by  which  a  gift  or  legacy  of  $1,500  secures  an  alcove  and  window  in  the 
Gardner  A.  Sage  Library  as  such  memorial. 

JOHN  S.  BUSSING,  W.  H.  S.  DEMAREST, 

FRANK  R.  VAN  NEST,  DAVID  MURRAY, 

CORNELIUS  L.  WELLS,  EBEN  E.  OLCOTT, 

JOHN  B.   DRURY,  A.  G.  VERMILYE, 

JOHN  W.  CASTREE,  J.  PRESTON  SEARLE, 
SAMUEL  ROWLAND,  Committee. 


458         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1904. 

The  Reformed  Church  of  Catskill  has  given  $5,000,  the  income  to  be 
devoted  to  administration  expenses,  at  tlie  discretion  of  the  Faculty.  Miss 
Anna  Sandham,  has  given  $3,000  to  found  a  competitive  Scholarship ; 
Rev.  F.  F.  Wilson,  an  annual  prize  of  $25  for  oratory.  Gifts  to  the  Mu- 
seum have  been  made  by  Mr.  Gerard  Beekman,  Rev.  Dr.  A.  P.  Van 
Gieson,  Mr.  John  S.  Bussing,  and  others.  Through  the  legacy  of  Miss 
Alida  Van  Schaick,  a  post-graduate  scholarship  has  been  established. 
The  Library  has  been  much  benefited  by  gifts  of  books  and  pamphlets, 
and  by  the  endowment  of  five  new  alcoves.     1904,  649. 

Twenty-three  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-three  dollars  have 
been  added  to  the  Endowment,  making  a  total  increase  thereto,  since 
1897,  of  $75,000.  The  Sage  Library  has  received  $9,500  for  seven  Memo- 
rial Windows,  making  now  ten,  in  all.  (List  in  report  of  Com.  on  Semi- 
nary Ground,  1904,  page  4.)  The  Catskill  Church  Faculty  Fund,  $5,000, 
has  been  paid  in  full.  Miss  Anna  M.  Sandham  has  founded  a  Scholar- 
ship, of  $3,000.  $6,273  have  been  added  to  the  Endowment  Funds,  $5,000 
of  which  will  be  credited  to  the  Property  Funds,  and  balance  to  the  Per- 
manent  Seminary   Fund. 

Eighty-eight  churches  have  contributed  to  current  expenses,  $3,187. 

Allusions  to  expected  gifts  or  legacies  from  the  Readington  Church 
of  $1,000;  from  J.  Schuyler  Anderson,  of  $5,000;  from  Miss  Alida  Van 
Schaick,  of  $12,000,  for  a  Post-graduate  Scholarship ;  making  in  all,  dur- 
ing the  year,  gifts  approximating  to  $40,000.  The  usual  exhortations. 
1904,  656-660. 

1905. 

Receipts    for    General    Endowment $2,375  i^ 

For    Alcove    Endowments 3,000  00 

..       $5,375  12 

For   Current   Expenses    $2-594  95 

For    Museum    300  00  2.894  95 

Total    receipts    $8,270  07 

The    usual    resolutions.     1905,    66-68. 

1906. 

In  the  report  of  Board  of  Direction,  for  1906,  (received  while  this 
work  was  going  thro'  the  press),  we  add  the  following: 

For   Endowment   Fund $624  16 

For  Current  Expenses 2,884  7^ 

For    Museum    275  00 

Graves"   Lecture  Fund  Balance    $6,681  82 

Alcove   Funds $5.9i3  50 

See  Report  of  Bd,  of  Direction,  1906,  page  7;  but  especially,  page  9. 
New   Churches  or  Congregations.     Rules   in   forming.   Constitution 
of  1874,  Arts.  31,  44.     Compare  Constit.  of  1833,  Arts,  z^^  5i- 

New  Endowment  Fund.  Made  up  of  recent  undesignated  gifts.  It 
appears  as  follows  on  the  Minutes : 

$414  61 1899,  362. 

27,169  77 1900,  671,  679. 

7,679  43 1901.  1005.  1013. 

12,964  48 1902,  39.  50. 

10,900  60 1903,  298,  309 ;  323- 

5,779  67 1904,  632,  643. 

1,877  42 1905,  36,  49- 

624  16 1906.  Report  Bd.  Dir.  31,  43. 


NEW  JERSEY  459 

Drawn  upon  to  pay  debt  on  Librarian's  House,  $2,600,  1903,  ^2^ ; 
$5,000  of  the  remainder  set  apart  as  the  nucleus  of  a  "Property  Endow- 
ment Fund,"  to  supplement  the  Suydam  Fund  for  Buildings  and  Prop- 
erty; balance  to  be  incorporated  in  "Permanent  Seminary  Fund."  1903, 
323-4- 

New  Jersey.  Measures  adopted  to  enable  Synod  to  hold  property 
in;  (when  Synod  took  Rutgers  College  Property;)  Sept.,  1825,  19;  1826, 
15.     See  Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of. 

New  Rhinebeck.  Special  Pastoral  Letter  from  Synod,  to.  1821, 
59,  60. 

Newspapers.  Realizing  the  illimitable  power  for  good  or  evil  of  the 
daily  papers,  and  being  in  cordial  sympathy  with  the  movement  of  the 
Friends  in  favor  of  a  pure  press.  Resolved,  That  as  we  seek  the  best 
agencies  to  educate  our  youth,  we  will  admit  into  our  schools  and  homes 
only  such  papers  as  will  uplift,  ennoble,  and  rouse  to  high  aims,  1902.  129. 
See  Religious  Newspapers. 

New  Testament.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  4. 

New  York  Academy;  founded,  1660.  See  Brodhead's  Hist,  of  New 
York ;   index — "Academy." 

New  York,  Circle  of.  Embraced  the  ministers  of  New  York  City, 
Long  Island  and  Poughkeepsie,  1747,  page  xi. 

New  York  City.  Considered  the  best  place  for  the  Theological 
School;  1804,  334;  temporary  seat  of  the  '"Permanent  Professor,"  (1804- 
1810),  1804,  335;  to  be  canvassed  for  funds  for  the  Professorship.  1814. 
42;  churches  in  New  York  request  the  removal  of  the  Theological  School 
to  the  city,  offering  liberal  subscriptions,  1815,  14;  Synodical  Committee 
appointed  to  confer  with  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College  thereon.  23  J 
nearly  $4,000  pledged  in  case  of  such  removal,  but  the  Trustees  unwilling, 
Oct.,  1817,  6;  New  Brunswick,  the  settled  place  for  the  School,  8;  Mis- 
sionary operations  in  the  City,  1820,  11:  1821,  9,  10;  1823,  10,  58.  See 
City  Missionary  Soc. ;  also  Manual  of  1902,  for  churches  in;  pp.  995-1013. 

New  York  City — An  Act  of  Incorporation  for  extending  R.  C.  A. 
in;   referred  to  Bd.  of  Domestic   Missions.     1866,   13. 

New  York  City — Broome  St.  Church.  See  N.  Y.  C,  Thirty-fourth 
St.  Church. 

New  York  City — Middle  Dutch  Church.  See  N.  Y.  C.  Collegiate 
Church. 

New  York  City — Collegiate  Church.  First  church  organized  in  Mid- 
dle States ;  founded,  1628 ;  chartered  1696.  Most,  if  not  all  the  extant 
documents  relating  to  this  church  before  1776,  will  be  found,  or  referred 
to,  in  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York,  Vols.  1-6.  Since  1880,  this  church  has 
published  a  Year  Book  of  its  current  operations,  with  some  historical 
matter  yearly.  Its  gifts  for  benevolent  purposes,  and  to  the  Institutions 
of  the  Church,  have  been  numerous.  For  a  list  of  its  pastors  and  church 
edifices,  see  Corwin's  ^Manual,  4th  ed.,  1902,  pp.  995-1002,  with  pastors' 
names  in  body  of  the  ^Manual.  References  to  this  Mother  Church,  in  the 
Minutes  of  General  Synod,  are  only  occasional  and  incidental.  E.g. 

Synod  requests  part  of  Dr.  Livingston's  time  from  his  pastoral  du- 
ties in  said  church,  for  his  Professorship;  1794,  260;  committee  of  Synod 
to  confer  with -said  Church  as  to  time  and  salary  of  Dr.  Livingston,  in 
his  Professorial  duties,  261-2;  that  church's  right  to  appoint  a  Theolog- 
ical Professor  in  Columbia  College,  1804,  334;  Synod  unwilling  to  enter 
into  this  plan,  339 ;  Consistory  of,  made  the  depository  of  any  Professorial 
Funds,  1804,  339;  1806,  347;  $10,000  subscribed  in  that  church,  for  the 
Professorship,  1809,  381 ;  Trustees  of  Queens  College  deny  that  they 
have  used  any  of  said  sum  in  the  erection  of  a  Theological  Hall,  ( Queens 
Building,)    1813,  6;    sends   resolutions   to    Synod   about   the    Professorate, 


46o         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1813.  10,  (compare  4-7,  and  19-24,)  ;  copyright  of  new  Psalm  and  Hymn 
Book  vested  in  said  Church,  for  benefit  of  needy  students,  1813,  17,  18; 
Church  accepts  the  trust,  30 ;  a  Memorial  to  Synod,  34,  35  ;  communica- 
tion from,  on  the  Professorship,  1814,  6,  43 ;  the  church  requested  to  pro- 
vide accommodations  for  meetings  of  Synod  (alternating  generally  with 
Albany),  1814,  34;  case  of  marriage  of  a  member  in,  with  deceased  wife's 
sister,  referred  by  Classis  to  Synod,  1815,  28;  directed  to  conform  to  de- 
cisions already  given,  32;  Consistory  requested  to  facilitate  the  print- 
ing of  editions  of  the  Psalm  and  Hymn  Book,  according  to  copy  depos- 
ited in  the  Archives,  1815,  38;  Consistory  gives  bond,  dated  May  ist, 
1823.  of  $5,000,  to  pay  $300  yearly,  for  the  support  of  a  Theological  Pro- 
fessor, 1823,  7 ;  1824,  26 ;  Committee  of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College 
wait  on  Consistory,  to  solicit  a  promise  from  them  to  pay  $1,700  per  year, 
for  three  years,  when  they  are  informed  that  $25,000  have  been  raised  for 
a  Third  Professorship,  1825,  35,  36 ;  granted,  1825,  2;],  40,  41 ;  requested 
to  continue  this  annuity  of  $1,700,  1828,  130;  '29,  157;  requested  to  help 
pay  Synod's  debt  of  $4,000  and  for  an  annuity  of  $1,500,  until  Synod  is 
relieved  of  debt,  '33,  217,  218;  '34,  255,  325,  etc.,  etc. 

Starts  the  Fulton  St.  Prayer  Meeting,  1857;  1858,  292-4;  celebrates 
its  250th  anniversary,  1878;  begins  to  publish  a  Year  Book,  1880;  gives 
$13,109  toward  the  endowment  of  Arcot  Seminary;  1888;  celebrates  200th 
anniversary  of  its  Charter,  1896 ;  joins  in  the  Municipal  Celebration  of 
250  years  since  the  giving  of  the  Charter  of  the  City,  1903 ;  on  that  oc- 
casion that  Church  took  the  following  action : 

"In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  present  year  of  our  Lord  completes 
the  250th  year  since  the  city  of  New  York  as  New  Amsterdam  was 
incorporated  with  Municipal  privileges,  the  Consistory  of  the  historic 
Collegiate  Church  of  New  York  has  taken  order  to  properly  commemorate 
this  event. 

The  Consistory,  moved  with  the  deepest  gratitude  to  Almighty  God 
for  His  protecting  care  and  for  the  many  blessings  vouchsafed  to  the 
City  and  the  Church  throughout  this  long  period  of  time,  have  requested 
the  ministers  in  charge  of  the  several  congregations  to  make  special 
acknowledgement  thereof  in  the  public  services  on  Sunday,  May  24th, 
to  remind  the  people  of  the  event  then  about  to  be  celebrated,  and  to  in- 
voke the  continuance  of  the  Divine  blessing  upon  the  Municipality  and 
upon  the  Collegiate  Church. 

The  National  colors  are  to  be  displayed  on  the  churches  during  the 
week  beginning  May  24th,  in  accordance  with  the  proclamation  of  the 
Mayor,  and  the  bells  are  to  be  rung  at  suitable  intervals  on  Tuesday,  May 
26th,  the  day  of  the  celebration  at  the  City  Hall. 

A  special  committee  has  also  been  appointed  to  draft  a  minute  of 
this  occasion  for  entry  upon  the  records  of  the  Church. 

It  also  so  happens  that  the  present  year  marks  the  completion  by  the 
Collegiate  Church  of  275  years  of  continuous  church  life,  its  succession 
of  Ministers,  Elders  and  Deacons  having  been  unbroken  since  its  organiza- 
tion, A.D.,   1628." 

The  Collegiate  Church  supports  a  tent  in  New  York  City  for  Evan- 
gelistic services,  1905,  223. 

New  York  City — Missionary  Society.     See  City  Missionary  Society. 

New  York  City,  North  Dutch  Church.  Church  cor.  of  Fulton  and 
William  Sts. 

New  York  City — Society  for  Suppression  of  Vice.     See  Vice. 

New  York  City,  Thirty-fourth  St.  Church  (formerly,  Broome 
St.).  Organized,  1823,  10;  Deed  given,  Feb.  26.  1824,  on  condition,  that 
if  the  property  ceased  to  be  used  as  a  R.  D.  Church,  it  should  become 
the  property  of  Gen.  Synod ;  Synod  offers  to  unite  in  any  deed,  with  the 
Consistory  of  that  Church,   1854.  398,  467-8;   Synod  executed  a  quit  claim 


NEW  YORK— CLASSIS    OF  461 

deed  to  the  property  in  Broome  St.,  and  have  transferred  their  interest 
to  the  property  purchased  in  34th  St.,  '60,  487 ;  Synod  requested  to  unite 
with  Consistory  in  any  mortgages  on  this  34th  St.  property ;  granted,  to  the 
amount  of  $25,000,  555-6;  1861,  13;  this  church  desires  to  transfer  its 
property  to  the  Collegiate  Church;  the  latter  willing  to  assume  all  its 
indebtedness,  in  consideration  of  a  clear  title  deed ;  granted  by  Synod, 
1895,  16,  132-3;  copy  of  Synod's  Deed,  133-5.     See  Broome  St. 

New  York,  Classis  of  (called  "Particular  Body  of  New  York,"'  1771- 
1784),  organized  1771 ;  to  embrace  all  the  churches  of  New  York  City 
and  county,  county  of  Westchester,  and  Long  Island,  1771,  10;  relation 
of  churches  on  Staten  Island  left  undetermined,  1771,  10;  churches  of 
Classis  (in  1784)  :  New  York,  Collegiate,  (3  congregations)  ;  Flatbush, 
Brooklyn,  Bushwick,  Amersfort,  New  Utrecht ;  Jamaica,  Oyster  Bay, 
Success,  Newtown ;  Phillipsburg ;  Cortlandt's  Manor;  New  York,  Ger.), 
1784,  112;  [why  Gravesend,  Harlem,  and  Fordham  are  omitted,  is  not  en- 
tirely clear;  the  two  churches  of  Staten  Island  are  now  (1784)  found  in 
Classis  of  Hackensack;  in  1800,  313,  Peekskill,  Staten  Island  and  Fordham, 
are  found  in  Classis  of  New  York;]  removals  and  changes,  1804,  338,  (old 
ed.  12,)  adopt  a  report  on  Parochial  Schools,  1809,  396,  (25)  ;  recom- 
mend annual  meetings  of  General  Synod,  1812,  404,  406,  (9,  12,)  ;  ob- 
ject to  the  reading  of  sermons,  405,  (11,)  ;  request  the  opening  of  Cor- 
respondence with  the  Associate  Refd.  Ch.  in  the  U.  S.,  406,  (12,)  ;  re- 
quest a  revision  of  the  Psalms  and  Hymns,  406,  (12,)  ;  to  be  divided  into 
the  Classis  of  New  York  and  Long  Island,  421,  (35,)  ;  ratify  the  plan 
of  annual  meetings  of  General  Synod,  1813,  9;  asks  concerning  the  ec- 
clesiastical relation  of  Prof.  Livingston,  (now  Prof,  in  New  Brunswick,) 
to  the  Classis  and  church  of  New  York,  1814,  28 ;  thanks  of  Synod  to  said 
Classis,  for  their  efforts  to  raise  Professorial  Funds,  1816,  33 ;  suggests 
the  formation  of  three  Particular  Synods,  1818,  26;  appeal  from  Par- 
ticular Synod  in  the  Roman  case;  their  appeal  sustained,  1819,  27,  29.  30; 
further  reference  concerning  this  case,  and  action  of  Synod,  33 ;  permitted 
to  receive  Mark  Jordan,  a  colored  man,  under  their  care,  as  a  student  of 
divinity,  and  to  license  him,  when  qualified,  1822,  19,  58,  63;  request  re- 
moval of  suspension  from  Rev.  Isaac  Blauvelt,  1824,  8;  allowed  to  have 
four  members  on  Bd.  of  Superintendents,  1824,  56;  request  a  milder 
method  of  discipline  than  excommunication,  for  delinquents,  not  immoral ; 
not  expedient  to  change,  1825,  29;  employs  agents  to  solicit  Professorial 
Funds,  1826,  14,  57;  agrees  to  amendment  of  Explanatory  Article  40,  re- 
quiring students  to  be  examined  for  licensure  by  the  Classis  to  which 
they  originally  belonged,  unless  liberty  be  obtained  to  apply  elsewhere, 
1820,  70;  considers  the  marriage  of  a  man  with  his  deceased  wife's  sis- 
ter unimportant,  1825,  31;  South  Classis  of  New  York  set  off,  1828; 
Classis  of  Westchester  set  of,  1852;  South  Classis  of  New  York,  reunited 
to,  1876. 

New  York,  Historical  Society  of.  See  Hist.  Society  of  New  York. 
1866,  112. 

New  York  Missionary  Magazine.  Before  the  year  1800,  there  was 
no  religious  paper  or  magazine,  for  the  diffusion  of  religious  intelligence, 
in  the  United  States.  This  deficiency  was  felt  the  more  greatly,  because 
of  the  immense  territory,  and  the  scattered  condition  of  the  churches. 
Even  great  revivals  were  only  locally  known,  as  well  as  the  efforts  to  con- 
vert the  Indians,  until  the  information  was  received  through  letters  sent 
to  foreign  publications.  But  about  the  opening  of  the  19th  century,  it 
was  felt  that  the  infidelity  and  profanity,  on  the  one  hand,  ought  to  be 
made  known  to  the  Christian  Church ;  and  on  the  other,  the  special  out- 
pourings of  the  Spirit  of  Grace,  and  the  wonderful  missionary  activity, 
which  had  been  developing  in  Great  Britain  for  a  decade  before.  Such 
considerations  led  to  the  founding,  in  November,  1799,  of  the  Neiv  York 
Missionary  Magazine  and  Repository   of  Religious  Intelligence,  the   first 


462         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

religious  periodical  in  the  whole  country.  It  was  believed  that  the 
Church  was  about  to  enter  upon  a  new  epoch  in  its  career — a  period  in- 
troductory to  its  final  victory,  and,  hence,  the  necessity  of  general  in- 
formation from  all  parts  of  the  Church  for  mutual  encouragement  and 
stimulation.  Such  was  the  beginning  of  religious  journalism.  Its  ob- 
ject was.  in  the  first  place,  to  communicate  missionary  intelligence;  to 
give  accounts  of  revivals ;  of  the  formation  of  new  religious  societies ;  of 
the  action  of  church  judicatories;  and  especially  to  acquaint  the  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  Church  with  one  another  for  mutual  love  and  helpful- 
ness. Foreign  correspondents  were  also  secured.  Polemical  subjects 
were  to  be  avoided.  Such  was  the  origin  of  the  New  York  Missionary 
Magazine. 

Xew  York  Missionary  Society,  1796.  Composed  of  members  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch,  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  Churches. 

In  the  fall  of  1796,  a  number  of  ministers  in  New  York,  learning 
of  the  missionary  revival  in  Great  Britain,  started  by  Carey  in  1792,  be- 
came impressed  with  the  duty  of  making  a  similar  attempt  in  America. 
After  repeated  conferences,  they  secured  the  support  of  many  ministers 
and  laymen  for  the  scheme.  A  general  meeting  was  held  on  the  first  day 
of  November,  1796,  in  one  of  the  churches,  when  Rev.  Dr.  McWhorter, 
of  Newark,  delivered  a  discourse  on  the  "Blessedness  of  the  Liberal," 
which  was  also  published.  The  audience  was  large  and  solemn,  and  a 
handsome  collection  was  taken.  It  was  then  and  there  agreed  that  a 
Society  should  be  formed  for  sending  the  Gospel  to  our  frontier  settle- 
ments and  to  the  Indian  tribes  in  the  United  States.  At  the  same  time 
a  Constitution  was  adopted,  and  an  address  on  the  subject  sent  out  to  the 
Churches. 

The  following  officers   were  elected : 

John  Rodgers,  D.D.,  President. 

John  H.  Livingston.  D.D.,  Vice-President. 

Mr.  Divie  Bethune,  Treasurer. 

Rev.  John  M.  Mason.  Secretary. 

Rev.  Samuel  Miller,  Clerk. 

The  following  Directors  were  elected:  William  Linn,  D.D. ;  John 
McKnight,  D.D. ;  Rev.  Gerardus  Kuypers ;  Rev.  John  N.  Abeel ;  Peter 
Wilson,  LL.D. ;  Thos.  Mackaness,  Esq. ;  Anthony  Post,  Esq. ;  Leonard 
Bleecker.  Esq. ;  Mr.  George  Lindsay ;  Mr.  Geo.  Warner ;  Mr.  John  Bing- 
ham;   Mr.  John  Mills.     (See  2nd  ed.  of  Manual,   1869,  p.  383.) 

Soon  after  the  Constitution  and  Address  were  published,  the  atten- 
tion of  many  Christians,  in  different  parts  of  the  United  States,  was  roused 
to  the  important  object  contemplated  by  this  Missionary  Society.  Many 
communicated  their  approbation  of  the  plan,  and  some  distant  churches 
sent  forward  liberal  contributions  for  its  support  and  execution. 

The  first  aim  of  the  Directors  was  to  lay  a  broad  and  solid  basis  for 
future  operations.  The  frontier  of  the  states  and  the  Indian  country, 
exhibited  an  extensive  field,  but  presented  considerable  difficulty.  The 
first  thing  to  be  obtained,  was  correct  information.  Committees  of  In- 
quiry were  appointed,  as  there  were  no  printed  documents.  Information 
had  to  be  sought  from  scattered  individuals,  often  almost  inaccessible, 
on  the  fields.  But  little  was  ostensibly  accomplished  during  the  first 
year.  Correspondence  had  also  been  opened  with  the  Missionary  Socie- 
ties in  Great  Britain,  but  no  responses  had  yet  been  received. — The  mis- 
sionary cause  was  novel,  yet  in  proportion  as  it  was  understood,  it  had 
recommended  itself  to  the  approbation  and  affection  of  Christians  of  dif- 
ferent denominations.  Additions  had  been  made  to  the  membership,  and 
liberal  and  unsolicited  donations  had  come  to  the  treasury,  which  had 
on  hand  at  the  end  of  the  first  year,  about  $1,000.  A  set  of  Instructions 
for  missionaries  had  been  prepared,  and  the  Society  was  seeking  for 
proper  men  to  send  out.     The  interest  excited  in  this  cause,  had  already 


NEW  YORK  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  463 

led  to  the  formation  of  a  similar  Society  in  the  North — "The  Northern 
Missionary  Society  in  the  State  of  New  York."  Articles  of  union  and 
co-operation  were  proposed  and  adopted  between  the  two  Societies. 

The  following  are  the  points  of  the  Instructions  referred  to  :  After 
stating  that  particular  Instructions  would  be  given  from  time  to  time, 
as  circumstances  required,  there  were  certain  general  Instructions  which 
were   always   applicable.     These   respect   chiefly, 

1.  The  matter  of  personal  religion. 

2.  The  matter  and  manner  of  preaching. 

3.  Outward  deportment.     , 

4.  The  formation  of  religious  assemblies,  and  the  administration  of 
ordinances. 

5.  The  establishment  of  Schools  for  children. 

6.  Observations  on  the  language  and  customs  of  the  Indians,  and 
on  the  prospects  of  making  settlements  and  extending  the  Gospel  among 
them. 

These  Instructions  cover  about  ten  pages,  15-25,  of  the  New  York 
Missionary  Magazine,  for  1800;  pp.  15-25. 

The  second  meeting  was  held  on  Nov.  7th,  1797.  It  was  a  solemn 
meeting.  In  the  evening  the  Society  adjourned  to  the  Old  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Wall  Street,  where  a  suitable  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
Dr.  John  M.  Mason,  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  Church  in  Cedar  Street, 
which  sermon  was  published.  It  was  his  famous  sermon  on  "Messiah's 
Throne.''  Heb.  i.  8.  A  large  collection  was  taken  up.  Inquiry  was  made 
whether  it  came  within  the  province  of  this  Society  to  educate  pious 
and  promising  youth  expressly  for  missionary  labors.  This  was  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative.  It  was  determined  to  solicit  from  all  the  con- 
gregations in  the  country  with  which  the  Society  has  any  connection,  an- 
nual collections  for  its  funds.  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston  was  then  appointed 
to  preach  the  Missionary  Sermon  at  the  next  meeting,  in  November,  1798, 
on  the  first  evening,  in  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Cedar  Street, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  McKnight  on  the  second  evening,  in  the  North  Dutch 
Church.  But  at  that  time,  on  account  of  an  epidemic  of  yellow  fever, 
only  officers  were  elected,  and  the  meeting  adjourned  until  April  23rd, 
1799.  On  the  evening  of  that  day,  Dr.  Livingston  preached  the  first  of 
his  famous  missionary  sermons  on  Col.  iii.  6,  "Christ  is  all,  and  in  all." 
It  was  entitled,  "The  Glory  of  the  Redeemer."  It  was  printed.  The 
audience  was  large,  attentive  and  solemn,  and  a  liberal  collection  was 
taken  up.  On  the  evening  of  April  24th,  Dr.  McKnight,  delivered  his 
sermon  on  Ez.  37 : 3.  "And  he  said  to  me,  Son  of  Man,  can  these 
bones  live?  And  I  answered,  O,  Lord  God,  thou  knowest."  The 
weather  was  unfavorable,  but  a  liberal  collection  was  taken.  This  ser- 
mon was  also  published. 

On  Jan.  i8th,  1798,  the  Directors  adopted  the  following  Plan  for 
Social   Prayer : — See  Monthly  Concert. 

1.  That  the  second  Wednesday  evening  of  every  month,  beginning 
at  candlelight,  be  observed,  from  February  next,  by  the  members  of  this 
Society,  and  all  who  are  willing  to  join  with  them,  for  the  purpose  of 
offering  up  their  prayers  and  supplications  to  the  God  of  grace,  that  he 
would  be  pleased  to  pour  out  his  Spirit  on  his  Church,  and  send  his  Gos- 
pel to  all  nations ;  and  that  he  would  succeed  the  endeavors  of  this  So- 
ciety, and  all  societies  instituted  on  the  same  principles  and  for  the  same 
ends. 

2.  That  these  evenings  of  prayer  be  observed  in  rotation  in  the 
churches  of  this  city  to  whose  judicatories  they  may  be  acceptable,  and 
of  which  there  is  a  minister  belonging  to  this  Society ;  beginning  with 
the  old  Presbyterian  church  [Wall  St.]  and  proceeding  next  to  the  Scots 
Presbyterian  church,  [Cedar  St.,]  next  to  the  new  Dutch  ch.,  [Cedar  St.,] 
next  to  the   first   Baptist  church,    [Gold   St.,]    next  to  the   Brick   Presby- 


464         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

terian  ch.,  [Beekman  St.],  next  to  the  North  Dutch  ch.,  [Fuhon  St.], 
and  then  the  service  to  revert  to  the  place  it  began;  provided  that  if 
the  ministers  or  any  other  churches  become  members  of  the  Society,  a 
due  proportion  of  the  service,  in  the  regular  course,  be  performed  in  said 
churches.  Notice  to  be  given  on  the  Lord's  Day  preceding  every  meet- 
ing from  the  several  pulpits. 

3.  That  the  order  of  the  service  be  as  follows:  (i)  The  singing 
of  a  psalm,  prayer,  and  a  short  discourse  adapted  to  the  occasion.  (2)  A 
prayer.  (3)  The  singing  of  a  psalm,  prayer,  the  singing  of  another 
psalm,  a  collection,  and  then  the  blessing  to  be  pronounced. 

4.  That  a  minister  belonging  to  the  church  in  v^hich  the  service 
is  held,  always  preside  for  that  evening,  give  out  all  the  psalms,  make 
the  introductory  prayer,  deliver  the  discourse  and  pronounce  the  blessing ; 
that  where  more  than  one  minister  belong  to  the  same  church,  they  pre- 
side and  perform  the  aforesaid  service  in  rotation,  beginning  with  the 
eldest  person  in  the  ministry. 

5.  That  the  second  prayer  be  made  by  the  minister  who  is  to  pre- 
side at  the  next  meeting,  and  the  third  by  the  minister  who  is  to  preside 
at  the  meeting  following;  observing  in  Collegiate  Churches  the  order 
of  the  preceding  article;  provided,  however,  that  the  ministers  who  are 
to  officiate,  may,  with  the  consent  of  the  presiding  minister,  exchange 
their  turns  with  others,  and  invite  any  minister  belonging  to  the  Society, 
when  occasionally  present,  to  officiate   for  them. 

6.  That  though  no  contribution  shall  be  urged,  yet  as  it  is  usual 
and  proper  to  contribute  whenever  we  assemble  for  public  worship,  what- 
ever contribution  is  made,  shall,  after  the  expenses  of  the  evening  are 
defrayed,  be  applied  to  the  purposes  of  the  Society. 

The  Directors  now,  also,  (Nov.,  1797,)  appointed  a  committee  to 
secure  missionaries  and  arrange  details  of  procedure.  The  committee 
advertised,  time  after  time,  with  little  apparent  success.  But  at  length 
Rev.  Joseph  Bullen,  of  Vermont,  responded,,  and  after  prpper  inquiries 
about  him,  he  was  engaged  at  a  salary  of  $375,  with  traveling  expenses 
to  his  place  of  destination.  It  was  determined  to  begin  a  mission  among 
the  Chickasaw  Indians  on  the  western  borders  of  Georgia,  and  requested 
Mr.  Bullen  to  come  to  New  York  without  delay.  They  advanced  him 
part  of  his  salary  to  assist  him  in  his  preparation.  On  March  21st,  1799, 
he  preached  before  the  Society,  and  Dr.  John  Rodgers  gave  him  a 
charge,  and  he  was  set  apart  to  his  work  by  solemn  prayer.  The  Di- 
rectors supplied  him  with  a  few  books  and  "articles  of  necessity,  and  ad- 
vanced him  $250  for  his  journey  and  mission.  He  left  New  York  on 
March  26th,  1799,  for  his  distant  field,  accompanied  by  his  son,  a  lad  of 
seventeen,  who,  it  was  thought,  would  readily  acquire  the  Indian  tongue, 
and  be  useful  in  teaching  the  Indian  children ;  but  he  was  not  at  the  time 
in  the  employ  of  the  Society.  In  passing  through  Philadelphia,  certain 
documents  of  the  National  Government  were  cheerfully  given  him,  and 
certain  gentlemen  kindly  furnished  him  with  private  directions  and  let- 
ters.    About  April  ist,  1799,  he  passed  through  Lancaster,  Pa. 

The  Directors  had  also  since  the  last  report  in  Nov.,  1798,  on  peti- 
tion, sent  $100  to  Rev.  John  Seargent,  a  missionary  to  the  Stockbridge 
Indians  in  Connecticut.  The  relief  proved  to  be  uncommonly  season- 
able. They  had  also  granted  $60  for  one  year,  to  Paul,  an  Indian  preacher, 
who  was  laboring  among  the  remnants  of  Shinnecock,  Montuck  [Mon- 
tauk?]  and  Prospettuck  tribes,  in  Suffolk  County,  Long  Island. 

Letters  had  been  received  from  the  Glasgow  Missionary  Society  and 
from  the  Particular  Baptist  Missionary  Society  in  England,  in  response 
to  letters  sent  to  them. 

Dr.  Linn  was  requested  to  deliver  the  missionary  sermon  at  the  next 
meeting  in  Nov.,  1799,  in  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church  in  New  York. 

On  account  of  a   second  epidemic  of  Yellow   Fever   in  the  city,   the 


NEW  YORK— PARTICULAR  BODY  OF  465 

Society  had  not  met  on  Nov.  4th,  1799,  according  to  appointment,  but 
a  meeting  was  secured  on  Nov.  13th,  for  the  transaction  of  business.  The 
time  of  meeting  was  changed  from  the  first  Tuesday  in  November  to  the 
first  Tuesday  in  April;  then  to  hear  the  annual  sermon  and  take  up  the 
collection. 

Since  the  last  report,  (Ap.  23,  1799,)  but  little  had  been  done 
The  return  of  the  epidemic  had  deranged  business  generally.  Neverthe- 
less they  reported  the  safe  arrival  of  Rev.  Mr.  Bullen  in  Georgia.  On  ac- 
count of  the  absence  of  one  of  the  chiefs,  he  had  not  yet  been  formally 
received,  but  had  entered  on  his  labors.  A  letter  from  him  dated,  June 
8th,  1799.  exhibited  a  true  missionary  spirit.  There  were  good  prospects 
of  extending  the  misisonary  work  among  our  southern  Indians. 

The  finances  of  the  Society  are  as  follows : 

28  Insurance  shares,  costing $io77  76 

7  Insurance  shares,  costing 416  00 

Balance  in  the  treasury 270  62 

Dues   from  members 135  62 

Total   $2,400  00 

Officers  and  Directors,  elected  Nov.,  1799. 
Officers. 
John  Rodgers,  D.D.,  President. 
John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.,  Vice-President. 
Mr.  Divie  Bethune,  Treasurer. 
Rev.  John  M.  Mason,  Secretary. 
Rev.   Samuel   Miller,   Clerk. 

Other   Directors. 

Wm.  Linn.  D.D.  Anthony  Post,  Esq. 

John  McKnight,  D.D.  Leonard   Bleecker,   Esq. 

Rev.    Gerardus    Kuypers.  Mr.  George  Lindsay. 

Rev.    John    N.    Abeel.  Mr.  George  Warner. 

Peter    Wilson,    LL.D.  Mr.    John    Bingham. 

Thos.   Mackaness,  Esq.  Mr.    John    Mills. 

See  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  2y/.  Allusion  to.  Minutes  Gen.  Syn.  1900, 
814.     See  Missionary  Magazine,  1800,  etc. 

New  York,  Particular  Body  of.  Organized,  1771,  10;  thus  called, 
1771-1784,  when  the  name  "Classis  of  New  York"  was  assumed.  1784, 
128.     See  New  York,  Classis  of. 

New  York,  Particular  Synod  of.  (See  Particular  Synod  of  Dutch 
Reformed  Churches  in  America,  1771-1800;)  organized,  1800,  301;  re- 
quests that  the  Professorate  be  restored  to  the  original  plan,  (1784-1797), 
1804,  334,  (old  ed.  7)  ;  requested  to  transmit  correspondence  from  Church 
of  Holland  to  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  '^2^6.  (10);  requests  Gen. 
Synod  to  make  special  regulations  for  admission  of  ministers  from  other 
denominations,  1806,  346,  (8)  ;  requests  Gen.  Syn.  to  resume  charge  of 
all  missionary  operations,  (instead  of  Classis  of  ^Albany,)  351-2,  (15)  ; 
complains  of  the  inconvenience  of  present  mode  of  organizing  Gen. 
Synod,  and  also  of  the  representation  itself,  358,  (24)  ;  their  action  for 
revival  of  Queens  College,  approved  by  Gen.  Synod,  1807,  364,  (7)  ;  their 
plan  of  a  Widows'  Fund  approved,  1809,  394,  {2-^^  ;  request  that  the 
Rules  and  Church-Orders  adopted  since  1792,  be  printed,  and  sent  to  all 
the  churches;  also  extracts  of  proceedings  of  Board  of  Missions,  181 2,  405. 
(10)  ;  recommends  division  of  Classis  of  New  York,  into  those  of  New 
York  and  Long  Island,  421,  (35)  ;  Gen.  Synod  directs  Partic.  Syn.  of 
New  York  to  dismiss  the  Classis  of  Po'keepsie  to  Partic.  Synod  of 
Albany,  so  as  to  equalize  representation  in  General  Synod.  421,  (36)  ; 
requests   Gen.    Syn.   to   mature   and   adopt   a    Plan   for   a   Widows'    Fund, 


466         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1813.  10;  desires  to  know  to  what  objects  of  inquiry,  respecting  "Cus- 
toms and  Usages,"  the  Classes  are  to  direct  their  questions,  1814,  28; 
suggests  propriety  of  establishing  a  "Delegate  Fund,"  to  defray  expenses 
of  delegates,  28;  must  carry  on  Correspondence  with  the  Synod  of  North 
Holland,  and  transmit  Acts  of  Gen.  Synod,  1815,  21;  1818,  15;  requests 
appointment  of  a  Standing  Committee  of  Missions,  to  act  within  bounds 
of  Partic.  Syn.  of  New  York,  1815,  29;  Synod  refuses,  33;  Partic.  Syn. 
objects  to  action  of  Gen.  Synod  (1804),  that  parents  need  not  neces- 
sarily be  full  members  in  order  to  present  their  children  for  baptism, 
and  asks  Gen.  Synod  to  rescind  the  same,  1817,  24;  censured  for  their 
resolutions  against  Gen.  Synod,  on  this  subject,  27;  suggests  the  restric- 
tion of  [Domestic]  missionary  laborers  to  a  smaller  extent  of  territory, 
24;  Gen.  Syn.  directs  Partic.  Syn.  to  forward  a  letter,  in  the  Dutch  lan- 
guage, to  Synod  of  North  Holland,  1818,  15;  repeated,  1819,  17;  Par- 
tic. Synod  recommends  that  Correspondence  with  the  Synod  of  North 
Holland  be  suspended,  1820,  65,  54 ;  requests  Gen.  Syn.  to  recommend 
punctuality  in  the  exchange  of  Minutes  of  Particular  Synods,  1818,  26; 
speaks  of  the  importance  of  Gen.  Synod  becoming  incorporated,  26;  re- 
quests Gen.  Synod  to  consider  the  propriety  of  suspending  the  usual 
collections  in  the  churches,  26;  that  candidates  seeking  licensure,  in  Clas- 
sis  of  New  Brunswick,  pay  a  certain  amount  to  the  Questor,  26;  no 
action  thereon,  2"]  \  requests  that  the  statistical  accounts  be  rendered  tri- 
enniall3%  1820,  65 ;  amount  of  money  raised  within  the  bounds  of  Par- 
tic. Synod  of  New  York,  for  the  Professorship,  (about  $3,000)  1825,  39; 
Classis  of  Po'keepsie  transferred  back  to  Partic.  S3a'iod  of  New  York, 
1826,  46. 

New  York,  State  of.  All  moneys  raised  in  the  State,  by  Trustees 
of  Queens  College,  to  be  for  endowment  of  a  Professorship  of  Theology 
in  Queens  College,  and  for  help  of  needy  students,   1807,  9;    (in   Digest, 

1814,  66)  ;  appointment  of  missionaries  to  the  western  part  of,  1812,  43 ; 
application  to  the  Governor  to  appoint  a  day  of  fasting  .and  prayer ; 
Governor  receives  Committee  on,  60,  63 ;  moneys  raised  in  State  of,  to 
be  used  in  building  a  Theological  Hall,  1813,  23 ;  missionaries  to  be  lo- 
cated in  destitute  counties  of,   1817,  36. 

New  York  State  Sabbath  School  Union.  Commends  the  Home 
Department  of  S.  S.  work,  1895,  105. 

New  York  State  Temperance  Society.  Sends  literature  to  Synod, 
1838,  194.     See  Temperance. 

Nexen,  John  A.  Communication  from,  in  reference  to  the  number 
of  General  Synods,  together  with  documents  as  to  the  date  of  Synod's 
organization;  1880,  462,  576;  578-9;  wished  to  count  the  Synods  from 
1771,  instead  of  1794.  Views  not  received. — See  Title  page  of  minutes 
of  1862,  numbered  76th  Synod ;  should  have  been  56th ;  see  title  page 
of  Minutes  of  1863;  al^o  page  355. 

Nicene  Creed.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  9. 

Nitchie,  John;  elected  Treas.  of  Bd.  of  Direction  of  the  Corpora- 
tion, 1819,  47;  declines  a  re-election,  1820,  17,  21;  his  resignation,  as 
Treas.,  accepted,  50,  51. 

Nominations.  Of  Professors :  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  21 ;  of  1833, 
Art.  25 ;  of  1874,  22.  Present  form  of  Constit,  of  1874,  was  made  by 
a  Constitutional  amendment,  1894,  -j^i,  77;  1895,  131-2;  (see  1898,  83,  85; 
1899,  385-6;)  another  amendment,  1900,  836;  1901,  1124,  1046. — Elders 
and  Deacons  may  be  nominated  by  the  Consistory  for  the  approbation 
of  the  church ;  or  they  may  nominate  a  double  number,  one-half  to  be 
chosen  by  the  members;  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  22;  of  1792,  Art.  26;  of 
1833,  Arts.  2)^,  33;  of  1874,  Arts.  31,  32;  or  the  members  may  nominate 
and  choose;  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  26;  of  1833,  Z2,  33;  of  1874,  Arts.  31, 
Z2- 


NON-PARTISAN  W.  C.  T.  U.  467 

''Committee  of  Nominations"  for  officers  of  the  several  Boards  done 
away;  "Resolved,  That  hereafter  the  nominations  to  fill  vacancies  in  the 
several  Boards  of  the  Church,  be  made  by  the  Synod's  Standing  Com- 
mittee on  the  respective  Boards ;  also  the  Committee  on  Correspondence, 
to  nominate  delegates  to  other  bodies ;  on  the  Synod's  adopting  these 
reports,  such  persons  are  elected ;  1862,  205.  Committee  on  nominations 
was  first  appointed,   1842,  52.     See  Standing  Committees. 

Xon-Partisan  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  Requests 
for  the  instruction  of  Gospel  Temperance  in  our  Sabbath  Schools,  1896, 
386.     See  Temperance. 

Normal  Sunday  School  Manual.  Suggested,  for  an  advanced 
course  of  S.  S.  instruction,  1904,  745. 

North  American  Indians.     See  Indians.     1881,  361. 

North  and  South  Holland,  Synods  of.  Committees  of  these  two 
Synods  often  operated  together,  especially  respecting  the  German  churches 
and  ministers  in  Pennsylvania. 

North  Carolina  Classis.  (Ger.  Refd.  Ch.)  A  communication 
from,  asking  to  be  received  into  R.  D.  C  as  a  Classis,  on  account  of  the 
errors  of  the  Mercersberg  Theology  then  prevalent  in  the  German  Refd. 
Church.  Rev.  Thornton  Butler  was  their  Commissioner.  After  elaborate 
debate,  in  which  the  subject  of  slavery  among  the  members  of  that  Clas- 
sis came  into  view  and  on  account  of  which,  that  subject  would  be  in- 
troduced into  our  Church  Courts,  Mr.  Butler  kindly  withdrew  the  ap- 
plication from  that  Classis.  [See  the  Papers  of  the  day;  and  remin- 
iscences of  the  debate,  in  "The  New  Brunswick  Press,"  April  the  28th, 
1905.]  A  Special  Committee  was  appointed,  which  drew  up  resolutions 
of  the  sympathetic  feelings  of  the  Synod  toward  that  Classis,  in  its  de- 
fence of  the  truth,  1855,  531 ;  a  resolution  was  then  passed,  asking  Mr. 
Butler  to  reconsider  the  withdrawal  of  his  application,  and  leave  his  pa- 
pers in  the  hands  of  Synod,  until  their  extra  session,  in  the  fall ;  this  he 
consented  to  do,  532 ;  the  Committee  on  Correspondence,  subsequently,  re- 
ferred more  fully  to  the  circumstances,  and  secured  the  acceptance  (not 
adoption)  of  a  resolution,  that  Synod  regarded  the  proposal  with  favor; 
and  upon  the  presentation  of  duly  authenticated  testimonials  of  that 
Classis,  accepting  the  "Standards  and  Constitution  of  R.  D.  C.,''  they 
should  be  received  into  ecclesiastical  union,  535-6;  remonstrances  were 
sent  in  against  this  proposal;  also  the  acts  of  the  Classes  of  Philadelphia, 
Schoharie  and  Montgomery,  on  the  subject,  were  presented;  Rev.  G. 
Wm.  Welker,  now  appeared  as  the  Commissioner  of  the  North  Carohna 
Classis.  who  was  heard ;  a  motion  to  adopt  the  resolution  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Correspondence,  of  June,  1855,  was  made,  and  amended ;  and 
other  amendments  discussed.  After  elaborate  debate,  the  zuhule  subject 
was  laid  on  the  table,  by  a  vote  of  50  to  47  (names  given ;  Oct.,  1855, 
9,  II,  12,  14;  the  subject  was  subsequently  taken  from  the  table,  and  the 
Preamble  and  Resolution  of  June,  1855,  were  laid  on  the  table,  and  reso- 
lutions passed,  that  inasmuch  as  the  Synod  could  not  unite  cordially  in 
receiving  said  Classis,  the  Commissioner  was  kindly  requested  to  with- 
draw his  papers.  This  was  adopted,  55  to  34  (names  given)  ;  Oct.,  1855, 
13,  14. — An  extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Classis  of  North  Carolina 
was  received,  in  relation  to  Synod's  action,  but  the  Synod  regarded  its 
previous  action  as  final,  1856,  54. — See  the  pamphlets  of  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
B.  How,  on  "Slaveholding  Not  Sinful,"  1855  ^  ^"<^  reply  of  Rev.  H.  D. 
Ganse,  "Bible  Slaveholding  Not  Sinful,"  1856. — In  the  general  efforts 
for  Church  Union,  after  the  War,  two  German  Synods  of  the  West,  and 
the  Classis  of  North  Carolina,  again  sought  union  with  R.  D.  C. ;  Synod 
rejoiced  that  the  former  difficulty,  with  the  North  Carolina  Classis,  was 
removed,  and  the  Sec.  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions,  with  Rev.  H.  D.  Ganse 
and   Elder    Schiefifelin    were   appointed   a   Committee   to    correspond    with 


468         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

that  Classis  in  reference  to  union,  1871,  222-3;  a  cordial  exchange  of 
letters  took  place,  but  as  that  Classis  is  an  integral  part  of  the  German 
Reformed  Church,  of  which  the  Synod  was  not  aware  when  the  Com- 
mittee was  appointed,  courtesy  forbade  any  direct  efforts  for  union  with 
that  Classis ;  but  the  removal  of  the  obstacles  to  a  more  general  union 
is  anticipated,  1872,  438.  (See  Christian  Intelligencer,  June  13,  20,  1853; 
Mar.  31,  1854;  Oct.,  18,  1855;  Nov.  i,  1855;  Dec.  27,  1855;  Feb.  26,  1856; 
March  6,   1856,  etc. 

North  Classis  of  Long  Island.  Organized  1843,  by  the  division 
of  the  Classis  of  Long  Island  into  North  and  South  Classes.  The 
North  Classis  consisted  of  the  churches  of  Jamaica,  Newtown,  Oyster 
Bay,  North  Hempstead,  Williamsburg,  Astoria,  Flushing. 

Northern  Missionary  Society.  1897.  For  a  sketch  of  this  Society, 
see  New  York  Missionary,  Magazine,  1800,  pp.  84-109.  It  was  organ- 
ized, Jan.  II,  1797.  Rev.  Dr.  Dirck  Romeyn  preached  on  Mat.  28:20, 
"Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen."  Revs. 
John  B.  Johnson  and  John  Bassett  presented  a  "Constitution" ;  Rev.  Alex- 
ander Proudfit  presented  an  "Address  to  the  churches."  Officers  and 
Directors  were  appointed,  and  a  Plan  of  Co-operation  with  the  Society 
in  New  York  adopted.  The  first  year  they  raised  $324.  The  Chiefs  and 
Warriors  of  the  Oneida  Indians  offered  400  acres  of  land  for  the  support 
of  a  Missionary  among  them.  The  Society  was  incorporated  by  a  spe- 
cial Act  of  the  Legislature,  and  this  land  was  conveyed  in  summer  of 
1798.  In  Sept.,  1798,  a  General  Plan  of  operations  was  adopted  to  operate 
among  the  Indians  east  of  Lake  Erie ;  and  also  among  the  Chippewas, 
Hurons,  etc.,  near  Detroit,  and  on  the  shores  of  Lakes  Superior  and 
Michigan,  and  along  the  Illinois  and  Miami  rivers.  Two  missionaries 
and  two  catechists  were  to  be  sent.  The  missionaries  were  to  devote 
themselves  only  to  their  mission  work.  A  Quarterly  Concert  of  Prayer 
for  Missions  was  proposed.  In  1799,  the  funds  amounted  to  $514.  The 
Society  continued  until  about  1830. 

North  Holland,  Particular  Synod  of.  In  the  American  Church 
Constitution  of  1792,  it  is  directed  that  the  Particular  Synods  (in  Amer- 
ica) shall  continue  correspondence  with  the  Synod  of  North  Holland, 
1792,  Art.  50.  [The  Particular  (or  Provincial)  Synods  in  Holland,  were 
in  the  habit  of  holding  correspondence  with  each  other,  in  the  lack  of 
a  General  Synod,  1619,  Art.  48;  1792,  Art.  53;  the  correspondence  of  the 
Am.  chs.  had  generally  been  with  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  but  occasion- 
ally with  this  Synod.  See  Index,  (when  published)  of  Ecc.  Records 
of  New  York.] 

North  Japan  Mission.  See  Japan.  See  also  Sketch  of  North  Japan 
Mission  published  by  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  in  1901,  contain- 
ing 57  pages. 

Northwestern  Classical  Academy.  Founded,  1882.  Synod  sug- 
gested the  establishment  of  schools  under  care  of  Classes,  1882.  116; 
Advantages  of  a  school  at  Orange  City,  la.,  '83,  307-310,  312;  its  con- 
dition; asks  for  appropriations  from  Bd.  of  Ed.,  (1882-4),  from  $600 
to  $2,000;  also  another  teacher,  and  a  financial  agent;  the  whole  matter 
recommended  to  the  wisdom  of  the  Bd.  of  Education,  '84,  509. 

1885. 
The  trustees  propose  to  raise  $14,000  for  a  Building;  ask  for  an  ap- 
propriation of  $2,000  from  Bd.  of  Ed. ;  granted,  '85,  718,  719. 

1886. 
Asks  Synod  to  recommend  $50,000  as  a  proper  endowment;  a  finan- 
cial agent  to   raise  it,  with  the  co-operation  of  a   Synodical   Committee; 


NORTHWESTERN  CLASSICAL  ACADEMY        469 

and  an  appropriation  of  $2,000  from  Bd.  of  Education.  Requests  all 
granted,  with  request  to  Bd.  of  Ed.  to  help  it  according  to  its  wisdom 
and  ability,  '86;  75,  76. 

1887. 
Recommended   to   the   confidence   of   the   churches ;    endorses    the    ef- 
fort to  secure  an  endowment  of  $20,000 ;   Bd.  of  Education  requested  to 
aid  it  at  the  rate  of  $200  per  month,  if  funds  permit,  '87 ;  315. 


The  Academy  has  four  teachers,  but,  as  yet,  no  funds  of  its  own; 
Bd.  of  Education  was  only  able  to  give  $300  during  the  whole  year ; 
debt,  $1,448,  of  which  $1,202  is  due  on  salaries.  If  the  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion had  been  able  to  give  full  amount  recommended,  there  would  have 
been  ver\-  little,  or  no  debt ;  commendatory  resolutions  ;  Bd.  of  Education 
requested  to  give  $200  per  month,  if  funds  permit ;  the  Board  to  devote 
one-fourth  of  the  increase  of  contributions  during  the  present  year,  or 
so  much  as  may  be  needed,  toward  the  liquidation  of  the  debt,  '88,  562-3. 


Seventy-four  students,  47  being  classical ;  1200  volumes  in  Library ; 
Rev.  Jas.  F.  Zwemer,  elected  Principal ;  lack  of  adequate  class  room ; 
financial  agents  have  raised  $18,000 ;  all  sums  to  be  remitted  to  Treas- 
urer of  Hope  College,  to  be  distributed  in  the  proportion  of  5,  3,  2,  to 
the  Western  Seminary,  Hope  College,  X.  W.  Academy,  except  specially 
designated  gifts ;  Board  of  Education  asked  to  appropriate  $3,000  to  the 
Academy,  if  funds  permit,  '89 ;  792-3. 

1890. 
Fifty-six  students;  3  teachers;  disbursements  $1,800  above  receipts; 
amount  advanced  by  a  friend ;  total  debt,  $2,500 ;  endowment  fund, 
$12,000;  Woman's  Executive  Com.  of  Bd.  Dom.  Missions  has  given  $1,000 
for  President's  house;  only  $310  received  from  Bd.  of  Education;  recom- 
mended to  Bd.  for  largest  appropriation  possible ;  or  the  Bd.  may  ex- 
pend $300  for  an  agent  to  try  to  raise  $3,000,  so  as  to  clear  off  all  debt, 
'90;  70,  71- 

1891. 

Hon.  Henry  Hospers  has  given  land  to  enlarge  the  campus ;  66  stu- 
dents; financial  condition  improving;  yet  another  deficit  of  $1,000,  brings 
the  debt  up  to  $2,900.  If  this  debt  were  raised,  $1,500  would  enable  the 
Institution  to  pass  the  current  year  without  debt ;  earnestly  commended 
to  the  benevolent;  Bd.  of  Ed.  requested  to  appropriate  $1,500;  1891, 
298-9. 

1892. 

Has  a  Principal  and  3  teachers ;  "jj  students,  8  of  whom  went  to  Hope 
College;  its  friends  to  raise  about  $2,000  annually  for  its  support;  they 
need  a  $25,000  endowment  and  a  $10,000  Building ;  commended  to  the 
churches ;  Bd.  of  Ed.  directed  to  appropriate  $1,000  if  at  all  possible,  '92 ; 

1893- 
Sixty-six  students;  pressing  need  of  a  suitable  Building;  $1,000  re- 
ceived from  Bd.  of  Education;  no  debt;  Bd.  of  Ed.  directed  to  appro- 
priate $1,000;  1893,  782-3. 

1894. 
Rev.    Jas.    F.    Zwemer,    general    financial    agent    of    the    Western    In- 
stitutions,   has    raised   $100,000    for    a    General     Endowment     Fund;     the 
Northwestern    Academy    needs    $5,000    to    complete    their    Building;    asks 
for  $1,500  for  current  expenses,  for  this  year  only,  because  subscriptions 


470         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

to  the  Building  and  Endowment  Funds,  amounting  to  $15,000  are  due 
this  year.  Synod  requested  Bd.  of  Ed.  to  appropriate  $1,500.  if  possible, 
'94;  93-4- 

1895. 
The  Academy's  New  Hall  was  dedicated  Nov.  27,  1894.     Bd.  of  Edu- 
cation empowered  to   employ  an  Agent  to   raise  money  to   clear  ofif  the 
debt;    also    requested    to    appropriate    $1,200    for    current    expenses,    '95; 
92,  93- 

1896. 
Seventy-three  students;  the  Trustees  hold  in  trust,  for  General  Synod, 
real  estate  worth  $25,000,  and  invested  funds,  $8,000,  as  nucleus  of  an  en- 
dowment.    Disbursements,  $2,190;  deficit,  $1,200;  debt  $3,000;  Bd.  of  Ed. 
requested  to  appropriate  $1,200.     Granted;  1896,  ^72),  375- 

1897. 
Students,   74 ;    books   and   magazines    have   been    supplied   to   the    Li- 
brary and  Reading  Room,  by  friends,  who  have  also  generously  responded 
for  current   expenses.     Endowment   Fund,  $9,250.     Disbursements,   $2,501. 
Deficit,  $1,500.     Recommended  to  Bd.  of  Ed.  for  $1,500;   1897,  642-3. 

1898. 
Eighty  students ;  curriculum  advanced ;  Rapalyea  Library  and  Read- 
ing Room  improved;  endowment  pays  about  one-third  of  the  expenses; 
one-third  met  by  local  contributions ;  and  one-third,  generally,  by  Bd.  of 
Education,  altho'  Bd.  unable  to  do  its  share  for  two  years  past ;  amount 
raised  by  personal  appeals  of  the  President,  no  alumni;  11  in  ministry; 
26  teaching;  15  in  medical  or  legal  professions;  9  studying  theology;  rec- 
ommended to  Bd.  of  Ed.  for  $1,200;   1898,  104-5,  106. 

1899. 
The  Board  of  Trustees  is  a  legal  corporation  holding^  the  property 
and  funds  in  trust  for  R.  C.  A.  Rev.  Jas.  F.  Zwemer,  Pf'esident  for  8 
years,  resigns ;  had  carried  the  responsibility  of  providing  for  the  current 
expenses ;  Rev.  Alatthew  Kolyn  elected  principal ;  Rev.  Henry  Straks^, 
Educational  and  Financial  Agent ;  62  students ;  Rev.  J.  N.  Jansen  has  sent 
500  volumes  to  the  Rapalyea  Library;  Rev.  A.  D.  W.  Mason,  and  others, 
supplv  the  Reading  Room.  Property  consists  of  a  campus  of  8  acres, 
with  Buildings.  Apparatus  for  the  study  of  the  Natural  Sciences,  needed. 
Endowment,  $9,920 ;  $2,500  of  this  held  by  Bd.  of  Education  ;  $6,450  invested  ; 
$900  in  notes ;  $70  cash.  Expenses  met  by  income,  fees,  contributions,. 
and  appropriations  by  Bd.  of  Ed.  These  very  small  for  three  years. 
Gifts  from  Ralph  Voorhees  enabled  Board  recently  to  appropriate  $1,000. 
Receipts,  1898-9,  $6,064.  Disbursement,  same.  Request  Bd.  of  Ed.  to 
appropriate  $1,200;   1899,  412-417,  420,  422. 

1900. 
Seventy-seven  scholars ;  Summer  Normal  School,  conducted ;  endow- 
ment,  $10,000.     A   debt   of  $700   recently   paid   off,   thro'   offer   of    Henry 
Hospers  to  give  $1,000,  if  the  balance  were  raised;   recommended  to  Bd. 
of  Ed.  for  $1,200;  1900,  7^3,  72,^,  736. 

1901. 
Seventy-two  students;   President  Kolyn  resigned  in  March,   190T,  and 
Prof.    Philip    Soulen   was   elected    President.     Receipts,   $6,168;    Disburse- 
ments, $6,567.     Deficit,  $398.     Recommended  for  $1,200  to  Bd.  of  Ed.  1901, 
1065,  1068. 

1902. 

Indebtedness  on  the  Academy  Building  reduced  from  $6,000  to  $3,000 
by  the  payment  of  the  Schoonmaker  legacy.  Recommended  for  $1,200 
to  Bd.  of  Ed.  1902.  86,  87. 


N.  W.  SYNOD  OF  GERMAN  REF.  CHURCH   471 

1903. 
Seventy-two  students;  institution  placed  on  the  list  of  Iowa  Colleges, 
by   State   Board  of  Examiners ;   local   contributions,  $2,300 ;   toal   receipts, 
$6,179;    disbursements,    $5,974;    balance,    $205;    total    endowment,    $10,500. 
Bd.  of  Ed.  requested  for  $1,200;   1903,  354-5. 

1904. 

Seventy-six  students ;  curriculum  equips  students  for  full  collegiate 
work  in  Classical,  Scientific,  or  Literary  courses.  Its  students  enter  the 
leading  Colleges  without  examination.  Current  expenses  met.  Thro' 
special  gifts  from  western  friends,  the  Board  was  enabled  to  pay  $1,000 
on  their  debt  of  $3,000.  Asks  for  $1,200  from  Bd.  of  Education.  Granted. 
1904,  687. 

1905. 

Seventy-seven  students;  Philip  Soulen,  A.M.,  Principal.  A  Faculty 
of  five.  In  its  equipment,  the  Academy  keeps  pace  with  the  times.  Read- 
ing room  well  supplied  by  eastern  friends.  Rev.  S.  J.  Rogers  has  given 
200  books  to  the  Library.  Has  a  well-equipped  laboratory.  Income  from 
four  sources :  contributions  from  churches ;  appropriations  from  Board 
of  Education ;  income  from  a  small  endowment ;  students'  fees.  $2,300 
contributed  by  the  churches  of  the  Iowa  and  Dakota  Classes.  The  debt 
reduced  by  $1,000,  leaving  only  $1,000.  Endowment  Fund,  $10,500.  Asks 
for  $1,200  from  Bd.  of  Education.     Granted.     1905,  88,  89. 

Northwestern  Synod  of  German  Refd.  Church,  with  the  Synod 
of  Ohio  and  the  Classis  of  North  Carolina,  seeks  union  with  R.  C  A. ; 
1871,  222-3,  '72,  440. 

Novices,  or  Noviciates.  Not  to  be  admitted  to  preach  without  great 
caution ;  Constit.  1619,  Art.  9.     See  Foreign  ministers. 

Oaths.  Heid  Cat.,  Quests.  99,  102.  Witnesses  in  an  ecclesiastical 
trial,  may  be  sworn,  (whether  before  a  magistrate,  or  not,  is  not  stated,) 
Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  103  ;  of  1833,  Art.  no ;  may  be  sworn  before  a  magis- 
trate, Constit.  of   1792,  Art.   70. 

Oaths,  Civil.  The  Dutch  at  the  surrender,  1664,  would  not  take 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  Great  Britain,  until  assured  in  writing  that 
the  Articles  of  Surrender,  giving  them  freedom  in  religion,  would  not 
be  broken  in  their  taking  such  oath.  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  p.  45  ;  Col. 
Docs,  of  N.  Y.,  iii.,  369-375,  gives  names  of  those  who  took  such  oath ; 
also,  in  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York,  under  date.  Subsequently,  the  tak- 
ing of  this  oath  to  Great  Britain  was  claimed  to  give  freedom  from  the 
Church  of  Holland;  1764,  121.  See  also  Meyer  Hermanns,  in  Corwin's 
Manual 

Obedience.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  23;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  60,  79,  124; 
Form  of  Baptism.     Appendix  to  Compendium. 

Objections — to  incidental  decisions,  during  an  ecclesiastical  trial 
may  be  noted,  and  sent  up  to  a  higher  court  with  the  appeal  Constit. 
of  1874,  Art.  118;  of  1833,  Art.  44. 

Oddie,  Helen  V.  S.  (Mrs.)  Bd.  of  Direction,  for  sufficient  reasons, 
resolves  to  pay  Mrs.  Oddie,  the  niece,  and  long  time  the  companion  of 
Miss  Alida  Van  Schaick,  the  recent  benefactress  of  the  Church,  an  an- 
nuity of  $2,000  during  her  life.     1905,  13,  51. 

(Ecumenical  Council.  1874,  ii»  62;  '75,  260,  264;  '76,  450;  '']'/,  645. 
See  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches  Holding  the  Presbyterian  System. 

(Ecumenical  Council.  Called  by  the  Pope;  no  action  needed.  See 
Pius  IX.     See  also  Ecumenical. 

Oerter,  John  H.  Vedder  Lecturer  in  1887,  299.  Subject— "Social- 
ism." 


472         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Offences — that  deserve  suspension ;  Constitution  of  1874,  Art.  91 ; 
[of  1833.  Art.  102;  of  1619,  Art.  80.]  Manner  of  dealing  with;  Consti- 
tution of  1874,  Arts.  82-108.     See  DiscipHne. 

Offerings  to  the  Lord.  Tabular  Statements  of  Offerings  of 
Churches,  Classes,  etc.,  have  been  printed  since  1862 ;  Synod  then  directed 
that  the  claims  of  all  our  Boards  be  statedly  presented  to  all  our 
churches,  and  collections  be  taken  up  for  them ;  that  the  several  Classes 
be  requested  to  suggest  to  the  churches,  to  prepare  a  programme  of  the 
different  objects  of  benevolence,  and  tix  on  certain  Sabbath's  for  con- 
tributions ;  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod  -with  the  Treasurers  of 
the  Boards  prepare  annually  a  Tabular  Statement  of  the  contributions 
made  to  the  Boards  and  Funds  of  Synod,  etc.  1862,  212. — A  new^  Lemma 
to  be  inserted  in  the  Minutes,  called  "Offerings  to  the  Lord" ;  '81,  649, 
735  'y  suggestion  from  Dr.  Chambers  that  a  short  prayer  may  be  offered, 
in  connection  with  the  collection  of  the  "Offerings" ;  '96,  424. 

Officers  of  the  Church.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  30,  31.  See  Min- 
isters ;  Elders  ;  Deacons  ;  Consistory. 

Offices  of  Christ.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  31. 

Offices  of  the  Church.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  30;  Rules  of  Dort,  1619, 
Arts.  I,  2;  1792,  Title;  1833,  i,  2;  1874,  i,  2.  See  Ministers;  Professors; 
Elders ;  Deacons. 

Oghimi,  Moto,  a  Japanese  student,  graduates  from  New  Brunswick 
Seminary,  1882,  29. 

Ohio,  Synod  of  (Ger.  Refd.  Ch.)  Seeks  union  with  R.  C.  A.,  in 
connection  with  North  Western  Synod  of  German  Refd.  Ch.,  and  Clas- 
sis  of  North  Carolina.     1871,  222;  72,  437,  439. 

Oklahoma.  The  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions  sent  student  mission- 
-aries  to  Oklahoma  in  1900,  (see  1901,  1106,)  and  the  work  in  this  new 
lield  has  steadily  developed  ever  since,  1901,  1109.  In  1902,^105,  an  In- 
dian elder  from  this  field  was  a  delegate  to  Synod,  an  evetit  without  a 
precedent  in  our  ecclesiastical  Annals,  Wantan  by  name ;  1902,  2,  105 ; 
importance  of  that  field;  1903,  371;  desire  for  an  Academy  there;  offers 
of  the  cities  of  Cordell  and  Arapahoe  of  $5,000  and  20  acres  of  land,  for 
a  site,  if  the  school  be  located  in  either  of  these  places ;  also  request  of 
Classis  of  Paramus  that  the  Bd.  of  Education  raise  $2,500  toward  estab- 
lishing and  supporting  such  school ;  the  Bd.  of  Education  authorized  to 
establish  and  temporarily  maintain  Academies  in  certain  localities;  1904, 
685 ;  progress  of  the  work ;  six  churches ;  Rev.  E.  W.  Thompson's  visit ; 
Rev.  Walter  C.  Roe,  Superintendent  of  Indian  and  White  work,  and  Rev. 
Frank  Hall  Wright  appointed  Evangelist;  1905,  113,  114.  Mrs.  Charles 
Nash  Harder  and  children  have  given  $5,000  for  Academy  Building  in 
Oklahoma;   (Report  of  Bd.  Ed.  1905,  4.) 

Olcott,  Eben  E.  (Mr.  and  Mrs.)  Give  $2,000  to  found  the  Erskine 
]\Iemorial  Scholarship,  in  Arcot,  in  memory  of  Eben  Erskine  Olcott ;  1896, 
289;  give  $1,500  for  Memorial  Window  in  Sage  Library,  in  memory  of 
Commodore  Alfred  Van  Santvoord.  Design :  A  figure  holding  the  model 
of  a  ship  and  a  sextant,  representing  "Commerce."  Report  of  Com.  on 
Grounds,  1903,  4;  Mrs.  Olcott  proposes  a  Deputation  to  visit  all  the  Mis- 
sion Fields,  and  accompanies  the  same;  Report  of  Bd.  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, 1905,  iv. ;  Minutes  of  Synod,  1905,  107. 
Old  Age.     See  Emeriti. 

Old  Testament.     Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  4;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  74. 
Old   Testament    Languages    and   Exegesis,  Chair    of,    founded   by 
Gardner  A.  Sage,  1884,  421,  523,  by  a  bequest  of  $50,000. 

Old  Testament,  Introduction  Outlines  of;  By  Rev.  Dr.  J.  G.  Lan- 
sing; Published  by  Synod's  Approi)riation ;  1896,  345. 


OLD  TESTAMENT  473 

Old  Testament,  Notes  ok  the  Archaeology  of;  By  Rev.  Dr.  J.  G. 
Lansing ;  Published  by  Synod's  Appropriation ;  1897,  612. 

OosTBURGH,  Wis.,  Church  of.  Complaint  of  Classis  of  Wisconsin 
against  action  of  Presbytery  of  Milwaukee,  Nov.,  1867,  327 ;  1868,  419.  See 
Presbyt.  Ch.,  under  dates. 

Optional  Forms.  All  parts  of  the  Liturgy  except  the  Sacramental 
and  Ordination  Forms. 

Optional  Studies.  May  be  pursued  by  a  student  under  Professorial 
direction :  or  during  a  fourth  year  under  same  direction.  1888,  542.  See 
Fourth  Year. 

Orangeburgh,  S.  C.  Petition  to  begin  work  among  the  colored  peo- 
ple there;  1896,  396;  committee  appointed  to  investigate,  401-2;  '97,  668- 
9;  '98,  130-1,  133;  '99»  452;  1901,  1 102;  see  Colored  People;  Johnson, 
W.  L. 

Orange,  Circle  of.  Constituted  by  the  Ccetus,  1750,  page  xlix,  em- 
bracing Orange  and  Ulster  Cos.,  N.   Y. 

Orange  City  Academy.     See  Northwestern  Academy. 

Orange,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1832;  then  composed  of  the  churches 
of  Berea,  Bloomingburgh,  Fallsburgh,  Montgomery,  New  Hurley,  New 
Prospect,  Shawangunk,  Warwarsing  and  Wurtsboro'. 

Oratory.     1900,  687.     See  Bethune. 

Order  and  Discipline.     Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  32 

Order  of  business.     See  Standing  Order  of  Business. 

Order  of  the  Church.     See  Order  and  Discipline. 

Order  of  Worship.     See  Worship. 

Ordinances.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  29,  32 ;  ministers  called  to  preach 
and  administer  the  ordinances,   1792,  36;   1833,  60;   1874,  53- 

Ordinary  Account.  The  account  of  current  expenses,  from  which 
a  "Special  Account,"  the  beginning  of  the  "Permanent  Fund,"  was  to 
be  kept  separate,  1815,  48.  This  distinction  lasted,  under  these  names 
until  1820. 

Ordination  of  Elders  and  Deacons.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  30,  31. 
Rules :  Elders  and  Deacons  are  to  be  confirmed  with  prayers  and  en- 
gagements, and  according  to  the  Form  instituted  for  that  purpose ;  Rules, 
1619,  Arts.  22,  24;  meaning  of  the  Form  of  Ordination;  Rules  of  1792, 
Art.  2-/;  of  1833,  Art.  50;  of  1874,  Art.  43.  Their  names  to  be  published 
for  three  Sabbaths,  before  ordination;  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  22;  of  1792, 
Arts.  26,  2-/;  of  1833,  Arts.  33,  52;  of  1874,  Art.  ^2.  The  use  of  the  Form 
is  not  alluded  to  in  Rules  of  1874,  Art.  43,  where  it  would  have  belonged. 
In  abridging  that  Article  in  1874,  it  was,  no  doubt,  accidentally  omitted. 
See  Form  of  Ordination  of  Elders  and  Deacons. 

With  attempts  to  revise  the  Liturgy  (see  Liturgy),  the  Form  of  Or- 
dination has  received  the  same  attention  as  the  others,  and  various  modi- 
fications have  been  suggested.  The  last  revision  of  these  Forms  may  be 
seen  in  Minutes  of  1903,  460-4;  these  were  finally  adopted  by  the  Synod 
of  1906,  while  this  Digest  is  going  thro'  the  press. 

Ordination  of  Ministers.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  30,  31.  Rules  of  1874, 
Art.  15;  compare  Rules  of  1833,  Arts.  16.  17;  of  1619,  Arts.  4,  7;  can- 
didates, upon  receiving  a  call,  must  be  finally  examined  in  the  prescribed 
studies,  must  sign  (the  Confession  of  Faith,  1619,  Art.  53),  the  Formula 
for  Ministers;  Rules  of  1792,  Art.  11;  of  1833,  Art.  12;  of  1874,  Art.  12; 
the  President  of  Classis  [or  Synod,  1792,  Art.  12,)  after  his  examination, 
shall  give  him  a  certificate,  and  a  day  shall  be  fixed  for  his  ordination, 
1792.  Art.  12;  1833,  Art.  13;  the  President,  after  his  ordination,  shall 
give   him   a   certificate   of   his   ordination,    Constit.   of    1874,   Art.    13 ;    his 


474         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

name  must  be  published  three  successive  Sabbaths  before  his  ordination; 
Rules  of  1619,  Art.  4;  of  1792,  Art.  35;  of  1833,  Art.  59;  of  1874,  Art.  52. 
— Classis  has  power  of  ordaining  men  to  the  ministry;  [implied  in  Constit. 
1619,  Arts.  4,  7;  expressed  in  that  of  1792,  Art.  39;  of  1833,  Art.  66;  of 
1874,  Art.  59;  ordinations  shall  be  public,  with  suitable  religious  exercises, 
and  according  to  the  Constitutional  Form,  with  imposition  of  hands; 
Rules  of  1619,  Art.  4;  of  1792,  Art.  13;  of  1833,  Arts.  13,  14;  of  1874, 
Art.  13.  Names  of  persons  ordained  shall  be  sent  to  the  Particular  Synod; 
Rules  of  1792,  Art.  42;  of  1833,  Art.  69;  of  1874,  Art.  61. 

With  attempts  to  revise  the  Liturgy,  (see  Liturgy),  the  Form  of  Or- 
dination has  received  the  same  attention  as  the  others,  and  various  modi- 
fications have  been  suggested.  1900,  830,  845;  1901,  1161-76;  1902,  119- 
121.  The  last  revision  of  these  Forms  may  be  seen  in  Minutes  of  1903, 
453-460;  and  these  were  finally  adopted  by  the  Synod  of  1906,  while  this 
Digest  was  passing  thro'  the  press. 

See  Form  for  Ordaining. 

Legislative  and  Synodical. 

None  to  be  allowed  to  preach  without  showing  their  lawful  com- 
mission to  two  of  the  neighboring  ministers,  Rules  of  Coetus.  1738, 
Rule  8. 

Ccotiis  alone  to  seek  Ordaining  Pozver  from  the  Classis. — Hence- 
forth no  preacher  nor  preachers,  apart  from  the  Ccetus,  shall  undertake, 
on  behalf  of  any  student,  to  solicit  from  the  Rev.  Classis  authority  or 
power  to  qualify  him ;  but  this  shall  pertain  to  the  Coetus,  before  whom 
the  student  shall  present  himself,  with  sufficient  testimonials  from  his 
teacher  or  teachers,  in  order  to  ask  the  Coetus  itself  to  write  for  him  to 
the  Rev.  Classis.     1747,  p.  xi. 

Certificate  of  Ordination,  as  prepared  by  the  Coetus,   1748,  p.  xxxi. 

All  ordinations  performed,  whether  b}^  the  Coetus  or  Conferentie,  to 
be  considered  valid;  Articles  of  Union,  1771,  page  15. 

Form  of  Testimonial  of  Ordination,  adopted,  1833. 

In  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  Head  of  the  Church, 
to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  we  send  greeting : 

Be  it  known  that  was  admitted  by  the   Classis  of  

to  an  examination  on  the  different  branches  of  Theology,  as  prescribed 
in  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  preparatory  to 
ordination,  and  the  Classis  being  well  satisfied  with  his  gifts,  piety  and 
qualifications  to  preach  the  Gospel  and  administer  the  Sacraments,  did, 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  King  and  Head  of  the  Church, 

resolve  that  the  said  be  ordained  to  the  Gospel   ministry,  and 

in  conformity  to  said  resolution  did,  on  the day  of , 

set  him  apart  solemnly  to  the  work  of  the  sacred  ministry,  according  to 
the  rites  and  forms  of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  receive  him  into  min- 
isterial communion.  And  the  said  Classis  do  recommend  him  to  the  es- 
teem and  attention  of  all  those  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  as 
qualified  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  to  administer  the  Sacraments  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

The  Classis  do  fervently  pray  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
may  abundantly  qualify  him  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  make  him 
eminently  useful  in  that  part  of  the  vineyard  where  he  may  be  called  to 
labor. 

Done  in  Classis,  at  ,  on  this  day  of .  18 . 

.  President. 

,  Clerk. 

See  1832,  134;  1883,  204;   1834,  288-9. 

Whereas,  the  right  of  ordaining  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  belongs 
to  the  Classes  of  the  Church ;  therefore, 


ORDINATION  OF  A  MISSIONARY  475 

Resolved,  That  the  question  of  the  vaHdity  of  Roman  Cathohc  or- 
dination be  left  to  the  different  Classes.     1835,  403. 

Ordination  of  a  Missionary.  A  Committee  was  appointed,  1888,  688, 
to  make  additions  to  the  Liturgy  that  it  may  be  a  more  available  and  com- 
prehensive Manual  for  service  and  worship.  Among  other  things  they 
proposed  a  Form  for  the  Ordination  of  a  Missionary ;  '89,  858.  Said 
Form:  860-863.     This  was  finally  adopted,   1891,  335-6. 

Organic  Union.     See  Church  Union;  Federation,  etc. 

Organization  of  General  Synod.     See  General  Synod. 

Organizing  Churches.  Power  belongs  to  Classis ;  Constit.  of  1894, 
Art.  59;  of  1833,  Art.  66;  of  1792,  Art.  39. 

Organs  in  Churches.  See  Music;  also  Collegiate  Church  Year 
Book,  1880,  52,  for  an  account  of  first  organ  in  a  Dutch  Ch.     Hansen,  39. 

Original  Particular  Synod.  The  old  provisional  Synod,  1771--' 703, 
was  occasionally  called  a  Particular  Synod,  1791-3,  in  the  Mi)iuies.  In  the 
Constitution  of  1792,  provision  was  made  for  a  General  Synod,  which  held 
its  first  session  in  1794.  The  old  Synod  then  simply  took  the  position 
of  a  Particular  Synod,  and  its  session  of  Oct.,  1794,  linked  its  Minutes, 
with  that  of  the  old  provisional  Synod  of  1793.  In  the  first  edition  of 
the  Manual,  1859,  the  name  "Original  Particular  Synod"  was  incidentally- 
used  ;  and  unwisely  adopted,  on  page  443,  in  Vol.  I.,  of  Minutes  of  Gen- 
eral Synod. 

Original  Sin.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  15,  16;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  5.  7, 
9,  10,  36;  Form  of  Baptism;  Canons  of  Dort,  i.,  i;  ii.,  8;  iii.  and  iv.,  1-3. 

Ormiston,  William,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Rule  requiring  a  foreign  minister 
to  undergo  a  year's  probation,  under  care  of  Classis,  suspended,  in  his 
favor,  1870,  loi.     Vedder  Lecturer,  1882. 

Ormiston  Memorial  Scholarship.  $2,000  for  students  in  Arcot  Mis- 
sion.    Held  by  General  Synod. 

Orphans  of  Ministers.  See  Widows'  Fund ;  Disabled  ]\Iinisters' 
Fund.     1619,  13. 

Orthodoxy.  Ministers  and  Professors  of  Theology  must  subscribe 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  1619,  53 ;  and  Parochial  Schoolmasters,  either  the 
Confession  or  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  1619,  54;  candidates,  ministers 
and  Professors  must  subscribe  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  and  the  Canons  of  Dort,  1792,  5,  11,  22;  1833,  6,  12,  27;  1874, 
6,  13,  24 ;  ministers  from  other  Bodies  must  have  satisfactory  credentials, 
or  may  be  examined,  1619,  5,  9 ;  1833,  23,  24 ;  1874,  20 ;  a  minority  may 
complain  to  a  higher  court  of  any  decision  affecting  sound  doctrine,  1833, 
46;  1874,  119;  ministers  must  preach  sound  doctrine,  as  found  in  the 
standards  of  the  Church,  1619,  18;  1792,  36;  1833,  60,  61;  1874,  53,  54; 
the  Church  Visitors  are  to  inquire  if  sound  doctrine  is  maintained,  1619, 
44;  1792,  44;  Classis  is  to  inquire  if  sound  doctrine  is  maintained,  1833, 
72;  1874,  64;  Deputati  Synodi  must  be  present  at  all  examinations,  to 
see  that  sound  doctrine  is  maintained,  1619,  49,  82;  1792,  41;  1833,  68, 
79;  to  secure  soundness  in  the  faith,  only  General  Synod  shall  appoint 
Professors  of  Theology,  1792,  21;  1833,  25;  1874,  22;  Professors  must 
teach  and  defend  sound  doctrine,  1619,  18;  1792,  19,  22;  1833,  27;  1874, 
24 ;  General  Synod  may  maintain  a  friendly  correspondence  with  other 
Denominations  to  maintain  sound  doctrine,  promote  general  measures, 
etc.     1833,  84;   1874,  7?>-  , 

Synod  enjoined  upon  the  different  Judicatories  of  this  Church,  to  no- 
tice every  deviation  in  any  of  its  Ministers  from  the  doctrines  and  stand- 
ards of  the  Church,  and  faithfully  deal  with  all  who  may  espouse  er- 
roneous sentiments.     1814,  36. 

Other   Ministers.     Ministers  without   pastoral   charges   were   before 


476         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1876  put  down  as  ''Ministers  without  Charge"  ;  even  missionaries,  secre- 
taries, and  also  Professors,  were  sometimes  thus  descrihed.  Synod  di- 
rected that  hereafter  all  ministers  without  pastoral  charges  be  recorded 
as  "Other  Ministers" ;  and  that  the  names  of  the  Professors  be  pre- 
sented yearly  after  the  list  of  the  Presidents  of  General  Synod,  and  be- 
fore the  Catalogue  of  Ministers.     1876,  492-3. 

Otte,  John  A.  (M.  D.)     Went  out  as  a  Medical  Missionary  to  Amoy, 

1887,  In  1896,  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate  requested,  that  in  view 
of  his  long  service,  and  his  literary  qualifications,  and  for  his  greater 
usefulness,  and  also  at  the  request  of  the  Classis  of  Michigan,  the  Pro- 
fessorial certificate  be  dispensed  with,  and  the  Classis  be  authorized  to 
ordain  him.     Granted.     1896,  348-9. 

Outstanding  Congregations.  When  the  Coetus  and  Conferentie 
united  in  1771,  on  "Articles  of  Union,"  several  congregations  still  stood 
aloof  from  the  "Union"  for  many  years.  Several  churches  had  two 
rival  Consistories,  and  two  ministers,  representing  the  two  old  parties. 
Such  were  urged  to  unite ;  and  all  ordinations,  considered  irregular  by 
one  party  or  the  other,  were  ratified  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  The 
churches  or  parts  of  churches,  thus  standing  aloof,  more  or  less  decidedly, 
were  Albany;  Albany  German;  Boght;  Caatshaan ;  Camp;  Canajoharie; 
Hackensack;  Half  Moon  (Waterford)  ;  Kingston;  Marbletown ;  New 
Hempstead ;  Rhinebeck ;  Rhinebeck  Flatts ;  Stone  Arabia ;  Wallkill ;  and 
perhaps  some  others.  Some  of  these,  sooner  or  later  acceded  to  the 
Union,  but  the  troubles  were  not  all  ended  until  1794,  or  until  about  a 
quarter  of  a  century  had  passed.  See  1771,  pp.  14,  15;  June,  1772,  24; 
Oct.,  1772,  30,  32,  33;  1773,  36;  1774,  47,  52;  Ap.,  1775,  56;  1782,  99;  1783, 
104;  May,  1784,  107,  hi;  Oct.,  1785,  141;  1786,  150;  1787,  106;  1790, 
208;  1792,  241;  1793,  251;  1794,  258;  1800,  280. 

Overtures.  A  Standing  Committee  on  Overtures  was  first  appointed 
in  Oct.,  1817,  5. 

Palatine  Catechism.  This  is  the  same  as  the  Heidelberg  Catechism, 
but  the  name  has  been  applied  to  a  simplified  Heidelberg,  first  published 
in  1684,  and  republished  in  English  by  the  German  Reformed  Church  in 
1849. 

Palmer,  Sylvanus,  (Rev.)  His  suspension,  and  appeals  of  certain 
members  of  Classis  of  Montgomery.  His  seat  finally  declared  vacant 
because  of  contempt  expressed  for  the  Standards  of  the  Church.  He  was 
one  of  the  original  Seceders  in  the  Froeligh  Secession  of  1822.  Besides 
the  Minutes  of  the  Classis  of  Montgomery  and  those  of  the  Particular 
Synod  of  Albany,  1820-22,  in  his  case,  see  Mints,  of  Gen.  Syn.,  1820,  64- 
66 ;  Oct.,  '20,  22,  29. 

Pan-Presbyterian  Council.  1880,  493.  See  Alliance  of  Reformed 
Churches. 

Paper  Mission.  Started  by  the  Women's  Executive  Com.  of  Bd. 
of  Dom.  Missions,  1885,  for  the  spread  of  interesting  periodical  litera- 
ture in  destitute  parts.  Families  are  invited  to  send  their  religious  pa- 
pers, periodicals  and  magazines  to  the  "Paper  Mission,"  25  East  22d  St., 
New   York,  for  distribution.     Starting  with  360  papers  or  periodicals   m 

1888,  and  300  magazines,  by  1900,  about  100,000  were  distributed.  They 
are  sent  to  lumber  camps,  along  the  canals,  and  to  hundreds  of  homes. 

1889,  816,  etc. 

Paramus,  Classis  of.  Organized  in  1800,  and  then  consisting  of 
the  following  churches:  Tappan  ;  New  Hempstead;  Clarkstown;  Schraal- 
enberg;  Hackensack;  Kakiat ;  Ramapo ;  Paramus;  Aquackononck ;  To- 
towa.— See  Appeal  from  decision  of,  in  the  Froeligh  case,  1822,  52,  56. 
See  Centennial   History  of,   1900.     Referred  to,   1902,   in. 

Pardon  of  Sin.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  21,  126. 


PARENTS  477 

Parents.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  104;  Form  for  Infant  Baptism,  re- 
quiring parents  to  train  their  children  in  religious  truth;  must  them- 
selves present  their  children  for  baptism.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  56- 
60;  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  57-60;  of  1833,  86;  in  the  corresponding  Ar- 
ticle in  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  76,  parents  are  not  specifically  mentioned. 
Duties  of  Parents  to  train  up  their  children  religiously,  often  referred 
to  in  the  Reports  on  the  State  of  Religion,  on  S.  Ss.  and  Catechetical 
Instruction.     See   Catechetical   Instruction. 

Parity  of  Churches.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Article  84.  See  Han- 
sen, Ch.  of  the  Netherlands,  85. 

Parity  of  Elders.     Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  17,  84. 
Parity  of  Deacons.     Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  17,  84. 
Parity  of  Ministers.     Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  17,  41,  84;  of  1792, 
Arts.  18,  38;  of  1833,  Arts.  21,  65;  of  1874,  Arts.  18,  58. 

Parker,  Gertrude,  Executor  of  James  Parker;  sells  the  plot  of 
land  on  which  Rutgers  College  stands,  on  Ap.  8,  1808,  for  $327.50,  to  the 
Trustees  of  Queens  College. 

Parliament  of  Religions.     See  Columbian  Exposition. 

Parochial  Schools.  'The  Consistories  in  every  congregation  shall 
be  careful  to  provide  good  schoolmasters,  who  are  able  not  only  to  in- 
struct children  in  reading,  writing,  grammar,  and  the  liberal  sciences,  but 
also  to  teach  them  the  catechism  and  the  first  principles  of  religion."' 
Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  21. 

"The  Praeses  of  the  Classis  shall  moreover  inquire  of  the  members, 
respectively,  whether  the  schools  are  taken  care  of." — Art.  41.  "It  shall 
be  the  business  of  the  Church  Visitation  Committee  to  inquire  whether 
the  schoolmasters  do  faithfully  discharge  their  office." — Art.  44.  "In  like 
manner  shall  the  schoolmasters,  under  the  immediate  care  of  the  Con- 
sistory, be  obhged  to  subscribe  the  aforesaid  articles,  or,  instead  thereof, 
the  Heidelberg  Catechism." — Art.  54. 

These  rules  were  adopted  by  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  North 
America,  in  a  general  convention  of  delegates  held  A.D.,  1771,  as  the  con- 
stitution of  the  said  churches,  as  far  as  their  local  circumstances  would 
render  the  same  practicable.  In  that  convention,  the  following  additional 
article  was  adopted : 

"Finally,  the  respective  congregations  shall  hereafter  make  it  their 
business  to  establish  public  and  private  schools,  in  which,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Consistories,  instructions  shall  be  given  as  well  in  the  lan- 
guages as  in  the  fundamental  principles  or  doctrines  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  as  the  same  are  taught  in  our  Low  Dutch  churches." — 
Articles  of  Union,  Art.  31. 

In  the  year  1792,  the  General  Synod  adopted  articles  explanatory  of 
her  government  and  discipline.     Among  them  is  the  following : 

"The  zeal  of  the  Reformed  Church  for  initiating  children  early  in  the 
truth,  cannot  be  evidenced  in  the  same  manner  in  America,  where  many 
denominations  of  Christians,  and  some  who  do  not  even  profess  the 
Christian  religion,  inhabit  promiscuously,  and  where  schoolmasters  can 
seldom  be  found  who  are  members  of  the  Church.  In  such  a  situation, 
it  is  recommended  to  parents  to  be  peculiarly  attentive  to  the  religious 
education  of  their  children,  not  only  by  instructing  them  and  daily  pray- 
ing with  them  at  home,  but  by  never  employing  schoolmasters  whose  char- 
acters are  unascertained  or  suspicious,  and  especially  none  who  scoff 
at  the  Holy  Scriptures,  or  whose  conduct  is  immoral.  It  is  also  further 
recommended,  that  parents  endeavor  to  prevail  upon  schoolmasters  to 
make  the  children  belonging  to  the  Dutch  Church  commit  to  memory, 
and  publicly  repeat  in  the  school,  one  section  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism, 
at  least  once  every  week." — Explanatory  Articles,  Art.  56. 


478         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

111   1809.  the  General   Synod  adopted  the  following: 

In  the  constitution  of  the  Church  of  Christ  the  education  of  chil-' 
dren  is  considered  as  an  object  of  primary  importance;  and  must,  there- 
fore, be  made  the  basis  of  every  plan  for  the  promulgation  of  her  doc- 
trines, the  preservation  of  her  purity,  and  the  extension  of  her  limits. 
Those  who  are  born  within  her  pale,  or  of  baptized  parents,  are  mem- 
bers or  constituent  parts  of  her  visible  body.  She  is,  by  the  appointment 
of  God,  formally  signified  to  Abraham,  their  moral  parent.  The  bap- 
tism of  each  one  of  them  is  a  sacrament  not  only  to  the  parents  who  dedi- 
cate them  to  God,  but  also  to  the  Church  of  believers,  designed  to  seal 
anew  the  original  promise  of  the  covenant  made  to  Abraham,  the  father 
of  the  faithful.  These  children,  which  are  in  this  solemn  rite  devoted  to 
God,  are  at  the  same  time  given  up  to  the  care  of  the  Church.  She  re- 
ceives them  into  her  bosom,  adopts  them  into  her  family,  unites  them  in 
the  pledge  given  by  the  parents — to  pray  for  them,  and  to  train  them  up 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord — and  is  bound  to  extend  her 
inspection  to  all  the  sources  of  instruction,  the  family,  the  school,  and  the 
house  of  God.  So  far  as  your  Committee  have  had  it  in  their  power  to 
examine,  they  find  that  this  constitution  was  recognized  in  the  days  of 
Apostolical  purity ;  adopted  by  the  churches  of  Geneva,  France,  Holland, 
and  fully  acted  upon  by  the  Belgic  churches,  and  expressly  recognized 
by  the  constitution  and  explanation  thereof  by  our  Reformed  churches  in 
America. 

In  conformity  to  this,  it  is  expressly  decreed  by  the  last  Synod  of 
Dort,  in  Session  17th,  that  there  should  be  observed  a  three-fold  method 
of  catechising,  viz.:  ist.  Domestic,  by  parents;  2d,  Scholastic,  by  school- 
masters ;  3d,  Ecclesiastic,  by  pastors,  elders,  readers,  or  visitors  of  the 
sick.  And  that  all  whose  duty  it  is  to  visit  and  inspect  the  churches  and 
schools  shall  be  admonished  to  make  this  the  first  object  of  their  care. 

To  carry  this  plan  into  efifect,  so  far  as  it  respects  the  second  method 
of  instruction,  there  was  made  another  decree,  which  comprises  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  : 

1st.  Schools  for  the  education  of  children  and  youth  shall  be  es- 
tablished wherever  they  may  be  found  necessary. 

2d.  Provision  shall  be  made  for  procuring  and  maintaining  suitable 
teachers. 

3d.  The  children  of  the  poor  must  be  provided  for  in  those  schools, 
or  in  others  expressly  for  them. 

4th.  No  person  shall  be  appointed  to  the  charge  of  these  schools 
who  is  not  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  furnished  with  testimonials 
of  his  orthodoxv  and  good  morals  and  who  shall  not  previously  have 
subscribed  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Belgic  Catechism,  and  solernnly 
promised  to  instruct  the  children  committed  to  their  care  in  the  princi- 
ples contained  in  the  Church  standards. 

5th.  They  shall,  according  to  the  age  or  capacity  of  the  children, 
employ  two  half-days  in  every  week,  not  only  in  hearing  them  repeat, 
but  assisting  them  "to  understand  their  Catechism;  shall  examine  them 
frequently,  inculcate  upon  them  the  necessity  of  regular  attendance  upon  the 
ordinances  of  religion,  accompany  them  to  these  ordinances,  and  pro- 
mote their  benefit  from  them. 

6th.  To  promote  fidelity  in  the  teachers,  and  progress  in  the  chil- 
dren, it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  pastors  and  elders  frequently  to  visit 
these  schools;  to  direct  and  encourage  the  teachers  in  the  method  of 
catechising;  to  examine  the  children  with  mild  severity,  and  to  excite 
them  to  industry  by  holy  exhortations — by  commendations  and  suitable 
rewards. 

Such  is  the  construction  which  our  forefathers  put  upon  the  con- 
struction of  the  Church  of  Christ :  and  we  must  be  at  a  loss  whether  more 
to  admire  their  wisdom  and   fidelity,  or  to   lament  our   langour  and   de- 


PAROCHIAL  SCHOOLS  479 

generacy  in  this  point.  A  close  adherence  to  a  system  like  this,  so  far 
as  means  are  connected  with  their  end,  is  calculated  to  raise  the  visible 
Church  to  as  high  perfection  as  this  earth  admits.  It  is  the  system  of 
complete  organization,  which  promotes  the  unity,  forms  while  it  preserves 
the  habits,  combines  the  efforts,  increases  the  strength,  and  pours  moral 
health  into  the  fountains  of  society.  In  the  neglect  of  this  system,  it  is 
impossible  that  any  society  can  so  fully  preserve  the  spirit  of  the  body, 
and  preserve  its  infant  members  from  corruption,  indifference  or  aliena- 
tion. 

Whilst,  therefore,  it  may  be  difficult  to  carry  it  into  effect,  it  is  surely 
worthy  of  the  attempt,  and  your  Committee  would  recommend  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions : 

1st.  That  it  be  recommended  to  each  Consistory  to  divide  the  con- 
gregation into  as  many  districts  as  there  may  be  schools  required,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Consistory,  as  Trustees  for  the  school  in  each  dis- 
trict. 

2d.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  tliese  Trustees  to  look  out  for  suit- 
able schoolmasters,  and  examine  the  qualifications  of  such  as  may  apply, 
and  take  all  proper  measures  to  provide  such  support  and  accommoda- 
tions as  will  secure  for  these  stations  men  of  sound  principles  and  com- 
petent attainments. 

3d.  That  the  Trustees,  or  a  committee  of  them,  visit  the  school  of 
their  district  once  every  month,  to  carry  into  effect,  as  far  as  circum- 
stances will  permit,  the  6th  Article  in  the  preamble  to  this  report;  and 
that  they  be  particularly  careful  to  engage  the  teacher  to  instruct  his 
pupils  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation,  confining  the  children  of  the 
Reformed  Church  to  their  own  standards. 

4th.  That  the  pastor  of  the  congregation  be  ex-oi^cio  chairman  of 
each  district  committee,  when  he  may  find  it  convenient  to  attend ;  and 
that  he  visit  the  several  district  schools  in  rotation,  as  frequently  as  pos- 
sible. That  at  their  first  meeting  they  choose  a  chairman  for  one  year ; 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  call  them  together,  as  often  as  circumstances 
require,  and  to  pay  special  attention  to  the  monthly  visitation.  1809,  396- 
8.     Repeated  in  Digest,  1814,  79. 

In  1812,  the  Common  School  System  was  adopted  in  New  York 
State,  after  which  the  suggestions  of  the  Synod  of  1809  could  not  gen- 
erally be  carried  out.  There  is  no  reference  to  Parochial  Schools  in  the 
Revised  Constitutions  of  1833  and  1874.  About  1850,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  revive  such  schools.  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Schieffelin  gave  $100  to- 
ward this  object,  which  was  deposited,  until  further  light  should  be  ob- 
tained. He  also  gave  $50  to  enable  the  Board  of  Education  to  investigate 
the  subject.  185 1,  184.  They  reported  favorably,  quoting  parts  of  the 
action  of  Synod  of  1809,  and  considered  it  also  practicable,  but  were  un- 
able to  propose  a  Plan  at  short  notice.  But  since  the  Classis  of  Greene 
was  about  to  establish  a   Parochial   School — 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  regard  with  much  interest  this  project 
of  the  Classis  of  Greene,  and  that  Rev.  W.  E.  Turner  and  J.  M.  Comp- 
ton  be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  subject  of  the  best  mode  of  estab- 
lishment and  the  means  of  support  of  parochial  schools ;  and  to  report 
thereon  to  the  next  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  be  requested  to  send  up  to  Gen- 
eral Synod,  at  its  next  meeting,  their  views  as  to  the  practicability  of 
establishing   parochial    schools    within    their    bounds.     1852,    268-9. 

Reports  were  received  from  nine  Classes  on  the  subject;  also  a  com- 
munication from  Mr.  Schieffelin.  In  Nov.,  1852,  $7,000  had  also  been 
placed  in  the  care  of  the  Board  of  Direction  as  a  Trust  Fund  in  behalf 
of  Parochial  Schools,  provided  the  General  Synod  shall  adopt  and  carry 
out,  within  two  years  some  general  Parochial  School  system.  1853, 
298-300. 


48o         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

All  the  Classes  which  took  action  deemed  the  establishment  of  such 
schools  inexpedient,  although  the  $7,000  might  then  be  diverted,  on  re- 
port against  them,  to  the  Parochial  School  system  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  benefits  of  the  Public  Schools,  in  which  the  Bible  was 
also  read,  were  portrayed.  The  example  of  other  countries  was  not  ap- 
plicable here.     The  following  action  was  taken : 

Resolved,  That  while  the  Synod  would  throw  no  obstacle  in  the  way 
of  any  church  which  may  find  it  practicable  to  establish  parochial  schools 
in  their  neighborhoods,  yet  that,  in  view  of  the  action  of  the  several 
Classes  on  this  subject,  who  have,  with  remarkable  unanimity,  regarded 
the  establishment  of  such  schools  within  their  bounds  as  inexpedient,  the 
Synod  feel  that  they  are  not  called  upon  to  legislate  further  at  present 
upon  this  matter. 

Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  recommend  that  the  churches  in  our 
bounds  use  all  lawful  means  to  have  the  Bible  publicly  read  in  the  pub- 
lic schools,  without  note  or  comment. 

The  Committee,  however,  suggested  that  Mr.  Schieffelin  should  de- 
vote this  gift  of  his  to  the  Holland  Academy.     1853,  360-2. 

The  Classis  of  New  York  had  also  urged  the  following : 

ist.     Resolutely  to  insist  that  the  Bible  be  read  in  our  schools. 

2d.  To  require  that  all  the  schools  surrender,  as  formerly  was  the 
case,  Wednesday  afternoon  of  each  week  to  the  catechising  and  religious 
instruction  of  the  children  by  the  pastors  and  other  officers  of  the  churches, 
in  such  manner  as  they  shall  deem  proper. 

The  resolution  in  a  former  part  of  our  Report  sufficiently  covers  the 
first  point. 

The  second  suggestion,  coming,  as  it  does,  with  the  authority  of  age 
and  experience,  should  not  be  lightly  thrown  aside.  And  after  giving  it 
all  the  consideration  in  our  power,  your  Committee  cannot  recommend 
its  adoption  in  the  form  in  which  it  appears  in  the  communication  from 
this  Classis.  We  think  that  such  a  course  would  be  impractjcable,  if  not 
inexpedient.  God  hath  spoken  to  us  with  no  equivocal  voice,  it  is  true, 
on  the  subject  of  the  religious  education  of  our  children.  But  in  his 
wisdom  he  hath  set  apart  one  day  in  seven  especially  for  the  culture  of 
religion  in  the  heart,  in  the  family,  and  in  the  Church;  and  while  your 
Committee  feel  that  the  spirit  of  religion  should  pervade  all  our  duties, 
and  be  with  us  an  every-day  matter  of  concern,  yet  they  cannot  see  the 
propriety  of  taking  the  glory  of  the  Sabbath  wherewith  to  adorn  one 
of  the  six  days  given  to  labor. 

We  are  further  of  the  opinion,  that  all  necessity  for  action  on  this 
subject  is  begotten  by  the  neglect  of  the  obligations  imposed  by  the  Con- 
stitution of  our  Church.  If  the  ministry  and  Consistories  within  our 
bounds  will  perform  what  the  Constitution  enjoins,  we  shall  hear  no 
more  lamentations  on  the  subject. 

Your  Committee,  therefore,  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  follow- 
ing resolution : 

Resolved,  That  we  solemnly  enjoin  it  on  the  pastors  and  Consistories 
of  our  churches  at  once  to  revive  the  regular  catechetical  instruction 
of  the  children  under  their  care,  (in  case  such  instruction  has  been  neg- 
lected,) as  every  pastor  sacredly  engages  to  do  in  the  express  terms  of 
his  call,  and  as,  by  the  Constitution  of  our  Church,  he  is  required  to  do. 
1853,  364- 

Extracts  from  the  Reports  of  a  number  of  the  Classes  on 
Parochial  Schools  were  presented,  and  the  following  action  was 
taken:  There  is  a  general  and  high  appreciation  of  the  value  of 
Parochial  Schools,  provided  their  establishment  be  left  entirely  volun- 
tary ;  with  freedom  and  adaptation  to  localities,  they  might  be  made  an 
important  feature  in  educational  work ;  must  not  be  so  conducted  as  to 
give  Romanism  a  plea  to  claim  a  share  of  the  School   Fund;   they  may 


PAROCHIAL  SCHOOLS  481 

be  made  to  stimulate  the  Public  Schools  by  becoming  models  of  Chris- 
tian culture,  and  by  not  asking  any  assistance  from  the  State.  The  ad- 
vantage of  such  training  to  the  young  will  be  important  to  the  Church ; 
and  the  Church  can,  therefore,  gratefully  receive  the  munificent  dona- 
tion of  Mr.  Schieffelin.     1854,  396,  454-6. 

The  following  Plan  was  adopted : 

Plan  for  the  Establishment  and  Sustaining  of  Parochi-al  Schools  in 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church: 

1.  The  business  pertaining  to  parochial  schools  shall  be  transacted 
by  the  Board  of  Education,  until  otherwise  ordered  by  General  Synod. 

2.  The  Board  of  Education  shall  address  circulars  on  this  subject  to 
the  Consistory  and  Classes  of  our  Church,  and  shall  keep  the  business 
and  funds  relating  to  parochial  schools  distinct  from  the  other  busi- 
ness and  funds  entrusted  to  the  Board. 

3.  They  are  hereby  empowered  to  receive,  in  behalf  of  General  Synod, 
the  munificent  donation  of  Samuel  B.  Schieffelin.  Esq.,  and  any  other 
funds  which  may  be  contributed  for  this  purpose.  They  shall  make  such 
exertions  to  obtain  additional  funds  for  this  purpose  as  they  may  deem 
expedient. 

The  Distribution  of  Funds  for  the  Promotion  of  Parochial  Schools 
shall  be  Regulated  by  the  Following  Rules: 

1.  Every  school  applying  for  aid  must  be  under  the  care  of  a  Con- 
sistory of  our  Church,  and  be  subject  to  the  supervision  of  the  Classis. 

2.  The  Holy  Scriptures  shall  be  used  in  such  school  as  a  text-book 
for  daily  instruction  in  religion,  and  the  Catechism  approved  by  our 
Church  shall  be  taught  at  least  twice  a  week  in  addition  to  the  usual 
branches  of  early  education. 

3.  The  teacher  shall  be  a  member  in  full  communion  of  the  Re- 
formed Protestant  Dutch  Church. 

4.  The  school  shall  be  daily  opened  with  prayer  and  reading  of  the 
Scriptures,  accompanied,  where  it  is  practicable,  by  the  singing  of  a 
psalm  or  hymn ;  and  it  is  recommended  that  sacred  music  shall,  as  far 
as  practicable,  form  a  part  of  the  instruction  of  said  school,  and  be  united 
with  the  other  devotional  exercises. 

5.  It  is  recommended  that  the  supervision  of  the  pastor  and  Con- 
sistory over  the  school  shall  be  as  close  and  constant  as  may  be  practic- 
able. 

The  Application  for  Aid  shall  be  Under  the  Following  Rules: 

1.  Every  application  shall  be  approved  by  the   Classis. 

2.  Such  application  shall  state  to  the  Board  of  Education  what 
amount  has  been  raised  or  secured  for  the  salary  of  the  teacher,  and  the 
general  purposes  of  the  school,  and  what  additional  amount  is  needed. 
The  probable  number  of  scholars  shall  also  be  stated. 

3.  The  application  must  be  renewed  at  such  times  as  shall  be  pre- 
scribed by  the  Board  of  Education. 

The  Appropriations  shall  be  Regulated  as  Follozvs: 

1.  The  maximum  of  appropriations  shall  not  exceed  one  hundred 
dollars  per  annum,  and  it  is  expected  that  a  less  amount  will  in  many 
cases  be  sufficient. 

2.  As  the  prosperity  of  the  school  increases,  an  annual  deduction 
will  be  made  on  the  amount  appropriated. 

3.  Appropriations  shall  be  paid  quarterly,  and  not  in  advance. 
Superintendence  of  the  Board  of  Education: 

1.  An  annual  report  of  the  general  condition  of  the  school,  includ- 
ing exact  statistics  of  its  affairs,  shall  be  sent  to  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, at  such  time  as  they  shall  prescribe. 

2.  The  Consistory  of  the  church  where  a  parochial  school  is  aided 


482         DIGEST    OF    SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

by  the  funds  of  the  Board  shall  provide  for  an  annual  collection  in  the 
congregation  for  the  Parochial  School  Fund  of  the  Board ;  and  in  order 
to  secure  uniformity,  it  is  recommended  that  such  collection  be  on  the 
first  Lord's  day  in  October,  or  on  such  Lord's  day  of  that  month  as 
they  shall  find  most  convenient. 

3.  A  copy  of  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Education  on 
Parochial  Schools  shall  be  furnished  to  the  teacher.     1854,  455-6. 

Several  churches  soon  adopted  the  system  and  encouraging  reports  of 
the  influence  of  the  Christian  training  were  received.  In  1858,  sixteen 
were  in  operation.  Christian  School  Books  began  to  be  published.  See 
Reports:  1855,  580;  1856,  98,  99;  1857,  196;  1858,  334;  1859,  436;  three 
Parochial  schools  had  been  formed  in  the  Amoy  Mission,  1859,  455 ;  a 
number  of  the  pupils  have  been  converted,  i860,  551 ;  1861,  73.  But  it 
began  to  appear  that  it  was  chiefly  the  Holland  and  German  churches 
which  availed  themselves  of  the  aid  of  this  Fund.  $670  had  been  appro- 
priated to  these  schools,  and  the  churches  interested  have  contributed 
nearly  as  much  more.  But  the  number  of  Parochial  Schools  was  al- 
ready diminishing,  not  from  want  of  interest  in  Christian  education,  but 
from  other  causes.     1862,  184-5;  1863,  318;  1864,  465-6. 

Resolved,  That  this  policy  of  Parochial  Schools  and  Academies 
has  repeatedly  been  approved,  as  being  intimately  connected  with  the 
best  interest  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  and  that  any  efforts  in  the 
Synod  of  Chicago  for  the  establishment  of  the  same  be  hailed  with  satis- 
faction by  this  General  Synod.     1864,  467. 

The  Classis  of  Illinois  now  asked  the  Synod  to  allow  the  Board  of 
Education  to  help  support  a  teacher  of  the  Classics  and  Higher  Mathe- 
matics in  the  school  at  Pella,  la.     This  was  granted.     1865,  621-2. 

But  it  was  found  that  the  subject  did  not  take  hold  of  the  heart 
of  the  Church.  Sometimes  such  schools  were  desirable,  but  the  Public 
School  System  seemed  all  sufficient.  Fourteen  schools  were  aided.  1866, 
88;   1867,  244. 

Nevertheless,  Samuel  B.  Schieffelin  in  1869,  gave  $3,000  for  the 
Parochial  School  Fund;  and  the  Fund  was  further  enlarged  by  the  ap- 
portionment of  28  shares  of  the  increased  capital  stock  of  the  Delaware 
and  Hudson  Canal  Co.     1869,  554. 

The  Amelia  Institute  in  Virginia  was  now  placed  on  this  Parochial 
School  Fund,  1870,  104.  (See  also  Report  of  Bd.  of  Education,  1870, 
pp.  7-10.)  Brief  reports  continued  to  be  made  concerning  these  schools, 
for  a   few  years  more.     1871,  285;    1874,   113;    1877,  698;    1878,   107-8. 

The  Board  of  Education  has,  in  more  recent  years,  assisted  annually 
about  half  a  dozen  Parochial  Schools  among  the  Germans  in  the  West. 
Brief  allusions  thereto  are  made  in  their  reports  from  year  to  year.  In 
1896,  368,  only  four  such  schools  were  receiving  assistance.  The  Parochial 
School  Fund  has  stood  at  $11,744.  For  the  last  few  years,  colored  schools 
in  South  Carolina,  have  been  helped  by  this  fund.  See  report  of  Bd. 
of  Education,  1905,  3. 

The  following  are  the  Rules  of  the  Board  of  Education  concerning 
Parochial  Schools,  but  without  date : 

Plan  for  the  establishment  and  sustaining  of  Parochial  Schools 
IN  THE  Reformed  Protestant  (Dutch)  Church. 

RULES    OF    board    OF    EDUCATION. 

1.  Every  school  applying  for  aid  must  be  under  the  care  of  a  Con- 
sistory of  our  Church,  and  be  subject  to  the  supervision  of  the  Classis. 

2.  The  Holy  Scriptures  shall  be  used  in  such  school  as  a  text  book 
for  daily  instruction  in  religion,  and  the  Catechisms  approved  by  our 
church  shall  be  taught  at  least  twice  a  week  in  addition  to  the  usual 
branches  of  earlv  education. 


PARSONAGES  483 

3.  The  teacher  shall  be  a  member  in  full  communion  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church. 

4.  The  school  shall  be  daily  opened  with  prayer  and  reading  of  the 
Scriptures,  accompanied,  where  it  is  practicable,  by  the  singing  of  a  psalm 
or  hymn ;  and  it  is  recommended  that  sacred  music  shall,  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable, form  a  part  of  the  instruction  of  said  school  and  be  united  with 
the  other  devotional  exercises. 

5.  It  is  recommended  that  the  supervision  of  the  Pastor  and  the  Con- 
sistory over  the  school  shall  be  as  close  and  constant  as  may  be  practic- 
able. 

The  applications  for  aid  shall  be  under  the  following  rules : 

1.  Every  application   shall   be  approved  by  the   Classis. 

2.  Such  application  shall  state  to  the  Board  of  Education  what 
amount  has  been  raised  or  secured  for  the  salary  of  the  teacher,  and  the 
general  purposes  of  the  school,  and  what  additional  amount  is  needed. 
The  probable  number  of  scholars  shall  also  be  stated. 

3.  The  application  must  be  renewed  at  such  times  as  shall  be  pre- 
scribed by  the  Board  of  Education. 

The  appropriations  shall  be  regulated  as  follows : 

1.  The  maximum  of  appropriations  shall  not  exceed  one  hundred 
dollars  per  annum,  and  it  is  expected  that  a  less  amount  will,  in  many 
cases,  be  sufficient. 

2.  As  the  prosperity  of  the  school  increases  an  annual  deduction  will 
be  made  on  the  amount  appropriated. 

3.  Appropriations  shall  be  paid  quarterly,   and  not  in  advance. 
Superintendence  of  the  Board  of  Education. 

1.  An  annual  report  of  the  general  condition  of  the  school,  includ- 
ing exact  statistics  of  its  affairs,  shall  be  sent  to  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, on  or  before  the  first  of  April  of  each  year. 

2.  The  Consistory  of  the  Church,  where  a  Parochial  School  is  aided 
by  the  funds  of  the  Board,  shall  provide'  for  an  annual  collection  in  the 
congregation  for  the  Parochial  School  Fund  of  the  Board,  and,  in  order 
to,  secure  uniformity,  it  is  recommended  that  such  collection  be  on  the 
first  Lord's  day  of  October,  or  on  such  Lord's  day  of  that  month  as  they 
shall  find  most  convenient. 

3.  A  copy  of  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Education,  on 
Parochial  Schools,  shall  be  furnished  to  the  teacher. 

Parsonages.  Many  built  through  the  agency  of  the  Woman's  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions.     See  1900,  821. 

Particular  Bodies.  The  name  used  in  the  Articles  of  Union,  1771, 
Arts.  3-15,  pp.  9,  10,  for  what  were  really  Classes,  but  prejudices  would 
not  yet  allow  the  use  of  the  proper  word.  Five  of  these  were  then  con- 
stituted, viz.,  New  York,  Kingston,  Albany,  Brunswick  and  Hackensack. 
In  1784,  128,  the  General  Body  directed  them  to  assume  the  name  of 
Classes,  while  it  assumed  the  name  of  Synod. — Each  Particular  Body 
was  to  record  the  Articles  of  the  Plan  of  Union,  that  ministers  and 
churches  might  subscribe  the  same,  1772,  33.  Their  special  duties,  divi- 
sions and  names,  1771,  Arts.  3,  7-14;  may  decide  upon  calls  of  minis- 
ters, but  only  the  General  Body  could  at  first  ordain. 

Particularia.  This  name  was  assumed  as  one  of  the  Lemmata,  or 
Articles,  in  the  regular  business  of  General  Synod.  Items  which  cannot 
be  classed  under  any  of  the  specific  Articles,  are  entered  under  the  head 
of  "Particularia."  In  the  Rules  of  the  Ccetus  we  read :  "7.  The  busi- 
ness being  finished,  the  President  shall  inquire  of  each  member  concern- 
ing particularia,  and  thereupon  conclude."  1748,  xviii.,  xxv.  The  Lemma 
"Particularia"  always  immediately  precedes  the  closing  Articles  of  Synod. 

Particular  Synod,  The  Original.  The  General  Body,  established 
over  the   Particular  Bodies,    (or  Classes),  in   1771,  page  9,  corresponded, 


484         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

• 
approximately,  to  a  Particular  Synod,  and  gradually  began  to  be  so 
called.  (See  General  Body.)  It  thus  became  the  original  Particular 
Synod  of  the  whole  Church,  from  1771-1800.  [The  Editor  of  Vol.  I.,  of 
the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  did  not  understand  this,  and  broke  the 
connection,  by  putting  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  1 794-1812,  imme- 
diately after  the  Minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  1793,  and  the  remain- 
ing Minutes  of  this  Particular  Synod,  1794-1799,  in  an  Appendix,  pp. 
445-448.]  In  1800,  this  original  Synod  was  divided  into  the  Particular 
Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany.     1800,  301-3. 

MEETINGS    OF    THIS    SYNOD. 

Rev.    Meeting    of    Ministers    and    Elders    of     the     Reformed     Dutch 
Churches  in  the  Provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

DATE.  PRESIDENTS.  PLACE. 

1771,  Oct.  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D New  York 

1772,  June.  Rev.  Isaac    Rysdyck New  York 

1772,  Oct.  Rev.  John  H.  Goetschius New  York 

'^773,  Oct.  Rev.  Johannes    C.    Rubel Kingston 

1774,  Oct.        Rev.  Lambertus   De   Ronde New  York 

1775,  April.     Rev.  Lambertus   De   Ronde New  York 

I775»  Oct.        Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.D New  York 

Rev.  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  etc.,  in  the  states  of  New  York 

and  New  Jersey. 

1778,  Oct.        Rev.  John  Leydt New   Paltz 

I779»  Oct.       Rev.  Hermanus    Meyer,    D.D Pompton 

1780,  Oct.        Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.D New  Paltz 

1 781,  Oct.        Rev.  Isaac   Rysdyck New    Hurley 

1782,  Oct.        Rev.  Hermanus   Meyer New   Millstone 

1783,  Oct.        Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.D New  Paltz 

1784,  May.      Rev.  Jacob   R.    Hardenbergh,    D.D .,New  York 

The  Christian  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  in  the  States 

of  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

1784,  Oct.        Rev.  Dirck   Romeyn,   D.D New  York 

1785,  May.      Rev.  Dirck   Romeyn,    D.D New  York 

1785,  Oct.       Rev.  Eilardus  Westerlo,  D.D New  York 

1786,  Oct.       Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.D New  York 

1787,  May.      Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh,  D.D New  York 

1787,  Oct.       Rev.  Rynier  Van  Nest,  D.D New  York 

1788,  May.      Rev.  Rynier  Van   Nest,   D.D New  York 

1788,  Oct.        Rev.  John   H.   Livingston,   D.D New  York 

1789,  May.      Rev.  John   H.   Livingston,   D.D New  York 

1789,  Oct.        Rev.  Dirck  Romeyn,  D.D New  York 

1790,  Oct.        Rev.    Isaac   Blauvelt New  York 

1791,  May.      Rev.  Isaac    Blauvelt New  York 

1791,  Oct.        Rev.  Elias   Van   Bunschooten New  York 

1792,  May.      Rev.  Elias  Van   Bunschooten New  York 

1792,  Oct.       Rev.  Solomon   Froeligh,   D.D New  York 

This  Original  Synod,   (with  the  Adoption  of  the  Constitution  by  a  Con- 
vention in  1792,  organising  a  General  Synod,)   now  formally 

becomes  a  Particular  Synod. 

1793,  Oct.        Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D New  York 

1794,  Oct.        Rev.  Peter    Studdiford New  York 

179s,  Oct.        [Omitted,  because  of  an  epidemic] 

1796,  May.      Rev.  William  Linn New  York 

1796,  Oct.        Rev.  John    Duryee New  York 

1797,  Oct.       Rev.  Zacharias   Kuypers .New  York 

1798,  May.      Rev.  Samuel  Smith New  York 

1799,  Oct. 


PARTICULAR  SYNOD  OF  ALBANY  485 

[The  Minutes  of  Oct.,  1799,  were  not  transcribed  in  the  Book  of  Min- 
utes, and  hence  were  accidentally  omitted  in  the  publication  in  1859,  of 
Vol.  I.,  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod.  The  General  Synod  of  1800, 
pp.  301-3,  divided  this  one  Particular  Synod,  into  the  two  Particular 
Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany.  The  Minutes  of  Oct.,  1799,  are  in 
manuscript,  in  the  Archives,  and  ought  to  be  edited  and  published.] 

Particular  Synod  of  Albany.     See  Albany,  Particular  Synod  of. 

Particular  Synod  of  Amoy,     See  Amoy. 

Particular  Synod  of  Chicago.     See  Chicago,  Particular  Synod  of. 

Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick.  See  New  Brunswick,  Par- 
ticular Synod  of. 

Particular  Synod  of  New  York.  See  New  York,  Particular 
Synod  of. 

Particular  Synods.  Constitutional  Legislation:  In  Holland  and 
"France  these  were  local  or  Provincial  Synods,  and  exercised  full  author- 
ity in  their  own  Provinces.  No  General  Synod  was  held  in  Holland  be- 
tween 1619  and  1816,  or  for  nearly  200  years.  For  composition  and  du- 
ties of  these  Particular  Synods,  in  Holland,  see  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts. 
47-49 ;  for  the  adaptation  of  these  Articles  to  America,  see  Constit.  of 
1792,  Arts.  45-50;  and  for  the  later  Constitutional  action,  see  Constit. 
of  1833,  Arts.  76-81 ;  and  of  1874,  Arts.  65-69.  See  also  Quorum ;  Dep- 
utati  Synodi ;  General  Body. 

Particular  Synods  may  allow  a  Clasiss  to  examine,  license  and  ordain 
men,  who  have  not  regularly  studied.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  8;  [for 
the  term  ''Synod,"  in  Art.  8,  and  elsewhere  in  the  Rules  of  1619,  always 
means  a  Particular  or  Provincial  Synod;]  see  Dispensations.  In  America, 
from  1792-1833,  Particular  Sj'^nods  themselves  might  examine,  license  and 
ordain.  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  3,  5,  6,  9,  10,  11,  39,  40,  47;  may  be  con- 
sulted by  licentiates  in  case  of  difficulties  in  doctrine.  Constit.  of  1792, 
Art.  5 ;  ["until  we  first  communicate  our  sentiments  to  the  judicatories 
with  which  we  stand," — refers  in  this  Art.  5  of  1792,  to  the  Classis  or 
Particular  Synod ;  but  in  the  Constits.  of  1833,  Art.  6,  and  of  1874,  Art. 
6,  the  word  "judicatories"  remains  in  the  plural  form,  although  only  the 
"Classis"  is  referred  to,  as  the  antecedent;  while  in  Art.  5,  of  1792,  the 
"'Classis"  and  "Synod"  are  the  antecedents;]  ministers  may  consult  Par- 
ticular Synod,  as  to  difficulties  in  doctrine.  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  11 ;  of 
1833,  Art.  12;  [this  is  limited  to  Classis,  in  Constit.  of  1874,  -'^rt.  12;] 
Particular  Synods  may  suspend  ministers  ipso  facto,  if  they  refuse  to  sub- 
mit to  ecclesiastical  decisions,  1792,  Arts.  11;  1833,  Art.  12;  [this  is  limited 
to  the  Classis  in  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  12;]  Classes  must  inform  Particu- 
lar Synods  wKat  is  necessary  as  to  "Visitation  of  the  Churches,"  1792, 
Art.  44;  the  Particular  Synods  shall  exchange  copies  of  their  Acts,  with 
the  [Particular]  Synod  of  North  Holland  and  cultivate  correspondence 
with  the  Mother  Church,  1792,  Art.  50;  they  shall  communicate  all  such 
letters  received  to  the  General  Synod,  1792,  Art.  52;  may  permit  a  min- 
ister without  pastoral  charge  to  preach  about  from  place  to  place,  1619, 
15;  [this  was  limited  to  the  Classis,  1833,  18;  and  eliminated  from  the 
Constitution  of  1874  altogether.]  Each  Particular  Synod  may  corre- 
spond with  its  neighboring  Synods,  1619,  Art.  48;  1792,  Arts.  50,  53;  1833, 
Art.  78 ;  1874,  Art.  67 ;  [this  correspondence,  among  the  Particular  Synods, 
took  the  place  of  a  General  Synod  in  Holland,  from  1619-1816,  although 
a  General  Synod  was  provided  for,  1619,  Art.  50,  but  not  held;  see  1792, 
Arts.  53.] 

A  Particular  Synod  has  jurisdiction  over  the  Classes  within  its 
bounds,  1619,  Art.  36;  1833,  Art.  41 ;  1874,  Art.  40;  may  form  new  Classes, 
or  transfer  a  congregation  from  one  Classis  to  another,  1833,  77 ;  1874, 
•66;  and  has  general  supervision  over  their  several  Classes,  and  an  ap- 
pellate supervising  power  over  their  acts,  proceedings  and  decisions;  1619, 


486  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

49;  1833,  87,  89;  1874,  76;  must  appoint  delegates  to  the  General  Synod, 
1619,  50;  [this  was  modified,  in  America,  in  1792,  as  the  General  Synod 
was,  at  first,  conventional ;  but  the  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  53,  anticipated 
a  change,  which  was  enacted,  1800,  279,  303 ;  and  a  further  change  made, 
1806,  357-8;  1809,  392;  and  the  nominations  by  the  Classes,  and  appoint- 
ment by  the  Particular  Synods,  finally  adopted,  1812,  421 ;]  the  Particu- 
lar Synods  may  appoint  those  nominated  by  the  Classes,  as  delegates  to 
General  Synod ;  or  others,  for  sufficient  reasons ;  or  may  itself  appoint 
delegates  to  General  Synod,  if  a  Classis  fails  to  nominate;  1833,  Arts. 
72,  82;  1874,  Arts.  64,  70;  may  inspect  the  books  of  the  Classes,  1619, 
Art.  49;  1792,  Art.  48;  1833,  Art,  80;  1874,  Art.  78. 
Synodical  Legislation. 

The  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Particular  Synods  must  notify  the  persons 
appointed  to  attend  the  meetings  of  General  Synod.  1817,  41. 

The  Classis  of  New  York  suggests  the  propriety  of  dividing  the 
churches  into  three  Particular  Synods ;  each  to  include  all  the  ministers- 
and  one  elder  from  each  of  the  congregations  within  their  respective 
bounds.  Synod  resolved  that  it  was  inexpedient.  1818,  26,  27.  The 
clerks  of  the  Particular  Synods  to  be  supplied,  as  soon  as  possible,  with 
the  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  1818,  40 ;  the  Particular  Synods  to  send 
at  least  six  copies  of  their  Minutes  to  General  Synod,  1819,  51. 

In  1820,  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  recommended  the  abolish- 
ment of  the  Particular  Synods.  Committee  reported  favorably ;  but  their 
report  was  not  adopted.     1820,  65,  66,  67. 

The  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie,  in  1821,  recommended  the  abolition  of 
the  Particular  Synods :  because  the  meetings  of  the  Classes  and  of  the 
General  Synod  call  the  ministers  away  from  their  congregations  so  fre- 
quently, as  to  make  the  additional  claims  of  the  Particular  Synods  grievous 
to  the  congregations  on  the  score  of  loss  of  service ;  and  to  the  minis- 
ters, because  of  expense  and  loss  of  time ;  because  the  Particular  Synods 
are  not  necessary ;  because  if  they  be  abolished,  and  the  Clas.^es  appoint 
delegates  directly  to  General  Synod,  we  have  a  more  perfect  representa- 
tive government ;  and  because  thus  also  will  the  reports  on  the  State  of 
Religion  be  brought  more  expeditiously  and  more  fully  before  the  Gen- 
eral Synod.     1821,  48,  50. 

Resolutions  were  offered  that  the  Synod  recommend  to  the  Classes 
the  abolition  of  the  Particular  Synods,  and  request  the  Classes  to  send 
up  their  decisions  to  the  next  Synod ;  and  if  they  be  abolished,  that  the 
Classes  appoint  delegates  directly  to  General  Synod.  (  !)  Action  on  these 
resolutions  deferred  until  next  Synod.  1821,  52. — The  Particular  Synod 
of  Albany  requested  that  the  consideration  of  this  subject  be  indefinitely 
postponed,  1822,  55,  56;  the  Synod  adopted  the  following:  that  there  be 
four  Particular  Synods ;  that  the  Classes  of  Montgomery,  Washington 
and  Albany,  constitute  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany ;  that  the  Classes 
of  Rensselaer,  Po'keepsie  and  Ulster,  constitute  the  Particular  Synod  of 
Ulster ;  that  the  Classes  of  New  York,  Long  Island  and  Bergen,  consti- 
tute the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York;  and  the  Classes  of  Paramus, 
New  Brunswick  and  Philadelphia,  constitute  the  Particular  Synod  of 
New  Brunswick;  that  every  minister,  and  an  elder  from  each  Consistory 
shall  be  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  Synod  to  which  their  Classis  belongs. — 
This  plan  was  sent  down  to  the  Classis  for  their  ratification,  1822,  58.  For 
the  change :  the  Classes  of  New  York,  Bergen,  Long  Island,  Albany, 
Rensselaer  and  Montgomery ;  6.  Against  the  change :  the  Classes  of  New 
Brunswick,  Philadelphia,  Paramus,  Ulster,  Washington,  Po'keepsie.  6. 
Not  carried.     1823,  42. 

The  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Particular  Synods  of  Albany  and  New 
York,  requested  to  send  at  least  ten  .copies  of  their  Minutes  annually  to 
General   Synod.     1827,  79,  80. 

Certain  resolutions  were  presented  relative  to  the  organization  of  the 


PARTICULAR  SYNODS  487 

Particular  Synods,  which  were,  on  motion,  indefinitely  postponed.  1839, 
255- 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  in  1848,  elaborately  dis- 
cussed the  subject  of  "Church  Organization,"  with  special  reference  to 
"Particular  Synods."  To  their  abolition  there  were  insuperable  objec- 
tions. With  the  extension  of  the  Church,  they  would  have  to  be  restored. 
Their  necessity  and  usefulness  are  discussed.  And  finally  it  is  proposed 
that  there  should  be  four  Particular  Synods,  viz.,  of  New  Brunswick, 
of  New  York,  of  Albany  and  of  Utica,  and  suggestions  were  made  how 
their  meetings  could  be  made  interesting  and  profitable.     1848,  324-6. 

This  part  of  their  report  was  referred  to  a  Committee  to  formulate 
in  a  way  to  be  sent  down  to  the  Classes  for  their  approbation.  Besides 
the  four  Synods  proposed,  certain  religious  services  were  also  suggested; 
and  that  the  meetings  should  be  in  the  autumn,  after  the  meeting  of  Gen- 
eral Synod  and  the  anniversaries  of  the  Benevolent  Societies,  and  the 
semi-annual  meetings  of  Classes.  It  was  also  proposed  that  each  Par- 
ticular Synod  should  consist  of  all  the  ministers  and  an  elder  from  each 
church,  within  its  bounds  ;  or  of  a  delegation  of  four  ministers  and  four 
elders  from  each  Classis.     1848,  267-8. 

Reports  were  received  from  only  12  Classes  out  of  the  24  then  ex- 
isting, (1849,  440,)  of  which  6  were  in  favor  of  the  changes  and  six  op- 
posed. Synod  judged  it  inexpedient  to  make  any  change  as  to  the  num- 
ber or  manner  of  constituting  the  Particular  Synods.     1849,  489,  490. 

A  suggestion  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  that  General 
Synod  organize  a  Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick;  (not  granted;) 
and  that  religious  exercises  be  held  during  the  sessions  for  the  promotion 
of  spirituality.  1854,  448,  451.  The  Synod  accordingly  recommended  to 
the  Particular  Synods  to  connect  with  their  other  services  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Lord's  Supper ;  and  to  the  several  Bodies  of  our  Church, 
so  to  arrange  their  anniversary  celebrations  as  to  hold  them  during  and 
in  connection  with  the  regular  meetings  of  one  or  more  of  the  Particu- 
lar Synods  of  our  Church.     1854.  420. 

The  Synod  also  requested  the  Classes  to  express  their  opinions 
whether  the  Particular  Synods  should  be  made  conventional ;  and  if  not, 
whether  the  delegation  should  be  increased.  1854,  451.  Answers  were 
only  received  from  16  Classes  out  of  24.  Answers  unsatisfactory.  In- 
expedient to  make  any  change.     1855,  515,  574-6. 

Particular  Synod  of  Albany  suggested  the  propriety  of  a  new  Par- 
ticular Synod  to  embrace  the  40  churches  and  25  ministers  west  of  the 
State  of  New  York.  Suggestion  approved,  and  the  Classes  of  Illinois, 
Michigan,  Holland  and  Wisconsin,  set  apart  to  form  such  Synod.  These 
Classes  directed  to  meet  and  appoint  delegates,  to  meet  on  first  Tuesday 
of  Sept.,  to  organize  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago.  1856,  91.  Report 
of  said  organization,  1857,  133. 

The  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Particular  Synods  requested  to  insert  in  their 
printed  Minutes  a  "Tabular  Summary"  of  the  statistical  tables  of  their 
respective   Synods.     1858,  296. 

Resolved,  That  the  visitation  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  the  West  by 
delegates  from  the  Particular  Synods  of  the  East  meets  with  the  decided 
approval  of  this  Body;  and  that  these  delegates  be  recommended  to  ex- 
press to  that  Synod  not  only  our  fraternal  regards,  but  our  special  inter- 
est in  work  in  which  they  are  engaged  in  the  West.     1863,  348. 

North  Classis  of  Long  Island  asked  for  the  reorganization  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synods;  1866,  12;  discussion  of  subject;  shall  they  be  conventional? 
Considered  inexpedient.     Following  resolution  added : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  Particular  Synods 
that  they  extend  the  time  of  their  meetings ;  that  they  cease  to  refer  to 
General  Synod  matters  which  could  be  as  well,  and  perhaps,  on  some  ac- 
counts, better  dealt  with  by  themselves ;  that  they  abound  more  in  devo- 


488         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

tional  exercises,  and  that  they  endeavor  to  inaugurate  measures  which, 
through  the  blessing  of  God,  may  increase  the  spirituality  and  usefulness 
of  pastors,  elders,  and  church  members.     1866,  81-83,  95- 

Request  from  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  asking  for  the  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  Particular  Synods.  Special  Committee  appointed,  (yeas  89, 
nays  19,  names  given),  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  J.  McC.  Holmes  was  Chair- 
man. 1868,  462-3. — Report,  1869:  (Not  accurate  in  historical  statements 
on  page  626)  ;  general  review  of  the  subject;  discussion  as  to  the  useful- 
ness of  these  Synods;  how  may  they  be  made  more  useful?  ought  to  be 
courts  of  final  appeal  in  most  cases ;  ought  to  have  not  too  large  local 
limits ;  ought  not  to  be  conventional ;  proposed  the  formation  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  New  Brunswick;  that  the  Classes  of  Kingston  and 
Orange  be  transferred  from  the  Synod  of  Albany  to  that  of  New  York ; 
that  a  Constitutional  amendment  be  made,  that  each  Synod  consist  of  a 
delegation  of  4  ministers  and  4  elders  from  each  Classis  within  its  bounds ; 
that  the  meetings  be  made  specially  devotional,  with  the  celebration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper ;  that  a  Constitutional  amendment  be  adopted,  making  these 
Synods  final  courts  of  appeal  of  all  cases  originating  in  the  Consistory, 
with  certain  exceptions ;  that  each  Synod  appoint  Committees  on  "Church 
Visitation"  and  "Church  Extension,"  the  former  for  the  promotion  of 
spiritual  religion,  by  the  holding  of  Conventions ;  and  the  latter  for  to 
seek  opportunities  for  denominational  growth ;  that  the  Corresponding 
Secretaries  of  the  Boards  be  requested  to  visit  these  Synods  alternatively; 
and  that  the  two  suggested  amendments  to  the  Constitution  be  recom- 
mended to  the  Classes.     1869,  626-633. 

The  Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick  was  accordingly  organ- 
ized ;  and  the  two  amendments  to  the  Constitution  adopted ;  see  Consti- 
tution of  1833,  Arts.  76,  42. — 1871,  2'j-j-%.  These  were  also  incorporated 
in  the  revised  Constitution  of  1874. 

In  1872,  441,  the  interchange  of  the  delegates  between  the  Particular 
Synods  was  ordered  to  be  discontinued.  1872;  441;  '-jz,  716.  -The  Synod 
■of  Albany  refers  to  this  resolution  as  unconstitutional,  1874,  loi.  (See 
Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  78;  of  1874,  Art.  67.) 

Classis  of  Kingston  proposes  changes  in  time  of  meeting  of  Particu- 
lar Synods— to  meet  once  in  five  years,  with  the  required  changes  in  Con- 
stitution as  to  nominating  delegates  to  General  Synod,  etc.  Referred  to 
a  Special  Committee,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  A.  G.  Vermilye  was  Chairman; 
1897,  684.  Report :  Elaborate  discussion,  showing  the  many  Constitu- 
tional changes  involved,  destroying  the  unity  of  the  whole  polity  of  the 
Church;  not  recommended;  1898,  145-150. 

Later  in  the  session  the  following  was  adopted: 

Whereas,  There  has  been  for  a  number  of  years  an  increasing  lack 
of  interest  in  the  Particular  Synods  of  our  Church,  and. 

Whereas,  The  overture  of  the  Synod  of  1897,  which  was  put  into  the 
hands  of  a  committee,  who  reported  unfavorably  at  this  session,  because 
it  was  not  feasible;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  Revs.  A.  G.  Vermilye,  D.D.,  Edward  B.  Coe,  D.D., 
and  J.  S.  N.  Demarest,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  consider  the  whole 
subject  of  the  origin,  connections  relating  to  our  Church  polity  and  gov- 
ernment, and  the  uses,  past,  present,  and  future  of  the  Particular  Synods; 
and,  if  possible,  to  devise  some  plan  of  adjustment,  which  will  be  more 
efficient  and  satisfactory  to  the  whole  Church  than  the  plan  at  present 
existing.  ,    o        j 

Resolved.   That    this    committee    report    to    the    next    General    Synod. 

Report  of  Speeial  Committee  of  1898,  259. 
[Abstract.] 
The  subject,  broad  and  difficult;  can  only  report  in  reference  to  the 


PARTICULAR  SYNODS  489 

origin,  purposes,  place  and  uses  of  the  Particular  Synod.  The  persecuted 
Christians  of  the  Netherlands  organized  themselves  into  local  churches, 
which  were  at  first,  independent  of  each  other.  In  1568,  about  20  churches 
formed  the  Synod  of  Wesel.  There,  was  laid  the  germ  of  our  polity  in 
the  Classis,  for  unity  of  doctrine  and  discipline,  for  mutual  help  and  edifi- 
cation. Classes  soon  multiplied.  Then  came  in  the  district  idea,  the 
union  of  several  contiguous  Classes  into  a  district  Synod.  This  received 
National  Church  sanction  at  the  second  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  1575,  which 
declared  that,  "in  order  that  good  and  lawful  government  may  be  es- 
tablished in  the  churches  of  the  Netherlands,  it  is  useful  to  have  four 
ecclesiastical  assemblies. — First,  a  Consistory  in  every  congregation ;  Sec- 
ond, The  Classical  Assembly;  Third,  the  Particular  Synod,  [Bijzonder, 
separate,  particular,  peculiar,  special]  ;  Fourth,  the  General  or  National 
Synod..  The  keynote  was  Union,  in  the  congregation,  in  the  district,  in 
the  province,  in  the  nation.  Under  such  a  system  was  the  National  Church 
established  in   1578. 

Now  our  American  (Dutch)  Church  adhered  to  the  ancestral  pat- 
tern. As  to  the  purpose  and  use  of  the  Particular  Synod,  it  comes  in 
as  a  means  of  combined  action  among  the  Classes.  As  the  churches  are 
no  longer  separate  units,  because  of  the  Classis,  so  the  Classes  are  no 
longer  separate  units,  because  of  the  Particular  Synod.  Thereby,  the 
Classes  have  common  interests,  and  mutual  helpfulness,  which  they  would 
not  have,  each  one  standing  alone.  The  Particular  (or  District)  Synod 
is  the  first  and  more  intimate  bond  of  union  among  the  Classes, — the  pre- 
liminary step  to  that  larger  union,  the  Denominations,  the  Church.  *  *  * 
What  now  is  the  use  of  the  Particular  Synod.  We  have  considered 
its  origin  and  purpose.  The  Constitution  assigns  to  it  certain  functions ; 
"to  form  new  Classes;"  "to  transfer  congregations;"  "to  exercise  a  gen- 
eral superintendence  over  the  spiritual  interests  and  concerns  of  the  sev- 
eral Classes;"  and  an  "appellate"  jurisdiction  in  matters  of  discipline. 
These  duties  are  only  occasional.  It  is  also  a  Court  of  final  appeal  in 
certain  matters.  But  its  principal  use  is :  "Superintendence  over  the  spir- 
itual interests  and  concerns  of  the  several  Classes."  The  Classes  send  up 
their  books  for  inspection;  also  their  reports  on  the  state  of  religion; 
their  statistical  tables;  their  list  of  licenses  and  ordinations;  the  detailed 
answers  to  the  Constitutional  Questions" ;  and  all  this  is  done  "for  the 
information  of  the  higher  judicatories."  But  if  this  is  done  in  a  perfunc- 
tory manner,  then  the  main  use  of  the  Particular  Synod  is  nullified. 

What  is  needed  is  a  better  understanding  of  the  place,  purpose  and 
"uses"  of  the  Particular  Synod.  It  is  all  contained  in  "the  superintendence 
over  the  spiritual  interests  and  concerns  of  the  several  Classes  within  its 
bounds."  The  religious  condition  should  be  discussed,  and  made  helpful 
and  interesting  to  all.  If  revivals  are  reported,  the  topic  may  be  the  im- 
pulse of  new  life.  If  there  is  little  spirituality  reported,  it  is  the  Synod's 
business,  to  devise,  if  possible,  joint  means  of  helpfulness  and  remedy. 

Resolved,  That  to  increase  the  interest  and  effectiveness  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synods,  and  to  give  them  more  fully  the  place  they  were  designed 
to  occupy  in  our  denominational  system,  the  "superintendence"  (assigned 
to  them  in  the  Constitution)  "over  the  spiritual  interests  and  concerns 
of  the  several  Classes  within  their  bounds,"  is  of  the  utmost  importance, 
and  should  be  carried  out,  not  as  a  matter  of  routine  or  formal  report, 
but  in  the  spirit  of  mutual  helpfulness  and  desire  for  the  spiritual  growth 
and  prosperity  of  each  and  all ;  and  their  attention  is  hereby  earnestly 
called  to  this  matter,  and  the  devising  of  means  to  this  end.  1899,  496- 
502. 

The  General  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church  in  1900,  suggested 
the  following : 

As  to  Particular  Synods:  We  find  a  general  expression  that,  as  at 
present   conducted,   they   are   not   accomplishing   so   much   as   they   might. 


490         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Your  Committee,  therefore,  recommend  that,  so  far  as  possible,  the  field 
of  usefulness  of  the  Particular  Synod  be  extended,  by  making  it,  in  ad- 
dition to  its  specified  ecclesiastical  purposes,  more  of  a  Conference,  in 
which  all  general  church  activities  shall  be  represented.  We  believe  that 
should  this  idea  be  carried  out,  it  would  do  much  to  stimulate  interest 
in  denominational  work. 

To  this  end  we  recommend  that  the  Particular  Synods  be  requested 
to  appoint  annually,  a  Standing  Committee  of  five,  of  which  the  President 
shall  be  Chairman,  and  the  Stated  Clerk  the  Secretary,  to  arrange  plans 
for  holding  at  the  succeeding  meeting,  a  public  meeting,  in  connection 
with  the  regular  work  of  the  Synod,  at  which  representatives  from  our 
Seminaries  and  Colleges  shall  be  invited  to  speak;  and  that  in  addition 
to  the  regular  presentation  of  the  Educational  and  Missionary  Work, 
which  should  include  the  Women's  Departments,  representatives  from 
Christian  Endeavor  Societies,  and  from  the  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and 
Philip,  be  heard. 

With  such  a  public  meeting,  well  advertised  in  the  region  where  the 
Synod  is  to  meet,  the  convening  of  a  Particular  Synod  would  be  looked 
forward  to  with  general  interest,  not  only  by  the  local  church  in  which 
the  Synod  met,  but  by  all  in  the  vicinity.     1900,  840-1. 

Passaic,  Classis  of.  Organized  in  1839,  consisting  then  of  the 
churches  of  Fairfield,  Little  Falls,  Montville,  Pompton,  Pompton  Plains, 
Ponds,  Preakness,  Stonehouse  Plains,  Wyckoff. 

Passion  of  Christ.     Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  20;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  37-46. 

Pastoral  Associations.  These  have  frequently  existed,  from  the 
earliest  times,  as  local  associations  of  pastors  for  consultations  about  their 
work,  and  for  the  discussion  of  Biblical,  Theological  and  Practical  Themes. 
Such  a  one  was  attempted  in  New  York,  in  1704,  by  the  energetic  Mr. 
Elias  Neau,  but  not  with  very  great  success.  It  was  intended  to  bring 
together  the  Dutch,  the  French  and  the  Episcopalian  ministers.  See  Dr. 
Dix's  Hist,  of  Trinity  Ch.,  Vol.  I.,  156;  and  Ecc.  Records  of*  X  Y.,  under 
date.  The  Collegiate  Consistory  Room,  in  connection  with  the  North 
Dutch  Church,  on  Fulton  St.,  New  York,  was,  from  the  close  of  the 
Revolution,  for  a  century,  a  general  meeting  place  of  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed Pastors  of  the  city  and  the  vicinity.  Pastors'  Associations  were 
also  sometimes  held,  about  the  middle  of  the  19th  centur\-,  during  the 
sessions  of  the  General  Synod.  See  Ch.  Int.  of  Ap.  7.  1864,  etc.  These 
lasted  for  two  evenings,  with  a  prepared  paper  of  not  more  than  45 
minutes,  and  three  addresses  of  not  more  than  15  minutes  each.  It  was 
about  1864,  that  the  present  Pastoral  Association  of  New  York  was 
formed,  and  has  been  maintained  ever  since.  IMany  other  local  organiza- 
tions have  since  arisen,  as  The  Hudson  River  Pastoral  Association,  the 
Mohawk  Valley,  etc. 

Pastoral  Letters.  The  General  Synod  has  occasionally  issued  "Pas- 
toral Letters"  to  all  the  churches,  to  stimulate  them  in  the  spiritual  life 
and  in  the  various  activities  of  the  Church.  They  have  been  printed  in 
connection  with  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod,  but  have  not  been  issued 
as  frequently  of  late,  as  formerl3^  Perhaps  the  Reports  on  the  State 
of  Religion  now  take  the  place.  The  following  are  some,  if  not  all,  of 
them : 

In  1800,  300,  304-7,  on  importance  of  vital  religion;  the  Sabbath; 
family  religion ;  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus ;  the  practical  virtues ;  necessity 
of  ministers;  importance  of  a  Theological  Seminary  and  its  endowment. 

In  1807,  368-378,  a  letter  or  address  on  the  necessity  of  a  learned 
ministry;  an  abstract  of  it  is  given  under  ''New  Brunswick  Seminary," 
under  date. 

In  1812,  430,  440,  on  a  Day  of  Fasting,  Humilation  and  Prayer — in 
anticipation  of  the  War  of  1812. 


PASTORAL  LETTERS  491 

1817,  46-52.  Warning  against  those  errors  which  are  prevalent  and 
dangerous;  object  of  the  Church;  the  Theological  School;  Missions. 

1822,  66.  The  awakening  of  the  Church ;  increasing  spirit  of  har- 
mony, love  and  union ;  great  importance  of  Missions ;  also  of  the  The- 
ological School ;  duty  of  sustaining  it. 

1823,  61-63.  The  Theological  School;  partial  success  of  the  en- 
dowment in  the  southern  part  of  the  Church ;  duty  of  completing  the  en- 
dowment ;  three  Professors  necessary ;  the  unhappy  Secession  of  1822 ; 
mistaken  views  of  many ;  exhortation  to  the  Seceders. 

1824,  61-63.  Prosperity  of  some  churches ;  lack  of  prosperity  in 
others ;  partial  success  of  the  endowment  for  the  Theological  School ; 
exhortation  not  to  fall  back ;  remember  the  venerable  Livingston  at  its 
head;  necessity  of  fidelity;  some  sons  of  strife;  importance  of  holding 
fast  to  the  faith ;  exhortation  to  pastors,  to  elders  and  deacons ;  our  op- 
portunities soon  pass. 

Special  Pastoral  Letters. 

1813,  39,  to  the  Classis  of  Ulster. 

1821,  51,  60,  to  the  congregations  of  Sharon  and  New  Rhinebeck. 

1820,  13,  74-76.  On  Missions ;  missionaries  going  forth  to  China,  In- 
dia, Africa,  in  the  wilds  of  America,  and  to  the  islands  of  the  sea ;  the 
awakening  of  the  Church  to  this  object;  six  agencies  here  existing  for 
the  evangelizing  of  the  world ;  viz.,  the  American  Board ;  the  United  For- 
eign Missionary  Society ;  the  Baptist  Board ;  the  Moravian  Board ;  the 
Methodist  Board ;  and  the  American  Bible  Society.  The  R.  D.  C.  in 
connection  with  the  United  Miss.  Soc. — Importance  of  Home  Missions ; 
duty  of  R.  D.  C.  in  this  field.  A  plan  to  be  sent  to  all  for  co-operation ; 
exhortation  to  duty. 

1831,  375,  390.  Signs  of  the  times ;  duty  of  watchfulness ;  of  stand- 
ing fast  in  the  faith ;  importance  of  vital  piety  and  activity ;  the  gift 
of  the  Spirit ;  danger  of  mistaken  zeal ;  enemies  more  insidious  as  vic- 
tory approaches ;  duty  of  believing,  importunate  prayer. 

1835,  415-420.  Duty  of  praying  for  laborers  for  the  harvest;  call, 
loud,  for  ministers  and  missionaries;  Seminary  now  on  a  permanent 
foundation ;  duty  of  supporting  students ;  Christ's  command ;  address 
to  the  youth — how  they  may  best  serve  the  Lord. 

1862,  219-223.  Barren  years ;  churches  supplied  with  pastors ;  small 
results ;  God  is  not  slack  concerning  his  promises ;  our  lack  of  zeal ; 
national  chastisement;  not  our  own;  lack  of  benevolence;  disuse  of  dis- 
cipline; neglect  of  family  prayer  and  parental  religious  instruction;  look 
diligently,  lest  any  man  fail. 

Nov.,  1867,  353-6.  On  the  change  of  name ;  planting  of  the  Church ; 
appendages  added  to  the  designation  of  the  Church  ;  almost  a  unanimous 
vote  for  the  change ;  old  name  "Reformed  Church"  restored ;  have  all 
the  elements  for  success ;  duty  of  all  having  "a  mind  to  work" ;  exhorta- 
tions to  parents;  to  Christian  sisters;  to  young  men;  to  Christian  men 
of  wealth ;  to  brethren  in  the  ministry. 

1869,  588,  674-7.  Position  of  R.  C.  A.  as  to  doctrine  and  polity;  the 
care  for  the  young;  aim  of  our  Catechism — to  develop  gracious  disposi- 
tions ;  too  much  neglected ;  the  Bible  supreme,  but  the  Catechism  arms 
against  error ;  duty  of  reviving  catechetical  instruction ;  our  worship 
semi-liturgical ;  value  of  the  sacramental  forms ;  importance  of  congre- 
gational singing;  duty  and  value  of  prayer. 

In  1883,  366,  pastors  were  recommended  to  read  the  reports  on  Sys- 
tematic Beneficence,  and  on  the  State  of  Religion,  from  their  pulpits. 
See  1884,  573- 

1885,  791-3.     Letter  on  Systematic  Beneficence. 

1886,  63,  64,  207-210.     On  the  supply  of  the  Ministry. 

1895,  109.  Pastoral  letter  on  Missions  ordered.  Not  printed  in  the 
Minutes. 


492         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1900,  829,  (3),  845.  committee;  the  letter,  1901,  1084-1091,  on  the  vi- 
tally important  duty  of  instruction  of  the  young  in  Christian  doctrine 
by  pastors  themselves. 

Pastoral  Relation.  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  59,  17;  [of  1833,  Arts. 
20,  78;  of  1792,  Arts.  4,  ID,  II.]     See  Expediency. 

Pastoral  Theology.  See  Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  S.  Cannon's  Lectures  on  Pas- 
toral Theology,  8vo.  pp.  617;  1853;  and  Rev.  Dr.  David  D.  Demarest's 
Pastoral  Theology.  i2mo,  pp.  202;  1897.  Noticed,  1897,  612.  Also  Rev. 
Dr.  F.  S.  Schenck's  Modern  Practical  Theology,  1903. 

Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric.  This  name  of  a  Pro- 
fessorship, 1865- 1898,  was  changed  to  that  of  "Practical  Theology."  1899, 
371- 

Pastoral  Visitation.     See  Ministers. 

Pastors.     See  "Forms  of  Ordination"  and  "Installation." 

Pastors'  Classes — urgently  commended.     1900,  827. 

Peabody,    ,    (Prof.)     Teacher    of    elocution    in    New    Biunswick 

Seminary  for  many  years,  1885,  617;   1886,  10,  11,  etc. 

Peace  Conference.     See  Arbitration. 

Pelagianism.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  14,  15. 

Pella,  Classis  of — Iowa.  Organized  1904,  consisting  then  of  the 
churches  of  Bethany,  Bethel,  Bethlehem,  Ebenezer,  Galesburg,  Killduff, 
Muscatine,  Pella,   ist,  Pella,  2d,   Pella,  3d,  Pella,  4th.   Sully. 

Pella,  Ia.,  School  at,  1865,  622. 

Peltz,  Philip,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Bd.  of 
Foreign  Missions,  1860-5  ;  on  many  important  Committees. 

Penitents.  How  re-admitted  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  when  excom- 
municated ;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  108.     See  also  Form  of  Re-admission. 

Pennsylvania  Ccetus.  Allusions  to,  1786,  151;  1787,  157.  See  Refd. 
Ch.  in  U.  S. 

Perjury.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  99-102.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  80; 
of  1833,  102;  of  1874,  91. 

Permanent  Clerk.  First  appointment — Rev.  S.  S.  Woodhull.  His 
duty — "to  attend  every  meeting  of  General  Synod,  and,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  pro  tempore  clerks,  record  the  proceedings  of  Synod,  according 
to  the  list  of  Lemmata,  and  to  make  out  a  fair  copy  of  these  Minutes  for 
publication,  which  he  shall  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Stated  Clerk ;  and 
that  for  these  services,  he  be  allowed  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars  annually; 
1815,  5;  must  furnish  the  Bd.  of  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  an  attested 
copy  of  the  detailed  "Plan  of  the  Theological  College''  adopted  by  this 
Synod.  Oct.,  1815,  15  ;  must  notify  all  Committees  of  their  appointment, 
1817,  40;  three  sets  of  the  printed  Minutes  to  be  deposited  in  his  hands 
for  use  of  General  Synod,  1817,  43 ;  to  prepare,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  Special  Treasurer,  an  "Annual  Digest''  of  the  debts  and  credits,  and 
probable  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  Gen.  Synod,  with  suggestions, 
Oct..  1817,  16;  the  duties  of  the  Stated  and  Permanent  Clerks  hereafter 
to  devolve  upon  the  Permanent  Clerk,  who  shall  be  styled  the  Stated 
Clerk ;  the  recent  Permanent  Clerk  refused  the  salary  due  him  since  ap- 
pointment 1818,  40;  report  of  the  late  Permanent  Clerk  and  Special  Treas- 
urer, of  the  "Annual  Digest,"  1818,  48-59. 

The  "Permanent  Clerkship"  was  abolished,  1818-1855. 
Its  Restoration. 

Whereas,  The  business  of  this  Synod  has  so  greatly  increased  as  to 
render  the  duties  of  the  Stated  Clerk  exceedingly  oppressive, 

Resolved.  That  a  new  officer  be  elected,  to  be  called  the  Permanent 
Clerk,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  assist  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  that  the  divi- 


PERMANENT  COMMITTEES  493 

sion  of  labor  be  arranged  between  the  two  officers ;  and  that  his  necessary 
expenses,  when  in  attendance  upon  the  meetings  of  General  Synod,  be 
paid. 

The  Rev.  Thos.  C.  Strong  was  elected  such  Permanent  Clerk.  1855, 
619. 

Rev.  Thos.  C  Strong  resigned  the  office ;  receives  thanks  of  Synod, 
1862,  114,  209.     Office  left  vacant. 

Permanent  Clerk  restored.  Division  of  labor  to  Be  arranged  between 
this  officer  and  the  Stated  Clerk.  Permanent  Clerk  to  receive  $50  salary, 
and  expenses  while  attending  Synod.  Rev.  Paul  D.  Van  Cleef  appointed, 
1869,  663.  Office  became  vacant  by  his  election  to  the  Stated  Clerkship; 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  Ten  Eyck  elected  Permanent  Clerk.  Salary  to  be  $100. 
1871,  341- 

Rev.  Wm.  H.  Ten  Eyck  made  temporarily  Stated  Clerk  on  account 
of  the  illness  of  Dr.  Van  Cleef,  S.C. ;  and  Rev.  Daniel  Van  Pelt  made 
Permanent  Clerk,  p.t.     1886,  201. 

The  details  of  the  entertainment  of  the  members  of  the  General 
Synod,  and  others  attending  upon  its  sessions,  and  all  arrangements  as 
to  special  terms  with  railroads  and  boats,  were  committed  to  the  Per- 
manent Clerk.  His  salary  increased  to  $150. — 1899,  924;  further  details, 
1891,  427-8;  the  Permanent  Clerk  made  Stated  Clerk,  p.t.  on  account  of 
the  illness  of  the  Stated  Clerk;  1895,  10;  Rev.  A.  H.  Demarest,  made 
Permanent  Clerk,  p.  t.  1895,  227;  the  salary  of  Dr.  Ten  Eyck,  the  Tem- 
porary [Stated]  Clerk,  increased  to  $200. — 1895,  506;  to  $300.  1903,  534. 
Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Ten  Eyck  resigns  the  Permanent  Clerkship ;  Rev. 
Henry  Lockwood  elected  in  his  place ;  1906.     See  Stated  Clerk. 

Permanent  Committees.  Several  such  have  been  appointed:  On 
Systematic  Beneficence,  1888,  622;  '89,  846;  '90,  138. — On  Sabbath  Ob- 
servance, 1890,  151 ;  '95,  161. — On  Finances  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary, 
1900,  716. — On  Sunday  Schools  and  Cathechetical  Instruction,  1895,  103 ; 
name  changed  to  that  of  "Permanent  Com.  on  Sunday  Schools  and  Young 
People's  Societies,  1890,  748,  750.  In  1898,  115,  the  President  of  Synod 
was  requested  to  appoint  the  Permanent  Com.  on  Cathechetical  Instruc- 
tion and  S.  Ss.  as  the  yearly  Standing  Com.  on  that  subject.  The  re- 
quest, 1899,  465,  to  put  the  Young  People's  Societies  under  charge  of  the 
S.  S.  Com.,  was  not  granted.  In  1900,  777,  the  request  that  the  Permanent 
Com.  on  Catechetical  Instruction  and  S.  Ss.  be  discontinued,  was  not 
granted. 

Resolved,  That  all  Permanent  Committees,  and  Committees  report- 
ing on  unfinished  business  of  a  previous  Synod,  be  requested  to  have  their 
reports  in  readiness  for  the  action  of  the  Synod  at  the  opening  of  its 
sessions  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed  to  inform  such  Com- 
mittees of  this  action  within  one  month  of  the  meeting  of  the  Synod. 
1902,  153. 

Permanent  Contingent  Fund.  1856.  See  Contingent  Expenses; 
Corporation,  Bd.  of  Direction  of;  Permanent  Professorial  Fund,  under 
date. — Contingent  Expenses,  before  1856,  had  been  chiefly  paid  from  col- 
lections and  the  Permanent  Professorial  Fund ;  '56,  41 ;  '64,  474.  Defi- 
ciencies arose;  Oct.,  '55,  20.  Necessity  of  a  permanent  way  of  meet- 
ing contingent  expenses.  Committees  appointed  to  act,  failed  to  do  so; 
'56,  101-2;  '57,  136,  212.  Bd.  of  Direction  to  act  according  to  their  dis- 
cretion; Oct.,  '57,  255.  Review  of  difficulties  involved.  $15,000  needed, 
to  produce  the  necessary-  income.  Churches  urged  to  raise  this  amount ; 
'58,  277,  341-2.  Bd.  of  Direction  ordered  to  employ  Agents,  to  raise  a 
"Permanent  Contingent  Fund"  of  $30,000;  '59,  378,  447-8.  A  small  be- 
ginning of  $725.96;  and  the  Board  urged  to  employ  Agents:  '60.  487-8, 
557.  The  War  delayed  success;  not  quite  $1,000  in  '61,  12,  13,  77. — In 
'63,  271,  328,  a  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  whole  matter.     [See 


494         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

under  Contingent  Expenses,  I'll.,  1864;  and  "Twenty  Thousand  Dollar 
Assessment.]  Effort  to  raise  a  Permanent  Contingent  Fund"  discour- 
aged; '64,  480.  [1868,  405-6.]  Yet  the  "Permanent  Contingent  Fund" 
continued  to  grow  slowly,  by  accumulation.  In  i860,  it  began  with  $725.96; 
in  1872,  this  had  grown  to  $1,911,  23,  and  the  Synod  took  the  following 
action:  That  the  Board  of  Direction  resume  their  efforts  to  raise  a 
''Permanent  Fund,"  to  be  known  as  the  "Contingent  Expense  Account," 
for  insurance,  repairs,  painting,  etc. ;  improvement  of  Seminary  Grounds 
and  current  expenses ;  and  that  Agents  be  employed  to  secure  such  Fund ; 
1872,  435-6.  It  was  also  directed  that  the  "Permanet  [Professorial]  Fund 
be  henceforth  styled  the  "Permanent  Seminary  Fund" ;  and  the  "Contin- 
gent Fund,"  be  known  as  the  "Permanent  Contingent  Fund" ;  '72,  436. 
[This  had  already  been  done  since  i860.] 

In  1878,  this  fund  began  to  pay  $12.30  interest,  annually,  into  the  Per- 
manent Seminary  Fund;  1878,  34;  but  the  order  to  do  this  does  not  ap- 
pear. In  1884,  the  Board  suggested  that  the  Permanent  Contingent  Fund 
and  the  Centennial  Seminary  Fund  be  merged  in  the  Permanent  Semi- 
nary Fund,  to  simplify  accounts.  Action  was  postponed,  and  never  taken 
up ;  '84,  423,  455- 

This  Fund  has  gradually  accumulated  until  in  1905,  it  amounted  to 
$4,590.97.     See  amount  each  year  in  the  Annual  Digest. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  instructed  to  add  to  the 
Permanent  Contingent  Fund  all  sums  received  by  said  Board  on  the  sales 
of  properties  owned  by  the  board,  or  which  may  hereafter  become  the 
property  of  the  board  through  process  of  foreclosure  after  deducting 
from  the  amounts  realized  on  such  sales  the  amount  of  the  original  loan 
and  expenses.     1905,  51. 

Permanent  Fund,  1815-1828.  For  history  of  the  earher  Funds,  see 
Professorial  Fund,  and  Special  Treasurer.  Owing  to  some  differences 
of  opinion  respecting  the  Professorial  Fund,  belonging  tct  the  General 
Synod,  but  administered  by  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  and  also  be- 
cause of  the  new  scheme  of  a  Theological  College,  in  which  the  College 
and  Synod  were,  in  general,  to  share  certain  expenses  equally  between 
them,  the  Synod  directed  its  Special  Treasurer,  (appointed  in  1812,  430), 
to  keep  a  distinct  account  of  all  funds  henceforth  collected  for  the  The- 
ological Professorship,  1815,  48;  Oct.,  1815,  12,  15;  and  out  of  this  cir- 
cumstance ultimately  grew  the  Permanent  Fund,  with  its  subsequent  modi- 
fications. The  Special  Treasurer,  with  others,  as  Trustees  for  the  Synod, 
invested  these  Funds,  Oct.,  1815,  15;  5820,  40,  until  they  were  passed  over 
to  the  Board  of  Corporation  in  1819,  when  the  Synod  became  incorporated. 
The  more  specific  history  is  as  follows : 

In  June,  1815,  p.  19,  the  Board  of  Superintendents  urged  the  im- 
portance of  Synod's  securing  a  Permanent  and  Adequate  Fund  to  meet 
the  necessities  of  the  Seminary.  On  the  suggestion  of  the  Committee  on 
the  Professorate,  1815,  42,  it  was  proposed  that,  in  order  to  meet  the  nec- 
essary expenditures  of  salaries,  aiding  needy  students,  and  adding  to  the 
Library,  agents  should  be  appointed  in  each  Classis,  to  solicit  annual  sub- 
scriptions of  at  least  fifty  cents  from  each  church  member,  in  addition 
to  the  means  already  devised  and  practised,  (referring  to  church  col- 
lections, etc.,  1812,  429.)  for  supporting  these  objects;  such  agents  to 
be  allowed  7  per  cent,  for  their  services. — A  suggestion  to  unite  the  Pro- 
fessorial and  this  new  Fund  in  one,  was  now  made,  but  postponed,  1815, 
45 — For  names  of  committees  to  select  such  Classical  agents,  see  1815, 
46,  47.  Their  duties  are  minutely  given:  They  are  to  visit  every  fam- 
ily ;  to  solicit  annual  subscriptions  of  at  least  50  cents,  receive  the  money, 
and  deposit  it  in  the  nearest  bank,  in  the  name  of  Isaac  L.  Kip,  Special 
Treasurer,  and  send  him  a  certificate  of  the  same;  and  he  was  to  keep 
a  distinct  account  of  moneys  thus  collected,  1815,  47,  48.  Such  was  the 
beginning  of  the  Permanent  Fund.     [These  funds  must  not  be  confounded 


PERMANENT  FUND  495 

with  those  ordered  in  1812,  429,  430,  and  which  were  subject  to  the  draft 
of  the  Treasurer  of  Queens  College.] 

In  the  Plan  of  the  Theological  College,  (Oct.,  1815,  9-19),  the  Synod 
agreed  to  pay  half  of  the  salaries  of  the  Professors  who  taught  in  the 
College  Department;  see  Professorial  Fund,  under  date  of  Oct.,  1815. 
The  next  year  these  committees  reported  moneys  subscribed  and  collected, 
to  the  amount  of  $5,061.27,  with  $805.44  from  church  collections.  There 
was  also  the  sum  of  $9,000  additional,  subscribed,  but  not  collected.  To- 
tal cash,  $5,866.81.  By  Nov.,  1815,  $4,300  of  this,  was  invested  in  stock 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  1816,  ^3,  40-  For  detailed  report,  see  1816, 
40.  Resolutions  were  now  also  passed  urging  these  same  committees  to 
raise  money  to  meet  pressing  current  expenses ;  that  Female  Societies, 
and  Cent  Societies  be  established  in  every  congregation;  and  that  the 
Professors'  salaries  be  paid  out  of  any  moneys  under  the  control  of  Synod, 
1816,  S3,  34',  1817,  33,  46.  As  Prof.  Schureman  was  to  receive  no  further 
emolument  from  the  College,  his  salary  was  fixed  at  $1,200,  with  a  resi- 
dence in  one  of  the  wings  of  the  College,  1817,  31.  Second  Special  Ac- 
count of  these  moneys,  1817,  45,  46.  The  total  income  of  Synod,  from 
the  Professorial  and  Permanent  Funds,  was  estimated  at  $1,930;  with 
additional  annual  subscriptions  outside  of  New  York,  of  $300;  and  col- 
lections in  the  churches,  $1,000,  making  a  total  of  $3,230;  but  the  re- 
ports of  the  Professorial  Fund  were  defective.  Both  treasurers  were 
now  requested  to  give  detailed  reports  to  Synod.  The  usual  resolutions 
urging  collections  and  subscriptions  were  repeated,  1817,  32,  33. 

Agents  were  again  appointed  to  solicit  moneys  for  current  expenses, 
annual  donations,  and  subscriptions  to  the  Permanent  Fund  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  Theological  Professors ;  these  shall  be  put  in  the  hands  of 
the  Special  Treasurer;  "and  the  Synod  do  hereby  pledge  themselves  to 
all  subscribers  and  donors  to  the  Permanent  Fund,  that  nothing  but  th» 
interest  of  said  Fund  thus  vested,  in  the  hand  of  the  Special  Treasurer, 
shall  be  appropriated  to  the  support  of  the  Professorate,"  Oct.,  1817, 
19. — For  Special  Treasurer's  Report,  1818,  see  pp.  41,  45-46. — In  the  first 
"Annual  Digest,"  the  Permanent  Fund  is  put  at  $7,008;  1818,  54,  58.  It 
was  now  ordered  that  moneys  collected  on  the  subscriptions  of  1815, 
48,  be  added  to  the  Permanent  Fund,  1818,  55,  62.  [These  would  be  for 
the  current  year  about  $800.] 

The  offices  of  "Questor,"  (who  kept  the  ordinary  account),  and  of 
"Special  Treasurer,"  (who  kept  Permanent  Fund  Account),  were  now 
discontinued,  and  one  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  was  appointed,  to  keep 
all  accounts,  1818,  62.  See  also  1819,  53.  A  Treasury  Board  was  ap- 
pointed to  make  investments,  1818,  56,  but  was  superseded  in  one  year, 
by  the  Incorporation  of  General  Synod,  1819,  46.  It  was  now  ordered 
that  the  stock  and  obligations  of  the  Permanent  Fund  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  General  Synod  as  an  Incorporated  Body ;  and  that  all  un- 
paid subscriptions  to  the  Funds  should  henceforth  be  paid  to  the  Board 
of  Direction  of  the  Corporation,  1820,  49 ;  and  that  annual  collections  must 
be  taken  up  in  every  congregation  for  the  Permanent  Fund  on  the  first 
Sabbath  of  May,  1820,  44,  49,  50.  The  agents  were  not  very  successful, 
1820,  50;  Oct.,  1820,  6,  7;  1821,  19,  20,  21.  An  elder  suggested  a  plan 
which  brought  unprecedented  success,  1822,  43-45 ;  that  100  subscribers 
should  be  sought,  who  would  give  $250  each  to  endow  a  Second  Profes- 
sorship. Abram  Van  Nest,  Isaac  Heyer  and  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  carry  this  plan  into  effect.  In  Feb.,  1823,  7, 
$20,000  had  been  thus  subscribed;  and  by  June,  the  sum  of  $26,675  was 
subscribed  by  the  southern  section  of  the  Church.  See  names,  1823,  6-9. 
The  same  committee  was  requested  to  collect  the  same  as  the  subscrip- 
tions became  due,  and  pay  it  over  to  the  Board  of  Direction,  who  were 
ordered  to  invest  the  same  on  real  security,  1823,  52.  With  any  surplus, 
over  the  $25,000,  they  were  directed  to  buy  the  College  Property  and  set- 


496         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

tie  accounts  with  the  Trustees,  1823,  53.  Other  committees  were  now  ap- 
pointed to  visit  Classes  and  Churches  not  yet  visited,  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  Church,  1825,  41;  Sept.,  1825,  29;  1826,  14,  56,  57.  Their  reports, 
with  names,  1827,  7-15;  total  amount  subscribed,  $29,241  ;  collected.  $16,925; 
yet  due,  $12,316. 

Upon  this  success  for  a  Second  Professorship,  it  was  suggested  that 
the  northern  section  of  the  Church  should  endow  a  Third  Professor- 
ship, and  Rev.  Dr.  John  Ludlow,  Christian  Miller  and  Ab.  Van  Dyck 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  carry  out  the  plan.  1823,  9,  52,  54.  The 
Board  of  Superintendents  referred  to  the  matter  in  their  report  and  ex- 
pressed their  hopes  for  the  success  of  the  Third  Professorship ;  and  sug- 
gested that  the  union  of  the  old  Professorial  Fund  [$9,750]  and  the  Per- 
manent Fund  [$12,451]  would  form  the  basis  for  a  First  Professorship, 
1824,  II.  Nine  persons  were  now  added  to  the  Committee  of  1823,  54. — 
1824,  55.  Success  again  crowned  these  efforts,  and  $26,594.98  were  soon 
subscribed  in  the  north;  Sept.,  1825,  6-17;  names  given  and  amounts. 
The  election  of  a  Third  Professor  was  at  once  proposed,  Sept.,  1825, 
25-27,  and  the  committees  to  solicit  subscriptions  were  continued.  The 
Board  of  Direction  was  ordered  to  issue  a  Statement  upon  the  finances, 
their  present  condition  and  prospects,  and  such  considerations  as  might 
tend  to  keep  alive  this  liberal  spirit.     10,000  copies  were  published. 

Abstract. 

They  stated  that  for  Professors'  salaries,  needy  students  and  con- 
tingencies, about  $5,700  were  annually  needed.  The  Synod  could  count 
on  about  $4,000,  without  counting  in  the  proceeds  of  collections.  Cent 
Societies,  and  25-cent  donations.  Hence,  $1,700  must  be  raised  from  these 
sources,  and  regularity  therein  was  of  great  importance.  Collections 
must  yet  be  taken  for  a  few  years.  The  necessity  of  Permanent  Funds 
was  very  great.  Only  the  interest  of  such  funds  will  henceforth  be  used. 
Their  benefit  is  perpetual.  Large  subscriptions  have  now  been  made, 
but  there  is  need  of  money  for  immediate  necessities.  The  subscriptions 
have  been  very  liberal ;  but  many  have  not  yet  given  anything,  and  others 
are  able  to  double  their  gifts.  The  Church  is  united  and  everything 
is  encouraging;  but  thereby  new  obligations  are  imposed.  The  College 
is  about  to  be  reopened ;  the  theological  Professors  are  also  to  teach 
therein,  and  other  Professors  have  been  appointed.  The  Synod  must  aid 
the  College  for  a  few  years.  Students  will  be  under  strict  religious  over- 
sight.    It  will  be  a  nursery  to  our  Seminary. 

This  is  signed  by  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Direction :  Henry 
Rutgers,  President;  Isaac  L.  Kip,  Cornelius  Heyer,  Selah  S.  Woodhull, 
Directors ;    Isaac    Heyer,   Treasurer ;    Eli    Baldwin,    Secretary. 

See  Sept.,  1825,  Appendix.     Six  pages. 

Further  returns  made  the  total  for  the  Third  Professorship,  $27,728.48, 
but  only  $5,000  had  yet  been  paid  in,  1826,  9-13,  27.  See  also  1826.  56; 
1827,  20,  29. 

The  Annual  Digest  for  1828,  gives  the  Permanent  Fund  as  $54,190. 
This  includes  the  old  Professorial  Fund,  and  all  moneys,  so  far  received, 
on  the  Second  and  Third  Professorships,  1828,  103-4,  107. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  moneys,  the  interest  of  which  is  appropriated 
to  the  support  of  the  Professors  of  the  Theological  College,  be  placed 
under  one  head,  to  be  denominated  "The  Permanent  Professorial  Fund 
OF  General  Synod,"  which  see.     1828,  131. 

See  also,  Corporation,  Bd.  of  Direction  of;  New  York,  Collegiate 
Church. 

Permanent  Fund,  1815-1828;  held  by  Synod's  Special  Treasurer, 
1815-1819,  and  then  by  the  Board  of  Corporation,  1819-1828. 


PERMANENT   FUND    ACCOUNT  497 

AMOUNT  REFERENCES 

INVESTED.         TO    MINUTES  REMARKS. 

OF  GEN.  SYNOD. 

1816   $5,061.27    1816,  33,  34,  40.       Salaries    paid    out     of     Principal. 

1 816,  34     $3,606.47. 
June,  1817      1,455-00    1817,    46. 
Oct.,  1817      1,643.97    Oct.,  1817,  7. 

1818  7,008.70    1818,   54,   58. 

1819  8,071.95    1819,    52,    70-72.       $1,150  of  stock  in  addition.    1819, 

52,  70. 

1820  9,13305    1820,  40,  49,  50. 

Oct.,   1820,  6. 

1821  9,605.95    1821,  19,  21,  35. 

1822  11,596.98  1822,  29. 

1823  12,451.09  1823,  26,  52. 

1824  12,817.80  1824,   24,   53-57. 

1825  27,210.05  1825,  17,  39.  Including    moneys    collected     for 

Second    Professorship. 

1826  36,066.41    1826,  27,  54-57.         Including    $5,000    of     moneys     of 

Third  Professorship. 

1827  36,066.41    1827,  29. 

1828  54,190.00    1828,  107,  129-13 1.    Including    the    $9,750    of    the    old 

Professorial  Fund. 

Permanent  Fund  Account.     1818,  49;  '19,  43. 

Permanent  Fund  of  Hope  College.     See  Hope  College.  ' 

Permanent  Fund  of  the  Board  of  Education.  See  Education. 
Board  of — near  the  close. 

Permanent  Fund  of  Western  Theological  Seminary.  See  West- 
ern Theological  Seminary. 

Permanent  Professor.  Dr.  J.  H.  Livingston  declared  the  one  Per- 
manent Professor,  1804,  339.     See  Professorate. 

Permanent  Professorial  Fund,  1828- 1872,  consisting  of  the  old  Pro- 
fessorial Fund,  1809-1828,  and  the  Permanent  Fund,  1815-1828,  which 
were  then  combined,  1828,  130,  v*^hich  see.  [Frequently  called,  for  brevity, 
the  Permanent  Fund.] 

Resolved,  That  all  the  moneys,  the  interest  of  which  is  appropriated 
to  the  support  of  the  Professors  of  the  Theological  College,  be  placed 
under  one  head,  to  be  denominated  "The  Permanent  Professorial  Fund 
of  General  Synod,"  1828,  131.  This  included,  besides  the  older  funds, 
all  the  moneys  collected  on  the  subscriptions  for  the  Second  and  Third 
Professorships,  1829,  172,  where  the  items  may  be  seen.  Total,  $58,590. 
[$5,000  of  this,  was  Col.  Rutgers'  bond,  the  interest  of  which  was  to  be 
paid  to  the  College,  1826.16.  This  item  was  not  separated  from  this  Fund 
until  1877,  633] 

A  system  of  paid  agents  was  now  employed  by  the  Board  of  Di- 
rection to  collect  the  unpaid  subscriptions  on  the  Second  and  Third  Pro- 
fessorships, and  to  obtain  new  subscriptions,  (i)  Rev.  Staats  Van  Sant- 
voord,  1828,  129,  130;  1829,  162-170;  collected,  $1,297;  new  subscriptions. 
$3,737;  paid  in,  $2,016.  (2)  Wm.  Schureman,  1830,  238,  291;  1831. 
320;  1832,  29-35;  1833,  166;  1835;  collected,  $3,311.81;  altogether,  in  cash 
and  subscriptions,  $6,811.75.  In  1832,  paid  in,  $1,681.44;  in  1833,  $1,243.25; 
in  1835,  $362.  In  all,  he  secured  in  cash  and  subscriptions,  $10,097.  (3) 
Rev.  John  F.  Schermerhorn.  1830,  238;  paid  in  $276,  and  obtained  much 
information  about  the  unpaid  subscriptions.  Synod  now  appointed  him 
their  own  General  Agent,  at  a  salary  of  $1,300  per  year,  and  expenses, 
to  raise  money  for  all  departments  of  the  Church — Missionary,  Educa- 
tional, Professorial,  1830,  291.  For  the  latter,  he  reported  the  next  year, 
$2,818   in   subscriptions;    [for   all    department,   $15,650];    1831,    375-6.     He 


498  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

was  reappointed,  1831,  377-8.  The  Board  of  Direction  was  also  allowed 
to  continue  to  appoint  agents  for  their  own  special  necessities,  1831,  373, 
the  General  Agent  was  relieved  of  duties  relating  to  the  Professorial 
Fund.     In  1832,  74,  he  paid  in  to  this  Fund,  $778. 

The  system  of  paid  agents  was  not  altogether  satisfactory,  because 
of  the  expense.  The  church  collections  for  the  Professorate  in  1830, 
amounted  to  only  $471,  and  the  25-cent  donations  for  the  same,  to  $263; 
but  these  sums,  with  all  the  interest  on  the  invested  funds  ($60,000)  had 
been  used  up  in  paying  agents  and  Professors.  It  was  also  estimated 
that  $10,000  of  the  subscriptions  were  probably  uncollectable.  (See  Maga- 
zine, R.  D.  C,  iv.,  317.)  1830,  239,  240.  The  election  of  two  new  Pro- 
fessors at  once,  upon  the  report  of  the  generous  subscriptions  had  led  to 
great  embarrassments ;  making  an  annual  deficiency  of  $2,000.  1830,  289- 
291.  To  relieve  this  distress,  a  Committee  consisting  of  Peter  D.  Vroom, 
Jr.,  Ab.  Van  Nest,  Ab.  Varick  and  Peter  Sharpe,  were  now  appointed  to 
raise  $30,000,  with  the  understanding  that  no  part  of  the  Principal  re- 
ceived, or  subscriptions  due,  shall  be  used;  but  that  money  must  be  bor- 
rowed to  meet  deficiencies,  Nov.,  1831,  9;  1832,  71;  Oct.,  1832,  135;  1834, 
252.  Agents  continued  to  be  employed  to  collect  funds,  1832,  27,  68 ;  and 
the  Board  of  Direction  repeatedly  asks  permission  to  borrow  from  the 
Principal,  but  Synod  refuses,  1832,  84,  85 ;  Oct.,  1832,  103-5 ;  1833,  166, 
217;  and  directs  them  to  borrow  $4,000  to  meet  present  indebtedness,  1833, 
165-8.  $1,243  had  been  collected  on  the  old  subscriptions,  but  it  cost  one 
half  for  agents  and  traveling  expenses,  1833,  167,  218;  therefore,  agents 
were  no  longer  to  be  employed.  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  J.  Janeway  and  elder 
John  V.  B.  Varick  were  added  to  the  Committee  of  Nov.,  1831,  9;  and 
they  reported  $5,000  subscribed  by  Gen.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  and 
$5,000  by  the  Collegiate  Church  of  New  York,  on  condition  that  $30,000 
were  secured,  1833,  220.  Additional  subscriptions  were  received ;  the  Com- 
mittee was  again  enlarged,  1834,  252-3,  324,-5,  and  success  attained.  $34,050 
were  subscribed,  and  $2,000  interest  was  paid  thereon,  1835,  344-353. 
Names  given.  These  subscriptions  were  believed  to  be  all  good,  and  that 
interest  would  be  promptly  paid,  until  the  principal  was  paid  in.  $7,033 
additional,  were  received  to  pay  $4,000  borrowed,  and  other  debts.  1835, 
347-355,  422-3.  This  fund  was  for  salaries  and  all  contingencies.  [The 
Contingent  Expenses  were  not  separated  from  this  Permanent  Fund 
until  1864,  479.]  The  Committee  had  raised  $41,083  in  all.  Thanks  were 
expressed  to  them  and  the  donors. 

The  Permanent  Professorial  Fund  stood  at  $66,000  in  1835.  Only 
$2,100  of  these  last  subscriptions  were  yet  paid  in;  nothing  was  counted 
in  the  Fund  except  moneys  actually  paid  in.  All  interest  on  the  subscrip- 
tions was  regularly  paid  until  1840,  when  arrearages  began.  During  the 
next  eleven  years,  however,  (1835-1846)  there  was  always  money  enough 
and  to  spare,  to  meet  all  expenses.  Professorial  and  Contingent,  1836,  40; 
1840,  335,  447.  In  1843,  147,  242-3,  it  was  suggested  that  the  unpaid  sub- 
scriptions be  reported.  In  1844,  295,  367,  interest  was  reduced  from  7 
to  6  per  cent. ;  and  in  the  same  year  Rutgers  College  put  in  a  claim  for 
repairs  for  10  years,  with  interest,  amounting  to  nearly  $3,500.  See  Con- 
tingent Expenses  under  date.  In  1846,  12,  a  formal  request  was  made 
to  all  subscribers  who  had  not  yet  paid,  to  pay  the  principal.  In  1847, 
116,  183,  a  deficiency  was  reported  of  $1,611,  largely  due  to  paying  the 
College,  on  compromise,  $1,500.  About  $5,250  of  the  subscription  were 
now  considered  uncollectable.  1848,  218,  276.  The  fund  stood  at  $71,830, 
and  the  unpaid  subscriptions  were  reported  at  $25,200.  There  was  an  an- 
nual deficit  of  about  $300.  Agents  were  again  employed  to  raise  $5,000, 
but  they  would  not  serve,  and  collections  were  ordered  in  the  churches, 
1849,  441,  497;  1850,  22,  90  91.  The  Board  was  unable  to  meet  the  sala- 
ries and  Contingent  Expenses,  and  Apportionment  of  the  deficit  was  at- 
tempted. [This  is  the  first  mention  of  Apportionment.]  But  in  1851, 
nearly  $5,000  of  the  subscriptions  for  the  Third  Professorship   [?]   were 


PERMANENT   PROFESSORIAL    FUND  499 

paid  in,  1851,  131,  189,  and  the  debt  was  nearly  extinguished.  Also  $4,131 
of  the  $6,000  apportionment  of  1850,  came  in ;  and  Ab.  Van  Nest  paid 
his  subscription  of  $5,000,  1852,  114,  273-4,  and  there  was  a  handsome  bal- 
ance in  the  treasury.     Money  plenty,  1853,  299 ;  1854,  397. 

But  now  the  salaries  of  the  Professors  were  increased  to  $1,800  each, 
with  $300  additional  to  Dr.  Campbell  for  house  rent,  Oct.,  1855,  20;  add- 
ing $800  to  the  expenses,  without  provision  to  meet  them.  This  amount 
had  been  borrowed,  1856,  102,  and  collections  were  again  ordered.  The 
next  two  years  apportionment  of  the  deficiency  was  again  resorted  to 
for  both  salaries  and  contingent  expenses,  1857,  136,  1858,  277,  342.  See 
Contingent  Expenses  and  Permanent  Contingent  Fund.  The  out- 
standing subscriptions  were  now  about  $7,000,  1857,  212.  The  estates 
now  paid  the  subscriptions  of  Henry  Qothout  and  David  L.  Haight,  of 
$500  each,  and  efforts  were  made  to  establish  a  Permanent  Contingent 
Fund,  1859,  378,  385,  387,  447;  i860,  489,  491;  assessments  or  apportion- 
ments were  continued. 

Owing  to  decrease  in  interest,  there  was  a  deficiency  in  1864,  of  $400 
to  meet  the  salaries,  and  the  Treasurer  had  advanced,  in  all,  $1,482,  1864, 
399.  The  whole  financial  problem  of  the  Church  is  ably  reviewed  in 
1864,  474-480,  in  which  Contingent  Expenses  are  defined  and  limited ; 
and  expenses  connected  with  the  Theological  Seminary  are  classified, 
for  which  $6,100  are  needed  yearl3^  The  real  Permanent  Professorial 
Fund  was  $85,780,  which  yielded  only  about  $5,200;  or  deducting  expenses 
of  administration,  (1873,  651),  only  $4,900  remained  for  Professorial  sala- 
ries, being  a  yearly  deficiency  of  about  $1,200,  to  produce  which  $20,000 
additional  should  be  added  to  the  Fund. 

It  was  now  proposed  that  this  $20,000  should  be  apportioned  among 
the  Classes,  while  at  the  same  time,  they  were  requested  to  submit  to 
an  assessment  to  meet  present  deficiency  of  income.  See  Resolutions 
and  Apportionment,  1864,  478-481. 

Owing  to  the  stringency  of  the  war-times,  $600  had  been  divided 
among  the  Professors,  by  gifts  of  friends,  and  Synod  allowed  Dr.  De- 
Witt  $500  (instead  of  $300)  for  house-rent,  1864,  482.  The  following 
action  was  also  taken : 

Whereas,  The  salaries  of  the  Professors  in  our  Theological  Semi- 
nary are  seriously  diminished  by  the  present  depreciation  of  the  value 
of  our  currency — which  deficiency  the  Synod  should  in  fairness  supple- 
ment— and  whereas,  the  income  from  the  Permanent,  Funds  is  not  suf- 
ficient to  provide  for  any  increase  of  their  salaries,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  this  Synod, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  raise,  in  any  way  which  their  judgment  shall 
approve,  a  sum  not  less  than  $1,500,  to  be  equally  divided  among  the 
three   Professors   in  the   Seminary,   for  the   current  year.     1864,  482-3. 

The  money  was  raised  and  divided  accordingly.     1865,  624. 

In  1865,  551,  624,  only  $6,785  of  the  $20,000  apportionment  to  increase 
the  Fund  had  come  in,  and  the  Classes  and  churches  were  exhorted  to 
do  their  share.  The  delinquents  were  to  be  notified  by  circular.  In  1866, 
I3»  99i  the  total  reached  $12,173.  Exhortations  continued,  and  in  1873, 
619,  the  total  received  was  $17,689.61. 

the  smith  endowment  and  its  consequences. 

Meanwhile  other  forces  were  at  work  which  brought  courage  and 
help  and  disappointment,  but  ultimately  great  success. 

The  Committee  on  Hertzog  Hall  had  been  authorized  to  secure  ad- 
ditional funds  to  put  the  Seminary  on  an  equality  with  the  best  Insti- 
tutions, 1857,  215.  (See  1867,  254-5.)  This  Committee  did  much  to  im- 
prove the  property,  but  for  a  time  did  nothing  toward  enlarging  this 
Permanent  Fund;  but  in  Sept.,  1864,  they  resolved  to  carry  out  the  sug- 
gestion of  1857.  In  1865,  they  are  able  to  report  a  subscription  of  $40,000 
by   Rev.    Nicholas   E.    Smith,   D.D.,   to   make   up   deficiencies   in   existing 


500         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

funds,  on  condition  of  an  additional  sum  of  $40,000  being  secured,  to 
endow  a  Fourth  Professorship.  This  additional  amount  has  been  nearh- 
secured.  The  Sjnod  expressed  its  thanks  to  Dr.  Smith,  and  resolved 
to  call  the  Third  Professorship  after  his  name,  1865,  548,  625-6.  His 
bond  was  received  for  $40,000  and  a  new  Professor,  for  a  Fourth  Chair 
was  at  once  elected,  Rev.  Dr.  David  D.  Demarest.  Interest  was  paid, 
($2,800),  to  enable  the  Synod  also  to  add  $700  to  the  salaries  of  each  of 
the  three  former  Professors,  1866,  91. — $30,412,  of  the  Fund  for  Fourth 
Professorship,  had  been  paid  in,  with  $269,  interest.  The  remaining 
$10,000  is  considered  good,  bonds  for  part  of  it  having  been  received. 
Dr.  DeWitt  had  been  the  principel  agent  in  securing  these  results,  1866, 
14,  92,  94.     (Reviewed,  1873,  653-5.) 

But  a  sad  reverse  now  occurs.  Dr.  Smith  meets  with  heavy  losses 
and  is  unable  to  pay  his  bond  for  $40,000.  He  had  paid  two  years'  inter- 
est, $5,600.  The  matter  was  referred  to  the  Board  of  Direction,  with 
power,  1867,  161,  266,  272^;  the  bond  was  cancelled,  1868,  379,  417. 
Names  of  subscribers,  with  amounts,  to  the  Fourth  Professorship,  are 
given,  1867,  257-262,  including  also  moneys  for  building  Professorial 
Residences,  amounting  in  all  to  $62,233.09. 

The  Hertzog  Hall  Committee,  at  their  own  request,  were  now  relieved 
of  further  responsibility  in  reference  to  raising  funds,  the  duty  falling 
chiefly  on  the  Professors,  1867,  257;  Nov.,  1867,  346.  (See  1868,  473,  478.) 
— A  Committee  consisting  of  James  Suydam,  Edward  L.  Beadle,  Jas.  A. 
Williamson,  Robt.  H.  Pruyn,  Ezra  A.  Hoyt,  Richard  Amerman,  Peter  S. 
Duryee  and  Johnson  Letson  were  now  appointed  as  an  Endowment 
Committee  in  behalf  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary  and  Hope  College,  with 
power,  1867,  271. — With  much  increased  real  estate,  new  buildings,  etc., 
deficiencies  of  income  continued.  Advances  for  salaries  and  contingent 
expenses  had  reached  $4,000,  which,  with  note  in  bank,  raised  the  in- 
debtedness to  $13,829.  The  Endowment  Committee  of  1867,  271,  had 
made  no  report;  this  Professorial  Fund  needed  $100,000  to  meet  the 
Smith  failure  and  other  necessities,  1868,  379,  414-417;  and  *the  Board 
of  Direction  (and  the  Hertzog  Hall  Committee,  now  re-organized.  1868, 
473,  478),  were  directed  to  secure  this  amount,  1868,  417.  The  Hertzog 
Hall  Committee  were  authorized  to  employ  an  agent,  1868,  478,  for  the 
endowment  and  support  of  the  Seminary.  They  appointed  Rev.  Dr.  Jas. 
A.  H.  Cornell,  1869,  555-6,  646.  He  was  made  a  member  of  the  Hertzog 
Hall  Committee,  and  reported  a  gift  of  $40,000  from  Jas.  Suydam.  to 
found  the  chair  to  be  called  "The  Jas.  Suydam  Professorship  of  Didac- 
tic AND  Polemic  Theology,  etc.,"  1869,  645-6.  [This  fund,  with  its  addi- 
tions, does  not  belong  in  the  Permanent  Professorial  Fund,  proper.] 
Dr.  Cornell  reported  in  1870,  15,  16,  114,  the  addition  of  $16,950  to  the 
Permanent  Prof.  Fund.  $9,767  had  been  borrowed  from  Permanent  Prof. 
Fund,  in  paying  for  Professorial  Residences,  which,  with  advances  for 
salaries,    agents,    repairs,    and    contingent    expenses,    make    $20,974    more, 

1870,  16-18,  47,  or  in  all,  $30,741.  An  appeal  was  made  for  $1  from 
each  member  of  the   Church,   1870,  48,   114,  but   with  very   small   results, 

1871,  184-5.  $14,000  had  also  been  subscribed,  for  the  Permanent  Fund 
or  repairs  to  Hertzog  Hall.  $7,700  of  this  have  been  received.  Hoping 
that  the  churches  would  meet  the  expenses  of  these  repairs,  these  sub- 
scriptions have  been  put  to  the  credit  of  the  Permanent  Fund.  Only  a 
small  part  of  the  subscriptions  secured  by  Dr.  Cornell  are  yet  available. 
Hence  advances  from  Permanent  Fund  must  be  replaced,  as  they  have 
lessened  the  revenue,  1871,  185-7.  The  income  was  $13,544.  while  the 
amount  expended  in  salaries,  repairs,  contingent  expenses  and  interest 
was  $26,332.  This  deficiency,  with  former  balance  of  $20,974.  makes  pres- 
ent deficiency  $3:^,762.  The  regular  income  from  the  fund  is  only  about 
half  sufficient  to  meet  the  growing  expenses  of  Synod.  It  is  expected  that 
Dr.  Cornell  will  secure  funds  sufficient  thoroughly  to  endow  the  Institu- 
tion.    Of    the    $118,000    received    during    the    year,    a    large    portion    was 


PERMANENT    PROFESSORIAL    FUND  501 

spent  for  buildings  and  the  endowment  of  the  Library,  1871,  217,  218. 
The  services  of  Dr.  Cornell  were  continued,  1871,  322. 

With  a  deficiency  in  1872  of  $7,547,  the  total  indebtedness  became 
$41,309.  The  Board  proposed  withdrawing  the  $7,700  put  in  the  Perma- 
nent Fund,  and,  perhaps,  the  balance  of  $6,300  ($14,000  in  all)  to  reduce 
the  indebtedness.  The  cost  of  endowment  also  [Dr.  Cornell,  $5,000 
per  year,  1871,  218;  see  also  four  such  payments  in  Treasurer's  reports], 
is  not  exorbitant,  considering  that  the  agent  has,  in  two  and  a  half 
years,  added  $165,000  to  the  funds  and  property  of  Synod,  and  subscrip- 
tions for  $64,000  more.  Yet  these  expenses  have  swelled  the  indebted- 
ness. He  has  also  good  prospect  of  securing  additional  sums,  to  make 
$300,000  in  all,  1872,  405-6.  Dr.  Cornell,  for  certain  reasons,  now  resigned, 
but  was  induced  to  resume  his  work,  1872,  408,  436.  The  Permanent 
Prof.  Fund  was  actually  reduced  by  the  items  mentioned,  $41,309,  dimin- 
ishing  the    income    accordingly.     The    following   action    was    now    taken : 

In  consequence  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  income  from  the  Permanent 
Fund  of  General  Synod  to  meet  its  liabilities,  your  Committee  would 
most  respectfully  and  earnestly  invite  the  attention  of  the  Synod  to  the 
following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  That  the  special  endowment  by  James  Suydam  of  forty 
thousand  dollars  ($40,000)  for  the  Professorship  of  Didactic  and  Polemic 
Theology  be  kept  sacred,  the  interest  thereof  to  be  used  exclusively  for 
the  payment  of  the  salary  of  said  Professorship ;  also  of  any  other  sum 
or  sums,  given  or  hereafter  given  by  James  Suydam  for  the  above  said 
purposes,  and  that  the  principal  of  all  of  said  sum  or  endowments  shall 
be  kept  intact. 

Resolved,  That  as  soon  as  the  Permanent  Fund  shall  amount  to  a 
sum,  the  interest  of  which  shall  be  adequate  to  equalize  the  salaries 
of  each  of  the  other  three  Professors,  with  that  of  the  Professor  of 
Didactic  Theology,  it.  together  with  all  endowments  specially  donated 
to  either  of  the  said  Professorships,  shall  be  invested,  and  the  income 
thereof  used  exclusively  for  the  salaries  of  said  Professorships,  and  that 
the  principal  of  said  endowments,  and  Permanent  Funds,  be  kept  intact 
for  said  above  purposes. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  are  hereby  most  respectfully 
requested  to  resume  their  efforts,  to  raise  also  a  permanent  fund,  to  be 
known  as  the  Contingent  Expense  Fund  of  General  Synod,  for  insurance, 
repairs,  painting,  etc.,  of  the  Seminary  buildings,  protection  of  the 
grounds,  and  current  expenses  of  General   Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  requested  to  obtain  the 
services  of  such  agent  or  agents  as  they  will  approve,  and  that  they 
inaugurate  such  measures  as  in  their  judgment  will  procure  the  above 
most  desirable  and  essential  fund,  at  as  early  a  day  as  possible. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  be  requested  here- 
after to  report  the  Permanent  Fund  as  the  '^Permanent  Seminary  Fund ;" 
and  the  Contingent  Fund  as  the  "Permanent  Contingent  Fund." 

[Resolved,  That  the  amount  already  paid  for  the  expenses  for  raising 
the  Endowment  Fund  be  charged  to  the  portion  of  the  Endowment  Fund 
so  raised.     (Rescinded,   1873,  664.)] 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  make  such  reduction  of  assess- 
ments, except  for  contingent  expenses,  in  favor  of  Classes  which  have 
paid  their  proportion  of  the  sum  of  $20,000.  as  may  be  equitable. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Synod  are  given  to  the 
Rev.  J.  A.  H.  Cornell,  for  the  very  important  services  rendered  by  him, 
and  that  he  be  requested  to  continue  to  act  as  the  agent  of  the  General 
Synod  for  procuring  the  necessary  funds  for  the  completion  of  the  build- 
ings now  in  progress  of  erection  in  New  Brunswick,  for  increasing  the 
Endowment  Fund,  and  for  raising  funds  for  the  endowment  of  a  fifth 
Professorship. 


502         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  authorized  to  arrange 
with  Dr.  Cornell,  or  other  suitable  agent,  for  a  proper  compensation 
for  his  services,  the  amount  so  paid  to  be  charged  to  such  funds  as  may 
be  raised  by  said  agent,  1872,  435-6. 

Permanent  Professorial  Fund,  1828- 1872,  consisting  of  the  old 
Professorial  Fund,  1809- 1828,  and  the  Permanent  Fund,  181 5-1828,  which 
were  then  combined.  1828,  131.  The  following  tables  show  the  growth 
of  this  fund: 


1828  $54,190 

1851 

$79,132 

1829 

58,590 

1852 

81,400 

1830 

60,189 

1853 

81,045 

I83I 

59,824 

1854 

87,095 

1832 

62,994 

1855 

87,345 

1833 

64,010 

1856 

87,445 

Perhaps  $7,000  more. 

1834 

63,816 

1857 

86,445 

Perhaps  $7,000  more. 

1835 

66,000 

1858 

83,795 

Perhaps  $7,000  more. 

1836 

68,337 

1859 

86,795 

Perhaps  $6,000  more. 

1837 

68,353 

i860 

85,380 

Perhaps  $6,000  more. 

1838 

68,224 

1861 

85,380 

Perhaps  $6,000  more. 

1839 

69,135 

1862 

85,380 

Perhaps  $6,000  more. 

1840 

69,185 

1863 

85,380 

Perhaps  $6,000  more. 

I84I 

69,484 

1864 

85,380 

Perhaps  $6,000  more. 

1842 

71,183 

1865 

98,665 

1843 

70,983 

1866 

174,516 

Smith  bond  of  $40,000. 

1844 

71,365 

1867 

177,178 

Smith  bond  of  $40,000. 

1845 

73,030 

1868 

179,108 

Smith  bond  of  $40,000. 

1846 

71,330 

1869 

133,210 

Smith  bond  cancelled. 

1847 

71,830 

1870 

215,999 

Dr.  Cornell  agent. 

1848 

72,830 

187 1  254,746 

1849 

73,269 

1872  248,811 

Cost  of  houses  and  T( 

1850 

73,537 

1873 

237,843 

acy  withdrawn. 

Permanent  Sabbath  Committee. 
mittees. 

Permanent  Seminary  Fund.  1872-1906.  This  Fund  is  the  continu- 
ation of  the  "Permanent  Professorial  Fund''  of  1828-1872.  The  Jas. 
Suydam  Fund  was  included  under  this  general  heading  for  5  years,  1873- 
yy,  as  well  as  some  other  Funds  then  received  thro'  Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  A.  H. 
Cornell.  Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  be  requested 
hereafter  to  report  "The  Permanent  [Professorial]  Fund"  as  "The  Per- 
manent Seminary  Fund  ;"  and  "The  Contingent  Fund"  as  "The  Per- 
manent Contingent  P'und ;"  1872,  436. 

The  first  financial  statement  under  this  new  heading  is  found,  1873, 
643,  which  see.  With  the  death  of  Jas.  Suydam,  $20,000  additional  were 
received,  making  $60,000  in  all,  from  him,  for  the  endowment  of  the  Chair 
of  Didactic  Theolog>',  1873,  618,  631.  $10,000  were  also  now  added 
to  this  Seminary  Fund  by  the  will  of  Douw  D.  Williamson,  'yz,  619.  For 
a  general  review  and  statement  of  the  complicated  condition  of  these 
funds,  at  this  time,  see  1873,  650-663 ;  '74,  40.  The  resolution  of  1872, 
436,  charging  the  expenses  [Dr.  Cornell's]  of  raising  the  Endowment  to 
the  specific  fund  so  raised,  was  now  rescinded,  1873,  664.  He  was  paid 
$5,000  per  year  for  four  years.  It  was  also  reported  that  $80,000  addi- 
tional were  now  necessary  to  meet  the  salaries,  as  at  present  fixed,  with 
the  general  contingent  expenses  of  Gen.  Synod.  The  Board  was  directed 
to  employ  agents,  if  necessary ;  all  sums  given  for  specific  purposes  were 
to  be  kept  intact ;  and  the  first  moneys  received  for  general  purposes 
were  to  be  applied  to  the  extinguishment  of  the  debt,  and  thereafter  to 
the  Endowment  Fund,  so  that  the  Professors  may  each  receive  $3,000 
per  annum.  1873,  664-5. — $5,000  from  John  Clark,  and  $2,500  from  Peter 
mcnt   Committee  should  report;  authority  was  again  given  to  the  Board 


PERMANENT    SEMINARY    FUND  503 

Cortelyou  were  now  received  toward  this  Fund,  and  a  Committee  was 
appointed  to  act  with  Prof.  DeWitt  to  further  plans  for  enlarging  the 
Endowment  Fund,  1873,  666-7,  and  to  provide  for  current  expenses,  1874, 
15,  41,  42.  Personal  gifts  were  received  to  raise  the  salaries  to  $3,000 
for  current  year,  1873,  667.  The  financial  crisis  of  1873,  however,  pre- 
vented the  Committee  on  Endowment  from  accomplishing  what  they  had 
hoped.  Subscriptions  amounting  to  $40,000  had  already  been  secured, 
partly  on  condition  that  the  full  $80,000  should  be  raised ;  $23,000  of 
which  were  subscribed  with  the  hope  that  a  "Thos.  DeWitt  Professor- 
ship" might  be  established ;  and  it  was  resolved  that  the  Second  Profes- 
sorship should  be  so  called,  1874,  43-45. — $5,000  were  received  from  Eugene 
Van  Rensselaer,  for  this  fund;  and  the  bond  of  Peter  Cortelyou  for 
$2,500;  and  $5,715  toward  the  Thos.  DeWitt  Professorship.  The  Board 
had  taken  from  the  Fund,  $1,027.03  for  repairs  of  residences.  The  $10,000 
of  the  Ten  Eyck  Legacy,  given  for  the  "Theological  Seminary,"  and  which 
had  been  at  first  added  to  the  Permanent  Seminary  Fund,  had  been 
withdrawn  therefrom,  and  $5,000  of  this  amount  had  been  paid  for 
repairs  of  Hertzog  Hall.  The  propriety  of  using  the  Ten  Eyck  fund  for 
this  purpose  is  discussed  in  report  of  Bd.  of  Direction.  Mr.  Peter  War- 
ner, the  President  of  the  Board,  protested  against  such  use  of  this  money, 
in  a  printed  document,  and  resigned  his  office ;  but  Synod  at  once  re- 
elected him;  1875,  208,  238,  241,-5.  See  Permanent  Seminary  Fund  De- 
ficit. Resolutions  were  now  passed  that  moneys  once  added  to  the 
Permanent  Fund  and  reported,  may  not  be  withdrawn,  and  that  the  $5,000 
of  the  Ten  Eyck  Legacy  be  restored,  1875,  245 ;  but  before  this  same 
Synod  adjourned  a  special  resolution  was  passed  that  the  remaining 
$5,000  of  the  Ten  Eyck  Legacy  be  made  subject  to  the  call  of  the  Hertzog 
Hall  Committee,  for  repairs;  1875,  248.  [See  President  Warner's  docu- 
ment on  the  Ten  Eyck  Legacy,  printed  Dec,  1875.] 

In  1876,  405,  436,  the  Board  reported  the  payment  of  the  second 
$5,000  of  the  Ten  Eyck  Legacy  to  the  Hertzog  Hall  Committee.  [This 
$10,000  was  used  for  the  introduction  of  steam-heating  in  Hertzog  Hall, 
and  was   defended  on  the  ground  of  permanent  improvements.] 

The  Committee  on  the  Bd.  of  Dierction  in  1876,  after  presenting  a 
full  view  of  all  the  funds,  and  the  "deficiency  in  the  Permanent  Fund, 
arising  from  advances  and  payments  therefrom,  for  purposes  not  properly 
payable  therefrom,"  declined  to  make  any  suggestions  as  to  how  restora- 
tions should  be  made,  1876,  441.  Dr.  DeWitt,  of  the  Endowment  Com- 
mittee of  1873,  now  presented  a  report  of  the  progress  of  that  work,  and 
made  certain  suggestions,  in  reference  to  the  deficiencies  in  the  income 
of  the  Permanent  Fund.  The  Treasurer  was  now  directed  to  with- 
draw certain  sums  therefrom,  which  had  been  raised  for  current  ex- 
penses, and  which  had  been  improperly  credited  to  the  Permanent  Fund, 
by  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  to  use,  for  the  expenses 
of  the  General  Synod,  any  of  the  funds  received  for  ordinary  expenses 
of  the  General  Synod  since  June,  1873,  which  were  not  specially  given  for 
the  Permanent  Fund  for  special  purposes,  or  for  the  reduction  of  the 
debt  of  the  Synod.     1876,  442. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Com.  of  five,  appointed  1875,  248,  to  classify  the 
funds  of  the  Synod,  asked  for  further  time; 

Resolved,  That  until  the  Permanent  Seminary  Fund  shall  be  fully 
adequate  for  all  purposes,  whenever  there  shal  be  a  surplus  remaining  at 
the  end  of  the  year,  the  Treasurer  be  directed  to  hold  it  as  a  balance  in 
hand  to  meet  future  deficiencies,  as  in  his  own  annual  report,  dated  May 
1st,  1875,  227;   1876,  443;  repeated,  535. 

The  Endowment  Committee  now  reported  that  they  had  deferred 
action  until  the  times  improved ;  the  Com.  on  the  new  classification  of 
the   funds   also   desired   postponement   of   their   report,   until   the    Endow- 


504  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

to  use  any  of  the  funds,  according  to  resolution  of  1876,  442;  ''j'],  637; 
'78,  18,  40,  41,  43;  '79,  266,  275.  In  1879,  378,  the  Endowment  Committee 
was  urged  to  push  forward  their  work.  See  also  1880,  488,  490;  '81, 
648,  679,  752-5;  but  in  1881,  679,  this  Committee  was  finally  discharged. 
In  1882,  33,  58,  Mrs.  Ellen  H.  Hasbrouck  left  $500  to  the  Seminary, 
which  went  into  the  Permanent  Fund. 

By  will  of  Mr.  Gardner  A.  Sage  (deceased  Aug.  22,  1882),  $50,000 
are  left  to  the  Synod  for  the  endowment  of  another  Chair  in  the  Semi- 
nary.    1883,  z^y;  '84,  421,  523. 

The  further  history  of  this  Fund,  without  going  too  minutely  into 
details,  is  perhaps  sufficiently  exhibited  by  the  following  General  Tabular 
View : 

This  General  Tabular  View  of  the  "Permanent  Seminary  Fund,"  1872- 
1906,  includes  not  only  the  strictly  so-callecT  Fund,  but,  as  a  matter  of 
convenience  and  to  exhibit  all  these  Funds  together,  also  the  Suydam, 
Saee  and  Voorhees  Funds;  and  all  items  which  belong,  more  or  less 
closely  here,  and  have  been  at  times  available  for  the  support  of  the 
Professors;  such  as  the  Bergen  Turnpike  Stock;  Centennial  Seminary 
Fund ;  the  Thos.  DeWitt  Fund ;  the  varying  amounts  of  subscriptions  on 
which  interest  was  paid ;  the  Silvernail  Fund ;  the  New  Endowment 
Fund ;  the  Van  Pelt  Fund ;  the  Alumni  Fund.  Moneys  have  sometimes 
been  temporarily  counted  in  this  Permanent  Seminary  Fund,  which  did 
not  properly  belong  to  it,  and  others  of  a  general  nature  have  also  been 
withdrawn ;  such  as  parts  of  the  Library  Fund ;  moneys  for  Profes- 
sorial Residences ;  the  Ten  Eyck  Legacy ;  moneys  for  current  expenses ; 
and  perhaps  the  salary  of  Dr.  Cornell  as  Financial  Agent.  The  failure 
■of  Dr.  Smith's  donation  at  an  earlier  date,  and  the  circumstances  follow- 
ing and  the  financial  crisis  of  1873,  exceedingly  complicate  the  exhibition 
of  this  Fund.  See  Permanent  Seminary  Fund  Deficit;  and  New  Bruns- 
wick  Seminary — Finances   of,   under    1895,   following : 

The  last  statement  of  the  Permanent  Professorial  Fund,  1872,  428,  is 

''^^    ^«11°^^-  PERMANENT   FUND. 

Amount  of  this  Fund,  in  which  is  included  the  do- 
nation of  Colonel  Henry  Rutgers,  deceased,  for 
the    benefit    of    Rutgers    College,    invested    in 

bonds  secured  by  mortgages,  etc $148,300.00 

Residences  of  Professors  on  Seminary  grounds...       9,767.85 
Balance  of  Fund  not  invested 41,363-37 

$199,431.22 

House  and  lot  corner  George  street  and  Seminary 

avenue,    N;    B $18,000.00 

Twenty-three  shares  of  Bergen  Turnpike  stock,  ten 

of  which  belong  to  Rutgers  College,  valued  at.  180.00 

Amount  of  subscriptions  to   the    Permanent   Fund, 

upon  which  interest  is  received 6,400.00 

Notes  received  towards  the  endowment  of  the  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  for  Library 24,800.00 

49,380.00 

Total $248.81 1.22 

The  first  statement  of  the   Permanent   Seminary   Fund,   1873,  643,   is 

us    follows:  PERMANENT    SEMINARY    FUND. 

Amount  of  this  Fund  invested  for  General  Fund..   $82,191.38 

Fourth    Professorial    Fund 30,537-66 

James   Suydam    Professorial    Fund 60,000.00 

Donation  of  Colonel  Henry  Rutgers,  deceased,  held 

in   trust   for   Rutgers   College 5,000.00 

Balance  of  Fund  not  invested 32,884,33 

$210,613.37 


PERMANENT    SEMINARY    FUND 


505 


Twenty-three  shares  of  Bergen  Turnpike  stock,  ten 

of  which  belong  to  Rutgers  Colloge,  valued  at.  180.00 

Amount  of  subscriptions  to   the   Permanent   Fund, 

upon  which  interest  is  received 5,750.00 

Notes  received  toward  the  Endowment  of  the  The- 
ological Seminary,  and  for  Library 21,300.00 


Total     

See  1873,  621-2. 

1874,  34-     $247,348.00. 

1875,  229.       247,208.50. 

1876,  426.       241,839,53. 


27,230.00 
$237,843-37 


See   also   Theological   Library  and   Gardner   A. 

Sage  Library,   1874,  35. 
See  also  Library,  1875,  230. 

See    Library    and    Residence    funds,    1876,    427. 
This   is   last  year  in  which  the   Rutgers   do- 
nation of  $5,000  is  included  in  this   Fund. 
1877,      633.       202,902.32.     This     amount     henceforth     includes     Centennial 

Seminary  Fund,  '"/"j,  635. — $30,040.09  is  now 
taken  from  Perm.  Sem.  Fund,  and  reported 
as  Perm.  Sem.  Fund  Deficit.  This  is  the 
last  year  in  which  the  Suydam  Fund  of 
$60,000  is  reported  in  Sem.  Fund ;  but  as  a 
matter  of  convenience  it  will  be  continued 
in  these  totals.  See  Library,  Residence 
Funds,  etc.  1877,  634. 
There  is  now  added  to  the  Permanent  Fund 
annually,  hereafter  $12.30,  said  to  be  interest 
from  Perm.  Conting.  Fund;  $4,717.34  is  also 
withdrawn  from  Perm.  Sem.  Fund,  1876,  436 
—441  ;  'n-  641  ;  Deficit,  $34,75743- 
Perm.  Sem.  Fund  Deficit,  $34,757.43. 


As  this  deficit  represents  three  Professorial 
Residences — to  be  discontinued.     1883,  248. 

This  includes  the  Sage  Endowment  of  $50,000 ; 
and  $250  subscription,  paid  in. 


1878, 

34- 

138,284.83. 
60,000.00 

$198,284.83. 

1879, 
1880, 

260. 
481. 

$198,323.03. 
198,367.07. 

I88I, 

668. 

198,509.00. 

1882, 
1883, 

50. 

199,054.95- 
199,100.04. 

1884, 

441. 

249,149-35 

1885, 

641. 

249,197-89 

1886, 
1887, 

47- 
288. 

249,244-47 
244,300.43 

1888,  513-  256,855-67. 

1889,  756.  256,913-43- 

1890,  zz.  258,47374- 

189 1,  262.  258,531.34. 

1892,  495-  276,485.84. 


1893.  739-      277,025.94- 

1894,  45.      278,058.42. 


The  $5,000  in  unpaid  subscriptions  (and  in  vary- 
ing amounts  from  $5,000  to  $13,700)  and  on 
which  interest  was  paid,  and  which,  as  an 
item  had  been  reported  since  1851,  now  dis- 
appears from  the  Annual  Digest. 

The  Silvernail   Fund,  now  $12,500,  is  added  in. 

$2,000  additional  from  Silvernail  Fund. 

This  includes  the  Sarah  Benham  Legacy  of 
$7,000,  and  the  Antonides  Legacy  of  $1,- 
864.50;  also  additions  of  $9,027.57  to  the 
Silvernail  Fund. 

This  includes  the  Phebe  A.  Van  Pelt  Legacy 
of  $475- 

This  includes  a  balance  of  $964,05  of  the 
Benham  Legacy. 


i896, 

314- 

1897, 

593- 

1898, 

4«. 

i«99, 

352. 

1900, 

668. 

506         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1895,       44.       Invested  on  Bond  and  Mortgage $107,321.05 

Interest  from  Perm.  Conting.  Fund 12.30 

Fourth  Professorial  Fund 30,597.66 

Thos.  DeWitt  Professorship 6,015.00 

Centennial  Seminary  Fund i,  153-37 

Suydam  Fund 60,000.00 

Sage   Fund 50,000.00 

Silvernail  Fund 23,027.57 

Total  $278,127.45 

$278,192.19. 
278,255.87. 
278,321.67. 

278,998.53- 

Invested  on  Bond  and  Mortgage $107,993.60 

Int.  from  Perm.  Conting.  Fund 12.30 

Fourth  Professorial  Fund 30,597.66 

Thos.   DeWitt    Professorship 6,015.00 

Centennial  Seminary  Fund 1,416.95 

Suydam  Fund    60,000.00 

Sage    Fund 50,000.00 

Silvernail  Fund 23,027.57 

Ralph  Voorhees  Fund 25,000.00 

New  Endowment  Fund 2,151.05 

Alumni  Fund 1,200.00 

Total $307,414.15 

1901,  1,002.     $313,898.37.     This    includes    another    $1,000    on    the    Alumni 

Fund,  and  $7,571.10  on  the  New  Endowment 
Fund. 

1902,  38.     $320,513.04.     This    includes    another    $1,000    on    the    Alumni 

Fund,  and  the  New  Endowment  Fund,  now 
reaching  $12,855.12. 

1903,  297.     $318,094.80.     The   New  Endowment  Fund  is  now  put   down 

at  $10,359.87. 

1904,  632.     $318,984.41.     The   New  Endowment  Fund  is  now  put  down 

at     $5,779.67.     See     Property     Fund,      1904, 
657,  659. 

1905,  36.       Invested,  etc $116,644.18 

Fourth  Professorship 30,597.66 

Thos.  DeWitt   Profshp 6,015.00 

Int.  Perm.  Conting.  Fund 12.30 

New  Endowment  Fund 1,877.42 

Suydam    Fund 60.000.00 

Sage  Fund 50,000.00 

Voorhees   Fund 25,000.00 

Silvernail  Fund .• 23,027.57 

Alumni  Fund 3,200.00 

$316,354.13 

1906,  Invested,  etc $116,644.18 

Fourth    Professorship 30,597.66 

Thos.  DeWitt  Profship 6,015.00 

Int.  from  Perm.  Conting.  Fund 12.30 

New  Endowment  Fund 624.16 

Suydam    Fund 60.000.00 

Sage    Fund 50,000.00 

Voorhees   Fund • 25.000.00 


PERMANENT    SEMINARY    FUND   DEFICIT       507 

Silvernail  Fund 23,027.57 

Alumni   Fund 32,000.00 

Total    $315,120.87 

See  Article  "New  Brunswick  Seminary,  Finances  of;'*  latter  part  of 
Article. 

Permanent  Seminary  Fund  Deficit.  See  General  History  of 
Finances,  1873,  650-665.  The  Contingent  expenses  had  formerly  been 
defrayed  out  of  the  Permanent  Fund ;  subsequent  assessments,  to  make 
up  for  deficiencies  of  all  kinds,  were  not  all  collected ;  then  came  Rev.  Dr. 
N.  E.  Smith's  bond  of  $40,000  to  swell  the  old  Permanent  Fund,  so  as  to 
increase  the  Professors'  salaries,  provided  the  Church  raised  $40,000,  to 
found  a  Fourth  Professorship.  With  the  partial  success  of  the  latter, 
and  the  increase  of  the  Professors'  salaries,  on  the  payment  of  interest 
on  his  note  of  $40,000  by  Dr.  Smith ;  and  then  his  sudden  failure  and 
the  cancellation  of  that  note,  came  financial  difficulties,  and  a  growing 
deficit.  The  Board  was  now  authorized  to  borrow,  from  time  to  time, 
sums  of  money  to  pay  the  salaries  and  the  employees  of  General  Synod 
(1867,  189)  ;  and  Synod  also  authorized  the  Hertzog  Hall  Committee  to 
borrow,  on  mortgage,  moneys  to  finish  the  Professorial  Residences,  1867. 
272.  Thus,  in  general,  did  this  so-called  "Permanent  Sem.  Fund  Deficit'' 
begin. 

Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  A.  H.  Cornell  was  now  employed  as  financial  agent, 
1869-73 ;  while  very  successful  for  specific  purposes,  the  general  debt  in- 
creased. To  pay  for  "Residences"  in  course  of  construction,  large  with- 
drawals from  the  Permanent  Fund  were  made  of  Funds  improperly  cred- 
ited thereto.  (1873,  658.)  The  debt  in  1870  amounted  to  $15,400;  in  1871, 
to  $22,273.  Says  the  review :  'The  expenditures  which  have  produced  this 
debt  were  directed  by  the  Church  thro'  its  representatives  in  the  Synod, 
and  were  for  services  rendered,  and  for  the  promotion  of  its  divers  inter- 
ests ;  the  debt,  therefore,  is  of  the  Church  at  large,  and  should  be  so  re- 
garded, and  speedily  liquidated." 

In  1872  it  was  reported  at  $41,309;  but  by  deducting  $12,626,  paid  for 
repairs  to  the  Hertzog  Hall,  from  contributions  for  repairs  mistakenly 
credited  to  the  Permanent  Fund,  the  debt  is  reduced  to  $28,682.  But  all 
this  reduced  the  income  from  the  Permanent  Fund  (1873,  659).  In  1875, 
245,  the  Committee  simply  called  the  attention  to  this  growing  deficiency, 
arising  from  advances  made  for  various  purposes  (now  $29,524)  ;  and  now 
increased  $1,027  for  repairs  to  Residences,  and  $5,000  paid  to  Hertzog 
Hall  Committee,  but  made  no  suggestions.  1875,  245,  248.  In  1877,  641, 
the  Treasurer  reported  the  deficit  as  $30,040,  advanced  for  salaries,  com- 
pletion and  repairs  of  dwellings,  and  for  lectures ;  and  holding  this  amount 
as  due  the  "Permanent  Seminary  Fund,"  he  denominated  it  in  his  Annual 
Digest  as  "Permanent  Seminary  Fund  Deficit,"  counting  it  as  an  asset. 
In  1878,  18,  40,  it  is  placed  at  $34,757.  The  Committee  urged  that  not 
another  dollar  should  be  taken  from  said  Fund,  lest  it  should  become  all 
"Deficit." 

The  Classis  of  Ulster  now  overtured  the  Synod  to  arrest  this  deple- 
tion of  the  productive  funds  of  the  Church.  Certain  moneys  credited  to 
the  Permanent  Fund,  the  Synod  had  a  right  to  use  for  Residences,  etc. 
The  Board  was  directed  to  investigate,  and  ascertain  what  portion  was 
given  for  permanent  investment,  and  if  they  find  any  sums  not  given  for 
such  investment  to  apply  the  same  toward  cancelling  this  so-called  "Perm. 
Sem.  Fund  Deficit."  1879,  275.  Finally,  the  following  action  closed  this 
business : 

Your  Committee  find  in  the  Annual  Digest  of  the  Board  of  Direction 
a  statement  headed  ''Permanent  Seminary  Fund  Deficit.''  Your  committee, 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  any  diversion  of  a  trust  fund  from  the   will  or 


5o8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

expressed  desire  of  the  donor  of  the  trust,  tends  to  unsettle  the  faith  of 
the  people  in  the  actual  and  inviolable  devotion  of  funds  to  the  purposes 
for  which  they  are  intended,  have  made  some  inquiries  and  examinations, 
and  find  that  a  large  part  of  the  amount  represented  in  this  item  under 
discussion,  is  in  fact  represented  by  three  professorial  dwellings  of  large 
value.  In  view  of  all  the  facts,  your  Committee  suggest  that  this  item,  in  the 
future  reports  in  the  Annual  Digest  shall  not  appear  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  have  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  facts  to  think  the  Synod  had 
heretofore  made  drafts  upon  the  Permanent  Seminary  Fund,  which  were 
now  lost,  and  could  only  be  refunded  by  drafts  upon  the  Church.  1883, 
248. 

Persecutions.  Ministers  may  be  ordained  to  labor  in  churches  under 
persecution,  without  being  called  to  some  definite  field.  Rules  of  Dort, 
1619,  xA.rts.  4,  7.     See  also  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  27,  28,  29.     See  Armenians. 

Persecutors.     Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  29,  -^T.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest  52. 

Perseverance  of  the  Saints.  Held.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  52.  Canons  of 
Dort,  V.  1-5. 

Peter  Hertzog  Theological  Hall.  From  1809- 1856,  the  Theological 
Seminary  of  R.  C.  A.,  and  Rutgers  College  occupied  the  same  building, 
now  known  as  "Queens  Building."  In  1855,  at  the  suggestion  of  Prof. 
Campbell,  the  students  of  the  Seminary  drew  up  a  Memorial  asking  the 
Bd.  of  Superintendents  for  better  accommodations;  1855,  513.  The  Board 
endorsed  the  action  of  the  students,  and  appointed  a  Committee  to  procure 
plans  for  a  Theological  Hall,  and  secure  funds  to  build  the  same ;  and  as 
soon  as  funds  be  raised  to  call  a  meeting  of  Gen.  Synod  to  secure  the 
necessary  legislation.  This  committee  consisted  of  Profs.  Van  Vranken, 
Ludlow  and  Campbell,  with  Drs.  Chambers,  J.  M.  Ferris  and  T.  C.  Strong ; 
'55»  585.  Elaborate  report  on  the  subject,  '55,  580-594.  The  Committee 
had  asked  the  Collegiate  Church  for  $25,000,  which  was  granted,  altho' 
architects  estimated  the  expense  of  such  a  Hall  at  $40,000..  The  Col- 
legiate Church  subsequently  withdrew  their  offer  toward  a  Building,  but 
would  give  the  interest  of  $25,000  to  help  the  students ;  but  this  was  not 
acceptable.  See  Oct.,  1855,  9,  10.  Meantime,  thro'  the  efforts  of  Prof. 
Ludlow  and  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  J.  R.  Taylor,  $30,000  were  secured  from  Mrs. 
Ann  Hertzog,  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  erection  of  such  a  Hall.  At  the 
same  time  Col.  Jas.  Xeilson,  of  New  Brunswick,  gave  a  lot  of  land,  valued 
at  $14,000,  measuring  300x700  feet;  Mr.  David  Bishop  gave  an  adjoining 
piece,  valued  at  $1,200;  Col.  Neilson  increased  his  gift  of  land,  and  Mr. 
Chas.  T.  Dayton  gave  land  near  College  Ave. ;  while  the  Messrs.  Wessels, 
of  Paramus,  gave  $2,000  to  purchase  an  additional  strip.  The  work  of 
building  was  at  once  begun.  Synod  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  express- 
ing its  thanks  to  God  and  these  generous  friends.  Oct.,  1855,  9,  10,  18. 
The  comer  stone  was  laid  Xov.     8,   1855.     See  also   1856,  38. 

The  Hall  was  dedicated  Sept.  2;^,  1856.  Dr.  Campbell's  dedicatory 
sermon  is  published  in  Dr.  Murray's  Memoir  of  Dr.  Campbell,  pp.  84-96. 
Report  of  Committtee  on  the  Completion  of  Hertzog  Hall,  1857,  201-210. 

synod's  bules  for  the  government  of  the  hall. 

I. — The  Hall  shall  be  under  the  immediate  oversight  and  control  of 
the  Theological  Faculty,  subject  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the 
Theological  Seminary. 

2. — Xo  person  shall  be  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  the  Hall,  but  such 
as  are  preparing  for  the  Gospel  Ministry. 

3. — In  assigning  rooms,  the  preference  shall  be  given  to  the  Theo- 
logical Students  in  the  order  of  the  classes.  The  same  order  shall  be  ob- 
served in  relation  to  the  students  in  the  College  and  Grammar  School. 
The  students  shall  select  rooms  in  alphabetical  order. 

4. — Every  one  residing  in  the  Hall  shall  pay  $5  room  rent  to  defray 
contingent  expenses. 


PETER   HERTZOG  THEOLOGICAL  HALL         509 

5. — No  person  shall  room  alone  without  the  special  permission  of 
the  Faculty,  and  he  shall  be  required  to  pay  $10  room  rent,  and  be  charged 
double  for  fuel  and  light. 

6. — Every  person  occupying  a  room  without  boarding  in  the  Hall, 
shall  be  charged  $10  in  addition  to  the  regular  charges. 

7. — Every  occupant  of  a  room  shall  be  responsible  for  injury  done  to 
the  room  or  its  furniture. 

8. — Every  occupant  of  a  room  shall  carefully  secure  the  outside  shut- 
ters of  his  room. 

9. — Prayers  shall  be  regularly  maintained  in  the  Chapel  of  the  Hall, 
at  7  A.  M.  and  at  5^  p.  m.,  at  which  all  the  students  residing  in  the  Hall 
will  be  required  to  attend.  The  students  of  the  Senior  Class  in  the 
Seminary  shall  officiate  in  turn. 

16. — The  following  hours,  viz. :  from  9  a.  m.  to  12  m.,  and  from  2 
p.  M.  to  5J/2  P.  M.,  and  after  7  p.  m.  shall  be  regarded  as  study  hours, 
during  which  no  music  or  noise,  which  will  disturb  or  interfere  with 
study,  shall  be  allowed  in  the  building. 

II. — A   monitor    for   each   corridor   shall   be    chosen   by   the    students 
residing  in  the  same,  who  shall  have  the  supervision  of  it,  according  to 
such  rules  as  the  students  may  adopt,  and  the  Faculty  approve. 
All  which  the  Faculty  respectfully  report. 

S.   A.   VAN   VRANKEN. 
WM.  H.  CAMPBELL, 
JOHN  LUDLOW. 

New  Brunswick,  May  29,  1857.     1857,  210. 

4.  Resolved,  That  a  Standing  Committee  on  the  Peter  Hertzog  Theo- 
logical Hall  be  appointed,  consisting  of  six  persons,  of  whom  the  Theo- 
logical Professors  shall  always  be  members ;  the  other  members  shall 
serve  during  the  pleasure  of  General  Synod,  one  of  whom  shall  be 
annually  chosen  by  the  General  Synod.  The  Committee  recommend  that 
the  Rev.  Drs.  Bethune  and  Chambers  and  Rev.  T.  C  Strong  be  the 
remaining  members  of  the  Committee  for  the  present  year. 

5.  Resolved,  That  this  Committee  shall  have  the  general  charge  of 
this  property,  to  keep  it  in  repair  and  attend  to  such  business  matters 
as  may  be  necessary  for  its  proper  preservation;  and  that  this  Committee 
shall  report  fully  at  each  stated  session  of  the  General  Synod. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  Standing  Committee  be  authorized  to  carry 
out  the  suggestions  made  in  their  report  for  finishing  the  building  and  the 
grounds,  and  whatever  else  may  be  necessary  to  complete  its  appropriate 
arrangements. 

7.  Resolved,  That  this  Committee  are  hereby  authorized  and  requested 
to  secure  such  additional  funds  as  may  be  needed  to  accomplish  the  objects 
of  the  Institution.     1857,  214,  215. 

The  Bd.  of  Education  required  all  its  students  to  lodge  and  board  in 
the  Hall ;  '58,  333,  336-7.  Details  of  grading  the  ground,  street,  etc.  1859. 
439,  440. 

Authority  to  make  Rules  for  the  Hall  given  to  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee ;  '59,  446-9 ;  the  deeds  for  the  land ;  '59,  449 ;  '60,  486. — Petition  from 
students;  Synod  refers  it  to  Standing  Com.,  '63,  251,  330. — The  Standing 
Com.  directed  to  hold  regular  meetings ;  to  keep  a  book  of  minutes ;  and 
to  make  annual  reports  to  Bd.  of  Superintendents.  '64,  473 ;  certain  ex- 
penses to  be  charged  to  the  Permanent  Fund ;  '64,  477,  479 ;  Standing  Com- 
mittee to  report  directly  to  Synod ;  '65,  627 ;  repairs  to  Hertzog  Hall ; 
'66,  92-94,  97;  '67,  263,  267;  Nov.,  '67,  342;  new  Rules  for  the  Standing 
Committee;  '68,  478;  '69,  645;  improvements,  '69,  546,  548;  '70.  11,  12. 
Room  rents  began  to  be  paid,  in  part,  by  the  Board  of  Education  for  its 
students,  in  1870. 

In  1888,  541,  in  the  new  plan  of  the  Seminary,  the  Standing  Committee 


5IO         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

on  the  care  of  the  Property  (consisting  of  one  member  of  the  Faculty 
and  tive  laymen),  was  authorized  to  make  rules  for  the  government  of 
the  Hall  and  provide  for  their  enforcement.  The  composition  of  this 
Committee  was  changed  in  1895,  61,  71,  so  as  to  include  all  the  members 
of  the  Faculty. 

Peters,  James.  Gives  Scholarship  of  $3,325  to  Bd.  of  Education  in 
1873. 

Pews.  In  some  States,  Pews  are  considered  as  real  estate,  and  in 
some  States,  as  personal  estate.  In  former  times  they  were  often  sold 
to  pay  for  the  expense  of  the  Church  Building,  and  ministers  were  sup- 
ported by  the  rental,  or  by  the  taxing  of  the  pews.  Much  has  been  said 
against  the  custom  of  renting  pews,  as  being  selfish  and  worldly ;  as  intro- 
ducing artificial  distinctions  in  the  Church ;  as  keeping  out  the  poor,  and 
thus  alienating  the  masses.  Not  a  few  cases  of  litigation  have  arisen 
concerning  pews,  especially  in  former  times. 

See  Tyler's  "American  Ecclesiastical  Law,"  Albany,  1866;  Waugh's 
"Religious  Corporations,"  Albany,  1896;  Strong's  "Relation  of  Civil  Law 
to  Church  Polity,"  1875,  being  two  lectures  in  Union  Seminary,  N.  Y.  C. 

Phelps,  Philip  (Rev.  Dr.),  was  Principal  of  the  Holland  Academy, 
1859-66,  and  President  of  Hope  College,  1866-78;  sends  Report  of  Hope 
College,  and  its  Articles  of  Incorporation,  1866,  12 ;  report  on  his  com- 
munication, 1866,  89 ;  delegate  to  Refd.  Presbyt.  Ch.,  1866,  45 ;  report,  1867, 
191 ;  elected  Prof,  of  Exegetical  Theology  in  the  Theological  School  in 
Hope  College,  1869,  648 ;  resigns  said  Professorship  to  devote  himself 
to  securing  the  endowment  of  Hope  College,  1871,  323;  appointed  by  the 
Board  of  Direction  as  its  Agent  for  such  purpose,  1874,  17;  has  divided  his 
labors  between  his  Presidential  duties  and  his  efforts  to  secure  endowment ; 
released  from  the  Endowment  Agency,  1875,  332 ;  Hope  College  Council 
responsible  for  his  salary,  as  President,  1875,  333 ;  Bd.  of  Direction  to 
settle  with  him  as  their  Endowment  Agent,  1877,  707;  colnmunication 
from,  on  the  Presidency  of  Hope  College;  letter  returned,  as  action  had 
been  already  taken,  1881,  650;  vacates  Van  Vleck  Hall  on  the  request  of 
General  Synod,  1884,  53^ ;  receives  the  condolence  of  Synod  on  the  loss 
of  his  daughter  in  a  flood,  1889,  923 

Phil.adelphia,  Classis  of.  Organized  in  1814,  consisting  of  the 
churches  of  Philadelphia,  Readington  (or  North  Branch),  Neshanic,  Har- 
lingen,  North  and  South  Hampton. 

Philadelphia,  Third  Church  of.  Organized  in  1837,  on  corner  of 
Tenth  and  Filbert  Sts. ;  became  the  arena  of  a  tedious  litigation,  with 
many  appeals  to  General  Synod.  1873,  615,  617,  718,  721 ;  see  indexes 
of  Minutes  of  Gen.  Syn.  from  1873- 1899. — Gives  a  mosaic  portrait  of  Rev. 
Dr.  Geo.  W.  Bethune  to  Synod;  1897,  610,  621;  '98,  153-4;  '99>  4^8. 

Philippine  Islands.     Importance  of  religious  work  in;  1904,  745. 

Piedmont.     Letter  from  the  Vaudois  Church  of;  see  Waldenses. 

Filters,  Albertus,  (Rev.)  Special  funds  raised  by  western  breth- 
ren to  send  him  back  to  Japan,  1900,  p.  iioo. 

Pius  IX.  A  paper  containing  a  preamble  and  resolutions  on  the  sub- 
ject of  an  Ecumenical  Council  called  by  the  Pope  of  Rome,  Pius  IX.,  to 
convene  in  that  city  on  the  8th  of  Dec.  next,  to  devise  such  means  and 
measures  as  shall  be  for  the  extension  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
throughout  the  world,  and  the  uniting  of  all  Christians  in  one  fold  and 
under  one  shepherd. — No  action  recommended.  1869,  583-4.  See  Ro- 
manism. 

Plans  of  thl  Theological  Seminary.  See  New  Brunswick  Theolog. 
Sem. 


PLANTEN,    J.  R.   (HON.)  511 

Planten,  J.  R.  (Hon.)  Consul-General  of  the  Netherlands;  has 
presented  two  handsome  photographs  of  the  famous  and  venerable  church 
of  Delftshaven,  and  framed  in  wood  taken  from  the  same,  to  Ministers' 
Room,  in  Refd.  Ch.  Building,  New  York.     1892,  469. 

Pleasant  Prairie,  Classis  of.  III.  and  Ia.  Organized  1892,  consist- 
ing of  the  following  churches:  Baileyville ;  Clay  Co.,  Ia.,  ist  Church; 
Ebenezer;  Elim;  Hope;  Immanuel ;  Monroe;  Parkersburg;  Peoria;  Ram- 
say;  Silver  Creek;  Washington;  Zion. 

Pleasant  Prairie,  College  or  Academy  of  ;  German  Valley,  111.  A 
German  Enterprise.  Recommended  to  the  German  churches  for  co-opera- 
tion and  support.  To  be  opened  in  Sept.,  1894,  to  prepare  men  for  the 
Ministry  who  use  the  German  language.  The  churches  of  the  Classis  of 
Pleasant  Prairie  have  bought  the  ground  and  erected  a  building,  but  need 
aid  for  payment  of  teachers.  The  Bd.  of  Education  directed  to  appro- 
priate to  it  according  to  its  judgment  and  ability.  An  important  center 
for  Missionary  work  among  the  German.     1894,  94,  115. 

The  Institution  requests  that  aid  may  be  given  its  students  who  are 
preparing  for  the  ministry.  Referred  to  the  judgment  of  the  Board. 
1895,  93- — Recommended  to  the  Board  for  $500.  1896,  375.  Has  three 
Professors ;  not  many  students.  Suffers  from  financial  stringency.  Col- 
legiate department  to  be  dropped,  and  the  Institution  continued  as  an 
Academy.  Grounds  and  buildings  valued  at  $11,340.  Running  expenses 
average  $2,000,  for  three  years  past,  or  $6,000  in  all.  All  but  $916  of  this 
$17,340  raised  in  the  vicinity.  Ask  to  be  recommended  to  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion for  $1,000.  Granted  conditionally  upon  its  continued  educational  work 
for  the  Church.  1897,  643-4.  Request  and  grant  of  $1,000  repeated,  1898, 
106. 

Closed  for  a  time  from  lack  of  funds;  to  be  opened  again  in  fall  of 
1899,  as  an  Academy,  with  three  teachers.  Rev.  John  Muller  is  Principal. 
Classis  of  Pleasant  Prairie,  a  Missionary  Classis,  offers  to  bear  half  the 
running  expenses.  Recommended  to  Bd.  of  Education  for  $1,000.  1899, 
420-2. 

Has  28  students ;  gives  preparatory  course  for  College,  in  German 
language ;  normal  course  for  teachers ;  and  an  elementary  business  course. 
Mr.  John  Zimmerman  is  Principal ;  assisted  by  Rev.  Carl  Heyl,  a  neigh- 
boring pastor,  who  attends  twice  a  week  to  teach  German,  Latin  and 
Arithmetic.  Requests  recommendation  to  Bd.  of  Education  for  $1,000. 
Granted.     1900,  731-2,  736. 

Has  23  students,  8  girls  and  15  boys.  Principal  assisted  by  Prof. 
Alvin  Gether.  Rev.  A.  F.  Beyer  teaches  the  Bible.  In  the  business 
course,  English  is  used.  Necessary  to  raise  up  men  to  preach  in  German 
or  English.  $900  spent  on  improving  the  property.  Requests  same  appro- 
priation. Granted,  if  the  funds  of  Bd.  of  Education  permit.  1901,  1066, 
1068.  Ditto,  1902,  87.  In  1903,  income  from  all  sources,  $1,953;  Expendi- 
tures. $1,677.  Recommended  to  Bd.  of  Education  for  $1,000  if  the  funds 
permit.     1903,  353-4. 

PocKMAN,  Philetus  T.  (Rev.  Dr.).  Elected  Stated  Clerk  of  Bd. 
of  Superintendents,  New  Brunswick  Sem.     1895,  58,  70. 

PoiMENics.     A  branch  of  Practical  Theolog>^     1888,  544. 

Poland.     Progress  of  the  Stundist  movement.     1902,  127. 

Polemic  Theology.  Associated  with  Didactic  in  the  title  of  the  First 
Professorship,  1825. 

PoLHEMus,  Jacob.     Founds  a  Scholarship  of  $2,500.     1879,  240. 

Policy  of  the  Church.  The  Church  began  to  develop  her  policy, 
after  the  adoption  of  her  first  American  Constitution  in  1792;  but  far  more 
definitely  after  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church, 


512         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

in    1848;    another    epoch    occurs    with    the    Report   of   the    Committee    on 
State  of  the  Church  in  1900. — 1900,  813,  815,  841. 

Polity  of  the  Church.  This  is  exhibited  first  in  the  Rules  of  Church 
Government  of  the  Synod  of  Dort.  F"irst  full  translation  in  English,  with 
all  the  references  to  a  State-Church  system  included,  may  be  found  in 
Ecclesiastical  Records  of  N.  Y.,  Vol  VI,  pp.  4218-4226,  under  the  head  of 
"Church-Order."  These  Rules  prevailed,  as  far  as  circumstances  per- 
mitted, in  America,  from  1628- 1 771.  Then  these  same  Rules,  modified  by 
the  "Articles  of  Union,"  constituted  the  Polity  of  the  American  Dutch 
Church,  1771-1792.  See  Articles  of  Union,  Mints.  Gen.  Synod,  1771,  7-20. 
In  1792  an  American  Constitution  was  adopted,  consisting  of  a  very  free 
translation,  of  the  86  Articles  of  Dort.  above  alluded  to,  with  an  elimina- 
tion of  everything  relating  to  the  State ;  accompanied  by  'j'})^  Explanatory 
Articles,  showing  how  the  Articles  of  Dort.  were  to  be  applied  in  Ameri- 
ca ;  and  these  two  sets  of  Articles  were  the  Constitution  of  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Church  from  1792  to  1833.  Two  editions  were  printed,  viz.,  in 
1793  and  181 5.  In  1833  these  two  sets  of  Articles  were  thoroughly  fused 
together,  and  remained  the  Constitution  until  1874,  when  a  Revision  took 
place,  which  remains  the  Constitutional  Polity  to  this  day.  Several 
amendments  have  been  made  to  it.  See  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.  1902, 
121-135;  and  for  the  Constitutions  as  revised,  Oct.,  1832,  109,  134;  adopted 
in  1833  with  slight  amendments;  and  1872,  571-602;  adopted  in  1874 
with  slight  amendments. 

Polygamy.  In  heathen  lands,  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  mission- 
aries ;  1868,  466.     See  Mormonism. 

Poolrooms.     See  Gambling. 

Poor,  The.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  30;  Rules  of  Dort.,  1619,  Arts.  25,  26, 
83;  Constit.  of  1792,  27;  of  1833,  31,  53;  of  1874,  29.  See  Alms;  Deacons; 
Form  for  Installation  of  Deacons. 

Poorhouses.  The  Deacons  in  Holland,  were  to  maintain  corre- 
spondence with  the  overseers  of  Poorhouses,  and  other  public  almoners, 
for  the  better  distribution  of  alms,  1619,  Art.  26. 

Popery.  See  Roman  Catholic  Church ;  Public  Schools ;  also  1865, 
575 ;  '92,  661. 

Porter,  Elbert  S.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Editor  of  the  Christian  Intelligencer. 
1852-68.  On  many  important  Committees.  President  of  General  Svnod, 
1868. 

Portraits — In  Rutgers  College  Chapel,  and  in  the  Sage  Library.  For 
the  former,  see  pamphlet  on — by  Dr.  David  Murray;  for  portrait  of  Rev. 
Dr.  John  H.  Livingston,  1815,  53;  of  Col.  Henry  Rutgers,  1830.  281;  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  S.  Cannon,  1843,  161  ;  another  portrait  of  Dr.  J.  H.  Livings- 
ton, presented  by  Rev.  Dr.  F.  M.  Kip,  i860,  485;  of  Rev.  Dr.  S.  A.  Van 
Vranken,  1862,  117,  118;  Rev.  Dr.  John  Ludlow,  1863,  250;  of  Rev.  Dr. 
A.  B.  Van  Zandt,  1888,  489,  532;  eleven  portraits  have  been  hung  in  the 
Sage  Library,  and  six  more  are  knov^'n  to  be  on  the  way,  1888,  534; 
mosaic  portrait  of  Rev.  Dr.  G.  W.  Bethune,  1897,  610,  621.  Portraits  in 
Sage  Library  are  generally  referred  to  in  Reports  of  the  Property  Com- 
mittee, which  see. 

PosT-AcTA  Synodalia.  After  the  Synod  of  Dort  had  fixed  the  Stand- 
ards of  Doctrine  (1618-19),  and  the  Foreign  Delegates  had  left,  the  later 
sessions,  beginning  with  the  155th,  formulated  the  principles  of  Govern- 
ment of  the  Reformed  Churches.  These  were  styled  the  Post-Acta  of  the 
National  Synod.  They  were  published  in  Latin  and  Dutch.  The  polity 
of  R.  C.  A.  is  founded  on  these  Post-Acta,  and  in  the  Post-Acta  our 
Forms  and  Ritual  were  approved.  Dr.  Corwin,  when  in  Holland,  in  1897-8, 
had    the    privilege   of    looking   over    the    original    manuscript    volumes    of 


POST-GRADUATE   COURSES  513 

the  Synod  of  Dort ;  and  since,  at  that  time,  no  copies  of  the  original 
Latin  of  the  Post-Acta  were  known,  in  America,  he  had  the  64  pages  of 
these  Post-Acta  photographed  (reduced  to  less  than  half  the  original 
size),  and  brought  a  half  dozen  copies  to  America.  He  secured  also  the 
photographs  of  the  five  pages  of  the  original  signatures.  One  copy  of 
these  photographs  was  given  to  the  Sage  Library ;  one  to  the  Collegiate 
Church  of  New  York;  and  Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  L  Good  has  a  copy.  Since  that 
time  Dr.  Kuyper's  edition  in  Latin  and  Dutch,  with  copious  annotations, 
has  appeared,  a  copy  of  which  Dr.  Corwin  also  secured,  and  has  put  the 
same  in  the  Sage  Library. 

Post-Graduate  Courses,  or  Scholarships.  The  Committee  on  the 
"State  of  the  Church"  in  1900,  reported  the  following: 

6th.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Education  be  authorized  to  set 
aside  from  its  income  a  sum  not  exceeding  $1,200,  for  the  support  of 
one  two-year  Post-Graduate  Scholarship  in  each  Seminary  for  each  year ; 
not  more  than  $300  per  annum  to  be  paid  to  each  incumbent ;  provided 
that  the  Faculty  of  either  Seminary  shall  unanimously  recommend  a  stu- 
dent as  exceptionally  worthy  of  appointment  to  such  Post-Graduate  Schol- 
arship, and  provided  further,  that  such  incumbent  shall  pursue  his  studies 
under  the  direction  of  either  of  the  Faculties.  1900,  832,  835 ;  1902,  65 ; 
1903*  330-1-     See  Fourth  Year  of  Study. 

PouGHKEEPSiE,  Classis  OF.  Organized  1800,  consisting  of  the 
churches  of  Claverack ;  Dover;  East  Camp;  Fishkill;  Hopewell;  Linlith- 
gow ;  New  Hackensack ;  Old  Stissick ;  Poughkeepsie ;  Red  Hook ;  Rhine- 
beck;  Rhinebeck  Flats;  Stissick;  Taghkanick.  In  1812,  421,  this  Classis 
was  transferred  from  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  to  that  of  Albany. 

Powell-Revenue  System.     1872.     See  Systematic  Beneficence. 

Practical  Theology.  Name  given  to  the  Chair  formerly  designated 
"Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric."     1899,  371,  391. 

Prague.  Second  Reformed  Church  to  be  established.  Assistance 
wanted.  Commended  to  the  churches.  1888,  615.  See  Alliance  of  Refd. 
Chs.,  etc. 

Prayer.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  23,  26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  103,  116-129; 
Canons  iii  and  iv,  15 ;  v.  3,  4,  12.  Many  Forms  in  the  Liturgy ;  but 
Prayers  in  the  Liturgy  not  obligatory : — "Her  mode  of  Worship  is  ex- 
pressed in  the  Liturgy,  where  Forms  of  several  prayers  are  given,  without 
any  idea,  however,  of  restraining  her  members  to  any  particular  terms  or 
fixed  standards  of  prayer."  Dr.  Livingston,  in  Preface  to  Constitution, 
1792.  Prayer  in  the  Form  for  the  Supper,  obligatory,  according  to  Rules 
of  1619,  Art.  62,  which  reads :  "the  Form  for  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  together  with  the  prayer  suited  to  the  occasion,  shall  be 
read" — not  obligatory,  according  to  Constits  of  1833,  87,  and  of  1874,  77, 
which  read:  "the  Form  for  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  shall 
be  read,  and  a  prayer,  suited  to  the  occasion  shall  be  offered"  .  .  . 
[The  designed  change  in  the  phraseology  indicates  a  freedom  as  to  the 
prayer  on  that  occasion.] 

Prayer  to  be  offered  at  the  opening,  and  a  Thanksgiving,  at  the  close 
of  all  ecclesiastical  meetings,  1619,  Art.  32;  all  such  meetings  shall  begin 
and  conclude  with  prayer,  1833,  Art.  38 ;  1874,  Art.  2>7  \  Deacon's  Meetings 
shall  be  opened  and  closed  with  prayer,  1619,  Art.  40;  Consistories  should 
seek  wisdom,  by  prayer,  in  calling  ministers,  1619,  Art.  4;  prayer  for  the 
excommunicated;  1619,  Art.  77;  1833,  115. 

Prayer  Before  or  After  the  Offering.     Suggested,  1894,  424. 

Prayer,  Days  of.  Civil  Rulers  should  be  requested  to  appoint,  or 
Ecclesiastical  Bodies  should  appoint.  Days  of  Fasting  and  Prayer,  in 
emergencies;  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  66;  also  Thanksgiving  Days,  1792,  Art. 
66;  the  early  Synods  often  suggested  such  days;  e.g.,  Ap.,  1775,  57;   1778, 


514         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL    LEGISLATION 

-68;  May,  1785,  I35 ;  May,  1787,  158;  May,  1788,  173;  Oct.,  1788,  185;  May, 
1792,  231;  Oct.,  1792,  242;  1793,  254;  1812,  433-4,  440;  etc.  The  churches 
requested  to  set  apart  the  first  Monday  evening  of  every  month,  as  a  sea- 
son of  prayer  for  a  revival  of  rehgion,  and  the  extension  of  the  Re- 
deemer's Kingdom  to  the  ends  of  the  earth;  1818,  19;  often  referred  to 
later ;  in  1832,  42,  the  Presbyterian  and  Dutch  Churches  set  apart  the  first 
Monday  of  January,  1833,  for  "the  conversion  of  the  world ;"  the  churches 
recommended  to  set  apart  the  last  Thursday  of  February,  as  a  Day  of 
Prayer  for  Colleges,  1842,  119.  In  1871,  the  day  was  changed  to  last 
Thursday  of  January.  Repeated  yearly;  pastors  often  requested  to 
preach  on  education  on  preceding  Sabbath. 

The  churches  urged  to  set  apart  the  first  Monday  of  next  year  (1845), 
as  a  day  of  special  prayer  for  the  conversion  of  the  world.  1844,  385. 
In  1862,  214,  the  second  week  in  January  recommended  as  the  Week  of 
Prayer,  for  the  conversion  of  the  world.  Changed  to  the  first  week  in 
January.  1865,  635,  and  repeated  yearly,  ever  since.  See  also  1900,  828-9. 
Many  days  of  prayer  have  been  set  apart  for  special  purposes. 

Prayer,  Hour  of.  All  ministers  requested  to  set  apart  the  hour 
from  II  to  12,  each  Saturday  for  united  prayer  for  the  effusion  of  the 
Spirit  upon  the  ministry  and  upon  every  department  of  the  Christian 
Church.     1820,  58. 

Prayer  Meetings.  Greatly  multiplying,  and  earnestly  recommended, 
1812,  435;  1815,  23;  1818,  19;  and  many  similar  resolutions. 

Prayers.     See  Liturgy. 

Prayers  at  Family  Worship.  1889,  859,  864-870.  Committee  ap- 
pointed to  prepare,  1888,  688.     Adopted,  1896,  414. 

Prayers  at  the  Opening  of  the  Sunday  School.  1889,  859,  863-4. 
Adopted,  1896,  414. 

Prayer  at  the  Ordination  of  a  Missionary  Evangelist.  1889,  858, 
860-3.     Adopted,  1896,  414. 

Preaching — On  the  Heidelberg  Catechism;  see  Heidelberg  Cate- 
chism. 

Preaching  the  Word.  Preaching  the  pure  doctrine  of  the  Gospel — 
the  sign  of  the  True  Church ;  the  True  Church  must  have  "ministers  or 
pastors  to  preach  the  Word  of  God;"  Belgic.  Conf.,  Arts.  29,  30;  "the 
Holy  Ghost  works  faith  in  our  hearts  by  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel ;" 
''preaching"  is  one  of  the  Keys  of  the  Kingdom ;  God  will  have  His 
people  taught  by  the  lively  preaching  of  the  Word ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
65,  83,  84,  98;  see  also  Canons  of  Dort,  i.  14;  ii.  5;  iii.  and  iv.  11 ;  v.  14. 

Rules  of  the  Constitution:  Preachers  must  persevere  in  the  "Minis- 
try of  the  Word;"  1619,  Art.  16;  1792,  Art.  14;  1833,  Art.  15;  1874,  Art. 
14;  pastors  are  called  to  "preach  the  Word  in  truth  and  faithfulness," 
1792,  Art.  36;  1833,  Art.  60;  1874,  Art.  53;  there  must  be  a  sermon 
preached  at  all  ordinations,  1792,  Art.  13;  1833,  Art.  14;  1874,  Art.  13; 
Classis  must  inquire  whether  the  doctrines  are  preached  in  their  purity, 
1619,  Arts.  41,  44;  1792,  Art.  44;  1833,  Art.  ']2\  1874,  Art.  64;  a  sermon  to 
be  preached  at  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  1619,  Art.  62 ;  1833, 
Art.  87  [sermon  not  required,  1874,  T]\  ;  preaching  at  the  Stated  Meet- 
ings of  the  Classes,  1619,  Art.  41;  1833,  71;  not  obligatory,  1874,  63;  a 
minister  without  pastoral  charge  may  not  preach  about  indiscriminately, 
without  permission  of  [Particular]  Synod  or  Classis;  nor  in  any  church 
without  consent  of  its  Consistory,  1619,  Art.  15 ;  without  consent  of 
Classis,  1833,  Art.  18  [this  not  referred  to  in  1874]  '.  a  Professor  of  The- 
ology, altho'  not  a  pastor,  is  expected  to  preach  occasionally,  1792,  Art. 
20,  with  consent  of  Consistory,  1833,  Art.  28;  1874,  Art.  25;  baptism 
should  be  accompanied  by  the  preaching  of  the  Word,  1619,  Art.  56 ; 
1792,   Art.   58;    1833.  86;    if  possible,    1874,   Art.   76;   a   candidate   for   the 


PRECEDENTS  515 

ministry  may  preach  the  Word,  1792,  Art.  7  ;  1833,  8  [clause  omitted,  1874,  9]. 

Students  of  Theology-  not  permitted  to  treat  any  proposition  during 
public  worship ;  but  may  exercise  their  gifts  by  preaching  under  the 
oversight  of  the  Professor,  Lector  or  Minister  with  whom  they  are 
studying;  1787,  163.     See  Students'  Preaching. 

Xo  Minister  or  Consistory  shall  allow  any  one  to  preach  before  their 
congregations  without  satisfactory  evidence  of  a  lawful  call  to  the  minis- 
try of  the  Reformed  Church;  Ccetus,  1738,  p.  viii ;  Preachers  or  candi- 
dates must  exhibit  their  commissions  to  two  of  the  neighboring  ministers ; 
Ccetus,  1748,  xii ;  Professors  shall  occasionally  preach,  both  for  the  assist- 
ance of  the  minister  of  the  place,  and  to  afford  the  students  an  example 
of  a  well-composed  discourse;  Arts,  of  Union,  1771,  14.  See  Foreign 
Ministers. 

Precedents.  The  forms  and  proceedings  in  the  respective  judica- 
tories shall  be,  as  far  as  possible,  agreeable  to  established  precedents  and 
usages;   Constit.  of   1792,  Art.  73.     No  allusion  to,  in  Constit.  of   1874. 

Predestination.  Belgic.  Conf.,  Art.  16;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  31,  52, 
54 ;  Canons  of  Dort,  i.  1-18,  60. 

Preparatory  Schools.  See  Grammar  Schools ;  Academies.  Request 
from  Classis  of  Cayuga  to  establish  a  literary  institution  at  Geneva ;  from 
Classis  of  Schoharie,  a  preparatory  school,  a  college  and  a  theological 
seminary  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi ;  Classis  of  Cayuga  authorized  to 
prosecute  the  enterprise  they  proposed  ;  the  Board  of  Missions  authorized 
to  send  a  Committee  of  two  to  the  Western  States  and  the  territory  of 
]Michigan,  and  report  on  the  expediency  of  missionary  stations  for  our 
people  in  the  West.     1836,  492,  503-4. 

Preparatory  Service.  The  Palatinate  Form  of,  allowed  to  be  printed 
in  the  German  Hymn  Book,  1854,  295. 

Preparatory  Services.  . .  When  religion  is  in  a  low  and  declining  state, 
it  is  recommended  that  the  Preparatory  Service  be  made  a  season  of 
special  humiliation  and  prayer  for  the  revival  of  religion ;   1826,  36. 

Preparatory  Studies.  This  phrase  is  used  ambiguously  in  Constit. 
of  1874,  Art.  60  (of  1833.  67).  See  Amendment  to  Constit."  of  1792,  40. 
Does  '"preparatory  studies"  refer  to  Grammar  School,  College,  or  Semi- 
nary?    Compare  1874,  Art.  4. 

Presbyterian  Alliance.  See  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches  Hold- 
ing the  Presbyterian  System. 

Presbyterian  Alliance  in  India.  See  Arcot,  Classis  of;  also  1876, 
445,  449:  1881,  681-2,  686. 

Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Review.  Whereas,  The  new  Quarterly, 
called  "The  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  Review,"  is  designed  to  represent 
our  Church,  as  well  as  the  Presbj-terian,  and  promises  to  be  a  very  useful 
publication. 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  recommend  this  "Review"  to  the  support 
of  our  ministers  and  people.     1890,  96. 

Presbyterian  Review.  Resolved,  That  the  Synod  having  learned  of 
the  establishment  of  the  Presbyterian  Review,  a  quarterly  journal  of  high 
character,  designed  to  defend  and  advocate  those  views  of  faith  and 
order  which  are  held  in  common  by  the  Reformed  Church  and  the 
Presbyterian,  take  pleasure  in  recommending  this  enterprise  to  the  favor 
and  support  of  all  our  ministers  and  people,  as  one  which  promises  to  be 
a  most  effective  instrument  for  good  in  these  days  when  fundamental 
truth  is  so  persistently  and  assiduously  assailed.     1880,  588. 

Presbyterian  Church.     See  Covenanter  Synod. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  Canada.  See  Canada,  Presbyterian 
Church  of. 


5i6         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  (North).  [For  efforts 
to  unite  the  Dutch,  German  and  Presbyterian  Churches,  1743,  see  Ecclesi- 
astical Records  of  New  York,  Vol.  3,  under  date ;  Corwin's  Manual,  1902, 
105,  287;  Briggs'  American  Presbyterianism,  284;  and  Good's  Hist,  of 
Rcfd.   (German)  Church  in  U.  S.] 

Official  correspondence  between  the  Presbyterian  and  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Churches,  began  in  1783.  The  Particular  Body  (or  Classis)  of 
New  Brunswick  complained  of  the  intrusion  of  Rev.  Mr.  Thatcher,  of 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  in  the  Dutch  churches  of  New  Mill- 
stone (now  Millstone),  and  Minisink.  The  Dutch  Synod  wrote  a  friendly 
letter  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick.  (See  Magazine  of  R.  D.  C, 
Vol.  iv.  ;i72.)  1783,  104.  An  answer,  dated  May  18.  1784,  was  received 
from  the  Presbytery.  It  was  a  ''polite  and  godly  letter."  It  proposed 
the  appointment  of  Committees  by  each  Body,  to  lay  "a  foundation  for 
fraternal  dealings  and  Christian  neighborship,"  May,  1784,  108.  The 
Dutch  Synod  also  directed  that  the  brethren  of  the  United  Reformed 
Scotch  Church  be  invited  to  the  same  Conference,  to  promote  fraternal 
intercourse,  Oct.,  1784,  121. 

For  some  reason  the  Conference  failed  to  meet,  but  Dr.  Livingston, 
the  chairman  of  the  Reformed  Church  Committee,  reported  a  personal  in- 
terview with  members  of  the  other  Committees  :  That  there  should  be  no 
amalgamation  of  the  several  Bodies ;  that  the  Standards  of  each  should 
remain  untouched  :  that  inquiries  should  be  made  as  to  "the  grounds  or 
criteria  of  their  distinct  ecclesiastical  organization,  in  order  to  arrange 
the  mode  and  measure  of  the  intended  correspondence  and  fraternal 
neighborship ;"  that  the  design  of  this  Correspondence  is  to  promote  "the 
general  interest  of  the  Protestant  Churches  in  this  country,  mutual  incite- 
ment to  the  preservation  of  the  purity  of  the  Reformed  Faith,  and  holiness 
of  life,  and  the  warding  off  and  preventing  of  divisions,  schisms,  and 
other  irregularities ;"  that  each  Body  must  regard  the  solemn  character 
of  the  subscriptions  to  their  own  Standards;  May,  1785,  131-2.  (An- 
other translation  of  these  items  in  Mag.  R.  D.  C.  iv.  372.)  In  Oct.,  1785, 
the  Committee  report  that  a  Conference  had  been  held  of  the  three  Com- 
mittees ;  that  certain  Rules  had  been  adopted  for  the  maintenance  of  mu- 
tual Correspondence ;  but  since  the  Minutes  are  not  yet  written  up,  they 
are  not  prepared  to  report.     Oct.,  1785,  142. 

Report  presented,  which  was  provisionally  approved.  But  on  ac- 
count of  its  importance,  it  was  referred  to  the  Classes.  [This  was  done 
before  the  first  American  Constitution  of  1792  was  adopted.]  1786.  148. 
Delays,  1787,  155:  1788,  184.  [Meantime,  the  efforts  to  transfer  the 
Church  of  Minisink,  from  the  Dutch  Church  to  the  Presbyterian,  contin- 
ued; but  this  did  not  seem  to  affect  the  progress  of  these  negotiations. 

1787.  164-55-] 

Reports  of  the  Classes  on  the  Proposed  Correspondence  with  the 
Presbvterian  and  the  Associate  Reformed  Churches: 

The  reports  of  the  respective  Classes  upon  this  subject  having  been 
received,  it  was  found : 

1.  That  the  Classis  of  New  York  leave  the  continuance  or  abolish- 
ing of  the  convention  to  the  Rev.  Synod,  inasmuch  as  a  confounding 
of  jurisdiction  in  any  respect  has  never  been  intended  or  atternptcd, 
agreeably  to  the  basis  of  negotiation  formed  in  the  first  plan  in  relation  to 
this  corerspondcnce ;  unon  which  all  the  Classes  also  unanimously  insist. 

2.  The  Classis  of  Hackensack  declare  themselves  to  perceive  no 
good  result  as  likely  to  flow  from  this  correspondence;  they  apprehend 
some  difficulties,  and  thus   defer  the   subject   for  future  consideration. 

3.  The  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  acquiesce  in  the  continuance  of 
the  convention,  on  condition  that  the  corresponding  Synods  faithfully  pro- 
ceed in  giving  mutual  pledges  in  relation  to  their  fundamental  articles 
of  belief,  and  that  they  pledge  themselves  to  take  out  of  the  way  causes 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH   IN  THE  U.  S.         517 

of  complaint  and  disunion  in  congregations  where  difficulties  have  arisen 
among  brethren. 

4.  The  Classis  of  Kingston  not  having  met  since  October  last,  have 
presented  no  report  upon  the  subject. 

5.  The  Classis  of  Albany  leave  this  subject  to  the  determination  of 
the  Rev.  Synod,  at  the  same  time  desiring  that  some  regulation  be  made 
with  respect  to  members  who  pass  over  from  one  denomination  to  another, 
that  in  such  case  there  be  no  compulsion,  but  the  same  take  place  in  mu- 
tual confidence.     May,  1789,  189. 

Approbation  of  the  Synod : 

These  reports  having  been  received,  the  Rev.  Synod  took  them  into 
mature  consideration,  and  are  thereupon  of  opinion  that  the  same  afford 
the  Rev.  Synod  sufficient  light  and  freedom  at  present,  in  accordance  with 
previous  Synodical  resolutions,  iinaliter,  to  approve  and  ratify  said  plan  on 
the  part  and  in  the  name  of  our  churches ;  but  previously  to  the  fram- 
ing and  presenting  an  act  to  the  approaching  convention,  the  Rev.  Synod 
require : 

1.  That  the  Delegates  or  Commissioners  of  this  Body  insist  that 
the  corresponding  Synods  shall  in  like  manner  oblige  themselves,  by  an  act 
previously  agreed  upon  in  common,  to  abide  by  the  received  doctrine  and 
essentials  of  Christian  discipline. 

2.  Further,  that  in  case,  contrary  to  the  import  of  the  fundamental 
articles,  this  be  declined,  or  it  otherwise  appear  that  there  is  a  departure 
from  the  basis  of  negotiation,  and  hence  no  well-founded  expectation  of 
attaining  known  desirable  ends  first  and  chiefly  intended ;  that  then,  the 
deputies  engage  in  no  final  negotiations  for  the  ratification  of  said  conven- 
tion, but  take  their  dismission  in  peace  and  love,  and  report  thereof  to 
the  next  Synod. 

3.  That  on  this  condition,  such  Act  as  is  mentioned  in  the  first  fun- 
damental article  be  drawn  up,  stante  hac  Synodo,  and  delivered  in  full 
form  to  the  deputies.  Said  Act  being  drawn  up,  reads  as  follows  :  1789, 
189,  190: 

Declaration  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  to  stand  by  its  System  of 
Doctrine : 

Whereas,  In  a  convention  consisting  of  delegates  from  the  Presbyterian 
Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  and 
the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  of  Xew  York  and  Xew  Jersey, 
held  at  Xew  York,  the  5th  day  of  October,  1785,  it  was  among  other 
things  Resolved,  "That  the  manner  in  which  the  respective  Synods  shall 
give  a  solemn  pledge  to  each  other  of  the  Formulae  of  their  faith  which 
they  openly  profess,  and  of  their  strict  attachment  to  the  same,  shall  be 
by  an  Act  of  each  Synod,  wherein  an  accurate  recital  of  such  Formulae 
shall  be  made,  with  a  positive  declaration,  that  it  is  their  determination 
before  God  always  to  abide  by  the  same,  for  which  they  honestly  pledge 
themselves  to  the  two  other  Synods ;  that  such  declaration  and  promise 
shall  be  entered  upon  their  respective  records,  and  remain  a  perpetual 
witness  against  either  party,  who  shall  ever  deviate  therefrom ;"  And 
Whereas,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  have  now  resolved 
to  continue  the  correspondence,  upon  the  principles«laid  down  in  the  afore- 
said first  session  of  Convention :  Therefore,  agreeably  to  the  stipulation 
then  made,  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Churches  do  hereby  profess 
and  declare  that  the  Articles  of  Faith  and  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  as  agreed 
upon  and  ratified  by  the  Xational  Synod  held  at  Dordrecht,  Anno  1618  and 
1619,  and  which  are  translated  into  English,  and  published  in  the  Psalm- 
book  used  in  the  Dutch  Church  in  Xew  York,  together  with  the  Canones 
Synodi  Dordracenae,  respecting  the  doctrines  controverted  by  the  Armin- 
ians.  which  are  published  in  the  Acts  of  said  Synod  in  the  Latin  lan- 
guage, do  contain  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  l3utch  Churches,  and  are 
received    and    maintained    as    the    standards,    expressive    of    the    sense    in 


5i8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

wliicii  tbe  said  Dutcli  dmrclies  nnderstaiKl  and  belieTe  the  Word  of  God. 
And  the  Svnod  of  the  Reformed  Datdi  Cfaorcfaes  do  hereby-  in  a  solemn 
fartber  declare,  that  as  all  their  ministers  have  subscribed  these 
tosether  with  a  reimnciation  of  the  sentiments  of  Roell  and 
Bckker,  and  none  can  be  ^dwtntte^  into  their  Chnrdi  without  such  snb- 
MiipliuH,  so  it  is  their  siuueic  determination  before  God.  always  to  alnde 
fay  die  same;  and  thej  herdby  ^edge  themselTes  to  the  two  other  Synods 
to  UMMiiiue  faithful  in  the  said  profes^cm,  and  consent  that  this  declara- 
tioo  and  promise  m^  be  entered  iq>on  their  respective  records,  to  remain 
a  popetnal  witness  against  the  said  Dutch  drarches.  if  ever  thev  deviate 
thcrelrom;  in  fall  coimdence  and  expectation  that  the  same  pledge  will 
also,  in  the  manner  stqmlated  in  the  fundamental  articles  of  the  said  nrst 
cooTcntioa,  be  re^>ectively  given  and  solemnly  declared  by  the  other  two 
corresponding  Synods. 

Gnren  at  Xew  York,  the  15th  day  of  May.  in  Synod. 

By  Okses  or  THE  Syxod. 
May,  1789.  190,  191. 
[Another  translation  in  Mag.  R.  D.  C  iv.  373.] 

kLKlHkJt  DELAYS. 

The  members  of  the  committee  upon  this  subject  report,  that  they 
have  met  the  committees  of  the  Presbyterian  and  of  the  Scotch  Church  in 
comreBtioB,  bol,  b^  reascm  of  certain  lade  on  the  part  of  those  gentlemen, 
had  Uiuuf^M.  nofdaiag  into  ^ect;  bat  that  said  convention  is.  according  to 
rrsohtrion,  to  be  hdd  again  on  die  third  Tuesdav  of  October.  1790.    Oct., 

Coamnttee  on  Correspondence  appointed.  1790.  211;  their  report  de- 
layed mitil  the  next  meeting,  1791,  7?6 

The  Synod  declare  their  earnest  dedre  that  the  earliest  oppor- 
tnnitjr  be  taken  to  revive  the  friendly  correspondence  entered  into  with  the 
Prcd)yterian  and  Associate  Refom^  Churches  in  .\inerica.  .1794.  2^. 

FVESULY  OOOESFOXIIEXCE. 

The  General  Sjnod  appointed  a  coamnttee  to  report  what  is  necessary 
to  be  done  in  respect  to  reviving  the  friendly  correspondence  with  the 
Presbyterian  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches,  who  reported  as  fol- 
kyws,  viz.: 

*That  in  their  optmon,  the  most  speedy  and  effectual  measures  ought 
to  be  porsoed  to  revive  that  friendly  corre^xmdence  which  subsisted  for 
several  years  between  the  Reformed  Dutdi,  the  Presbyterian,  and  -\5 sod- 
ate  Reformed  Cfanrcfaes,  and  to  make  providon  for  its  improvement  and 
permanency. 

*^o  accomplish  this  purpose,  your  committee  recommend  that  a  com- 
mittee  be  appointed  by  the  General  Sjiiod  to  meet  with  committees  from 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  from  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Synod,  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  June,  1798,  in  Xew  York, 
in  order  to  form  some  plan  of  mutual  correspondence  and  intercourse; 
which  plan  ^lall  be  reported  to  the  respective  judicatories  for  final 
ratification. 

'Yoar  coannittee  recommend  that  the  committee  of  the  General 
Synod  be  instructed  to*propose  or  consent  to  no  connection  which  would 
destroy  tbe  distinction  and  independence  of  this  church,  or  in  the  least 
interfere  with  its  discqrfine  and  forms  of  worship;  and  that  the  three 
dmrclies  give  mutual  engagements  for  their  adherence  to  the  doctrines 
contained  in  their  respective  confessions. 

*^oar  committee  are  also  of  opinion  that,  until  a  plan  of  corre- 
spondence be  established,  the  ministers  of  this  church  continue  to  invite 
into  their  pulpits  the  ministers  of  the  other  churches  mentioned,  of  whose 
piety  and  orthodoxy  thej'  are  well  assured,  and  th^t  they  continue  to 
preach  in  thdr  pulpits  when  imrited. 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH   IN  THE  U.  S.         519 

"Yonr  committee  farther  recommend,  that  in  case  this  report  be  ap- 
proved, that  an  authenticated  copy,  with  the  approbation,  be  transmitted 
to  the  General  Assembh*  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  to  the  Associate 
Reformed  Synod." 

Resolved,  That  this  S\-nod  agree  to  the  above  report,  and  that  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Linn.  Revs.  Mr.  Bunscbooteru  Mr.  Stud- 
diford,  Mr.  S.  Frohgh,  H.  Schoonmaker ;  Mr.  Gilbert,  Mr.  Turk,  Mr. 
Simonson,  Mr.  V.  Voorst,  and  Mr.  Brinkerhof,  be  appointed  to  meet  with 
any  committees  which  may  be  ^ipotnted  by  the  Presbyterian  and  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  S\Tiods.     1797,  2GL 

Item  from  ParticuUtr  Symod: 

BROTHERLY  COMtESPO^nDEKCE. 

The  S}-nod  were  informed  that  the  comminee  from  this  Church,  and 
the  committees  from  the  Presbyterian  and  the  Associate  Reformed 
Churches,  had  met.  and  agreed  on  a  plan  of  correspondence,  which  jdU 
be  reported  to  General  S^tiod.     May,  1799.  483. 

Plan  of  Corsespondence  of  r.  d.  c  with  the  Psesbthxian  amd 
AssocL-^TE  Reformed  Churches,  1800,  281-7. 

BROTHERLY   CORRE5PONDEXCE. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  to  meet  with 
committees  from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Qmrch  and 
the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  in  order  to  revive  the  plan  for  corre- 
spondence and  friendly  intercourse,  r^orted  that  they  had  met  with  com- 
mittees from  the  aforesaid  judicatarics,  and  unanimously  agreed  upon  a 
plan  to  be  reported  to  their  respective  judicatories  for  final  ratification. 

The  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention  being  read,  were 
ordered  to  be  recorded,  and  are  as  follows: 

MINUTES 
Of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Convention  of  Committees  from  the  Reformed 

Dutch,   Presbyterian,  and  Associate  Reformed  Churches,  held  in  the 

City  of  New  York,  June  19th,  1798. 

The  General  S}tiod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  having 
made  a  proposal  for  reviving,  improving,  and  rendering  permanent  the 
friendly  correspondence  -with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  the  Associate  Reformed  Sjuod,  and  ha\"ing  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  meet  with  oonmnttees  from  these  bodies,  in  the  cit>-  of  New 
York,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  Jime,  1798;  and  they  likewise  ha>-ing  ap- 
pointed committees,  a  meeting  "was  held  accordingly,  in  the  consistor>- 
chamber  of  the  Dutch  Church. 

The  convention  being  opened  wtth  prajFcr  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers, 
senior  minister  present,  the  credentials  of  the  respective  committees  were 
read;  and  from  these  it  appeared  that  the  committees  appointed  were  as 
follows : 

BY     THE    REFORMED    PROTESTAXT    DUTCH     CHURCH. 

Mimisters.  Eiders, 

Rev.  William  Linn,  D.D.,  >fr.  Gilbert, 

Rev.  Mr.  Bunschoten,  Mr.  Turk. 

Rev.  Mr.  Studdiford,  Mr.  Simonson, 

Rev.  Mr.  Schoonmaker,  Mr.  Van  Voorst, 

Rev.  Mr.  S.  Froligh.  Mr.  Brinkerhof . 

BY  THE  GENER.^.L  .ASSEMBLY  OF  THE  PRESfi-i-TElilAX  CHUKCH. 

Ministers.  Elders. 

Rev.  John  Rodgers,  D.D.,  Mr.  John  Nelson, 

Rev.  Samuel  S.  Smith,  D.D.,  Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,, 

Rev    .\shbel  Green,  D.D.,  Mr.  John  Broome, 

Rev.  Mr.   Hunter.  Mr.  Benjamin  Coe. 
Rev.  John  WoodhuM, 


520         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

BY    THE    ASSOCIATE    REFORMED    SYNOD. 

Rev.  Robert  Annin, 

Rev.  John  M.  Mason,  Mr.  George  Linsay. 

Rev.  Alex.  Proudfit.  ; 

Of  these  committees,  the  following  members  met: 

FROM    THE    REFORMED    DUTCH    CHURCH. 

Rev.  Dr.  Linn,  Mr.  Turk, 

Rev.  Mr.  Schoonmaker.  Mr.  Gilbert, 

Mr.  Van  Voorst. 

FROM    THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers,  Mr.  John  Neilson, 

Rev.  Dr.  S.  S.  Smith,  Mr.  John  Broome, 

Rev.  Mr.  Woodhull.  Mr.  Benjamin  Coe. 

FROM    THE    ASSOCIATE    REFORMED    SYNOD. 

Rev.  John  M.  Mason.  Mr.  George  Linsay. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Mason,  Clerk. 

3  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Woodhull, 

Ordered,  That  the  minutes  of  the  former  convention  be  read,  which 
was  done  accordingly. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Green  appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Smith, 

Resolved,  That  as  the  invitation  for  reviving  the  correspondence  be- 
tween the  churches  represented  in  this  convention  came  from  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Dutch  Church,  their  committee  be  requested  to  lay  before 
the  convention  such  proposals  as  they  contemplated  for  accomplishing  the 
•object  thereof;  or  such  introductory  remarks  as  may  prepare  the  way  for 
originating  a  suitable  plan. 

Whereupon  Dr.  Linn  informed  the  convention  that  the  Synod  of 
the  Dutch  Church,  considering  the  points  to  be  discussed  by  the  joint 
committee  as  equally  interesting  to  all  the  churches  therein  represented, 
had  not  instructed  their  committee  to  make  any  specific  propositions  in 
their  name,  nor  had  any  been  digested  by  them. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Smith,  one  of  the  delegates  from  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  appeared  and  took  his  seat. 

After  conversation  at  some  length,  on  the  general  objects  of  the  con- 
vention, it  was,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Woodhull, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  a  minister  and  another 
member  from  each  representation,  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  draft  of  a 
plan  of  correspondence  and  intercourse  between  the  churches. 

Dr.  Linn  and  Mr.  Gilbert  were  appointed  from  the  representation  of 
the  Dutch  Synod. 

Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Neilson,  from  that  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Mr.  Mason  and  Mr.  Linsay,  from  that  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
Synod. 

Ordered,  That  the  committee  report  to-morrow  morning,  at  10  o'clock. 

Adjourned.     Closed  with  prayer. 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH    IN    THE  U.  S.         521 

June  20,   1798,   10  o'clock,  A.   M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  with  prayer.  After  the 
minutes  of  the  last  sitting  were  read,  the  committee  appointed  to  draft  a 
plan  for  correspondence  and  intercourse  between  the  churches  represented 
in  this  convention  brought  in  their  report,  which,  after  discussion  by  para- 
graphs, and  some  amendments,  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  is  as 
follows  : 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  the  draft  of  a  plan  for  corre- 
spondence and  intercourse  between  the  churches  under  the  superintendence 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Prsbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  and  the 
Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  beg  leave  to  report : 

"That,  from  considerations  of  propriety  and  expediency,  it  is  to  be 
received  as  the  basis  of  the  plan,  that  the  several  ecclesiastical  bodies 
or  judicatories  concerned  are  to  remain  and  be  preserved  entirely  separate 
and  independent.  That  consistently  with  this  fundamental  principle,  the 
three  following  kinds,  or  degrees  of  intercourse,  appear  to  be  practicable, 
and  ought  to  be  recommended,  viz. : 

1.  The  communion  of  particular  churches. 

2.  The  friendly  interchange  of  ministerial  services. 

3.  A  correspondence  of  the  several  judicatories  of  the  conferring 
churches. 

1.  The  Communion  of  Particular  Churches. — 'Any  member  in  com- 
munion with  any  church  concerned  in  this  conference,  may  be  received 
to  occasional  communion  in  any  other  church  thus  concerned,  on  pro- 
ducing to  the  proper  church  officers,  to  whom  application  may  be  made, 
sufficient  testimonials  of  a  good  and  regular  standing  in  the  church  with 
which  he  is  statedly  connected :  Provided,  but  not  otherwise,  that  the 
church  officers,  to  whom  this  application  shall  be  made,  shall  judge  that 
the  circumstances  of  the  church  of  which  they  have  the  oversight,  render 
it  expedient,  and  for  mutual  edification,  to  admit  the  applicant  to  occa- 
sional communion  with  them. 

Persons  under  censure,  or  process  of  censure,  in  any  particular 
church  concerned  in  this  agreement,  shall  not  be  received  to  occasional 
or  stated  communion  in  any  other  church  so  concerned,  while  such 
censure  remains,  or  such  process  is  unfinished. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  when  any  member  in  one  of  said  churches 
desires  to  connect  himself  with  another,  he  shall  not  be  refused  a  cer- 
tificate of  his  good  standing,  when  such  standing  is  really  good ;  nor 
shall  it  be  esteemed  disorderly  or  unkind  for  the  church  to  which  he 
may  present  such  certificate  to  receive  him. 

2.  "The  Friendly  Interchange  of  Ministerial  Services. — It  shall  be 
permitted  to  the  competent  church  officers  in  any  congregation,  settled 
or  vacant,  under  the  care  of  the  conferring  judicatories,  to  invite  any 
minister  who  is  in  good  standing  with  any  of  said  judicatories,  to  preach 
in  the  pulpit  of  such  congregation,  if  they  shall  judge  it  to  be  expedient. 
But  here,  as  in  the  former  case,  it  shall  be  entirely  optional  to  give, 
or  to  withhold  such  invitation,  nor  shall  it  be  esteemed  offensive  or  unkind 
if  the  invitation  be  forborne. 

"In  cases  where  the  people  residing  within  the  limits  suitable  to  a 
congregation  shall  be  composed  of  members  from  two,  or  from  all  of 
the  conferring  churches,  it  shall  be  recommended  to  the  people  thus  cir- 
cumstanced to  call,  and  cause  to  be  settled  among  them,  a  regular  licenti- 
ate, or  minister  in  any  of  the  said  churches,  as  the  majority  shall  by  vote 
determine,  and  that  such  licentiate  or  minister,  when  thus  settled,  shall 
attach  himself  to  the  judicatories  of  that  church  to  which  the  majority 
so  calling  him  did  belong;  unless  said  majority  shall  freely  consent  that 
the  minister  called  do  choose  the  judicatory  with  which  he  will  be  con- 


522         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ncctcd ;  in  which  case,  the  minister  may,  without  any  offence,  make  his 
choice  among  the  judicatories  of  any  of  the  churches  conferring.  And 
where  there  are  any  congregations  or  bodies  of  people  in  such  situation 
that  they  cannot  obtain  adequate  supphes  of  ministerial  service  from  that 
particular  church  to  which  they,  or  the  majority  of  them,  belong,  it  may 
and  shall  be  lawful  for  them  to  make  regular  applications  for  supply  to 
any  of  the  other  judicatories  concerned  in  this  conference. 

3.  '"A  Coyrcspondcncc  of  the  several  Judicatories  of  the  eouferring 
Churches. 

"Any  judicatory  of  the  conferring  churches  may  invite  the  regular 
members  of  any  other  judicatory  concerned  in  this  agreement  to  sit 
as  corresponding  members,  whenever  it  may  be  judged  expedient  so  to 
do.  But  here,  as  in  the  former  cases,  a  neglect  to  invite  shall  not  be 
considered  as  offensive,  inasmuch  as  each  judicatory  must  always  be 
best  able  to  judge  whether  such  a  measure  be  expedient. 

"It  is  moreover  recommended  that  delegates  be  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly,  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
and  by  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  to  sit  in  their  judicatories  respect- 
ively, with  the  privilege  of  deliberating  on  all  subjects  that  may  come 
before  them,  and  also  of  voting  on  all  questions  which  the  members  of  the 
judicatory  in  which  they  sit  shall  not  deem  constitutional;  but  without 
power  to  vote  on  any  question  of  this  description :  Provided,  nevertheless, 
that  the  number  of  such  delegates  shall  never  exceed  three,  unless  by  a 
future  agreement  their  number  be  increased. 

"It  is  further  recommended  that  the  churches  conferring  mutually 
watch  over  each  other's  purity  in  doctrine,  discipline,  and  manners,  and 
be  ready  to  receive  complaints  against  any  of  their  ministers  or  members 
upon  these  subjects;  which  complaints  may  be  preferred  and  prose- 
cuted, either  by  individuals  in  their  own  name,  cum  pcrictilo ;  or  by  a 
judicatory,  which  shall  communicate  the  necessary  information  to  the 
judicatory  to  which  the  offender  is  subject;  in  which  latter  ca'se.  it  shall 
be  taken  up  as  a  fama  clamosa,  and  prosecuted  by  said  judicatory;  and  the 
whole  proceedings  thereon  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  informing  body  for 
their  satisfaction. 

"It  is  understood  that  certificates  or  recommendations  shall  be  es- 
teemed authentic  and  sufficient,  where  they  are  made  agreeably  to  the 
rules  of  that  church  by  which  they  are  granted. 

"It  is  also  understood  that  all  congregations,  in  making  applica- 
tions for  supplies,  shall  obtain  leave  for  so  doing  from  the  judicatory 
to  which  they  statedly  and  regularly  belong;  and  that  in  making  applica- 
tion, whether  for  supplies  or  for  the  settlement  of  a  minister,  they  shall 
conform  to  the  rules  of  that  judicatory  to  which  the  application  shall  be 
made." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Convention,  authenti- 
cated by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk,  be  transmitted  to  each  of  the  Supreme 
Judicatories  of  the  churches  concerned. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 

,  Moderator. 

Attest, 

Jno.  M.  Mason.  Clerk. 

N.  B. — The  preceding  is  a  true  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Con- 
vention ;  but,  from  the  absence  of  the  Moderator,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers, 
it  could  not  receive  his  signature.  Jno.  M.  Mason. 

New  York,  May  22,  1800. 

1800,  281,  285. 

Certain  documents  relative  to  the  plan  of  brotherly  correspondence 
from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Synod,  were  also  produced  and  read.     Whereupon,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.   Dr.  Romeyn.  the 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    IN  THE  U.  S.         523 

Rev.  Solomon  Froligh,  and  the  Rev.  John  Bassett,  be  appointed  to  trans- 
late, select,  and  lay  before  this  Board,  all  minutes  and  papers  relative  to 
this  Lemma  of  Brotherly  Correspondence. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  3  o'clock,  p.  m. 

Concluded  with  prayer, 

BROTHERLY   CORRESPONDENCE. 

The  committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Brotherly  Corre- 
spondence reported,  that  they  had  only  in  part  performed  the  business 
allotted  to  them.  Whereupon,  the  following  resolutions  were  proposed, 
viz. : 

Proposed  Resolutions. 

1.  Resolved,  That  as  the  spirit  of  the  Christian  religion  requires, 
and  its  precepts  enjoin  upon  its  professors,  to  seek  and  maintain  com- 
munion with  one  another ;  so,  in  times  when  error  and  infidelity  greatl}' 
prevail,  all  who  love  the  truth  are  peculiarly  called  to  remove  every  cause 
of  offence,  to  encourage  and  strengthen  one  another,  and  to  combine 
their  efforts,  as  far  as  possible,  in  support  of  the  common  cause. 

2.  Resolved,  That  it  appears  to  be  inexpedient,  on  account  of  cer- 
tain circumstances,  to  adopt  at  present  the  plan  for  correspondence  and 
intercourse  proposed  by  a  convention  of  delegates  from  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church,  and  the  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church, 
and  which  has  been  reported  to  this  Synod  by  their  delegates.  But  that, 
in  the  mean  time,  the  usual  practice  of  admitting  those  of  the  other 
denominations  concerned  in  this  correspondence  to  occasional  or  stated 
communion,  and  the  interchange  of  ministerial  services,  be  permitted, 
whenever  the  competent  church  officers  shall  judge  it  to  be  for  edification. 

3.  Resolved,  That  in  order  to  preserve  alive  the  correspondence, 
and  revive,  if  necessary,  said  plan,  delegates  be  appointed  to  meet 
with   delegates   who   may  be   appointed   by   the   judicatories   of   the   other 

churches  concerned,  on  in  ,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  above 

resolutions,   properly  authenticated,   be   transmitted   to   those   judicatories. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  some  of  the  Consistories  under 
the  care  of  this  Synod,  in  condemning  the  aforesaid  plan  of  corre- 
spondence, and  instructing  their  delegates  to  vote  against  it,  before  it 
had  been  reported  to  the  Synod  and  taken  under  consideration,  are 
irregular,  and  if  tolerated,  would  destroy  that  subordination  so  essential 
to  all  good  government. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  the  above  resolutions  be  post- 
poned until  to-morrow,  at  11  o'clock,  when  the  committee  shall  have  re- 
ported their  transactions  and  extracts  of  minutes  upon  the  Lemma  of 
Brotherly  Correspondence.     1800,  286-7. 

The  committee  appointed  under  the  Lemma  of  Brotherly  Corre- 
spondence laid  upon  the  table  all  the  minutes  relative  to  this  Lemma, 
which  were  read.  On  motion,  Ordered,  That  the  minutes  of  the  con- 
vention of  1785,   1786,   1787,   1788,  be  now  also  read;   which  was  done. 

Substitute  Proposed. 

The  resolutions  proposed  yesterday  afternoon  were  now  read  and 
taken  up.  Whereupon,  an  amendment  was  brought  forward  in  the  fol- 
lowing words,  viz. : 

That  after  the  word  "resolved,"  the  following  be  substituted: 

1.  That  the  General  Synod  entertain  an  affectionate  regard  and 
sincere  esteem  for  the  conferring  churches,  and  have  manifested  their 
sentiments  in  the  most  unequivocal  manner  in  proposing  a  friendly  corre- 
spondence, and  maintaining  the  same,  until  the  withholding  of  corre- 
sponding delegates  rendered  it  no  longer  practicable. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  correspondence  organized  in  the  year  of  our 


524  DIGEST  OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Lord  1785  contemplated  nothing  more  than  a  meeting  of  the  repre- 
sentatives from  the  respective  churches,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  frater- 
nal consultation,  communicating  and  receiving  mutual  advice  in  matters 
of  discipline,  and  strengthening  and  encouraging  each  other  to  abide 
faithfully  in  the  doctrines  of  grace.  The  General  Synod  judged  a  corre- 
spondence, instituted  upon  these  principles,  would  combine  the  efforts  of 
sister  churches  in  resisting  the  prevalence  of  infidelity  and  error,  and 
maintain  the  bond  of  charity  and  communion,  without  disturbing  the 
internal  peace  of  the  respective  churches  or  introducing  innovation. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  have  persevered  in  the  same 
sentiment,  and  notwithstanding  the  disagreeable  interruption  of  the  cor- 
respondence, have  continued  willing  to  revive  and  confirm  the  same 
upon  the  principles  first  adopted,  as  appears  by  their  repeated  resolu- 
tions upon  this  subject  in  the  years  1794  and  1797. 

4.  Resolved,  That  as  nothing  more  than  a  revival  of  the  former  cor- 
respondence with  both  of  the  conferring  churches  was  intended,  and  as 
any  further  intercourse  than  was  first  agreed  upon,  with  either  of  them 
would  be  highly  inexpedient,  and,  in  the  circumstances  of  this  Church, 
wholly  inadmissible,  therefore  the  General  Synod  finds  it  necessary  to 
decline  ratifying  a  plan  which  embraces  objects  not  anticipated  by  the 
Dutch  Church  ;  which  is  not  a  revival  of  the  former  correspondence,  but 
a  new  and  different  system  of  intercourse;  and  which,  if  carried  into 
effect,  would  not  be  for  edification. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Dutch  Reformed  churches  will  cheerfully  co- 
operate with  the  other  conferring  churches  in  mutually  watching  over 
purity  in  doctrine,  discipline  and  manners,  and  as  far  as  possible  promote 
and  enforce  the  same ;  will  give  no  countenance  to  fugitives  from  censure ; 
and  will  always  honor  the  certificates  of  church  membership  from  both 
the  conferring  churches,  agreeably  to  a  similar  determination  expressed 
by  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod,  with  whose  decision  upon  jthe  subject 
this  Synod  cordially  concur. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  expect  a  charitable  construc- 
tion will  be  put  upon  their  present  decision,  and  that  it  will  be  clearly 
understood  that  they  refuse  a  ratification,  from  a  conviction  that  it  would 
disturb  the  peace  of  their  churches,  many  of  which  have  already  ex- 
pressed great  uneasiness,  and  given  positive  instructions  against  adopting 
the  proposed  plan ;  and  that  it  would  not  tend  so  effectually  to  maintain 
order,  preserve  the  doctrines  of  grace  in  their  purity,  or  promote  fraternal 
tranquillity  and  good  neighborhood,  as  are,  under  the  present  state  of 
things,  now  attainable.  The  General  Synod  freely  leave,  without  offence, 
the  respective  conferring  churches  to  judge  what  is  proper  and  expedient 
each  for  themselves ;  they  feel  grateful  to  those  who  have  testified  a  will- 
ingness to  hold  a  more  intim?.le  intercourse,  and  will  always  rejoice  in 
the  prosperity  of  brethren,  and  the  enlargement  of  churches,  upon  whom 
they  pray  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  may  rest. 

Resolved,  lastly,  That  an  authenticated  copy  of  these  resolutions  be 
transmitted  to  the  respective  judicatories  of  the  conferring  churches. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  this  amendment  lie  over  until 
Monday,  at  3  o'clock,  p.m. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  as  two  resolutions  of  considerable  length  are 
now  pending  before  this  Synod,  the  one  introduced  as  an  amendment 
or  a  substitute  of  the  other,  and  as  it  is  difficult  to  take  into  full  view 
the  import  and  tendency  of  these  resolutions,  which,  however,  from  the 
importance  of  the  object,  require  the  fullest  consideration  and  inquiry, 
that,  therefore,  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  on  Monday  next,  at 
3  o'clock,  P.M.,  how  far  and  in  what  respect  both  resolutions  and  the 
plan  reported  by  the  committee  on  correspondence  agree  or  disagree  with 
the  correspondence  entered  into  in  1785,  and  practiced  a  number  of  years 
after:   and  that,   if  a  difference  be   found  to  exist,  the  committee   report 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    IN  THE  U.  S.         525 

and  point  out  the  same  with  correctness.     After  debating  upon  this  mo- 
tion, it  was  put  and  negatived. 

Adjourned  till  3  o'clock,  p.m. 

Concluded  with  prayer.     1800.  288-290. 

The  resolutions  proposed  as  an  amendment  respecting  the  olan  of 
intercourse  and  brotherh-  correspondence  with  the  conferring  churches 
were  taken  up  and  considered,  when  it  was  moved  that  this  General 
Synod  still  remains  willing  to  renew  the  correspondence  which  was 
formed  in  the  year  1785,  with  the  respective  churches,  precisely  upon  the 
same  principles  which  were  then  adopted :  and  that  if  both  the  said 
churches  shall  notify  their  concurrence  herein,  by  the  next  ordinary  ses- 
sion of  the  General  Synod,  proper  measures  shall  then  be  taken  to  open 
again  the  said  correspondence. 

After  deliberation,  this  motion,  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the 
Synod,  was  withdrawn  by  the  mover. 

It  was  moved  that  the  proceedings  of  some  of  the  Consistories  un- 
der the  care  of  this  Synod,  in  condemning  the  plan  of  brotherly  corre- 
spondence, and  in  directing  their  delegates  to  vote  against  it,  before  it 
had  been  reported  to  the  Synod  and  taken  under  consideration,  are  ir- 
regular, and  if  tolerated,  would  destroy  that  subordination  so  essential 
to  all  good  government. 

After  debating  on  this  motion,  it  was  put,  and  lost.     1800,  293-4. 

[The  matter  seems  to  have  been  left  in  an  unfinished  state :  never- 
theless the  Synod  of  1812  appears  to  think  that  the  scheme  of  1800  was 
adopted ;  but  no  delegates  were  exchanged  with  the  Presbyterian  Church ; 
but  more  or  less  intercourse  with  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  con- 
tinued.] 

ACTiox  OF   1812. 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted,  viz. : 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  find 
a  reference  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York  to  this  General 
Synod,  on  the  subject  of  a  correspondence  with  sister  churches  generally. 

I.  Your  committee  inform  Synod  that  there  is  a  friendly  intercourse 
existing  between  our  Church  and  the  Associate  Reformed  and  Presby- 
terian Churches,  according  to  the  plan  adopted  by  the  General  Synod 
of  1800,  which  intercourse  it  may  be  proper  that  Synod  both  cherish  and 
render  more  intimate  and  full.     1812,  438-9. 

ACTION  OF  1822. 

Nothing  further  occurs,  however,  action  of  1822,  with  reference  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  until  1822,  when  a  communication  was  received 
from  the  General  Assembly,  stating  that  Drs.  [John  B.]  Romeyn  and 
Neill,  with  elder  [Diviel  Bethune  had  been  appointed  a  Committee  to 
confer  with  a  similar  Committee  of  the  R.  D.  C,  if  such  should  be 
appointed,  in  reference  to  Correspondence.  Rev.  Drs.  Milledoler,  C.  C. 
Cuyler  and  elder  Henry  Rutgers  were  appointed  such  Committee  of  Con- 
ference, 1822,  19.  The  two  Committees  agreed  unanimously  to  a  Plan  of 
Correspondence  and  to  recommend  the  same  to  their  respective  Judica- 
tories : 

I.  The  Churches  are  to  remain  entirely  separate  and  independent. 

II.  Any  member  of  either  Church  may  be  received  in  communion  to 
the  other,  on  producing  to  the  proper  church  officers  sufficient  evidence 
of  a  good  and  regular  standing  in  the  church  with  which  he  is  connected. 

III.  It  shall  be  permitted  to  the  competent  church  officers  in  any 
congregation,  settled  or  vacant,  to  invite  to  preach  in  their  pulpit  any 
minister  or  probationer  who  is  in  good  standing  in  either  of  said 
Churches,  and  who  preaches  in  their  purity  the  great  doctrines  of  the 
gospel,  as  they  are  stated  in  their  respective  Confessions  of  Faith,  and 
have  generally  been  received  and  taught  in  the  Reformed  Churches :  but  it 


526         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

shall  be  entirely  optional  to  give  or  withhold  such  invitations;  nor  shall  it 
be  esteemed  offensive  or  unkind  if  the  invitation  is  withheld. 

IV.  A  vacant  congregation  shall  be  at  liberty  to  call  a  minister  from 
either  of  the  Churches,  according  to  the  order  established  in  the  Church 
from  which  he  may  be  called ;  he  conforming  himself  to  the  order  of 
that  Church  to  which  he  shall  be  called ;  and  in  case  of  a  congregation 
being  formed  of  people  from  both,  it  shall  be  at  liberty  to  put  itself  under 
the  care  of  either,  at  its  option. 

V.  Persons  under  censure  or  process  of  censure,  in  either  Church, 
shall  not  be  received  into  the  other  Church,  while  such  censure  remains, 
or  such  process  is  unfinished. 

VI.  The  Ministers  of  either  Church  may  be  invited  to  sit  as  corre- 
sponding members  in  their  respective  judicatories,  except  the  highest  and 
the  lowest,  namely,  the  Church  Session  and  Consistory,  the  General 
Assembly  and  the  General  Synod. 

VII.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  shall  each  appoint  two 
Ministers  and  one  Elder,  with  an  alternate  of  each,  to  sit  in  these  judi- 
catories respectively  with  the  privilege  of  deliberating  and  of  voting  on 
all  subjects  that  may  come  before  them. 

Resolved,  That  to  carry  this  last  article  into  effect,  the  Committee 
of  Conference  recommend  that  delegates  be  appointed  at  the  present  meet- 
ing of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  to  attend  the 
General  Meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
provided  said  Assembly  shall  concur  in  the  above  Plan  of  Correspondence. 

PHILIP    MILLEDOLER, 
CORNELIUS    C.    CUYLER, 
HENRY  RUTGERS, 
JOHN   B.   ROMEYN, 
DIVIE   BETHUNE.     * 
New  York,  8th  June,  1822. 

1822,  46-48. 
Amendments. 

In  Article  VII,  the  Corresponding  Delegates  limited  to  one  Minister 
and  one  Elder;  and  the  words  "and  of  voting"  be  erased. 
The  following  Article  was  added : 

VIII.  Resolved,  That  the  Ministers  of  one  of  the  Corresponding 
Churches,  shall  not  in  any  case  intrude  upon  the  office  of  the  Ministers  of 
the  other  Church. 

Rev.  Dr.  Milledoler  and  the  Elder,  Mr.  Frederick  Erringen,  were  ap- 
pointed delegates  to  the  next  General  Assembly,  provided  said  Assembly 
agree  to  these  Articles.     1822,  48,  49. 

The  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  adopted  the  above  Plan  of  Cor- 
respondence, as  amended  by  the  General  Synod,  together  with  the  addi- 
tional Article  (the  Vlllth),  but  with  the  hope  that  the  Synod  would  ex- 
punge said  Article,  depending  on  mutual  honor.  1823,  6;  but  the  Synod 
decided  that  it  was,  at  present,  inexpedient  to  rescind  it.     1823,  30. 

[The  delegates  sent  by  R.  D.  C.  to  the  Presbyterian  General  Assembly 
always  reported  their  cordial  reception  and  courteous  treatment,  and 
these  things  are  not  herein  repeated  from  year  to  year.  Important  events 
only  will  be  alluded  to.     List  of  delegates  given  at  the  end  of  Article.] 

A  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  within  the  bounds  of  the  General 
Assembly  was  laid  on  the  Table  by  Dr.  Neill,  and  referred.  1823,  19. 
Report  on,  1823,  35,  36.  Unite  in  a  day  of  Prayer.  Similar  Narrative 
again  presented.   1825.  21,  22.  23. 

Rights  of  the  Presbyterian  Delegate  to  take  part  in  the  discussions  of 
the  Dutch  Synod,  vindicated,  1823,  31.  32. 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH   IN  THE  U.  S.         527 

The  Presbytery  of  Columbia  had  hcensed  Leonard  B.  Van  Dyke,  of 
New  Brunswick  Seminary,  who  could  not  accept  all  the  doctrines  of  the 
R.  D.  C.  1828,  III.  Complaint  was  made.  The  case  reviewed,  1829, 
175.  The  following  additional  Article  was  adopted  by  R.  D.  C.  in  the 
Articles  of  Correspondence : 

XL  None  of  the  inferior  judicatories  under  the  care  of  the  Corre- 
sponding Churches,  shall  be  at  liberty  to  admit  into  their  respective 
bodies,  or  under  their  care,  any  student  or  licentiate  from  the  sister 
Church,  without  a  regular  dismission  from  the  ecclesiastical  body  or 
theological  seminary  to  which  he  is  considered  as  attached.     1829,   176. 

This  article  was  accepted  by  the  General  Assembly,  1830,  255,  257. 
[See  Van  Dyke,  Leonard  B.,  in  Corwin's  Manual;  also  under  New  Bruns- 
wick Seminary.]     1828-9. 

Twenty  copies  of  Presbyterian  Digest  donated  to  the  Theological 
College,  at  New  Brunswick,  1828,  in. 

The  Synod  resolved  hereafter  to  elect  delegates  to  Correspondmg 
Bodies,  by  ballot,  from  a  double  number  proposed  by  Com.  on  Corre- 
spondence.    1831,  346., 

The  General  Assembly  invites  other  Denominations  to  observe  the 
first  Monday  in  Jan.  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  for  the  conversion 
of  the  world.     Accepted,  1832,  42 ;   1833,  183,  188. 

Resolution  offered  that  the  Articles  of  Correspondence  be  referred  to 
a  special  committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of  altering  or  rescinding, 

1834,  267.  Report:  Reviews  the  Constitutional  safe-guards  to  maintain 
purity  of  Doctrine  (Constit.  of  1833,  Arts.  12,  22),  quotes  the  3rd  Art. 
of  Correspondence,  about  inviting  candidates  or  ministers  from  the  cor- 
responding Church ;  and  then  Art.  22  of  Constit.  of  1833  about  Standing 
Committees  on  Doctrine,  in  each  Classis ;  that  in  doubtful  cases,  said 
Committee  must  be  consulted ;  and  any  applicant  for  admission  as  a  minis- 
ter may  be  examined,  if  any  member  request  it,  or  a  complaint  may  be 
made.  1834,  291-3.  In  1835.  399,  the  Classis  of  Schoharie  request  the 
rescinding    of    the    Articles    of    Correspondence.     Indefinitely    postponed, 

1835,  ZI2. 

The  delegates  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  reported  that  before  they 
had  an  opportunity  to  present  their  credentials,  they  found  the  General 
Assembly  divided,  and  organized  into  two  distinct  Bodies,  each  claiming 
to  be  the  General  Assembly.Their  credentials  were  not  offered,  and 
they  simply  inform  Synod  of  the  facts.  1838,  123.  The  Synod  expressed 
its  sympathy  with  this  sister  Church  in  its  trials,  and  prayed  that  truth 
and  purity  might  be  furthered,  but  refrained  from  assuming  the  authority 
of  an  arbitrator.  The  action  of  the  delegates  was  approved.  Correspon- 
dence partially  suspended,  1838,  123-4.  See  Presbyterian  Church  (New 
School). 

In  1840,  General  Synod  resolved  to  renew  the  temporarily  suspended 
Correspondence,  by  again  appointing  delegates,  1840,  351-2.  In  1841  the 
Presbyterian  delegate  presented  a  volume  containing  the  Records  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  to  the  year  1788,  when  the  General  Assembly  was 
organized.  It  was  placed  in  the  x\rchives.  It  was  proposed  to  the 
General  Assembly  to  change  the  terms  of  Correspondence  so  that  the 
delegation  should  consist  of  one  minister  only  [without  an  elder.]  1841, 
465,  466,  467.     Agreed  to,  1842,  "JZ- 

In    1843  the  General  Assembly  adopted  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  ardent  desire  of  this  church  to  maintain 
friendly  and  fraternal  relations  with  all  evangelical  churches ;  and  espe- 
cially to  be  in  more  close  and  perfect  union  with  those  who  adopt  and 
maintain  our  own  formularies,  or  others  of  kindred  spirit  and  form." 

Whether  arrangements  for  a  closer  and  more  perfect  union  might 
not  advantageously  be  made  between  our  and  the  Old  School  Presbyterian 


528  DIGEST    OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Church  is  a  question  which,  with  the  utmost  deference  and  respect,  is 
submitted  to  General  Synod. 

The  Committee  on  Correspondence  recommended  this  to  Svnod. 
1843,  182,  186. 

Condition  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  described,  1847,  135.  Commit- 
tee on  Correspondence  anticipate  the  happy  effects  of  a  growing  spirit  of 
union.     See  Church  Union ;  Federation. 

On  account  of  the  irregular  transfer  of  the  Church  of  Brunswick,  111., 
to  the  Presbytery  of  Peoria,  Gen.  Synod  proposed  the  following  Article 
to  the  Presbyterian  Church : 

Whereas,  There  has  been  some  degree  of  informality  in  the  manner 
in  which  the  churches  under  the  care  of  this  Synod  and  those  under 
the  care  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  have  been 
accustomed  to  transfer  their  connection  from  one  body  to  the  other : 

Resolved,  That  if  the  General  Assembly  shall  concur,  no  church  shall 
be  transferred  from  the  one  body  to  the  other  without  the  formal  dis- 
missal of  the  Presbytery  or  Classis  with  which  it  shall  have  been 
connected. 

Resolved,  That  the  delegate  of  this  Synod  to  the  General  Assembly 
be  instructed  to  call  the  attention  of  that  body  to  the  above  resolution,  and 
to  solicit  its  concurrence.     1850,  39. 

The  Assembly  took  the  following  action  : 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  the  Assembly  great  prudence 
and  courtesy  should  be  manifested  by  the  Presbyteries  in  the  reception 
of  churches  from  the  Classes  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church ;  and  that 
wherever  it  is  practicable  the  consent  of  all  parties  concerned  should  be 
at  least  sought,  and  if  possible  secured ;  but  that  the  adoption  of  an  abso- 
lute rule,  such  as  is  proposed  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  would  probably  be  productive  of  hardships  to  churches, 
and  inconvenience  to  both  denominations ;  and  therefore,  Tor  the  pres- 
ent at  least,  the  Assembly  very  respectfully  and  fraternally  beg  leave  to 
decline  its  concurrence  in  the  adoption  of  said  rule."     1851,   143. 

Nothing  demanding  the  further  action  of  this  General  Synod.  1853, 
144. 

The  Classis  of  Ulster  complained  of  a  violation  of  the  Articles  of 
Correspondence.  1854,  448-9.  Report  on :  The  North  River  Presbytery 
received  Rev.  Harry  Smuller  without  a  dismission  from  the  Classis :  and 
received  members  from  2nd  Dutch  Church  of  Kingston,  and  organized 
them  into  a  Presbyterian  Church.  Synod  declared  this  to  be  contrary  to 
the  Articles  of  Correspondence  and  directed  the  Corresponding  delegate 
to  present  it  to  the  General  Assembly.  1854,  414,  415.  The  Assembly 
expressed  their  regret,  although  they  thought  that  letters  of  dismission 
should  have  been  granted.  1855.  Synod  accepted  their  action,  although 
not  endorsing  their  reflection  on  the  acts  of  the  Consistory  and  Classis. 
1855,  532-5- 

The  delegate  to  the  General  Assembly  was  directed  to  suggest  to  that 
Body  the  propriety  of  carrying  on  Correspondence,  by  letter.  1862.  140. 
The  Assembly  preferred  not  such  change,  but  would  accede  to  it,  if  dis- 
tinctly desired  by  the  General  Synod.  1863,  272f  General  Synod  re- 
solved to  continue  the  Correspondence  by  delegates,  1863,  276. 

Church  of  Schraallenberg  complained  that  the  Second  Presbytery 
of  New  York  had  organized  a  Presbyterian  Church  within  their  bounds, 
contrary  to  the  Articles  of  Correspondence.  The  Synod  considered  the 
Article  as  one  of  great  latitude  and  took  the  following  action : 

Resolved,  We  enjoin  upon  our  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  to  avoid 
encroaching  upon  the  ground  occupied  by  the  congregations  of  the  Pres- 
byterian   Church,   and   express   the   hope   that   the    Presbyterian    Board   of 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    IN  THE  U.  S.         529 

Domestic  Missions  will  observe  the  same  courtesy  in  regard  to  the  con- 
gregations of  the  Reformed   Protestant   Dutch   Church.     1866,  43. 

Dr.  Hoes,  delegate  to  Presbyterian  Church,  reports  on  the  subject  of 
the  Re-union  of  the  Old  School  and  New  School  Bodies,  and  of  the  pros- 
pects of  its  success.     1867,  190. 

Classis  of  Wisconsin  complains  that  the  Presbytery  of  Milwaukee 
(O.  S.),  had  received  a  minister  whom  said  Classis  had  rejected  for  want 
of  proper  credentials  and  qualifications,  and  of  certain  seceding  members 
of  one  of  the  churches  of  said  Classis.  Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Ferris,  delegate  to 
the  Presbyterian  Assembly,  was  requested  to  make  such  representation  of 
the  case  to  said  Assembly  as  seemed  to  be  required.  Nov.,  1867,  327. 
Report  on  said  case :  The  Assembly  hardly  thought  the  Articles  of  Corre- 
spondence had  been  violated,  but  expressed  regret  that  any  differences 
should  have  arisen.  General  Synod  not  fully  satisfied,  but  would  take  no 
further  action,  1868,  419. 

Many  overtures  for  Church  Union,  1869,  74.  See  Church  Union ; 
Federal  Union;  etc. 

The  following  communications  were  received  from  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence. 

•N^EW   York,  June   3d,   1873. 
Extract   from   the    Minutes   of   the   General   Assembly   in   session   at 
Baltimore,  Md.,  May  26th,  1873. 

Whereas,  We  have  long  enjoyed  fraternal  relations  with  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  commonly  known  as 
the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church,  a  body  holding  the  same  doctrines  and 
polity  with  ourselves ;  and. 

Whereas,  We  have  reason  to  believe  that  an  organic  relation  with 
said  Church  would  be  to  the  honor  of  Christ,  our  one  Lord  and  Head, 
the  extension  of  His  visible  kingdom,  and  to  the  better  establishment  of 
our  common  Presbyterianism. 

Therefore,  be  it  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  nine  be  appointed  to 
meet  a  similar  Committee  from  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  in  case  such  Committee  shall  be  appointed  by  that  body  at  its 
approaching  sessions,  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  in  regard  to  the 
desirableness  and  practicability  of  Union  between  the  two  Churches  ;  and 
report  to  the  next  General  Assembly. 

A  true  extract, 

EDWIN  F.  HATFIELD, 

Stated  Clerk." 
"New  York,  June  3,  1873. 

This  cetrifies,  That  the  Rev.  Wilham  Adams,  D.D..  LL.D.. 
Rev.  Henry  Darling,  D.D.,  Rev.  George  W.  Musgrave,  D.D.,  LL.D..  Rev. 
Melancthon,  W.  Jacobus,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Rev.  Arthur  Mitchell,  George 
Junkin,  Esq.,  Mr.  Wintrop  S.  Gilman,  Mr.  William  Rust,  and  Mr.  Albert 
Small,  have  been  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  a  Committee  of  conference  with 
a  similar  Committee  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  in  reference  to  an  organic  union  between  the  two  Churches. 

EDWIN  F.  HATFIELD, 

Stated  Clerk." 
1873,  616. 
[Efforts    for    a    General    Church    Union,    with    Presbyterian    Church 
(North),  with  Presbyterian  Church  (South),  and  with  Refd.  Ch.  in  U.  S. 
(German),  now  took  place,  1873,  671-7;   1874,  49-58.] 


530         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Third  Dutch  Church  of  Philadelphia  sought  to  unite  with  the  Central 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia.  David  S.  Jones,  Treas.  of  certain  Trust 
Funds,  complains  and  asks  advice.  Directed  to  hold  the  Funds  accord- 
ing to  terms  of  bequest ;  that  the  action  of  said  Central  Presbytery  was 
not  in  accordance  with  the  Articles  of  Correspondence;  that  our  delegate 
call  attention  of  the  General  Assembly  to  the  matter.  1873,  617,  720. 
Reply  of  the  General  Assembly:  Agreement  on  the  statement  of  the  case; 
Third  Refd.  Ch.  of  Philadelphia  had  been  received  by  said  Presbytery; 
had  also  reed.  Rev.  Chs.  Wadsworth,  of  the  Classis  of  Philadelphia,  with- 
out a  certificate ;  irregular  proceedings,  contrary  to  Articles  of  Correspon- 
dence. See  the  arguments,  1874,  47-48;  Assembly  declares  that  the 
Presbytery  had  no  wish  to  encroach  ;  ought  to  have  consulted  the  Classis ; 
regrets  the  unintended  lack  of  courtesy;  but,  under  the  circumstances,  the 
congregation  and  pastor  had  a  right  to  withdraw ;  the  property  question 
belongs  to  the  courts ;  the  deposition  of  Dr.  Wadsworth,  after  reception 
by  Presbytery,  cannot  impair  his  good  standing.     1874,  46-49. 

Report  of  Com.  on  Correspondence :  The  action  of  the  delegate  in 
presenting  the  Philadelphia  case  directly  to  the  General  Assembly,  and 
not  to  a  Committee,  approved;  Synod  had  hoped  for  a  different  action 
from  the  Assembly,  but  cannot  pursue  the  case  controversially  with  breth- 
ren beloved ;  that  the  disposition  of  the  Assembly  to  act  fairly  in  rebuk- 
ing the  Presbytery,  and  in  exhorting  them  to  submit  all  questions  of 
property,  unreservedly  to   the   courts,   recognized.     1874,  60,  61. 

Synod  dealt  with  the  reports  concerning  a  general  Church  Union 
separately ;  two  reports  respecting  union  with  Northern  Presbyterian 
Church;  elaborate  debates  (see  full  reports  in  Christian  Intelligencer, 
June  and  July,  1874)  ;  the  Assembly  had  resolved  to  continue  its  Com- 
mittee of  Conference  for  another  year.  Similar  resolution  offered  in 
General  Synod ;  amendment  offered,  that  the  Conference  be  continued 
for  one  year,  to  adjust  and  revise  the  Articles  of  Correspondence;  a  sec- 
ond amendment,  which  was  adopted;  that  since  R.  C.  A.  was  not  pre- 
pared to  effect  an  Organic  Union  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Com- 
mittee of  Conference  need  not  be  continued ;  that  in  deferring  action  on 
Union,  affection  and  confidence  are  expressed  for  said  Presbyterian 
Church ;  that  we  invite  a  Committee  from  that  church  to  meet  with  a 
similar  Committee  of  R.  C.  A.  to  revise  our  Articles  of  Correspondence, 
etc.  Passed,  58  to  52.  The  majority  and  minority  reports  in  relation  to 
the  Conference  were  both  indefinitely  postponed,  but  for  information 
were  printed  in  the  Appendix.     1874,  49-52.     See  Appendix,  1874,  187-192. 

That  while  Synod  declines  to  confer  with  the  General  Assembly 
(North),  in  reference  to  Organic  Union,  the  Committee  of  Conference 
may  confer  with  said  Assembly,  within  the  limits  of  the  arrangement 
made  with  the  Southern  Assembly,  1874,  62.  (For  such  arrangements, 
see  1874,  53-57,  59,  60.) 

The  Committee  of  Conference  of  the  Northern  Presbyterian  Church 
failed  to  have  a  quorum  at  the  meeting  appointed  for  March  25th,  1875. 
Hence  no  report.     1875,  259. 

The  Committee  of  Conference  met  with  the  similar  Com.  of  Pres- 
byterian Ch.  The  latter  presented  certain  statements  that  their  Com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  consider  terms  of  Union,  and  not  mere  co-opera- 
tion.    Inexpedient  to  proceed.     1876,  447-8. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  after  1877.  The  usual  courtesies 
were  exchanged  by  delegates.  In  1898  the  Classis  of  Wisconsin  com- 
plained of  the  organization  of  a  Presbyterian  Church  at  Roseland,  111., 
"but  Gen.  Synod  refused  to  take  any  action.  1898,  15,  161.  Efforts  for  ?. 
more  general  Union  or  Federation  were  proceeding.  See  Alliance  of 
Refd.   Chs. ;   Church  Union ;   Federation. 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH   IN   THE  U.  S. 


531 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH     (NORTH), 


DELEGATES 


FROM         PRESBYTERIAN 


DELEGATES    FROM     R.     C.     A.     TO    PRESBY- 
TERIAN   CHURCH. 

1822  Rev.     Philip     Milledoler,     Rev. 

Jac.  Brodhead ;  Fred.  Errin- 
ger  and  Geo.   Sterr,  Elders. 

1823  Rev.  Jac.  Brodhead,  Rev.  Jas.  S. 

Cannon ;  Jac.  R.  Hardenbergh 
and  John  Frelinghuysen,  -El- 
ders. 

1824  Rev.  Cor.  C.  Cuyler,  Rev.  Thos. 

DeWitt ;  John  Frelinghuysen 
and  Fred.  Erringer,  Elders. 

1825  Rev.     Thos.     M.     Strong,    Rev. 

Peter  Labagh ;  Michael 
Schoonmaker  and  Fred.  Er- 
ringer, Elders. 

1826  Rev.  Jacob  C.  Sears,  Rev.  Peter 

Labagh ;  Fred.  Erringer  and 
John    Rorer,    Elders. 

1827  Rev.  Peter  Labagh,  Rev.  G.  R. 

Livingston ;  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer  and  John  Rorer, 
Elders. 

1828  Rev.  Wm.  McMurray,  Rev.  Jas. 

M.  Matthews;  Is.  Kip  and 
John  Clark,  Elders. 

1829  Rev.  W.  C.  Brownlee,  Rev.  Pe- 

ter Labagh ;  And.  Howell  and 
John  Rorer,  Elders. 

1830  Rev.  Eli  Baldwin,  Rev.  Is.  Fer- 

ris :  Ab.  Van  Nest  and  A. 
Van  Vechten,  Elders. 

1831  Rev.     John    Ludlow,     Rev.     Is. 

Ferris ;  S.  Kuen  and  C.  Van 
Arsdalen,  Elders. 

1832  Rev.     Is.     Ferris,     Rev.     Robt. 

Bronk ;  Christopher  Van  Ars- 
dalen and  Philip  Schuyler, 
Elders. 

1833  Rev.    Wm.    McMurray,   Rev.   J. 

Van  Vechten;  P.  D.  Vroom 
and  Wm.  R.  Thompson,  El- 
ders. 

1834  Rev.  Jacob   Brodhead,  Rev.   Is. 

S.  DeMund ;  John  Clark  and 
S.    Beekman,   Elders. 

1835  Rev.  Thos.   DeWitt,  Rev.  John 

Gosman;  Ab.  Van  Nest  and 
H.    Vandenburgh,    Elders. 

1836  Rev.  Jas.  Van  Vechten,  Rev.  R. 

Bronk;  P.  D.  Vroom  and  S. 
Van  Rensselaer,  Elders. 

1837  Rev.    J.    B.    Hardenbergh,    Rev. 

W.  C.  Brownlee ;  F.  Erringer 
and  J.  D.  Keese,  Elders. 

1838  Correspondence   temporily   suspended  on  account  of  the  division  of 

the   Presbyterian  Church. 
1839 


CHURCH     TO     R. 


Rev.  Wm.  Neill, 
Zechariah  Lewis. 


Rev.    Thos.    MAuley, 
Benj.    Strong. 

Rev.   Gardiner  B.   Perry. 


Rev.  Thos.   MAuley, 
Eleazer  Lord. 

Rev.   Ashbel  Green, 
Elder  Alex.  Henrv. 


Rev.   Elias   W.    Carne, 
Elder  Ananias  Piatt 

Rev.   Gardner   Spring, 
Elder   Geo.   Zabriskie. 

Rev.  Arch.  Alexander, 
Elder  Saml.  Bayard. 

Rev.  Wm.  B.  Sprague. 


Rev.   J.    McDowell, 
Elder  Geo.   Zabriskie. 


Elder  Ananias  Piatt. 


Rev.  R.  G.  Armstrong, 
Elder  Geo.  Zabriskie. 

Rev.  John   McDowall. 


Rev.   Mark  Tucker, 
Elder  Peter  Boyd. 


532 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 


DELEGATES     FROM     R.     C.     A.     TO    PRESBY- 
TERIAN   CHURCH. 

1840  Rev.   Thomas   DeWitt,   Rev.  T. 

M.    Strong ;    Wm.    B.    Crosby 
and  Elisha  Wells,  Elders. 

1841  Rev.  S.  A.  Van  Vranken,  Rev. 

M.  W.  Dwight;  Is.  Roosevelt 
and  F.  Erringer,  Elders. 

1842  Rev.    S.    B.    How,    Rev.    C.    C. 

Van  Arsdale. 

1843  Rev.  Jas.   Romeyn,  Rev.  T.  M. 

Strong. 

1844  Rev.    John    Knox,    Rev.    John 

Garretson. 

1845  Rev.    John    Garretson,    Rev.    T. 

M.  Strong. 

1846  Rev.  Jac.  Schoonmaker,  Rev.  S. 

A.  Van  Vranken. 

1847  Rev.  M.  S.  Hutton,  Rev.  T.  M. 

Strong. 

1848  Rev.    Is.    X.   Wyckofif,   Rev.   Is. 

DeMund. 

1849  Rev.   T.   E.   Vermilye,   Rev.   M. 

W.    Dwight. 

1850  Rev.  Jas.   Scott,  Rev.   S.  V.  E. 

Westfall. 

1851  Rev.    Is.    Ferris,    Rev.    T.    M. 

Strong. 

1852  Rev.    A.    M.    Mann,    Rev.    Ab. 

Polhemus. 

1853  Rev.  R.  Wells,  Rev.  Ab.  Polhe- 

mus. 

1854  Rev.  Robt.  P.  Lee,  Rev.  G.  H. 

Fisher. 

1855  Rev.  Ab.  Polhemus,  Rev.  Anson 

DuBois. 

1856  Rev.    G.    Abeel,    Rev.     O.    H. 

Gregory. 

1857  Rev.  T.  W.  Chambers,  Rev.  G. 

H.  Fisher. 

1858  Rev.  G.  H.  Fisher,  Rev.  J.  M. 

Ferris. 

1859  Rev.  John   DeWitt,   Rev.   C.   S. 

Hageman. 
i860  Rev.   Ab.    Messier,    Rev.    R.    O. 
Currie. 

1861  Rev.  E.   S.   Porter,  Rev.  D.  D. 

Demarest. 

1862  Rev.    W.    V.    V.    Mabon,    Rev. 

Goyn  Talmage. 

1863  Rev.  D.  D.  Demarest,  Rev.  Ab. 

R.  Van  Nest. 

1864  Rev.  T.   C.   Strong,  Rev.  J.   A. 

Lansing. 

1865  Rev.    S.    M.    Woodbridge,    Rev. 

A.  G.  Vermilye. 

1866  Rev.  G.  Ludlow,  Rev.  Jas.  Dem- 

arest. 


DELEGATES         FROM         PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH    TO    R.    C.    A. 


Rev.    C.    C.    Cuyler, 
Elder  Ananias   Piatt. 


.Rev.    M.    W.   Jacobus. 
Rev.  Nich.  Murray. 
Rev.  Chs.  Hodge. 
Rev.   Gardner   Spring. 
Rev.   H.   G.   Comingoe. 
Rev.   David  Eliott. 
Rev.   Jas.   W.    Stewart. 
Rev.    W.    S.    Plumer. 
Rev.    David    Magie. 
Rev.   Alan   D.    Campbell. 
Rev.   A.   B.  Van  Zandt. 
Rev.  Wm.  Neill. 
Rev.  John  M.   Krebs. 
Rev.   H.   E.    Comingoe. 
Rev.  A.   G.  Vermilye. 
Rev.    John    Woodbridge. 

Rev.  John  M.  Krebs. 
Rev.  Wm.   M.   Scott. 
Rev.   W.   W.    Phillips. 
Rev.  Alfred  Nevin.+ 
Rev.   Geo.  Junkin. 
Rev.  E.  R.  Craven. 
Rev.   R.   L.   Stanton. 
Rev.  John  Hall. 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH   IN   THE  U.  S. 


533 


DELEGATES     FROM     R.     C.     A.     TO    PRESBY- 
TERIAN   CHURCH. 

1867  Rev.  A.  R.  Thompson,  Rev.  E. 

P.  Rogers. 

1868  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  Rev.  R. 

Wells. 

1869  Rev.  David  Cole,  Rev.  Jas.  Le 

Fevre. 

1870  Rev.    B.    C.    Taylor,    Rev.    Jos. 

Kimball. 

1871  Rev.    P.    D.    Van    Cleef,    Rev. 

Philip  Phelps,  Jr. 

1872  Rev.   H.   D.   Ganse,   Rev.  J.   H. 

Duryee. 

1873  Rev.  Jas.  O.  Murray,  Rev.  John 

Hall. 

1873  Rev.  A.  G.  Vermilye,  Rev.  Wm. 

H.  Ten  Eyck. 

1874  Rev.  M.  S.  Hutton,  Rev.  A.  P. 

Van  Gieson. 

1875  Rev.    S.    M.    Woodbridge,    Rev. 

E.  A.  Collier.* 

1876  Rev.  C.  E.  Crispell,*  Rev.  J.  W. 

Beardslee. 

1877  Rev.  E.  P.  Rogers,*  Rev.  W.  R 

Duryee. 

1878  Rev.  J.  B.  Thompson,*  Rev.  R. 

W.  Clark. 

1879  Rev.  Wm.  Ormiston,  Rev.  J.  B. 

Drury.* 

1880  Rev.    C    L.    Wells,*    Rev.    Jas. 

Demarest,  Jr. 

1881  Rev.   C   Vanderveen,*   Rev.   H. 

C  Berg. 

1882  Rev.   V.    M.   Hulbert,*   Rev.   R. 

W.  Clark. 

1883  Rev.     C     Brett,*     Rev.     Wm. 

Smith.* 

1884  Rev.  E.  P.  Livingston,  Rev.  N. 

D.  Williamson.* 

1885  Rev.  W.  E.  Griffis,  Rev.  E.  T. 

Corwin.t 

1886  Rev.  A.  V.  V.   Raymond,  Rev. 

W.  R.  Taylor. 

1887  Rev.  E.  P.  Terhune,  Rev.  W.  H. 

Clark. 

1888  Rev.  W.  H.  Clark.  Rev.  H.  C 

Berg. 

1889  Rev.    David    Cole,*    Rev.    J.    L. 

McNair. 

1890  Rev.  A.  G.  Vermilye,  Rev.  W. 

R.  Davis. 

1891  Rev.    T.    W.    Chambers,     Rev. 

Roderick  Terry. 

1892  Rev.  D.  J.  Burrell,  Rev.  H.  D. 

B.  Mulford. 


DELEGATES         FROM  PRESBYTERIAN 

CHURCH    TO   R.    C.    A. 

Rev.  A.  A.  Wood. 

Rev.  F.   B.  Wheeler. 

Rev.  Peter    Stryker. 

Rev.  Wm.  C  Wisner. 

Rev.  Alfred    Nevin. 

Rev.  E.  F.  Hatfield, 
Rev.  I.  H.  Frazee, 
Rev.  Wm.  Adams, 
Rev.  Wm.  M.  Paxton, 
Rev.  A.  T.  Pierson, 
Elder  Wm.  H.  Jessup. 


Rev.  C  K.  Imbrie, 

Rev.  F.  A.  Horton. 

Rev.  Wilson  Phraner. 

Rev.  Geo.  A.  Howard. 

Rev.  Howard  Crosby. 

Rev.  Wm.  Irwin. 


Rev.  J.  H.  Mcllvaine, 
Rev.  Thos.  Hastings. 


Rev.  J.  McC  Holmes. 

Rev.  J.   M.  Worrall. 
Rev.  G.  C  Yeisley. 
Rev.  Frank  Chandler. 
Rev.  Chs.  A.  Dickey. 


534 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


DELEGATES    FROM     R.     C.     A.     TO    PRESBY- 
TERIAN   CHURCH. 

1893  Rev.   Peter  Stryker. 

1894  Rev.    D.    J.    Burrell,    Rev.     P. 

Moerdyk. 

1895  Rev.  E.  G.  Read,  Rev.  H.  Van- 

derwart. 

1896  Rev.  C.  Brett,  Rev.  P.  H.  Milli- 

ken. 

1897  Rev.  D.   Wortman,  Rev.  H.  D. 

B.  Mulford. 

1898  Rev.  A.  H.  Brush,  Rev.  W.  H. 

Williamson. 

1899  Rev.  D.  J.  Burrell,  Rev.  D.  H. 

Martin. 

1900  Rev.  E.  P.  Johnson,  Rev.  W.  W. 

Schomp. 

1901  Elder  Austin  Scott,  Rev.  A.  E. 

Kittredge. 

1902  Rev.  A.  E.   Kittredge,  Rev.   H. 

E.  Cobb. 

1903  Rev.  C.  L.  Wells,  Rev.  A.  Olt- 

mans. 

1904  Rev.   W.   J.   Leggett. 

1905  Rev.  E.  P.  Johnson,  Rev.  Philip 

H.  Cole. 


DELEGATES         FROM         PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH    TO    R.    C.    A. 


Rev.  G.  C.  Yeisley. 
Rev.  Wilson  Phraner. 
Rev.   W.   H.   Roberts. 


Rev.  Wm.  R.  Richards. 


*  Personal  visit. 
tBy   letter. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  (New  School).  The  delegates  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  1837,  reported  as  follows : 

"The  undersigned,  commissioned  in  June,  1837,  to  represent  the  Gen. 
Syn.  R.  D.  C.  in  the  next  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
beg  leave  to  report,  that  before  they  had  an  opportunity  to  exhibit  the 
testimonials  of  their  appointment,  they  found  the  General  Assembly 
divided,  and  organized  into  two  distinct  Bodies,  each  claiming  to  be  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church." 

"Under  these  extraordinary  circumstances,  your  delegates  refrained 
from  offering  their  credentials,  and  felt  that  their  duty  would  be  dis- 
charged, by  simply  informing  the  General  Synod  of  the  fact." 

JAS.    B.    HARDENBERGH, 
FREDERICK  ERRINGER. 

Philadelphia,  May  28,  1838. 

The   Synod  took  the  following  action  : 

"Whereas,  Our  delegates  represent  that  they  refrained  from  offering 
their  credentials,  in  consequence  of  the  occurrence  of  peculiar  circum- 
stances, not  contemplated  at  the  period  of  their  appointment,  by  which, 
on  the  organization  of  the  Assembl3%  two  Bodies  were  created,  each 
claiming  to  be  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

And  Whereas,  While  we  deeply  sympathize  with  our  beloved  Sister 
Church  in  her  trials,  and  earnestly  pray  that  they  may  be  overruled  by 
Divine  Providence  for  the  furtherance  of  truth  and  purity,  yet  neither 
duty  claims,  nor  propriety  allows  that  this  Synod,  either  by  its  delegates 
or  its  own  official  acts  should  ever  appear  to  assume  the  authority  of  an 
arbitrator  between  the  opposing  portions  of  another  Ecclesiastical  Body; 
Therefore, 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH    IN  U.  S.  (N.  S.)       535 

Resolved,  That  under  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  Synod  approve 
the  course  pursued  by  the  said  delegates. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  present,  Synod  will  abstain  from  all  action 
under  the  terms  of  Correspondence,  existing  between  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  interchange  of  delegates 
between  the  two  Bodies.     1838,  123-4.     Correspondence  renewed,  1840. 

[The  division  took  place  in  May,  1837,  upon  the  issue  of  matters 
of  policy  and  administration.  Doctrinal  questions  and  Slavery  were  also 
involved.  The  division  continued  until  1869,  when  the  two  Bodies  were 
reunited.] 

In  1847  a  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  the  other  General  Assembly  [New 
School],  convened  in  Philadelphia,  May,  1846,  was  put  in  the  hands  of  the 
Synod's  Committee  on  Correspondence.  They  acknowledge  the  courtesy, 
and  suggested  that  a  similar  token  of  regard  be  made  in  return.     1847,  133, 

137.  In  1862,  after  the  necessary  separation  of  the  Presbyterian  Churches 
of  the  South,  on  account  of  the  War,  a  resolution  was  offered  concerning 
the  opening  of  a  Correspondence  with  the  so-called  New  School  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  matter  was  reviewed  in  the  light  of  Christian  fellow- 
ship, and  the  duty  of  keeping  "the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  l)ond  of 
peace."  Yet  truth  lies  at  the  basis  of  Christian  union.  The  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  has  commingled,  however,  with  the  brethren  of  this  Body, 
and  the  ministry  and  membership  have  been  interchanged.  The  Synod 
took  the  following  action : 

Whereas,  This  Synod  considers  the  interchange  of  Christian  courtesy 
and  kindness  between  ecclesiastical  bodies  as  most  desirable,  wherever  it 
can  be  practicable  and  hearty,  even  when  differencs  of  doctrinal  views 
may  preclude  that  form  of  correspondence  contemplated  in  chap,  ii.,  art. 
5,  sec.  3  of  our  Constitution, 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  send  to  the  next  New  School  General 
Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  a  Commissioner,  whose  office  it 
shall  be  to  assure  that  body  of  our  fraternal  affection  and  interest,  and 
to  propose  to  it  a  yearly  interchange  of  kind  expressions  by  letter.     1862, 

138,  139,  140. 

Rev.  H.  D.  Ganse,  the  first  delegate,  made  the  following  report : 
To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church: 

The  undersigned  having  been  appointed  by  the  General  Synod,  at  its 
last  session,  a  Commissioner  to  present  to  the  New  School  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  the  Synod's  proposal  of  a  yearly 
interchange  of  kind  expressions  between  the  two  bodies,  respectfully 
reports  that  he  discharged  that  duty.  Before  his  visit  to  the  General 
Assembly,  he  had  been  made  aware  that  a  large  proportion  of  its  mem- 
bers regarded  some  features  of  the  Synod's  action  as  wanting  in  courtesy 
toward  their  own  body ;  and  upon  his  arrival  in  Philadelphia  he  was 
convinced  that  this  misconception  of  the  Synod's  meaning  was  even 
more  extensive  than  he  had  been  led  to  believe.  Under  these  circum- 
stances he  felt  it  his  duty,  in  addressing  the  Assembly,  to  set  the  action  of 
the  Synod  in  its  true  light  and  he  is  happy  to  bear  testimony  to  the 
candor  and  kindness  with  which  his  statements  were  received.  The 
Synod,  however,  will  possibly  agree  with  him  in  considering  that  the 
mere  letter  of  last  year's  action  may  bear  a  sense  not  consistent  with  a 
proposal  of  courteous  intercourse.  These  equivocal  expressions,  more- 
over, stand  upon  our  printed  minutes,  unaccompanied  by  the  explanations 
which  your  Commissioner  made  to  the  Assembly.  For  this  reason,  as  he 
believes,  and  not  from  any  general  distrust  of  the  true  kindness  and  cour- 
tesy of  the  Synod,  the  evident  and  strong  disposition  of  the  Assembly  to 
accept  the  proposal  as  it  was  made,  gave  way  to  the  action  which  the 
Commissioner  of  the  Assembly  will  report  to  the  Synod.  In  that  action, 
as  will  appear,  the  Assembly,  while  declining  the  proposal  of  the  Synod 


536  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

•on  account  of  the  terms  in  which  it  is  couched,  renews  a  proposal  of 
similar  import  in  its  own  terms.  If  the  Synod  shall  see  fit  to  accept 
this  proposal  of  the  General  Assembly,  it  will,  by  so  doing,  extend  to  that 
body  the  exact  measure  of  respect  and  kindness  which  the  Old  School 
Assembly  already  extends  to  it,  and  without  compromising  any  feature 
■of  our  own  doctrinal  system,  or  endorsing  any  other,  will  lend  effectual 
help  in  allaying  heart-burnings  and  jealousies  which  have  estranged 
Christ's  servants  for  a  quarter  of  a  centurv.     Respectfully   submitted, 

New  York,  June  6th,  1863.  H.  D.  GANSE. 

Rev.  Thomas  H.  Skinner,  D.D.,  appeared  in  the  Synod  as  a  Commis- 
sioner from  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (N.  S.), 
and  presented  the  following  action  of  the  Assembly  in  regard  to  the 
opening  of  a  correspondence  with  this  Synod : 

The  Assembly,  after  considering  the  kind  and  earnest  address  of  Mr. 
Ganse,  and  considering  also  the  printed  Minutes  of  the  Acts  and  Pro- 
ceedings of  said  General  Synod  (see  pages  131  to  140,  inclusive,  especially 
the  resolution  and  its  preamble,  page  140),  feel  with  Christian  and  Catho- 
lic regret  constrained  in  righteousness  and  truth  to  decline  the  special 
overture  made  to  us,  but  that  we  hereby  cordially  offer  correspondence 
with  them  on  the  same  terms  on  which  we  correspond  with  other  ecclesi- 
astical bodies ;  and  we  appoint  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Skinner,  D.D.,  a  Commis- 
sioner to  attend  the  next  meeting  of  their  General  Synod.  1863,  274-5. 
The   following  action   was   taken   by   Synod   on   this  proposal: 

The  Delegate  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  which  lately  met  in  Philadelphia,  reports  that  he  attended 
the  session  of  that  body,  and  presented  the  proposal  of  the  General 
Synod  for  the  yearly  interchange  of  Christian  courtesies  by  letter. 
This,  the  Assembly  decline  to  accept;  and  in  its  place  cordially  offer 
correspondence  with  us  on  the  same  terms  on  which  they  correspond 
with  other  ecclesiastical  bodies;  and  themselves,  in  the  true  spirit 
of  this  offer,  have  taken  the  initiative,  and  deputed  the  ReV.  Thomas 
H.  Skinner,  D.D.,  as  their  representative  to  this  Synod.  The  Synod 
have  already  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  him  before  them,  and 
of  listening  to  the  expression  of  the  kind  regards  which  he  bears 
to  us  from  the  venerable  body  which  he  represents,  and  the  terms 
on  which  they  offer  correspondence  with  us.  And  your  Committee 
recommend  that  this  Synod  accept  the  proposals  made  by  the  Com- 
missioner, in  the  fullness  of  that  Christian  spirit  in  which  it  is  of- 
fered, and  send  a  delegate  to  bear  the  fraternal  salutations  of  this 
body  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly.     1863,  276. 

Delegates  were  regularly  sent  as  follows : 

DELEGATES  TO.  DELEGATES  FROM. 

1862  Rev.  H.  D.  Ganse. 
Rev.  D.  D.  Demarest. 

1863  Rev.  T  E.  Vermilye.  Rev.  Thos.  H.  Skinner. 
Rev.  I.  N.  Wyckoff. 

1864  Rev.  E.  E.  Seelye.  Rev.  Robt.  R.  Booth. 
Rev.  Joachim  Elmendorf. 

1865  Rev.  E.  P.  Rogers.  Rev.  T.  L.  Cuyler. 
Rev.  E.  S.  Porter. 

1866  Rev.  J.  C.  F.  Hoes.  Rev.  Joel  Parker. 
Rev.  J.    McC.    Holmes. 

1867  Rev.  J.  Romeyn  Berry.  Rev.  P.  D.  Oakey. 
Rev.  F.  N.  Zabriskie. 

1868  Rev.  J.  L.  See. 
Rev.  J.  H.  Suydam. 

1869  Rev.  Jas.  Demarest.  Rev.  Ab.  Gosman. 
Rev.  S.  W.  Mills. 

1869  Reunion  of  Old  and  New  Schools.  .    . 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH    IN  U.  S.  (South)       537 

Presbyterian    Church    ix   the   United   States    (South). 
In    1870,    the    Committee    on    Correspondence    proposed    the    fol- 
lowing: 

correspondence  with  general  assembly  south. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  our  Church  is  now  extending  its  opera- 
tions in  the  Southern  states,  which  open  so  wide  a  field  for  evan- 
gelical labor,  your  committee  are  impressed  with  the  propriety  of 
inaugurating  a  fraternal  correspondence  by  Delegates  with  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States.  As 
the  churches  in  connection  with  this  Synod  which  may  there  be 
organized  must  necessarily  exist  in  close  proximity  and  intimate  re- 
lations with  those  in  connection  with  that  General  Assembly,  it  seems 
eminently  desirable  that  the  two  denominatins  holding  a  common 
faith  and  laboring  side  by  side  for  a  common  result,  should  cultivate 
a  spirit  of  Christian  sympathy  and  brotherly  love.  Your  committee 
therefore  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  a  Delegate  be  appointed  by  this  General  Synod  to 
attend  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States,  and  to  bear  to  that  reverend  body  the 
cordial  salutations  of  this  Synod,  together  with  the  expression  of 
its  desire  to  enter  into  a  fraternal  correspondence.     1870,  51,  52. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  A.  Todd  and  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  J.  R.  Taylor  were  ap- 
pointed the  first  delegates.  1870,  53.  The  overtures  were  most  cor- 
dially received;  the  delegates  were  accorded  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
the  warmest  expressions  of  affection  and  regard  for  the  Reformed 
Church  were  conveyed  by  Rev.  Dr.  Plummer,  the  Moderator,  in  be- 
half of  the  Assembly.  Rev.  John  H.  Bryson  was  appointed  as  their 
delegate.     1871,  221. 

In  1872,  the  southern  delegate.  Rev.  Dr.  Jos.  R.  Wilson,  expressed 
the  interest  which  the  Southern  Church  felt  in  reference  to  closer  re- 
lations with  the  Reformed  Church.  The  Synod  took  the  following 
action: 

Whereas.  So  formal  an  overture  from  so  large  and  respectable  a 
body,  of  kindred  faith  and  order,  is  deserving  of  the  most  courteous 
attention. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five  ministers  and  three  elders  be  ap- 
pointed to  consider  carefully  the  matter  of  the  desirableness  and  feasi- 
bility' of  the  proposed  relations,  and  to  report  thereon,  if  possible,  to 
the  next  General  Synod. 

The  following  were  appointed  the  Committee,  the  President  be- 
ing added  bv  a  vote  of  the  Synod:  Rev.  H.  D.  Ganse,  Joachim  El- 
mendorf,  A.'B.  Van  Zandt,  P.  D.  Van  Cleef,  Elbert  S.  Porter,  E.  T. 
Corwin,  and  the  Elders,  Robert  H.  Pruyn,  Frederick  T.  Frelinghuy- 
sen,  and   Frederick   Hughson.     1872,  438-9. 

Report  of  said  Committee:  Awaited  the  action  of  the  Southern 
Presbyterian  Assembly,  only  recently  held;  in  answer  to  action  of 
Reformed  Church  in  appointing  a  Committee  for  Conference,  that 
Assembly,  cordially  reciprocating,   took  the  following  action: 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  do  now  appoint  a  Committee  to  be 
composed  of  the  following  named  Ministers  and  Ruling  Elders,  Rev. 
B.  M.  Palmer,  D.D.,  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D.D.,  Rev.  Wm.  Brown, 
D.D.,  Maj.  T.  J.  Kirkpatrick,  Wm.  Henry  Smith,  Gen.  A.  M.  Scales, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  confer  with  a  similar  Committee,  if  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  ascertaining  in  what  manner  such  more  intimate  relations 
may  be  established,  and  what  ought  to  be  the  nature  and  extent 
thereof,  and  report  the  result  to  the  next   General  Assembly. 

The  object  of  the  Committees  is  to  obtain  mutual  information  in 


538         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

advance  of  definite  action. — Information  was  also  received,  that  the 
Synod  of  Missouri  is  said  to  have  appointed  in  Oct.,  1872,  a  Com- 
mittee of  three  ministers  and  two  elders  to  meet  with  similar  Com- 
mittees, if  appointed,  of  R.  C.  A.,  and  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  U.  S.,  to  confer  on  the  desirability  of  the  union  of  the  three  De- 
nominations. 1873,  670-2;  675-6.  See  Church  Union;  Federal  Union. 
Action  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Assembly  upon  report  of 
their  Committee  of  Conference: 

1.  The  Assembly  expressed  their  gratitude  to  God  for  the 
amity,  and  Christian  fellowship,  and  forbearance  of  the  two  Com- 
mittees of  Conference,  and  the  harmonious  issue  in  the  Plan  of  Co- 
operation. 

2.  The  Plan  was  adopted  as  the  basis  of  an  intimate  Co-opera- 
tive Alliance;  not  organic  union,  but  union  real  and  practical;  and 
delegates  were  appointed,  one  minister  and  one  elder,  with  alter- 
nates, as  corresponding  members,  to  meet  the  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  at  Poughkeepsie,  in  1874,  should  they  adopt 
said  Plan  of  Co-operation. 

3.  The  details  of  such  Co-operation  to  be  referred  to  our  [Pres- 
byterian] Committees  on  Education,  Publication,  Foreign  Missions, 
Sustentation,  respectively;  they  shall  report  to  the  Committee  of 
Conference,  hereby  reappointed,  which  Committee  shall  digest  this 
information,  with  a  view  to  continue  the  Conference.  Adopted  at 
Columbus,  Miss.,  May  30,  1874.  Wm.  Brown,  Perm.  Clerk.  1874, 
52,  53. 

Report  of  Committee  of  R.  C.  A. — Had  had  a  frank  and  inter- 
esting Conference  with  Southern  Committee  as  to  "more  intimate 
relations";  met  in  New  York,  Feb.  27,  1874,  and  adopted  the  follow- 
ing PLAN   OF  CO-OPERATION  :    1874,   53,   54. 

"The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  in  providing  a  plan  for  more  intimate  co-operaticTn  between 
these  Christian  denominations,  judge  it  to  be  a  suitable  occasion  for 
making  the  following  declaration: 

PLAN    OF    CO-OPERATION. 

"i.  That  the  standards  of  doctrine  in  both  Churches  have  always 
been  recognized  as  orthodox  expositions  and  noble  monuments  of  the 
faith  professed  by  the  Reformed  Churches  to  which  they  belong ;  that  is 
to  say,  for  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  the  Belgic  Confession,  the 
Articles  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  and  the  Heidelberg  Catechism ;  and  for  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Westminster  Assem- 
bly, together  with  the  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechisms ;  and  in  forming 
closer  relations  with  each  other,  it  is  with  the  solemn  purpose  of  striving 
together,  and  of  strengthening  our  hands  to  uphold  the  doctrines  of 
these  venerable  symbols,  and  of  maintaining  them  in  the  plain  sense  in 
which  they  have  been  received  and  interpreted  from  the  first. 

"2.  Should  anything  be  found  in  the  proceedings  of  either  of  our 
bodies  in  times  past  which  might  be  regarded  as  inconsistent  with  the 
principle  that  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  is  a  spiritual  kingdom,  and  not 
secular  or  political,  and  that  ecclesiastical  courts  are  to  handle  and  con- 
clude only  ecclesiastical  matters,  such  action  shall  not  be  pleaded  as  a 
precedent  in  anything  connected  with  the  scheme  of  co-operation  herein 
provided  for. 

"3.  That  the  close  agreement  between  the  doctrinal  standards  of  the 
two  Churches,  and  the  general  agreement  of  their  forms  of  government 
and  rules  of  discipline,  together  with  their  steadfast  adherence  to  the 
same,  present  a  solid  and  satisfactory  basis  of  strong  mutual  confidence^ 
which  confidence  has  been  much  confirmed  by  their  recent  intercourse  and 
experience  of  fraternal  sympathy  and  kindness. 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  U.  S.  (South)        539 

"4.  That  we  fully  recognize  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  followers  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  seek  and  embrace  all  proper  means  of  manifesting 
such  degree  of  unity  in  the  faith  of  the  Gospel  as  may  exist  among  them ; 
and  that  this  unity  may,  in  our  view,  be  effectually  manifested  by  us  in 
the  absence  of  outward  ecclesiastical  uniformity,  with  which  it  ought 
never  to  be  confounded,  and  which  ought  never  to  be  purchased  at  the 
cost  of  truth. 

"While  some  considerable  obstacles  are  found  for  the  present  to  the 
formation  of  an  organic  union  between  these  denominations,  yet  cordially 
agreeing  in  the  above  declaration,  we  have  good  reason  to  believe  that 
the  way  is  happily  opened,  under  the  guidance  of  God's  Holy  Spirit  and 
holy  providence,  for  such  intimate  co-operative  alliance  as  will  prove  com- 
fortable and  useful  on  both  sides. 

"The  provisions  of  the  plan  shall  embrace  the  following  particulars : 

"i.  With  a  view  of  expressing  more  emphatically  the  unity  now 
existing,  as  well  as  promoting  it  still  further,  instead  of  the  former  system 
of  delegates,  a  delegation  consisting  of  one  minister  and  one  elder  shall 
be  sent  annually  from  the  General  Synod  to  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly,  and  a  similar  delegation  from  the  General  Assembly  to  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Synod,  which  delegation  shall  be  expected  to  sit 
and  deliberate  throughout  the  sessions  of  these  bodies,  respectively,  en- 
deavoring especially  to  further  all  those  interests  in  which  the  two 
Churches  co-operate. 

"2.  A  vacant  congregation  shall  be  at  ilberty  to  call  a  minister  from 
either  of  the  Churches,  according  to  the  order  established  in  that  Church 
to  which  he  may  be  called;  and  he  shall  conform  to  the  order  of  the 
Church  to  which  he  is  transferred. 

"3.  Where  particular  Churches  of  either  body  are  in  locations 
much  more  convenient  for  a  connection  with  a  Classis  or  Pres- 
bytery belonging  to  the  other,  it  is  recommend  to  them  to  seek  a 
transfer  in  such  a  way  as  shall  be  in  conformity  with  the  regula- 
tions of  both  denominations.  And  whenever  it  may  be  deemed 
advisable  for  students  of  theology  of  either  body  to  pursue  their  stud- 
ies in  institutions  of  the  other,  it  will  be  regarded  with  hearty  ap- 
probation by  both.  And  students  who  have  pursued  a  full  course 
of  study  in  the  Theological  Seminaries  of  either  Church,  shall  be 
placed  on  an  equal  footing  before  the  Presbyteries  and  Classes  of 
the  other. 

"It  is  believed  that  a  valuable  co-operation  may  be  secured  in 
regard  to  the  most  of  those  schemes  of  benevolence  in  which  both 
Churches  are  engaged.  As  the  extent  to  which  this  may  be  most 
judiciously  carried  can  be  ascertained  only  by  careful  conference  and 
experiment,  many  of  the  details  must  be  left  for  future  agreement. 
The  following  is  adopted  as  indicating  what  may  be  initiated  at  the 
present  time : 

"i.  In  regard  to  Foreign  Missions:  We  express  the  idea  that 
it  will  probably  most  promote  the  glory  of  God  that  there  should 
not  be  separate  denominational  interests  permanently  established 
where  our  Missions  are  or  may  be  planted  within  reach  of  each 
other;  but  the  establishment  of  one  united  Church  should  be  en- 
couraged. But  it  deserves  to  be  carefully  considered  whether  in 
our  whole  work  of  Foreign  Missions  a  complete  fusion  be  not  ad- 
visable. It  is  therefore  agreed  that  the  entire  subject  shall  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Board  and  Committee  in  the  two  Churches  having 
charge  of  these  interests,  with  instructions  to  devise  plans,  if  deemed 
practicable  in  accordance  with  these  suggestions. 

"2.  In  regard  to  Domestic  ]V\issions,  especially  in  the  aspect  of 
evangelistic  work:  It  is  judged  expedient  to  refer  this  whole  subject  also  to 
the  appropriate  Board  and  Committee  of  the  two  Churches  for  their 
consideration,  as  provided  for  above  in  the  vnatter  of  Foreign  Missions. 


540         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

It  may  be  suitable,  however,  to  declare  at  this  time  our  conviction  of  the 
great  importance  of  this  work  in  both  Churches,  and  especially  of  that 
form  of  it  which  presents  itself  within  the  bounds  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, in  behalf  of  the  large  and  needy  colored  population. 

"3.  In  regard  to  Publication,  it  is  agreed  that  each  Committee  or 
Board  shall  furnish  the  other  with  its  publications ;  and  the  two  publish- 
ing houses  shall  act  as  depositaries,  each  for  the  other,  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable. But  the  details  of  this  arrangement,  and  the  commercial  terms, 
shall  be  left  to  the  Board  and  the  Committee  having  charge  of  these 
interests.  This  whole  matter  also  is  referred  by  the  General  Synod  and 
the  General  Assembly  to  the  appropriate  Board  and  Committee,  to  con- 
sider whether  the  two  agencies  may  not  be  fused  into  one. 

"It  is  further  recommended  to  the  General  Synod  and  to  the  General 
Assembly  to  continue  these  negotiations  so  happily  begun,  through  a  Com- 
mittee of  conference  appointed  by  each,  who  shall  be  jointly  instructed  to 
receive  by  January  ist,  1875,  the  plans  prepared  by  the  Boards  and  Com- 
mittees, as  hereinbefore  provided,  with  a  view  to  modify  as  far  as  neces- 
sary and  harmonize  them  all  in  one  comprehensive  scheme  of  co-operative 
union ;  which  scheme  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Synod  and  to  the  Assem- 
bly respectively,  as  their  annual  sessions  in  1875. 

"The  provisions  of  this  agreement,  or  any  part  thereof,  shall  be  in 
force  from  the  time  of  their  adoption  by  both  the  General  Synod  and  the 
General  Assembly." 

Adopted  by  the  Committee,  and  respectfully  submitted. 

H.  D.  GANSE,  Chairman. 
E.  T.  CoRWiN,  Secretary. 

1874,  54-57- 
Committee  of  Conference  with  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church  was 
continued.     1874,  62. 

REPORT    OF    COMMITTEE    OF    CONFERENCE,    1875. 

The  Committees  of  Conference  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  and  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  having  been  directed  by  their  respective  bodies  to  "receive  the 
plans  prepared  by  the  Boards  and  Committees"  of  the  respective  Churches, 
and  "to  modify,  as  far  as  necessary,  and  harmonize  them  all  in  one 
comprehensive  scheme  of  co-operative  union,"  respectfully  report,  that 
they  met  for  that  purpose  in  the  City  of  New  York,  on  the  15th  day  of 
January,  1875,  and,  after  a  series  of  harmonious  joint  sessions,  agreed 
upon  the  following  scheme,  which  was  afterwards  duly  approved  by  each 
Committee  in  its  separate  session,  and  is  accordingly  recommended  by 
each  for  adoption  by  its  own  General  Assembly  or  General  Synod : 

For  the  purpose  of  perfecting  as  far  as  possible  the  scheme  of  co- 
operation which,  in  outline,  was  agreed  upon  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  in  the  sessions  of  1874,  it  is  further 
agreed  and  ordered  by  these  two  bodies,  that  actual  co-operation  in  de- 
nominational work  be  begun  between  them  in  the  following  particulars: 

I.      PUBLICATION. 

1.  The  publishing  house  of  each  denomination  shall  be  agent  and 
depository  for  the  sale  of  the  publications  of  the  other  denomination. 
The  details  of  such  agencies  and  the  commercial  terms  upon  which  they 
shall  be  conducted  shall  be  adjusted  between  the  Board  and  Committee 
having  charge  of  that  department  of  church  work. 

2.  The  same  Board  and  Committee  are  empowered  to  unite  in  the 
publication  of  a  child's  paper,  upon  which,  when  issued,  they  are  directed 
to  put  the  imprint  of  both  denominations. 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  U  S   (South)        541 

II.  HOME     MISSIONS. 

Inasmuch  as  the  work  which  the  Assembly's  Sustentation  Committee 
is  doing  for  the  evangeHzation  of  the  colored  population  of  the  South, 
justly  makes  larger  demands  upon  the  help  of  the  Reformed  Church  than 
any  part  of  the  Domestic  Missionary  Work  of  the  last  named  Church 
can,  at  this  time,  make  upon  the  help  of  the  Presbj^terian  Church  in  the 
United  States,  it  is  recommended  that  the  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church  consider  with  great  sympathy  that  department  of  the  Assembly's 
Home  Missionary  Work,  and  send  their  contributions  to  that  general 
cause  to  the  treasury  of  the  Assembly's  Committee.  A  particular  account 
of  the  receipt  and  use  of  all  sums  thus  contributed  shall  be  made  to  the 
Board  of  Domestic  ^^lissions  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

III.  FOREIGN    MISSIONS. 

1.  The  principle  announced  in  the  general  plan  adopted  by  the 
Assembly  and  the  Synod  in  1874,  namely,  that  contiguous  Foreign  Mis- 
sions of  the  two  Churches  ought  to  aim  at  "the  establishment  of  one 
united  Church,"  shall  be  carried  into  practice  whenever  such  contiguity 
shall  exist ;  and  it  is  accordingly  ordered,  that  where  any  Missionary 
Churches  under  the  care  of  the  Board  and  Committee  of  the  tw^o  denom- 
inations are,  or  shall  be,  so  near  to  each  other  as  to  admit  of  practical 
and  profitable  ecclesiastical  relations  of  any  sort,  those  Churches  shall, 
for  all  the  purposes  of  such  relations  between  themselves,  treat  each 
other  as  though  they  had  been  planted  and  nurtured  by  one  and  the 
same  denomination.  And  this  agreement  is  made,  not  only  for  the  sake 
of  expressing,  as  it  does,  the  confidence  which  these  two  American  de- 
nominations have  in  each  other,  but,  chiefly,  with  the  view  of  contributing 
to  the  establishment  in  each  missionary  country  of  a  native  Church  that 
shall  grow  from  its  own  root. 

2.  When  the  Missions  of  either  Church  shall  stand  in  need  of  men 
who  cannot  be  supplied  from  the  ministry  of  that  Church,  information  of 
such  need  shall  be  given  by  the  Board  or  Committee  of  the  one  Church 
to  that  of  the  other,  whose  duty  it  shall  thereupon  be  to  discover,  if  possi- 
ble, and  to  recommend  from  among  the  ministers  of  its  own  body  a  per- 
son or  persons  suitable*  for  such  appointment ;  and  young  men  in  either 
Church  who  contemplate  the  work  of  Foreign  Missions  shall,  upon 
recommendation  from  the  Board  or  Committee  of  their  own  Church,  be 
as  eligible  to  appointment  by  that  of  the  other  as  by  their  own.  The 
person  or  persons  so  recommended  and  appointed  shall  in  every  case 
come  under  the  care  and  direction  of  the  Board  or  Committee  from 
which  they  shall  receive  appointment;  but  they  shall  not  be  required 
to  transfer  their  ecclesiastical  relations  to  any  American  Presbytery  or 
Classis  of  the  body  into  whose  missionary  service  they  thus  shall  come. 

3.  It  is  recommended  to  the  Professors  in  the  Theological  Semi- 
naries of  the  respective  denominations,  to  the  students  and  the  Societies 
of  Enquiry,  that  they,  in  every  way,  encourage  an  equal  acquaintance 
with  the  Missions  of  the  two  Churches,  in  order  that  the  presentation 
thus  made  of  a  variety  of  acceptable  fields  may  give  scope  and  stimula- 
tion to  the  missionary  spirit  of  the  theological  students  of  both  denomina- 
tions. 

4.  To  this  end,  and  also  for  the  increase  of  general  sympathy  be- 
tween the  Churches  in  regard  to  this  very  important  form  of  Christian 
work,  it  is  ordered,  that  the  Board  and  Committee  of  the  respective 
Churches  to  keep  each  other  informed  by  interchange  of  publications,  and 
when  necessary,  by  letter,  of  all  matters  of  special  interest  in  the  work 
of  each ;  in  order  that  such  matters  may  receive  due  notice  in  the  mis- 
sionary periodicals  of  both  Churches.  And  it  is  further  ordered,  that 
at  least  five  copies  of  the  missionary  periodical  of  either  Church  be  reg- 
ularly sent  by  its  Board  or  Committee  to  each  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
naries of  the  other  Church. 


542         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

5.  It  is  recommended  to  the  members  of  either  denomination,  that, 
whenever  they  are  interested  to  contribute  to  the  evangehzation  of  any 
country  in  which  missionary  work  is  not  done  by  their  own  Church, 
but  by  the  Board  or  Committee  of  the  co-operating  Church,  they  make 
such  Board  or  Committee  the  channel  of  their  gifts ;  which  Board  or 
Committee  shall  make  report  of  the  receipt  and  use  of  such  gifts,  as 
is  provided  in  the  case  of  Home  Missions. 

IV.      EDUCATION. 

In  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  provision  incorporated  into  the 
general  scheme  of  1874 — viz. :  that  students  of  theology  in  either  body 
may  "'pursue  their  studies  in  institutions  of  the  other" — it  is  ordered, 
that  the  funds  of  the  Education  Board  or  Committee  of  either  Church 
may  be  appropriated  to  the  support  of  any  student  who  may  prefer  thus 
to  prosecute  his  studies  in  a  seminary  of  the  other,  provided  that  his 
reason  for  such  preference  be  first  presented  to  his  own  Classis  or  Pres- 
bytery and  meet  the  approval  of  the  same.  But,  in  applying  for  licensure 
or  ordination,  every  student  who  shall  avail  himself  of  the  privilege  of 
pursuing  his  studies  in  a  seminary  of  the  co-operating  Church  shall 
conform  to  the  rules  of  the  body  from  which  such  licensure  or  ordina- 
tion shall  be  sought. 

v.       INTERCHANGE    OF    ANNUAL    REPORTS. 

Each  of  the  Boards  and  Committees  of  the  two  Churches  is  directed 
to  prepare  and  forward  to  the  corresponding  Board  or  Committee  of  the 
co-operating  Church  a  compact  abstract  of  its  annual  report,  which  ab- 
stract shall  be  printed  by  the  Board  or  Committee  receiving  it,  in  con- 
nection with  its  own  annual  report. 

Any  provision  of  this  scheme  of  co-operative  union  may  at  any  time 
be  altered  or  extended  by  the  joint  action  of  the  General  Assembly  and 
General  Synod ;  and  any  provision  of  it  may  be  omitted  or  abrogated  by 
either  body  without  impairing  the  validity  of  those  other  provisions  on 
which  they  shall  agree.     1875,  255-8. 

In  behalf  of  the  education  of  preachers  among  the  colored  people 
of  the  South,  it  was  recommended  that  the  people  bf  the  Reformed  Church 
consider  with  great  sympathy  that  department  of  the  Southern  Assem- 
bly's Home  Missionary  Work,  and  send  contributions  therefor ;  reports 
of  which  shall  be  made  to  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  of  R.  C.  A. 

And  Whereas,  The  General  Synod  is  advised  that  the  Assembly  has 
resolved  to  establish  a  school  in  Tuscaloosa,  Alabama,  under  the  care 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stillman,  assisted  by  a  competent  instructor  in  English, 
for  the  purpose  of  training  up  colored  preachers  of  good  talent  and 
character ; 

And  Whereas,  The  Rev.  Henry  B.  Blake,  a  man  already  tried  in 
this  service,  and  having  the  confidence,  to  a  large  extent,  of  the  colored 
people,  and  the  confidence  of  the  Presbytery  of  Wilmington,  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Southern  Assembly,  is  ready  to  undertake  the  Evangeliza- 
tion in  a  large  district  of  North  Carolina ;  therefore, 

1.  Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Synod  the  sum  of  $2,500 
should  be  raised  during  the  next  Synodical  year,  in  aid  of  the  foregoing 
important  objects,  and  when  collected  that  it  be  forwarded  to  the  Rev. 
Richard  Mcllwaine,  Treasurer  of  the  Committee  of  Sustentation,  at 
Baltimore. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  Revs.  David  Inglis  and  William  C.  Handy, 
and  Elder  John  Hopkins,  be  appointed  by  this  Synod  as  a  Committee  to 
take  this  matter  in  charge,  and  to  endeavor  by  all  proper  means  to  accom- 
plish this  object.     1876,  450-1. 

In   1877  no  special  action  relating  to  the  South. 

In  1878.  reference  was  made  to  the  action  of  1876.  The  Synod  heard 
with  great  pleasure   Dr.   Lacey's  statements  on  the  work  among  the  col- 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH   IN  U.  S.  (South)      543 


ored  people  of  the  South,  and  resolved,  that  if  the  Southern  Assembly 
should  appoint  an  agent  to  procure  funds  for  the  endowment  of  a 
Professorship  in  the  Tuscaloosa  Institute  for  the  training  of  colored 
ministers,  he  would  be  cordially  welcomed  in  R.  C.  A.,  and  the  Synod 
recommended  his  enterprise  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  churches. 
Enlarged  co-operation  with  the  general  work  among  the  colored  people, 
through  the  agency  of  the  Southern  Church,  was  recommended.  1878, 
49,  50. 

The  Synod  resolved,  in  the  interest  of  economy,  to  carry  on  corre- 
spondence with  other  Bodies  by  letter,  excepting  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  South.     1879,  277,  279. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Chs.  Scott,  the  Synod's  delegate  to  the  Southern 
Church,  recommended  that  a  Permanent  Aid  Committee  be  appointed, 
to  assist  the  General  Assembly  in  the  work  of  evangelizing  the  colored 
people;  including  the  support  of  the  Institution  at  Tuscaloosa.     1880,  483. 

Nothing  special,  except  exchange  of  courtesies,  occurs,  1881-6. 

In  1887,  the  Southern  Assembly  sent  a  communication  referring  to 
the  desirability  of  closer  relations  in  Mission  work  at  home  and  abroad. 
Synod  reciprocated  this  feeling,  and  directed  the  Boards  of  Foreign 
and  Domestic  Missions  to  confer  with  delegates  from  similar  Boards  of 
the  Southern  Church.     1887,  376,  377. 

Nothing   special,    except    exchange    of    courtesies,    1888-1890. 

In  1890,  the  Southern  Assembly  sent  a  communication  expressing 
the  desire  for  the  Federation  of  the  Christian  Churches  of  the  land,  and 
requesting  the  appointment  of  a  Committee  by  R.  C  A.  to  confer  with 
other  similar  Committees.  1891,  343.  See  Federation  of  Churches. — 
Between  1891  and  1902  continued  efforts  were  made  in  behalf  of  a  larger 
Federation.  Yet  again,  in  1903,  the  Southern  Assembly  suggested  that 
a  Committee  be  appointed  by  the  Synod  of  R.  C  A.  to  confer  with  a  simi- 
lar Committee  of  their  Assembly  on  closer  relations  between  the  two 
Bodies.  Their  request  was  sent  to  the  more  General  Committee  on 
Church  Unity.     1903,  394.     See   Church  Union ;   Federation,   etc. 

DELEGATES  TO  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,    DELEGATES    FROM    PRESBYTERIAN 


SOUTH,  FROM  R.  C.  A. 

1870  Rev.  John  A.  Todd,  Rev.  Wm. 

J.   R.   Taylor. 

1871  Rev.  A.  B.  Van  Zandt,  Rev.  W. 

J.   R  Taylor. 

1872  Rev.   Chs.   H.   Stitt,  Rev.  E.   P. 

Terhune. 

1873  Rev.  A.  T.  Stewart,  Rev.  C  D. 

Hartranft. 

1874  Rev.  H.  D.  Ganse,  Elder  Jona- 

than Sturges,  Rev.  E.  B.  In- 
gersoll.  Elder  S.  R  W. 
Heath. 

1875  Rev.    G.    H.    Mandeville,    Rev. 

Wm.  H.  Clark. 

1876  Rev.    Jacob    Chamberlain,    Rev. 

Jared   W.    Scudder. 

1877  Rev.    T.    W.    Chambers,    Rev. 

David   Cole. 

1878  Rev.  Wm.  R.  Duryee,  Rev.  M. 

H.  Hutton. 

1879  Rev.    Chs.    Scott,    Rev.    M.    H. 

Hutton. 

1880  Rev.   W.   C.   Handy.  Rev.  Wm. 

H.  Clark. 


CHURCH,    SOUTH,    TO    R.    C.    A. 

Rev.    John    H.    Bryson. 

Rev.    Jos.    R.    Wilson. 

Rev.  E.  T.  Baird. 

Rev.  B.  M.   Smith, 
Rev.  H.  C.  Alexander. 


Rev.   A.  J.  LeFevre, 
Hon.   J.   A.    Inglis. 
Rev.    R.    G.    Bronk, 
Rev.  W.  S.  Plumer. 
Rev.   John   B.   Adger. 

Rev.  B.  T.  Lacy. 

Rev.   Chs.  A.  Reed. 

Rev.   G.   H.    Rout, 

Rev.    Theodorick    Prvor. 


544 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


Rev.   H.   M.   White. 


Rev.  J.  H.  Bryson, 
Rev.  Jos.  R.  Wilson. 


Rev.    Abner    C.    Hopkins. 
Rev.    Geo.    D.    Armstrong. 

Letter   from  Assembly. 


DELEGATES    TO    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,         DELEGATES         FROM         PRESBYTERIAN 
SOUTH,     FROM     R.     C.     A.  CHURCH,    SOUTH,    TO    R.    C.    A. 

1881  Rev.  O.  H.  Gregory,  Rev.  A.  J. 

Sebring. 

1882  Rev.  Wm.  Ormiston,  Rev.  Wm. 

H.  Clark. 

1883  Rev.    C.    Van    Santvoord,    Rev. 

H.  Vehslage. 

1884  Rev.    John    A.    Todd,    Rev.    D. 

Wortman. 

1885  Rev.  W.  J.   R.  Taylor,  Rev.  A. 

V.  V.  Raymond. 

1886  Rev.    John    A.    DeBaun,    Rev. 

Henry   M.   Cox. 

1887  Rev.  G.  H.  Smyth,  Rev.  A.  H. 

Brush. 

1888  Rev.   A.    P.    Peeke,   Rev.   N.   F. 

Nickerson. 

1889  Rev.  W.  W.  Knox,  Rev.  W.  B. 

Voorhees. 

1890  Rev.  E.  P.  Terhune,  Rev.  E.  A. 

Collier. 

1891  Rev.  A.  D.  Campbell,  Rev.  W. 

W.  Knox. 

1892  Rev.  J.  G.  Van  Slyke,  Rev.  W. 

H.  Tracy. 

1893  Rev.  J.  K.  Allen. 

1894  Rev.  G.  S.  Bishop,  Rev.  V.  M. 

Hulbert. 

1895  Rev.    P.   T.    Pockman,   Rev.   W. 

H.    S.    Demarest. 

1896  Rev.    R.    H.    Joldersma,    Rev. 

W.  H.  S.  Demarest. 

1897  Rev.   Jas.    Demarest,    Rev.    Chs. 

S.  Wright. 

1898  Rev.  Peter  De  Pree,  Rev.  C.  H. 

Whitehead. 

1899  Rev.    E.    G.    Read,    Rev.    R.    H. 

Beattie. 

1900  Rev.  D.  H.  Martin,  Rev.  C.  H. 

Tyndall. 

1901  Rev.    P.   T.    Pockman,   Rev.    P. 

Crispell. 

1902  Rev.    P.    Crispell,    Rev.    E.    C. 

Oggel. 

1903  Rev.    Jas.    I.    Vance,    Rev.    D. 

Wortman. 

1904  Rev.   I.   P.   Brokaw. 

1905  Rev.  E.  B.  Coe,  Rev.  G.  E.  Tal- 

mage. 

Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland  and  the  North  of  Ireland. 
See  Scotland. 

1877. 

Presbyterian  Historical  Society.  A  letter  from  the  Presbyterian 
Historical  Society,  established  in  Philadelphia  for  the  purpose  of  found- 
ing a  general  Presbyterian  Library,  has  been  considered  by  your  Com- 
mittee.    In  response  to  the  appeal  for  the  contribution  of  works  relating 


Rev.  W.    S.    Plumer   Bryan. 

Rev.  C.   R.   Hemphill. 

Rev.  E.  M.  Green. 

Rev.  John   F.   Cannon. 

Rev.  John  F.   Cannon. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Graham. 

Rev.  W.    R.    Dobyos,    letter. 


PRESBYTERIAN  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  545 

to  our  own  denominational  history  and  order,  your  Committee  would 
commend  the  objects  of  the  Society  to  the  favorable  notice  of  the 
Church,  and  would  hereby  authorize  the  Committee  on  our  own  Library 
to  make   such   exchanges   of  duplicates   as   shall   seem  to   them   advisable. 

1877,  713- 

1892. 

10.  A  communication  from  the  executive  committee  of  the  Presby- 
terian Historical  Society  calling  the  attention  of  this  body  to  the  im- 
portance of  collecting  and  safely  preserving  the  materials,  and  to  promote 
the  knowledge  of  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America  in  all  its  branches,  and,  if  deemed  wise,  to  appoint  a 
committee  of  ministers  and  elders  to  co-operate  with  this  society  in 
collecting  materials  for  the  history  of  its  own  branch  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  the  offer  of  the  use  of  their  fireproof  vaults  for  the  preser- 
vation of  such  documents. 

Your  committee  would  call  the  attention  of  the  Synod  to  the  im- 
portance of  this  matter,  and  would  offer  the  following : 

Resolved,  i.  That  we  heartily  approve  of  the  spirit  and  plan  sug- 
gested by  this  society,  and  thank  them  for  their  offer ;  but  inasmuch  as 
we  already  have  such  a  place  in  our  own  Gardner  A.  Sage  fireproof 
library,  we   respectfully  decline  this  part  of  their  offer. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society  be  informed 
that  we  will  be  glad  to  give  them  free  access  to  our  library  to  make 
transcripts  of  any  of  the  documents  which  we  may  have  in  our  posession 
which  will  be  of  any  service  or  value  to  their  society. 

Resolved,  3.  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin, 
D.D.,  Rev.  A.  Kriekard,  Rev.  J.  F.  Riggs  and  Elders  W.  H.  Kirk  and 
George  Lott,  be  appointed  by  this  Synod  to  secure  more  fully,  and  to 
preserve  in  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library  vaults  any  documents  of  value 
to  our  own  branch  of  the  Church.     1892,  574-5. 

1903. 

A  request  was  received  from  the  Presbyterian  Historical  Society, 
asking  for  historical  materials,  pictures,  relics,  illustrating  the  historv  ot 
R  C  A. 

This  Society  has  recently  celebrated  its  fiftieth  anniversary.  Many 
pictures,  relics,  etc.,  from  many  denominations  were  on  exhibition,  and 
while  some  of  these  were  left  in  possession  of  that  Society,  most  of  them 
were  returned  to  their  former  owners.  The  communication  states  that  the 
Reformed  Church  in  America  is  not  adequately  represented  in  the  gallery 
and  museum  of  that  Society,  and  the  ofYer  is  made  to  preserve  for  us 
any  historical  material,  records,  relics  or  other  things,  illustrating  our 
Church  history.     The  following  resolution   is  presented : 

Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  we  have  archives  and  a  museum  of 
our  own  in  New  Brunswick,  in  which  our  Synod  has  heretofore  re- 
quested that  all  such  articles  or  records  should  be  deposited,  we  feel 
obliged  to  decline  the  kind  ofifer  of  the   Presbyterian   Historical   Society. 

Your  committee  would  also  here  take  the  liberty  to  state  that  the 
transcripts  of  Ecclesiastical  Acts  and  Correspondence  which  the  under- 
signed obtained  in  Holland  in  1897-8,  he  still  retains  in  his  own  private 
possession.  They  were  secured,  indeed,  by  the  private  means  of  certain 
individuals,  but  not  without  the  co-operation  and  credentials  of  the 
General  Synod.  They  complete  the  body  of  oflficial  documents,  from 
official  sources,  relating  to  our  colonial  Church  history.  The  ultimate 
ownership  of  these  documents  consisting  of  twelve  manuscript  volumes, 
he  believes,  ought  to  be  in  the  General  Synod.  He  proposes,  therefore, 
with  the  consent  of  the  Synod,  to  deposit  these  volumes  in  the  Synodical 
Archives,  by  the  side  of  the  similar  material  formerly  obtained  by  Hon. 
J.  Romeyn  Brodhead,  so  soon  as  the  progress  of  their  publication,  under 


546         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

the  title  of  "Ecclesiastical  Records  of  the  State  of  New  York,"  by  the 
State  of  New  York,  warrants  it.  And  inasmuch  as  a  special  committee, 
consisting  of  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin  and  others  was  formerly  appointed 
(1892,  575),  to  secure  more  fully,  and  to  preserve  in  our  Archives  his- 
torical documents  of  value  to  our  branch  of  the  Church. 

Resolved,  That  the  documents  procured  from  Holland  by  Messrs. 
Brodhead  and  Corwin,  be  now  put  under  the  special  care  of  the  Profes- 
sor of  Church  History  at  New  Brunswick,  Rev.  Dr.  W.  H.  S.  Demarest, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin.     1903,  512,  513. 

Presbyterianism.  Rules  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  2,  29-52; 
of  1792,  Arts.  31-55;  of  1833,  Arts.  2,  36-85;  of  1874,  Arts.  2,  35-75- 
Copies  of  the  Holland  system  of  Church  Government  were  sent  to  the 
Westminster  Assembly,  1643-47.  See  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York,  Vol.  i., 
185,  192. 

Preservation  of  the  Saints.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  54;  Canons, 
i.  7,  11;  ii.  8;  v.  3,  4,  9. 

Presidents — Of  Ecclesiastical  Bodies.  Allusions  to :  Constit.  of  1874. 
Arts.  22,  39,  42,  46,  52,  62,  64,  69,  75,  no,  121. — Former  rules  of  choosing 
Presidents  of  Gen.  Synod. — Every  Classis  shall  nominate  one  of  their 
ministers  and  from  these,  the  President  of  Gen.  Synod  shall  be  chosen. 
1800,  276 ;  after  the  first  regular  ballot,  the  choice  of  President  is  lim- 
ited to  the  two  highest  candidates,  1840,  329;  the  President  shall  be  elected 
by  ballot,  by  a  majority  of  the  members  present;  if  after  the  first  vote 
there  is  no  election,  the  choice  shall  be  made  from  the  two  highest,  1866, 
126;  a  nominating  ballot  shall  be  taken;  if  any  one  on  this  ballot  shall 
receive  two-thirds  of  the  votes  cast,  he  shall  be  deemed  elected ;  after  the 
first  voting  ballot,  the  voting  shall  be  confined  to  the  two  receiving  the 
greatest  number  of  votes,  1886,  205 ;  hereafter,  the  President  of  Gen. 
Synod,  if  not  appointed  as  a  delegate,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  privileges 
of  the  succeeding  General  Synod,  as  a  corresponding  member,  with  the 
right  to  participate  in  the  discussion,  but  not  to  vote.  1889,  834-5  \  '99^ 
502. — Names  of  the  Presidents  of  Gen.  Synod  first  printed  in  the  Minutes 
in   1859;  to  be  printed  only  from  1870  and  onward,   1900,  917. 

Presidents  of  the  United  States.  Occasionally  referred  to :  to 
President  Washington,  1789,  on  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  and  his 
inauguration : 

address  to  the  authorities. 

The  Rev.  Body  have  seen  fit,  for  weighty  reasons,  to  present  a 
respectful  address  to  the  President  of  these  United  States,  by  a  com- 
mittee from  their  number  appointed  for  the  purpose,  who  are  commis- 
sioned to  prepare  and  execute  said  address,  and  to  affix  to  it  the  names 
of  two  or  more  of  them.  The  committee  are  the  Rev.  Professor  J.  H. 
Livingston  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  William  Linn,  G.  A.  Kuypers,  ministers 
at  New  York,  and  Dr.  Petrus  Low,  with  Messrs.  H.  Rome,  D.  LeflFerts, 
J.  Rosevelt,  R.  Varick,  Maj.,  and  John  Van  Der  Bilt.  1789,  200;  1790, 
212. 

Allusions  to  President  Lincoln:  1861,  loi :  "That  we  have  full  confi- 
dence in  the  patriotism,  fidelity,  wisdom  and  prudence  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States,"  etc.     1862,  211;   1863,  356;  1864,  504; 

Fourth,  Resolved,  That  in  the  sudden  and  violent  death  of  our 
tried  and  trusted  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  we  recognize,  with  the 
submission  of  faith,  a  mystery  which  says,  "Be  still,  and  know  that  I 
am  God;"  a  chastisement  which  shows  that  even  four  years  of  civil 
war  have  not  sufficiently  humbled  and  purified  us  as  a  Nation ;  and  a 
call  to  all  of  us  to  be  ready  at  our  posts  of  duty  for  the  Master's  sum- 
mons, whether  it  come  in  the  middle  watch  of  the  night  or  at  the 
cock-crowing.  We  bless  God  for  the  incalculable  service  that  our 
late    beloved    President    rendered    to    the    cause    of    Union    and    liberty. 


PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  U.  S.  547 

and  for  the  testimony  for  Christianity  which  he  left  behind  him ;  and  over 
his  new-made  grave  we  consecrate  ourselves  afresh  to  the  country  and 
the  cause  for  which  he  hved  and  died,  and  to  the  Saviour  whom  he 
honored.     1865,  648.     See   National   Affairs. 

The  following  resolutions,  in  reference  to  the  Centennial  of  the  In- 
auguration of  Washington,  the  first  President  of  the  United  States, 
were  unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  At  the  meeting  of  Synod  immediately  following  the  inaugu- 
ration of  George  Washington,  as  President  of  the  United  States,  a  Com- 
mittee consisting  of  five  ministers  and  five  elders  was  appointed  to  ex- 
press the  sentiments  of  the  Church  in  regard  to  the  full  establishment 
of  the  Government ;  therefore,  be  it 

1.  Resolved,  That  now,  at  the  beginning  of  the  second  century  of 
our  Republic,  it  is  eminently  proper  to  reaffirm  the  sentiments  then 
expressed. 

2.  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  consisting  of  three  ministers  and 
two  elders  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  suitable  address,  and  to  transmit 
the  same  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  following  were  appointed  the  Committee :  Revs.  J.  Howard  Suy- 
dam,  Denis  Wortman,  W.  B.  Hill,  and  Elders  D.  D.  Beekman  and  C.  C. 
Van  Reypen.     1889,  930. 

The  following  communication  from  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  in  reply  to  the  address  of  the  General  Synod  at  its  session  last 
year,  on  the  subject  of  the   Centennial,  was  received. 

"Executive  Mansion, 
Washington,  June  9,  1890. 
"Rev.  J.  H.  Suydam,  D.D.,  Chairman,  etc. 

"Dear  Sir — I  have  been  made  aware  of  my  unpardonable  oversight 
in  not  sooner  making  a  personal  acknowledgment  of  the  address  pre- 
sented to  me  by  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  Let  me  assure  you, 
sir,  and  the  members  of  your  Synod,  that  I  very  highly  appreciate  this 
expression  of  the  good  will  of  the  venerable  Church  whose  representa- 
tives have  spoken  in  this  address. 

"Patriotism  has  always  been  associated  with  piety  in  your  com- 
munion, and  it  is  gratifying  to  believe  that  in  all  our  churches  the  fear 
of  God  is  allied  with  respect  for  human  law,  and  love  for  our  free 
institutions. 

With  great  respect. 

Very  truly  yours, 

"BENJ.  HARRISON." 
1898,  198. 

Brief  communications  were  received  from  Benjamin  Harrison,  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  from  the  Secretary  of  the  World's  Colum- 
bian Exposition,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  petitions  in  favor  of  closing 
the  Exposition  on  Sunday,  1893,  906. 

A  copy  of  Synod's  Action  on  the  persecutions  of  the  Armenians 
was  sent  to  President  Grover  Cleveland.     1895,  225. 

In  the  Spanish  War,  the  Synod  makes  the  following  allusion  to 
President  McKinley :  "And  further,  we  have  full  confidence  in  the  Chris- 
tian manhood  of  our  Chief,  steadfastly  believing,  that  as  a  sure  pilot 
at  the  head  of  State,  he  will  guide  the  Good  Ship  amid  rocks  and 
shoals,  which  lie  close  to  the  channel  which  war  has  made  inevitable. 
1898,  258. 

The  following  paper  concerning  the  canteen  in  the  army  was  adopted, 
to  be  forwarded  to  the  President  of  the  United  States : 


548  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

To    the   President    of   the    United   States.    Chief    Executive   and    Head    of 

Army  and  Xaz'v: 

Whereas,  By  a  provision  in  the  Army  Bill  passed  February  2~  and 
28,  1899,  ''i"d  approved  March  2.  Congress  clearly  prohibited  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  drinks  "in  any  encampment  or  fort,  or  on  any  premises  used 
for   military   purposes   by   the   United    States,"   and 

Whereas,  The  Attorney-General  has  interpreted  incorrectly,  as  we 
believe,  said  section  17,  Army  Reorganization  Bill,  and 

Whereas,  The  deplorable  effects  of  liquor  selling  as  a  part  of  the 
canteen  system  of  the  United  States  army  continues  to  work  havoc  with 
the  manhood  of  the  men,  and  with  the  discipline  of  the  army,  be  it 

Resoh'cd,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  record  its  unanimous  protest  against  any  disregard  or  seeming 
nullification  of  said  law  as  clearly  interpreted  by  both  houses  of  Con- 
gress, and  by  the  American  people,  and 

Resolved,  That  we  appeal  to  the  patriotism  of  President  William 
McKinley.  as  head  of  the  army,  to  suspend  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquor,  as  a  beverage,  in  ,  the  army  and  in  the  territories  now  under 
military  occupation  by  the  United  States  government,  until  such  time, 
at  least,  as  the  courts  shall  have  passed  upon  the  validity  of  said  Section 
17  of  the  Army  Reorganization  Bill,  and  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  behalf  of  the  113.000  communicant  members  and 
law-abiding  citizens  of  this  historic  American  Church,  the  above  resolu- 
tions be  signed  by  the  President  of  Synod,  and  bj^  the  Permanent  and 
Stated  Clerks,  and 

Resolved,  That  when  so  signed,  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent 
to  the   Chief  Executive  of  the  American   Nation. 

Earnestly,    sincerely,    and    respectfully    submitted. 

GEORGE    S.    BISHOP,   Presided. 

W.    H.   TEN    EYCK,   Permanent   Clerk. 

WM.    H.    DE   HART,   Stated   Clerk. 

1899,   503- 

The  action  of  the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding 
the  Presbyterian  System,  on  the  subject  of  Arbitration  .  was  pre- 
sented by  a  Committee  to  President  McKinley,  on  Dec.  29,  1898, 
w^ho  were  most  cordially  received,  the  President  being  in  hearty  sym- 
pathy with   the  objects   of  the   petition.     1899,  471.     See   Arbitration. 

Memorial  to  President  McKinley  in  reference  to  the  Boxer 
Movement  in  China: 

On  account  of  the  imperiled  critical  condition  of  our  mission 
work  and  workers  in  China,  your  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions 
recommend  the  following:  Resolved.  That  the  President  of  the  United 
States  be  memorialized  by  the  General  Synod  and  requested  that 
the  best  offices  of  our  Government  be  put  forth  for  the  protection 
of  our  missionaries  in  China,  and  that  this  resolution  be  sent  to  our 
President  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod.     1900,  917. 

The    General    Synod's    salutations    to    President    Roosevelt: 

The  following  was  adopted,  to  be  sent  by  telegraph  by  the  Stated 
Clerk: 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  desires 
to  express  to  the  President,  Theodore  Roosevelt,  its  earnest  wishes 
for  the  continued  prosperity  of  his  administration,  and  the  assur- 
ance of  their  earnest  prayers  for  God's  richest  benediction  upon 
him  and  his  family.     1902,  218. 

An  acknowledgment  of  the  kindly  greeting  extended  to  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt  by  the  last  General  Synod.     Read. 


PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  U.  S.  549 

The  following  letter  to  Rev.  Abbott  E.  Kittredge  was  read  by 
him  : 

"White   House,   Washington,   March    12,    1903. 
"My  Dear  Sir — The  President   requests   me   to  acknowledge   the 
receipt   of  your  letter  of  the   nth   instant,  and  to  express   his   regret 
that    plans    already   made    for    the    spring   and    summer    will   preclude 
him  from  accepting  your  kind  invitation  for  June  8th  and  9th. 

"Assuring  you  that  the  President  warmly  appreciates  the  com- 
pliment implied  by  this  invitation,  believe  me, 

"Very  truly  yours, 

"WM.   LOEB,  JR., 
"Secretary   to   the  President." 
1903,  269. 

Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  June  2,  1904. 
To  President  Roosevelt, 
Executive  Mansion, 

Washington,  D.  C. 
The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  wishes 
to  convey  to  the  President,  Theodore  Roosevelt,  its  best  wishes  for 
Divine  direction  in  the  administration  of  the  nation's  affairs,  with 
the  assurance  of  our  prayers,  and  hopes  for  the  Divine  benediction 
upon  him  and  his  family. 

The  following  reply  was  received  to  the  above  : 

White  House,  Washington,  June  4,  1904. 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  DeHart, 
Stated  Clerk, 

General    Synod,    Reformed    Church, 
Grand   Rapids,   Mich. 
My  Dear  Sir: — The  President  has  received  your  message  of  the 
3d  instant  and  thanks   you  cordially  for  the  sentiments   you   express 
on  behalf  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Very  truly  yours, 

B.  F.  BARNES, 
Acting  Secretary   to   the  President. 

1904,  850-1. 

The    General    Synod    sent    the    following    telegram    to    the    Presi- 
dent : 
Theodore  Roosevelt, 

President  of  the   United   States, 
Washington,  D.   C. 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  sends 
greetings  and  congratulations  to  the  most  honored  son  of  our  Church, 
the  President  of  the  nation,  and,  please  God,  the  peace  maker  of 
the  world. 

The  following  telegram  from  the  President  was  received  in  reply: 
White  House,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  12,    05. 
Wm.   DeHart, 

Stated  Clerk,  General  Synod  Reformed  Church. 

Many  thanks  for  your  telegram.  Extend  to  the  brethren  the 
heartiest  well   wishes  of  their  fellow-member. 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT. 

1905,  291. 
Press  Clerks.     Whereas,  The  proceedings  of  the  General  Synod 
and  its  associated  gatherings  are  at  times  insufficiently  or  incorrectly 
reported  in   the   daily  newspapers.     Therefore, 


550         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  adopt  as  one  of  its  Rules  of  Order  that 
at  each  annual  session  of  the  Synod  a  person  shall  be  appointed 
as  Press  Clerk,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  secure  in  the  daily  press, 
as  far  as  practicable,  adequate  and  correct  reports  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  General  Synod  and  accompanying  meetings.     1897,  557. 

Prevailing  Sins.     Lemma  17,  adopted,  1809,  408. 
Previous  Question.     See  Rules  of  Order. 

Priesthood  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  21-26;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quest.  31. 

Priests.  Popish  priests  shall  not  be  admitted  to  the  service  of 
the  Church  without  great  care,  nor  until  after  a  period  of  trial.  Con- 
stit.   1619,  Art.  9.     No  allusion  to,  in  later  Constitutions. 

Primarii  and  Secundi.  The  Deputatus  Synodi,  to  have  a  secundus ; 
1794,  260;  the  importance  of  all  Classes  nominating  secundi,  as  dele- 
gates to  Gen.  Synod,  brought  to  attention  of  Synod;  1815,  10;  gen- 
erally done,  but  now  enjoined,  31;  a  primarius  must  notify  a  secundus, 
if  unable  to  attend;  and  the  secundus  shall  not  vacate  his  seat  if  the 
primarius  appear ;  1824,  6 ;  repeated,  1866,  128,  with  modification : — 

"At  the  commencement  of  the  session,  the  members  delegated, 
whether  Primarii  or  Secundi,  shall  be  recognized  and  recorded;  but 
when  the  Primarius  shall  appear  at  any  subsequent  period  of  the 
session,  then  the  Primarius  shall  take  the  seat  of  the  Secundus,  and 
the  Secundus  shall  not  be  considered  a  member  again,  unless  by  the 
request  of  the  Primarius,  and  the  permission  of  Synod";  1866,  128-9. 

Primary  Sunday  School  Hymnal.  Alluded  to  in  Report  of  Bd. 
of  Publication,  1905,  3. 

Princeton  College.  Alluded  to,  1771,  14;  1793,  249,  250;  1794, 
262.  [Many  allusions  to,  in  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York, 
between  1760  and  1770.]  Also  referred  to  by  Particular  Synod,  1794, 
449. 

Printing  of  the  Minutes.  The  printing  of  the  Minutes  of  the 
old  Provisional  Synod,  1771-1793,  was  never  attempted  at  the  time; 
in  1794,  the  General  Synod  held  its  first  session,  and  extracts  were 
published  of  the  Minutes,  1794-1809.  In  1812,  they  began  to  be  pub- 
lished in  full,  1812,  403.     See  Minutes  of  General  Synod. 

In  June,  1817,  p.  43,  the  Stated  Clerk  was  directed  to  collect 
and  make  up  six  full  sets  of  the  printed  Minutes;  [extracts,  1794- 
1809;  and  fully  printed  Minutes,  1812-1817;]  but  he  was  unsuccessful. 
The  Stated  Clerk,  therefore,  proposed,  the  printing  of  all  the  Min- 
utes, up  to  date,  (1771-1817,)  also  having  the  Dutch  Minutes,  (1771- 
1792)  translated;  Oct.,  1817,  20,  21;  but  the  Committee  appointed 
probably  could  not  secure  a  publisher.  The  work  was  not  then  done, 
1818,  39,  1819,  51,  and  was  not  accomplished  until  1859.  See  Min- 
utes. 

Private  Offences.     See  Offences. 

Prize  Essays  on  Missions.  $725  deposited  with  Bd.  of  Direc- 
tion by  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Van  Doren,  the  interest  of  which  to  be  paid 
to  any  member  of  the  Seminary  or  College,  for  the  best  Essay  on 
Missions.     See  conditions,  etc.     1848,  218,  275-6. 

Process  and  Trial.  Constitutional;  1619,  76-80;  1792,  70-79;  i833^ 
104- 1 16;  1874,  96-108. 

Prochet,  Matthew,  (Rev.)  Delegate  from  the  Vaudois,  1873; 
669,  672. 

Profanity.     Heid  Cat.,  Quests.  99-102. 

Profession  of  Religion.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  26-28;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quest.  81;  Canons,  iii.  and  iv.   15.— Rules  of  Dort,   1619,  Arts.  59,  oi^ 


PROFESSIONAL  COUNSEL  551 

82,  23;  of  1792,  Art.  62;  of  1833.      Arts.  54,  57,  30;  of  1874.     Arts.  47,  50, 
27.     See  also  concluding  paragraph  of  the  Compendium. 

Professional  Counsel.  Not  allowed  in  ecclesiastical  trials.  Con- 
stit.  of  1833,  Art.  113;  1874,  Art.  105. 

Professorate.  A  term  which  first  began  to  be  used  in  the  Ar- 
ticles of  Union,  1771,  13,  (Art.  28),  concerning  the  establishment  and 
endowment  of  Theological  Professorships  in  America,  and  continues 
to  be  used  in  R.  C.  A.  to  the  present  day.  The  expression  "Pro- 
fessorate and  Funds"  is  also  often  found. 

Professorate  considered;  1772,  33,  39,  40;  1774,  47,  48;  i775,  55. 
56;  May,  1784,  115,  116;  Professorships  established  by  the  Provisional 
Synod;  Oct.,  1784,  123-5;  Funds  to  be  solicited  in  Holland,  127;  In- 
augural Address  of  Prof.  Livingston,  alluded  to.  May,  1785,  135;  lec- 
tors (or  assistants  in  different  localities)  appointed,  1786,  146;  sub- 
ject of  Endowment  to  be  kept  alive,  1787,  162,  1788,  178;  1789,  188; 
measures  for  raising  a  fund.  May,  1791,  215;  1792  242;  1793  251-3; 
Professorship  located  at  Flatbush,  L.  I.,  1794,  260-3;  (see  Particular 
Synod,  1794,  449;  May,  1796,  458;  Oct.,  1796,  464-7);  dscouragements; 
1797,  269,  270;  two  additional  Professors  appointed  by  Gen.  Synod: 
committees  appointed  to  report  on,  1800,  290-1;  review,  and  plans 
suggested  to  raise  a  fund,  1800,  300,  312;  Dr.  Livingston  now  chosen 
by  the  General  Synod,  as  their  one  Permanent  Professor,  1804,  334-5, 
339,  340;  efforts  to  raise  funds,  1806,  344-5,  347-8;  proposition  from 
Queens  College  to  combine  Professorship  with,  1807,  363-4;  First 
Covenant  with  Queens  College,  1807,  365-6;  address  of  (3^eneral  Synod 
to  the  churches,  on  the  history  and  importance  of  a  Theological 
Professorship,  1807,  368-378.  See  New  Brunswick  Theological  Semi- 
nary. 

Professorate  and  Theological  Seminaries.  A  new  Lemma,  Art. 
v.,  to  take  the  place  of  the  old  Lemma,  XIV.,  styled  "Professorate." 
1886,  204;  (see  1885,  727).  Also  a  new  Standing  Committee,  so  named. 
See  Lemmata. 

Professorial  Appointments,  Form  of.  A  regular  diploma  is  ex- 
ecuted, approved  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  Prof.  Livingston,  1784, 
125;  see  also  1797,  270.  "Instrument,"  certifying  the  appointment, 
and  specifying  the  duties  of  the  office,  shall  be  signed  in  the  pres- 
ence of  Gen.  Synod,  by  the  President  thereof,  and  by  him,  in  the 
name  of  the  Church,  be  given  to  the  person  elected;  Constitutions 
of  1792,  Art.  21;  of  1833,  Art.  25;  of  1874,  Art.  22.  Dr.  Livingston 
in  1784,  must  have  subscribed  the  Standards  according  to  Constit. 
of  1619,  Art.  53;  Drs.  Romeyn  and  Froeligh,  in  1797,  according  to 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  22. 

Form    of   a    Professorial   Appointment. 

To  the  Rev.  , 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  repos- 
ing confidence  in  your  piety,  learning,  and  talents,  have  elected  you 

a    Professor    in    their    Theological    Seminary    at    .     The 

branches  in  which  you  are  to  instruct  the  youth  committed  to  your 

charge   are,  ,   with   such   modifications   as   the    Synod   may 

hereafter  direct. 

To  free  you  from  worldly  cares  and  avocations,  while  discharg- 
ing the  duties  of  your  office,  we  promise  and  oblige  ourselves  to  pay 

to  you  the  sum  of  ,  in  payments,  yearly  and  every 

year,  as  long  as  you  continue  Professor  in  our  Seminary  as  aforesaid. 
For  the  assumption  of  the  powers,  and  the  execution  of  the  duties 
of  your  office  in  the  Theological  Department  of  the  Seminary,  this 
is  your  commission,  and  may  the  Head  of  the  Church  render  your 
labors  useful  and  pleasant. 

Signed  by  order  of  the   Synod,  ,  President. 


552  DIGEST  OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Done  in  General  Synod, 

this  day   of  ,    i8 — . 

1832,  134;  1833,  204,  1834,  288-9. 

In  1833,  289,  this  read— "of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  North 
America,"  etc.  The  first  form  of  this  Professorial  Appointment 
which  we  have  on  record,  may  be  found  in  Oct.,  1815,  p.  16.  It  was 
made  for  Prof.  Schureman. 

Professorial  Certificates.  Constitutional:  Students  cannot  be  ad- 
mitted to  a  Classis  or  Particular  Synod  for  licensure  without  pro- 
ducing a  Professorial  Certificate  as  to  study,  etc.  1792,  Arts.  2,  3, 
23;  (Compare  1619,  Art.  8;)  a  student,  having  passed  through  one  of 
the  Theological  Schools  of  R.  C  A.,  if  found  qualified,  shall  receive 
a  Professorial  Certificate,  entitling  him  to  examination  for  licensure 
before  the  Classis,  1833,  Arts.  3,  4;  1874,  Arts.  3,  4. 

Synodical  [Before  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  1792]  :  Students 
required  to  show  a  Professorial  Certificate  from  Dr.  Livingston,  to 
entitle  them  to  examination  for  licensure,  1784,  125.  [The  (one)  Par- 
ticular Synod  also  impliedly  passed  such  a  resolution  in  reference 
to  three  Hebrew  teachers.  Revs.  S.  Froeligh,  John  Bassett  and  G. 
A.  Kuypers,  whom  they  illegally  appointed,  1799,  487;  but  (^en.  Synod 
annulled  their  act,  1804,  339,  340.] 

Applications  were  made  that  Prof.  John  M.  Mason's  Profes- 
sorial (Certificates,  (Scotch  Associate  Seminary,)  should  also  be  hon- 
ored by  the  Dutch  Classes.  Synod  passed  a  courteous  resolution  that 
they  should  be  recognized,  and  should  entitle  their  holders  to  ex- 
amination by  Synod's  Professors;  and  if  such  students  were  found 
qualified,  they  should  receive  certificates  from  Synod's  Professors. 
1809,  308;  1812,  434;  1814,  45. 

Requests  for  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  recognizing 
the  Professorial  Certificates  of  Professors  of  all  Evangelical  Semina- 
ries, not  granted;   1896,  410-413;    1897,  681-3.     See   Dispensations. 

Professorial  Endowments.  See  Endowments  Professorial;  Pro- 
fessorial Fund;  Permanent  Professorial  Fund;  Permanent  Seminary 
Fund;  Western  Seminary;  Arcot  Seminary.     See  1900,  814,  817. 

Professorial  Fund,  1772-1828.  For  the  earlier  but  unsuccessful 
efforts  to  raise  such  a  fund  (1772-1809),  see  Professorate  and  Corwin's 
Manual,  1902,  pp.  163-9.  In  1809,  $10,400  were  subscribed.  This  was  put 
in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  as  the  Sjmod  was  not 
yet  incorporated,  1809,  381.  Agents  were  employed  by  the  Trustees  to 
secure  additional  subscriptions ;  and  collections  were  ordered  in  all  the 
churches,  to  increase  this  Fund.  It  was  intended  for  Professors,  needy 
students,  and  a  Library,  1812,  429,  430.  The  subscriptions  soon  amounted 
to  $21,000,  in  all,  although  only  $16,172  had  been  paid  in.  It  was  said 
that  all  of  this  was  invested  at  7  per  cent.,  1813.  5-7,  10,  11;  later  accounts 
stated  that  only  $10,400  was  on  bond  and  mortgage,  and  for  the  re- 
mainder ($5,772.57),  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College  were  paying 
interest  to  the  Theological  Institution.  The  Synod  appropriated  $3,000 
toward  the  building  of  a  Hall  (now  Queens  Building  of  Rutgers  (I^ol- 
Icge),  to  be  taken  from  the  collections  made  in  the  churches  of  the 
State  of  New  York;  the  Synod  also  promising  to  make  up  any  deficiency 
from  the  Professorial  Fund.  Synod  allowed  interest  to  the  Trustees, 
for  the  use  of  two-thirds  of  the  sum  ($2,000)  appropriated  by  them,  for 
four  years  ($560),  or  from  the  time  of- the  enclosure  of  the  Hall,  1813, 
22-24. 

The  church  of  Albany  oft'ered  to  supplement  Synod's  income  by 
giving  $750  per  year,  for  four  years,  and  the  church  of  New  Brunswick, 
i)y  giving  $200  per  year,  for  the  same  period,  1814,  21,  43,  44.  The  Synod 
now  directed  the  Trustees  to  furnish  ;in  itemized  acc^'^^t  e,nrh  vear  of  all 


PROFESSORIAL  FUND  553 

receipts  and  disbursements  connected  with  this  fund,  and  to  pay  any 
arrearages  of  the  Professor's  salary  out  of  the  principal,  1814,  43,  46. 
An  itemized  account  was  rendered  in  1815,  but  not  again  for  several 
years.  [See  1820,  27-30,  where  the  whole  matter  is  reviewed  by  the 
newly  appointed  Board  of  Direction.]  The  Fund  in  181 5,  was  said  to 
be  $12,332.57,  invested  at  7  per  cent.,  and  that  up  to  date,  in  all,  $4,663.93 
had  been  paid  to  Prof.  Livingston,  1815,  14-16,  41.  In  Oct.,  1815,  a  union 
was  effected  between  the  College  and  the  Theological  Professorship,  and 
styled  a  Theological  College,  which  see.  The  Professors  therein  were 
to  receive  $1,400  each;  those  appointed  by  the  Synod,  and  who  also  taught 
in  the  Collegiate  department,  were  to  receive  half  their  salary  from  the 
Trustees ;  but  Prof.  Livingston,  according  to  the  general  understanding, 
was  to.  receive,  as  long  as  he  lived,  the  proceeds  of  this  old  Professorial 
Fund,  the  Synod  making  up  any  deficiency,  Oct.,  1815,  11.  The  Synod 
now  also  resolved  to  retain  in  their  own  hands  any  future  moneys 
given  for  the  Theological  Department.  Thus  was  started  what  came  to 
be  called  the  Permanent  Fund,  1815,  15;  1820,  40.  Much  misunderstand- 
ing now  arose  upon  the  subject  of  this  Professorial  Fund,  and  repeated 
conferences  were  held  to  adjust  matters.  Owing  to  financial  embarrass- 
ments, the  College  was  closed  {1816-25),  but  the  Theological  Department 
was  kept  in  operation.  The  details  may  be  investigated  by  references  to 
the  Minutes  of  Synod  as  given  at  the  close  of  this  article  (1817,  28-31). 
The  General  Synod  became  incorporated  in  1819,  and  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tion of  the  Corporation  was  directed  to  effect  a  settlement.  Differences 
of  opinion  were  found  to  exist  as  to  the  real  ownership  of  the  Fund, 
but  the  Synod  insisted  on  its  ownership. 

Part  of  the  Fund  had  been  used  up  in  the  building  of  the  Hall. 
Finally,  1823-27,  efforts  were  successfully  made  to  endow  Second  and 
Third  Profesorships ;  the  College  Property  was  conveyed  to  General 
Synod,  1824;  also  the  balance  of  this  Professorial  Fund  ($9,750),  while 
the  Synod  cancelled  the  indebtedness  of  the  Trustees  to  the  Synod 
($2,212),  and  raised  by  special  effort  in  the  churches  $4,000  to  pay  a  note 
in  the  bank,  owed  by  the  Trustees,  1828.  Meantime,  the  College  exer- 
cises were  revived  in  1825,  in  connection  with  a  gift  of  $5,000  from  Col. 
Rutgers.  See  Rutgers  College.  For  the  language  of  the  assignment,  see 
1828,  103-4. 

"Resolved,  That  all  the  moneys,  the  interest  of  which  is  appropriated 
to  the  support  of  the  Professors  of  the  Theological  College,  be  placed 
under  one  head,  to  be  denominated  "The  Permanent  Professorial  Fund 
OF  General  Synod."  which  see.^1828,  130. 

With  this  ends  the  separate  existence  of  the  first  Professorial  Fund 
(1809-28).  It  is  now  united  with  the  Fund  started  in  1815,  and  which  was 
known  as  the  "Permanent  Fund,"  1815-28;  and  these  two,  with  the 
moneys  more  recently  collected  for  the  Second  and  Third  Professor- 
ships, henceforth  appear  as  the  Permanent  Professorial  Fund.  This  name 
was  retained  until  1872,  when,  with  certain  modifications,  these  funds 
became  the  "Permanent  Seminary  Fund;"  which  see. 

After  this,  the  old  Professorial  Fund  is  found  as  an  item  in  the 
Permanent  Professorial  Fund,  but  in  decreasing  amounts,  until  1854,  when 
it  finally  disappeared  altogether.  When  the  bonds  and  mortgages  were 
transferred  to  the  Synod,  1828,  they  were  returned  to  the  Treasurer  of  the 
College,  to  collect  interest  on  them,  as  before,  and  remit  the  same  to  the 
Treasurer  of  Synod,  1828,  104.  The  following  represents  the  later  his- 
tory of  this  Fund,  as  reported  in  the  Annual   Digest : 

1828 1837 $3,650  1846 $2,680 

1829 1838 3,650  1847 2,680 

1830 1839 3,650  1848 2,000 

1831 $8,150  1840 3,100  1849 2,000 

1832 7,650  1841 3,150  1850 2,000 


554         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1833 6,650  1842 3,150  1851 2,000 

1834 6,650  1843 2,950  1852 2,000 

1835 4,850  1844 2,780  1853 2,000 

1836 3,650  1845 2,730  1854 2,000 

It  was  stated  in  1850,  pp.  74,  75,  78,  that  a  balance  of  $2,000  of  this 
Fund  was  supposed  to  be  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  the  College. 
The  Treasurer  of  the  College,  however,  stated  that  the  whole  of  the 
Fund  had  been  transferred  to  the  Board  of  Corporation,  and  that  the 
aforesaid  balance  was  yet  to  be  collected  by  him  as  agent  for  Isaac  Younsf, 
Synod's  Treasurer.  The  terms  of  the  transfer  are  now  again,  1850,  en- 
tered on  the  Minutes  of  Synod. 

Professorial  Fund,  1809- 1829,  held  by  Trustees  of  Queens  College, 
the  Synod  not,  at  first,  being  incorporated.  So  far  as  found  in  Minutes 
of  Synod. 

Arrears 
In  Hands  of 

Years.         Pages.                            Invested,     of  Trustees.  Total.  Interest. 

1809,  381-3     $10,400.00 

1810     

1811     

1812,  417,    429 

1813,  6,  7,  19,  ^'^,  23 10,400.00    $5,772.57    $16,172.57 

1814,  42,   43 

1815,  12-16,  41,  43 12,332.57 

1815,  Oct.,  6,  7,  II,  12 

1816,  29,  30,  32,  33 10,400.00 

1817,  29,  30  10,400.00 

1817,  Oct.,    7 

1818,  49-51,  58,  60,  63 9,600.00 

1819,  36,  38,  69,  75,  78,  79 9,600.00 

1820,  21-35,  39,  48,  49 9,840.00 

1820,  Oct.,  6-12,  32-35 

1821,  21,  24,  34,  38,  39 

1822,  20-25,    39 

1823,  19,  20,  52,  53 410.25 

1824,  17,  24,  54,  56 

1825,  9,    10,    16 9,750.00  705.5J 

1825,  Sept.,  6-17,  25 

1826,  9-14,    26 9,750.00 

1827,  19,  20,  28 9,750.00      2,212.02  533.70 

1828,  103-4,   107,   130 9,750.00 

Professorial  Nominations.  See  Nominations;  Professors  of  The- 
ology. 

Professorial  Residences.  Professor  Livingston  lived  in  his  own 
house  on  the  south  side  of  Livingston  Avenue,  between  Townsend 
and  Suydam  Streets,  1810-25.  He  owned  an  extensive  farm,  lying 
between  Livingston  Avenue  and  the  present  Remsen  Avenue,  and 
extending  west  to  the  Brook.  The  two  wings  of  Rutgers  College 
were  occupied  by  Theological  Professors  from  the  time  of  the  erec- 
tion of  the  Building  until  1867,  while  others  of  the  Professors  lived 
in  hired  houses.  For  some  account  of  the  present  Residences  of  the 
Professors,  see  Centennial  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1885,  pp.  98* 
129,  133,  137,  139,  143,  384,  404  [Upon  request,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  A.  H. 
Cornell  kindly  exhibited  to  Drs.  Mabon,  Demarest  and  Corwm,  his 
private  memoranda,  for  the  material  on  pages  404-5,  etc.] 


2,772.S7 

13,172.57 

2,772.S7 

13,172.57 

$1,050.00 

2,212.57 

11,812:57 

1,100.00 

2,212.57 

11,812.57 

2,400.00 

2,212.57 

12,052.57 

2,300.00 

2,212.57 

2,212.57 

PROFESSORIAL  RESIDENCES  555 

Occupants  of  the  two  wings  of  the  College: 

East  Wing.  West  Whig. 

Prof.  Vethake(?),  1816  29,  34.  Prof.  Schureman,  1815-18. 

Prof.  DeWitt,  1823,  58.  Rev.  John  S.  Mabon,  1818-25. 

Prof.  Milledoler,  1825-41.  Prof.  Woodhull,  1825-26. 

Prof.  Van  Vranken,  1841-61.  Prof.  Cannon,  1826-52. 

Prof.  Berg,  1861-5.  Prof.   Ludlow,  1852-7. 

Prof.  Woodbridge,  1857-66. 

The  Synod  had  paid  for  most  of  the  repairs  of  Rutgers  College, 
from  the  erection  of  the  Building  in  1809.  In  1857,  the  Seminary- 
had  removed  to  the  new  quarters  in  Hertzog  Hall,  and  in  1864,  the 
Synod  sold  back  the  College  property  to  the  Trustees  of  the  College, 
for  $12,000.  Prof.  Berg  left  the  east  wing  in  1865,  and  Prof.  Wood- 
bridge  left  the  west  wing  in  1866.  Preparations  had  begun  to  be 
made  to  build  Professorial  Residences  on  the  grounds  around  Hert- 
zog Hall.  The  $12,000  from  the  college  property  were  set  apart 
for  this  purpose  and  the  two  houses  on  the  west  of  Hertzog  Hall 
were  begun.  These  were  finished  about  1866,  and  the  house  on  the 
east  side,  near  George  St.,  was  finished  in  the  beginning  of  1868. 
These  three  houses  ultimately  cost  about  $40,000.  The  details  of 
the  work,  especially  in  reference  to  the  finances,  may  be  found  under 
the  following  references:  1863,  332;  1864,  478;  1865,  500,  623-631;  1866, 
92,  97;  1867,  256,  264-5,  267-8;  Nov.,  1867,  345;  1868,  378,  407-9,  415,  473- 
4;  1869,  579;  1870,  13,  16,  17,  114.     See  especially  1865,  627. 

In  1869,  James  Suydam  and  Gardner  A.  Sage,  each  gave  $9,000 
and  bought  Prof.  Geo.  H.  Cook's  house,  on  the  S.  W.  corner  of 
George  St.  and  Seminary  Place,  as  a  residence  for  the  Professor 
of  Didactic  Theology;  1870,  12,  113;  and  in  1881,  $20,000  were  re- 
ceived from  Jas.  Suydam  for  the  erection  of  a  Professorial  Dwell- 
ing for  the  Professor  of  Didactic  Theology,  1881,  651,  657;  1882,  62, 
128;  1883,  325. 

These  residences  have  been  occupied  as  follows : 

The  two  Dwellings  toward  the  West  end : 
Prof.  Woodbridge,   1866-1899-  Prof.  DeWitt,  1866-1891. 

Rented,  1899-1901.  Prof.  Riggs,  1892-7. 

Prof.  W.  H.  S.  Demarest,  1901-6.     Prof.  Gillespie,  1898— 
Prof.  E.  P.  Johnson,  1906 — 

The  two  Dwellings  toward  the  East  end: 
Prof.  Mabon,  1882-92.  Prof.  D.  D.  Demarest,  1868-98. 

Prof.  Searle,   1893 —  Prof.  Schenck,  1899 — 

The  Dwelling  corner  of  George  St.  and  Seminary  Place: 
Prof.   Berg,   1869-71.  Prof.  Van  Zandt,  1872-81. 

Prof.  Mabon,  1881-2.  Rented,   1882-4. 

Prof.  Lansing,  1884-99.  Prof.  Raven,  1899 — 

Professor  of  Divinity  for  the  Dutch  Church  in  Kings  [Colum-. 
bia]  College,  New  York  City. 

For  general  history  of,  see  Corwin's  Manual,  3d  ed.  1879,  pp.  32- 
40;  and,  somewhat  abridged,  4th  ed.  1902,  pp.  107-111;  for  the  docu- 
ments, in  detail,  see  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York,  Vol.  5, 
under  dates  1754-60. 

Allusions  in  Coetus  Minutes,  1755,  xciv.-xcvii.;  1758,  civ.;  allusion 
to,  in  the  expression — "English  Academies"  in  Articles  of  Union, 
1771,  page  14;  again  in  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod,  1804,  334,  339.  See 
also  "Ritzema,  John,"  in  the  Manual. 

Professors  of  Theology.     Second  Office  in  the  Presbyterian  sys- 


556         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

tern  of  Church  Polity.  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  2,  22-27,  and  the  cor- 
responding Articles  of  Constits.  of  1833  and  1792.  Only  allusions  to, 
in  Constit.  of  1619,  Arts.  2,  3,  18.  See  in  Constitution  of  1792,  Art. 
19,  Beza's  note  on  the  distinction  of  "Pastors"  and  "Teachers,"  which 
is   hardly  exegetically  correct  as  to   the  text  expounded. 

First  appointment  of  a  Professor  in  America,  1784,  125.  See  New 
Brunswick  Theological  Seminary.  Appointments  of  two  additional 
Professors  in  1797,  declared  to  have  been  a  temporary  expedient, 
1804,  334;  see  Permanent  Professor;  an  additional  Professor  sug- 
gested for  the  Northern  part  of  the  Church,  but  not  adopted,  i8(^, 
344,  347;  Trustees  of  Queens  College  covenant  to  call  Synod's  Pro- 
fessor of  Theology  for  that  Institution;  Professorship  of  Theology 
located  permanently  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  1807,  365.  (In  Digest, 
1814,  76.)  Prof.  Livingston,  having  removed  to  New  Brunswick  in 
1810,  without  taking  any  letter  of  dismission  from  his  church,  or 
from  the  Classis  of  New  York,  the  Classis  referred  the  matter 
to  the  Synod  for  its  opinion.  The  following  was  Synod's  declara- 
tion : 

"Whereas,  it  is  necessary  that  the  ecclesiastical  relation  of  the 
Professor  of  Theology  should  be  clearly  ascertained  and  settled  by 
General  Synod,  as  well  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  the  Pro- 
fessor, as  of  the  several  Judicatories  of  the  Church :  Therefore, 
Resolved,  That  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
the  Professor  of  Theology,  as  such,  has  no  relation  to,  or  connection 
with  any  particular  Classis,  and  is  amenable  only  to  the  General 
Synod,  whose  officer  he  is;  and,  of  course,  must  take  a  regular  dis- 
mission from  the  Church  and  Classis  to  which  he  belonged :  but, 
whenever  he  shall  sustain,  or  with  the  consent  of  the  General  Synod, 
assume  the  pastoral  charge  of  a  congregation,  he  will,  as  Pastor, 
stand  on  the  same  footing  respecting  the  Classis  with  which  such 
congregation  is  connected,  as  any  other  Minister  of  a  congrega- 
tion."    1814,  30. 

Professors  hereafter  shall  hold  no  pastoral  charge,  1819,  39;  [this 
was  incorporated  in   the   Constitution,   1833,  Art.  28;]. 

Resignations  of  Professors  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents  not 
valid,  until  Synodical  consent  also  is  obtained;  Feb.  1823,  7,  8. — Pro- 
fessors may  reprimand,  or  suspend  from  the  Theological  School,  dis- 
respectful, immoral,  or  incompetent  stu-dents,  during  the  recess  of 
the  Board  of  Superintendents,  subject  to  revision  of  said  Board,  1823, 
54;  Professors  requested  to  preach  before  the  students  once  every 
four  weeks;  and  attend  General  Synod,  when  convenient,  for  the 
benefit  of  their  advice,  1824,  55;  to  perform  certain  literary  duties 
in  the  College  as  the  Synod  shall  determine;  shall  also  give  Biblical 
instruction  to  the  students,  and  preach  before  the  Faculty  and  stu- 
dents, on  the  Lord's  Day;  Sept.,  1825,  20,  23,  24;  one  of  the  Theolog- 
ical   Professors  shall  be  the   President  of  the   College,   Feb.,   1825,  20. 

The  double  engagements  of  the  Professors  of  Theology — teach- 
ing also  in  the  College — detrimental  to  the  interests  of  both  insti- 
tutions; efforts  to  be  made  to  modify  the  connection  between  the 
Trustees  and  the  Synod,  1836,  515,  516;  the  theological  Professors 
exhorted  to  preach  as  extensively  as  possible  among  the  churches 
during  their  vacation,  1835,  5i6;  urged  to  attend  the  sessions  of  Synod, 
1837,  78;  the  Professors  to  preach  in  the  College  Chapel,  1839.  308, 
312,  315;  requested  to  continue  to  teach  in  the  College,  1840,  405; 
requested  to  act  as  guardians  over  the  beneficiaries,  1846,  72,  7;^;  1855, 
S82;  to  discourage  the  preaching  of  students,  1858,  346;  list  of  Pro- 
fessors to  be  printed  in  the  Minutes,  1876,  493;  overtures  for  changes 
in  nominating  Theological  Professors;  for  a  restoration  of  their  ec- 
clesiastical standing,  or  the  readjustment  of  their  ecclesiastical  re- 
lationship;  a   committee   was   appointed   to   report   on   these   and   kin- 


PROFESSORS  EMERITI  557 

dred  matters,  1893,  771-3;  "'Professors"  in  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary, 
1888,  539;  report  of  Committee;  that  each  Classis  have  the  right 
to  make  one  nomination,  not  necessarily  from  its  own  members,  and 
the  General  Synod  be  limited  to  three  nominations;  proposed  amend- 
ment to  the  Constitution.  1894,  75-78;  adopted.  1895.  131-2;  as  to  ec- 
clesiastical standing  of  Professors;  that  the  Faculty  of  each  of  our 
Theological  Seminaries  have  the  right  to  appoint  one  of  its  members 
as  a  delegate  to  the  General  Synod,  who  shall  possess  all  the  rights 
of  other  delegates;  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution;  1894, 
78;  proposed  amendments  rejected,  1895,  131-2;  additional  overtures 
from  five  Classes,  for  amendments  of  the  Constitution  as  to  the 
ecclesiastical  standing  of  Professors;  indefinitely  deferred,  1895, 
136;  overtures  to  elect  Professors  by  Boards  of  Trustees;  reasons; 
Synod  rejects  proposition,  1899,  395-7. 

Professors  Emeriti.  While  the  Constitution  says  nothing  about 
Professors  being  declared  Emeriti,  yet  the  right  is  inherently  in- 
volved in  the  very  nature  of  their  office,  even  as  in  the  office  of  min- 
isters. The  following  Professors  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary 
have  been  declared  by  General  Synod  Emeriti.  Prof.  Jas.  S.  Can- 
non, 1852,  272;  Prof  Van  Zandt,  1881,  751;  Prof.  Woodbridge.  1901. 
1039,  1050.     See   1892,  522. 

Professors,  Installation  of:  When  General  Synod  arranges  for 
the  Installation  of  a  Professor,  it  shall  also  provide  the  fund?  for 
the  printing  of  the  Installation  Services,  1894,  121. 

Professorships  of  Theology  :  The  various  titles  by  which  thej' 
have  been  designated: 

1.  Biblical    Literature. 

2.  Biblical    Literature   and    Ecclesiastical    History. 

3.  Didactic    Theology. 

4.  Didactic  and   Polemic  Theology. 

5.  Ecclesiastical  History  and  Church  Government. 

6.  Ecclesiastical    History,    Church    Government     and     Pastoral 

Duties. 

7.  Hebrew. 

8.  Hebrew  and  Ecclesiastical  History. 

9.  Hellenistic  Greek  and  New  Testament  Exegesis. 

10.  Historic  Theology. 

11.  Inspired  Languages. 

12.  Languages. 

13.  Most  Holy  Theology. 

14.  Old  Testament   Languages  and   Exegesis. 

15.  Pastoral  Theology  and   Church   History. 

16.  Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric. 

17.  Practical    Theology. 

18.  Sacred  Theology. 

Property.     Heid.   Cat.,  Quest,   no. 

Property  Endowment  Fund.  Suggestion  that  $5,000  of  the  re- 
cent gifts  for  Endowments,  be  set  apart  as  the  nucleus  of  a  '"Prop- 
erty Endowment  Fund,"  to  supplement  the  now  inadequate  Jas 
Suydam   Fund  for   Buildings  and   Grounds.     1903,  323-4. 

Property  Funds.  Classed  together  and  summed  up  at  $122,154.99. 
Need  of  additions.  Income  and  its  uses:  1901,  1034-6.  Compare 
1900,  817. 

Property  of  Christ.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i,  34. 

Prophecy.     Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  5. 

Prophesying.     The  term  used  in  Holland  of  the  orderly  explana- 


558         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

tion    of    passages    of    Scripture;    same    as    preaching;     1787,    163,    note 
See  Hansen's  Ch.  of  the  Neths.  79;  also  "Professors." 

Prophetical  Office  of  Christ.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  31.  See  Of- 
fices of  Christ. 

Propitiatory  Sacrifice.     Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  34;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  37. 

Proponents.     See  Candidates;  Licentiates. 

Prospect  Park  Hotel.     See  Entertainment. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  Correspondence,  for  use  of  St. 
George's  Church  by  the  Dutch,  during  the  Revolution.  See  Col- 
legiate Ch.  Year  Book,  1881,  75,  76;  also  Ecc.  Records  under  date. 
Greetings  exchanged,  1878,  51;  communication  from,  on  Unity  of 
the  Church;  answer;  1888,  609;  united  action  with,  on  subject  of 
Divorce,  1903,  396. 

Protestantism.  Suggestion  from  Presbyterian  Church  for  the 
union  of  all  Evangelical  Bodies  against  the  encroachments  of  Ro- 
manism; 1865,  574-5;  Synod  suggests  union  for  the  advancement  of 
the  Evangelical  Church;  576. 

Protestant  Review,  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  R  Berg.  Commended  to 
the  churches.     1852,  286.     See  Berg. 

Protests.  These  were  not  uncommon  in  the  earlier  Ecclesias- 
tical Assemblies.  See  Coetus  Minutes,  1751,  55,  57,  58,  59,  61;  1753, 
80,  82,  83,  84,  85;  also  see  Index  (when  made)  of  Ecclesiastical  Rec- 
ords of  New  York,  6  volumes. 

In  1800,  in  the  Rules  for  the  Government  of  General  Synod  which 
were  then  adopted,  Rule  10  is  as  follows  :  "Any  member,  who  may 
think  himself  aggrieved  by  a  decision  of  the  Synod,  shall  have  his  dis- 
sent or  protest,  with  the  reasons,  entered  on  the  records  bf  the  Synod, 
or  filed  among  the  papers,  if  given  in  before  the  rising  of  the  Synod." 
1800,  277. — A  Committee  was  also  appointed  to  report  on  certain  Arti- 
cles of  the  Constitution  [of  1792]  which  seemed  to  require  some  elu- 
cidation, 1800,  279,  301;  in  reference  to  Protests  they  reported: 

With  respect  to  cases  in  which  the  members  of  any  inferior  ju- 
dicatory may  judge  a  defect  of  such  a  nature  to  exist  as  to  render 
the  judicatory  unconstitutional,^  it  shall  be  lawful  for  such  members 
to  enter  their  protest,  expressing  the  reasons  of  their  dissent;  but 
they  may  not  oppose  the  decision  of  the  majority,  by  withdrawing 
from  the  judicatory.  Their  protest,  however,  shall  shield  them  from 
any  consequences  that  may  arise  from  the  proceedings  of  such  ju- 
dicatory. Should  protesting  members  take  upon  themselves  to  with- 
draw, the  judicatorj%  from  the  principle  of  self-preservation,  which 
every  society  enjoys,  possesses  a  power  of  inflicting  due  punishment; 
and,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  degree  of  such  punishment,  it  is  recom- 
mended that  every  inferior  judicatory  shall  form  rules  for  that  purpose,  to 
which  all  the  members  shall  be  subjected.  If,  however,  in  the  prose- 
cution of  such  cases,  any  protesting  and  absenting  members  consider 
him  or  themselves  aggrieved,  a  right  of  appeal  is  possessed  to  the 
next  higher  judicatory,  where  the  dispute  shall  be  decided.     1800,  311. 

In  the  same  year  Rev.  Solomon  Froeligh  and  his  elder.  Jacobus 
Demarest,  protested  against  the  decision  of  the  Synod,  separating 
the  congregations  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh  into  two  bodies, 
ecclesiastically  considered,  altho'  civilly,  one  corporation,   1800,  297. 

"Protests  being  the  acknowledged  privilege  of  the  minority  in 
any  Judicature,  whereby  they  exonerate  themselves  from  what  they 
conceive  to  be  an  unjustifiable  decision  of  the  majority,  cannot  be 
taken  up  by  that  or  any  higher  judicature,  as  the  ground  of  judicial 
inquiry,    consistently    with    the    established    discipline,    and    according 


PROVIDENCE  559 

to    the    uniform    practice    of    the    Reformed    Dutch    Church"     .     .     , 
1806,  349. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  Gosman  protested  against  the  decision  of  the 
Synod  in  a  matter  relating  to  himself,  and  already  in  the  hands  of 
Particular  Synod;  1812,  409,  410;  Rev.  Ralph  A.  Westervelt  and  Rev. 
Henry  Ostrander  protested  against  the  decision  of  Synod  in  refer- 
ence to  affairs  in  the  church  of  Kingston,  1812,  412;  another  protest, 
1812,  427;  individuals  also  protest  against  the  decision  of  the  Synod 
in  the  case  of  Rev.  Conrad  Ten  Eyck;  Oct.,  1820,  28;  Particular 
Synod  of  Albany  protests  against  the  act  of  Synod,  directing  them 
to  divide  the  Classis  of  Montgornery,  1821,  49,  50;  report  of  a  Com- 
mittee on  their  protest,  51;  Mr.'  Wm.  Schuneman  protests  against 
the  resolution  of  Synod,  in  the  case  of  the  Classis  of  Albany,  and  Rev. 
Jeremiah  Searle,  1824,  50.  On  account  of  these  many  protests,  the 
right  of  protesting  was  taken  away,  at  the  revision  of  the  Consti- 
tution in  1833:  "No  member  of  an  Ecclesiastical  Assembly  shall 
be  allowed  to  protest  against  any  of  its  acts";  but  may  require  the 
ayes  and  noes  to  be  recorded.  1833,  Art.  43;  1874,  Art.  41.  See  Ap- 
peals; References  ;Ayes  and  Noes. 

Providence.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  12,  13;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  i, 
26-28,  31,  51;  Form  of  Baptism,  second  paragraph. 

Provincial  Synods — in  Holland.     See  Particular  Synods. 

Provisional  Synod — in  America.  Same  as  the  General  Body  of 
1771,  which  began  to  call  itself  a  Synod  in  1784,  and  became  a  Par- 
ticular Synod.     1793-1800. 

Pruyn,  Alida.  Bequest  of  $500  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 
1877,  609. 

Pruyn,  Edward  Lansing.  Scholarship  of  $2,500  in  charge  of  Gen- 
eral Synod;  1865. 

Pruyn,  Robert.  An  elder  of  the  Church  of  Albany;  on  many  im- 
portant Committees. 

Pruyn  Trust— for  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  $8,258.53.  1892, 
471,  478. 

Psalmody  or  Psalms  and  Hymns.  Only  the  Psalms,  the  Ten 
Commandments,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Apostles'  Creed,  the  songs  of 
Zacharias,  Mary,  and  Simeon,  as  versified,  shall  be  sung  in  Public  Wor- 
ship. Freedom  is  given  concerning  the  hymn.  "O  Thou  who  art  our 
Father  God." — All  others,  prohibited,  1619,  69. 

No  Psalms  or  Hymns  may  be  publicly  sung  in  R.  D.  Chs.  in  America, 
but  such  as  are  recommended  by  General  Synod:  In  the  Dutch  language, 
the  version  of  the  Psalms  by  Dathenus ;  and  the  new  version  of  "Psalms 
and  Hymns"  adopted  in  the  Netherlands  in  1773;  in  the  English  Version, 
Dr.  Livingston's  Psalms  and  Hymns,  recommended  in  1789;  in  the 
French  language,  the  "Psalms  and  Hymns"  of  Beza,  and  of  La  Moret;  in 
the  German  language,  the  "Psalms  and  Hymns"  published  at  Mar- 
burgh  and  Amsterdam,  and  now  used  in  Germany,  the  Netherlands  and 
Pennsylvania;  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  65. 

No  Psalms  or  Hymns  may  be  publicly  sung  in  the  Reformed 
(Dutch)  Churches,  but  such  as  are  approved  and  recommended  by  the 
General  Synod.  1833,  Art.  90;  1874,  Art.  80.  See  Hymnology ;  and  Han- 
sen, T],  78. 

[Before  the  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  65,  as  above  referred  to,  the 
Collegiate  Church  of  New  York  had  taken  it  upon  herself  to  issue  a 
Psalm  Book  in  the  English  Language,  in  1767.  The  title  was:  "The 
Psalms  of  David,  with  the  Ten  Commandments,  Creed,  Lord's  Prayer, 
etc.,  in  Metre.  Also,  the  Catechism,  Confession  of  Faith,  Liturgy-,  etc.. 
Translated  from  the  Dutch.     For  the  Use  of  the  R.  P.  D.  C  of  the  City 


56o  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

of  New  York.     New  York  :   Printed  by  Jas.  Parker,  at  the  New  Printing 
Office,  in  Beaver  Street,  mdcci.xvii." 

A  preliminary  Note  "To  the  Reader,"  refers  to  the  fact  that  because 
of  the  declension  of  the  Dutch  language,  this  Psalm  Book  in  English 
was  issued ;  that  they  were  greatly  indebted  to  Tate  and  Brady's  version 
of  the  Psalms  in  English,  some  being  transcribed  entire,  and  others  altered 
to  adapt  them  to  the  Dutch  music.  These  English  Psalms  and  other 
translations  were  approved  by  the  Consistory  for  the  use  of  their  Church 
and  Schools. 

By  Order  of  Consistory, 

JOANNES  RITZEMA, 

V.   D.   M.  p.t.   Praeses. 
City  of  New  York,  November  9,  1767. 

An  interesting  account  of  this  first  English  Psalm  Book  for  the  Dutch 
Church,  with  the  character  of  the  music,  is  given  in  Collegiate  Church 
Year  Book,  for  1882,  pp.  71-77.  For  the  original  documents,  see  Ecclesi- 
astical Records  of  New  York,  under  dates,  1763-1767.  See  also  several 
Articles  on  the  "Hymnody  of  the  Church"  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  B.  Thomp- 
son in  Christian  Intelligencer,  July  and  Aug.,  1906. 

Psalms,  Uniform  Metrical  Version  of.  The  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Church  notifies  this  body  that  it  has  appointed  a 
committee  to  co-operate  with  representatives  of  other  churches  in  pre- 
paring a  new  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms,  and  requests  this  Synod 
to  appoint  such  a  committee. 

Inasmuch  as  no  metrical  version  of  the  Psalter,  as  a  whole,  is  in  use 
in  our  Denomination,  your  Committee  recommend  that  we  make  courteous 
acknowledgment  of  the  invitation,  with  the  reply  that  under  the  circum- 
stances its   acceptance  is   inexpedient.     1894,    136. 

A  Memorial  from  the  Chairman  of  Committees  representing  the 
United  Presbj^terian  and  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Churches,  inviting 
this  body  to  co-operate  w-ith  them  in  preparing  a  new  metrical  version  of 
the  Psalter,  "not  to  commit  us  to  the  use  thereof,"  but  to  secure  such  a 
version  as  will  "commend  itself  to  the  taste  and  judgment"  of  our 
churches. 

With  reference  to  this,  your  Committee  recommend  that  the  invi- 
tation be  courteously  acknowledged  wnth  the  answer  that  our  Synod's 
participation  in  this  revision  would  scarcely  be  justified  by  any  probable 
use  of  such  a  version  in  our  churches.     1896,  404. 

A  communication  from  the  Secretary  of  the  joint  committee  of 
various  ecclesiastical  bodies  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  interested 
in  securing  a  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms  "which  shall  in  all  respects 
be  up  to  the  highest  standards  of  literary  taste  and  excellence ;  which  shall 
be  undenominational,  and  worthy  a  place  in  the  Hymnody  of  every 
Church,"  and  extending  an  invitation  to  the  Synod,  if  favorable  to  the 
enterprise,  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  or  more  to  co-operate  in  the 
work.     1897,  680. 

With  reference  to  the  memorial  of  the  Joint  Committee  of  Churches 
interested  in  securing  a  new^  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms,  it  is  recom- 
mended that  the  Rev.  Edward  A.  Collier,  D.D.,  be  appointed  as  the  repre- 
sentative of  this  Synod  on  the  said  Joint  Committee  with  the  under- 
standing that  his  appointment  to  serve  in  that  capacity  shall  involve  no 
expense  whatever  to  the  General   Synod.     1897,  693. 

A  request  came  from  a  Joint  Committee  of  American  and  Canada 
Churches,  to  revise  the  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms.  Referred  to 
Rev.  Dr.  E.  A.  Collier,  formerly  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Hym- 
nology,  with  power  to  co-operate  at   his  discretion.     1900.   767. 


PSALMS,  UNIFORM  METRICAL  VERSION  OF    561 

The  General  Committee  on  Revision  of  the  Metrical  Psalms  reports 
progress.  The  American  churches  are  largely  represented  on  the  Com- 
mittee. The  Scottish  version  of  the  Psalter  was  adopted  as  a  basis. 
The  Revision  has  extended  to  Psalm  72.  The  next  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mittee will  be  held  in  Toronto,  Aug.  20-29,  1901.  $15  are  asked  for,  as 
our  share  of  incidental  expenses.  Rev.  Dr.  Edward  A.  Collier,  appointed 
by  the  Synod  of  1900,  to  co-operate  at  his  discretion  with  the  General 
Committee,  and  who  has  rendered  efficient  service,  is  asked  to  continue 
in  this  work  until  the  completion  of  the  enterprise.     1901,   11 11,   11 12. 

III.  The  communication  from  the  Joint  Committee  on  a  Uniform 
Version  of  the  Metrical  Psalms  gives  the  gratifying  notice  that  the 
Committee  made  a  thorough  revision  of  Books  III  and  IV  of  the  Psalter 
(Ps.  73-106)  and  examined  carefully  the  next  book  as  far  as  Ps.  121,  and 
decided  on  versions  of  these  psalms  to  be  revised  at  the  next  meeting. 
While  the  Scottish  Version  was  adopted  as  a  basis  for  revision,  yet  in 
the  case  of  not  a  few  Psalms  other  versions  in  various  meters  were 
substituted  or  will  be  added  as  giving  better  expression  to  the  psalms 
they  represent.  The  experience  formerly  gained  enabled  the  Committee 
this  year  to  attain  more  perfect  results  than  at  the  beginning  of  the  under- 
taking. They  feel  much  encouraged  in  the  work  and  hope  that  the  out- 
come of  it  may  be  a  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms  that  will  prove 
acceptable  to  the  churches  represented  and  to  others.  1902,  no,  in. 
To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America : 

Your  representative  on  the  Interdenominational  Committee  on  a 
Uniform  Revision  of  the  Metrical  Psalms,  respectfully  begs  leave  to 
report : 

Two  meetings  of  about  ten  days  each  have  been  held  during  the  year. 

Representatives  were  present  from  nine  Synods  and  AssembHes  in  the 
United  States  and  Canada. 

The  first  revision  of  the  entire  Psalter  was  completed  after  four  years 
of  labor. 

A  second  and  final  revision  of  portions  of  the  work  is  now  in 
progress,  and  it  is  hoped  the  whole  work  may  be  ready  for  submission 
to  the  churches  in  about  one  year  more.  Even  in  its  present  form  the 
work  is  regarded  as  a  marked  improvement  upon  all  previously  existing 
metrical  revisions. 

The  committee  asks  once  more  for  a  contribution  of  fifteen  dollars 
from  each  of  the  co-operating  churches. 

Your  representative  suggests  that  this  be  granted  as  in  previous 
years,  and  that  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  be  requested  to  send 
the  amount  designated  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Committee,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  D. 
Steele,  74  W.  103d  St.,  New  York. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

EDWARD  A.  COLLIER. 

Asbury  Park,  June  4th,  1903. 

1903,  381. 

The  report  of  the  "Joint  Committee  on  a  Uniform  Version  of  the 
Psalms  in  Meter"  states  that  the  "committee  expects  to  have  the  entire 
work  completed  and  printed  in  time  for  the  assemblies  and  synods 
of  1905.  They  will  then  ask  for  criticisms  before  issuing  the  work 
in  final  form."  "Your  representative  reports  that  as  heretofore  he  has 
given  much  time  and  labor  to  the  work  of  the  committee  and  recom- 
mends that  an  appropriation  of  $15  for  printing  and  other  small  items  be 
granted  as  hitherto."     We  therefore  recommend  that  it  be — 

Resolved,  That  an  appropriation  of  $15  be  granted  as  requested. 
1904,  726. 

The  work  of  the  "Joint  Committee  on  a  Uniform  Version  of  the 
Psalms  in  Metre"  is  put  through  the  press ;  the  Committee  requests  Synod 
to  arrange  for  the  examination  of  the  work,  by  Committee  or  otherwise; 


562         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

to  appoint  a  representative  until  the  work  is  done;  and  to  allow  $15 
as  usual  to  expedite  the  Psalter.  The  volume  was  referred  to  the  Board 
of  Publication  for  examination  and  criticism;  Dr.  Collier  was  continued 
as  Synod's  representative;  and  $15  were  allowed,  as  usual;  and  50  copies 
of  the  work  are  to  be  presented  therefor,  to  the  Committee.     1905,  123. 

[Christian  hymns  were  only  just  beginning  to  come  into  use  in  pubHc 
worship,  in  the  Calvinistic  Churches  in  1792.  Until  the  Reformation, 
there  was,  indeed,  no  congregational  singing,  but  priests  and  choristers 
chanted  Psalms  and  Hymns  in  Latin,  but  these  were  generally  unintelligi- 
ble to  the  people.  Congregational  hymn-singing,  in  the  language  of  the 
people,  was  the  creation  of  the  Lutherans.  Luther  and  his  followers 
contributed  many  original  hymns  to  the  Church,  but  the  Lutherans  were 
not  so  famous  for  metrical  versions  of  the  Psalter.  The  Anglican  Church 
also  began  to  use  hymns  at  an  early  period  in  their  services. 

But  with  the  so-called  Reformed  Churches  the  Psalter  was  treated 
as  the  inspired  Manual  of  devotional  praises,  and  many  metrical  versions 
of  it  were  made  in  the  vernacular  languages.  Clement  Marot  began  to 
translate  Psalms  into  French  verse  in  1533,  and  these  became  very 
popular  even  at  court.  The  complete  French  version  was  the  joint  work 
of  Marot  and  Beza. 

The  earliest  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms  in  the  Holland  language 
was  the  work  of  William  Nieuwveldt  in  1539.  Many  editions  were  pub- 
lished. In  1 55 1  Jan  Uytenhove,  an  elder  in  the  Dutch  Church  in  Lon- 
don, made  a  metrical  version  of  25  Psalms,  following  the  Latin  Psalter. 
By  1563  he  completed  his  version  of  the  Psalter,  and  added  metrical 
versions  of  the  Songs  of  Mary,  of  Zacharias  and  of  Simeon ;  of  the  Ten 
Commandments,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Creed.  In  1565,  Lucas  de 
Heere  made  a  Dutch  metrical  version  of  37  Psalms,  following  the 
French  version  of  Marot  and  Beza ;  but  this  was  never  completed. 

In  1566  Peter  Dathenus  issued  in  Dutch  his  metrical  version,  of  the 
whole  Psalter,  following  the  French,  and  this  soon  superseded  all  others 
in  public  worship.  The  Synod  of  Wesel,  1568,  ordered  it  to  be  used  in  all 
churches.  It  was  this  version  which  was  brought  to  America  by  the 
Dutch  immigrants,  and  used  until  it  was  superseded  by  English  versions. 

The  English  metrical  version  which  was  first  adopted  by  the  Dutch 
Church  in  America  in  1763  and  1792,  was  largely  taken  from  the  version 
of  Tate  and  Brady.  The  first  metrical  versions  of  the  Psalms  in  English 
were  made  by  Thomas  Sternhold  in  1548,  and  were  nineteen  in  num- 
ber. A  third  edition  in  155 1  contained  forty-four  Psalms  by  Sternhold 
and  seven  by  John  Hopkins.  In  1556  another  edition  was  issued  at 
Geneva,  by  the  English  exiles  there,  with  seven  additional  Psalms  trans- 
lated by  Whittingham.  But  the  first  complete  metrical  edition  of  the 
Psalter  in  English  was  issued  by  John  Daye  in  1562.  This  version  rep- 
resented the  work  of  many  hands.  Matthew  Parker,  afterward  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury,  issued  another  edition  with  variations,  and  this 
remained  the  accepted  English  metrical  version  for  135  years,  or  from 
1563  to  1698.  It  was  then  superseded  in  the  Church  of  England  by  the 
famous  version  of  Tate  and  Brady,  and,  as  was  said,  it  was  this  version 
which  was  chiefly  utilized  by  the  Dutch  Church  in  America  in  1763  and 
1792,  when  English  singing  and  services  were  introduced.  But  the  Dutch 
here  retained  their  own  system  of  music,  and  these  English  Psalms  had 
to  be  adapted  to  it. 

The  Scotch  Church  long  clung  to  the  Geneva  edition  above  alluded 
to ;  but  in  1650  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  adopted, 
with  variations,  the  famous  version  of  Francis  Rous,  who  was  an  Eng- 
lish Puritan,  and  an  M.  P.,  and  this  is  probably  yet  in  use  in  some 
Scotch  Churches.] 

Publication,  Board  of.  This  Board  is  a  benevolent  agency  for  the 
distribution  of  religious  literature   in  needy  places,  and  also  a  business 


PUBLICATION,  BOARD  OF  563 

corporation  for  the  publication  and  sale  of  books  and  supplies  for  every 
branch  of  Church  and  Sunday  School  work.     See  Sunday  School  Board. 

In  1853  the  first  steps  were  taken  toward  the  establishment  of  such 
a  Board: 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  C. 
Strong,  Wilham  J.  R.  Taylor  and  A.  W.  McClure,  and  the  Elders  Samuel 
B.  Schieffelin  and  Clarkson  F.  Crosby,  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the 
practicability  of  establishing  a  permanent  Board,  to  be  called  the  "Board 
of  Publication  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,"  the  object  of 
which  shall  be  to  print  and  publish,  or  furnish  at  the  lowest  practicable 
prices,  for  general  circulation  and  the  service  of  the  churches,  such 
works  pertaining  to  the  history,  government,  doctrines  and  religious 
literature  of  our  own  Church,  and  of  other  evangelical  churches,  as  shall 
be  properly  approved. 

Resolved,  That  said  Committee  shall  report  to  the  next  General 
Synod ;  and  if  in  their  opinion  it  shall  be  expedient  and  practicable  to 
organize  such  a  Board,  that  they  submit  a  plan  for  the  same.     1853,  382. 

The  whole  matter  is  discussed  in  an  elaborate  report  of  nine  pages, 
1854,  480-8.  The  constitutions  of  similar  Boards  in  other  churches  had 
been  studied,  and  the  following  resolution   was   offered   and   adopted : 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  both  expedient  and  practicable  for  the  General 
Synod  to  organize  a  Permanent  Board  of  Publication." 

The  importance  of  the  press,  in  addition  to  the  ministry,  for  dissemi- 
nating truth  was  emphasized.  The  benefit  of  Union  Societies  was  ac- 
knowledged, but  they  could  publish  nothing  denominational.  We  needed  a 
literature  of  our  own,  relating  to  our  brilliant  history,  ministry,  etc. ; 
and,  as  a  Church,  we  needed  to  widen  our  usefulness.  The  practica- 
bility was  then  shown  from  the  origin  in  1833,  and  the  growth  of  the 
Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication.  The  printing  should  be  done  by 
contract.  The  publications  of  other  houses  could  be  obtained  at  a  liberal 
discount.  The  following  plan  was  then  presented  and  adopted:  [See 
Amended  Constitution,  1883,  359,  350.] 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION. 

Art.  I.  The  General  Synod  shall  superintend  and  conduct,  by  its 
own  authority,  the  publication  and  circulation  of  all  the  religious  works 
which  are  designed  for  general  diffusion  among  the  churches  under  its 
care.  The  immediate  care  and  superintendence  of  this  work  shall  be 
entrusted  to  a  Board  appointed  for  that  purpose,  to  be  called  the  Board 
of  Publication  of  the  Reformed  [Protestant  Dutch]  Church,  said  Board 
to  be  directly  amenable  to  the  General  Synod. 

Art.  II,  §  I.  The  General  Synod  shall,  at  its  present  session,  elect 
twelve  ministers  and  twelve  laymen,  as  members  of  the  Board  of  Publi- 
cation ;  one  third  part  of  whom  shall  be  elected  annually  by  General 
Synod.  These  twelve  ministers  and  twelve  laymen,  so  appointed,  shall 
constitute  a  Board,  to  whom  shall  be  entrusted  with  such  directions 
and  instructions  as  may,  from  time  to  time,  be  given  by  General  Synod, 
the  superintendence  of  all  the  publications  of  the  Reformed  [Protestant 
Dutch]  Church,  and  the  circulation  of  such  works  pertaining  to  the  His- 
tory, Government,  Doctrines,  and  Religious  Literature  of  said  Church, 
and  of  other  evangelical  denominations,  as  shall  be  properly  approved. 

§  2.  The  Board  shall  annually  report  to  the  General  Synod  their 
proceedings,  and  submit,  for  its  approval,  such  plans  and  measures  as 
shall  be  deemed  useful  and  necessary. 

Art.  Ill,  §  I.  The  Board  thus  constituted,  shall  hold  its  first  meeting 
in  the  Consistory  Room  of  the  North  Dutch  Church,  in  Fulton  street, 
New  York,  on  the  last  Monday  of  June,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  At  this 
meeting  they  shall  divide  themselves  into  three  classes ;  the  iirst  class 
shall  serve  for   one  year,  the  second   for  two  years,  and  the   third   for 


564         DIGEST   OFSYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

three  years.  They  shall  also  elect  a  President,  Vice-President,  Corre- 
sponding Secretary,  a  Treasurer,  and  Executive  Committee  to  serve  for 
the  ensuing  year. 

§  2.  It  shall  belong  to  the  Board  to  reviev;^  and  decide  upon  all  the 
proceedings  of  the  Executive  Committee ;  to  receive  and  dispose  of  their 
Annual  Report,  and  present  any  statement  of  their  proceedings  to  the 
General  Synod  which  they  may  deem  necessary. 

§  3.  Seven  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction 
of  business. 

Art.  IV.,  §  I.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  [seven] 
nine  members,  of  v^hich  the  Corresponding  Secretary  and  Treasurer  shall 
be  ex-oificio  members ;  of  the  remaining  [live]  seven,  three  shall  be  min- 
isters and  [two]  four  laymen. f 

§  2.  The  duty  of  the  Executive  Committee  shall  be  to  select  and 
prepare  suitable  tracts  and  books  for  publication;  to  superintend  and 
direct  their  distribution ;  to  receive  the  reports  of  the  Corresponding 
Secretary,  and  give  him  needful  directions  in  reference  to  matters  of 
business  and  correspondence  entrusted  to  him ;  to  authorize  all  appro- 
priations of  moneys ;  and  to  take  particular  direction  and  management  of 
the  whole  subject  of  publication — subject,  however,  to  the  control  and 
direction  of  the  Board  of  Managers. 

§  3.  The  Committee  shall  have  power  to  fill  their  own  vacancies,  if 
any  occur  during  the  recess  of  the  Board. 

Art.  V.  For  the  more  permanent  and  efficient  management  of  the 
publishing  and  fiscal  affairs  of  the  Board,  the  necessary  steps  shall  be 
taken  by  the  Board  to  secure  an  act  of  incorporation,  under  the  style  and 
title  of  "The  Board  of  Publication  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America." 
[1855,  615]* 

Art.  VI.  The  seat  of  operations  of  the  Board  shall  be  in  the  City 
of  New  York;  but  the  Board  shall  have  the  power  to  locate. Branch  De- 
positories  at   any   other   place   which   they   may   deem   expedient. 

Art.  VII.  The  financial  operations  of  the  Board  shall  in  all  cases, 
be  conducted  on  the  cash  principle. 

Art.  VIII.  The  General  Synod  shall  alone  have  power  to  alter, 
amend,  or  repeal  any  of  the  Articles  of  this  Constitution.     1854,  4^9,  490. 

Resolved,  That  another  committee  be  added  to  the  Standing  Com- 
mittees to  be  called  the  "Committee  on  Publication,"  and  also  another 
lemma  to  be  called  "Board  of  Publication."     1854,  495. 

The  rooms  of  this  Board  were  at  first  at  337  Broadway,  1855-8;  at 
61  Franklin  St.,  1858-62;  at  103  Fulton  St.,  1862-70;  at  34  Vesey  St., 
1870-87;  at  25  E.  22d  St.,  1887  to  present  time,   (1906). 

During  its  history  the  Board  has  been  served  by  the  following  of- 
ficers : 

PRESIDENTS.  TREASURERS. 

Rev.  Wm.  H.  Campbell,  D.D.,  Samuel   B.    SchiefTelin, 

Rev.  George  W.   Bethune,  D.D.,  Mortimer  De  Motte, 

Rev.  Thomas  WeWitt,  D.D.,  Peter  Duryee, 

Rev.  Wm.    R.    Gordon,   S.T.D.,  Thomas  Jeremiah, 

Rev.  A.  R.  Thompson,  D.D.,  William  Ferris, 

Rev.  John   Forsyth,  D.D.,  Henry   V.    Doremus, 

Rev.  Wm.    V.  V.  Mabon,  D.D.,  Garret  Van  Nostrand, 

Rev.  David  Cole,   D.D.,  Joseph   C.   Pool, 

Rev.  Herman  C.   Berg,  D.D.,  Henry  Van   Bushkirk, 

Rev.  Charles  I.  Shepard,  D.D.,  Rev.  H.  V.  S.  Myers,  D.D., 

Rev.  Isaac  W.   Gowan,   D.D.  Abram  C.  Holdrum. 

t  Changes  made,  1856,  118. 

♦  In  1854,  490,  the  Board  of  Direction  of  General  Synod  was  to  hold 
all  the  property. 


PUBLICATION,  BOARD  OF  565 

CORRESPONDING    SECRETARIES. 

Rev.  Thomas  C.   Strong,   D.D.,  Rev.  J.   Howard  Suydam,  D.D., 

Rev.  John  A.  Lansing,  D.D.,  I.  D.  Demarest, 

Rev.  C.  R.  Blauvelt,  Rev.  W.  W.  Knox,  D.D., 

Richard   Brinkerhoff,  Rev.  I.  W.   Gowen. 

Rev.  William   R.   Merritt, 

The  Board  has  been  served  by  three  Business  Managers, — Wil- 
liam Ferris,  who  occupied  the  office  from  1854  ao  1875,  and  Richard 
Brinkerhoff,  who  entered  upon  his  labors  December  i,  1875-99;  and 
Louis  E.  Turk,  1899 — 

A  clear  and  full  first  report  was  presented  in  1855.  The  plans 
had  been  endorsed  by  business  men;  the  sales  had  met  all  expenses, 
without  touching  the  benevolent  contributions.  Works  amounting 
to  7,000  copies  had  been  printed.  Among  these,  a  German  Hymn 
Book,  (2,000  copies,  at  a  cost  of  $2,570),  which  had  been  endorsed  by 
the  Presbyt.  Board.  Attention  was  being  given  to  works  illustrat- 
ing the  history,  biography  and  literature  of  the  Reformed  Ch.  Plates 
of  Dr.  Cannon's  work  on  Pastoral  Theology  were  about  to  be  bought. 
A  system  of  Colportage  proposed :  Relations  of  Bd.  of  Pub.  to  the 
old  "Sabbath  School  Bd.,"  which  formerly  did  some  publishing,  were 
considered.  Resolutions  authorizing  said  S.  S.  Bd.  to  publish,  and 
stereotype  [1847,  179],  were  rescinded;  but  in  reference  to  Catechisms, 
Bible  Questions,  etc.,  the  two  Boards  were  to  co-operate;  [1840,  394;] 
The  Bd.  asked  the  privilege  of  seeking  Incorporation.  This  was 
granted,  and  the  Constitution  amended  accordingly.     1855,  611-615. 

Board  commended  to  the  churches;  Bd.  of  Pub.  and  S.  S.  Bd. 
to  allow  each  other  20  per  cent,  discount  on  their  respective  publica- 
tions. Recpmmended  that  Executive  Com.  be  increased  from  7  to 
9.  Colportage,  alluded  to,  and  the  publication  of  Dr.  Scudder's,  "A 
Voice  from  the  East."     1856,  117-119. 

Recommended,  That  each  Consistory  put  all  the  publications  of 
the  Bd.  in  pastor's  library.  Works  had  been  published  in  Eng.,  Ger., 
Holland  and  French.  Books  and  Tracts  had  been  published.  S.S. 
Bd.  request  permission  to  transfer  all  their  stock  and  plates  to  Bd. 
of  Pub.  Granted.  Mr.  Sam.  B.  Schieffelin  offered  $4,000,  on  certain 
conditions,  to  Bd.,  to  publish  certain  Christian  school-books.  Bd. 
commended  to  the  chs.     1857,  240-2. 

Rev.  John  Minor  became  agent  of  the  Board  to  visit  the  chs. 
More  than  three  million  of  pagespublished.  A  sermon  to  be  preached 
before  Synod  on  the  Bd.  yearly".  The  Dutch  Minutes  of  the  Synod 
to  be  translated.     1858,  359-361. 

Sermon  by  Dr.  Chambers  on  Ecc.  12:  11,  "The  words  of  the  wise," 
etc. ;  16  new  books  published,  besides  the  early  Minutes  of  the  Synods ; 
and  the  Minutes  of  the  Boards.  Bd.  to  publish  a  selection  of  hymns 
for  social  worship  and  for  Sabbath  schools;  also  to  have  Minutes  of 
the  Coetus  translated ;  and  to  publish  books  in  Dutch  for  the  Holland  chs. 
Board  commended  to  chs.     1859,  461-4. 

Bd.  has  published  during  the  year  more  than  6  million  of  pages; 
among  these,  new  edition  of  Psalm  and  Hymn  Book,  i2mo. ;  Vol. 
i.  of  Mints,  of  Synod,  [Coetus,  1738-71,  Synod,  1871-1812]  published. 
A  capital  of  $25,000  is  needed;  the  Bd.  is  the  creature  of  Synod,  and 
the  chs.  the  market  for  its  publications,     i860,  578-580. 

Great  need  of  capital.  Eight  million  pages  published.  Two  eds. 
of  Psalms  and  Hymns;  i8mo,  and  24mo;  five  new  publications.  $15,000 
•debt.     Commended  to  the  chs.     1861,  97-99- 

Four    new    books;    more    than    five    million    pages.     "The    Little 


566         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Drummer    Boy,"    has    passed    thro'    six    editions,    (i,ooo    each)    in    six 
months.     Six  new  tracts  published  for  army  and  navy.     1862,  206-8. 

Four  new  books  issued,  7,503,836  pages.  Arrangements  with 
Presbyt.  Bd.  of  Pub.  by  which  three  German  Hymn  Books  received 
the  imprimatur  of  both  Boards.  Favorable  arrangements  had  been 
made  toward  liquidating  debt.  Many  religious  publications  distrib- 
uted in  army  and  navy,  1863,  353-4. 

A  decade  of  work  reported. 

The  amount  of  stock  reported  on  hand  at  the  close  of  the  first 
year  of  the  Board's  existence,  May  ist,  1855,  was $3,8ii  28 

While  on  May  ist,  1864,  it  was 27,091  30 

Consisting  of  publications,  stereotypes,  plates,  boxes,  wood-cuts, 
and  electrotypes. 

The  total  number  of  copies  of  books  and  tracts  published  during 
the   past   ten   years   is 504,847 

Total  number  of  pages 48,916.678 

PRESENT  CONDITION. 

1.  Financial  Condition. 

Total  receipts  of  the  Board  from  all  sources,  during  the  year  ending 

May  1st,  1864 $39,368  24 

Expenditures  for  the  same  period 39,i5i  62 

Leaving  a  balance  in  the  Treasury 216  62 

During  the  same  time  the  indebtedness  of  the  Board  has  been  re- 
duced from  $14,257.15  of  last  year,  to  $11,712.58. 

2.  Business  Operations. 

The  Publication  Department  has  issued  six  new  volumes,  one  a 
German  edition,  comprising  an  aggregate  of  8,000  pages.  .The  num- 
ber of  publications  for  the  past  year  is  71,474  copies,  or  6.141,872 
pages;  to  which  must  be  added  94,500  copies  of  the  Missionary  Recorder. 

3.  Labors  in  the  Army. 

The  sum  of  $2,477.84  from  Churches,  Sabbath  schools  and  in- 
dividuals, has  been  given  for  the  circulation  of  religious  books  and 
tracts  in  the  army.  Increase  of  sales  over  preceding  year,  $3,000. 
— Commended  to  the  Churches  and  Sabbath  schools.  That  purchases 
of  publications  for  army  be  made  of  this  Board.  That  the  Bd.  in- 
quire into  propriety  of  publishing  a  S.  S.  Hymn  Book;  of  translat- 
ing Dr.  D.  D.  Demarest's  History  into  Dutch;  of  publishing  an  Al- 
manac with  a  brief  statement  of  our  Church  work,  for  circulation 
in  the  West,  1864,  500-3. 

A  salesman  of  practical  experience  needed 

No.  of  copies  of  new  books 4,500 

"        "         "      reprints,  old  books 22,050 

"        "         "      new   tracts    7,000 

"        "         "      reprint   old   tracts 43,ooo 

"        "         "      Missionary   Recorder    60,000 

"         "      Sower    34,000 

Series  of  Christian  school-books  prepared  by  S.  B.  Schieffelin  for 
the  Freedmen;  need  free  or  cheap  circulation;  gifts  desired  for;  pas- 
tors asked  to  appeal.  Discontinuance  of  Missionary  Recorder;  re- 
vival of  The  Sower.  Pastors  exhorted  to  seek  to  introduce  it  in  every 
family.  Desirable  to  publish  a  S.  S.  Hymn  Book;  committee  on  S.  S. 
Music,  appointed.  Liturgy  may  be  published  in  German,  at  discre- 
tion of  Board.     1865,  643-7. 

Bd.  met  with  a  serious  loss  by  fire.     Has  issued  a  Hymn  Book — 


PUBLICATION,  BOARD  OF  567 

"The  Book  of  Praise,"  and  two  new  Tracts.     A  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary much  needed.     1866,  108-110. 

Committee  appointed  to  examine  into  the  financial  status  and 
mode  of  operation  of  the  Board,  1867,  284.  Report  presented,  Nov., 
1867,  348,  and  referred  to  Com.  on  Bd.  of  Pub. — The  business  men 
of  the  Bd.  have  clearly  and  satisfactorily  explained  all  its  workings. 
Bd.  has  published  during  the  year  two  new  volumes,  13  editions  of 
former  books,  23  editions  of  former  tracts,  two  new  tracts,  and  81,000 
copies  of  The  Sower.  Business  larger  than  ever  before.  Bd.  has 
received  a  bequest  of  $5,000  from  estate  of  Silas  B.  Childs,  of  Utica. 
for  publication  of  S.  S.  books.  [No  bequest  before  of  more  than 
$300.]  Of  this  bequest,  with  interest,  the  Bd.  have  invested  $3,271.20 
in  U.  S.  bonds,  and  appropriated  $1,838.30  to  general  purposes. 

Special  Report. 
The  Committee  find  the  following  to  be  the  results  of  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Board  for  the  year  ending  May  i,  1867: 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance  in  hand  May  i,   1866 $631  40 

From  Wm.  Ferris,  Agent,  for  sales,  &c I9,792  21 

From    103    Churches    2,970  59 

From    individuals     156  78 

From  legacy  of  S.  B.  Childs,  Esq.,  and  interest •  •     5>i09  50 

$28,660  48 

EXPENDITURES. 

Amount  paid  to  Wm.  Ferris,  Agent $23,894  55 

For  collecting  draft 6  00 

For  7.30  U.   S.   Bonds 3,271  20 

Salary    of    Corresponding    Secretary 62500 

Balance    on    hand 863  73 

$28,660  48 
Balance  in  treasury  (as  above)  May  i,  1867 $863  73 

For  the  information  of  the  Churches,  we  append  the  following 
information  respecting  the  expenses  of  the  Depository,  the  total  as- 
sets and  the  total  indebtedness  of  the  Board : 

The  expenses  of  the  Depository  for  the  year  were: 

For  salaries   of   Corres.    Secretary,  agents,   clerks,   &c $3,7i4  26 

For    rent    of    store    430  00 

For  internal   revenue   and   licenses 237  87 

For    insurance     89  00 

Total $4,471  13 

The  total  assets  of  the  Board  May  i,  1867,  were: 

In    store    fixtures     600  00 

In   plates,   wood   cuts   and   electrotypes 11,020  76 

In  publications  of  the  Board 10,463  62 

Miscellaneous    publications     2,021   12 

Due    on    credit    2,966  98 

In   the   treasury 863  73 

In  the  U.  S.  Bonds 3^271  20 

$31,207  41 

The  total  indebtedness  of  the  Board  May  i,  1867,  was: 

Amount    of    funded    debt $7,297  57 

Due  on  bills  payable 1,400  00 

Due   on   account •  •     3,ii3  27 

$11,810  94 
Balance  in  favor  of  the   Board $19,396  47 


568         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

It  is  important  to  remind  the  Synod  that  very  little  of  this  balance 
as  above  shown  is  in  money.  Most  of  it  is  in  store  fixtures,  plates,  cuts, 
electrotypes  and  books.  It  is  simply  the  estimated  value  of  property  in 
hand,  and  not  capital  on  which  the  Board  may  operate  in  its  business 
transactions.     The  Board  has  very  little  cash  capital. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  A.  Lansing  has  been  engaged  as  Corresponding 
Secretary.  He  has  secured  during  six  months  past  a  large  inflow 
of  money  to  the  Treasury.  Resolutions  were  passed  as  to  the  im- 
portance of  the  Bd.  to  the  expansion  and  usefulness  of  the  Church; 
that  it  ought  to  be  liberally  endowed;  and  that  a  Committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  report  plan  for  securing  such  endowment.  The  Commit- 
tee reported.  That  the  Bd.  needed  an  endowment  of  $30,000,  and 
that  the  Corresponding  Secretary  endeavor  to  raise  this  amount. 
Nov.,  1867,  349-352. 

Suggestion  that  the  annual  report  be  condensed.  Four  new  books 
published — 4,000  copies  in  all;  i  tract,  1,000  copies;  a  Sacramental 
Cathechism,  1,000;  and  i  sermon,  600  copies;  total,  new  publications, 
6,600;  total  of  republications,  44,100.  Necessity  of  endowment  again 
urged.  Also  the  possibility  was  suggested  of  uniting  with  some 
Publishing  House  to  do  the  publishing  of  the  Board.  A  Committee 
was  appointed  to  consider  this  matter.  The  Classis  of  Holland  was 
authorized  to  translate  and  publish  the  Constitution  in  the  Holland- 
ish  language.     1868,  494-7- 

Discussion  of  the  cost  of  operating  the  Board.  Committee  of 
1868  and  the  Bd.  did  not  agree  on  new  plans.  The  Bd.  instructed 
to  reorganize  the  business  of  its  depository,  to  make  it  pay  not  only 
its  expenses,  but  to  gain  a  surplus  for  benevolent  work.  Impor- 
tance of  Endowment  urged,   1869,  659-661. 

Two  hundred  churches  have  contributed  to  the  Bd.  nearly  $10,000. 
$4,935  have  been  added  to  the  working  capital.  Donations  of  books 
have  been  made  to  the  amount  of  $597.  Four  new  volumes  have 
been  issued,  besides  smaller  issues  and  reprints,  and  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  in  Tamil.  Commendatory  resolutions.  Sower  and  Gos- 
pel Field  commended  to  the  chs.     1870,  131-4- 

Endowment  Fund,  $13,000.  Twelve  new  books  have  been  issued, 
and  18  editions  of  former  publications.  Grants  of  books  and  tracts 
to  the  amount  of  $1,068;  $600  of  this  was  to  print  the  Heidelberg 
Catechism  in  Tamil.  Sower  and  Gospel  Field  issued  semi-monthly; 
10,000  copies.     Commendatory  resolutions,  1871,  337-340- 

Endowment  Fund,  $16,156.  Six  new  volumes  issued,  besides 
many  reprints.  The  Sower  and  Gospel  Field  has  been  published  at 
a  loss  of  $1,526;  yet  it  is  a  very  useful  paper;  9,500  issued  semi- 
monthly. Bd.  commended  to  the  patronage  and  gifts  of  the  chs; 
and  The  Sower  and  Gospel  Field  recommended  as  the  organ  of  all 
the  Boards,  1872,  524-7. 

Total  contributions,  $10,853;  sales,  $13,006;  grants,  $1,013.  $4,737, 
added  to  the  Endowment  Fund,  making  it  $20,000.  Amount  received 
for  "Sower  and  Gospel  Field,"  $2,459,  which  does  not  pay  expenses. 
Resolutions  commending  the  Bd.  to  the  chs.;  referrmg  to  the  neces- 
sity of  a  working  capital;  and  a  larger  circulation  of  the  Sower  and 
Gospel  Field,  1873,  746-9.  Directed  to  reduce  expenses  of  salaries 
to  $3,500,  1873,  719-  Repealed,  1874,  153- 
Year  of  business  depression;  sales,  $10,814.  Contributions,  $5,873- 
Endowment  Fund,  $21,471.  Grants,  $1,941-  Usual  resolutions,  1874, 
149-151. 

Sales,  $10,434;  contributions,  $5,808.  Indebtedness,  $7,776-  Salaries, 
$5,857-     Newspaper    controversy    about    the    buisness    of    the    Bd.     Had 


PUBLICATION,  BOARD  OF  569 

always  been  hampered  for  lack  of  capital ;  was  the  creature  of  Synod, 
and  obeyed  its  commands ;  but  expenses  out  of  all  proportion  to  its 
business. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Publication  be  instructed  to  reorganize 
as  soon  as  possible  the  entire  business  department  of  the  Depository, 
and  of  the  Secretaryship,  so  as  to  combine  both  offices  in  one  capable  per- 
son, together  with  one  or  more  well  qualified  clerks,  in  order  to  reduce 
its  expenses  to  the  minimum  standard. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  shall  consider  the  wisdom  and  advantage 
of  a  change  in  the  location  of  the  Depository,  and  whether  one  could  not 
be  secured  more  conspicuous  or  central,  where  it  would  attract  more 
public  notice,  and  where  it  would  effect  larger  sales. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  examine  all  the 
affairs  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  report  the  result,  together  with 
such  suggestions  as  they  may  think  proper,  to  the  Board  of  Publication. 
1875,  348-353- 

Reduced  expenses ;  increased  sales ;  Richard  Brinkerhoff  made  agent ; 
desirable  that  "Incidental  Expenses"  be  itemized.  A  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary may  be  appointed,  but  at  an  expense  not  exceeding  $500.  Not 
recommended  to  make  "The  Gospel  Sower," .  the  organ  of  the  Boards, 
as  it  is  largely  circulating  in  the  Southern  Church.  Bd.  may  publish  Con- 
stitution in  German.     1876,  547-8. 

Expenses  of  Bd.  reduced.  Valuation  of  plates,  etc.,  to  be  put  at 
present  worth ;  not  original  cost.  Commended  to  patronage  and  benevo- 
lences of  the  chs.  Board  authorized  to  publish  "Constitution,"  in  Dutch, 
1877,   728-730.     See    Heidelberg   Catechism,    Critical    Edition. 

Annual  report,  satisfactory.  A  debt  accumulated  from  early  condi- 
tions. A  Receiver  was  appointed  to  preserve  its  property  until  satis- 
factory arrangements  could  be  made.  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Merritt,  appointed 
Financial  Secretary ;  soon  raised  $9,000,  which  relieved  the  Bd.  of  its 
embarrassments.  Dr.  Gordon's  Vedder  Lectures — "The  Science  of  Re- 
vealed Truth  Impregnable,"  was  published  by  funds  provided.  Bd.  com- 
mended to  the  chs. ;  may  sell  other  publications,  as  Agent ;  must  not  incur 
liabilities,  1878,  142-4. 

Funded  debt,  $5,000.  All  expenses  met  with  a  surplus.  Bd.  publishes 
nothing,  unless  funds  are  furnished.     Usual  resolutions.     1879,  394-5. 

Death  of  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Merritt,  Recording  Secretary,  noted;  had 
brought  the  Bd.  safely  through  a  financial  crisis.  "Christian  Praise"  has 
been  published.  See  "Sower  and  Gospel  Field."  Printed  50,000  copies 
of  denominational  literature.  Bd.  more  than  self-sustaining ;  sales  greatly 
increased;  commended  to  patronage  and  benevolence  of  the  chs.  "Chris- 
tian  Praise,"  and  "Sower  and  Gospel  Field"  commended. 

See  "Sower  and  Mission  Monthly."  Debt  of  Bd.  reduced  to  $3,200. 
Contributions,  $1,452.  The  Sower  and  Mission  Monthly  have  been  con- 
solidated, with  12,000  subscribers.  New  Hymn  Book — sales,  9,000.  S.  B. 
Schieffelin  has  presented  a  set  of  plates  in  the  Spanish  Language,  and 
500  copies  of  his  work,  "A  Word  to  Christian  Teachers."  The  Bd.  com- 
mended to  the  chs. ;  Synod  again  requests  a  detailed  statement  of  all 
receipts  and  expenditures ;  the  Hymn  Book  "Christian  Praise"  recom- 
mended; Bd.  authorized  to  sell  "Spiritual  Songs  for  S.  S."     1881,  781-3. 

See  Liturgy  and  Psalms;  Christian  Praise. — Board  out  of  debt. 
Revised  Liturgy  as  constitutionally  adopted,  now  printed.  Board  com- 
mended to  the  cordial  co-operation  of  the  chs. ;  the  Bd.  to  keep  its  benevo- 
lent work  separate  from  its  ordinary  work,  1882,  157-8.  See  Apostles' 
Creed. 

See  "German  Hymn  Book,"  "Sower  and  Mission  Monthly;"  "Chris- 
tian Praise;"  "Liturgy  and  Psalms  for  Responsive  Reading;"  Samuel  B. 


570  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Schieffelin  has  given  stereotype  plates  to  the  Board.     See  first  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Board.     1854,  489,  490. 

The  Board  of  Pubhcation  expresses  a  desire  to  reissue  their  Constitu- 
tion and  By-laws,  adding,  that  it  is  twenty-seven  years  since  it  was 
adopted;  that  our  denominational  name  during  that  time  has  been 
changed;  that  the  proposed  alterations  are  desirable  and  necessary,  and 
by  a  unanimous  vote  refers  the  matter  to  General  Synod.  We  copy  the 
following  suggested  amendments: 

*'i.  Article  I.  Defective  phraseology  makes  it  desirable  to  alter  this 
article  so  as  to  read  as  follows :  'The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  shall  authorize,  superintend  and  control  the  publication 
of  its  own  denominational  literature,  and  of  such  works  as  may  be  con- 
ducive to  the  interests  of  sound  doctrine  and  practical  religion.  The 
execution  of  this  business  shall  be  committed  to  a  Board  of  Managers 
to  be  called  'The  Board  of  Publication  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church 
in  America,'  and  made  directly  responsible  to  General  Synod.' 

"2.  Art.  II.  Sec.  i.  Should  be  so  altered  as  to  read :  This  Board  of 
managers  shall  consist  of  twenty-four  members,  twelve  of  whom  shall  be 
ministers,  and  twelve  others  shall  be  members  of  said  Church.  One-third 
of  them  shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  General  Synod  at  its  regular  ses- 
sion, and  when  duly  organized  at  the  first  meeting  after  said  session  shall 
constitute  the  Board  for  the  purposes  indicated  in  the  foregoing  article.' 
"3.  Art.  III.  Sec.  i.  Should  be  altered  so  as  to  read :  The  Board 
shall  annually  elect  at  its  first  meeting  after  the  adjournment  of  General 
Synod,  a  President,  a  Vice-President,  Corresponding  and  Recording  Sec- 
retaries, a  Treasurer  and  Executive  Committee.  Seven  members  shall 
constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.'" 

"Sec.  3.     Should  be  erased  because  included  in  the  foregoing  article. 
"4.     Art.  IV.     Sec.  i.     Should  be  amended  as  follows :  The  Executive 
Committee   shall   consist   of   five   members,   always    including   the    Corre- 
sponding Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Board.' 

"Sec.  2.     Should  be  amended  by  striking  out  the  m.iddle  clause,  viz. : 

And  give  him  needful  directions  in  reference  to  matters  of  business  and 

correspondence   entrusted  to   him' — because   this   refers   to   certain   duties 

prescribed  to  a  paid  secretary,  with  which  service  we  propose  to  dispense." 

We  propose  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Publication  be  authorized  to  revise  their 
Constitution  and  to  adopt  the  proposed  alterations.  Concerning  the  re- 
quest from  the  Conference  of  German  Ministers,  as  it  respects  the  Hymn 
and  Tune  Book  for  Sunday  Schools,  we  recommend  that  the  request  be 
granted  and  that  the  Board  be  authorized  to  publish  the  same  as  soon 
as  the  MS.  is  put  into  their  hands.     1883,  359-360. 

The  usual  resolutions  commending  the  Bd.  to  the  patronage  and 
benevolence  of  the  chs.     1883,  361. 

Year  of  prosperity.  Board  self-sustaining.  Contributions  from  the 
chs.,  $1,963.  Grants,  $473.  Have  published  Rev.  M.  G.  Hansen's  book, 
'The  Reformed  Church  of  the  Netherlands,"  a  valuable  addition  to  the 
literature  of  the  Church.  Revised  ed.  of  Heidelberg  Catechism,  pub- 
lished. Sales  of  "Christian  Praise"  have  reached  20,000.  "Psalms  for 
Responsive  Reading"  largely  used.  Usual  resolutions.  1884,  556-7.  See 
Hymnology. 

Board  in  prosperous  condition.  Gratuitous  distribution  of  books» 
$730.  Many  reprints  of  former  publications.  Assets,  $15,067.  Current 
business  of  year,  about  $23,000,  with  cash  balance  of  $2,000.  No  liabili- 
ties. $1,700  contributed  for  the  benevolent  operations  of  the  Bd.  Reso- 
lutions of  commendation,  and  seeking  patronage  of  the  chs.  and  con- 
tributions for  evangelistic  work.     1885,  770-1.     See   Hymnology. 

The    Board    has    issued    reprints:     Heidelberg    Catechism,    1,000; 


PUBLICATION,  BOARD  OF  571 

Psalms  for  Responsive  Reading,  1,000;  Christian  Praise,  2,000;  Doc- 
trinal Standards,  1,000;  Sower  and  Mission  Monthly,  120,000;  Story  of 
a  Seed  Thought,  1,000;  Index  to  Bible,  4,000.  Donations  to  feeble 
chs.  $1,500.  Assets,  $16,261,  with  no  debts.  Commendatory  resolu- 
tions, and  calls  for  patronage  and  contributions.     1886,   in,   112. 

Board  free  from  debt.  Cash  balance,  $4,271.14.  Sales,  $16,676. 
Board  has  changed  its  location  from  34  Vesey  St.,  to  25  East  22d  St.; 
accommodates  all  the  Boards  in  one  Building,  with  a  pleasant  Min- 
isterial Room.  Donations  in  books,  etc.,  to  needy  chs.,  $739.  Dur- 
ing three  years  the  Bd.  has  been  out  of  debt;  donations  amounted 
to  $2,969.  Bd.  commended  and  contributions  urged,  1887,  349-351. 
See  "The  Mission  Field." 

See  Hymnology.  Business  department  of  Bd.  self-sustaining. 
Sales,  $16,645.  Assets,  in  books  and  cash,  $19,378.  Contributions,  for 
its  benevolent  operations,  $1,762.  $400  of  this,  given  to  the  new  The- 
olog.  Seminary  in  India;  and  $625  toward  "The  Sower"  and  "The 
Mission  Field."  Bd.  requested  to  exercise  greater  care  in  making 
up  its  Annual  Report;  that  its  business  and  benevolence  be  kept 
separate,  1888,  601. 

Affairs  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Surplus.  Contributions,  $1,827, 
which  have  been  donated  in  books,  tracts.  Necessity  of  a  pure  liter- 
ature. The  patronage  of  the  chs.  solicited,  and  contributions  for 
benevolent   work.     See   "Mission   Field."     1889,  821-2. 

Bd.  in  flourishing  condition.  Supplies  pure  and  valuable  Chris- 
tion  Literature.  Suggestion  to  discontinue  "The  Mission  Field,"  and 
publish  "The  Reformed  Church  News."  Matter  referred  to  the 
Boards,  with  power.  Resolutions  that  the  Bd.  has  peculiar  claims 
on  the  patronage  of  the  chs.;  and  its  benevolent  features  should  be 
sustained  by  liberal  gifts.     1890,  97.     See  Presbyt.  and  Refd.  Review. 

Free  of  debt.  Two  departments;  a  business  department  or  book 
concern;  and  a  benevolent  department,  to  give  books  and  tracts  to 
needy  chs.  and  schools.  Contributions  needed  for  this  latter.  "The 
Mission  Field"  should  have  a  wider  circulation.  Chs.  urged  to  patron- 
ize the  Board,  and  contribute  for  its  benevolent  work,   1891,  322-4. 

Estate  of  John  Antonides  gives  to  Bd.  $481.57.  1892,  478.  Pros- 
perous year.  Beautiful  rooms  at  25  E.  22d  St.,  N.  Y.  C.  Desires 
the  patronage  of  the  Church;  would  be  a  bureau  of  exchange  for 
chs.  desiring  new  Hymn  Books  and  S.  S.  Libraries,  putting  disused 
books  in  needy  churches.  Grants  of  books,  $556.  Contributions  to 
the  Bd.  $1,724.  New  ed.  of  Constitution  issued.  See  Mission  Field; 
Catalogue  of  Seminary.  Missionary  Bds.  to  control  "The  Mission 
Field,"  1892,  556-8. 

Most  prosperous  year,  up  to  date,  in  history  of  the  Bd.  Life  of 
Dr.  Van  Raalte  published,  and  The  Work  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  In- 
crease in  contributions.  "The  Mission  Field"  has  been  transferred 
to  the  Dom.  and  For.  Miss.  Bds.  Resolutions  as  to  the  indispensable 
work  of  the  Board;  the  necessity  of  larger  contributions  to  it,  1893, 
801-3. 

The  Bd.  has  transacted  a  business  of  $20,000.  Contributions, 
$1,483.  Bd.  has  issued  1,288,770  printed  pages,  besides  circulating  mil- 
lions of  pages  of  the  publications  of  others.  Attention  was  called 
to  the  importance  of  having  the  Doctrinal  Standards  printed  in  every 
authorized  edition  of  the  Hymn  Books.  Attention  was  called  to 
The  Bulletin.  The  Bd.  invited  to  send  a  representative  to  Synod; 
to  print  the  installation  services  of  our  Professors.     1894,  120-1. 

Resolved,  That  the  whole  work  of  printing  the  Minutes  of  Synod  be 
committed  to  the  Board  of  Publication,  in  connection  with  the  Stated 


572         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

and  Permanent  Clerks  of  Synod,  with  instructions  to  allow  nothing 
to  be  issued  that  shall  not  be  worthy  of  the  imprimatur  of  said  Board, 
and  with  reference  to  a  judicious  economy.     1894,  I34- 

Balance  in  treasury  of  $1,146.  Contributions,  $1,738,  a  portion 
of  which  was  needed  for  rent,  etc.,  going,  however,  to  Bd.  of  Direc- 
tion, which  owns  the  Building.  Assets,  $20,098,  not  counting  plates, 
etc.  Bd.  has  issued  27  new  publications  and  4  reprints.  "The  Bul- 
letin," issued  for  17  months,  at  a  loss— discontinued.  See  Hymnology. 
Usual  commendatory  resolutions,  1895,  124-5. 

See  Metrical  Version  of  Psalms. — Business  has  paid  all  expenses. 
Contributions,  $1,600,  wherewith  the  Bd.  has  distributed  47,000  copies 
of  its  publications.  A  Denominational  Bd.  cannot  compete  with  the  book- 
trade.  A  working  capital  needed.  "A  Communicant's  Manual"  de- 
sirable, for  presentation  to  new  communicants.  The  Bd.  has  issued 
185  publications  since  its  formation.  The  Bd.  commended  to  the 
churches  for  benevolence  and  purchases;  urged  the  accumulation  of 
a  working  capital  for  denominational  literature;  and  appointed  a 
rnember  of  Synod's  Committee  on  S.  Ss.  and  Catechetical  Instruc- 
tion, as  a  member  of  Bd.  of  Pub.,  1896,  404-5. 

Synod  refused  to  endorse  new  Hymn  Books.  Owing  to  business 
depression,  collections  only  $1,388.  Business  amounted  to  about 
$16,000.  "Reformed  Lesson  Helps"  opens  up  a  new  channel  of  busi- 
ness; 42,000  issued.  Chs.  and  S.  Ss.  urged  to  patronize  this  Bd.;  at- 
tention called  to  these  Reformed  Lesson  Helps;  chs.  urged  to  con- 
tribute; Bd.  directed  to  report  separately  its  business  and  benevolent 
work;  that  an  efficient  business  agent  be  secured,  1897,  672-4. 

Synod  refused  to  endorse  Hymn  Book  "In  Excelsis."  60  German 
ministers  and  75  German  chs.  request  a  translation  of  Liturgy  (or 
a  part  of  it)  in  German.  Committee  appointed  to  translate,  and  Bd. 
to  publish.  Sales  of  Bd.  increased,  $1,000.  Collections  *for  benevo- 
lence of  Bd.,  $1,595.  Larger  gifts  desired  for  its  benevolent  work, 
and  more  worthy  co-operation  in  its  business.  Chs.  urged  to  sup- 
port the  Bd.  in  its  benevolence  and  business;  that  S.  Ss.  use  the 
Lesson  Helps  of  the  Bd. ;  and  that  a  young  and  capable  Business 
Manager  be  secured,  1898,  135-8. 

Liturgy  not  yet  translated  into  German,  because  members  of 
Committee  too  far  separated;  new  Committee"  appointed  in  the  East, 
who  shall  translate  so  much  as  seems  necessary;  Bd.  shall  publish 
same  as  soon  as  funds  permit.  Mr.  Louis  E.  Turk  appointed  Busi- 
ness Agent,  while  former  Agent,  Mr.  Brinkerhoff,  retained  at  a  nom- 
inal salary,  for  advice.  The  Bd.  asks  for  the  constituency  of  the 
whole  Church.  Chs.,  Sunday  School  and  C.  E.  Societies  urged  to 
get  all  their  supplies  from  this  Bd.;  that  each  church  take  up  an  an- 
nual  offering  for  same,   1899,  454-6. 

The  new  business  agent,  Louis  E.  Turk,  has  brought  energy 
and  efficiency  to  the  Bd.  S.  S.  Hymnal  published.  Bd.  heartily  com- 
mended to  the  benevolence  of  the  chs.  S.  Schools  and  Ch.  Endeavor 
Societies  urged  to  purchase  from  the  Bd.  Synod  approves 
and  recommends  S.  S.  Hymnal  published  by  Board.  See 
Metrical  Version  of  Psalms.  Ordered  that  all  Amendments  to  Con- 
stitution or  Rules  of  Order  be  reported  by  S.  C.  to  Bd.;  that  they  be 
printed  in  all  subsequent  editions,  and  that  printed  slips  of  the 
same  be  pasted  in  all  copies  of  Constitution  sold  thereafter;  that 
same  be  mailed  to  entire  ministry  of  the  Church,  1900,  769-Q.  See 
Church  Hymnary. 

Death  of  Richard  Brinkerhoff,  agent  for  25  years.  Sales,  $26,000. 
Increasing  sales  of  S.  S.  Hymnal  and  S.  S.  literature.  Donations  of 
the  Bd     $1,003.     S.  Schools  and  Y.  P.  Societies  urged  to  buy  of  this 


PUBLICATION,  BOARD  OF  573 

Board;  that  the  chs,  be  urged  to  remember  the  Bd.  in  the  list  of 
benevolences;  that  the  Bd.  be  authorized  to  draw  upon  the  contribu- 
tions of  the  chs.  for  renewal  of  old  plates  and  new  publications.  See 
Metrical  Version  of  the  Psalms;  Catechism  Simplified,  in  Dutch; 
Year  Book,  1901,  1110-1115. 

Total  receipts  of  Bd.  $28,829.  Western  chs.  have  increased  their 
business  relations  with,  and  contributions  to  the  Bd.  New  edition 
of  Constitution  R.  C.  A.,  with  amendments  up  to  date.  Year  Book 
was  accorded  a  welcome  reception;  also  translated  into  German.  Ex- 
pressions for  a  Dutch  edition.  Commendatory  resolutions.  Chs.  and 
S.  Ss.  urged  to  patronize  this  Bd.  A  detailed  statement  of  offerings 
to  its  funds  to  be  published.  The  S.  S.  Hymnal  of  the  Bd.  commended 
to  the  schools.  Bd.  directed  to  consider  the  propriety  of  a  new  "Blank 
Consistorial  Report."  See  Metrical  Versions  of  Psalms;  Catechet- 
ical Manuals,  1902,  108-111. 

Additional  Depository  in  Holland,  Mich.  The  Year  Book  for 
I9p3>  especially  successful.  Imprimatur  of  Bd.  on  .^i.th  edition  of  Cor- 
win's  Manual,  the  sale  of  which  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Board.  Chs. 
urged  to  secure  their  S.  S.  supplies  and  other  literature  from  the 
Bd.  Bd.  commended  to  benevolence  of  the  chs.  Bd.  requested  to 
report  the  amounts  of  its  contributions  to  its  benevolent  work  by 
the  churches,  after  the  manner  of  the  other  Boards.  A  committee 
appointed  to  prepare  another  edition  of  the  Psalter,  arranged  for 
responsive  readings,  1905,  379-381. 

Fiftieth  year  of  the  Board's  history;  steady  growth;  value  of  the 
Year  Book;  report  of  Joint  Committee  on  a  "Uniform  Version  of  the 
Psalms  in  Meter"  states  that  this  work  is  nearing  completion,  and 
will  be  printed  for  criticisms  before  its  issue  in  final  form.  $15  ap- 
propriated to  this  work,  as  formerly.  Classis  of  Pleasant  Prairie 
calls  attention  to  the  necessity  of  a  new  edition  of  a  German  Hymn 
Book,  and  asks  Synod  to  publish  such  book.  Synod  appointed  a 
Committee,  of  which  Rev.  George  Schnuecker  was  Chairman,  to  re- 
port at  next  Synod.  Synod  adopted  "In  Excelsis"  as  one  of  the 
Hymn  Books  of  the  Church;  the  Century  Co.  to  pay  the  Bd.  of  Pub. 
ten  cents  on  all  copies  sold  by  the  Bd.  The  Bd.  commended  to  the 
churches.     1904,  726-7. 

Prosperous  year;  longer  list  of  publications  than  usual;  new  edi- 
tion of  the  Liturgy,  with  several  additions;  also  a  new  edition  of  the 
Psalter;  the  "King's  Messengers,"  a  booklet  for  the  use  of  Mission- 
ary and  Young  People's  Societies,  is  meeting  with  considerable  ac- 
ceptance; patronage  solicited  from  all;  desirable  to  place  the  Al- 
manac and  \'ear  Book  in  every  family  to  familiarize  them  with  the 
missionary,  educational  and  other  enterprises  of  the  Church;  benevo- 
lence   solicited    for    the    distribution    of    Christian    literature. 

The  "Uniform  Version  of  the  Psalms"  is  printed;  referred  to 
the  Bd.  of  Publication  for  examination  and  criticism,  and  that  the 
usual  $15  be  paid  for  incidental  expenses,  and  for  which  50  copies  of 
the  Psalter  will  be  sent  for  examination.  The  Board  authorized  to 
publish  a  revised  edition  of  the  German  Hymn  Book  as  soon  as  funds 
permit.  1905,  122-3.  For  report  of  Special  Committee  on  the  Ger- 
man Hymn  Book,  see  1905,  123-5. 

Another  prosperous  year;  importance  of  the  printed  page  and  the 
development  of  a  Christian  literature;  more  business  needed;  every 
church  should  patronize  the  Board;  business  in  Sunday  School  litera- 
ture has  increased;  envelopes  for  Systematic  Beneficence  have  been 
distributed  gratuitously;  and  large  quantities  of  church-support  en- 
velopes, with  church  names,  numbers  and  dates  have  been  sold;  the 
Almanac  and  Year  Book — a  decided  success;  a  Dutch  edition  of  the 


574         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Constitution  has  been  published;  the  Digest  of  Synodical  Legisla- 
tion will  be  ready  in  the  fall.  Total  receipts  for  the  year,  $29,595.53. 
Report  of  Bd.  1906. 

Public  Morals.  The  Synod  early  took  action  on  this  matter.  Dur- 
ing the  Revolution  a  stirring  address  was  sent  to  Gov.  Clinton  (of  New 
York)  upon  this  subject.  See  Address,  in  full,  1780,  83-86.  In  1781, 
Rev.  John  Leydt  presented  a  paper  to  Synod  on  the  same  subjecc,  some 
points  of  which  the  Synod  refers  to,  1781,  92.  Another  address  to  the 
authorities  suggested,  setting  forth  the  sins  of  the  land,  but  deferred,  1782, 
98;  the  several  Classes  directed  to  keep  this  article  in  their  Acts,  for 
constant  discussion,  1783,  103;  1785,  143;  1787,  167;  1788,  183;  1791, 
226;  etc.  In  1809,  reference  is  made  to  the  laws  prohibiting  disorderly 
houses  and  other  forms  of  vice,  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey;  hence  un- 
necessary for  Synod  to  apply  for  new  laws.  1809,  407.  An  order  of 
Lemmata  [Articles]  adopted.  Art.  17,  being  "Prevailing  Sins."  1809, 
408. 

Public  Morals.  An  Article  of  this  name  adopted,  No.  21,  in  the 
Lemmata  of  Synod,   1886,  instead  of  "Prevailing  Sins." 

Public    Prayers.     See   Public   Worship;    Liturgy. 

Public  Schools.  In  the  first  American  Church  Constitution,  1792,  it 
is  admitted  that  the  Parochial  School  System  cannot  be  very  easily  car- 
ried out  in  America.  See  1792,  Art.  56;  compared  with  1619,  Arts.  21,  54. 
There  is  no  allusion  to  Parochial  Schools  or  Public  Schools  in  the  Con- 
stitutions of  1833  and  1874.  The  introduction  of  music  in  our  District 
Schools,  recommended,  1840,  421 ;  the  Sunday  Schools  "take  up  the  edu- 
cation of  our  youth  where  the  Common  School  leaves  it ;  and  while  we  re- 
joice to  see  the  Bible  read  m  the  one,"  it  is  in  the  Sunday  School  we  must 
look  for  religious  instruction.  Books  have  also  been  mtroduced  in  the 
District  School  Libraries  teaching  doctrines  contrary  to  Holy  Scripture. 
The  Synod's  Board  of  S.  S.  Union  was  directed  "to  make  *a  respectful 
representation  of  the  views  of  this  Body  on  the  subject  of  "District 
Libraries,  to  the  Superintendent  of  Common  Schools  of  the  State  of 
New  York."     1846,  73,  74. 

Upon  an  effort  in  1850,  to  re-establish  the  Parochial  School  System, 
Synod  expressed  its  fears  that  this  might  interfere  with  the  Common 
Schools ;  their  great  value,  emphasized ;  the  churches  urged  to  use  all 
lawful  means  to  have  the  reading  of  the  Bible  maintained  in  the  Public 
Schools,  without  note  or  comment,  1850,  360,  364;  Synod  refused  to  en- 
dorse the  suggestion  of  the  Classis  of  New  York,  that  the  Public  Schools 
should  surrender  Wednesday  afternoons  for  Catechetical  instruction,  1853, 
364 ;  apprehensions  dispelled,  lest  Romanists  should  claim  a  share  of  the 
Public  School  money,  1854,  455;  "the  reckless  attempts  which  are  being 
made  to  divorce  religion  from  education  in  our  Public  Schools,  should 
lead  the  friends  of  the  Church  to  found  as  many"  [Parochial  Schools] 
"as  possible  .  .  .  which  by  their  very  constitution  are  fortified  against 
the  attacks  of  Romanism  and  infidelity,"  i860,  551 ;  Parochial  Schools  can 
never  rival  the  Public  School  System,  1866,  88. 

Resolved,  That  while  this  General  Synod  has  no  sympathy  with  any 
attempt  to  make  the  State  an  engine  for  the  propagation  of  a  mere  sec- 
tarianism, it  regards  the  use  of  the  Bible  in  the  Public  Schools  as  a 
legitimate  measure  of  great  utility  and  importance,  for  the  proper  edu- 
cation of  our  American  children  and  youth  in  those  principles  of  sound 
morals  and  sterling  patriotism  which  are  so  essential  to  the  perpetuity 
and  welfare  of  the  nation;  and  it  deprecates  most  earnestly  the  exclusion 
(jf  the  Bible  from  the  Public  Schools,  as  the  surrender  of  a  sacred  right, 
which,  as  we  have  received  it,  under  the  good  providence  of  God,  from 
our  fathers,  we  should  do  our  utmost  to  transmit  to  our  children 
unimpaired. 


PUBLIC  SCHOOLS  575 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  hereby  puts  on  record  its  emphatic 
disapproval  of  all  appropriations  by  legislative  or  other  civil  authority, 
of  the  public  money,  for  sectarian  uses,  or  for  the  promotion  of  sec- 
tarian ends.     1875,  357- 

The  following  statements  and  resolutions  were  presented  by  Rev. 
Joachim  Elmendorf.     They  were  adopted  by  a  unanimous  and  rising  vote. 

The  Evangelical  Alliance  for  the  United  States,  a  chief  object  of 
which  is  the  defense  and  "promotion  of  religious  freedom,"  by  the 
watchfulness  of  its  representatives,  has  detected  in  many  bills  introduced 
into  the  Legislature  of  our  own  and  other  States,  principles  which 
clearly  violated  "the  constitutional  guarantees  of  religious  freedom,"  and 
purposes  which  aimed  at  the  enrichment  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
and  the  dangerous  increase  of  her  power  in  our  land. 

Most  of  these  bills  involved  insidious  assaults  upon  the  public  school 
systems  of  the  States,  and  endanger  their  integrity,  and  even  perpetuity. 

The  common  school,  which  is  such  a  formidable  and  hated  obstacle 
in  the  way  of  the  accomplishment  of  Romish  plans,  because  it  is  con- 
stantly dispelling  the  illiteracy  in  which  Romish  superstitions  are  bred 
and  nurtured,  and  by  which  Romish  domination  is  made  absolute,  must 
be  preserved.  Our  highest  religious,  no  less  than  our  vital  civil  interests, 
demand  this.     Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod,  while  gratefully  recognizing  the 
•able  and  determined  efforts  of  the  Evangehcal  Alliance  to  expose  the 
plots  and  defeat  the  attacks  of  the  emissaries  of  Rome  upon  our  common 
schools,  and  to  maintain  "the  cherished  American  doctrine"  of  "no  con- 
nection between  Church  and  State,"  would  record  its  commendation  of, 
and  pledge  its  moral  support  to  the  prosecution  of  this  work. 

Resolved,  That  Synod  proclaims  its  earnest  protest  against,  and 
condemnation  of  that  policy  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  by  which, 
through  deceptive  and  corrupting  legislative  enactments,  it  seeks  to  gain 
pecuniary  and  ecclesiastical  favors  and  advantages,  neither  sought  by 
nor.  accorded  to  the  Protestant  Church. 

Resolved,  That,  "regarding  our  common  schools  as  essential  to  our 
common  welfare,"  Synod  exhorts  alike  every  patriot  and  Christian  to 
resist  all  ecclesiastical  encroachments  upon  these,  through  whatever 
agency,  and  not  only  to  stand  for  their  present  excellence,  but  to  strive 
for  their  irnprovement,  in  order  to  their  greater  efficiency  in  forming  the 
moral  and  intellectual  characters  of  those  who  are,  and  are  to  be,  most  in- 
fluential in  determining  the  nation's  character  and  destiny.     1888,  634-5. 

The  following  paper  on  Public  Schools  was  received  and  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  head  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  from  his  official 
seat,  claiming  to  be  both  a  temporal  and  a  spiritual  ruler,  and  arrogating 
to  himself  sovereignty  not  only  over  the  religious  conscience,  but  also  over 
civil  government,  has  presumed  to  pronounce  officially  concerning  the  con- 
duct of  that  vital  American  institution,  the  Common  School ;  and 

Whereas,  The  Faribault  scheme  (so-called)  suggests  a  parochial 
school,  conducted  exclusively  by  members  of  a  religious  order,  with  only 
the  restriction  of  relegating  distinctively  religious  instruction  to  hours  out- 
side the  usual  school  hours ;  and 

Whereas,  The  Common  School  is  vitally  essential  to  the  fusing 
of  the  heterogeneous  elements  of  our  population  into  one  nation,  to  the 
end  that  popular  suffrage  may  continue  to  be  a  sure  buttress  of  our 
government, 

Resolved,  First,  That  as  officicial  representatives  of  the  historical 
Reformed  Church  of  America  we  resent  with  indignation  the  interfer- 
ence of  any  European  potentate  whatsoever  with  our  American  institu- 
tions, and  especially  with  the  policy  of  our  public  schools. 


576         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Resolved,  Secondly,  That  we  denounce  the  so-called  Faribault 
scheme  as  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  American  institutions,  and  especially  to 
the  constitution  of  the  United  States  and  those  of  the  several  States  which 
are  at  one  in  forbidding  any  union  of  church  and  State. 

Resolved,  Thirdly,  That  we  proclaim  the  right  of  every  religious  or 
anti-religious  body  in  the  land  equally  with  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
to  have  its  parochial  schools  supported  out  of  the  public  treasury. 

Resolved,  Fourthly,  That  we  draw  the  attention  of  citizens  of  the 
United  States  to  the  hostility  of  the  Roman  Catholic  hierarchy  to  our 
non-sectarian  Common  School  system,  and  exhort  them  to  guard  the 
integrity  of  the  school  against  all  attacks. 

Resolved,  Fifthly,  That  we  request  our  fellow-citizens  to  bear  in 
mind  the  warnings  of  the  far-sighted,  early  statesmen  of  this  land,  and 
especially  the  words  of  General  Grant,  uttered  in  1876 :  "Encourage  free 
schools  and  resolve  that  not  one  dollar  appropriated  to  them  shall  be 
applied  to  the  support  of  any  sectarian  school ;  resolve  that  any  child  in 
the  land  may  get  a  Common  School  education,  unmixed  with  atheistic, 
pagan  or  sectarian  teachings.  Keep  the  church  and  State  forever  sep- 
arate."    1892,  661-2. 

Day  of  Prayer  for  Public  Schools — Second  Lord's  Day  in  Sept.  1903, 
396;  1904,  744;  Synod  gratified  that  the  Bible  is  so  largely  read  in  our 
Public  Schools.     1904,  744. 

See   Parochial  Schools. 

(2).     The  matter  of  the  use  of  the  Bible  in  the  Public  Schools. 

The  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions  is  recommended :  First : 
Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  expresses  its  sincere  gratification  that 
the  Bible  is  so  largely  read  in  our  Public  Schools  and  expresses  the 
earnest  hope  and  desire  that  this  good  practice  may  become  still  more 
general.  Second :  Resolved,  That  the  Second  Lord's  Day  in  Sept.,  be  set 
apart  as  a  day  of  prayer  in  behalf  of  Public   Schools.     1904,  744. 

Public  Worship.  Committee  on  the  Liturgy  saw  no  necessity  for 
making  any  change  in  the  Office  of  Public  Worship.  Either  extem- 
poraneous or  written  prayers  allowed ;  impossible  to  have  uniformity  in 
all  respects,  owing  to  different  conditions  in  different  congregations, 
1889,  858.     See  Worship,  Uniformity  of. 

Pulpits,  Exchange  of.  In  the  Articles  of  Correspondence  between 
the  Presbyterian,  the  Associate  and  the  Refd.  Dutch  Churches,  in  1800, 
this  is  referred  to,  as  one  of  the  items !     1800,  284,  297-8.     See  Hansen,  89. 

Punishment  of  Sin.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  12,  20,  21,  37;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  10,  II,  37,  84;  Canons  of  Dort,  ii  i;  iii  and  iv,  2,  10.     See  Hell. 

Purity  of  Heart.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  109,  113. 

Purposes  of  God.     Canons  of  Dort,  i  8;  ii  8,  9;  v  i,  6,  8. 

Queens  Building.  The  oldest  building  of  the  Rutgers  College 
buildings,  built  in  1809.  It  was  built  conjointly  by  the  Synod  and  the 
Trustees  of  Queens  College,  and  was  known  at  the  time  as  "The  Theo- 
logical  Hall,"   which   see.     See  also   "Rutgers   College." 

Queens,  Church  of.  Claimed  the  right  to  name  the  students  who 
arc  to  receive  the  full  income  of  the  Hendrickson  Bequest  of  $10,000. 
Claim  sustained.     1894,    17,   95-98.     See   Hendrickson,   Elias   J. 

Queens  College.     See  Rutgers  College. 

Questor  and  Questor.\te.  a  word  formerly  used  for  Treasurer. 
Duties  of  the  Questor  of  the  Coetus,  1748,  xx.  In  Oct.,  1773,  40,  tiie  Con- 
sistory of  New  York  was  appointed  Synod's  Questor;  that  Consistory  re- 
ported; willing  to  care  for  any  moneys  committed  to  them,  but  could 
not  act  as  Questor;  a  Questor  to  be  elected  at  each  Synod.  Dr.  Liv- 
ingston elected;  Rev.  Mr.  Ritzema  asks  for  an  Auditing  Committee  con- 


QUICK,  PETER  J.    (Rev.)  577 

cerning  his  Questorship,  as  well  as  that  of  Rev.  S.  Verbryck ;  money  to 
be  deposited  with  New  York  Consistory;  Oct.,  1774,  48,  49.  The  moneys 
consisted  mostly  of  what  students  paid  for  their  diplomas;  Synod  re- 
solved to  bear  this  expense;  1787,  168;  state  of  the  funds  to  be  exam- 
ined, 1788,  176;  funds  on  hand,  ii77  i8s. ;  duties  of  Questor  referred  to; 
1788,  179,  180;  Resolved,  That  the  President  of  every  Classis  be  account- 
able to  the  Quaestor  of  the  General  Synod  for  all  moneys  as  may  from 
time  to  time  come  to  his  hands  arising  from  the  examination  of  students 
in  theology  or  candidates  for  the  ministry,  and  forward  the  same  with 
all  convenient  speed  to  said  Quaestor.  1794,  265 ;  Mr.  Wm.  W.  Gilbert 
made  a  statement  of  his  accounts ;  1800,  292 ;  in  1818,  56,  62,  the  [old] 
office  of  Questor,  and  the  [new]  office  of  Special  Treasurer,  done  away ; 
and  one  "Treasurer"  perform  all  the  duties;  Guysbert  B.  Vroom  was 
made  Treasurer;  in  1820,  20,  the  Lemma  "Questorate"  abolished,  and  that 
of  "Board  of  Corporation"  substituted.  The  term  Questor  continued 
to  be  used,  more  or  less,  in  Synod,  until  1883,  295,  when  it  was  directed 
that   "Treasurer"   should   be   uniformly   employed. 

Quick,  Peter  J.  (Rev.)  Rector  of  Hertzog  Hall,  1869-74;  also  Li- 
brarian of  the  Hertzog  Hall  Librarv ;  1869-74  \  Librarian  of  Sage  Library, 
1874-86. 

Quickening  of  our  Bodies.     See  Resurrection. 

Quickening  of  the  New  Man.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  88-90;  Canons 
of  Dort,  iii  and  iv,  12,  16. 

Quorums.  A  majority  of  a  Consistory,  of  a  Bd.  of  Elders,  or  of  a 
Bd.  of  Deacons,  constitute  a  Quorum;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  45  [of  1833, 
Art.  52]  ;  of  a  Classis.  three  ministers  and  three  elders  (regularly  con- 
vened) ;  1874,  Art.  58  [of  1833,  Art.  65].  Of  a  Particular  Synod,  seven 
ministers  and  seven  elders ;  Constit.  1874,  Art.  65  [of  1833,  Art.  76 ;  see 
various  amendments;  of  1792,  Art.  54,  ten  ministers  and  ten  elders  from 
a  majority  of  the  Classes,  constitute  a  quorum]. 

Of  the  General  Synod,  12  ministers  and  12  elders,  regularly  con- 
vened, constitute  a  quorum;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  72  [of  1833,  Art.  83]. 
Quorums  are  not  once  referred  to  in  the  Rules  of  1619;  nor  by  name,  in 
those  of  1792 ;  but  in  substance,  the  quorum  is  referred  to,  1792,  Art.  54. 
While  the  General  Synod  was  conventional,  1794- 1800,  in  1800  the  fol- 
lowing was  passed : 

Resolved,  That  ten  ministers  and  ten  elders,  delegated  as  aforesaid 
to  constitute  a  General  Synod,  shall,  when  met,  be  considered  as  forming, 
according  to  the  Constitution,  a  quorum  for  business.  It  was  moved  that 
a  majority  of  delegates  to  a  Particular  Synod,  when  met,  shall  form  a 
quorum  to  do  business.     1800,  304. 

Railroads  and  the  Sabbath.     1853,  367.     See  Sabbath. 

Ralph  Voorhees  Fund.     See  Voorhees,  Ralph. 

Rapalje,  Cornelius.  (Mrs.)  Patroness  of  Library  of  Northwestern 
Academy ;  gives  valuable  books  to ;  also  supplies  Library  and  Reading 
Room  with  current  magazines;   1899,  415;    1902,  86,  etc. 

Rapalje,   Daniel    (Rev.)     Missionary  at  Amoy,   China.     1858-99. 

Raritan,  Classis  of.  Organized  1859,  consisting  then  of  the  churches 
of  First  Raritan  (Somerville),  Bedminster,  Whitehouse,  Lebanon,  North 
Branch,  Second  Raritan,  Peapack,  Branchville,  Third  Raritan,  Easton, 
Warren,  Plainfield. 

Raven,  A.  A.  Auditor  of  Accounts  of  Board  of  Direction,  1895,  06; 
1896,  329 ;  1897,  606,  etc. 

Raven,  John  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Instructor  of  Hebrew,  New  Brunswick 
Seminary,  1899,  367,  373;  elected  Professor  of  Old  Testament  Langs,  and 
Exegesis,   in    N.    B.    Sem.     1899,   387;   granted   leave   of   absence   of   one 


578          DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

year,  to  study  in  Europe,  1902,  55,  70;  1903,  313.  Publishes  "Old  Testa- 
ment Introduction,"  1904.  * 

Ravi,  Salvatore  Vincenzo  (Rev.  Prof.)  Delegate  from  the  Evan- 
gelical Church  of  Italy ;   1896,  417,  420. 

Real  Estate.  In  the  first  Annual  Digest  of  General  Synod,  certain 
lands  are  referred  to,  as  belonging  to  the  Synod,  whose  title  deeds  had 
not  yet  been  recorded.  Committee  appointed  to  have  titles  recorded,  to 
pay  taxes,  and  report  how  they  may  be  made  productive,  1818,  51,  60; 
report  of  Committee:  Deeds  recorded  in  office  of  Secretary  of  State; 
abstract  given :  Deed  from  Marinus  Willett  and  wife,  to  Trustees  of 
Queens  College,  dated  March  30,  1808,  for  Lot  13,  of  100  acres,  in  Essex 
Co.,  N.  Y. ;  Deed  from  Rensselaer  Westerlo  and  wife,  Abraham  Hun 
and  wife,  John  Woodworth  and  wife,  to  Trustees  of  Queens  College, 
dated  May  21,  181 1,  for  Lot  107,  of  138  83-100  acres;  for  Lot  108,  of 
183  8-10  acres;  for  Lots  115,  116,  of  299  42-100  acres,  being  parts  of 
Township  50,  partly  in  Montgomery  and  partly  in  Essex  counties,  N.  Y. ; 
Deed  from  Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer  and  wife,  to  Trustees  of  Queens 
College,  dated  June  18,  181 1,  for  the  individual  half  of  Lot  89,  in  Town- 
ship No.  8,  in  Franklin  County,  N.  Y. ;  the  whole  lot  containing  640 
■acres.  Can  only  be  made  productive  by  sale,  or  long  leases.  Taxes  paid. 
1819,  49,  50,  51. 

The  above  lands  were  conveyed  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College, 
because  General  Synod  was  not  then  incorporated;  but  the  grant  was 
intended  for  the  benefit  of  Synod,  for  the  Theological  College.  The  Col- 
lege Trustees  have  transmitted  said  deeds  to  the  Bd.  of  Direction. 
Should  not  the   Board  obtain  a  quit-claim   from  the   Trustees? 

The  Bd.  of  Direction  was  authorized  to  obtain  from  the  College 
Trustees  a  quit-claim  for  said  lands,  to  redeem  such  as  had  been  sold 
for  taxes,  and  to  sell  the  same  for  what  price  they  can  get ;  1820,  49 ; 
Oct.,  '20,  36;    1829,   157-8,  201. 

Deed  for  Rutgers  College  Property. 

In  the  settlement  of  certain  financial  accounts  between  the  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College  and  Gen.  Synod,  the  Trustees  upon  receiving 
$4,000,  were  to  convey  the  College  Edifice  and  grounds  to  General  Synod, 
or  to  certain  trustees  of  the  Synod,  1823,  53.  But  the  Board  resolved 
that  the  deed  should  be  made  to  "The  Gen.  Synod  of  R.  P.  D.  Church," 
1824,  17,  54;  but  as  the  Synod  was  a  Corporation  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  the  legality  of  this  was  questioned,  and  the  Synod  recommended 
that  the  conveyance  be  made,  if  found  necessary  to  certain  persons  in 
trust,  who  may  convey  it  to  the  Board  of  Corporation,  1824,  54;  the 
Board  arranged  to  do  this ;  but  Synod  was  requested  to  allow  the  Board 
to  petition  the  Legislature  of  New  Jersey  for  an  Act,  authorizing  the 
Synod  to  hold  Real  Estate  in  New  Jersey,  1825,  9,  10;  said  petition  pre- 
pared and  signed  by  the  President,  Sept.,  1825,  19;  such  Act  was  passed, 
and  the  College  Trustees  were  notified  that  the  Bd.  of  Corporation  was 
ready  to  receive  the  deed  for  the  College  property,  1826,  15;  such  deed 
was   received,.    1827,   19.     See   Incorporation  of  Gen.   Synod. 

This  College  property  was  finally  conveyed  back  to  the  College 
Trustees.     1864,  468-472;    1865,  551. 

Deed  for  Land  for  Hertzog  Hall. 

Col.  James  Neilson  gives  Synod  a  lot  of  ground  valued  at  $14,000, 
measuring  300x700  feet,  extending  from  George  St.  to  within  166  feet 
of  College  Avenue.  David  Bishop  gives  an  adjoining  lot,  valued  at 
$1,200;  Col.  Neilson  gives  another  lot;  and  Chs.  P.  Dayton  gives  land,  to 
enable  the  plot  to  extend  to  College  Avenue.  An  additional  lot,  to  com- 
plete the  plot  was  bought  for  $2,000,  the  money  having  been  given  by 
Wessel  Wessels  and  Francis  Wessels,  of  Paramus,  N.  J.     The  Common 


REBELLION,    THE  579 

Council  of  New  Brunswick  thereupon  opened  up  Seminary  Place.  Oct., 
1855,   10,   18.     Nine  buildings  now  adorn  this  property. 

Some  additional  land  bought  of  Dr.  F.  A.  Van  Dyke  and  C.  P.  Dayton 
to  carry  Neilson  Av.  (Seminary  Place)  through  from  George  St.  to 
College' Av.     1859,  439,  440;   i860,  486. 

The  Synod  also  holds  certain  lands,  etc.,  in  connection  with  Hope 
College.  See  Holland  Academy;  Hope  College;  Incorporation  of  Gen- 
eral Synod  in  Michigan ;  also  1876,  438-9.  Certain  lands  conveyed  back  to 
Hope  College ;  1878,  41;  '79,  242,  270;  1883,  247. 

The  Synod  has  also  been  occasionally  compelled  to  take  lands,  in  con- 
nection with  bequests,  in  order  to  secure  the  gifts ;  and  have  sometimes 
had  special  interests  in  certain  Church  properties.  See  Utica ;  Thousand 
Isles ;  Brunswick,  111. ;  Broome  St.,  New  York  City ;  Eden,  Wis.,  etc.  The 
Board  of  Corporation  was  authorized  to  sell  lands,  acquired  by  Synod, 
in  mortgage  claims,  1880,  464,  489;   1905,  50. 

Rebellion,  The.     See  National  Affairs. 

Reception  of  Ministers.     See  Admission  of  Ministers. 

Rechtmeyer,  Helen  M.  Legacy  to  Hope  College,  of  $1,462.  1903, 
274. 

Recommendations  to  the  churches  are  often  made  by  the  Synod. 
These  are  not  the  same  as  "enjoining"  lower  bodies  to  do  thus  and  thus. 
In  the  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  36.  the  "Form  of  Call"  is  recommended; 
in  Constitutions  of  1833,  Art.  60,  and  of  1874,  Art.  53,  the  "Form  of  the 
Call"  shall  be  as  follows.  ...  In  1833,  Art.  89,  the  Order  of  Wor- 
ship is  made  obligatory ;   in   1874,  Art.  89,  it  is  recommended. 

Records.  Important  matters  of  all  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies  must  be 
recorded.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  34,  60;  Constitution  of  1792;  Art.  33, 
57 ;  of  1833,  55,  56 ;  of  1874,  48,  49- 

Recovery  of  Man.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  17-26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
12-64. 

Red  Cross  Societies.    Allusion,  1899,  450. 

Redemption.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  20,  23 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Questions  i, 
12-85  (37-46)  ;  Canons,  i.  7;  ii.  1-9. 

Reed,  Harriet  E.  (Mrs.)  Gifts,  in  memory  of  her  father,  Rev.  Dr. 
Jacob  C.  Sears ;  for  Widows'  Fund,  $456.57 ;  1896,  288 ;  balance,  $437.60. 
1897,  567.     (Total,  $894.17.) 

References.  These  are  distinctively  referred  to  in  the  Constitution 
of  1792,  but  not  in  those  of  1619,  1833  or  1874.  When  difficult  or  im- 
portant cases  are  brought  before  Lower  Assemblies,  they  may  postpone 
a  final  determination  until  they  have  laid  the  whole  matter  before  a 
Higher  Assembly.  In  all  such  References,  the  Higher  may  remit  the 
matter  back  to  the  Lower,  with  proper  advice,  to  be  there  decided,  or  if 
very  important,  and  of  general  interest,  the  Higher  Assembly  may  take 
the  case  under  its  own  immediate  cognizance.  Constitution  of  1792,  Arts. 
31,  73.  The  same  privilege  is,  however,  implied  in  Constits.  of  1619,  Art 
30,  of  1833,  Art.  37,  of  1874,  Art.  36. 

The  late  Rev.  Dr.  A.  B.  Van  Zandt  thus  wrote  on  this  subject :  "A 
lower  court  may  refer  a  difficult  matter  to  a  higher  court,  for  advice  or 
direction.  The  right  of  general  supervision  implies  the  right  of  refer- 
ence for  advice.  The  reference  has  respect  to  cases  not  yet  decided,  to 
proceedings  not  yet  complete.  But  the  privilege  must  not  be  abused,  to 
evade  responsibility,  by  referring  a  case  bodily  to  the  next  higher  court. 
Process  and  trial  belong  to  the  court  of  original  jurisdiction.  It  is  only 
on  questions  affecting  the  right  interpretation  or  application  of  the  law 
of  the  Church,  that  Reference  is  allowable ;  and  then  the  higher  court 
does  not  assume  to  issue  the  case,  but  leaves  it  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the 


58o  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

court  to  which  it  belongs."  See  Advice;  Appeals;  Abstract  Questions; 
Supervision;    Memorials;    Complaints;    Petitions. 

"References"  shall  be  presented  in  the  form  of  a  certified  Resolu- 
tion, stating  distinctly  the  whole  subject  which  is  the  matter  of  the  Ref- 
erence, 1806,  350;  1814,  71;  1815,  35;  1825,  46. 

[Inasmuch  as  the  opinion  expressed  by  a  Higher  Body  in  a  matter 
referred  to  it,  need  not  necessarily  be  followed  by  the  Lower  Body,  and 
an  Appeal  might  bring  it  all  up  again — perhaps,  for  such  reasons,  the 
"Reference"  was  not  distinctively  recognized  in  the  Constitutions  of  1833 
and    1874.] 

Some  "References"  were  trivial,  and  the  Synod  often  replied — Consult 
the  Constitution  or  the   Standards.     See  also   "Synodical   References." 

Reformation,  The.  The  distinction  between  "Ministers  of  the 
Word"  and  "Teachers  of  Theology"  was  attended  to  at  the  Reforma- 
tion. The  latter  class  was  set  apart  to  teach  and  defend  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel.  The  instruction  of  young  men  for  the  Ministry  was 
not  to  be  left  to  anybody;  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  18;  of  1792,  Arts. 
19,  20.     See  also  Act  of  Synod,  1819,  39. — See  Ministers;  Professors. 

At  the  Reformation,  it  was  judged  proper  by  all  the  Churches, 
to  ratify  and  publish  their  respective  Creeds  and  Forms  of  Govern- 
ment; American  Preface  to  the  Constitution  of  1792. 

Reformed  Church,  The.  The  title  assumed  by  the  churches  of  the 
Reformation,  especially  in  Switzerland,  Holland  and  France,  in  dis- 
tinction from  the  Lutheran  Church  of  Germany.  The  Reformed 
Church  corresponded  entirely  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Great 
Britain  in  doctrine  and  polity.  See  Manual  of  R.  C.  A.  of  1902,  pp. 
1-4.  "The  Reformed  Church"  the  actual  name  of  the  so-called 
"Dutch  Church"  in  America;  see  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  56,  60,  62,  67, 
etc.     Compare  1619,  Arts,  53,  68.     See  Title  of  the  Church. 

Reformed  Church  Building.  In  1890,  the  Pastors'*  Association 
of  New  York  overturned  General  Synod  about  securing  a  Denomina- 
tional Church  House,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Boards  of  the 
Church.     1890,  II.     Report  on  the  subject: 

A    DENOMINATIONAL    "CHURCH     HOUSE." 

Your  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Overture  from  the 
Pastors'  Association  in  New  York,  with  reference  to  securing  a 
denominational  "Church  House"  in  the  city  of  New  York,  beg  leave 
to  report:  That  the  Overture  is,  in  the  opinion  of  your  Committee, 
both  timely  and  wise.  That  the  possession  of  a  building,  in  a  suit- 
able locality  in  the  city  of  New  York,  arranged  to  accommodate  the 
four  Boards  of  our  Church  and  our  book  store,  with  suitable  rooms 
for  such  meetings  as  our  and  its  business  may  require,  including  the 
meetings  of  our  Woman's  Boards,  is  not  only  desirable,  but  a  ne- 
cessity. That  the  proposal  of  the  Overtures  commends  itself  to 
Synod  from  considerations  of  comfort,  convenience  and  economy. 

Your  Committee,  therefore,  recommend  unanimously,  that  the 
Synod  approve  the  project  and  appoint  a  commission,  authorizing 
and  empowering  the  same  to  devise  means,  secure  a  proper  location 
and  prepare  such  a  "Church  House,"  as  in  the  judgment  of  a  major- 
ity of  said  Commission  is  required,  and  to  have  the  same  ready  for 
occupancy  by  the  time  of  the  expiration  of  the  lease  of  our  present 
quarters,  at  26  Reade  Street. 

As  such  commissioners  your  Committee  would  respectfully  name 
the  following  persons,  Samuel  Sloan,  William  H.  Jackson,  Garret 
E.  Winants,  John  S.  Bussing,  Theophilus  A.  Brouwer,  Garret  Van 
Nostrand,  R.  N.  Perlee,  William  H.  Kirk,  A.  F.  Hazen  and  James 
A.  Seward. 


REFORMED    CHURCH    BUILDING  581 

Your  Committee  offer  the  following  resolution  for  adoption  by 
Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  named  Commissioners,  be,  and  the  same  are 
hereby,  appointed  and  are  authorized  and  empowered  to  devise  means, 
secure  proper  location  and  prepare  such  a  "Church  Home,"  as  in 
the  judgment  of  a  majority  of  said  Commissioners  is  required,  and 
to  have  the  same  ready  for  occupation  by  the  time  of  the  expiration 
of  the  lease  of  our  present  quarters  at  25  Reade  Street,  and  the  Board 
of  Direction  are  requested  to  co-operate  with  said  Commission  to 
accomplish  the  desired  result.     1890,  199. 

The  committee  appointed  last  year  on  procuring  a  denomina- 
tional "Church  House,"  presented  their  report,  which  was  accepted, 
and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Board  of  Direction.  1891, 
239,  423- 

In  relation  to  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  a  "Church  Home," 
appointed  by  a  previous  General  Synod,  and  now  presented  and  re- 
ferred to  this  Committee,  your  Committee  recommend  the  adoption 
of  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  of  General  Synod  be  author- 
ized and  directed  to  purchase  a  suitable  property  in  New  York  city, 
to  be  so  improved  as  to  accommodate  all  the  Boards  of  the  Reformed 
Church  as  desired,  at  a  cost  not  to  exceed  $100,000,  the  several  Boards 
to  pay  such  rents  as  may  be  mutually  agreed  upon.     1891,  270. 

The  Board  of  Direction  was,  likewise,  "authorized"  and  "di- 
rected" by  the  last  Synod  to  purchase  a  church  house  in  New  York, 
at  a  cost  limit  of  $100,000. 

Had  so  great  a  sum  proved  necessary,  the  Board  must  have 
declined  the  responsibility;  since  it  would  have  entailed  upon  the 
different  Boards  too  heavy  a  rental  charge,  and  any  mistake  in  loca- 
tion or  in  the  real  value  of  the  property  would  have  been  laid  to 
the  Board,  not  to  the  Synod  which  ordered  it.  Members  of  the 
Board,  however,  examined  fifteen  or  twenty  houses,  some  of  them 
suitable  except  as  to  price.  The  relations  of  one  member  (Mr.  Stur- 
ges)  to  the  family  which  owned  it,  finally  enabled  the  Board  to 
purchase  the  property.  No.  25  East  Twenty-second  Street,  and  now 
known  as  the  "Reformed  Church  Building,"  on  exceedingly  favor- 
able terms,  viz.,  at  $60,600. 

The  necessary  addition  of  a  rear  extension,  and  which  includes 
a  ministers'  meeting  room,  has  since  increased  the  cost  price  to  about 
$67,000. 

It  is  proper  to  say,  and  with  appreciation  of  the  fact,  that,  through 
the  agency  of  Mr.  John  S.  Bussing,  the  new  ministers'  room  has 
been  furnished  entirely  from  the  contributions  of  several  laymen  of 
the  Church.  The  Board,  also,  has  the  pleasure  of  mentioning  that, 
as  a  token  of  personal  interest  in  the  object,  Mr.  J.  R.  Planten,  the 
Consul-General  of  the  Netherlands,  has  presented  two  handsome  pho- 
tographs of  the  famous  and  venerable  Church  at  Delftshaven,  and 
framed  in  wood  taken  from  the  same.  As  will  be  seen  from  the 
above,  the  Board  of  Direction  has,  during  the  year,  carried  out  in 
full   every  direction  of   General  Synod.     1892,  469. 

The  Committee,  on  Bd.  of  Direction's  report,  say: 
Among  other  matters  consummated  was  the  purchase  of  a  church 
house  in  New  York  City.  The  Board  was  authorized  to  expend 
$100,000  on  this  object.  Such  a  building  was  secured  and  is  now 
occupied  and  known  as  "The  Reformed  Church  Building,"  at  No. 
25  East  Twenty-second  Street.  It  is  complete  in  all  its  appointments, 
and  fully  accommodates  the  different  Boards,  besides  affording  rooms 
for  the  Women's  Missionary  Boards, 


582         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

An  addition  has  been  made  which  includes  a  fine  apartment 
for  a  ministers'  meeting  room,  the  furniture  of  which  has  been  pro- 
vided at  private  expense  through  the  efforts  of  Elder  John  S.  Bus- 
sing. The  total  cost  of  the  building  when  complete  will  be  about 
$67,000.     1892,  502. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  General  Synod  be  and  they  are 
hereby  given  to  the  Board  of  Direction  for  having  so  satisfactorily 
and  economically  accomplished  the  work  given  them  to  do  in  pur- 
chasing the  building  in  New  York  City,  now  known  as  the  Reformed 
Church  Building,  and  also  to  Elder  John  S.  Bussing  and  others  for 
furnishing  the  ministers'  room  without  expense  to  the  treasury  of 
General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  requested  to  inaugurate  a 
formal  opening  of  The  Reformed  Church  Building,  and  that  they  ap- 
point the  time  and  attend  to  the  details  in  such  matter.     1892,  504;  556. 

The  opening  of  the  Church  Home  was  delayed  owing  to  the 
death  of  two  members  of  the  Board  of  Corporation,  Theodore  Stur- 
ges  and  John  Van  Nest.  Finally,  a  Committee  of  the  Pastors'  As- 
sociation and  certain  ladies,  carried  the  scheme  to  a  successful  ac- 
complishment— fully  1,200  being  present.  1893,  712,  713,  749;  improve- 
ments, 1905,  53. 

Reformed  Church  in  America.  This  name  was  assumed  in 
1867,  this  Body  having  been  previously  known  as  the  "Reformed 
Dutch  Church,"  or  the  "Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church."  See 
"Title  of  the  Church."  See  also  Demarest's  Hist,  and  Characteris- 
tics of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,"  1893;  Corwin's  Manual  of 
R.  C.  A.,  1902;  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod,  1794  to  present  time; 
of  the  Provisional  Synod,  I77i-i793,  and  the  preceding  Minutes  of 
the  Coetus.     See  also  Amsterdam  Correspondence. 

Reformed  Churches  in  the  Netherlands;  see  Christian  Refd. 
Church  in  the  Netherlands;  Netherlands,  Refd.   Ch.  of 

Reformed  Churches  in  the  United  States  Holding  the  Presby- 
terian System.     See  Alliance  of  Refd.   Chs.;  Federal  Union. 

Reformed  Church  News.  A  Paper  of  this  name  suggested.  Re- 
ferred to  the  Boards  with  power.     1890,  97. 

Reformed  Church  of  South  Africa.     See  South  Africa. 

Reformed  Church  of  the  Netherlands.  The  proper  name  of 
the  old  State  Church.  Rules  of  1619;  Art.  53;  I792,  Art.  52,  in  the 
Netherlands. 

Reformed  Church  of  the  United  States.     [German.] 

As  early  as  1728,  correspondence  sprung  up  between  the  Ger- 
man ministers  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  Dutch  ministers  in  New  York 
about  securing  ministerial  help.  In  1729,  John  Philip  Boehm  was 
ordained  by  the  Dutch  ministers  in  New  York  for  service  in  the 
German  churches  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1743,  the  Synods  of  North 
and  South  Holland  sought  to  unite  the  Presbyterian,  German  and 
Dutch  Churches  in  America,  into  one  Body,  but  without  success. 
In  1762,  the  Dutch  Coetus,  (having  declared  itself  a  Classis  in  I754)» 
sent  Rev  John  Leydt  as  a  delegate  to  the  German  Ccetus,  to  ask 
them  to  unite  with  the  Dutch  in  founding  a  Theological  Seminary, 
but  the  German  Body  did  not  feel  authorized  to  act  independently 
of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  In  1770,  the  names  of  two  German 
Reformed  ministers,  namely,  Rev.  Philip  Weyberg  and  Rev.  Jonathan 
DuBois,  were  placed  among  the  first  incorporators  of  Queens  LR"t- 
gers]  College,  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  [See  Ecc.  Records  of  New 
York,  under  these  dates,  for  Documents.  Also  Mints.  Gen.  byn. 
1787.  '168.] 


REFORMED  CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       583 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Dutch  General  Synod  in  1794,  the 
following  action  was  taken:  'As  a  friendly  correspondence  with 
sister  Churches  will  doubtless  conduce  to  strengthen  and  establish 
the  cause  of  religion,  the  General  Synod  sincerely  wishes  to  open 
such  a  correspondence,  and  prosecute  it  to  a  union  with  the  Re- 
formed German  Church  of  Pennsylvania.  For  which  purpose  they 
have  thought  proper  to  appoint  a  committee,  whose  business  it 
shall  be  to  take  the  earliest  opportunity,  and,  if  possible,  the  most 
effectual  measures,  to  bring  so  desirable  a  thing  into  effect."  The 
committee  was  directed  "to  embrace  all  opportunities  which  may  be 
offered  in  Providence  for  pursuing  the  same.''     1794,  258. 

In  1804,  336,  1806,  345,  1809,  394,  there  are  references  to  attested 
copies  of  the  Minutes  of  Synods  of  the  two  churches  being  exchanged. 
In  1812,  the  Classis  of  New  Brunswick  requested  the  Particular 
Synod  to  open  up  a  correspondence  by  delegates  with  the  German 
Reformed  Synod.     1812,  405-6.     The  following  action  was  taken : 

The  following  motion  was  laid  on  the  table  of  Synod  and  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  on  Correspondence,  viz. : 

Resolved,  That  in  addition  to  the  correspondence  by  letter  which  the 
General  Synod  held  in  1804  with  the  German  churches  in  America, 
which  is  ordered  to  be  continued,  the  Synod  do  now  appoint  a  dele- 
gation of  three  ministers  to  attend  the  next  stated  meeting  of  the 
German  Reformed  Synod  in  the  spring  of  1813,  with  a  view  to  af- 
ford said  Synod  the  best  evidence  of  that  fraternal  regard  which  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church  entertains  for  the  German  brethren,  and 
to  arrange  such  a  plan  of  intercourse  between  the  churches  as  shall 
tend  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  both. 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  of  the  persons  who  shall  compose  that 
delegation  be  paid  out  of  the  funds  in  the  hands  of  the  Questor  of 
Synod.     1812,  403-4. 

The  following  report  was  adopted : 

As  there  is  already  a  partial  correspondence  carried  on  with 
the  Reformed  German  Church  in  Pennsylvania,  by  letter,  and  a 
mutual  interchange  of  Synodical  Minutes,  your  committee  recom- 
mend that  said  correspondence  be  increased,  by  the  appointment  of 
a  delegation  of  three  members  from  this  body  to  the  German  Re- 
formed Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  and  inviting  a  similar  arrangement 
on  their  part,  to  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  or  to  the  Gen- 
eral Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bork,  Cannon,  and  Peter  Labagh 
be  said  delegation.     1812,  439. 

This  Committee  reported  in  1813,  that  they  had  attended  the 
German  Synod  at  Fredericktown,  Md.;  had  met  with  a  friendly  re- 
ception; the  German  Synod  had  appointed  two  of  their  members 
as  delegates.  Domine  Bork  translated  the  German  letter;  and  the 
delegates  were  allowed  $100  for  their  expenses,  1813,  19,  20.  This  let- 
ter alluded  to  is  found,  1813,  28,  29,  but  contains  nothing  of  great 
importance.  New  delegates  appointed,  1813,  31. — German  delegates 
appeared.  (Revs.  Helffenstein  and  Handel),  and  the  following  ac- 
tion was  taken:  (1814,  21-23)  '• 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  cheerfully  agree  to  the  plan,  proposed  by 
the  German  Synod,  on  which  the  correspondence  between  the  two 
Churches  shall  hereafter  be  conducted,  viz. : 

"i.  Each  Synod  shall  receive  the  Delegates  from  the  sister 
Church  in  a  brotherly  and  affectionate  manner,  and  provide  them 
suitable  accommodations  during  the  session  of  Synod. 

"2.  The  Delegates  shall  produce  their  credentials  at  an  early  part 
of  the  session,  and  shall  then  be  invited  to  take  their  seats  as  advisory 


584  DIGEST  OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

members:  that  is,  they  shall  have  the  right  to  express  their  opin- 
ions on  all  subjects  which  relate  to  the  general  interest  of  the 
Churches,  or  to  the  promotion  of  religion,  but  shall  not  vote  on  any 
question  before  the  Synod."     1814,  22,  23. 

In  1815,  the  inconvenience  of  exchanging  delegates,  on  account 
of  distance,  was  recognized  by  both  Churches,  and  it  was  resolved 
to  exchange  Synodical  Minutes,  1815,  21. — Expressions  of  the  im- 
portance of  keeping  up  friendly  intercourse  were  made,  and  the 
Dutch  Church  continued  to  appoint  delegates,  1816,  17,  18;  1817,  15; 
Oct.,  1817,  8,  9.  Propositions  were  made  by  the  Germans  about 
forming  a  connection  with  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  but  Rev. 
Helffenstein,  their  delegate,  was  prevented  from  appearing. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  are  disposed  to  unite  with  the  German 
Reformed  Synod  in  the  United  States,  in  any  measures  which  will 
have  a  tendency  to  strengthen  each  other's  hands,  and  to  promote 
the  interests  of  their  respective  Churches. 

Resolved,  That  Revs.  Peter  Labagh  and  Jac.  I.  Schultz  as  primarii,, 
and  Revs.  Jac.  Schoonmaker  and  Jas.  S.  Cannon,  as  secundi,  be  the 
corresponding  members  to  attend  the  next  meeting  of  the  Synod 
of  the  Ger.  Ref.  Ch.;  and  that  they  be  and  are  hereby  authorized  to 
receive  any  proposals  of  that  Synod  in  relation  to  the  object  re- 
ferred to  in  the  third  article  of  the  fifth  session  on  their  minutes 
of  last  year,  and  that  the  committee  be  hereby  empowered  to  digest 
and  mature  a  plan  for  that  object  with  a  similar  committee  on  the 
part  of  the  Gen.  Synod,  to  be  subject  to  the  ratification  of  both 
Synods.     1818,  15,  16. 

In  1819,  Dr.  Livingston  wrote  an  elaborate  address  to  the  Ger- 
man churches,  which  was  published,  inviting  them  to  share  in  the 
benefits  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary. — In  1820,  the  Dutch  Synod 
directed  their  delegates  to  confer  with  any  committee  of  the  Ger- 
man Synod  on  the  subject  of  union,  1820,  54;  but  no  German  Com- 
mittee seems  to  have  been  appointed.  Delegates  continued  to  go 
back  and  forth  with  considerable  regularity  for  the  next  twenty 
years,  always  making  pleasant  reports.  But  in  1842,  Drs.  Berg  and 
Heiner  made  propositions  for  closer  union  of  the  two  Churches.  A 
committee  reported  that  it  could  no  longer  be  considered  premature 
to  enter  upon  preliminary  measures,  looking  to  such  a  result,  1842,  72. 

Committees  of  conference  were  accordingly  appointed,  which 
met  in  Philadelphia  in  March,  1843.  An  elaborate  plan  of  co-opera- 
tion was  drawn  up,  consisting  of  five  articles.  These  articles  pro- 
posed, not  immediate  organic  union,  but  co-operation;  that  the  East- 
ern Synod  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Ohio  Synod,  (both  of  the  Ger- 
man Church),  and  the  Dutch  General  Synod,  should  appoint  thirty- 
six  delegates  in  all,  who  should  meet  in  a  Triennial  Convention.  One- 
third  of  the  number  should  be  of  the  Dutch  Church,  and  two-thirds 
of  the  German  Church.  Their  powers  were  to  be  simply  advisory. 
New  congregations  which  might  be  formed  could  attach  themselves 
to  either  body.  The  Dutch  Church  also  provided  to  urge  some  of 
their  young  men  to  seek  settlements  in  destitute  German  fields.  1843, 
179-181.     The  Plan  was  submitted  to  the  Classes,  and  adopted,  eight 

to  five;  1844,  309-  ,  ,        ,  •       o        ^        t^  , 

The  Plan  was  heartily  approved  by  the  respective  Synods.  Dele- 
gates were  appointed,  and  the  famous  Harrisburgh  Convention  met 
in  August.  1844.— 1844,  310,  314- 

Ihe  Harrisburgh  Convention. 
"Committees  were  appointed  at   this   Convention   to  prepare  and 
propose  to  the  Convention   such   facts   respecting  the   conditions  and 
wants   and   prospects   of   the   respective    Churches   as    might   properly 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       585 

claim  the  attention  of  that  Body.  These  Committees  furnished  de- 
tailed statements  of  the  spiritual  and  temporal  condition  of  each 
of  the  denominations,  including  a  view  of  the  benevolent  and  edu- 
cational institutions  maintained  by  each." 

"In  addition,  the  Convention  resolved  itself  into  an  interlocutory 
meeting,  in  which  a  free  interchange  of  sentiments,  and  mutual  in- 
quiries were  had  with  respect  to  the  subjects  embraced  in  these  re- 
ports. The  Convention  then  appointed  a  committee  of  seven  of  its 
members  to  introduce  such  proposals  as  might  seem  necessary  in 
view  of  the  facts  which  had  been  gathered  by  the  above  means  of 
information." 

The  following  points  were  presented,  which  are  given  in  brief: 

1.  The  licentiates  of  either  of  the  theological  schools  of  the  three 
denominations  should  be  considered  as  candidates  in  either  Church. 
Each  seminary  must  send  to  the  Faculty  of  the  other  seminaries 
lists  of  its  recent  graduates. 

2.  A  correspondence  must  be  kept  up  among  the  several  insti- 
tutions of  the  respective  Churches,  by  the  students,  to  cultivate  af- 
fection, and  awaken  a  mutual  interest  in  the  rising  ministry  of  the 
respective  Bodies. 

3.  That  the  system  of  instruction  in  the  several  Seminaries, 
should  be  as  nearly  alike  as  possible.  The  same  text-books  in  di- 
dactic theology  should  be  used. 

4.  The  Liturgies  should  be  conformed  to  each  other  as  nearly 
as  possible. 

5.  The  Domestic  Missionary  operations  should  be  blended  to- 
gether as  much  as  possible. 

The  Convention  itself  immediately  adopted  the  Plan  proposed. 
It  was  also  agreed  that  a  Dutch  minister  should  preach  a  sermon 
at  the  opening  of  the  next  Convention,  which  was  to  be  held  at  Read- 
ing in  1847.     .     .     .     1845,  424-430. 

The  next  German  Synod,  held  in  October,  1844,  adopted  the 
Plan  proposed  by  the  Convention,  except  that  part  which  proposed 
the  use  of  the  same  text-books,  in  didactic  theology,  in  all  the  semi- 
naries. In  June,  1845,  the  Dutch  General  Synod  approved  the  Plan, 
with  the  same  exception. 

The  highest  hopes  of  success  regarding  this  scheme,  looking  to 
speedy  union,  were  indulged  by  all  parties.  The  Dutch  Church  at 
once  appropriated  $1,000  for  expenditure  on  the  German  Domes- 
tic field,  with  a  promise  to  make  special  efforts  to  raise  additional 
sums.     1845,  430. 

But  in  1846,  63,  64,  the  Classis  of  Bergen  suggested  the  desir- 
ableness and  expediency  of  dissolving  the  connection  recently  formed 
between  the  German  and  Dutch  Churches.  The  Church  hesitated  to 
do  this,  but  appointed  a  Committee  to  confer  with  a  Committee  from 
the  German  Church,  should  such  be  appointed,  respecting  Professor 
Nevins'  views  on  certain  points,  and  to  report  to  the  next  Synod, 
1846,  30-32.  The  German  Church  appointed  no  Committee  of  Con- 
ference; but  suggested  that  the  subject,  being  one  of  doctrine,  be- 
longed to  the  Triennial  Convention,  1847,  129-132;  the  Dutch  Synod 
of  1847  endorsed  this  view,  (1847,  137);  but  the  mam  pomt  was,  re- 
specting the  continuance  of  the  Triennial  Convention.  The  design 
of  the  Convention  was  to  effect  a  closer  union  of  the  two  Churches. 
Reference  was  made  to  the  Plan  of  1844.  But  since  then,  certain 
publications  have  shown  no  small  degree  of  diversity  of  opinion.  Un- 
less these  can  be  removed,  co-operation  will  be  impossible.  The 
following  was  therefore  proposed: 

That  the  delegates  to  the  Triennial  Convention  present  the  doc- 


586         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

trinal  difficulties  involved,  and  unless  these  can  be  relieved,  they  be 
authorized  to  agree  to  a  dissolution  of  said  Convention,"  1847,  137- 
140.  Names  of  Delegates  to  Triennial  Convention,  1847,  141-2.  The 
Minutes  of  the  Triennial  Convention  were  submitted  to  the  Synod, 
in  which  the  vote  of  the  Dutch  delegation  was  recorded  for  discon- 
tinuance of  the  Convention.  This  was  ratified  by  Synod,  1848,  232-3. 
The  correspondence  by  delegates  continued.  [This  Triennial  Con- 
vention developed  into  the  Triennial  General  Synod  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  Church.] 

The  reports  of  the  Dutch  delegates  thereafter  always  spoke  in 
the   highest   terms   of  the  acts   of  the    German   Synods;    but  when   in 

1851,  the  Professors  in  the  Mercersburg  Seminary  offered  their  res- 
ignations because  of  the  criticism  of  their  views,  and  the  German 
Synod  refused  to  accept  their  resignations  by  an  almost  unanimous 
vote,  notwithstanding  their  alleged  Romanizing  tendencies,  the 
Synod  resolved  to  send  but  one   delegate  thereafter  to   that   Synod, 

1852,  226-8.  Certain  misunderstandings  then  arose,  and  after  a  lengthy 
report,  in  which  the  dangerous  tendencies  of  the  Mercersburg  The- 
ology were  reviewed,  Synod  entered  its  protest  against  the  same, 
and  suspended  the  Correspondence  between  the  two  Churches,  1853, 
315-319-     The  following  is  the  final  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  do  hereby  express,  in  the  most  decided  and 
unequivocal  manner,  their  protest  against  all  those  sentiments  of  a  Ro- 
manizing character  and  tendency  which  are  techincally  known  as  the 
"Mercersberg  Theology,"  as  being  essential  departures  from  the  faith, 
as  calculated  to  lead  yet  farther  astray  from  the  old  landmarks  of  truth,, 
and  to  undermine  the  great  principles  of  the  Reformation  from   Popery. 

1853,  319- 

Correspondence  was  suspended  between  the  Dutch  and  German 
Church,  1853-63. 

[In  the  meantime,  the  Classis  of  North  Carolina,  of  the  Refd.  Ger- 
man Church,  asked  to  be  taken  into  the  fold  of  the  Dutch  Church,  for  the 
same  reasons  for  which  the  Dutch  Church  had  suspended  correspondence; 
but  their  request  was  denied  on  account  of  slavery  among  their  church 
members.  In  1852,  also.  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  F.  Berg  left  the  German  Ch.  and 
joined  the  Dutch  Church,  because  of  doctrinal  tendencies  of  G.  R.  C. 
See  his  sermons,  "Jehovah  Nissi,"  or  "Farewell  Words;"  and  "Vindica- 
tion of  Farewell  Words,"  1852 ;  North  Carolina  Classis ;  Mercersberg 
Theology.] 

In  1863,  Synod  resolved  to  reopen  Correspondence  with  the  Refd. 
German  Church.  It  had  been  terminated  in  1853,  not  without  earnest 
protests.  Rev.  Dr.  G.  H.  Mandeville  and  Rev.  E.  W.  Collier  were  ap- 
pointed delegates,  1863,  275-7.  The  German  Church  cordially  responded  to 
the  overture,  1864,  421,  423-4,  and  invited  the  Dutch  Church  to  send  a 
delegate  to  their  Triennial  Convention  in  1866.  This  was  done,  1866,. 
40,  43- 

In  1870,  correspondence  was  also  opened  with  the  Western  Synod 
of  R.  C.  in  U.  S.,  1870,  49,  52,  53.  In  1871  overtures  were  received  from 
the  Synod  of  Ohio,  the  Northwestern  Synod,  and  again  from  the  Classis 
of  North  Carolina,  all  of  the  German  Church,  for  Union ;  and  Commit- 
tees were  appointed  to  visit  the  Ohio  Synod,  and  to  correspond  with  the 
Classis  of  North  Carolina,  1871,  222-3;  the  Committee  sent  to  the  Ohio 
Synod  reported ;  said  union  was  considered  very  desirable,  and  would 
be  considered  by  the  German  Gen.  Synod  soon  to  meet;  1872,  437,  439, 
440 ;  and  the  report  of  the  Committee  to  correspond  with  Classis  of 
N.  C.  found  that  it  was  an  integral  part  of  German  Ch.,  and  no  steps  could 
be  taken  directly  with  it,  but  the  matter  was  already  before  the  Synod, 
1872,   438.     These    and    other    movements    led   to    the    appointment    of   a 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       587 

General  Committee  of  Conference  of  Churches  of  the  Presbyterian  Fam- 
ily, in  1873,  673-7.     See  Federation  of  Churches. 

A  special  Conference  was  held  with  the  committees  of  the  German 
Synods  in  Nov.,  1874,  in  Philadelphia,  in  which  there  was  a  free  inter- 
change of  opinion  concerning  the  doctrines  and  usages  of  the  two  Bodies. 
The  matter  of  Confirmation  in  the  German  Church  was  discussed,  as 
well  as  the  observance  of  Festal  Religious  Days;  but  these  things  did  not 
present  insuperable  difficulties.  Matters  of  Liturgy  could  also  be  ar- 
ranged. But  while  each  accepted  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  it  was  found 
that  one  or  the  other  would  have  to  make  a  considerable  change  in  refer- 
ence to  the  Belgic  Confession  and  the  Canons  of  Dort.  Neither  Com- 
mittee felt  like  recommending  such  change  to  its  Synod,  1875,  252-5. 
No  further  effort  for  union  was  made  until  1886. 

In  1886  the  Classes  of  Philadelphia  and  Monmouth  overtured  the 
Synod  on  the  subject  of  Union  with  the  German  Church.  Subject  is 
briefly  discussed,  and  a  Committee  appointed  to  confer  with  similar  Com- 
mittee of  the  other  Church.  Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor  was  Chairman. 
1886,  126-7. 

Report :  Triennial  Synod  of  R.  C  of  U.  S.  only  now  in  session ;  hence 
no  conference  yet;  but  the  subject  has  been  under  discussion,  and  earlier 
relations  and  efforts  considered  and  reviewed ;  strong  desire  for  Organic 
Union ;  but  neither  Body  yet  ready  for  it ;  a  closer  union,  very  desirable — 
some  sort  of  Federal  Alliance  centering  in  a  General  Council,  with 
united  efforts  for  practical  work  in  Home  and  Foreign  Missions.  Several 
plans  proposed.  Other  Bodies  might  also  co-operate.  Personal  and 
social  intercourse  desirable,  by  means  of  Conferences  to  discuss  matters ; 
by  exchange  of  pulpits,  by  a  generous  use  of  the  religious  press.  Com- 
mittee continued.     1887,  363-5. 

Report  in  1888 :  Conference  of  Committees  in  Dec,  1887.  Matter 
fully  discussed  from  all  sides.  Desirability  of  union  was  unanimous ; 
the  method  of  effecting  it  difficult  to  formulate.  But  a  General  Confer- 
ence called,  which  met  in  Philadelphia  in  April,  1888.  Many  papers 
read,  and  since  printed,  and  submitted  as  part  of  this  Report.  [See 
"Conference  on  Union  between  Refd.  Ch.  in  America  and  the  Refd.  Ch. 
in  U.  S.,  April  3  and  4,  1888;  8vo.  pp.  143.]  This  Conference  passed  the 
following  resolutions : 

1.  This  Conference  commends  and  endorses  the  action  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  two  General  Synods  in  convening  ministers  and  laymen 
of  the  two  denominations  at  this  time  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the 
main  question  in  its  manifold  bearings  upon  each  body,  and  the  general 
interests  of  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  The  selection  of  topics  of  discussion  covers  the  principal  points 
requiring  consideration.  The  general  tenor  of  the  papers  on  both  sides 
of  the  issue  and  the  spirit  of  good  will  and  mutual  confidence  and  of 
fidelity  to  Reformed  doctrine  commands  our  full  approval. 

3.  In  the  judgment  of  this  Conference,  a  closer  union  between  these 
two  bodies,  the  only  ecclesiastical  organizations  of  the  Reformed  Church 
of  continental  origin  in  America,  is  desirable;  at  this  junction  of  the  re- 
ligious issues  of  our  land  specially  important;  and,  if  the  object  be  pur- 
sued in  Christian  wisdom  and  love,  undoubtedly  practicable.  Beside§, 
there  is  a  good  reason  for  the  opinion  that  if  judicious  efforts  in  behalf 
of  a  closer  union  be  continued  by  the  two  Committees  present,  obstacles 
will  gradually  disappear,  and  the  end,  in  a  form  just  and  acceptable  ta 
both  branches,  may  without  much  delay  be  attained. 

4.  It  is  recommended  to  the  ministers  of  the  two  organizations  to  in- 
form themselves  more  fully  on  the  history  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
Europe  and  in  this  country,  particularly  in  its  bearings  on  the  purpose 
of    the    present    movement,    and    as    occasion    may    arise    to    promote    by 


588         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

preaching  and  otherwise  among  all  our  congregations  better  knowledge 
on  the  Christian  propriety  and  practical  worth  of  the  proposed  union. 

5.  In  our  opinion  it  is  important  for  many  reasons  and  eminently 
proper  that  the  valuable  papers  read  during  these  sessions  be  published 
in  book  form,  in  fair  type  and  good  style,  for  general  circulation;  and 
therefore  we  advise  the  two  Committees  to  take  the  matter  in  hand 
and  carry  out  this  suggestion  according  to  their  own  judgment  in  the 
premises.     (1889,  618,  619.) 

The  Conference  received  general  approval.  The  Triennial  Synod  of 
the  R.  C.  of  U.  S.  does  not  meet  again  until  1890,  giving  time  for  full 
consideration  of  the  matter.  Only  progress  reported.  1888,  617-620. 
[See  also  Rev.  Dr.  James  I.  Good's  Paper  on  "Union  of  the  Dutch  and 
German  Refd.  Chs.,"  adopted  by  the  Refd.  Ministerial  Association  of 
Philadelphia,  about   this   time.] 

The  following  is  the  Programme  of  the  Conference,  April,   1888: 
tuesday,  april  3d. 
First  Reformed  Church,  Tenth  and  Wallace  Streets. 
3  P.M. — Introductory  Exercises.     Opening  Address  by  Rev.   Pres.  T. 
G.  Apple,   D.D.,  Lancaster,   Pa.     Chairman  of  the  Joint 
Committee  on  Union. 
Organization    of    the    Conference.     Presiding    Officer,    Rev. 
Pres.  Charles  Scott,  D.D.,  Holland,  Mich. 
3.45  P.M. — "The     Historical     and     Doctrinal     Relations     of     the     Two 
Churches  " 
Rev.  E.  T.   Corwin,   D.D.,   Millstone,   N.  J.,  and   Rev.    Prof. 
J.  H.  Dubbs,  D.D.,  Lancaster,  Pa. 
4.45  P.M. — "The  Canons  of  Dort." 

Rev.  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  D.D.,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 
5.15  P.M. — Prayer  and  Conference  Meeting. 

Topic,  "Christ's  Prayer  for  Unity." 
6  P.M. — Social   Reception. 
8  P.M. — Devotional  Exercises. 

Presiding  Officer,  Rev.  Pres.  J.  H.  A.  Bomberger,  D.D.,  Col- 
legeville,  Pa. 
8.15  P.M. — "The  Present  Condition  of  the  Two  Denominations. 

Rev.  David  Van  Home,  D.D.,  Philadelphia. 
8.45  P.M. — "Church  Union  for  the  Evangelization  of  the  World." 
Rev.  Edward  B.  Coe,  D.D.,  New  York. 

wednesday,  april  4th. 
Second  Reformed  Church,  Seventh  and  Brown  Streets. 
Presiding  Officer,  Rev.  B.  Bausman,  D.D.,  Reading,  Pa. 
10  A.M. — Prayer  and  Conference  Meeting. 
10.30  A.M. — "The  Obstacles  to  Union,  and  Methods  of  Overcoming  Them." 
Rev.   Prof.   W.   V.   V.   Mabon,   D.D.,   New  Brunswick,   N.  J., 
and  Rev.  Pres.  G.  W.  Williard,  D.D.,  Tiffin,  O. 
11.30  A.M. — Discussion. 
12.30  P.M. — Lunch. 

2  P.M. — Devotional    Exercises.     Presiding    Officer,    Hon.    Henry    W. 
Bookstaver,  New  York  City. 
2.15  P.M. — "The  Advantages  of  Union." 

Rev.  Conrad  Clever,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  Rev.   Peter  Moer- 
dyke.  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 
3.15  P.M. — Discussion. 


REFORMED   CHURCH    OF  U    S.  (GERMAN)       589 

4.15  P.M. — Closing  Exercises. 

8  P.M. — A  German  Meeting  will  be  held  in  Salem  Reformed  Church, 
Fourth  and  Fairmount  Ave.  Addresses  will  be  deliv- 
ered by  Rev.  J.  H.  Oerter,  D.D.,  New  York  City,  and 
Rev.  Marcus  Bachman,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  Rev.  Nicholas 
Gehr,  D.D.,  Philadelphia,  will  preside. 
Jas.  I.  Good, 
W.  J.  R.  Taylor,      Committee. 

J.    S.    KlEFFER, 

Report  in  1889: — Two  informal  Conferences  have  been  held  in 
New  York,  which  developed  views  for  and  against  union.  Mate- 
rials for  study  of  the  question  in  the  Papers  published,  of  the  Con- 
ference in  Philadelphia  in  1888.  Conclusions  founded  on  personal 
prejudices,  local  circumstances,  narrow  surroundings,  and  selfish  sat- 
isfaction with  one's  own  ecclesiastical  conditions — to  be  deprecated. 
The  subject  large,  solemn,  vital.  There  is  a  reasonable  basis  for  a 
Federal  Union  for  practical  work;  such  a  union  can  be  made  with- 
out any  sacrifice  of  principles  or  polity ;  both  have  the  same  name, 
doctrine,  polity,  liturgy;  in  Foreign  Missions  already  united;  do 
not  overlap  each  other's  territory  to  any  extent,  in  America;  the 
only  question — Can  better  work  be  done  for  Christ  by  such  federa- 
tion?    Such  federation  is  in  the  air.     1889,  843-5. 

Report  in  1890: — Conference  of  the  Committees  of  the  two 
Churches;  had  agreed  on  a  Report  to  their  respective  Synods;  (1890, 
124): 

The  report  of  the  joint  Committee  is  as  follows : 

REPORT  OF  THE  JOINT  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  UNION   OF  THE   "REFORMED  CHURCH 
IN  AMERICA"  AND  THE  "REFORMED  CHURCH   IN  THE   UNITED   STATES." 

The  Committees  on  the  Union  of  the  two  Reformed  Churches 
of  this  country  met  in  joint  session  in  New  York,  December  20,  1887. 
The  Committees  devoted  several  sessions  to  the  discussion  of  the 
subject  committed  to  them,  and  finally  adjourned  to  hold  another 
meeting  in  Philadelphia.  It  was  arranged  that  in  connection  with 
this  meeting,  a  general  convention  of  ministers  and  elders  of  both 
Churches  should  be  called  with  a  view  of  promoting  a  better  ac- 
quaintance between  the  two  Churches,  and  also  in  order  to  bring 
together  some  of  the  leading  minds  of  the  two  Churches,  in  the 
presentation  of  papers  bearing  on  the  subject  of  union.  This  con- 
vention was  accordingly  held  in  Philadelphia  on  the  3d  and  4th  of 
April,  1888.  There  were  present  thirty-eight  ministers  and  six  lay- 
men from  the  Reformed  Church  of  America,  and  eighty-two  min- 
isters and  twenty-two  laymen  from  the  Reforemd  Church  in  the 
United  States. 

We  present  herewith  the  published  report  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  Philadelphia  convention  as  a  part  of  this  report. 

The  Committee  held  another  meeting  in  New  York,  April  22,  1890. 

After  considering  the  subject  in  all  its  bearings,  the  Commit- 
tee finally  concluded  to  recommend  what  may  be  designated  a  federal 
UNION  of  our  two  Reformed  Churches  in  a  new  judicatory,  com- 
posed of  delegates  from  each  of  the  Churches,  and  clothed  with  such 
powers  as  might  be  designated  in  the  act  of  union.  This  supreme 
judicatory  should  be  so  constituted  as  to  give  due  representation, 
but  not  undue  predominance,  to  either  of  the  heretofore  separate 
denominations,  should  have  ultimate  authority  in  matters  pertain- 
ing to  the  establishment  of  new  Missions,  Domestic  and  Foreign, 
the  establishment  of  new  educational  institutions  of  the  superior 
grades,  and  the  several  interests  of  religious  publications,  but  not  to 


590         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

interfere  authoritatively  with  existing  Missions,  educational  institu- 
tions or  publications  until,  or  unless,  freely  committed  to  it  by  those 
under  whose  control  they  now  exist.  It  might  have  power  to  advise 
as  to  combinations  and  other  modifications  of  existing  Missions  or 
educational  institutions,  etc.,  and  further  might  consider,  advise  and 
recommend  in  whatever  matter  it  might  judge  to  be  for  the  welfare 
and  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom;  but  should  exercise 
authority  only  in  matters  expressly  committed  to  it  by  the  constitu- 
tion by  which  it  would  be  created,  or  freely  surrendered  to  it  by  the 
constituent  denominations  in  the  union. 

Such  a  federal  organic  union  would  leave  room  for  and  perhaps 
invite  to  membership  in  it,  other  Presbyterial  Reformed  Churches 
now  one  with  us  in  faith  and  order,  thus  looking  forward  to  one  Na- 
tional and  perhaps  International  Reformed  Church,  including  all  of 
like  faith  and  order. 

If  this  suggestion  and  general  plan  are  adopted  by  both  General 
Synods,  it  will  be  necessary,  of  course,  to  appoint,  each  one,  a  com- 
mission to  elaborate  and  prepare  it  for  presentation  to  the  two 
churches  as  soon  as  may  be  practicable. 

Respectfully    submitted, 
Ref.  Ch.  in  America,  Ref.  Ch.  in  U.  S. 

William  J.   R.  Taylor,  Thos.   G.  Apple, 

John  A.  DeBaun,  Geo.   W.   Williard, 

Joachim   Elmendorf,  H.   J.   Ruetenik, 

Charles  Scott,  J,   S.  Kieflfer, 

John  DeMott,  Elder;  Jas.  I.  Good. 

Peter  S.  Danforth,  Elder; 
Henry  W.  Bookstaver,  Elder.  1890,   125-6. 

Continuation  of  Report  of  Committee  of  R.  C.  A.     1890,  ♦126-132. 

In  their  own  action  upon  this  question  your  Committee  have  been 
governed  mainly  by  the  facts  and  arguments  for  Union  which  are 
set  forth  in  the  printed  volume  of  Proceedings  of  the  Conference 
held  in  Philadelphia,  1888.  More  extended  study  of  the  whole  sub- 
ject has  convinced  us  that  if  a  happy  Federal  Union  were  formed  un- 
der a  constitution  somewhat  like  the  Union  of  the  States  with  the 
general  government  of  the  United  States,  it  would  promote  the  vital 
interest  of  the  contracting  parties,  strengthen  the  bonds  of  the  Re- 
formed Churches  in  our  land,  and  lead  to  still  greater  unions  of 
churches  holding  the  same  essential  faith  and  polity,  and  called 
to  the  same  aggressive  and  widening  Christ-like  work. 

As  between  our  two  Reformed  Churches  the  case  is  this — We 
have  many  things  in  common,  the  same  venerable  name,  the  same 
Heidelberg  Cathechism,  the  same  system  of  Church  government, 
the  same  sacraments,  and  largely  the  same  liturgical  offices.  We  have 
the  same  birthright  of  New  Testament  privileges  and  honors  coming 
to  us  lineally  through  the  struggles  and  triumphs  and  legacies  of 
the  Reformation.  For  eighty  years  our  Church  was  the  foster-mother 
of  this  child-church  which  has  outgrown  her.  Our  territorial  divi- 
sion is  almost  on  parallel  lines  of  latitude;  our  Synods  and  Classes 
only  touch  each  other  without  colliding;  we  are  already  practically 
united  in  our  Missions  in  Japan;  we  are  actually  united  in  the  Al- 
liance of  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  system.  We 
represent  "the  common  faith"  to  the  myriads  of  immigrants  who  have 
come  and  are  coming  from  mother  lands.  If  united  we  would  have 
peculiar  facilities  and  opportunities  for  Home  Missionary  work,  reach- 
ing out  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  coast.  Our  jointure  would 
give  us  the  weight  and  prestige,  the  power  and  possibilities  of  a  very 
large    national    communion    in    the    march    of    Christianity   across    the 


REFORMED  CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)        59^ 

continent.  We  would  thus  make  a  practical  and  exemplary  mani- 
festation of  living,  realistic  Christian  and  Church  Unity,  removing 
old  barriers,  lengthening  our  cords,  strengthening  our  stakes,  and 
presenting  a  solid  front  against  the  combined  forces  of  the  "Ene- 
mies of  the  Cross  of  Christ."  We  would  then  move  forward  w4th 
richer  experience,  larger  resources,  higher  aims  and  mightier  mo- 
tive power  to  accomplish  our  Mission  as  an  United  and  Reformed 
Church,  to  bring  the  world  to  Christ. 

These  arguments  are  the  more  urgent  in  view  of  the  contem- 
poraneous movements  towards  organized  Christian  and  Church 
Union  which  characterize  these  latter  days.  Great  ecclesiastical  com- 
munions, differing  as  widely  as  the  Church  of  England  and  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  this  country,  have  stretched  out  their 
hands,  lamely  it  may  be,  but  really  indeed,  towards  their  brethren 
of  Presbyterian,  Congregational  and  Reformed  Churches,  feeling 
after  some  common  ground  of  practical  fellowship  in  faith  and  prac- 
tice. But  none  of  these  denominations  are  so  near  to  each  other 
as  these  two  Reformed  Churches  are  to-day;  and  therefore  none  are 
more  "in  bonds  for  Christ's  sake''  to  put  away  their  differences  and 
become  one  body  in  Him  who  is  our  Head. 

For  these  reasons  we  believe  that  a  Plan  of  Union  can  be  pre- 
pared, if  so  authorized  by  this  Synod,  which  will  sacrifice  no  princi- 
ples of  the  truth  which  we  have  received  of  the  Lord  through  our 
forefathers,  and  which  will  not  involve  the  least  invasion  of  trust 
funds,  corporate  rights  and  institutional  interests.  It  would  be  a 
Federal  Union,  not  fusion,  not  absorption,  not  loss  of  our  ecclesias- 
tical identity.  It  would  leave  each  Church  to  follow  its  own  his- 
torical precedents,  subject  only  to  such  powers  as  may  be  mutually 
conceded  for  the  common  welfare  of  the  United  Church  under  its 
organic  constitutional  law. 

This  idea  of  Federal  Union  is  not  original  with  the  illustrious 
framers  of  our  National  Constitution.  It  dates  far  back  of  them  to 
John  Calvin  and  the  representative  system  of  Church  and  Civil  gov- 
ernment, which  he  found  in  the  New  Testament  Scriptures  and 
in  the  structure  of  the  primitive  Apostolic  Christian  Church. 
It  is  immanent  in  the  entire  Presbyterial  organization  and  move- 
ment of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Christendom.  The  Presbytery 
or  Classis  is  the  Federal  Union  of  individual  churches.  The  Dis 
trict  or  Particular  Synod  is  the  Federal  Union  of  the  individual 
Classes  or  Presbyteries.  The  General  Synod  or  the  General  Assem- 
bly is  the  Federal  Union  of  the  individual  Synods.  A  Federal  Union 
of  General  Synods  or  Assemblies  would  be  the  natural  development 
and  highest  exponent  of  the  system,  and  the  next  grand  upward  movement 
for  the  unification  of  hitherto  separated,  yet  affiliated  denominations, 
like  our  own. 

The  problems  and  difficulties  attending  the  formation  of  such  an 
union  have  been  carefully  discussed  by  the  joint  Committees.  We 
believe  that  they  can  be  solved  satisfactorily  by  candor,  patience  and 
a  generous  and  just  consideration  and  adjustment  of  the  rights,  privi- 
leges and  liberties  which  are  essential  to  a  lasting  and  growing  union. 
And  these  will  be  best  promoted  by  personal  and  official  brotherly 
intercourse,  and  by  that  fellowship  in  the  service  of  Christ  and  His 
Church,  of  which  your  Committee  have  had  a  foretaste  in  these  last 
three  years  of  conference  with  their  brethren  of  the  sister  Church. 
But  should  these  efforts  fail,  we  fear  it  may  be  for  a  long  time  hence, 
if  not  until  the  millenial  sun  shall  streak  the  Eastern  sky. 

The  times  are  propitious.  We  are  not  troubled  with  the  con- 
troversies that  are  agitating  other  evangelical  churches.  We  may 
be  gainers  by  them  if  we  present  a  united  front  to  the  country  with 
our  three  great  and  blessed  scriptural  symbols  of  doctrine,  each  one 


592         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

interpreting  the  others,  and  leaving  room  for  Christian  liherty  in 
the  exposition  of  these  sacred  heirlooms  of  the  dogmatic,  experi- 
mental and  practical  theology  of  the  Reformed  Churches. 

Our  democratic  republican  system  of  church  government,  har- 
monizing so  nearly  with  that  of  the  nation,  the  states  and  local  com- 
munities in  city  and  country,  is  both  popular  and  scriptural;  and  this 
also  tends  to  federal  union,  as  we  have  shown. 

But  another  very  important  aspect  of  this  subject  appeals  ur- 
gently to  our  own  branch  of  the  Church.  Our  growth  for  the  last 
thirty  years  has  been  mostly  in  the  West.  What  we  have  gained 
in  new  enterprises  at  the  East  has  been  sadly  offset  by  the  absolute 
loss  or  the  decadence  and  the  transfer  of  churches  that  were  once 
large  and  flourishing,  and  among  the  strongest  of  our  communion. 
This  is  especially  true  of  the  great  cities  and  of  some  of  the  sub- 
urbs, where  the  population  is  continually  changing  and  whence  the 
old  and  stately  pillars  have  oassed  away,  many  of  them  with  the 
edifices  in  which  they  w-orshipped  the  Lord.  These  facts  have  led 
some  of  our  ministers  and  members  to  doubt  the  long  continuance 
of  our  separate  denominational  life.  Others  who  do  not  share  these 
forebodings,  fully  realize  the  difficulty  of  holding  our  own  and  go- 
ing forward  v^here  we  have  no  ancestral  ties  and  denominational  ral- 
lying points.  The  remedy  lies  not  in  narrowing  our  spirit,  minis- 
tries and  work  dowm  to  sectarian  littleness;  not  in  dragging  wearily 
along  the  years,  carrying  burdens  that  are  too  heavy  for  us;  not  in 
straining  our  little  strength  to  do  the  impracticable  and  the  impos- 
sible. Much  less  can  we  live  a  noble  church  life  in  this  progressive 
period  by  sounding  the  praises  of  our  ancestors  and  glorifying  while 
we  do  not  imitate  their  heroic  faith  and  mighty  works. 

But  here  is  "an  open  and  effectual  door  of  entrance"  upon  a 
new  career  of  increasing  activity  and  usefulness.  There  will  be  one 
denomination  less  and  one  greater  Church.  Each  branc+i  of  it  will 
feel  the  inspiration  of  the  one  mission  that  both  must  fulfill.  Preju- 
dices wane  and  vanish  in  the  sweetness  and  light  of  holy  fellowship ; 
"And  the  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all  understanding"  (and  mis- 
understanding also),  will  keep  our  minds  and  hearts  in  the  love  and 
power  of  the  everlasting  Gospel. 

We  should  have  no  more  fear  of  being  Germanized  by  such  an 
union  than  we  have  of  being  Hollandized  by  the  increasing  immi- 
gration from  the  Netherlands.  The  English  Synods  of  our  sister 
Church  had  in  t888,  1,156  congregations,  and  the  German  Synod  only 
312.  The  English  Synods  reported  135,456  members,  and  the  Ger- 
man Synods  41,481  members.  In  our  own  denomination  at  the  same 
time  there  were  between  90  and  100  Dutch  Reformed  Churches  hold- 
ing their  services  in  the  Hollandish  language,  and  from  forty  to  fifty 
in  the  German.  About  400  only,  about  one-half,  of  the  ministers  in 
the  Reformed  Church  of  the  United  States  can  use  the  German  lan- 
guage. These  facts  indicate  the  proportions  of  the  foreign  elements 
in  the  two  Churches.  Both  of  them  have  dropped  their  former  Euro- 
pean names  from  their  corporate  styles  and  titles.  Our  brethren 
tell  us  that  their  German  constituency  is  being  rapidly  Americanized. 
Both  Churches  owe  an  ever-growing  debt  to  the  Germans  and  Hol- 
landers who  are  already  here,  and  to  those  who  are  flocking  to  our 
shores.  Not  only  do  they  open  great  fields  for  home  evangeliza- 
tion, but  they  bring  with  them  the  human  material  out  of  which  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  will  add  to  his  ascension  gifts  a  new  and  long 
American  succession  of  "Apostles  and  Prophets,  Evangelists,  Pastors 
and  Teachers,  for  the  perfecting  of  the  Saints  unto  the  work  of  min- 
istering, unto  the  building  up  of  the  body  of  Christ,  till  we  all  at- 
tain unto  the  unity  of  the  faith  unto  a  full  grown  man  unto  the  meas- 
ure of  the  stature  of  Christ."     (Eph.  4:11-13).     What  grand  encour- 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       593 

agements  and  possibilities  does  such  an  union  offer — educational, 
ministerial,  evangelistic,  philanthropic,  patriotic,  ecclesiastical,  and  pre- 
eminently Christ-like — for  our  country,  and  for  the  world. 

The  Reformed  Church  in  America  thus  united  would  number, 
according  to  the  data  of  1888,  269,548  communicants,  407,870  baptized 
members,  2,028  churches,  1,315  ministers,  twenty  seats  of  learning 
with  their  various  institutions,  five  publishing  houses,  orphans'  homes 
and  sustentation  funds,  with  all  their  Home  and  Foreign  Missions, 
and  other  accompaniments  of  the  Lord's  work. 

To  test  the  sense  of  this  Synod  upon  this  subject  we  append  the 
following  resolutions : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  the  Union 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  be,  and  hereby  is,  approved. 

2.  Resolved,  That  this  report,  together  with  the  report  of  the  Joint 
Committee  included  therein,  and  the  printed  volume  of  Proceedings  of  the 
Conference  on  Union  between  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the 
Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  held  in  Philadelphia,  April  3d 
and  4th,  1888,  be  referred  to  a  Special  Commission  to  be  nominated  by 
the  President  of  this  Synod,  and  of  which  she  shall  be  a  member,  to  co- 
operate with  the  Commission  already  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  with  instructions  to  prepare 
and  to  present  to  the  next  General  Synod  a  Plan  of  Federal  Union,  in 
which  the  autonomy,  creed,  cultus  and  property  of  both  churches  shall 
be  kept  intact,  and  this  branch  of  the  Church  shall  have  ils  just  and  proper 
representation  in  the  government  of  the  United  Church. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Special  Commission  aforesaid  shall  consist  of 
sixteen  members,  of  whom  ten  shall  be  ministers  and  six  shall  be  elders, 
and  that,  so  far  as  practicable,  the  members  shall  be  properly  apportioned 
between  the  four  Particular  Synods  of  New  York,  Albany,  Chicago  and 
New  Brunswick. 

Having  so  finished  the  work  confided  to  them  three  years  ago,  to 
the  best  of  their  ability,  your  Committee  leave  it  for  the  decision  of  this 
General  Synod,  under  the  guidance  of  the  infinite  wisdom  and  love  of 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  R.  TAYLOR, 
JOHN  A.  DeBAUN, 
JOACHIM   ELMENDORF,  ' 

CHARLES   SCOTT, 
PETER  S.  DANFORTH, 
JOHN  DeMOTT, 
N  HENRY    W.    BOOKSTAVER 

1890,  124-132. 
Asbury  Park,  N.  J.,  June  3,  1890. 

Report  of  Com.  of  the  Ref.  Ch.  in  U.  S.  (German)  to  their  Gen. 
Synod: 

The  following  is  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States  presented  to  their  General  Synod,  together 
with  a  certificate  of  the  Stated  Clerk;  and  it  was  unanimously  and 
heartily  adopted: 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Union  of  the  two  Reformed 
Churches,  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  at  its  meeting  held  in  Akron,, 
O,  May,  1887. 

It  is  due  to  our  Committee  to  say  that  a  closer  union  was  desired  on 
their  part,  one  that  would  involve  only  one  General  Synod  in  place  of 
the  two  General  Synods  now  existing,  and  thus  to  form  really  one  de- 
nomination by  consolidating  the  two.  But  it  was  found  that  this  could 
not  be  accepted  by  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  mainly  on  account 
of  the  peculiar  character  of  their  General  Synod,  which  is  invested  with 


594         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

greater  powers  than  our  own.  We  have,  therefore,  joined  in  recommend- 
ing the  nearest  approach  to  such  union  that  seemed  practicable  under  the 
circumstances. 

It  remains  for  this  General  Synod  to  say  whether  it  will  approve  of 
this  recommendation  of  the  Joint  Committee.  If  this  is  done  it  will  be 
necessary  to  appoint  a  Commission  to  co-operate  with  a  similar  one  to 
be  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America 
at  its  approaching  meeting,  June  4,  at  Asbury  Park,  N.  J.,  in  case  it  also 
adopts  the  general  plan,  and  perhaps  also  to  make  some  provision  to  hold 
a  special  meeting  of  this  body  to  receive  the  report  of  the  Joint  Commis- 
sion. For  if  the  union  is  to  be  formed  it  should  be  done  as  soon  as 
practicable.-^ 

We,  therefore,  recommend  for  adoption  by  this  General  Synod  the 
following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  That  whilst  this  Synod  would  prefer  a  closer  organic  union, 
yet  inasmuch  as  this  seems  to  be  impracticable  at  the  present  time,  it 
hereby  approves  the  plan  of  Federal  Union. 

Resolved,  That  a  Commission  of  sixteen  be  appointed  by  this  Synod, 
to  co-operate  with  a  similar  Commission  to  be  appointed  by  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  at  its  approaching  meeting  at 
Asbury  Park,  N.  J.,  the  4th  of  June. 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  of  this  Synod  are  hereby  authorized  to 
call  a  special  meeting  of  this  body  at  such  place  as  may  be  selected,  at 
the  request  of  the  Commission,  when  their  work  shall  be  completed,  for 
the  purpose  of  acting  upon  their  report. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

THOMAS  G.  APPLE,  Chairman. 
1886,   132-3. 

This  Report  was  adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  German 
Church.     1886,  133. 

Rev.  Drs.  Jas.  I.  Good  and  H.  J.  Ruetenik  addressed  the  Synod  of 
R.  A.  C.,  warmly  advocating  the  union  of  the  two  Bodies.     1886,  133. 

The  following  is  the  Committee  appointed  by  this  Synod  to  meet  a 
similar  Committee  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States,  to  confer  on  the  plan  of  union  proposed  by  the  Joint 
Committee  of  the  two  Synods : 

COMMISSION    OF    SIXTEEN    ON    UNION    OF    THE    REFORMED    CHURCHES. 

Ministers  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Neiv  York — Rev.  J.  Romeyn 
Berry,  D.D.,  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.D.,  Rev.  J.  Elmendorf,  D.D.,  Rev. 
Edward  B.  Coe,  D.D. 

Ministers  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany — Rev.  J.  A.  DeBaun, 
D.D.,  Rev.  J.  B.  Drury,  D.D. 

Ministers  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago — Rev.  John  H.  Karsten, 
Rev.  Peter  Moerdyke,  D.D. 

Ministers  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick— Rev.  E.  T. 
Corwin,  D.D. 

At  Large— Rev.  D.  D.  Demarest,  D.D. 

Elders  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  York— J.  C.  Benham,  Garret 

Van  Nostrand.  „   ^    t^     r      .     xrr  ^    -k. 

Elders  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany— P.  S.  Danforth,  W.  L.  M. 
Phelps. 

Elder  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago— 1.  Cappon. 

Elder  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick— Garret  E.  Wmants. 

Resolved,  That  a  majority  of  the  Commissioners,  appointed  by  Synod 
to  meet  Commissioners  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  the  United  States 
upon  union,  etc.,  have  power  to  fill  any  vacancies  that  may  occur  by  rea- 
son of  vacancy  in  their  number  from  any  cause.     1890,  134. 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       595 

UNION   WITH   THE  REFORMED  CHURCH    IN   THE  UNITED   STATES.       189I,   348-359. 

The  committee  appointed  by  this  Synod  to  meet  a  similar  committee 
of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  to 
confer  on  the  plan  of  union  proposed  by  the  joint  committee  of  the  two 
Synods,  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  accepted  and  adopted: 

The  Special  Commission  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  of  1890  "to 
co-operate  with  the  commission  already  appointed  by  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  to  prepare,  and  to  present 
to  the  next  General  Synod  a  Plan  of  Federal  Union,"  respectfully  submit 
the  following  report : 

The  Joint  Commission  met  at  the  Catskill  Mountain  House,  at  noon, 
on  Tuesday,  September  2d,  and  continued  in  session  to  the  evening  of 
the  following  Thursday.  All  of  the  clerical  members  of  your  Commission 
were  present  excepting  the  Rev.  E.  B.  Coe,  D.D.,  from  whom  a  letter  was 
received  expressing  regret  for  his  necessary  absence  and  cordial  approval 
of  the  object  of  the  conference.  Elder  W.  L.  M.  Phelps  was  necessarily 
absent,  and  Elder  Garret  E.  Winants  had  been  removed  by  death.  Thir- 
teen of  the  sixteen  Commissioners  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United 
States,  were  present,  and  there  was  one  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death 
of  the  Rev.  J.  H.  A.  Bomberger,  D.D.  Elder  H.  D.  Van  Orden  was 
appointed  to  fill  the  place  of  the  late  Elder  Winants,  and  acted  with  the 
Commission. 

The  corresponding  secretaries  of  our  Boards  of  Foreign  and  Domestic 
Missions,  and  of  Education,  were  present  by  invitation,  and  rendered 
valuable  service  in  the  discussions  as  corresponding  members. 

The '  Joint  Commission  was  organized  by  the  election  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  G.  Apple,  D.D.,  president;  the  Rev.  J.  Romeyn  Berry,  D.D., 
vice-president;  and  the  Rev.  Drs.  E.  T.  Corwin  and  James  I.  Good, 
secretaries. 

The  proceedings  of  the  commission  were  characterized  by  very  full 
and  candid  discussions  of  all  subjects  presented,  and  particularly  of  those 
which  involved  the  most  difficult  and  delicate  questions.  Coming  to- 
gether without  previous  consultations,  with  not  a  few  differences  of 
opinion  upon  many  points  of  practical  importance,  but  with  singleness  of 
aim  and  prayer  for  Divine  guidance,  the  results  finally  attained  were  by 
unanimous  votes.  Personal  acquaintance  with  each  other  ripened  into  in- 
creasing esteem  and  confidence.  Difficulties  that  seemed  at  first  tp  be 
insuperable  vanished  in  the  light  that  dispelled  them.  And  the  entire 
proceedings,  vividly  illustrated  the  principle  that  has  governed  all  the  pre- 
liminary discussions,  that  the  union  for  which  these  churches  are  con- 
ferring must  be  the  healthy  outgrowth  of  their  historical  character,  ecclesi- 
astical relations,  principles  and  spiritual  life. 

The  closing  public  session  on  the  mountain  top,  in  which  the  guests 
of  the  hotel  participated  by  special  invitation,  was  chiefly  one  of  thanks- 
giving and  praise  for  the  grace  of  God  which  had  brought  us  to  such 
hearty  unanimity.  Suitable  memorials  were  also  adopted  of  the  beloved 
brethren  who  had  been  translated  to  the  united  and  glorified  Church  of 
the  first-born  in   Heaven. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Joint  Commission  was  also  held  on  Tuesday 
afternoon  and  evening,  June  2d,  1891,  in  Hertzog  Hall,  New  Brunswick, 
N.  J.,  to  review  the  action  taken  at  the  former  meeting  and  to  prepare 
the  final  report,  which  is  herewith  submitted,  and  is  also  before  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  now  con- 
vened in  special  session  at  Philadelphia,  for  its  consideration.  At  this 
meeting  eighteen  of  the  thirty-two  members,  nine  from  each  General 
Synod,  were  present.  The  proceedings  were  marked  by  the  same  thor- 
oughness and  candor  and  unanimity  that  prevailed  in  the  September  con- 
ference.    The  plan  of  federal  union  now  reported  is  formulated  in  a  con- 


596         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

stitution  which  provides  for,  and  culminates  in  the  organization  of  "The 
Federal  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches." 

This  plan  extends  as  far  as  it  seemed  to  be  wise  and  prudent  at  the 
beginning  of  the  establishment  of  an  actual  federal  union.  It  is  strictly 
within  the  instructions  of  the  General  Synod  under  which  our  own  Com- 
missioners have  acted.  It  is  brief,  compact,  comprehensive,  conservative 
and  adapted  to  the  condition  and  necessities  of  both  churches.  It  is  the 
first  practical  organized  effort  to  form  and  maintain  an  actual  federal 
union  between  any  of  the  affiliated  evangelical  denominations  in  this 
country.  It  is  a  forerunner  looking  towards  the  future  enlargement  of 
the  circle  of  church  unity,  of  which  it  is  the  center  and  original.  Experi- 
ence will  lead  to  new  developments  of  unity  and  co-operation  within  our 
present  limitations. 

Accompanying  the  constitution  are  some  recommendations  indicating 
the  outworking  of  this  federal  union  through  the  Federal  Synod  in  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions,  new  educational  enterprises,  Sunday  Schools  and 
Sunday  School  Missionary  and  denominational  literature.  Wide  room  is 
left  for  recommendation  and  action  of  the  Federal  Synod,  and  at  the 
same  time  the  rights,  powers,  funds,  institutions,  creeds,  system  of  wor- 
ship and  jurisdiction  of  the  General  Synods  and  the  churches  which  they 
represent  are  carefully  protected. 

Referring  this  Synod,  and  all  who  are  interested  in  this  movement 
for  federal  union,  to  the  history  of  its  origin,  nature  and  progress  con- 
tained in  the  minutes  of  General  Synod  from  1886  to  this  date,  and  with 
these  explanatory  statements  your  Commissioners  leave  their  work  for  the 
decision  of  this  Synod.  If  it  shall  be  approved  we  respectfully  request 
that  the  accompanying  draft  of  the  proposed  Articles  of  Constitution  and 
Federal  Union  be  submitted  to  the  Classes  for  their  consideration  and 
action  thereon,  and  that  their  reports  be  made  to  the  next  General 
Synod.  If  approved  by  the  requisite  number  of  Classes,  any  changes  or 
amendments  of  the  Constitution  that  are  demanded,  and  wliatever  addi- 
tional legislation  is  necessary  can  thereafter  be  provided  to  perfect  the 
Union  and  the  organization  of  the  Federal  Sj^nod. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  i.  That  the  report  of  the  Commission  on  Federal  Union 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  be,  and  hereby  is  adopted. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  draft  of  the  Articles  of  Constitution  and  of 
Federal  Union  between  the  Churches  aforesaid,  which  have  been  prepared 
in  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  the  General  Synod  of  1890,  be  sent 
down  to  all  of  the  Classes  of  this  Church  for  their  consideration  and 
categorical  replies,  and  that  their  reports  for  or  against  its  adoption  be 
made  to  the  next  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  action  of  this  Synod  upon  this  report  of  the 
Commission  be  immediately  and  officially  made  known  by  telegraph  to  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  now  in 
session  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 

W.  J.   R.   TAYLOR,   Chairman. 
E.  T.  CORWIN,  Secretary. 

1891,  348-351- 

Members  of  the  Commission : 

Ministers,  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  J.  A.  DeBaun,  J.  Elmendorf,  D.  D.  Dem- 
arest,  E.  T.  Corwin,  E.  B.  Coe,  J.  H.  Karsten,  J.  R.  Berry,  P.  Moer- 
dyke,  Charles  Scott,  J.  B.  Drury. 

Elders,  J.  C.  Benham,  I.  Cappon,  P.  S.  Danforth,  H.  D.  Van  Orden, 
W.  L.  M.  Phelps. 

The  committee  also  presented  the  following  draft  of  proposed  Articles 
of  Constitution  and   Federal   Union,   which   was   received  by  the   Synod, 


REFORMED    CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       597 

and  directed  to  be  sent  down  to  the  Classes  for  their  consideration  and 
action,   in  accordance  with  the  foregoing   report : 

Proposed  Constitution  of  the  Federal  Synod_  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  America  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States:  (1891,  352- 
356.) 

PREAMBLE. 

For  the  glory  of  God,  and  for  the  greater  unity  and  advancement 
of  the  Church  of  which  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Head,  the  following 
Articles  of  Constitution  and  Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  are 
adopted : 

Article  L 

Each  Denomination  entering  into  this  Union  shall  retain  its  distinct 
individuality,  as  well  as  every  power,  jurisdiction  and  right,  which  is  not 
by  this  Constitution  expressly  delegated  to  the  body  hereby  constituted. 

Article  IL 

Full  faith  and  credit  shall  be  given  by  each  of  these  Denominations 
to  the  acts,  proceedings  and  records  of  the  duly  constituted  authorities  of 
the  other  Denomination. 

Article  IIL 

For  the  management  of  certain  common  interests  of  these  federated 
churches,  an  Ecclesiastical  Assembly  is  hereby  constituted,  which  shall  be 
known  by  the  name  and  style  of  ''The  Federal  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Churches." 

Article  IV. 

The  Federal  Synod  shall  consist  of  sixteen  ministers  and  sixteen 
elders  from  each  of  the  constituent  Denominations,  who  shall  be  chosen 
with  secundi  under  the  direction  of  their  respective  General  Synods  in 
such  manner  as  these  Synods  shall  respectively  determine.  At  the  first 
election  of  delegates  to  the  Federal  Synod  by  each  Denomination,  the 
whole  number,  viz.,  sixteen  ministers  and  sixteen  elders,  shall  be  divided 
into  four  classes  of  four  ministers  and  four  elders  in  each.  The  first  class 
shall  serve  for  one  year,  the  second  class  for  two  years,  the  third  class 
for  three  years  and  the  fourth  class  for  four  years.  After  the  first  election 
four  ministers  and  four  elders  shall  be  elected  or  appointed  annually  for 
four  years  by  each  Denomination,  which  shall  also  have  power  to  fill 
vacancies  for  unexpired  terms.  But  in  the  case  of  a  General  Synod  that 
does  not  meet  annually  it  shall,  at  its  stated  meeting,  regulate  its  election 
of  delegates  according  to  the  general  principle  here  stated,  as  it  may  deem 
proper. 

Article  V. 

To  the  Federal  Synod  shall  be  committed  powers  relating  to  Missions, 
Domestic  and  Foreign;  to  new  educational  enterprises  common  to  both 
Denominations ;  to  the  general  superintendence  of  Sunday  School  interests 
and  literature,  and  to  other  ecclesiastical  matters,  such  as  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  the  concurrent  action  of  the  constituent  General  Synods. 

Article  VL 

The  Federal  Synod  may  advise  and  recommend  in  all  matters  pertain- 
ing to  the  general  welfare  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ,  but  shall  not  exercise 
authority  except  such  as  is  expressly  given  it  under  this  Constitution. 
Whenever  anything  recommended  by  the  Federal  Synod  shall  have  re- 
ceived the  assent  of  each  of  the  General  Synods,  it  shall  have  the  force  of 
law  in  both  Denominations. 

Article  VH. 

The  Federal  Synod  shall  have  the  power  of  opening  and  maintaining  a 
friendly    correspondence    with    the    highest    assemblies    of   other    religious 


598         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Denominations,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  union  and  concert  of  action 
in  general  or  common  interests. 

Article  VIIL 
The  Federal  S\^nod  shall  not  interfere  with  the  creed,  cultus  or  gov- 
ernment of  either  Denomination.     Also  all  matters  of  discipline  shall  be 
left  to  the  exclusive  and  final  judgment  of  the  ecclesiastical  authorities 
of  the  Denomination  in  which  the  same  may  arise. 

Article  IX. 
All  conflicting  interests  between  the  two  Denominations  shall  be  arbi- 
trated by  such  executive  agencies  as  may  be  created  by  the  Federal  Synod, 
under  this  Constitution,  with  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Federal  Synod  for 
final  adjudication. 

Article  X. 

The  officers  of  the  Federal  S3'nod  shall  be  a  President,  Vice-Presi- 
dent, Stated  Clerk  and  Treasurer. 

Article  XL 
The  Federal  Synod  shall  meet  annually,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may 
be  determined. 

Article  XII. 
The  contingent  expenses  of  the  Federal  Synod  shall  be  divided  equally 
between  the  Denominations. 

Article  XIII. 
Amendments  to  this   Constitution  may  be   proposed  by  the   Federal 
Synod,  or  by  either  of  the  General  Synods,  but  the  concurrent  action  of 
the  two  General  Synods  shall  be  necessary  for  their  adoption. 

T.  G.  APPLE,  President., 
J.    R.    BERRY,    Vice-President. 

FT    rORWTN    \  Secretaries  of  the  Joint  Committee. 

The  Joint  Commission  also  presented  the  following  paper  containing 
recommendations  to  be  considered  by  the  two  Synods  in  their  further 
action : 

Recommendations  of  the  Joint  Commission  to  the  General  Synods 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States: 

foreign  work. 

This  Joint  Commission  recommends  that  upon  the  approval  of  the 
Constitution,  or  Articles  of  Union,  the  General  Synods  of  the  respective 
Churches  take  action  looking  toward  the  speedy  unification  of  the  work  of 
Foreign  Missions. 

To  this  end  we  recommend  that  the  General  Synods,  respectively, 
authorize  and  request  the  Boards  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  two  Churches 
to  hold  a  joint  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  mutual  consultation  in  regard 
to  the  management  of  the  whole  Foreign  Missionary  Work,  and  especially 
as  to  the  Missions  in  Japan;  and  if  considered  proper  and  practicable, 
that  they  subsequently  hold  joint  meetings  until  the  establishment  of  a 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions  under  the  Federal  Synod. 

HOME   WORK. 

1.  That  the  General  Synods  of  the  respective  Churches  be  requested 
to  take  such  action  as,  in  their  judgment,  may  be  deemed  best,  looking 
toward  a  harmonious  co-operation  in  the  work  of  Domestic  Missions. 

2.  That  the  General  Synods  of  the  respective  Churches  authorize  or 
request  their  Boards  of  Domestic  or  Home  Missions  to  hold  a  joint 
meeting  for  the  purpose  of  mutual   consultation  in   regard  to  the  wisest 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       599 

and  best  management  of  the  whole  work  in  the  home  field,  and  if  consid- 
ered proper  and  practicable,  that  they  subsequently  hold  joint  meetings 
until  the  establishment  of  a  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  under  the  Federal 
Synod. 

HOME  AND  FOREIGN  WORK. 

I.  That  the  Federal  Synod  create,  under  these  Articles  of  Federation, 
Boards  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions,  composed  of  an  equal  number  of 
representatives  from  each  Denomination,  which  Boards  shall  advise  and 
guide  the  Boards  of  the  General  Synods,  so  that  the  whole  work  may  be 
carried  forward  in  the  most  economical  and  efficient  manner. 

2d.  That  these  Boards  prepare  and  remit  annually  to  the  Federal 
Synod  reports  of  the  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  work  of  both  Denom- 
inations, and  that  these  reports  be  pubHshed  and  circulated  in  both 
churches. 

3.  That  these  Boards  issue  a  periodical  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Federal  Synod,  which  shall  disseminate  intelligence  on  these  subjects  and 
promote  a  missionary  spirit  throughout  both  the  Churches. 

4.  That  the  Federal  Synod  be  authorized,  in  consultation  with  the 
Boards,  to  institute  other  agencies  to  awaken  a  greater  interest  in  the 
Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Work,  and  to  secure  more  general  and 
more  liberal  offerings  for  the  same  throughout  the  churches. 

5.  That  the  joint  meetings  of  these  Boards,  called  for  in  previous 
sections,  be  held  as  early  as  possible  after  the  approval  of  this  Constitu- 
tion by  the  two  General  Synods. 

SUNDAY    SCHOOL    WORK. 

The  Joint  Commission  recommends  that  the  Federal  Synod  under- 
take the  work  of  issuing  a  series  of  Sunday  School  Helps  for  the  use  of 
the  Sunday  Schools  of  the  two  Denominations,  and  instituting  other  agen- 
cies for  the  advancement  of  their  common  interests.  This  General  Synod 
hereby  recommends  that  either  the  Foreign  Board  as  such,  or  the  officers 
of  the  same,  arrange  to  meet  with  the  Foreign  Board  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  at  one  of  their  stated  meetings,  and  also  at  subse- 
quent meetings  of  the  same  if  deemed  proper,  in  order  to  co-operate  in  the 
work  of  Foreign  Missions  until  a  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  is  formed  in 
the  Federal  Synod. 

EDUCATION. 

When  the  Federal  Synod  shall  have  organized  a  Board  of  Education 
we  would  especially  recommend  to  such  Board  the  consideration  of  the 
training  of  ministers  for  labor  among  the  immigrants  of  various  nation- 
alities. T.  G.  APPLE,  President. 

J.  R.  BERRY,  Vice-President. 

j"\c'i    Cnnn    '  \  Secretaries  of  the  Joint  Commission. 

1891,  352-356. 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States 
was  convened  in  special  session  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  to  act  simul- 
taneously with  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  on  the 
subject  of  Federal  Union.  The  action  and  suggestions  of  one  Synod 
were  telegraphed  to  the  other,  and  received  with  cordial  approbation, 
so  that  with  a  single  amendment  on  the  part  of  each  body  the  articles  of 
the  proposed  Constitution  were  unanimously  approved  as  originally 
presented  by  the  Joint  Commission.  This  cordial  unanimity  was  ac- 
knowledged by  special  thanksgiving  and  prayer  for  the  blessing  of  God 
on   the   union  thus   far   secured. 

On  the  following  day  the  action  of  the  Synod  in  Philadelphia,  duly 
attested,  was  brought  by  a  committee  of  eighteen,  two  of  whom  were 
elders. 


6oo  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

The  committee  were  invited  to  occupy  front  seats,  and  were  sev- 
erally introduced,  the  Synod  rising  to  receive  them.  The  Rev.  Edmund 
R.  Eschbach,  D.D.,  chairman  of  the  committee,  addressed  the  Synod,  and 
presented  the  report  of  the  body  whom  he  represented.  The  address 
was  suitably  responded  to  by  the  president,  who  cordially  welcomed  the 
large  delegation. 

The  following  resolutions  were  then  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  expresses  our  sense  of  the  frater- 
nal courtesy  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  in  sending  so  large  and  strong  a  deputation  from  their  rev- 
erend and  venerable  body  to  us  with  such  cordial  words  of  appreciation 
of  the  contemplated  Federal  Union.  We  most  heartily  reciprocate  every 
expression  of  their  desire  and  expectation,  which  are  also  emphatically 
ours. 

Resolved,  That  the  official  communication  brought  from  our  sister 
General  Synod  by  their  Commission  be  printed  in  the  Minutes  of  this 
General  Synod.     1891,  356-7. 

The  following  is  the  paper  containing  the  action  of  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States : 

To   the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America: 

Dear  Brethren  in  the  Lord:  The  report  of  the  Joint  Commission  on 
Federal  Union,  including  the  proposed  Constitution  and  Recommenda- 
tions, was  officially  submitted  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States,  convened  in  special  session  in  Philadel- 
phia, June  4-6,  A.  D.,  1891,  and  duly  considered.  After  such  considera- 
tion, the  said  Constitution  and  Recommendations,  as  amended,  were 
unanimously  adopted,  and  correct  copies  thereof  are  herewith  forwarded 
to  your  venerable  body. 

Moreover,  the  several  actions  adopted  by  our  General  Synod,  bear- 
ing on  the  Federal  Union  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  of 
the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  are  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  action  of  this  General  Synod  be  and  is  hereby 
referred  to  the  different  Classes  for  approval  at  their  next  annual  meet- 
ings, or  at  special  meetings  for  the  purpose  at  an  early  date,  and  further, 
that  if  this  action  be  confirmed  by  the  requisite  constitutional  number 
of  Classes,  as  in  the  case  of  the  approval  of  a  general  ordinance,  the 
officers  of  this  Synod  are  hereby  authorized  to  publish  and  proclaim  the 
action  of  the  Classes,  and  the  Constitution  of  the  Federal  Synod  shall 
thereupon  become  the  action  of  the   Church. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Classes  transmit  certified 
copies  of  the  results  of  the  action  of  the  Classes  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of 
the  General  Synod. 

Whereas,  This  General  Synod  will  not  meet  again  before  the  spring 
of  1893;  and 

Whereas,  The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America 
will  meet  in  1892,  therefore,  in  order  not  to  delay  the  formation  of  a 
Federal  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  in  case  the  action  be  adopted. 
Resolved,  That  this  Synod  do  now  enter  upon  the  election  of  sixteen 
ministers  and  sixteen  elders  to  be  the  representatives  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States  in  said  Federal  Synod  when  it  is  ready  to 
be  formed,  designating  the  terms  of  each  class  of  four  ministers  and 
four  elders. 

Thereupon  the  election  proceeded  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  in  case  the  action  of  providing  for  the  formation  of 
the  Federal  Synod  shall  be  ratified  by  the  authorities  of  both  Reformed 
Churches,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  officers  of  this  General 
Synod  to  co-operate  with  those  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 


REFORMED    CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       6oi 

Church  in  America  in  designating  conjointly  a  time   and  place   for  the 
first  meeting  of  the  Federal   Synod. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  six  be  appointed  to  bear  to  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  now  in  session  at 
Asbury  Park,  N.  J.,  and  lay  before  said  Synod  a  complete  copy  of  the 
action  of  our  Synod  in  relation  to  the  federative  union  of  these  bodies, 
with  our  fraternal  greetings. 

The  committee  called  for  in  the  foregoing  resolution  consists  of: 
Rev.  E.   R.  Eschbach,  D.D.,  Rev.  Michael  Loucks, 

"     David  Van  Home,  D.D.,  Elder  Daniel  S.  Keller, 

"     John  H.  Prugh,  "       William  R.  Barnhart. 

The  committee  of  six  was  subsequently  enlarged  by  the  addition 
of  the  following  named  brethren: 

Rev.  Henry  Bair,  Rev.  D.  B.  Shuey, 

"     T.  J.  Barkley,  "     A.   J.    Heller, 

"      Reuben  Keller,  "      G.  W.  H.  Smith, 

"     G.  H.  Johnson,  D.D.,  "     A.  K.  Kline, 

"     John  A.   Seitz,  "      C  N.  Heilman, 

"     E.  S.  Hassler,  "     R.  C.  Zartman. 

It   is  hereby  certified  that  the  foregoing  actions,  and  accompanying 
constitution  and  recommendations,  were  officially  adopted  by  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  in  session  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  June  4  to  6,  A.  D.,  1891. 
Attest : 

ISAAC  H.  REITER, 
Stated  Clerk   of  the  General  Synod 
Reformed  Church  in  the  U.  S. 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  June  6th,  1891. 

1891,  357-359. 
[Whole  Report,  1891,  348-359-] 

REPORT,  1892. 

UNION    WITH   THE  REFORMED  CHURCH    IN   THE   UNITED   STATES.       1892,   577-584. 

The  General  Synod  in  1891  (see  Minutes,  p.  351,  Resolution  2),  sent 
down  to  all  the  Classes  a  "draft  of  the  Articles  of  Constitution  and  of 
Federal  Union  between  this  Church  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United    States,    for   their   consideration   and   categorical    replies." 

In  response  to  this  action  the  Classes  have  sent  official  returns,'  some 
of  them  being  categorical  answers,  and  others  conditional,  containing 
besides  the  votes  of  the  Classes,  various  suggestions. 

A  special  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  J.  A.  DeBaun,  Rev.  A.  P. 
Van  Gieson,  Rev.  J.  F.  Zwemer  and  Elders  J.  C  Haring,  M.  D.,  Vischer 
Lansing  and  Wilson  Harrington,  was  appointed  to  receive  and  canvass 
the  votes  of  the  Classes. 

This  committee  was  also  instructed  to  receive  and  examine  all  the 
other  papers  presented  on  the  subject  of  Federal  Union  by  the  Classes, 
and  to  recommend  appropriate  action  to  be  taken  by  the  Synod. 

The  committee  presented  a  report  which  was  accepted  and  ordered 
printed.  A  ^Minority  Report  was  also  presented,  accepted  and  printed, 
and  both  were  discussed. 

In  the  progress  of  the  discussion  a  third  paper  was  offered  as  a  sub- 
stitute for  the  Minority  Report,  and  accepted  as  the  Minority  Report,  and 
both  were  considered.  After  several  amendments  were  made  to  the 
Majority  Report  of  the  Committee  and  adopted,  it  being  mutually  agreed 
that  they  should  take  effect  if  the  enacting  clause  should  be  adopted,  a 
vote  was  taken  which  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the  Minority  Report, 
which  is  as  follows: 


6o2         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Whereas,  There  have  been  sent  to  the  General  Synod  from  the 
Classes  various  memorials  asking  for  changes  in  and  additions  to,  and 
presenting  objections  against  the  Articles  of  Constitution  and  Federal 
Union  between  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the  Reformed 
Church   in  the  United   States ;   and 

Whereas,  There  is  also  a  proposition  before  this  Synod  looking 
towards  a  broader  plan  of  Federal  Union  including  all  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  this  land,  holding  the  Presbyterian  system,  and  a  committee 
has  been  appointed  by  this  Synod  with  instructions  to  confer  with 
similar  committees  appointed  by  other  ecclesiastical  bodies,  and  to  report 
to  the  next  General  Synod;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  action  on  the  proposed  Articles  of  Constitution  and 
Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the 
Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  be  deferred  to  the  next  General 
Synod,  in  order  that  they  may  be  considered  in  connection  with  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  the  broader  plan  of  Federal  Union  then  to 
be  presented. 

Resolved,  That  the  Majority  Report  of  the  Special  Committee  now 
accepted,  but  not  adopted,  by  this  Synod  be  printed  in  the  Minutes  of 
General  Synod  for  the  information  of  the  Classes  and  churches,  and,  in 
order  that  the  mind  of  the  Church  may  be  ascertained,  that  the  Classes 
be  and  hereby  are  requested  to  report  to  the  next  General  Synod,  either 
categorically  or  otherwise  as  they  may  deem  best,  their  approval  or  dis- 
approval of  the  proposed  Articles  of  Constitution  and  Federal  Union 
between  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the  Reformed  Church  in 
the  United  States,  with  the  amendments  and  understandings  recom- 
mended in  the  Majority  Report.  JAMES  F.  ZWEMER. 

1892,  577-8. 

The  following  are  the  Ayes  and  Nays  on  the  vote  upon  the  forego- 
ing paper: 

Ayes — Jas.  C.  Garretson,  A.  P.  Pitcher,  Samuel  T.  Searle,  K.  F. 
Junor,  Joseph  Millett,  Wm.  H.  Boocock,  Nich.  Pearse,  P.  V.  Van  Buskirk, 
George  Lott,  George  W.  Pool,  E.  Bodine,  Marion  T.  Conkhn,  Alfred 
Perrine,  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  Edwin  Hill,  H.  B.  Rosa,  C.  W.  Burrows,  John 
H.  Scarlett,  A.  M.  Arcularius,  A.  S.  Vanderzee,  Wm.  L.  M.  Phelps,  B. 
Van  Zandt,  Adam  Smith,  Theo.  S.  Brown,  Theo.  Hover,  P.  G.  M.  Bahler, 
G.  H.  Hospers,  John  Van  Holde,  C.  W.  Mahew,  D.  K.  Van  Doren, 
Philip  T.  Phelps,  Theo.  A.  Beekman,  George  L.  Danforth,  W.  E.  Bassler,. 
J.  G.  Van  Slyke,  A.  J.  Sebring,  D.  B.  Hendricks,  J.  A.  De  Spelder,  F  J. 
Zwemer,  M.  Rhynsburgher,  R.  Duiker,  A.  Kriekard,  J.  J.  Van  Zanten,  J. 
Sinon,  F.  Albers,  J.  Hakken,  H.  E.  Dosker,  S.  Hogeboom,  P.  Benjaminse> 
F.  S.  Scudder,  T.  W.  Jones,  Wm.  Vander  Linden,  B.  W.  Lammers,  J.  F. 
Zwemer,  G.  Veenker,  Edward  Tannis,  D.  J.  De  Bey,  G.  J.  Hekhuis,  J.  W. 
Te  Winkel,  H.  N.  Van  Wagenen,  S.  B.  Vreeland,  A.  Hageman,  A.  B. 
Herman,  S.  R.  Cunningham,  David  Waters,  M.  H.  Hutton,  Theo.  Shafer,. 
P.  C.  Staats,  James  Stothofif,  Anson  Du  Bois,  C.  E.  Crispell,  George  Nie- 
meyer,  P.  H.  Milliken,  A.  W.  Givin,  Henry  M.  Voorhees,  Charles  H. 
Pool,  Peter  De  Witt,  John  Amerman — 78. 

Nays—].  W.  Conklin,  Jno.  M.  Wagner,  H.  Shook,  J.  H.  Wood,  A.  C. 
Stryker,  E.  O.  Moffett,  R.  H.  McCready,  Gilbert  Lane,  August  Comfort, 
H.  W.  Brink,  David  Cole,  G.  A.  T.  Goebel,  F.  S.  Barnum,  B.  F  Ashley, 
J.  A.  DeBaun,  F.  V.  Van  Vranken,  J.  A.  Thompson,  L.  L.  Dean,  Stephens 
Graff,  Geo.  W.  Furbeck,  Minor  Swick,  J.  T.  Van  Buren,  H.  E.  Cobb, 
C.  P.  Ditmars,  B.  B.  Staats,  John  S.  Lansing,  Vischer  Lansing,  Calvin 
Case,  Benj.  M.  Brink,  P.  Moerdvke.  Charles  Scott,  Jacob  L  Gulick,  L  W. 
Gowen,  Henry  Bell,  Jas.  F.  Riggs,  P.  D.  Van  Cleef,  C.  C.  Westervelt,  C 
H.  Jones,  R.  P.  Milliken,  John  Duncan,  C.  T.  Williamson,  E.  T.  Corwin,. 
J.  H.  Whitehead,  Eugene  Hill,  J.  C.  Haring,  W.  H.  Tracy,  Taber  Knox, 
And.  J.  Hageman — 48. 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF  U.  S.   (GERMAN)       603 

The  following  additional  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

Resolved,  i.  That  the  special  committee  appointed  by  this  Synod 
on  Union  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  be  reappointed. 

Resolved,  2.  That  all  Classical  returns  on  Union  be  transmitted  by 
the  clerk  of  Synod  to  the  chairman  of  said  committee. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  committee  be  instructed  to  tabulate  all  returns 
on  Union  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  report  to 
the  next  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  4.  That  said  committee  be  instructed  to  carry  on  all  neces- 
sary correspondence  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States. 

1892,  578-580. 

It  was  also  Resolved,  That  the  Majority  Report  on  Federal  Union,  as 
amended,  be  printed  in  the  minutes  for  information.     It  is  as  follows : 

MAJORITY    REPORT    ON    FEDERAL    UNION. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Federal  Union  with  the  Reformed  Church 
in  the  United  States  would  respectfully  report : 

There  have  been  placed  in  our  hands  twenty-seven  official  reports 
of  the  votes  of  as  many  Classes  on  the  Plan  and  Constitution  for  Federal 
Union,  approved  by  the  General  Synod  in  1891,  and  sent  to  the  Classes 
for  their  consideration  and  replies  for  or  against  adoption. 

The  Classis  of  Arcot  respectfully  refrains  from  voting  on  this  ques- 
tion "because  it  is  impossible  for  most  of  its  members  to  attain  to  a  full 
understanding  of  all  the  issues  involved."  In  all  courtesy,  therefore,  and 
as  a  matter  of  equity,  the  Classis  of  Arcot  ought  to  be  excused  and  set 
aside  from  the  whole  number  of  Classes  whose  votes  should  be  counted. 

Of  the  remaining  thirty-three  Classes,  eighteen  officially  report  an 
unconditional  affirmative  answer  to  the  overture  of  the  General  Sj^nod, 
viz. :  Bergen,  South  Bergen,  Hudson,  North  Long  Island,  Michigan^ 
Monmouth,  Montgomery,  Newark,  New  Brunswick,  Ulster,  New  York,. 
Orange,  Paramus,  Rensselaer,  Schenectady,  Schoharie,  Illinois  and  West- 
chester. 

Two  classes  report  a  conditional  affirmative,  viz. :  Greene  and  Rari- 
tan.  As  we  shall  see,  these  conditions  would  necessarily  be  met  even 
if  they  had  not  been  specified ;  and,  therefore,  they  have  not  even  a  ten- 
dency to  vitiate  the  affirmative  answer. 

Six  Classes  officially  report  a  negative  answer,  viz. :  Holland,  Iowa,. 
South  Long  Island,  Poughkeepsie,  Rochester  and  Wisconsin. 

From  the  remaining  seven  Classes  no  official  report  has  been  re- 
ceived. We  know,  however,  from  the  reports  of  their  proceedings,  as 
publishd  in  the  Intelligencer,  that  three  of  these  voted  an  unconditional 
affirmative,  viz. :  Dakota,  Passaic  and  Philadelphia.  One  voted  a  con- 
ditional affirmative,  viz. :  Kingston.  Three  voted  a  negative  reply,  viz. : 
Albany,  Grand  River  and  Saratoga. 

To  sum  up,  if  we  regard  only  the  official  answers  received  by  the 
Synod,  there  are  eighteen  unconditional  affirmatives,  which, is  more  than 
one-half  of  all  the  Classes,  and  two  conditional  affirmatives,  which  ought, 
in  all  reason,  to  be  added. 

There  are  six  Classes  officially  voting  in  the  negative,  which  is  less 
than  one-fifth  of  all  the  Classes.  If  we  take  into  account  all  the  official 
and  unofficial  answers,  there  are  twenty-one  unconditional  affirmatives  and 
three  formally  conditional,  which  is  more  than  two-thirds  of  all,  and  nine 
negatives,  which  is  less  than  one-third. 

Although  this  proposed  Constitution  of  Federal  Union  with  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States  is  not  in  any  sense  an  alteration  of 
the  Constitution  of  our  Reformed  Church  in  America,  the  General  Synod, 
although  under  no  obligation  to  do  so,  has  chosen  to  submit  it  to  the  vote 
of  the  Classes  in  order  that  the  mind  of  the  Church  might  be  fully  known. 
Having  already  been  approved  by  the  General   Synod,  and  having  now 


6o4         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

received  the  affirmative  votes  of  much  more  than  a  clear  majority  of  the 
Classes,  it  only  remains  for  this  Synod  to  utter  a  final  declarative  resolu- 
tion announcing  its  adoption  by  our  Reformed  Church  in  America.  In 
doing  so,  however,  it  is  perfectly  proper  and  may  be  highly  expedient 
that  at  the  same  time  we  declare  our  understanding  of  points  which  may 
be  open  to  misconception,  and  the  methods  by  which  we  propose  to  exer- 
cise the  functions  of  our  own  General  Synod  as  specified  in  the  Federal 
Constitution.     We  therefore  recommend  the  following  action : 

Whereas,  At  the  last  preceding  session  of  General  Synod  the  pro- 
posed Federal  Union  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States 
and  the  proposed  Constitution  for  such  Union  were  approved  and  sent 
down  to  the  Classes  for  their  adoption;  and 

Whereas,  A  decided  majority  of  the  Classes  have  approved  said 
proposed  Union  and  Constitution;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  articles  of  Constitution  and  Federal  Union  be- 
tween the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  be  and  are  hereby  adopted,  with  the  following  express 
understanding : 

1.  That  the  last  clause  of  Article  V,  "Such  as  shall  be  determined 
by  the  concurrent  action  of  the  Constituent  General  Synods,"  be  under- 
stood to  quahfy  the  whole  article,  and  not  only  the  last  preceding  clause ; 
and  that  we  propose  the  following  amendment  by  way  of  substitute  for 
Article  V :  'To  the  Federal  Synod  shall  be  committed  such  powers  in  mat- 
ters relating  to  the  establishment  and  management  of  Missions,  Domestic 
and  Foreign;  in  matters  relating  to  new  educational  interests;  in  matters 
relating  to  the  general  superintendence  of  Sunday  School  interests  and 
literature,  and  in  all  similar  ecclesiastical  matters,  as  the  concurrent  action 
of  the  Constituent  General  Synods  shall  determine." 

2.  That  the  said  Articles  of  Constitution  and  Federal  Union,  so 
far  as  they  relate  to  and  effect  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  shall 
not  supersede  or  be  superior  to,  or  in  any  wise  directly  or  indirectly 
change,  or  amend,  or  add  to,  or  take  from,  the  Constitution  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  America  or  any  part  thereof,  but  shall  be  strictly  and 
wholly  subordinate  thereunto ;  and  that  none  of  the  said  Articles  of 
Constitution  and  Federal  Union  shall  be  so  interpreted  as  to  conflict  with 
the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

3.  That  in  relation  to  Articles  V,  VI,  VII  and  XIII,  we  hereby  estab- 
lish the  principle  for  our  own  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church  in  America, 
that  any  action  or  assent  of  our  General  Synod,  or  any  amendment  to  the 
Federal  Constitution  which  shall  directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  Constitu- 
tion of  our  own  Church — including  in  that  term,  as  is  our  wont,  the 
Catechism,  the  Compendium,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Canons  of  the 
Synod  of  Dordrecht  and  the  Liturgy — shall  first  be  recommended  by 
General  Synod,  and  then  sent  down  to  our  Classes  for  approbation,  and 
shall  only  be  effected  upon  the  favoring  votes  of  a  majority  of  said  Classes, 
and  a  subsequent  final  declarative  resolution  of  our  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  with  the  fullest  confidence  in  our  sister  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States,  and  with  the  expectation  that  what  we  now 
propose  will  meet  with  her  hearty  approbation,  this  Synod  now  expresses 
its  judgment  that  it  is  desirable  that  the  Articles  of  Constitution  and  of 
Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States  be  amended  by  the  addition  there- 
unto of  the  following  article,  to  wit: 

Art.  XIV.  Either  one  of  the  two  Constituent  General  Synods  may, 
from  time  to  time,  with  the  consent  of  the  Federal  Synod,  immediately 
resume  any  power  or  powers  which  it  may  have  committed  to  the  Federal 
Synod,  and  the  exclusive  right  to  exercise  the  same,  and  in  case  the 
Federal  Synod  shall  withhold  its  consent  to  such  resumption,  either  one 
of  the  two  Constituent  General  Synods  may,  from  time  to  time,  resume 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF    U.  S.  (GERMAN)       605 

any  power  or  powers  which  it  may  have  committed  to  the  Federal 
Synod,  and  the  exclusive  right  to  exercise  the  same,  on  condition  that  it 
shall  have  given  to  the  Federal  Synod  one  year  previous  notice  of 
such  intended  resumption. 

Resolved,  That  the  Federal  Synod,  and  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  be  and  hereby  are  requested  to 
concur  with  the  General  Synod  in  the  adoption  of  such  amendment. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Federal  Synod  who  shall  repre- 
sent our  Church,  be  instructed  to  report  to  the  General  Synod  any  sug- 
gestions or  recommendations  which  they  may  have  to  make  proposing 
action  of  the  General  Synod  whereby  the  Federal  Synod  may  be  most 
effectively  empowered  to  accomplish  the  purposes  for  which  it  was 
constituted. 

A  memorial  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  requests  that  in 
case  of  the  required  majority  for  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Union,  the 
Particular  Synod  of  Albany  be  assigned  one-fourth  part  of  our  repre- 
sentatives in  the  Federal  Synod ;  and,  secondly,  that  that  Particular  Synod 
be  allowed  to  propose  the  names  of  its  own  representatives  to  the  Fed- 
eral Synod,  subject  to  the  ratification  of  the  General  Synod. 

An  answer  to  the  first  of  these  requests  will  presently  be  provided. 
As  to  the  second,  there  are  serious  objections.  First,  the  Federal  Synod, 
by  its  constitution,  is  the  creature  not  of  the  Particular  Synods,  but 
directly  of  the  two  constituent  General  Synods.  Secondly,  an  election  by 
the  Particular  Synods,  to  be  confirmed  bv  the  General  Synod,  would  be 
unnecessarily  cumbersome,  thirdly,  it  woum  necessarily  delay  the  con- 
stitution of  a  Federal  Svnod  for  at  least  another  year.  For  these  rea- 
sons your   committee   recommend  that   this    request  be   not  granted. 

Resolved,  That  Synod  proceed,  during  the  present  session,  at  a  time 
to  be  appointed  and  by  a  method  to  be  designated  upon  the  adoption  of 
this  resolution,  to  elect  sixteen  ministers  and  sixteen  elders,  with  secundi, 
delegates  from  our  Church  to  the  Federal  Synod  as  follows :  One  minister 
and  one  elder  from  each  of  our  Particular  Synods  for  four  years,  one 
minister  and  one  elder  from  each  Particular  Synod  for  three  years,  one 
minister  and  one  elder  from  each  Particular  Synod  for  two  years,  one 
minister  and  one  elder  from  each  Particular  Synod  for  one  year.  It  is  to 
be  understood  that  the  removal  from  one  Particular  Synod  to  another 
of  a  delegate  thus  elected,  during  the  term  for  which  he  is  elected,  shall 
not  vacate  his  membership  in  the  Federal  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States  be  notified  of  the  facts  of  the  rati- 
fication of  the  Federal  Union  and  the  Constitution,  of  the  election  of 
delegates,  and  of  the  proposition  of  this  Synod  that  the  first  session  of  the 
Federal  Synod  be  held  in  the  First  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church  of  Phila- 
delphia, on  the  last  Tuesday  of  October,  1892,  at  3  P.  M.  If  the  Stated 
Clerk  of  our  General  Synod  shall  be  notified  officially  of  the  acceptance 
on  the  part  of  the  presiding  officers  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  this  suggested  time  and  place,  he  is  hereby  directed  to 
notify  the  delegates  elected  to  represent  our  Church  in  said  Synod,  at 
least  one  month  before  the  second  Wednesday  in  October,   1892. 

Resolved,  That  we  commend  the  thus  consummated  and  instructed 
Federal  Synod  to  the  prayerful  sympathy  and  fraternal  confidence  of  our 
Church,  and  above  all  to  the  favor  of  the  Great  King  and  Head  of  the 
Church,  and  to  the  gracious  guidance  of  the  indwelling  Holy  Ghost. 

J.  A.  DeBAUN, 
A.  P.  VAN  GIBSON, 
I.  C  HARING, 
V.  LANSING. 

[Whole  Report,  1892,  577-584.]  1892,  580-584. 


^o6  ,       DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


REPORT,  1893,  816-819. 

REFORMED   CHURCH    IN   THE   UNITED   STATES. 

In  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the  General  Synod  last  year 
(Minutes  p.  579),  all  the  classes,  except  Arcot,  took  action  on  the  subject 
of  Federal  Union,  and  sent  their  reports  to  the  stated  clerk.  These  classi- 
cal returns  were  all  transmitted  to  the  Rev.  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  Chairman 
of  the  Synod's  Committee,  to  be  tabulated  and  examined. 

The  committee,  after  careful  examination,  presented  their  report  to 
the  Synod,  when  it  was  accepted,  and,  after  being  discussed  and  amended, 
was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  special  committee  on  Union  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
United  States  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  at  its  regular  session  in 
1892,  with  instructions  to  tabulate  all  returns  on  Union  with  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States,  and  report  to  the  next  General  Synod,  and 
to  carry  on  all  necessary  correspondence  with  the  Reformed  Church  in 
the  United  States,  respectfully  report: 

1.  That  they  have  carried  on  no  formal  correspondence  with  the 
Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States  for  the  reason  that  no  necessity 
for  such  correspondence  has  appeared. 

2.  That,  in  accordance  with  the.  instructions  of  the  General  Synod, 
the  stated  clerk  of  General  Synod  has  transmitted  all  classical  returns 
on  Federal  Union  to  the  chairman  of  the  committee. 

3.  That,  on  examination  of  the  said  returns,  it  appears  that  all  the 
classes,  with  the  single  exception  of  the  Classis  of  Arcot,  have  reported 
their  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  proposed  Articles  of  Constitution  and 
Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  and  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States,  with  the  amendments  and  under- 
standings recommended  in  the  majority  report  presented  to  the  last 
General  Synod.     (See  Minutes  of  Synod,  p.  378.) 

4.  That  the  classes  which  have  reported  their  approval  of  the  said 
articles  with  the  said  amendments  and  understandings  are  sixteen  (16) 
in  number,  and  are  as  follows,  viz. :  South  Bergen,  Greene,  Hudson,  Illi- 
nois, North  Long  Island,  Michigan,  Montgomery,  New  Brunswick,  New 
York,  Paramus,  Passaic,  Philadelphia,  Raritan,  Rensselaer,  Schenectady, 
Westchester. 

5.  That  the  classes  which  have  reported  their  disapproval  of  the 
said  Articles  with  the  said  amendments  and  understandings  are  eighteen 
(18)  in  number  and  are  as  follows,  viz.:  Albany,  Bergen,  Dakota,  Grand 
River,  Holland,  Iowa,  Kingston,  South  Long  Island,  Monmotith,  Newark, 
Orange,  Pleasant  Prairie,  Poughkeepsie,  Rochester,  Saratoga,  Schoharie, 
Ulster,  Wisconsin. 

6.  That,  together  with  the  report  of  disapproval  from  the  South 
Classis  of  Long  Island,  there  has  been  transmitted  to  the  committee  the 
following  action  of  the  same  classis,  viz. : 

"Whereas,  The  idea  of  Federal  Union  has,  in  the  Providence  of  God 
taken  the  larger  form  of  the  Federation  of  the  Churches  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, therefore 

"Resolved,  That  the  South  Classis  of  Long  Island  overture  the 
General  Synod  to  invite  the  co-operation  of  the  German  Reformed  Church 
in  perfecting  that  plan  of  Federal  Union  that  shall  include  all  the  Re- 
formed  Churches  holding  the   Presbyterian  system." 

7.  That,  together  with  the  report  of  approval  from  the  Classis  of 
Schenectady,  there  has  been  transmitted  to  the  committee  the  following 
action  of  the  same  Classis,  viz. : 

"Resolved,  That  we  respectfully  memoralize  the  General  Synod  to 
pronounce   upon   the   constitutionality   of   the   action   of   the   last   General 


REFORMED   CHURCH  OF  U.  S.   (GERMAN)       607 

Synod  in  failing  to  ratify  the  action  of  the  majority  of  the  classes  in 
favor  of  the  proposed  Federal  Union." 

With  respect  to  the  request  from  the  Classis  of  Schenectady  the 
committee  offer  the  following,  viz. :  The  action  of  the  Synod  was  of  the 
nature  of  ordinary  legislation,  and  was  constitutional  by  virtue  of  the 
clauses  of  the  constitution  which  commit  to  the  General  Synod  power 
"to  exercise  a  general  superintendence  over  the  spiritual  interests  and 
concerns  of  the  whole  church,"  and  to  regulate  "correspondnce  with  the 
highest  judicatories  or  essemblies  of  other  religious  denominations." 

In  view  of  the  nature  of  the  reports  received  from  the  classes  on 
the  proposed  Federal  Union  the  following  is   recommended,  viz. : 

Whereas,  A  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  the  classes  have  re- 
ported to  this  Synod  their  disapproval  of  the  proposed  Articles  of  Con- 
stitution and  Federal  Union  between  the  Reformed  Church  in  America 
and  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  with  the  amendments 
and  understandings  submitted  by  the  last  General  Synod  in  order  that 
the  mind  of  the  church  might  be  ascertained;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  accepts  these  reports  as  evidence  that 
the  mind  of  the  church  is  not  in  favor  of  the  adoption  of  the  said 
proposed  Articles  of  Constitution  and  Federal  Union,  and  that  further 
consideration  of  the  said  Articles  be  indefinitely  postponed. 

While  offering  this  recommendation  the  committee  deem  it  proper 
to  add  that  in  their  judgment  the  disapproval  reported  by  a  majority  of 
the  Classes  does  not  in  the  least  degree  indicate  any  want  of  fraternal 
affection  for  and  confidence  in  our  brethren  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
the  United  States.  It  only  indicates  that  for  some  reasons  in  some 
classes,  and  for  other  reasons  in  other  classes,  the  church  is  not  ready  to 
consummate  this  plan  of  Union  at  this  time. 

Nor  does  the  disapproval  reported  cast  any  reflection  upon  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  two  churches  by  whom  the  proposed  plan  of  Union 
was  devised.  No  others  stand,  or  deserve  to  stand,  higher  than  they  in 
the  confidence  of  their  brethren.  The  task  which  they  undertook  was 
not  assumed  by  themselves,  but  was  imposed  upon  them  by  the  churches. 
It  was  difficult  by  reason  of  both  its  magnitude  and  its  novelty.  It  is 
no  disparagement  to  them  that  such  an  attempt  does  not  prove  immedi- 
ately successful.  Notwithstanding  the  partial  failure  and  the  consequent 
disappointment  of  many  cherished  hopes,  their  work  has  not  by  any  means 
been  in  vain.  Through  the  negotiations  and  correspondence  and  personal 
and  fraternal  intercourse  which  have  been  carried  on  in  recent  years  the 
two  Sister  Churches  have  become  better  acquainted  with  each  other, 
the  ties  of  confidence  and  affection  between  them  have  been  strength- 
ened, and  although  the  present  effort  towards  a  closer  external  union 
has  not  succeeded,  it  will  serve  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  success  which 
God  will  surely  grant,  and  as  we  believe,  at  no  distant  time.  We  also  offer 
the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  cannot  refrain  from  expressing  its  deep 
gratefulness  to  the  Commissioners  of  both  our  Reformed  Churches,  who 
have  for  so  many  years  endeavored  to  formulate  some  plan  of  practical 
union,  and  its  sense  of  pain  and  disappointment  at  miscarriage  of  their 
efforts ;  but  indulges  the  hope  that  no  such  labor  of  love  is  ever  lost,  and 
that  in  His  own  time  God  may  bring  about  some  larger  and  effective 
co-operation  of  holy  purpose  and  work,  whereby  both  our  own  and  other 
churches  may  more  successfully  assist  in  the  promotion  of  God's  King- 
dom in  the  world. 

Whether  it  is  advisable  at  the  present  time  to  attempt  to  devise 
some  other  and  more  acceptable  plan  of  union  we  leave  to  the  wisdom 
of  the  Synod  to  decide. 

Also  without  further  recommendation  we  leave  it  to  the  wisdom  of 
the  Synod  to  decide  what  course  to  adopt  concerning  the  overture  from 


6o8 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 


the  South  Classis  of  Long  Island  looking  towards  a  Federal   Union  of 
a  broader  scope. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

A.  P.  VAN  GIESON, 
J.  A.  DeBAUN, 
JAMES  F.  ZWEMER, 
ISAAC  C.   HARING, 
VISCHER  LANSING. 
1893,  816-819. 


Rev.   Joachim   Elmendorf,   D.D. 
Church,     reported.     He     notes     it 


,   delegate   to   the   German   Reformed 
as     the     looth     anniversary     of     the 


independent  existence  of  the  German  church,  the  occasion  be- 
ing observed  with  "impressive  and  enthusiastic  jubilee  services." 
He  was  received  with  "marked  cordiality  and  Christian  cour- 
tesy," although  he  was  obliged  to  announce  to  the  Synod  the 
vote  of  our  Classes  on  "Federal  Union."  The  president,  in  his  reply,  ex- 
pressed their  own  "deep  disappointment  and  regret ;"  and  yet,  as  he  said, 
they  still  "hoped  for  the  ultimate  consummation  of  the  Union."  The 
condition  of  this  branch  of  the  church,  the  various  reports  indicated  to 
be  one  of  "prosperity  in  all  departments  of  church  work."     1893,  812. 

See  Federal  Union. 

REFORMED    CHURCH    IN    THE    U.    S.       [GERMAN.] 


DELEGATES    TO    GERMAN    CHURCH    FROM 

R.   C.   A. 
1728 


1729  Letters  to  the  German  Church 
in  Pa.  and  ordination  of 
Boehm    by    Dutch    ministers. 

1 728- 1 792  Many  letters  from  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  the 
German  Chs.   in  America. 

1743  Efforts  of  Classis  of  Amster- 
dam to  unite  the  German, 
Dutch  and  Presbyterian 
Churches    into    one    Body. 

1762  Rev.  John  Leydt  sent  by  the 
Coetus  to  seek  union  of  the 
Dutch  and  German  Churches. 

1770 


1787  Rev.  Jacob  R.  Hardenbergh  a 
delegate  to  German  Coetus. 

1794  Rev.  John  H.  Livingston,  Rev. 
Solomon  Froeligh,  Rev.  Peter 
Stryker,  Rev.  D.  C.  A. 
Peck. 

1804 

1806  Letters  and   Copies 

1809 


DELEGATES    FROM     GERMAN     CHURCH 
TO  R.   C.   A. 

Letters  from  German  Chs.  in  Pa. 
to  Dutch  ministers  in  New 
York. 


Many  replies  to  such  letters. 
Replies. 


Rev.  Philip  Wyberg  and  Rev. 
Jonathan  DuBois,  of  German 
Church  of  Pa.,  among  Incor- 
porators   of    Queens    College. 


of  Minutes  exchanged. 


REFORMED    CHURCH  OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       609 


DELEGATES    TO    GERMAN    CHURCH    FROM 
R.  C.  A. 

1812  General  Synod  requested  by  the 

Classis  of  New  York,  through 
the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York,  to  appoint  delegates. 
Rev.  C.  Bork,  Rev.  Jas.  S. 
Cannon,  Rev.  Peter  Labagh. 

1813  Rev.     Jacob     Brodhead,     Rev. 

Peter  Labagh. 

1814  Rev.     John     Schureman,     Rev. 

Chs.  Hardenbergh,  Rev.  C.  D. 
Westbrook. 

1815 

1816  Rev.    Sol.   Froeligh,   Rev.   C.    C 

Cuyler,  Prim. ;  Rev.  Ch. 
Bork,  Rev.  Peter  Labagh, 
Sec. 

1817  Rev.  Isaac  Labagh,  Rev.  Philip 

Milledoler. 

1818  Rev.    Peter   Labagh,   Rev.   J.    L 

Schultz,  Prim. ;  Rev.  Jac. 
Schoonmaker,  Rev.  Jas.  L 
Cannon,  Sec. 

1819  Printed  Address  of  Prof.   Liv- 

ingston, inviting  the  Germans 
to  enjoy  the  benefits  of  the 
New    Brunswick   Seminary. 

1827  Rev.  W.  Eltinge,  Rev.  John  F. 

Schermerhorn,  Prim. ;  Rev. 
C  C  Cuyler,  Rev.  Robt. 
Bronk,  Sec. 

1828  Rev.    C    C    Cuyler,    Rev.    J.    L 

Schultz ;  Rev.  G.  R.  Livings- 
ton,  Rev.   John  Ludlow,   Sec. 

1829  Rev.  G.  R.  Livingston,  Rev.  S. 

Van  Vechten;  Rev.  Robt. 
Bronk,  Rev.  Jacob  C.  Sears, 
Sec. 

1830  Rev.    J.    Schoonmaker,    Rev.    J. 

F.  Schermerhorn;  Rev.  T.  M. 
Stronf.  Rev.  J.  H.  Van  Wag- 
enen,   Sec. 

1831  Rev.     G.     R.    Livingston,    Rev. 

Jas.  Romeyn ;  Rev.  J.  C 
Sears,  Rev.  Douw  Van  Olin- 
da,  Sec. 

1832  Rev.  J.  F.   Schermerhorn,  Rev. 

Jeff.  Wynkoop ;  Rev.  Richard 
Sluyter,  Rev.  Gabriel  Lud- 
low,  Sec. 

1833  Rev.  Paul  Weidman,  Rev.  Hen- 

ry L.  Rice;  Rev.  Cor.  Van 
Cleef,  Rev.  Jac.  C.  Sears, 
Sec. 


DELEGATES    FROM    GERMAN    CHURCH 
TO  R.  C.   A. 


Rev.    Samuel    Helffenstein,    Elder 
Philip   Gloninger. 

Rev.    Samuel    Helffenstein,    Rev. 
Handel. 

German   Minutes   sent. 


Letter    from    Revs.     Helffenstein 
and   Pomp,  expressing  wish   to 
unite  with  the  Dutch  in  a  The- 
ological Seminary. 


Rev.  John  H.  Smaltz,  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Helffenstein. 


Rev.   John   H.    Smaltz,    Rev.   Jas. 
R.    Reiley. 

Rev.   C.  Knaus. 


Rev.   Geo.  Wack. 


Rev.   Daniel   Zacharias. 


Rev.  Dederick  Willers,  Rev.  John 
Rudy. 


6io         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


DELEGATES    TO    GERMAN    CHURCH    FROM 
R.  C.  A. 

1834  Rev.    Geo.    W.    Bethune,    Rev. 

Jas.    B.    Hardenbergh;  Rev. 

Wm.  McMurray,  Rev.  J.  J. 
Janeway,  Sec. 

1835  Rev.    Jac.    Schoonmaker,  Rev. 

M.  W.  Dwight;  Rev.  C.  D. 
Westbrook,  Rev.  F.  M.  Kip, 
Sec. 

1836  Rev.  J.  H.  Van  Wagenen,  Rev. 

Is.  P.  Labagh;  Rev.  B. 
Bassler,  Rev.  J.  Stevenson, 
Sec. 

1837 

1838  Rev.   Ab.    Messier,    Rev.    B.    C. 

Taylor;  Rev.  T.  M.  Strong, 
Rev.  Brogun  HoflF,  Sec. 

1839  Rev.  G.  W.  Bethune,  Rev.  John 

Ludlow ;  Rev.  Jas.  B.  Har- 
denbergh, Rev.  J.  C.  Sears, 
Sec. 

1841  Rev.      John      Garretson,      Rev. 

Douw  Van  Olinda ;  Rev.  R. 
Sluyter,  Rev.  Geo.  DuBois, 
Sec. 

1842  Rev.    Wm.    H.    Campbell,    Rev. 

Cor.  Van  Cleef;  Rev.  John 
Van  Liew,  Rev.  C.  L.  Van 
Dyke,  Sec. 

1843  Alex.    M.    Mann,    Rev.    Ab.    I. 

Switz;  Rev.  John  P.  Knox, 
Rev.  T.  W.  Chambers,  Sec. 

1844  Rev.  I.  N.  Wyckofif,  Rev.  O.  H. 

Gregory ;  Rev.  G.  Ludlow, 
Rev.  John  Gosman,  Sec. 
184s  Rev.  Is.  Ferris,  Rev.  John 
Proudfit;  Rev.  N.  I.  Mar- 
selus,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Camp- 
bell, Sec. 

1846  Rev.   Jas.   Romeyn,   Rev.   Thos. 

E.  Vermilye;  Rev.  J.  M. 
Mathews,  Rev.  T.  W.  Cham- 
beers,  Sec. 

1847  Rev.    Jac.    C.    Sears,    Rev.    R. 

Wells;  Rev.  Ab.  I.  Labagh, 
Rev.  J.  H.  Duryea,  Sec. 

1848  Rev.   J.    C.   F.   Hoes,   Rev.   Ab. 

B.  Van  Zandt;  Rev.  C.  L. 
Van  Dyke,  Rev.  J.  H.  Pitcher, 
Sec. 

1849  Rev.   Wm.  R.  Gordon,  Rev.  T. 

W.  Chambers;  Rev.  G.  Lud- 
low, Rev.  D.  D.  Demarest, 
Sec. 


DELEGATES     FROM     GERMAN     CHURCH 
TO  R.   C.   A. 

Rev.  B.  C.  Wolff. 


Rev.   Geo.   Wack. 


Rev.   Daniel   Zacharias. 


Rev.  John  H.   Smaltz,  Rev.  John 

Rudy. 
Rev.    B.    C.    Wolff,    Rev.    T.    L. 

Hoffeditz. 


Rev.  Jos.  F.  Berg. 


Gutelius. 


Rev.    Jos.    F.    Berg,    Rev.    Elias 
Heiner. 


Rev.    I.    Helffenstein,    Rev.    S.    C. 
Gutelius. 

Rev.    J.    F.    Mesick,    Rev.    B.    S. 
Schenck. 

Rev.    J.    A.    H.    Bomberger. 


Rev.  B.  C.  Wolff. 


Rev.   Samuel  R.  Fisher. 


Rev.    Henry    Harbaugh,    Rev.    D. 
Zacharias. 


Rev.    Chs.    F.    McCauley. 


REFORMED   CHURCH   OF  U.  S.  (GERMAN)       6ii 


DELEGATES    TO    GERMAN    CHURCH    FROM 
R.  C.  A. 

1850  Rev.    Edwin    Holmes,    Rev.    F. 

M.  Kip;  Rev.  Ab.  Van  Nest, 
Rev.   H.  D.  Ganse,  Sec. 

185 1  Rev.    E.    S.    Porter,    Rev.    W. 

W.    Halloway;    Rev.    H.    W. 
Smaller,  Rev.  R.  P.  Lee,  Sec. 

1852  Rev.    C.    Van    Santvoord,    Rev. 

Brogun     Hoff;     Rev.     C.     E. 
Crispell,    Rev.     Philip    Peltz, 
Sec. 
1853 


DELEGATES    FROM     GERMAN    CHURCH 
TO  R.  C.  A. 


Rev.   J.    P.    Mesick. 


Rev.    Is.    Gerhart,    Rev.    Wm.    C. 
Bennett. 


Rev.      Henry      Harbaugh,      Rev. 
Samuel   R.    Fisher. 
Correspondence  suspended  for  doctrinal   reasons,   1853-1863. 

1863  Rev.  G.  M.  Mandeville,  Rev.  E. 

W.  Colfier. 

1864  Rev.  R.  O.  Currie,  Rev.   P.  D. 

Van  Cleef. 

1865  Rev.   John   F.   Mesick,   Rev.    P. 

D.  Van  Cleef. 

1866  Rev.   John  B.  Alliger,  Rev.  A. 

T.  Stewart,  to  Synod;  Rev. 
John  DeWitt,  Rev.  T.  W. 
Chambers,  to  Gen.  Synod. 

1867  Rev.  V.   M.  Hulbert,  Rev.  Da- 

vid Cole. 

1868  Rev.    C.     H.     Stitt,    Rev.    Jos. 

Scudder. 

1869  Rev.  J.  McC.  Holmes,  Rev.  A. 

G.  Ryerson,  to  Gen.  Synod; 
Rev.  J.  B.  Thompson,  Rev.  J. 
T.  Demarest,  to   Synod. 

1870  Rev.  E.   P.  Livingston,  Rev.  J. 

G.  Watson,  to  Western  Sy- 
nod; Rev.  J.  C  F.  Hoes,  Rev. 
H.  D.  Ganse,  to  Eastern  Sy- 
nod. 

1871  Rev.  E.  P.  Livingston,  Rev.  N. 

D.  Williamson,  to  Ohio  Sv- 
nod;  Rev.  W.  H.  Ten  Eyck, 
Rev.  A.  P.  Van  Gieson,  to 
Eastern  Synod. 

1872  Rev.  Philip  Peltz,  Rev.  John  A. 

DeBaun. 


Rev.    G.    B.    Russell,    Rev.   Jacob 

O.   Miller. 
Rev.    E.    V.    Gerhart,    Rev.   J.    S. 

Foulke,  U.  S. 
Rev.  David  Gans. 


Rev.     Dietrich     Willers,    U.     S.; 

Rev.  John  W.  Nevin,  U.  S. 
Rev.     Daniel     Zacharias,     U.     S., 

N.  A. 
Rev.  E.  E.  Higbee. 


Rev.    Benj.    Bausman. 


Rev.  L  H.  Reiter. 
Rev.    T.   Appel. 


1873  Rev.    John    A.    DeBaun,    Rev. 
C.  L  Shepard. 

1874 
1875 
1876 

1877 
1878 
1879 


Rev.  G.  W.  Willard,  Ohio  Synod; 
Rev.  P.  S.  Davis,  Eastern  Sy- 
nod. 

Rev.  Geo.  W.  Welker,  Rev.  Da- 
vid E.   Klopp. 


Rev.    L    G.    Apple,    Rev.    E.    R. 
Eschback. 


6l2 


DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 


DELEGATES     FROM     GERMAN    CHURCH 
TO  R.    C.    A. 

J.    A.    H.    Bomberger. 


Rev. 


Rev.    F.    W.    Kremer. 


Rev.  L.  H.  Kefauvre, 
Hibshman. 


Rev.  H.  W. 


Rev.  J.   S.  Kieffer. 


Rev.   Conrad  Clever. 


Rev.  D.  Bausman. 


DELEGATES    TO    GERMAN    CHURCH    FROM 

R.  C.  A. 
1880 
1881 
1882 

1883  Rev.    John    M.    Wagner,    Rev. 

N.  I.   Rubinkam. 

1884  Rev.  Leopold  Mohn,  Rev.  Jacob 

Weber. 

1885  Rev.    L.    Dykstra,    Rev.    F.    S. 

Schenck. 

1886  Rev.    L.     Dykstra,     Rev.    John 

Vander  Meulen. 

1887  Rev.  J.  G.  Van  Slyke,  Rev.  H. 

C.  Berg. 

1888  Rev.   Joachim   Elmendorf,   Rev. 

James  Le  Fevre. 

1889  Rev.  T.  W.  Chambers,  Rev.  N. 

Pearse. 
1890 
1891 
1892  Rev.    Joachim   Elmendorf,    Rev. 

Geo.  D.  Hulst. 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 

1897  Rev.   E.   C.   Oggel,   Rev 

Corwin. 

1898  Rev.  B.  E.  Dickhaut,  Rev.  B.  S. 

Barnum. 

1899 
1900 

1901  Rev.  J.   H.   Oerter,  Rev 

Staats. 

1902  Rev.  J.   H.   Oerter,   Rev 

Staats. 

1903 

1904  Rev.  J.  H.  Oerter. 

1905  Rev.  R.  H.  Joldersma,  Rev.  F. 

Ferwerda. 

Reformed  Council  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Philip. 
Alluded  to,  1896,  503.     See  Brotherhood,  etc. 

Reformed  Dutch  Church.  This  particular  title  was  common  until 
1867.  See  'Title  of  the  Church."  This  name,  "Refd.  Dutch  Ch.,"  does 
not  occur  in  Constitution  of  1619 ;  but  it  occurs  in  the  Constitution  of  1792, 
Arts.  II,  22,  27,  28,  36,  53,  61,  64,  65;  in  that  of  1833,  Arts.  12,  27,  60,  90; 
in  that  of  1874,  Arts.  13,  24,  53,  80,  but  in  these  latter  the  word  ''Dutch" 
is  in  brackets.     See  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

Reformed  Episcopal  Church. 

Your  Committee  has  been  instructed  to  submit  a  resolution  with 
a  view  to  opening  a  correspondence  with  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church 


E.   T.       Rev.  J.  S.  Stahr. 


B.   B. 


B.  B. 


Rev.   J.    H.    Sechler. 


Rev.   Cyrus  Cort. 


REFORMED  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  613 

in  America ;  accordingly  the  following  is  proposed  for  the  adoption  of 
the  Synod: 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  expresses  cordial  sympathy  with  the  efforts 
of  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church  to  establish  and  perpetuate  pure  and 
spiritual  worship,  and  recognizes  with  pleasure  the  ministry  and  member- 
ship of  that  Church,  as  forming  with  ourselves,  and  all  our  brethren  of 
Christ's  household,  a  part  of  the  true  Church  of  God  upon  earth. 

Resolved,  That  to  express  this  feehng  more  strongly,  the  Synod  will 
appoint  at  this  session,  a  Delegate  to  convey  to  the  Convention  of  the 
Reformed  Episcopal  Church  our  Christian  salutations,  and  that  our  Dele- 
gate suggest  the  expediency  of  an  annual  correspondence  by  delegates 
between  that  Convention  and  this  Synod.     1874,  46,  61. 

The  credentials  of  Rev.  Marshall  B.  Smith,  Primarius,  and  Rev. 
Wm.  R.  Nicholson,  D.D.,  Secundus,  delegates  from  the  Third  General 
Council  of  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church,  were  received,  together  with 
the  following  resolutions,  all  of  which  were  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Correspondence, 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Third  Council  of  the  Reformed  Episcopal 

Church,  held  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  May  12th,  1875. 

"The  following  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted  ^3;  a  rising  vote: 

"Whereas,  The  Reformed  Church  in  America, — one  of  the  oldest 
Churches  on  this  Continent,  and  the  representative  of  the  historical  Church 
of  the  Netherlands,  did,  at  its  last  General  Synod,  fraternally  extend  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  to  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  to-day 
represented  in  this  Council  by  its  commissioned  Delegate;  and 

"Whereas,  This  General  Council  cordially  reciprocates  the  fraternal 
overtures  of  the  General  Synod,  with  reference  to  the  establishment  of 
corresponding  relations  between  the  two  Churches ;  therefore 

"Resolved,  That  a  Delegate  and  an  alternate  be  elected  at  this  and 
each  succeeding  General  Council,  and  commissioned  to  convey  to  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  the  Christian  saluta- 
tions of  the  Reformed  Episcopal  Church."     1875,  251. 

Synod  resolved  to  send  a  delegate  annually  to  Refd.  Episcopal 
Church,  1875,  266. 

reformed  episcopal   church, 
delegates  to.  delegates  from. 

1874  Rev.    A.     R.    Thompson,     Rev. 

John  Gaston. 

1875  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Ten  Eyck,     Rev.       Rev.  M.  B.   Smith,  Rev.  Wm.  R. 

E.  S.  Fairchild.  Nicholson. 

1876  Rev.   Jas.   Demarest,   Rev.   Joa-       Rev.    G.    D.    Cummings,    Rev.    B. 

chim   Elmendorf.  B.  Leacock. 

1877  Rev.   C.   D.   Hartranft,   Rev.  E.       Rev.    J.    H.    Smith,    Hon.    S.    L. 

S.    Fairchild.  Woodford. 

1878  Rev.   John  Gaston,   Rev.   E.   T.       Rev.  W.  I.  Sabine,  Col.  Benj.  B. 

Corwin.  Aycrigg. 

1879  Rev.  Jas.  M.  Gray. 

1880  Rev.   Denis  Wortman,   Rev.   H. 

V.  S.  Myers. 

1881  Rev.   H.  W.  F.  Jones,  Rev.  E.       Rev.  Marshall  B.  Smith,  Rev.  G. 

A.  Collier.  A.  Redels. 

1882  Rev.    M.    H.    Hutton,    Rev. 

Evert  Van  Slyke. 

1883  Rev.  J.   P.   Strong,   Rev.  A.  V. 

V.   Raymond. 


6i4         DIGEST   OFSYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


DELEGATES    TO. 

1884  Rev.   B.   C  Lippincott,  Rev.  E. 

C.  Lawrence. 

1885  Rev.    Roderick    Terry,    Rev.    J. 

L  Danner. 

1886  Rev.     Carlos    Martin,    Rev.    J. 

Elmendorf. 

1887  Rev.   E.  A.   Collier,   Rev.  J.   S. 

Joralmon. 

1888  Rev.  Chs.  W.  Fritts,  Rev.  E.  B. 

Coe. 

1889  Rev.  J.  W.  Chapman,  Rev.  W. 

S.  Cranmer. 

1890  Rev.   I.   P.   Brokaw,  Rev.  J.   S. 

N.   Demarest. 

1891  Rev.  Anson  DuBois,  Rev.  A.  P. 

Peeke. 

1892  Rev.   W.   B.   Hill,   Rev.   W.   H. 

Boocock. 

1893  Rev.    Jas.    Le    Fevre. 

1894  Rev.   A.    H.    Brush,    Rev.    Her- 

man Hageman. 

1895  Rev.  T.   S.  Brown,  Rev.   B.   B. 

Staats. 

1896  Rev.     W.     S.     Cranmer,     Rev. 

Wm.    Moerdyk. 

1897  Rev.  D.  H.  Martin,  Rev.  G.  E. 

Talmage. 

1898  Rev.  J.  S.  N.  Demarest,  Rev.  O. 

H.  Walser. 


DELEGATES    FROM. 

Rev.  James  A.  Latane. 
Rev.  Chs.  D.  Kellogg. 


Rev.  Daniel  M.  Stearns. 


Rev.  W.  Fred.  Allen. 

Rev.     Mason     Gallagher.     Letter. 
Rev.  Geo.  Savery. 


Rev.  C  F.  Hendricks.  Letter. 
Rev.  C.  H.  Tucker,  Rev.  W.  D. 
Stevens. 


Church    of    the    United 


1899  Rev.   J.   S.   N.   Demarest,   Rev. 

O.  H.  Walser. 

1900  Rev.  H.  C.  Willoughby,  Rev.  C. 

S.  Wright. 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 
1905  Rev.  C.  P.  Ditmars,  Rev.  S.  O. 

Lawsing. 

Reformed    German    Church.     See    Refd. 
States. 

Reformed  Lesson  Helps.     See  Sunday  Schools. 

Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  in  N.  A. 

Rev.  Dr.  A.  McLeod,  of  Refd.  Presb.  Ch.  appeared  in  Synod,  and  was 
invited  to  sit  as  an  advisory  member,  1813,  18. 

Resolved,  That  Revs.  Wm.  C.  Brownlee,  D.D.,  John  Knox,  D.D.,  and 
Elder  Ah.  Van  Nest  be  appointed  a  Committee  to  open  a  correspondence 
with  the  Synod  of  the  Refd.  Presbyt.  Ch.     1837,  29. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  report  a  plan  of  correspondence  with 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  reported  a 
plan  for  maintaining  this  correspondence  which  had  received  the  sanc- 
tion of  the  Synod  of  that  Church  and  being  read  by  paragraphs,  it  was 
adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Church.  The  following  is- 
the  plan: 


DELEGATES    FROM. 

Rev. 

John    N.    M'Leod. 

Rev. 

Wm.    Wilson. 

Rev. 

Wm.    Wilson. 

REFORMED  PRES.  CHURCH  IN  N.  A.  615 

I.  The  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  and  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  shall  each  appoint 
a  minister  with  an  alternate,  to  sit  in  the  highest  judicatory  respectively, 
with  the  privilege  of  deliberating  on  all  subjects  coming  before  them,  and 
of  making  suggestions  on  matters  affecting  the  interests  of  both  bodies 
mutually  or  pertaining  to  the  general  interests  of  religion — but  not  of 
voting. 

II.  The  ministers,  members  and  judicatories  of  these  churches  (treat- 
ing each  other  with  Christian  respect),  shall  always  recognize  the  valid- 
ity of  each  other's  acts  and  ordinances  consonant  to  the  Word  of  God, 
it  being  understood  that  any  ecclesiastical  Judicatory  belonging  to  either 
body,  may  examine  persons,  or  review  cases  of  discipline,  on  points  at 
present  peculiar  or  distinctive  to  themselves  respectively.     1838,  122. 

DELEGATES     TO. 

1838  Rev.    R.     Wells,    Rev.    G.    H. 

Fisher. 
1840 

1841  Rev.    R.    P.   Lee,   Rev.   Brogun 

Hoff. 

1842  Rev.  John  B.  Steele,  Rev.  Philip       Rev.    John    N.    M'Leod. 

Duryea. 

See  reports,  1838,  124,  130;  1840,  349.  In  1841,  a  paper  was  presented 
to  the  R.  D.  C.  in  reference  to  the  alarming  increase  of  popery  in  U.  S. 
The  Dutch  Synod  did  not  deem  it  necesasry  to  take  any  action  on  the 
proposals  presented.     1841,  465-6. 

In  1843,  Rev.  John  B.  Steele  made  a  very  pleasant  report  of  his 
courteous  reception ;  but  also  deemed  it  his  duty  to  make  a  further  report 
in  reference  to  the  expediency  of  continuing  the  Correspondence.  The 
Refd.  Prebyt.  Church  because  of  a  peculiarity  in  their  organization  and 
history,  were  called  "Covenanters."  There  were  in  all  about  60  churches 
[1843],  but  these  were  now  divided  into  two  parties.  Our  correspondence 
was  with  the  smaller  party,  embracing  about  25  chs.  and  20  pastors. 
Reference  was  made  to  their  adherence  to  the  Psalms  only,  in  singing; 
their  close  communion ;  their  system  of  "covenanting,"  distinct  from  the 
profession  of  faith;  and  their  peculiar  views  about  civil  government.  At 
the  communion  the  reasons  were  given  why  none  could  be  invited  from 
other  denominations.  There  is  no  probability  of  any  closer  union,  and 
hence  it  was  of  doubtful  expediency  to  continue  the  correspondence. 
The  Synod  therefore  resolved,  that  while  cherishing  the  kindest  feelings 
toward  the  Refd.  Presbyt.  Church,  it  was  inexpedient  longer  to  send 
delegates,  but  would  exchange  Minutes.  1843.  182-6.  In  1845,  a  letter 
was  received  from  Dr.  M'Leod,  the  Stated  Clerk,  with  certain  resolutions 
of  the  Refd.  Presb.  Synod,  1845,  425,  as  follows  : 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions  on  the  correspondence  of 
this  Synod  with  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  were  read  and 
adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of  the  Ref.  Presbyterian  Church,  in  session 
at  Pittsburg.  Aug.  7  [1844].  The  preamble  explains  the  circumstances 
that  gave  occasion  to  the  passage  of  these  resolutions. 

Whereas,  The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  did,  in  the  year  1837,  request  a  correspondence  by  delegation  with 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church — and  Whereas, 
The  plan  of  intercourse  mutually  adopted  between  the  two  bodies,  on 
the  accession  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  to  the  proposal,  did 
not  make,  and  was  not  intended  to  make,  any  provision  for  ecclesiastical 
or  sacramental  communion  among  the  ministers  and  members  of  the 
churches  respectively — and  Whereas,  The  General  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church  did.  at  their  meeting  in  1843,  relinqnish  the  corre- 


6i6  DIGEST  OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

spondence,  for  the  declared  reason  that  their  delegate,  commissioned  to 
attend  our  meeting  of  that  year,  was  not  invited  to  partake  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  when  that  ordinance  was  dispensed  in  one  of  the  congregations 
under  the  care  of  Synod,  on  the  Sabbath  preceding  their  constitution — 
and  Whereas,  It  is  dutiful  to  ourselves,  and  respectful  to  our  brethren, 
to  place  this  Synod  in  a  right  position,  as  regards  this  whole  matter,  be- 
fore their  late  correspondent  and  the  world;   therefore, 

Resolved,  i.  That  this  Synod  have  heard,  with  surprise  and  regret, 
of  the  action  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  in 
relinquishing  their  correspondence  by  delegation  with  this  Synod,  for 
the  reasons  specified  in  their  published  minutes. 

Resolved,  2.  That,  judging  from  the  statement  of  the  minutes  re- 
ferred to,  said  action  proceeded  on  the  mistaken  principle  that  com- 
munion in  sealing  ordinances  among  the  ministers  and  members  of  the 
corresponding  churches,  was  provided  for  in  the  plan  of  intercourse. 
No  such  provision  was  ever  understood  by  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church  to  be  made.  The  articles,  defining  the  nature  of  the  intercourse, 
were  not  a  plan  of  ecclesiastical  union,  of  sacramental  fellowship,  but  of 
correspondence  for  general  purposes,  between  bodies  retaining  respectively 
their  own  distinctive  pecuHarities. 

Resolved,  3.  That  no  discourtesy,  either  in  intention  or  fact,  was 
manifested  towards  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  or  her  reverend  dele- 
gate, in  his  not  being  invited  to  a  seat  at  the  Lord's  table  by  the  authori- 
ties of  the  congregation,  who  alone  had  control  of  the  matter,  on  the 
occasion  above  referred  to. 

Resolved,  4.  That  this  Synod  have  reason  to  complain  of  the  action 
of  their  respected  sister  Synod,  in  relinquishing  their  correspondence,  on 
mistaken  grounds,  in  a  manner  of  considerable  abruptness,  and  without 
any  notice  of  their  intention  or  official  information  of  the  fact  itself. 

Resolved,  5.  That  the  relinquishment  of  the  correspondence  by  dele- 
■gation,  though  it  took  place  on  mistaken  principles,  and  in  a  way  which 
Tias  some  appearance  of  discourtesy,  shall  not  abate  the  regard  of  this 
Synod,  for  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  nor  their  desires 
and  prayers  for  their  continued  prosperity  and  increasing  usefulness. 
The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  to  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  wish  "grace,  mercy  and 
peace,  from  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

Resolved,  6.  That-  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed  to  transmit  a  copy 
of  these  resolutions  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church. 

The  R.  D.  C.  Sj'nod  reciprocated  all  their  good  wishes,  but  referred 
them  to  their  action  of  1843,  182-6,  and  directed  a  copy  of  said  action  to 
be  sent  them,  1845,  430-2. 

In  1864,  a  motion  was  offered  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  re- 
opening Correspondence  with  the  Refd.  Presbyt.  Ch.  This  was  reported 
favorably,  1864,  422,  424,  and  delegates  have  exchanged  visits,  or  letters 
have  been  esnt  from  that  time  to  the  present.  Proposal,  1894,  for  a  new 
Metrical  Version  of  the  Psalms.  See  Psalms,  Metrical  Version ;  see 
Federal  Union,  1902,  127-8;  1903,  399,  402;  Overtures  for  union,  1904, 
749;  1905,  151. 

REFORMED  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  N.  A. 
DELEGATES  TO.  DELEGATES  FROM. 

1864  Rev.  John  Gaston,   Rev.   G.   H. 

Fisher. 

1865  Rev.  John   Gaston,   Rev.   G.   H. 

Fisher. 


REFORMED  PRES.  CHURCH  IN  N.  A. 


617 


DELEGATES    TO 

1866  Rev.    Philip    Phelps,    Jr.,    Rev. 

Anson   DuBois. 

1867  Rev.  O.  H.  Gregory,  Rev.  John 

Steele. 

1868  Rev.  A.  B.  Van  Zandt,  Rev.  A. 

G.  Vermilye. 

1869  Rev.    John    G.    Johnson,    Rev. 

Richard  H.   Steele. 

1870  Rev.   F.   N.   Zabriskie,  Rev.  Is. 

S.  Hartley. 

1871 

1872  Rev.  Jas.  Le  Fevre,  Rev.  P.  M. 

Doolittle. 

1873  Rev.    C.    S.    Hageman,    Rev.    B. 

Van  Zandt. 

1874  Rev.    Isaac    Riley,    Rev.    A.    H. 

Brush. 

1875  Rev.  E.  W.  Bentley,  Rev.  D.  K. 

Bartlett. 

1876  Rev.  W.  V.  V.  Mabon,  Rev.  S. 

W.  Roe. 

1877  Rev.     B.     C.     Lippincott,     Rev. 

Artemas   Dean. 

1878  Rev.     John     N.     Jansen,     Rev. 

Samuel   L.    Gamble. 

1879  Rev.  Chs.  H.  Edgar,  Rev.  E.  S. 

Fairchild. 

1880  Rev.  C.  Brett,  Rev.  J.  K.  Allen. 

1881  Rev.    W.    E.    Griffis,    Rev.    Jas. 

Le  Fevre. 

1882  Rev.  B.  Van  Zandt,  Rev.  Theo- 

dore  W.    Welles. 

1883  Rev.  C.  W.  Fritts,  Rev.  W.  H. 

Ten  Eyck. 

1884 
1885 


1887  Rev.    G.    S.    Bishop,    Rev.    Jas. 

Demarest. 

1888  Rev.    J.    R.    Kyle,    Rev.    W.    H. 

Gleason. 

1889  Rev.    Jas.    F.    Riggs,    Rev.    A. 

Vennema. 

1890  Rev.     H.    De    Vries,     Rev.     C. 

K.  Clearwater. 

1891  Rev.  J.  S.  Joralmon,  Rev.  N.  D. 

Williamson 

1892  Rev.     Taber     Knox,     Rev.     A. 

Kriekaard. 
1893 


DELEGATES    FROM 

Rev.  J.  C.  K.  MiUigan. 


Rev.  David  Steele. 
Rev.   John   Douglass. 

Rev.   W.   J.    Macdowall,   Rev.   A. 

G.  Wylie. 
Rev.    Nevin   Woodside. 

Rev.   Wm.   Wylie. 

Rev.   David   Steele. 

Rev.   S.  M.  Ramsay. 

Rev.  Jas.  Y.  Boyce. 
Rev.   Nevin  Woodside. 

Rev.  John  Alford. 
Rev.    S.    M.   Ramsay. 
Rev.  Wm.  Wylie. 

Rev.  Samuel  L.  Ramsay 
Rev.  W.  M.  Gibson. 

Rev.   W.  J.   Smiley. 

Rev.    Thos.    Watters. 
Rev.   Jas.   D.   Steele. 


6i8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

DELEGATES  TO  DELEGATES  FROM 

1894  Rev.    G.    D.    Hulst,    Rev.    Wil-       Rev.   Daniel   Steele. 
Ham    Stuart. 

1895 

1896  Rev.  R.  S.  Feagles. 

1897 

1898  Rev.  Jas.  Y.  Boyce. 

1899 

1900 

1901  Rev.  H.  Vander  Wart,  Rev.  Jas.  Rev.  J.  D.  Steele. 

De    Free. 

1902  Rev.     H.    Vander    Wart,    Rev.       Rev.  J.  B.  Steele. 

Jas.  De  Free. 

1903  Rev.    F.    H.    Milliken,   Rev.    O. 

M.  Voorhees. 
1904 
1905 

Reformed  Frotestant  Dutch   Church.     See  Refd.   Ch.  in  America. 

Reformed  Religion.     Alluded  to  in  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  56. 

Regeneration.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  24,  34,  35;  Heid.  Cat,  Quest.  8; 
Form  of  Baptism;  Canons  of  Dort,  iii.  and  iv.,  11-13,  16,  17;  v.  i. 

Register.  The  Secretary  shall  register  [record]  whatever  is  impor- 
tant, on  the  Minutes;  Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  34;  Registers  shall  be 
kept  of  all  marriages ;  members  received  into  the  Church ;  names  of 
licentiates  and  ministers  received;  and  of  all  baptisms;  Constit.  of  1619, 
Arts.  60,  61;  of  1792,  Arts.  33,  48,  57,  62;  of  1833,  Arts.  42,*  54,  55,  69; 
of  1874,  Arts.  47,  48,  61;  registers  to  be  kept  by  the  minister;  1790,  211. 

Rejection  of  Errors.  A  phrase  referring  to  the  errors  of  the  Remon- 
strants, which  were  specifically  mentioned  and  rejected,  after  the  ac- 
cepted doctrine  had  been  stated,  at  the  Sj^nod  of  Dort.  Such  "rejec- 
tion" is  somewhat  obscurely  referred  to  in  the  subscriptions  required  of 
Candidates,  Ministers  and  Frofessors.  Rules  of  1792,  Arts.  5,  11,  22;  of 
1833,  Arts.  6,  12,  18;  of  1874,  Arts.  6.  12,  24.  See  also  opening  sentence 
in  the  "Conclusion"  of  the  Canons ;  and  Minutes  of  Gen.  Syn.  1902,  123- 
5;  also  Article  "Christian  Refd.  Ch."  in  this  Digest,  pp.  129,  130. 

Relief  Fund.  A  term  occasionally  used  for  the  Widows' 
Fund,  1852,  214. 

Religion,  State  of.     See  State  of  Religion,  or  State  of  the  Churches. 

Religious  Incorporations.     See  Incorporation  of  Churches. 

Religious  Journals.  Ferhaps  the  first  of  these  was  "The  New  York 
Missionary  Magazine  and  Repository  of  Religious  Intelligence" ;  begun 
in  1800.  This  contains  much  information  about  the  N.  Y.  Miss.  Society, 
and  the  Northern  Branch  of  the  same,  in  both  which  Journals  the  Dutch 
Church  was  interested.  In  1813,  "The  Christian  Herald"  was  started. 
This  also  circulated  largely  in  the  Dutch  Church.  It  was  a  semi-monthly. 
In  1826,  the  Magazine  of  the  Dutch  Church  was  started,  a  monthly,  by 
Dr.  Brownlee,  and  continued  for  four  years.  It  is  full  of  material  re- 
lating to  the  Dutch  Church.  In  1830,  the  Christian  Intelligencer  was 
founded,  and  still  continues  as  the  pricincapl  organ  of  the  Dutch  Church. 
More  recently  The  Sower  was  started  in  1855,  which  went  through  va- 
rious phases  until  1888.  See  Sower.  It  was  superseded  by  The  Mis- 
sion Field,  The  Gleaner,  etc.  See  Manual  of  1902,  228.— See  1848,  326, 
where  Com.  on  State  of  the  Church  discuss  the  subject  of  a  Religious 
Journal. 


RELIGIOUS  LIBERTY  619 

Religious  Liberty.     See  National  Affairs. 

Remission  of  Sins.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  21,  23,  29 ;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
I,  21-23,  37-44,  52,  56,  59-64.     Canons  v.  7. 

Remonstrants.  A  name  given  to  the  followers  of  Arminius,  who 
remonstrated  against  the  manner  of  convening  the  Synod  of  Dort,  to 
which  they  were  not  invited  as  delegates,  but  cited  as  heretics.  See  Scott's 
Hist,  of  Synod  of  Dort.  The  term  "Remonstrant"  dges  not  occur  in  the 
Constitution  of  R.  C.  A.  See  "Rejection  of  Errors"  in  this  Digest,  and 
1902,  124-5,  where  it  is  alluded  to. 

Rem  SEN,  Mary  E.  Gives  $6,000  to  Board  of  Education  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  two  Scholarships,  1895,  91 ;  as  follows : 

Remsen,  Phoebe  A.     Scholarship  of  $3,000.     1895,  91. 

Remsen,  Sarah  Platt.     Scholarship  of  $3,000.     1895,  91. 

Rensselaer,  Classis  of.  One  of  the  three  Classes  formed  out  of  the 
old  Classis  of  Albany,  in  1800,  301.  It  was  composed  of  the  churches 
of  Kinderhook,  Schodack,  Pittstown,  Sinkhoick,  Waterford,  Greenbush, 
Wynantskiil,  Lansingburgh,  Stillwater,  Saratoga,  Schagticoke,  Tyashoke, 
Middletown  and  Clifton  Park.  The  churches  of  Bethlehem,  Half-Moon 
or  Waterford,  German  Flats,  Herkimer,  and  Mills-Bush  seem  also  to 
have  been,  more  or  less,  dependent  on  this  Classis,  soon  after  its  organiza- 
tion. It  was  greatly  reduced  in  numbers  by  the  formation  of  the  Classis 
of  Washington  in  1818.  For  a  time,  before  the  formation  of  the  Classis  of 
Greene,  1834,  it  had  also  several  churches  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson. 
It  also  spared  some  churches  to  help  form  the  Classis  of  Hudson  in  1845. 
See  Nevius's  Hist.  Sketch,  1876. 

Rensselaer,  Philip  S.     See  Real  Estate. 

Repentance.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  2-11,  106;  Form  for  Readmitting 
the  Excommunicated;  Canons  of  Dort,  iii.  and  iv.,  10;  v.,  5,  7. 

Reports.  These  are  of  various  kinds,  and  are  intended  to  bring  all 
the  operations  of  the  Church  before  the  General  Synod  for  information 
and  further  action.     They  consist  of 

1.  The  Consistorial  Reports  of  the  state  of  the  several  churches, 
spiritually  and  temporally  considered.  These  are  made  to  their  respect- 
ive Classes  or  Presbyteries.  The  Classes  make  their  reports  to  their 
Particular  (or  Local)  Synods;  and  the  Particular  Synods  make  their 
reports  to  the  General  Synod.  These  Synodical  Reports  are  referred  to 
the  Synod's  Standing  Committee  on  "The  State  of  Religion,"  for  review 
and  the  proposal  of  suitable  action  for  the  consideration  and  adoption 
of  the  General  Synod. 

2.  The  Reports  of  the  several  Boards — the  Board  of  Direction  of 
the  Corporation,  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  the  Board  of  Publication — are 
made  direct  to  the  General  Synod,  and  referred  to  Standing  Committees 
on  these  subjects,  for  review,  and  the  proposal  of  suitable  action  for  the 
consideration  and  adoption  of  the  General  Synod.  Resolved,  That  here- 
after all  printed  documents  be  not  read  before  the  Synod,  but  referred  to 
appropriate  Committees,  and  copies  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  members 
for  examination.     1887,  443-4. 

3.  Reports  of  the  several  Institutions ;  of  Academies  and  Colleges, 
so  far  as  they  may  be  under  the  control  of  the  Synod ;  and  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminaries.  Their  reports  are  made  through  Boards  of  Superin- 
tendents to  the  General  Synod,  and  referred  to  Standing  Committees  on 
these  subjects  for  review,  and  the  proposal  of  action  for  the  considera- 
tion and  adoption  of  the  General  Synod. 

4.  Reports  of  Permanent  Committees,  as  those  on  Seminary  Grounds 
and  Properties,  made  generally  through  the  Boards  of  Superintendents; 
and  the   Committee  on    Systematic   Beneficence,   etc. 


620         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

5.  Reports  of  the  Standing  Committees  of  the  General  Synod. 
These  are  now   (1905),  nineteen  in  number. 

Representation.  To  be  preserved  equally  among  Particular  Synods. 
1812,  421.     (Old  ed.  36.) 

Representatrt  Government.     See   Presbyterianism. 

Reprobation.  The  word  not  used  in  the  Belgic  Confession  or  Hei- 
delberg Catechism.  See  Canons  of  Dort,  i.  6,  15,  16,  18;  also  the  "Con- 
clusion" of  the  Canons. 

Resident  Graduates.  But  few  of  these  heretofore.  There  may  be 
mentioned  E.  T.  Corwin,  J.  B.  Thompson,  M.  B.  Riddle,  Abraham  Thom- 
son, etc.     See  Fourth  Year  of  Study;  Van  Schaick  Legacy. 

Resignations.  Nothing  is  said  in  the  Rules  of  1619,  about  Professors 
resigning.  In  1792  it  is  expressly  said  that  they  shall  continue  in  office 
during  life,  unless  guilty  of  misbehavior,  or  of  a  violation  of  their 
obligations ;  or  unless  they  desert  or  resign  their  profession,  1792,  24. 
A  Professor  shall  be  at  liberty  to  resign  his  office  by  giving  six  months' 
notice  to  the  President  of  Synod,  Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  29;  a  Professor 
shall  not  be  at  liberty  to  resign  his  office  without  the  consent  of  the 
General  Synod,  except  upon  giving  three  months'  notice  to  the  President 
of  Gen.  Synod.  Constit.  1874,  Art.  26.  The  following  resignations  have 
taken  place :  Prof.  Bassett,  1812,  426 ;  Prof.  Ludlow,  Feb.,  1823,  5 ;  Prof. 
Milledoler,  Sept.,  1841,  25;  Prof.  McClelland,  1851,  132,  187;  Prof.  Cannon, 
1852,  271;  Prof.  Campbell,  1863,  326;  Prof.  Van  Zandt,  1881,  647;  Prof. 
DeWitt,  1892,  521;  Prof.  Riggs,  1898,  81;  Prof.  Lansing,  1899,  384;  Prof. 
Woodbridge,  1901,  1044-5 ;  Prof.  W.  H,  S.  Demarest,  1906. — And  in  the 
Western  Seminary:  Prof.  Crispell,  1879,  239;  Prof.  Steflfens,  1895,  72; 
Prof.  Dosker,  1903,  318;   Prof.  Winter,   1904,  669. 

Responsr^  Readings.  These  not  general  in  R.  C.  A.  until  about 
1880.  Synod  then  approved  of  revised  Liturgy,  with  appended  Psalms,  for 
responsive  readings.  The  practice  is  now  general.  1882,  157-8;  '83,  359; 
'85,  775  . 

Resumption  and  Close.  This  has  been  the  last  Article  but  one  in 
the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  since  1812.  Under  it  the  Minutes  are  read, 
corrected,  if  necessary,  and  approved;  the  order  is  given  to  print  a  cer- 
tain number  of  copies.  Since  1831,  396,  the  names  of  absentees  without 
permission,  have  been  recorded  (See  Censura  Morum)  ;  and  since  1841, 
the  thanks  of  Synod  have  been  given  to  those  who  have  entertained  them 
or  facilitated  their  labors. 

Resurrection,  (i.)  Of  Christ;  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  19;  Heid.  Cat. 
Quests.  23,  45.  (2.)  Of  Christians;  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  19,  37;  Heid. 
Cat.  Quests.  23,  45,  57.  (3.)  Of  the  lost;  Belgic.  Conf.,  Art.  37;  Heid. 
Cat.,  Quest.  23.  (4.)  Spiritual  Resurrection,  Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  45; 
Canons  of  Dort,  iii.  and  iv.,  12. 

Revenge.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.   106. 

Review.  Proposed  by  the  Alumni  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary, 
Oct.,   1855.     See  Alumni. 

Revised  Version.     See  Bible. 

Revision — Of  Rolls  of  Church   Membership.     See   Membership. 

Revision  of  the  Constitution.     See  Constitution,  Liturgy. 

Revivals.  While  local  revivals  are  occurring  almost  yearly,  there 
have  been  several  very  general  revivals;  as  in  the  Great  Awakening,  1740; 
after  the  Revolution,  1799,  1800;  1836-40;  1857;  1876;  etc.,  etc.  The 
reports  on  the  State  of  Religion  often  refer  to  revivals,  more  or  less 
general. 

Resolved,  That  whenever,  in  any  of  our  churches,  religion  is  in  a 
low   and   declining   state,   it   is    recommended   as   a   very   important   duty, 


REVOCATION   OF   AID  621 

and  under  the  divine  blessing  made  the  means  for  the  revival  of  religion, 
to  observe  the  season  usually  set  apart  preparatory  to  the  administration 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  for  the  purposes  of  special  humiliation  and  prayer. 
1826,  36. 

In  1837  every  student  in  Rutgers  College,  with  two  or  three  excep- 
tions, was  brought  into  the  church,  in  a  revival  of  that  year;  allusions  to 
it,  1838,  173;  largely  as  the  effects  of  it,  within  the  next  decade,  about 
60  entered  the  ministry.     See  Gen.   Catalog  of  College,   1837-47. 

Resolved,  That  while  this  Synod  does  not  depart  frorn  its  uniform 
practice  of  making  no  declaration  of  abstract  principles,  it  leaves  the 
subject  of  UNION  with  other  denominations,  in  their  efforts  to  promote 
REVIVALS  of  religion  and  the  edification  of  the  Church,  to  the  prudence 
of  ministers  and  Consistories,  with  the  advice  that  they  take  care  that 
the  attachment  of  the  people  to  our  doctrinal  standards  and  our  usages 
be  not  impaired,     i860,  507.     See  Evangelistic  Committees  and  Work. 

Revocation  of  Aid.     See  Education,  Bd.  of;  Van  Buschoten  Fund. 

Revocation   of  License.     See  License. 

Revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantz.  Two  hundred  and  tenth  anni- 
versary to  be  celebrated;  1895,  147. 

Revolutionary   War.     See   American    Revolution ;    National    Affairs. 

Riggs,  James  F.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Professor  of  Hellenistic  Greek 
and  New  Testament  Exegesis.     1892,  522-3;  resigned,  1898,  81,  82. 

Righteous  Demands  of  God.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  3,  4,  9. 

Righteousness  of  Faith.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  59-64;  Forms  for 
administering  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Righteousness  of  God  in  Christ.  Belgic.  Conf.,  Art.  20;  Heid. 
Cat.,  Quests.  59-64. 

Riley,  Asher,  Gives  $3,000  to  Board  of  Education,  1895 ;  See  Cook, 
Ann  E. 

Rings.  The  first  arrangement  of  the  congregations  into  groups,  were 
called,  in  Dutch  "ringen,"  Rings  or  Circles,  or  Circuits.  Coetus  Minutes, 
^72>^i  viii.     See  Circles. 

Ritual.     See  Order  of  Worship. 

Robbery.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest,  no. 

Robinson,  Charles  S.  (Rev.  Dr.)  His  "Spiritual  Songs  for  the 
S.  S."  commended,  and  the  offer  of  Scribner  and  Co.,  to  introduce  it  into 
our  S.  Ss.  referred  to  the  Bd.  of  Publication,  with  power.  1881,  783. 
See  Sunday  Schools ;  Hymnology. 

Rochester,  Classis  of.  Organized  in  1887,  consisting  then  of  the 
churches  of — Abbe  Church;  Arcadia;  Clymer ;  East  WilHamson ;  Evan- 
gelical Protestant  Christ  Church  (Ger.)  ;  Farmer  Village;  Geneva;  Lodi ; 
Marion ;  Dunkirk ;  Pultneyville ;  Rochester,  First ;  Rochester,  Second ; 
Palmyra;  Tyre;  Ontario. — ^This  Classis  took  the  place  of  the  Classis  of 
Geneva. 

Rockwell,  Katharine  A.  Gives  $2,000  Scholarship  for  Arcot  Sem- 
inary, 1888. 

Roe,  Walter  C  (Rev.)  Appointed  delegate,  with  his  wife,  to  the 
Churches  of  the  Netherlands,  to  represent  the  work  of  R.  C.  A.  among  the 
aborigines  of  our  country.  1902,  125-6.  Superintendent  of  Indian  and 
White  Work  in  Oklahoma,  1905,  114. 

Roll  of  General  Synod.     See  General  Synod. 

Roman  Catholic  Church.  No  direct  legislation  concerning,  as 
a  Church;  but  allusions  to.  Great  care  must  be  taken  in  admitting  to 
the  service  of  the  Church,  popish  priests  and  monks ;  Rules  of  Dort, 
1619,  Art.  9;  those  baptized  in  Popery  need  not  be  re-baptized;   Coetus 


622         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Mints.,  1748,  2T,  the  validity  of  Romish  baptism,  left  to  the  discretion 
of  each  Consistory;  1834,  283,  284,  294;  1835,  400,  402,  403;  characteriza- 
tion of  the  Romish  "Mass;"  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  35,  latter  part;  Heid. 
Cat.,  Quest.  80.  See  Public  Schools;  Protestantism;  Pius  IX;  1865, 
574-7;  1892,  661-2. 

In  Dec,  1898,  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  united  with  the 
Home  Mission  Boards  of  other  Denominations,  in  petitioning  Congress 
against  appropriations  for  sectarian  purposes,  and  especially  against  the 
continuance  of  government  support  of  Roman  Catholic  Schools  among 
the  American  Indians.     Commended  by  Synod  for  so  doing,  1899,  449,  450. 

Romanism.  See  Publications  on,  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  F.  Berg,  and  Rev. 
Dr.   Wm.   C.   Brownlee,  in  Corwin's  Manual. 

Rome.  Biblical  College  founded  in  Rome,  for  the  training  of  native 
evangelists  and  pastors ;  the  establishment  of  a  Professorship  of  Evan- 
gelical Theology  therein,  commended  to  Christians  of  wealth.  1876,  449. 
See  Italy,  Free  Church  of. 

RoMEYN,  DiRCK.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Lector  of  Theology,  1792,  242, 
by  the  old  Provisional  Synod;  appointed  Prof,  of  Theology  by  General 
Synod,  1797,  270.     Died  1804. 

RoMEYN,  James.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Appointed  Chairman  of  Committee  on 
the  "State  of  the  Church,"  1847,  196.  See  his  voluminous  and  exhaustive 
report,  1848,  292-346;  also  the  action  of  Synod  in  reference  to  it,  1848, 
270-273. 

Romeyn,  James  V.  C.  (Rev.)  His  installation  at  Hackensack  and 
Schraalenberg  approved  by  General  Synod.  The  two  congregations, 
although  under  one  civil  charter,  declared  to  be  separated,  ecclesiastically; 
1800,  297;  appointed  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod,  1806,  26;  resigns 
said  office,  1812,  403 ;  his  appeal  to  the  Particular  Synod  of  "New  York, 
in  reference  to  Rev.  Dr.  Solomon  Froeligh  and  the  Secession,  referred  to 
Gen.  Synod,  1823,  41 ;  as  the  matter  was  to  come  up  through  another 
channel,  he  withdraws  his  appeal,  1823,  43. 

Romeyn,  Jeremiah.  (Rev.)  Elected  Professor  of  the  Hebrew  Lan- 
guage, 1804,  339.     Death,  1819,  18. 

RoMEYN,  Theodore  B.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Bequeaths  $250  to  the  Widows' 
Fund,  1886,  2-7. 

Romish  Baptism.  Validity  of,  left  to  the  judgment  of  each  Consis- 
tory;  1834,  283,  284,  294;   '35,  400,  402-3.     See  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Romish  Ordination.  1834,  283-4,  294;  '35,  400;  resolution  to  get  a 
vote  of  the  several  Classes  on  the  validity  of,  defeated;  27  to  35;  1835, 
402-3.     See  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Romondt,  Charles  R.  V.  (Rev.)  Appointed  Professor  of  Modern 
Languages  and  Librarian,  in  Rutgers  College ;  urges  the  necessity  of  a 
Catalogue  of  the  Library ;  1846,  75,  76.  See  Catalogue  of  Library ;  Theo- 
logical College. 

Roome,  Eleanor.     Gives  $1,000  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund.   1903,  273. 

Roosevelt,  Theodore,  President  of  U.  S.  The  following  was  adopt- 
ed, to  be  sent  by  telegraph  by  the  Stated  Clerk: 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  desires  to 
express  to  the  President.  Theodore  Roosevelt,  its  earnest  wishes  for  the 
continued  prosperity  of  his  administration,  and  the  assurance  of  their 
earnest  prayers  for  God's  richest  benediction  upon  him  and  his  family. 
1902,  218. 

Rev.  E.  C.  Oggel  offered  the  following  to  be  sent  to  President 
Roosevelt :    Adopted. 


ROOSEVELT,  THEODORE  623 

Grand  Rapids,  Michigan,  June  2,   1904. 
To    President    Roosevelt, 

Executive  Mansion, 

Washington,  D.  C. 
The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  wishes  to 
convey  to  the  President,  Theodore  Roosevelt,  its  best  wishes  for  Divine 
direction  in  the  administration  of  the  nation's  affairs,  with  the  assurance 
of  our  paryers  and  hopes  for  the  Divine  benediction  upon  him  and  his 
family. 

The  following  reply  was  received  to  the  above: 

White  House,  Washington,  June  4,  1904. 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  DeHart, 

Stated  Clerk, 

General  Synod,  Reformed  Church, 

Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 
My  Dear  Sir:  The  President  has  received  your  message  of  the  3d 
instant  and  thanks  you  cordially  for  the  sentiments  you  express  on  behalf 
of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Very  truly  yours, 

B.  F.  BARNES, 
Acting  Secretary  to  the  President. 
1904,  850-1. 
The  Committee  on  the  'Tnter-Church  Conference  on  Marriage  and 
Divorce"  waited  on  President  Roosevelt  on  the  afternoon  of  January  26 ; 
an  interview  was  held  with  him  at  the  Executive  Mansion,  in  which 
he  cordially  received  the  members  of  the  conference,  readily  pledg- 
ing his  most  earnest  co-operation.  In  his  own  vigorous  way  he  de- 
clared his  deep  conviction  that  "if  we  have  solved  every  other  problem 
in  the  wisest  possible  way,  it  shall  profit  us  nothing,  if  we  have  lost  our 
own  National  soul ;  and  we  will  have  lost  it,  if  we  do  not  have  the  ques- 
tion of  the  relations  of  the  family  put  upon  the  proper  basis."  And  later 
he  added :  "It  goes  without  saying  that,  for  the  race  as  for  the  individual, 
no  material  prosperity,  no  business  growth,  no  artistic  or  scientific  devel- 
opment, will  count,  if  the  race  commits  suicide."  The  suggestion  that  he 
help  the  work  of  the  conference  by  requesting  Congress  to  enact  appro- 
priate legislation  for  the  collection  and  publication  of  divorce  laws  and 
marriage  statistics  of  the  various  states  from  1886  to  the  present  time 
he  at  once  approved  and  promised  compliance.  Four  days  later  the 
President  sent  a  message  to  Congress,  urging  the  necessary  legislation  to 
secure  the  result  desired;  and  a  short  time  later  Congress  acted  as 
requested.     1905,  217. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  J.  W.   Brooks  the  following  message   was   sent 
by  telegraph : 

Theodore   Roosevelt, 

President  of  the  United  States, 
Washington,  D.   C. 
The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  sends  greet- 
ings  and  congratulations  to  the  most  honored   son  of  our  Church,  the 
President  of  the  nation,  and,  please,  God,  the  peacemaker  of  the  world. 
The  following  telegram  from  the  President  was  received  in  reply: 
White  House,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  12,  '05. 
Wm.  H.  DeHart, 

Stated  Clerk,   General   Synod  Reformed   Church. 
Many  thanks  for  your  telegram.     Extend  to  the  brethren  the  heartiest 
well  wishes  of  their  fellow-member. 

THEODORE  ROOSEVELT. 
1905,    291. 


624         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

As  the  General  Synod  was  to  meet  in  the  Collegiate  Church,  Fifth 
Avenue,  and  48th  Street,  in  1906,  a  special  invitation  was  sent  to  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt  to  favor  the  Synod  with  his  presence,  he  having  been  a 
member  of  that  church  since  1874,  and  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  School 
of  the  mission  at  7th  Av.  and  54th  St.     He  sent  the  following  reply: 

"White  House,  Washington,   May  29. 
"My  Dear  Dr.  Coe : 

"Permit  me  to  express  my  great  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  be  present 
at  the  centennial  session  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed 
Church,  of  which  I  am  a  member,  especially  as  you  are  to  meet  in  the 
Collegiate  Church,  where  I  was  admitted  to  membership.  I  have  the 
heartiest  regard,  as  I  am  sure  all  of  us  have,  for  this  old  church,  which 
began  its  career  in  what  is  now  the  United  States  at  the  very  beginning 
of  the  settlements. 

"I  feel  that  we  have  yet  a  great  duty  to  perform,  which  we  must 
perform  in  conjunction  with  our  brethren  of  other  denominations.  One 
of  the  pleasant  signs  of  the  times  is  the  heartiness  with  which  we  have 
thus  far  been  able  to  work  in  co-operation  with  them.  With  all  good 
wishes  for  a  successful  gathering,  believe  me,  sincerely  yours, 

"THEODORE  ROOSEVELT." 
1906.    .     .    . 

The  Synod  sent  the  following  reply : 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  America  has  listened 
with  great  pleasure  to  the  cordial  greeting  which  you  have  kindly  sent  to 
it  on  the  occasion  of  its  centennial  session.  It  is  to  the  Synod  a  source 
of  pride  and  gratification  that  the  high  office  of  President  of  the  United 
States  is  held  by  a  loyal  member  of  the  Reformed  Church,  and  this  satis- 
faction is  deepened  by  the  distinguished  success  which  attended  your 
efforts  to  promote  the  true  welfare  of  the  American  peophs,  raise  the 
standard  of  Christian  citizenship  and  promote  the  peace  of  the  world. 

In  expressing  our  grateful  appreciation  for  your  interest  in  our 
work,  we  beg  to  assure  you  of  the  honor  and  confidence  in  which  you  are 
held  by  us  and  of  our  hearty  support  in  your  endeavors  to  advance  the 
moral  as  well  as  the  material  interests  of  the  nation.  That  you  may  con- 
stantly have  the  divine  guidance  and  blessing  is  our  fervent  prayer.     1906. 

RosELAND,  III.  A  Presbyterian  Church  organized  there,  against  the 
protests  of  Classis.     1898,  161. 

Rotation  in  Office.  Elders  and  Deacons  to  be  elected  for  only  two 
years,  unless  circumtsances  require  otherwise,  Rules,  1619,  2'];  this  done, 
to  lessen  the  burden,  and  bring  forward  deserving  members ;  but  the  same 
may  be  re-elected;  Rules  of  1792,  28;  of  1833,  34;  of  1874,  Art.  -^Z- 

Rowan,   Stephen    N.    (Rev.)     1819,   27-33.     See   Expediency. 

Rue,  Anthony.     Gives  $2,740  for  Scholarships.     1899,  32i. 

Rule  of  Faith.  The  Scriptures  the  only  Rule  of  Faith.  Belgic 
Conf.,  Art.  7.     See  also  Preface  to  Constitution  of  1792. 

Rules  of  Church  Government.  These  relate  to  the  general  Polity 
of  the  Church,  and  constitute  what  is  popularly  styled  "The  Constitution." 
But  the  Constitution  proper  is  much  broader,  embracing  all  the  Doctrines 
and  the  Liturgy.  See  Constitution.  At  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  86 
Rules  of  Church  Government  were  adopted,  and  these  were  the  Rules  in 
America  down  to  1771,  when  they  were  somewhat  modified  by  the  Arti- 
cles of  Union.  In  1792,  iz  Explanatory  Articles  were  adopted,  and  these 
two  sets  of  Articles  constituted  the  "Rules  of  Church  Government  for 
the  R.  D.  C.  in  America"  from  1792  to  1833.  In  that  year  these  two  sets 
of  Rules  were  fused  together  in  118  Articles;  and  in  1874  this  Constitution 


RULES   OF   CHURCH    GOVERNMENT 


625 


was  revised,  and,  with  certain  Amendments,  remains  the  Constitution,  so 
far  as  PoHty  is  concerned,  to  this  day  (1906). 

The  following  Table  shows  the  relation  of  these  sets  of  Rules  to  one 
another,  according  to  a  consecutive  numbering  of  the  Articles.  See  Intro- 
duction of  this  volume. 

SYNOPSIS    OF    THE    FOUR    CONSTITUTIONS. 

1619  1792  1833  1874 

Introductory 1  1  1 

I.    Of  the  Offices.  Of  the  Offices  of  the  CL^ 

The  Offices  in  the  Church  of 

Christ    are    fourfold 2  2  2 

Ministers   of   the   Word......  3-17  1-18  3-24  3-21 

Professors  of  Theology.......  18  19-25  25-29  22-27 

Students  and 

Schoolmasters ^ .  •  19-21 

Elders   and   Deacons    22-27  26-28  30-35  28-34 

Great  Consistory   . ...  29 

Magistrates 28 

Church    Masters    .-.  30 

'  II.     Of  Ecclesiastical  Assemblies. 

General 1...,            29-30  31               36-41               35-41 

'"'     32-36 

Appeals    .......;...;...:.                 31  42-47 

No  Advisory  members. .  48 

Consistories    .....;..  J...';  .1 ..    i  '     37-40  32-37               49-63               42-56 

Great  Consistory   .......I'  64                    57 

Classes 41-46  38-44               65-75               58-64 

Particular  Synods  ........ ..:        '47-49  45-50               76-81               65-69 

General   Synod    •    50-52  51-55               82-85               70-75 

III.    Of  Doctrines,  Of  Usages  Of  Customs  and  Usages. 
Sacraments  and 

and  Usages.      Customs. 

Subscriptions  of  Ministers  and 

Professors 53  (5,  11,  22)      (6,  12,  27)      (6,  12,  24) 

Subscriptions    of     Schoolmas- 
ters     :    ^        54 

Subscription  of  Schoolmasters 

not    required     in     America;'         . 

Parental  Instruction  . . . ... .  .  "  '  56 

Ecc.   Approbation   of  Books. .'  J^  55  (64) 

Baptism     ............'         56-60  57,  58  86  76 

Adults ....:...\.::.^-  59 

Equality  of  Blacks  in  Chu^6h-  J 

Privileges : , . . . . . .  i"^  '  59 

Godparents   ....;..."      (57)  60 

Instruction    as   a    Preparation  ' 

for  Lord's  Supper.  ......;..  (44)  61  (72)  (64) 

Lord's   Supper    (59)  61-63  62       (54)  87,  88       (47)  77,  78 

Family   Visitation   :.::..:..;.'     :       <23)  63  (30,72)  (28,64) 

Ecc.     Approbation    of    Books      ' 

not   required    ...  ^ .  ;.v.  ••.'••,  '  64 

Evening    Services     ....."'.... V      .       ^ 
Funeral    Sermon^    ....'..y.  ..'.•..  .  '          65  (68) 

Fast  Days      ,  .:::.^:?!\lJ^'i^'-'     66  (66) 

Holy    Days    ...... .v.  ;,]viV.';:'.y""''     67  (67) 

■.■..;..;    ..      :':!.'      i  .^    "'rriiD.r^  "I     :':!J      .     ■.-.     . 


626 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 


1792                     la^i  1874 

(36,  44)      (60,  61,  72)  (53,  54,  64) 

89  79 

65                     90  80 


67 

68 

(33)1 

(18) 
(62) 


(55) 
(21) 

(47,  54) 


(48) 

81 

(18) 


(54,  57) 


Of  Discipline.    Of  Discipline 


in  General. 

69 

91-103 

82-95 

70-73 

104-116 

96-108 

(31) 

(42-47) 

109-121 

Pinal 

paragraph ; 

117,118 

122,  123 

unnumbered. 

1619 
Explanation  of  the  Catechism       68  (44) 

Order   of   Worship    

Psalmody   and    Hymnology...  69 

Fast   Days   and   Thanksgiving 

Days     (66) 

Holy    Days— voluntary    

Funeral  Sermons— voluntary. . 

Matrimony    70 

Sunday   School   Catechisms... 

Equality    of    Ministers    (17)  84 

Equality    of   Officers    84 

Equality  of  Churches    84 

Church    Certificates     (61),  82,  83 

Foreign    Churches    85 

IV.     Of  Christian 
Discipline. 

Discipline    in    General 71-75,  80,  82 

i*rocess   and   Trial    76-79 

Appeals    and    Complaints...  (30,31) 

Amendments     86 


Note.  In  the  above  Table,  the  numbers  in  parentheses  are  references 
to  Articles  in  which  they  have  been  already  previously  included  under  other 
topics,  but  again  referred  to,  to  bring  them  into  parallelism  with  the  original  Ar- 
ticles of  1619.  For  example:  Opposite  Article  53,  of  1619,  relating  to  Subscriptions 
of  Ministers  and  Professors  to  Doctrines,  are  found,  under  1792,  (5,  11,  22;)  but 
these  have  already  been  included  in  Arts.  1-18,  under  1792,  relating  to  minis- 
ters; and  in  Arts.   19-25,   relating  to  Professors. 

Rules  of  Government  for  Theological  Seminaries.  See  New 
Brunswick  Seminary — Plans  of  the  School. 

Rules  of  Order.  While  Parliamentary  Rules,  in  general,  govern 
Ecclesiastical  Bodies,  special  Rules  of  Order  have  also  been  generally 
adopted  in  America,  to  facilitate  and  ensure  orderly  procedure.  Thus 
the  Ccetus  adopted  certain  Fundamental  Articles,  in  1738,  pp.  vii.,  viii. ; 
and  in  1747  appointed  a  Committee  to  prepare  some  Rules,  "by  which 
the  members  should  be  governed,  so  that  everything  may  be  done  in 
order  and  to  edification."  1747,  p.  xi.  These  Rules  are  found  in  1748. 
They  relate  (i)  To  the  Manner  of  Calling  and  Conducting  the  Ccetus. 
(2)  To  the  Preservation  of  Order.  (3)  To  Examinations.  (4)  To 
Church  Visitations.  (5)  To  the  Questor  (or  Treasurer).  (6)  To  the 
Revenues  of  the  Ccetus.  (7)  To  the  Keeping  of  the  Minutes.  (8)  To 
the  Duties  of  the  Extraordinary  Clerk,  [Stated  Clerk].  (9)  To  the 
Election  of  the  Questor.     See  these  Rules,  1748,  pp.  xviii.-xx. 

All  the  members  were  required  to  subscribe  the  Fundamental  Ar- 
ticles and  the  Rules,  1748,  p.  xxiv.  In  the  order  of  succession  of  Presi- 
dent and  Clerk,  the  last  member  joining  the  Coetus  shall  be  considered 
the  youngest,  1750,  xlviii. 

When  Articles  of  Union  were  adopted  in  1771-2,  pp.  1-27,  certain  Rules 
were  adopted  respecting  the  times  of  holding  the  meetings  of  the  Gen- 
eral and  Particular  Bodies,  and  the  mode  of  conducting  them,  1772,  32. 

In  the  General  Synod  of  1800,  twelve  Rules  of  Order  were  adopted 
to  govern  the  procedure  of  General  Synod.  These  related  to  the  open- 
ing of  the  Synod;  to  the  election  of  a  President,  (each  Classis  nominat- 
ing one  of  their  ministers,  from  which  nominations,  a  President  should 
be   chosen);    the   duties   of  the    President;    the    reading  of   the    Minutes; 


RULES  OF  ORDER  627 

certain  parliamentary  rules ;  the  recording  of  votes  when  required ;  the 
privileges  and  duties  of  members.  1800,  276-7.  These  were  slightly 
amended  from  time  to  time,  1800,  310,  311;  1803,  320;  1806,  346,  349, 
350;  and  as  Revised,  1813,  12,  33,  they  are  printed  in  full  in  the  Digest, 
or  Appendix,  to  the  Minutes  of  1814,  62-64.  In  1824,  6,  rules  concern- 
ing the  rights  of  the  Primarii  and  Secundi  were  adopted ;  and  in  1840, 
329,  amendments  were  adopted  concerning  the  election  of  the  President 
and  Vice-President,  limiting  the  choice,  after  the  first  regular  ballot, 
to  the  two  highest  candidates.  In  1864,  463,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  prepare  "Additional  Rules  of  Order,"  who  reported  in  1865,  616,  and 
final  action  was  taken  in  1866,  86,  126-131,  where  these  Revised  Rules 
are  printed  in  full. 

In  1871,  346,  Rule  25  was  changed,  so  that  the  Reports  from  the  sev- 
eral Secretaries  were  no  longer  limited  to  the  third  day  of  the  session. 
In  1879,  320-1,  a  "Standing  Committee  on  Benevolent  Institutions"  was 
added  to  the  list  of  Standing  Committees.  Also  in  1879,  379,  the  Clerks 
were  directed  to  prepare  an  Amended  Rule  for  the  election  of  a  Vedder 
Lecturer;  and  on  page  400,  of  same  year,  they  are  ordered  to  report 
to  the  Synod  of  1880,  a  revision  of  Synod's  Standing  Order  of  Busi- 
ness. Their  report  was  presented  and  adopted,  and  is  given  in  full, 
1880,  583-4.  The  duties  of  each  day  were  fixed.  In  1885,  778,  a  reso- 
lution was  adopted  in  reference  to  the  choice  of  members  for  the  differ- 
ent Boards,  and  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  rearrange  the  Lemmata, 
in  order  to  facilitate  business.  Their  report  is  found,  1886,  203-206.  In 
1887,  443-4,  action 'was  taken  that  printed  documents  be  not  read,  but 
simply  referred  to  the  appropriate  Committees,  and  copies  distributed ; 
and  certain  times  were  fixed  for  popular  meetings  on  Missions,  and  the 
hearing  of  the  Synodical  reports  on  the  same. 

In  1893,  803,  the  Stated  Clerk  and  Permanent  Clerk  were  directed 
to  prepare  a  copy  of  the  amended  Rules  of  General  Synod,  and  that  the 
same  be  published  in  all  subsequent  editions  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
Church.     [These  were  not  printed  in   the   Minutes.] 

On  account  of  the  time  required  for  the  many  Benevolent  Societies  to 
present  their  several  causes  before  Synod,  it  was  ordered  that  their  secre- 
taries will  be  received  only  on  the  Friday  or  Saturday  morning  of  the 
opening  week ;  1897,  698.  The  President  was  also  directed  to  announce 
the  result,  after  the  Clerk  has  called  the  roll;  1901,  11 13. 

PRESENT  RULES  OF  ORDER,   1894. 

1.  At  every  stated  meeting  of  the  Synod,  a  sermon  shall  be  preached 
by  the  last  President,  either  before  his  opening  the  session  with  prayer, 
or  at  some  time  afterward,  which  the  Synod  shall  deem  most  convenient. 
If  the  last  President  and  the  Vice-President  be  absent,  the  oldest  Min- 
ister present  shall  take  his  place  and  pejform  the  above  duties. 

2.  The  President  and  Vice-President  shall  be  elected  by  ballot,  by 
a  majority  of  all  the  members  present.  The  Clerks  shall  be  elected  by 
plurality. 

The  manner  of  electing  the  President  shall  be  as  follows  : 

The  time  having  arrived,  and  having  been  announced  by  the  presid- 
ing officer; 

First,  a  nominating  ballot  shall  be  taken,  and  each  individual  voted 
for  shall  be  considered  in  nomination.  If,  however,  any  person  shall  on 
this  ballot  receive  two-thirds  (2/3)  of  the  votes  cast,  he  shall  be  deemed 
elected.     If  this  is  not  the  result,  Synod  shall  proceed  to  an  electing  ballot. 

After  the  first  electing  ballot,  without  a  choice,  the  voting  shall  be 
confined  to  the  two  receiving  the  greatest  number  of  votes. 

3.  The  duties  of  the  President  shall  be : 

(i.)  To  take  the  chair  at  the  hour  to  which  the  Synod  stands  ad- 
journed. 


62g         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

(2.)     To  open  and  conclude  with  prayer. 

(3.)  To  direct  the  Clerk,  immediately  after  the  opening,  to  call  the 
roll,  and  announce  the  result.     (1901,  11 13.) 

(4.)  To  censure  absentees  when  their  absence  shall  be  judged  not 
to  have  been  necessary. 

(5.)     To  propound  the  subjects  for  deliberation. 

(6.)  To  confine  speakers  to  the  point,  and  to  save  them  from  unnec- 
essary interruption. 

(7.)  To  state  and  put  the  question,  when  the  members  are  prepared; 
to  vote. 

(8.)  To  prevent  members  from  leaving  the  Synod  without  per- 
mission. 

(9.)  To  decide  questions  of  order,  subject,  however,  to  an  appeal 
to  the  house  by  any  two  members. 

(10.)     To  give  the  casting  vote  in  all  equal  divisions. 

(11.)  And,  in  general,  to  maintain  the  order  and  dignity  becom- 
ing the  Judicatory  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

4.  After  calling  the  roll,  the  minutes  of  the  last  sitting  shall  be  read, 
and  considered  as  open  to  correction.  The  business  on  the  minutes  of 
the  last  meeting  or  sitting,  shall,  without  powerful  reasons,  be  taken  up 
and  concluded  first,  in  the  order  in  which  it  stands,  before  any  new  busi- 
ness be  introduced. 

5.  A  motion  made  must  be  seconded,  and  afterwards  repeated,  or 
read  aloud  from  the  Chair,  before  it  is  debated  ;  and  every  motion,  ex- 
cept a  motion  for  adjournment,  shall  be  reduced  to  writing  if  any  mem- 
ber require  it. 

6.  An  amendment  may  be  made  to  any  motion,  and  it  shall  be  de- 
cided before  the  original  motion.  It  may  be,  in  its  turn,  suspended  by 
an  amendment  to  itself,  which  must  first  be  considered  and  decided.  But 
no  additional  amendment  to  an  original  motion  can  be  received  until  the 
previous  one  has  been  disposed  of. 

7.  When  a  question  is  under  debate,  no  motion  shall  be  received 
except  to  adjourn,  to  lay  on  the  table,  to  postpone  indefinitely,  to  post- 
pone to  a  certain  time,  to  commit  to  a  standing  committee,  to  a  select 
one,  or  to  the  committee  of  the  whole,  to  amend,  or  for  the  previous  ques- 
tion ;  which  motions  shall  have  precedence  in  the  order  stated. 

8.  When  the  previous  question  is  moved  and  seconded,  it  shall  be 
in  this  form:  "Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put?"  and  until  it  be  de- 
cided, all  amendments  and  debate  shall  be  inadmissible.  If  the  vote  be 
in  the  aiUmative,  the  original  motion  shall  be  immediately  put,  without 
further  amendment  or  debate.  But  if  there  be  an  amendment  or  amend- 
ments pending  at  the  time,  the  question  shall  first  be  taken  on  such  amend- 
ment or  amendments  in  their  proper  order,  without  debate.  If  the  vote 
be  in  the  negative,  the  debate  shall  continue  as  before. 

9.  A  question  shall  not  be  called  up  or  reconsidered  at  the  same 
session  of  the  Synod  at  which  it  was  decided,  unless  by  consent  of  two- 
thirds  of  the  members  present. 

10.  No  member  shall  be  allowed  to  protest  against  any  of  the  acts 
of  the  Synod;  but  any  member  who  dissents  from  any  such  acts  shall 
have  the  right  to  require  the  names  of  all  the  members  present,  who  vote 
for  or  against  the  same,  to  be  entered  in  the  minutes,  and  published 
therewith  for  the  information  of  all  concerned.  In  other  cases,  the  yeas 
and  nays  shall  not  be  recorded  unless  on  the  demand  of  one-fifth  of  the 
members  present. 

11.  The  mover  and  seconder  of  a  motion  may  withdraw  it  before 
debate  has  commenced  on  it,  but  not  afterwards,  unless  by  leave  of 
Synod. 


RULES  OF  ORDER  629 

12.  In  filling  blanks,  when  various  motions  are  made,  the  vote  shall 
always  be  first  on  the  highest  number  and  longest  time. 

13.  Every  member  shall  rise  and  address  himself  to  the  President 
only,  closely  attending  to  the  subject  in  debate,  avoiding  all  personal 
reflections ;  and  no  member,  without  the  special  permission  of  the  Synod, 
shall  speak  more  than  twice  on  the  same  subject.  When  two  or  more 
members  rise  to  speak  at  the  same  time,  the  Presid/'nt  shall  determine 
who  of  them  shall  be  heard  first. 

14.  After  the  President  has  begun  to  take  the  vote,  or  the  Clerk 
to  call  the  roll  on  a  division  of  the  house,  no  debate  nor  remark  shall  be 
allowed. 

15.  A  motion  to  adjourn  or  to  lay  on  the  table,  and  all  motions  in 
relation  to  priority  of  business,  shall  be  decided  without  debate.  The 
motion  to  postpone  or  to  commit  shall  preclude  all  debate  of  the  main 
question. 

16.  When  an  appeal  is  taken  from  a  decision  of  the  Chair  on  a 
point  of  order,  the  President  shall  have  the  right  to  explain  the  grounds 
of  his  decision,  but  the  appeal  shall  be  decided  by  the  house  without 
debate. 

17.  No  member  shall  leave  the  Synod  to  return  home  or  for  other 
business  without  their  consent ;  nor  shall  members,  without  express  per- 
mission, engage  in  private  conversation,  go  from  or  change  their  seats 
during  the  transaction  of  business;  interrupt  another  when  he  is  speak- 
ing, except  he  be  out  of  order,  or  to  correct  mistakes  and  misrepresenta- 
tions; and  if  any  member  act  indecently  or  disorderly,  contrary  to  these 
rules,  the  President  shall  reprove  or  otherwise  censure  him,  as  the  Synod 
shall  judge  proper ;  the  member  still  having  the  privilege,  if  he  think  him- 
self denied  any  right  or  unjustly  blamed  by  the  President,  of  respectfully 
and  modestly  requiring  the  decision  of  the  house  in  the  case. 

18.  All  the  sittings  of  General  S^^nod  shall  be  concluded  by  regular 
adjournment  and  prayer. 

19.  At  the  close  of  every  session  of  General  Synod  the  roll  shall  be 
called,  and  the  names  of  those  who  are  absent  without  permission  shall 
be  recorded. 

20.  Standing  Committees: 

(i.)  Board  of  Direction  of  the   Corporation. 

(2.)  Professorate  and  Theological  Seminaries. 

(3.)  Education,  Academies,  and  Colleges. 

(4.)  Sunday  Schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction. 

(5.)  Foreign  Missions. 

(6.)  Domestic  Missions  and  Church  Building  Fund. 

(7.)  Publication. 

(8.)  Widows'  Fund. 

(9.)  Disabled  Ministers'   Fund. 

(10.)  Overtures. 

(11.)  Synodical  Minutes  and  References. 

(12.)  Judicial   Business. 

(13.)  Correspondence. 

(14.)  Benevolent   Societies. 

(15.)  Systematic  Beneficence. 

(16.)  State  of   Religion. 

(17.)  Necrology. 

(18.)  Accounts. 

(19.)  Leave  of  Absence. 

21.  All  distinctive  titles  or  appendages  to  the  names  of  members  of 
Synod    shall   be   omitted   in   recording  the   minutes   of   this    Synod :    such 


630         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

distinctive  title  being  prefixed  or  appended  to  the  name  of  the  member 
in  the  hst  of  members  constituting  the  Synod. 

22.     Primarii  and  Seciindi- 

(i.)  When  a  Primarius  shall  find  it  impracticable  to  attend  the 
Judicatory  to  which  he  is  delegated,  it  shall  be  his  duty,  as  soon  as  may 
be,  to  notify  a  Secundus,  and  when  he  shall  take  his  seat  it  shall  not  be 
vacated  to  give  place  to  the  Primarius. 

(2.)  At  the  commencement  of  the  session,  the  members  delegated, 
whether  Primarii  or  Secundi,  shall  be  recognized  and  recorded,  but 
when  the  Primarius  shall  appear  at  any  subsequent  period  of  the  session, 
then  the  Primarius  shall  take  the  seat  of  the  Secundus,  and  the  Secundus 
shall  not  be  considered  a  member  again,  unless  by  request  of  the  Primar- 
ius, and  expression  permission  obtained  by  the  Synod. 
22,.    Judicial  Business: 

(i.)  Any  appeal,  complaint,  or  other  judicial  business,  which  shall 
be  presented  or  reported  to  the  Synod,  shall  be  first  referred,  with  all 
the  papers  and  documents  appertaining  thereto,  to  the  Committee  on 
Judicial  Business,  who  shall  inquire  whether  the  same  has  been  regu- 
larly brought  before  the  Synod,  and  whether  all  the  constitutional  steps 
in  the  case  have  been  taken,  and,  if  the  same  shall  be  found  in  order, 
they  shall  digest  and  arrange  all  the  papers  and  documents  connected 
therewith,  that  the  subsequent  proceedings  in  the  case  before  the  Synod 
may  be  regular  and  systematic;  provided,  nevertheless,  that  the  said 
committee  shall  be  required  to  report  upon  every  matter  that  may  be 
referred  to  them. 

(2.)  Whenever  any  case  thus  reported  shall  be  taken  up  for  trial, 
the  President  shall  solemnly  announce  from  the  Chair  that  the  Synod 
is  about  to  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  judicial  business,  and  enjoin 
on  the  members  to  recollect  and  regard  their  character  as.  judges  of 
the  highest  court  of  Jesus  Christ  on  earth,  known  to  the  Constitution  of 
the  Reformed  Church ;  after  which  it  shall  not  be  in  order,  during  the 
pending  of  such  trial,  to  transact  any  legislative  business  bearing  on  the 
case. 

(3.)  In  recording  their  decision,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  court 
who  have  tried  any  judicial  business  in  the  original  case,  or  by  appeal,  to 
set  forth  at  length  the  reasons  thereof,  that  the  record  may  exhibit,  as 
far  as  practicable,  everything  that  had  an  influence  on  their  judgment ;  a 
certified  copy  of  which,  with  the  act  of  proceeding  appealed  from,  shall 
be  sent  up  by  them  to  the  court  to  whom  the  appeal  may  be  taken.  Such 
inferior  court  shall  also  be  permitted  to  send  a  commissioner  to  the 
Synod,  for  the  purpose  of  making  any  explanations  relative  to  said  case, 
it  being  expressly  understood  that  in  every  case  the  original  parties  be 
not  lost  sight  of  in  any  stage  of  trial. 

(4.)  In  taking  up  an  appeal,  after  having  ascertained  that  the  appel- 
lant has  conducted  it  regularly,  the  following  shall  be  the  order  of  trial : 

[i.]     The   sentence   appealed   from   shall   be   read. 

[2.]     The  appeal  and  reasons  of  appeal  shall  be  read. 

[3.]  All  the  documents  in  the  case  shall  be  read,  in  the  order  pre- 
scribed by  the  Committee  on  Judicial  Business. 

[4.]  The  original  parties  shall  be  heard,  commencing  with  the 
appellant. 

[5.]  The  commissioner  of  the  inferior  Judicatory  which  has  tried 
the  appeal  may  be  heard  in  explanation  of  the  grounds  of  their  decision, 
and  of  the  manner  of  their  proceeding  in  the  case. 

[6.]     The  appellant  may  be  heard  in  reply. 

(5.)     After  all  the  parties  shall   have  been   fully  heard,   and   all   the 


RULES  OF  ORDER  631 

information  gained  by  the  Synod  which  shall  be  deemed  necessary,  the 
parties  shall  withdraw,  when  the  roll  shall  be  called,  that  every  member 
may  have  an  opportunity  to  express  his  opinion  on  the  case,  after  which 
the  final  vote  may  be  taken. 

(6.)  The  decision  may  be  either  to  confirm  or  reverse,  in  whole  or 
in  part,  the  judgment  of  the  inferior  Judicatory,  or  to  remit  the  cause, 
with  instructions,  or  to  order  a  new  trial. 

(7.)  In  the  trial  of  all  judicial  business  brought  before  the  Synod 
by  complaint  or  reference,  the  same  order  of  proceedings  shall  be  ob- 
served, as  far  as  practicable,  as  in  cases  of  appeal,  but  no  complaint  shall 
be  entertained  unless  notice  of  th^  same  shall  have  been  given  before  the 
rising  of  the  Judicatory  whose  act  is  complained  of,  or  within  ten  days 
thereafter. 

24.  At  each  annual  session  of  the  Synod  a  person  shall  be  appointed 
as  Press  Clerk,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  secure  in  the  daily  press,  as 
far  as  practicable,  adequate  and  correct  reports  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  General  Synod  and  accompanying  meetings    (1897,  p.  557). 

25.  Religious  Exercises: 

(i.)  A  part  of  the  afternoon  of  the  first  day  shall  be  devoted  to 
exercises  of  prayer  and  praise. 

(2.)  The  first  half-hour  of  each  subsequent  morning  session  shall 
also  be  so  spent  after  the  opening  of  the  Synod  with  prayer. 

(3.)  The  Lord's  Supper  shall  be  observed  on  the  evening  of  the 
second  day. 

26.  A  rule  of  order  may  be  suspended  for  the  time  by  unanimous 
consent. 

27.  These  rules  (except  20,  22  and  23)  shall  be  read  at  the  opening 
of   each   General    Synod. 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 

FIRST    DAY — WEDNESDAY. 

1.  The  Synod  shall  be  called  to  order  at  precisely  three  o'clock 
p.  M.^  on  the  day  of  meeting,  by  the  President  of  the  last  Synod,  or  in 
his  absence,  by  the  Vice-President,  or  in  the  absence  of  both,  by  the 
Stated  Clerk,  when  the  oldest  Minister  present  shall  take  the  chair,  and 
open  the  meeting  with  prayer. 

2.  The  Roll  of  Delegates  shall  be  called. 

3.  Immediately  after  the  election  of  officers,  according  to  Rule  2, 
the  following  items  of  business  shall  be  attended  to : 

(o)     Fixing  the  hours  of  meeting  and  adjournment. 

(b)  Designating  the  bar  of  the  house. 

(c)  Appointment  of  Press  Clerk. 

(d)  Appointing  a  Committee  on  Devotional  Exercises,  which  shall 
include  the  pastor  of  the  church  in  which  the  Synod  meets,  who  shall 
make  arrangements  for  the  Sacramental  services,  and  shall  also  be  a 
Committee  on  Pulpit  Supplies  for  the  Sabbath. 

(e)  Reading  the  Minutes  of  the  last  General  Synod. 
(/)     Devotional  exercises  until  the  hour  of  adjournment. 

SECOND    DAY — THURSDAY. 

After  the  opening  of  Synod,  and  the  usual  half-hour  spent  in  exer- 
cises of  prayer  and  praise  (according  to  Rule  25),  the  following  order 
shall  be  observed: 

1.  Calling    the    Roll. 

2.  Reading  the  Minutes  of  the  previous  sitting. 

3.  Reading  the  Rules  of  Order. 


632         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

4.  Reading  the  bequest  of  Rev.  Elias  Van  Bunschoten. 

5.  Announcement   of   Standing   Committees   by   the   President. 

6.  Call  for  Reports  of  Special  Committees  appointed  by  the  last 
General  Synod,  including  unfinished  business  laid  over  and  referred 
to  this  Synod. 

7.  Communications  in  the  hands  of  the  Stated  Clerk. 

8.  The  Lord's  Supper  to  be  celebrated  in  the  evening  (1886,  p.  205). 

THIRD    DAY — FRIDAY. 

The  evening  of  Friday,  the  third  day  of  the  session  of  Synod,  shall 
be  devoted  hereafter  to  the  consideration  of  the  educational  work  of  the 
church  in  a  public  meeting  held  for  that  purpose,  suitable  arrangements 
for  which  shall  be  made  by  the  joint  action  of  the  Committee  on  Educa- 
tion, Academies  and  Colleges,  and  the  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools 
and  Catechetical  Instruction  (1893,  p.  785). 

Representatives  of  all  societies  and  organizations  not  directly  con- 
nected with  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  (except  corresponding 
delegates  of  other  ecclesiastical  bodies)  who  may  desire  to  personally 
address  the  Synod  in  behalf  of  the  causes  they  represent,  be  permitted  to 
do  so,  at  the  convenience  of  the  Synod,  during  the  Friday  or  Saturday 
of  the  opening  week  of  Synod's  session,  and  not  upon  any  other  day 
(1897.,  p.  698). 

SIXTH    DAY — MONDAY. 

The  first  order  of  business  on  Monday  afternoon,  the  sixth  day  of 
the  session  of  General  Synod,  shall  be  the  presentation  of  the  report 
of  Synod's  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions,  to  be  follwed  by  a  state- 
ment of  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  by  a  free  discus- 
sion by  the  members  of  Synod  on  the  matters  involved,  and. by  action 
on  the  Report  of  the  Committee.  The  evening  session  of  this  day  shall 
be  devoted  exclusively  to  a  popular  meeting  for  addresses  on  behalf  of 
Foreign  Missions   (1887,  p.  443;  and  in  1894,  p.  ill). 

sevt:nth  day — Tuesday. 

1.  The  first  order  of  business  on  Tuesday  morning,  the  seventh  day 
of  the  session  of  General  Synod,  shall  be  the  presentation  of  the  Report 
of  General  Synod's  Committee  on  Education,  Academies  and  Colleges, 
to  be  followed  by  a  statement  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, by  a  free  discussion  by  the  members  of  Synod  on  the  matters  in- 
volved, and  by  action  on  the  Report  of  Committee  (1900,  pp.  735-6). 

2.  The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Domestic  Missions  shall  be 
heard  in  the  afternoon  (1893,  P-  799)- 

3.  Tuesday  evening  shall  be  devoted  to  a  popular  meeting  on  be- 
half of  Domestic  Missions,  and  the  first  order  of  the  day  on  Wednee- 
day  shall  be  the  presentation  of  the  Report  of  the  Synod's  Committee 
on  Domestic  Missions,  to  be  followed  by  a  statement  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  by  a  free  discussion  by  the  members 
of  Synod  of  the  matters  involved,  and  by  action  of  the  Committee. 

The  arrangements   for  the  popular  meetings  on   Monday  and  Tues- 
day evenings  are  committeed  to  the  respective  Boards   (1887,  p.  444). 
(General  Synod,  1880,  page  584.) 

The  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Education  shall  be  heard  when  the 
Report  of  the  Committee  on  Education  is  presented. 

The  Secretary,  or  representative  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  shall 
be  heard  when  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Publication  is  presented. 

The  following  was  presented  by  the  Co.mmittee  on  Nominations  and 
adopted:  ■' 


RULES  OF  ORDER  633 

Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Synod,  it  is  desirable  to  have 
at  least  four  members  elected  to  each  Board,  who  are  not  retiring  mem- 
bers of  that  Board. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed  to  bring  this  resolution 
to  the  attention  of  future  Committees  on  Nomination.     (1885,  p.  778). 

The  reception  of  Corresponding  Delegates  and  the  presentation 
of  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Correspondence  to  be  at  the  conve- 
nience of  the  Committee  and  of  the  General  Synod   (1887,  page  320). 

THE  LEMMATA. 

The  Committee  appointed  in  1885  to  consider  the  order  and  rear- 
rangement of  the  Lemmata,  presented  the  following  report  in  1886,  which 
was  adopted : 

I.      FORMATION   OF  THE   SYNOD. 

(1886,  pages  203-206.) 

ARTICLE. 

1.  Opening  of  the  Synod. 

2.  Members  present. 

3.  Moderators. 

4.  Reading  of  Minutes. 

II.      ACTS    OF    THE    SYNOD. 
ARTICLE. 

1.  Rules  of  Order. 

2.  Standing  Committees. 

3.  Communications. 

4.  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation. 

5.  Professorate  and  Theological  Seminaries. 

6.  Education — Academies  and  Colleges. 

7.  Sunday-schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction. 

8.  Foreign  Missions. 

9.  Domestic  Missions  and  Church  Building  Fund. 

10.  Publication. 

11.  Widows'  Fund. 

12.  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 

13.  Overtures. 

14.  Synodical  Minutes  and  References. 

15.  Judicial  Business. 

16.  Correspondence. 

17.  Benevolent  Societies. 

18.  Systematic  Benevolence. 

19.  Church  Government. 

20.  Customs  and  Usages. 

21.  Public  Morals. 

22.  State  of  Religion  and  Statistical  Tables. 

23.  Synodical  Archives. 

24.  Accounts. 

25.  Particularia. 

26.  Resumption  and  Close. 

27.  Adjournment. 

The  Standing  Committees  shall  be  as  follows,  and  arranged  in  the 
order  herewith  submitted : 

STANDING    COMMITTEES. 

1.  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation. 

2.  Professorate  and  Theological  Seminaries. 

XoTE. — To  consist  of  four  Ministers  and  three  Elders,  to  be  divided 
into  two  sections,  to  each  of  which  respectively  shall  be  com- 
mitted the  matters  pertaining  to  the  Seminary  at  New  Bruns- 


634         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

wick,  and  at  Hope  College,  Mich.     The  report,  however,  shall 
be  presented   as  a   whole,   from  the   Committee. 

3.  Education — Academies  and   Colleges. 

4.  Sunday-schools    and    Catechetical    Instruction. 

5.  Foreign  Missions. 

6.  Domestic  Missions. 

7.  Publication. 

8.  Widows'  Fund. 

9.  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 

10.  Overtures. 

11.  Synodical  Minutes  and  References. 

12.  Judicial  Business. 

13.  Correspondence. 

14.  Benevolent   Societies. 

15.  Systematic  Beneficence. 

16.  State  of  Religion.* 

17.  Necrology. 

Note. — To  be  appointed  a  year  in  advance. 

18.  Accounts. 

19.  Leave  of  Absence. 

*In  the  General  Synod  of  1883  (page  260),  action  was  proposed  to 
make  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  a  permanent  Committee 
of  the  Synod.  In  1884  (page  465),  the  proposition  of  the  preceding  Synod 
was  amended,  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  be  a  per- 
manent  Committee  of  this   Synod. 

2.  Resolved,  That  hereafter  the  President  of  each  General  Synod 
shall  be,  ex-ofRcio,  the  Chairman  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  the 
State  of  Religion,  and  that  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Particular  Synods 
are  hereby  instructed  to  send  the  printed  Minutes  of  the  Synod  to  him, 
at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  that  he  may  prepare  a  digest  of  the 
same. 

Russia.     Progress  of  the  Stundist  movement  there,  1902,  127. 

Rutgers  College,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  Formerly  called  Queens 
College.  As  the  details  of  the  history  of  this  College  have  been  fre- 
quently given,  it  seems  unnecessary  to  repeat  them.  Suffice  it  to  say  that 
its  first  Charter  was  obtained  Nov.  10,  1766,  by  the  Ccetus  party.  No 
copy  of  this  Charter  has  yet  been  found  either  in  this  country  or  in  Hol- 
land, altho'  references  to  it  are  numerous  in  the  correspondence  of  the 
period.  It  is  not  on  record  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  altho'  there  is  a  Record 
Book  of  Charters  there  running  from  1748  to  1778.  A  second  Charter, 
more  or  less  modified,  was  obtained  on  March  20,  1770.  This  is  on  rec- 
ord in  said  Charter  Book,  and  has  been  often  printed.  It  may  be  seen 
in  an  Appendix  to  the  Minutes  of  Synod,  1850,  pp.  111-117. 

This  Charter  states  that  the  Institution  was  founded  especially  for 
the  preparation  of  ministers  for  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church ;  that  the 
President  must  be  a  member  of  the  Dutch  Church ;  but  that  not  more  than 
one-third  of  the  Trustees  may  be  ministers.  The  Trustees  were  author- 
ized to  elect  a  Professor  of  Divinity  for  the  Institution,  who  should  also 
be  its  President.  It  is  remarkable  that  Dr.  Livingston  and  the  earlier 
patrons  of  the  Institution  never  allude,  in  any  of  their  addresses  or  pa- 
pers to  the  Charter  of  1766,  but  always  refer  to  the  Charter  of  1770.  as 
if  it  were  the  original  and  only  Charter.  For  allusions  to  the  first  Charter, 
see  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  New  York,  Vol.  V.,  under  dates  of  1760 
and  onward. 

For  attempts  before  the  Revolution  to  unite  Queens  College  with  a 
Synodical  Professorship,  see  Minutes,  1773,  39,  40;  1774,  48;  I775,  55, 
56;  and  fuller  details  in  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  N.  Y. ;  after  the  Revo- 


RUTGERS  COLLEGE,  NEW  BRUNSWICK,  N.  J.     635 

lution,  1784,  123-4;  1785,  133,  140;  1787,  165;  1788,  180;  1789,  197;  1790, 
207-8;  1791,  216,  224-5;   1793,  249,  250,  252-3;   1794,  260-3. 

In  1807,  the  Trustees  of  the  College  again  sought  the  encouragement 
and  patronage  of  the  Synod,  and  a  Covenant  was  entered  into  between 
the  parties.  The  Trustees  therein  bound  themselves  to  combine  the  liter- 
ary efforts  of  the  College  with  a  decided  support  to  Evangelical  Truth, 
and  the  promotion  of  a  faithful  and  able  ministry  in  the  Dutch  Church, 
1807,  363-7.  An  elaborate  Address  to  the  churches  was  sent  out,  review- 
ing the  zeal  of  the  Dutch,  in  Europe,  for  education,  and  the  efforts 
heretofore  made  in  America,  1807,  368-378.  See  also  "New  Brunswick 
Seminary"  in  this  Digest,  for  an  abstract  of  this  Address ;  pages  418-419 ; 
and  "Covenants,"  p.  193,  for  the  Covenants  between  the  College  and 
the  Synod.  See  these  Covenants  also  in  "Centennial  of  New  Brunswick 
Seminary,"   1885,  pp.  363-7. 

[On  April  8,  1808,  Gertrude  Parker,  sole  executrix  of  the  last  will 
and  testament  of  James  Parker,  late  of  Perth  Amboy,  did  sell,  for  the 
sum  of  $327.50,  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  all  that  tract  of  land 
between  the  present  Somerset  and  Hamilton  Sts.,  and  College  Ave.  and 
George  St.,  containing  629/100  acres;  being  a  part  of  the  real  estate 
of  James  Parker,  in  the  city  of  New  Brunswick :  Beginning  on  the 
N.  side  of  Somerset  St.,  where  the  W.  line  of  George  St.  strikes  the 
same,  and  running  along  Somerset  St.,  S.  71  degrees  W.,  8  chains  and 
25  links,  to  a  stake  at  the  corner  of  a  street  to  be  laid  out ;  thence  as  the 
said  street  is  intended  to  be  laid  out,  N.  9  degrees  minutes  W.,  7  chains 
and  14  links;  thence  N.  71  degrees  E.,  8  chains  and  25  links;  and  thence 
along  George  St.,  9  degrees  30  minutes  E.,  7  chains  and  14  links,  to  the 
place  of  beginning.  The  will  was  dated  Sept.  14,  1797. — Somerset  Co. 
Records.] 

Dr.  Livingston  removed  from  his  pastoral  charge  in  the  city  of  New 
York  to  New  Brunswick,  and  began  his  duties  as  President  of  the  Col- 
lege and  Professor  of  Theology  therein,  and  also  as  Synod's  Professor. 
In  his  first  report  to  Synod,  1812,  415-418,  he  reviews  the  situation.  See 
also  1809,  381-3,  387-8,  391 ;  1812,  387,  429,  430.  See  Theological  Hall. 
Agents  were  also  busy  in  collecting  funds,  both  for  the  College  and  the 
Seminary.     1813,  4-6;   1814,  41-43. 

In  1815,  the  Plan  of  a  "Theological  College"  was  elaborated;  which 
see,  in  this  Digest.  But  the  College  Funds  proved  insufficient  to  carry 
out  the  Plan,  and  the  College  Exercises  were  suspended  from  1816  to 
1825.  The  exercises  of  the  Theological  Seminary  continued,  however. 
Meantime,  in  1824,  to  adjust  certain  financial  relations,  the  Trustees  con- 
veyed the  College  Property  to  the  Synod. 

In  1825,  the  Trustees  proposed  the  revival  of  the  College  execises, 
the  Theological  Professors  offering  also  to  teach  in  the  College,  and  the 
Synod  offering  the  use  of  the  College  edifice.  This  arrangement  was  ac- 
complished. 

In  1825,  a  Board  of  Superintendents  was  also  appointed  for  the  Col- 
lege, under  the  following  conditions : 

9.  The  General  Synod  and  the  Trustees  shall  each  appoint  three 
persons  who  shall  be  called  "The  Board  of  Superintendents  of  Queens 
College,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  advise  with  the  Faculty,  and  prescribe 
the  course  of  studies  in  said  College,  and  all  such  regulations,  relative 
to  the  government  and  discipline  thereof,  as  they  shall  deem  best  cal- 
culated to  promote  its  permanent  interest  and  usefulness ;  and  that  the 
said  Superintendents  shall  respectively  hold  their  offices  during  the  pleas- 
ure of  those  by  whom  they  were  appointed,"  Sept.,  1825,  21.  The  name 
was  at  the  same  time  changed  to  "Rutgers,"  Sept.,  1825,  25. — Statutes 
for  the  College  were  adopted,  1826,  49;  report  of  Board,  1826,  52. — Re- 
ports of,  1827,  66-68;   1828,   124-6;   1829,  192-4;   1830,  279-285;   1831,  369- 


636         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

374;  and  thereafter  yearly,  under  Article  XIII.,  in  the  Minutes  of  Gen. 
Synod,  down  to  1856,  when  the  reports  begin  to  become  meagre.  See 
Article  XIII.,  in  the  annual  Minutes  of  General  Synod  from  1814,  on- 
ward. This  Article  is  called  "Queens  College,"  1814-25 ;  then  "Rutgers 
College,"  1826-1866.  The  title  is  then  changed  to  "Church  Colleges," 
1867-1886,  when  it  is  still  further  changed  to  "Education,  Academies  and 
Colleges,"  and  numbered  as  Article  VI. 

In  the  Minutes  of  1850,  pages  77-90,  the  history  of  the  Covenants 
between  Rutgers  College  and  the  Synod  is  elaborately  reviewed,  and  need 
not  be  here  recapitulated.  The  Theological  Professors  taught  also  in 
the  College,  after  its  Revival,  1825-1864,  but  with  increasing  reluctance, 
because  of  their  double  duties.  They  repeatedly  asked  to  be  relieved; 
1861,  10,  80,  82;  1862,  119,  192-3.  With  the  accession  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wm. 
H.  Campbell  to  the  Presidency  in  1863,  new  and  successful  endeavors  for 
enlarged  endowments  were  successfully  prosecuted,  1863,  322-5 ;,  and, 
inasmuch  as  the  Seminary  now  had  a  Building  of  their  own,  (Hertzog 
Hall),  negotiations  were  begun  to  have  the  College  Property  conveyed 
back  from  the  Synod  to  the  Trustees.  The  matter  is  elaborately  pre- 
sented in  a  report  in  1864,  and  summed  up  in  the  following  action : 

1st.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
authorized  and  directed  to  convey  the  title  to  the  ground  and  buildings 
at  New  Brunswick,  known  as  "Rutgers  College,"  to  the  Trustees  of  Rut- 
gers College,  for  the  sum  of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  to  be  paid  by  said 
Trustees  as  follows :  One  thousand  dollars  on  the  delivery  of  the  deed  of 
conveyance,  and  eleven  thousand  dollars  May  ist,  1867,  or  when  pos- 
session shall  be  given  to  said  Trustees  of  the  wings  of  the  College  build- 
ing, now  occupied  as  residences  by  the  Theological  Professors,  if  given 
before  said  date ;  said  payment  of  eleven  thousand  dollars  to  be  mean- 
time secured  by  mortgage  on  said  property,  bearing  no  interest  until  due. 

Provided,  That  the  deed  of  conveyance  shall  reserve  to.the  Synod 
the  use  of  the  said  portions  of  the  College  building  occupied  as  pro- 
fessorial residences,  until  May  ist,  1867,  for  such  residences,  if  the  Synod 
shall  elect  to  and  use  them  until  that  date ; 

And  provided  further.  That  the  deed  of  conveyance  shall  contain  con- 
ditions, properly  framed  under  competent  legal  advice,  that  the  property 
so  conveyed  shall  be  used  and  occupied  by  the  College  for  the  purpose 
of  collegiate  education  and  the  usual  and  proper  incidents  thereto;  and 
that  the  President  of  the  College,  and  three-fourths  of  the  members  of 
its  Board  of  Trustees  shall  always  be  members  in  full  communion  of 
the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  North  America;  and  that, 
on  breach  of  either  of  these  conditions,  the  deed  of  conveyance  shall  be 
void,  and  the  title  to  the  property  revert  to  the  Synod. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  the  said  sum  of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  to  be 
so  paid  by  the  Trustees  of  the  College,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  set 
apart  as  a  fund  for  the  purpose  of  erecting,  upon  the  grounds  of  the 
Hertzog  Theological  Hall,  residences  for  the  Theological  Professors; 
and,  until  such  time  as  it  may  be  deemed  expedient  to  erect  such  resi- 
dences, the  Board  of  Direction  are  instructed  to  have  said  sum  safely 
invested  in  such  manner  that  it  may  be  readily  made  available,  when 
required,   in   defraying  the   expense   of   such   erection. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

In  behalf  of  the  Committee. 

JOHN    N.   ROGERS.    Chairman. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  Isaac  Ferris,  Messrs.  William  B.  Crosb>  and 
S.  B.  Schieffelin,  be  appointed  a  Committee  to  wait  upon  the  Rev.  Pro- 
fessors Woodbridge  and  Berg,  and  request,  in  behalf  of  the  Synod,  their 
assent  to  and  cooperation  in  the  measures  which  the  Synod  has  adopted 
in  reference  to  the  transfer  of  Rutgers  College  property  to  the  Trustees 


RUTGERS  COLLEGE,  NEW  BRUNSWICK,  N.  J.     637 

of  the  College,  so  far  as  the  same  relates  to  the  residences  now  occupied 
by  them  respectively.     1864,  468-472. 

Report  of  the  Board  of  Direction: 

In  compliance  with  a  resolution  of  General  Synod  adopted  at  their 
meeting  in  June  last,  the  Board  of  Direction  would  report  that  they 
have  conveyed  the  title  to  the  ground  and  buildings  at  New  Brunswick, 
known  as  "Rutgers  College,"  to  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  for  the 
sum  of  twelve  thousand  dollars,  having  first  received  from  the  Professors 
occupying  the  wings  of  the  College  building  their  written  consent  to  the 
arrangement  made  by  Synod,  and  have  received  one  thousand  dollars  in 
cash,  and  a  bond  of  said  Trustees  for  eleven  thousand  dollars,  secured 
by  a  mortgage  on  the  premises  for  the  balance  of  said  purchase. 
1865,   551. 

The  two  Professors,  Drs.  Woodbridge  and  Berg,  occupying  the  two 
wings  of  the  College  as  residences,  also  agreed  to  surrender  them  on 
certain  conditions,   1865,  624-5. 

Synod  relinquishes  the  appointment  of  a  Theological  Professor  in  the 
College. 

10.  A  communication  from  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Rutgers  Col- 
lege, through  a  committee  of  which  Governor  Vroom  is  chairman,  who 
also  personally  appeared  before  your  Committee,  asking  that  the  covenant 
of  1807  between  the  College  and  the  Synod  be  annulled,  has  been  duly 
considered.  This  covenant  was  very  serviceable  to  the  Church,  when 
both  the  College  and  Seminary  were  weak  and  needed  support ;  but  now, 
that  both  are  able  to  stand  alone,  it  seems  to  be  useless.  This  covenant 
renders  it  imperative  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  elect  as  Professor  of 
Theology  in  the  College  the  person  whom  General  Synod  may  nom- 
inate and  appoint  as  Professor  of  Didactic  Theology  in  the  Seminary. 
In  1862,  the  professors  in  the  Seminary  were  released  by  General  Synod 
from  their  services  in  the  College,  with  the  exception  of  the  Professor 
of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology,  whose  duties  have  been  nominal 
more  recently,  and  who  now  asks  to  be  freed  in  future  from  all  duties 
in  the  College.  The  sale  and  transfer  of  the  College  property  to  the 
Trustees  of  that  institution  has  abrogated  this  covenant  to  that  extent, 
that  it  appears  to  be  best  for  both  institutions  that  the  slight  bond  which 
still  unites  them  should  be  severed,  as  it  would  only  embarrass  both 
parties ;  be  it  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  relinquishes,  on  behalf  of  the  Trustees 
of  Rutgers  College,  the  nomination  and  appointment  of  the  Professor  of 
Theology  in  that  institution,  from  this  date,  providing  such  relinquish- 
ment does  not  interfere  with  any  existing  contract  with  the  Trustees  in 
relation  to  moneys  to  be  made  up  for  the  salary  of  the  Professor  of 
Theology. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod  send  to  the  Trustees  of 
Rutgers   College  an  official  notice  of  this  relinquishment.     1865,  628. 

The  East  Wing  of  the  College  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  newly- 
elected  Professor,  Dr.  D.  D.  Demarest,  as  a  residence  until  1867,  unless 
the  Trustees  allow  him  $500  per  vear  to  obtain  immediate  possessoin. 
1865,  631. 

"Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  authorized  to  release 
the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  from  the  payment  of  house  rent  for 
the  professorial  residences  as  soon  as  and  from  the  time  when  they  shall 
have  paid  to  said  Board  the  remaining  $11,000,  as  per  agreement"  (Minutes 
of  1864,  pages  472-473).     1866.  97, 

There  has  been  received  from  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  the 
sum  of  $11,000  in  payment  of  their  bond  to  General  Synod. 

There  has  been  paid  to  the  Building  Committee  on  Professorial  Resi- 


638         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

dences  at  Xew  Brunswick,  the  sum  of  $12,000,  being  the  amount  received 
from  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  for  the  sale  of  said  college  to 
them,  and  set  apart  as  a  fund  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  upon  the 
grounds  of  the  Peter  Hertzog  Theological  Hall  residences  for  the  Theo- 
logical  Professors.     1867,   161. 

The  following  resolution  was  received  from  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  Rutgers  College,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate: 
"Resolved,  That  the  Board  accedes  to  the  condition  of  General 
Synod  as  expressed  in  their  resolution  of  June,  1865,  in  reference  to  the 
relinquishrnent  of  the  nomination  and  appointment  of  the  Professor  of 
Theology  in  the  College,  and  that  the  secretary  send  a  certified  copy 
of  this  resolution  to  the  General  Synod." 
New  Brunswick,  April  13,  1867. 

1867,  265. 

The  resolution  of  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  in  reference  to 
their  acceding  to  the  terms  of  General  Synod  (recorded  on  Minutes 
of  Synod,  1865,  p.  628),  in  order  to  Synod's  yielding  its  right  to  nom- 
inate the  Professor  of  Theology  in  the  College  according  to  the  compact 
of  1807  and  182 —  is  satisfactory.  This  act,  as  dissolving  previous  rela- 
tions, marks  a  condition  of  things  which  deserves  a  record  at  the  present 
time. 

The  relations  of  the  General  Synod  and  our  Church  to  the  College 
at  New  Brunswick,  under  the  successive  designation  of  Queens  College 
and  Rutgers  College,  date  back  to  the  origin  of  the  college  nearly  a  hun- 
dred years  since,  and  grew  out  of  the  solicitude  of  the  fathers  to  secure 
for  the  Churches  a  properly  educated  ministry  without  resorting  to  Hol- 
land. The  college,  after  years  of  successful  operation,  had  its  doors 
closed  by  the  American  Revolution,  and  this  continued  to  be  the  case 
for  a  long  period.  In  this  condition  of  things  the  General  'Synod,  in 
1804,  decided  on  the  institution  of  a  Professorship  of  Theology,  distinctly 
and  specially,  to  which  candidates  for  the  ministry  could  be  committed. 
Progress  was  at  once  made  in  the  work.  A  proposition  came  to  the 
General  Synod  to  connect  their  professorship  with  Columbia  College, 
but  this  was  not  deemed  expedient.  Attention  was  directed  to  Queens 
College,  as  proposals  came  from  that  quarter  to  the  Synod,  and  the  rela- 
tions of  the  past  naturally  inclined  the  Synod  to  enter  into  suitable 
arrangements,  and  thus  reopen  through  the  aid  of  the  Church  the  long- 
closed  doors  of  the  college.  In  1807  the  compact  was  formed  (and  has 
continued  to  the  present),  which  threw  open  access  to  the  churches  for 
the  Trustees  to  secure  the  means  needed  for  the  common  enterprise. 

Then  was  collected  the  Professorial  Fund,  which  was  to  be  applied 
to  the  support  of  the  Professor  of  Theolog\-.  Soon  thereafter  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  was  opened  at  New  Brunswick  by  the  removal  of  Dr. 
Livingston  to  that  place.  As  time  passed  on  a  new  college  edifice 
(which  is  now  Rutgers  College)  was  erected,  in  which  various  moneys 
of  the  Synod  were  employed.  But  the  reopened  college  was  agam 
destined  to  be  closed  under  the  pressure  of  the  times,  and  the  property 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  General  Synod,  and  there  remained  until 
receded,  last  year.  In  1825  the  effort  was  made  to  revive  the  college  for 
literary  instruction,  and  the  Synod  and  the  Church,  true  to  the  convic- 
tions of  the  past,  put  their  whole  strength  into  the  effort.  It  was  suc- 
cessful. New  arrangements  were  made  between  the  Synod  and  the 
Trustees,  an  essential  part  of  which  was  that  in  the  limited  ability  of  the 
Trustees  the  Professors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  should  take  duties 
in  the  College,  so  as  to  fill  up  the  curriculum  of  study.  It  is  to  be 
recorded  to  the  credit  of  those  noble  men,  who  have  gone  to  their  rest, 
that  they  thus  performed  double  duties,  and  without  additional  compen- 
sation, in  order  to  cherish  the  institution  into  strength  and  self-reliance. 

Gradually,  in  the  course  of  a  favoring  Providence,  these  duties  were 


RUTGERS  COLLEGE,  NEW  BRUNSWICK,  N.  J.     639 

diminished,  until,  within  two  years,  they  have  ceased  practically,  and 
now  by  the  united  action  of  the  Synod  and  the  Board  of  Trustees,  close 
formally.  In  order  still  further  to  aid  and  cherish  the  College,  and  secure 
such  preparatory  classical  and  literary  training  as  was  deemed  desirable, 
the  sons  of  our  Church  were  sent  by  our  benevolent  Boards  to  Rutgers 
College  and  its  Grammar  School,  and  throughout,  with  small  exception, 
the  cost  of  their  tuition  has  been  paid,  thus  forming  an  additional  reli- 
ance for  the  trustees  which  they  from  this  time  generously  give  up. 

It  is  pleasant  on  the  review  to  see  how  the  Synod  and  the  Church 
have  been  foster  parents  of  the  College,  and  to  note  how  the  pecuniary 
resources  of  the  Church  have  been  poured  into  its  treasury,  and  how  by 
individual  beneficence  from  the  bosom  of  our  communion  it  now  stands 
on  a  firm  foundation,  and  through  governmental  grant  has  been  enabled 
to  graft  new  departments  of  instruction  on  its  system,  and  has  opened 
to  it  a  most  promising  prospect  of  usefulness,  and  a  high  place  among 
the  higher  institutions  of  learning,  which  are  such  an  honor  and  blessing 
to  our  land.  Though  the  last  formal  tie  of  the  compact  of  1807,  and  of 
the  renewed  stipulations  of  1825,  is  now  severed,  we  shall  note  with  inter- 
est its  onward  course,  and  individually  cooperate  in  what  may  sustain  its 
interests  and  aid  in  its  advancement.  While  our  own  Professor  of  The- 
ology- is  released  from  his  relations  to  the  College,  and  the  Trustees  will 
now  choose  and  appoint  their  own,  it  cannot  be  presumed  that  there 
will  be  any  departure  from  the  usage  of  the  whole  history  of  the  institu- 
tion— that  he  will  be  a  minister  of  our  Church.  The  Committee  do  not 
think  for  a  moment  that  any  but  the  system  of  the  past,  so  dear  to  the 
fathers,  and  whose  maintenance  was  the  ground  of  all  the  labors  per- 
formed, and  sacrifices  made,  and  money  expended,  will  be  carried  out, 
and  with  fuller  development.  With  these  views  and  feelings,  we  bid  this 
long-cherished  institution  God  speed.     1867,  269,  270. 

Since  the  complete  separation  of  the  College  and  Seminary  only  a 
few  references  to  the  College  occur  in  the  Synodical  Minutes.  We  may 
refer  to  the  following: 

The  Board  of  Direction  ask  permission  to  transfer  to  Rutgers  Col- 
lege ten  shares  of  Bergen  County  Turnpike  Stock,  now  held  by  the 
Board  of  Direction,  but  belonging  to  the  College.  The  Committee  recom- 
mend the  following : 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  authorized  and  directed 
to  transfer  to  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  ten  shares  of  Bergen 
County  Turnpike  Stock,  now  held  by  the  Board  of  Direction,  and  belong- 
ing to  said  College.     1884,  423,  455.     See  Eltinge. 

There  has  also  been  referred  to  the  Committee  a  communication  to 
the  Synod,  from  a  Committee  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Rutgers  College,  containing  a  request  from  the  said  Board  of  Trustees 
that  the  General  Synod  do  alter  the  condition  in  its  deed,  whereby  the 
College  property  was  conveyed  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  by  substituting 
the  words  "two-thirds"  for  "three-fourths,"  where  it  is  required  that 
three-fourths  of  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  members 
in  full  communion  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

Your  Committee  are  well  satisfied  that  no  danger  to  the  interests  of 
the  College  can  arise  from  such  change,  and  therefore  recommend  the 
adoption  of  the  following.  (Resolutions  stricken  out  by  vote  of  Synod.) 
1884,  420,  456.     [See  below,   1891.] 

In  response  to  an  invitation  from  President  M.  E.  Gates,  of  Rutgers 
College,  the  members  of  Synod  visited  him  at  his  residence  on  Thursday 
evening,  and  were  cordially  welcomed  to  the  hospitalities  of  his  home. 

On  Friday  afternoon  the  Synod,  in  response  to  an  invitation  from 
the  Faculty,  visited  Rutgers  College.  They  assembled  in  the  chapel  and 
were  warmly  welcomed  by  President  Gates.  He  was  responded  to  by 
the  Vice-President  of  the  Synod. 


640  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Members  of  the  Synod  then  visited  the  various  departments  of  the 
College.  And  in  response  to  an  invitation  from  the  Standing  Committee 
on  the  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property,  they  also  paid  a  visit  to  these 
and  to  the  Gardner  A.  Sage  Library. 

Whereas,  The  Synod  having  visited  Rutgers  College  and  examined 
some  of  the  many  advantages  and  facilities  there  afforded  for  a  thor- 
ough collegiate  training,  and  having  shown  their  appreciation  by  electing 
one  of  the  Faculty  [Prof.  Cooper]  as  Vedder  Lecturer,  and  fully  believ- 
ing that  all  the  courses  of  instruction  are,  and  will  be,  conducted  in  the 
interests  of  Christianity;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  commend  the  President  and  Faculty  in 
their  efforts  to  elevate  the  grade  of  scholarship,  and  that  we  cordially 
recommend  Rutgers  College  as  an  institution  well  adapted  for  furnish- 
ing young  men  with  that  moral  and  intellectual  culture  which  will  fit 
them  for  discharging  the  higher  duties  of  life;  and  as  second  to  none  in 
its   loyalty  to   the   Christian   faith.     1886,   200-1. 

Action  of  the  College  on  the  Scholarship  Fund.s  for  Students 
Preparing  for  the  Ministry,  1891. 

The  Committee  on  Beneficiary  Trusts  appointed  by  the  Trustees  of  Rut- 
gers College,  call  the  attention  of  all  whom  it  may  concern,  to  the 
following  statement: 

The  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  in  their  meeting  held  October  27th, 
1891,  declared  that  they  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  as  trustees  of  various 
funds,  held  by  them  in  trust  for  aiding  young  men  in  preparing  for  the 
ministry  in  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  to  carry  into  effect  as  fully 
as  possible  the  intent  of  the  generous  donors  in  accordance  with  the 
Constitution  of  said  Church.  The  Trustees  regard  these  funds  as  a 
sacred  trust,  and  they  hold  that  it  is  not  only  their  right,  but  duty,  to 
secure  them  as  much  as  possible  against  misapplication,  waste  or  per- 
version through  abandonment  of  preparatory  studies,  or  the  prosecution 
of  them  in  part  in  schools  of  theology  which  are  not  under  the  govern- 
ment and  care  of  the  General  Synod,  as  required  by  the  Constitution, 
Article  II.,  Section  2,  which  is  as  follows : 

"Every  person  contemplating  the  work  of  the  ministry,  before  he 
commences  his  course  of  theological  studies,  shall  furnish  satisfactory 
evidence  of  his  being  a  member  in  full  communion  and  in  good  standing 
of  a  Reformed  Protestant  church ;  of  his  piety,  abilities  and  literary 
attainments ;  and  thereupon  shall  be  admitted  into  one  of  the  theological 
schools;  and  during  the  prosecution  of  his  studies  there,  shall  be  subject 
to  the  rules  and  regulations  thereof ;  and  when  he  shall  have  completed 
the  prescribed  course  and  term  of  theological  studies,  shall  be  admitted 
to  an  examination  according  to  the  regulations  of  the  schools  as  estab- 
lished by  the  General  Synod;  and  if  found  qualified  shall  receive  a  pro- 
fessorial certificate  to  that  effect,  which  shall  entitle  him  to  an  examina- 
tion for  licensure  before  the  Classis  to  which  he  belongs." 

The  Trustees  do  not  ask  for  a  pecuniary  return  from  any  beneficiary 
who  enters  the  Reformed  Church,  even  if  he  continues  in  her  service 
a  comparatively  short  time  only,  but  they  leave  the  question  of  such 
return  entirely  to  his  own  conscience  and  sense  of  gratitude ;  they  are 
desirous,  chiefly,  to  obtain  honest  and  loyal  service  to  the  Church.  It  has 
always  been  understood  that  there  is  an  implied  contract  between  the 
Trustees  granting  aid  and  every  student  receiving  it.  It  is  now  thought 
to  be  best  for  all  parties  concerned,  that  this  contract  should  be  well 
defined,  carefully  drawn  and  mutually  agreed  to  in  writing.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  this  will  receive  the  hearty  approval  of  every  conscientious 
and  honorable  student  receiving  aid  from  these  funds. 

The  Trustees   therefore   adopted   the   following   resolutions : 

I.     That  there  shall  be  a   Standing  Committee  of   six,   including  the 


RUTGERS  COLLEGE,  NEW  BRUNSWICK,  N.  J.     641 

President  of  the  College,  to  be  called  the  Committee  on  Beneficiary 
Trusts.  This  Committee  shall  have  authority  to  place  students  who  are 
preparing  for  the  ministry  on  the  various  funds  held  for  that  purpose, 
to  be  reported  to  the  Trustees  for  their  approval;  shall  keep  an  accurate 
list  of  all  such  beneficiaries ;  shall  have  special  oversight  of  them ;  and 
shall  report  to  the  Trustees  all  cases  that  may  require  notice  and  action. 
2.  That  every  student,  before  receiving  aid  from  the  Van  Bunscho- 
ten,  Knox,  Smock,  Mandeville  or  Voorhees  Fund,  shall  execute  and  sign 
the  following  obligation  for  the  amount  of  money  appropriated  to  him 
for  the  year ;  and  that  he  shall  execute  and  sign  a  similar  obligation  at 
the  beginning  of  each  and  every  succeeding  year  so  long  as  he  shall 
continue  to  receive  aid  from  the  fund  on  which  he  is  placed. 

BOND. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents.  That  I,  A.  B.,  of 

am  held  and  firmly  bound  unto  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers 
College,  in  New  Jersey,  in  the  sum  of  , 

legal  money  of  the  United  States,  well  and  truly  to  be  paid,  with  interest 
from  date  at  the  rate  of  four  per  cent,  per  annum,  unto  the  said  Trustees 
of  Rutgers  College,  in  New  Jerse}-,  their  certain  attorney,  successors  or 
assigns ;  to  which  payment  well  and  truly  to  be  made,  I  bind  myself 
firmly  by  these  presents.     Sealed  with  my  seal. 

Dated  the  day  of  ,  one  thousand  eight 

hundred  and 

The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such.  That  if  the  said  A.  B., 
a  student  in  ,  supported  by  the  fund  called  the 

Fund,  held  in  trust  and  administered 
by  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  shall  not  withdraw  himself  from 
the  patronage  of  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  without  the  consent 
of  said  Trustees ;  or  shall  not  abandon,  or,  without  leave  of  the  Trustees, 
intermit  his  studies  at  any  stage  before  he  shall  have  completed,  in  one 
of  the  schools  of  theology  established  and  maintained  by  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  the  course  of  studies  pre- 
scribed therein;  or,  after  having  completed  the  same,  he  shall  not  leave 
said  church  and  seek  ordination  from  some  other  religious  body,  or  not 
seek  it  at  all ;  or  shall  not,  within  five  years  after  his  ordination,  leave 
the  ministry  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  without  a  release  from 
this  obligation  by  the  Trustees,  then  and  in  either  case  this  obligation 
shall  be  and  become  void;  otherwise  it  shall  remain  in  full  force  and 
virtue. 

Signed,  sealed  and  delivered 
in  presence  of 

DAVID  D.  DEMAREST, 
JOHN  GASTON, 
JOACHIM    ELMENDORF, 
JAMES  Le  FEVRE, 
FREDERICK  J.  COLLIER, 
AUSTIN  SCOTT, 

Committee. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  Col- 
lege asking  the  Synod  to  change  the  conditions  on  which  the  covenant 
was  made  between  the  Synod  and  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in  1864,  by 
which  three-fourths  of  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  should  be 
members  in  full  communion  of  the  Reformed  Church.  The  change  sought 
is  that  the  words  shall  be  two-thirds  of  the  Trustees  instead  of  three- 
fourths.  The  paper  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Overtures. 
1891,  239.     [See  above,   1884.] 


642         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Report: 

I.     The  communication  from  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College. 

In  June,  1864,  the  General  Synod  deeded  the  property  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, N.  J.,  known  as  "Rutgers  College,"  to  the  trustees  of  the  College 
for  the  nominal  sum  of  $12,000;  and  one  of  the  stipulations  of  the  con- 
veyance provided  "that  the  President  of  the  College  and  three-fourths 
of  the  members  of  its  Board  of  Trustees  shall  always  be  members  in 
full  communion  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  North 
America." 

It  is  now  proposed  that  the  Synod  shall  consent  to  a  modification 
of  the  agreement,  so  that  the  condition  shall  call  for  two-thirds  of  the 
whole  number  of  trustees,  exclusive  of  the  three  who  are  trustees 
ex-oificio. 

The  reasons  assigned  by  the  Trustees  for  their  request  are  as 
follows : 

"i.  The  charter  limits  the  number  of  trustees  to  forty-one.  Of 
these,  three,  viz.,  the  Governor,  the  Chief  Justice  and  the  Attorney  Gen- 
eral of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  are  trustees  ex-oificio,  leaving  thirty- 
eight  to  be  elected  by  the  Trustees,  as  vacancies  occur. 

"2.  It  has  so  happned  in  the  history  of  the  College,  that  scarcely 
ever  has  one  of  these  three  trustees  ex-oMcio  been  a  member  in  full 
communion  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America ;  nor  do  they  ever 
appear  in  the  meetings  of  the  Trustees,  except  that  the  Governor  occa- 
sionally attends  at  the  meeting  before  the  commencement. 

"3.  Yet  these  three  are  counted  in,  and  help  to  make  the  one- 
fourth  limiting  number  of  those  who  may  be  trustees  without  being 
communicants  in  the  Reformed  Church  in  America.  It  comes  to  this, 
that  of  the  whole  number  of  trustees  (forty-one)  thirty-one  must  be 
communicants  in  the  Reformed  Church,  while,  of  the  ten  who  need  not 
be  such,  the  trustees  are  restricted  in  their  selections  to  seven. 

"4.  Men  who  would  be  of  great  service  to  the  College  are  often 
nominated  for  the  office  of  trustee,  who  prove  to  be  ineligible  because 
of  this  restriction.  This  evil,  if  it  be  an  evil,  is  constantly  increasing 
as  the  number  of  well-qualified  alumni  increases ;  and  as  various  circum- 
stances carry  excellent  friends  of  the  College  and  of  the  Reformed 
Church   into   other   denominations,   as   communicants   and   supporters. 

"5.  The  trustees  believe  that  the  change  proposed  would  be  for 
the  benefit  of  the  College  and  no  detriment  to  the  Church  of  which  it  is 
the  child.  They  would  not  suggest  it  if  they  had  the  least  suspicion  that 
the  usefulness  of  the  College  to  the  Church  would  be  impaired  thereby. 
On  the  contrary,  they  believe  that  it  will  help  the  College  to  do  better 
service  for  the  Church  in  the  way  of  giving  the  preparatory  collegiate 
training  to  those  who  expect  to  enter  her  ministry.  The  trustees  do  not 
propose  ever  to  lose  sight  of  the  aim  of  the  founders  of  the  College,  as 
expressed  in  its  charter,  to  aid  in  supplying  the  Reformed  Churches  with 
an  'able,  learned  and  well  qualified  ministry.'  They  believe  that  the 
requirement  of  the  charter,  that  the  president  shall  always  be  a  member 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  should  never  be  removed  from 
that  instrument.  They  have  recently  appointed  to  the  important  pro- 
fessorship in  divinity  required  by  the  charter,  one  who  is  a  highly 
esteemed  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  as  well  as  an 
alumnus  of  the  College. 

"6.  By  the  change  proposed,  twenty-six  of  the  trustees  must  be 
members  in  full  communion  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  while 
the  number  of  those  who  may  be  elected  without  being  such  members  is 
limited  to  twelve." 

The  proposition  of  the  trustees  appears  so  reasonable  that  your 
committee  recommended  the  following : 


RUTGERS  COLLEGE,  NEW  BRUNSWICK,  N.  J.     643 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  and  they  are  hereby 
authorized  and  directed  to  take  the  requisite  steps  for  giving  legal 
vaHdity  to  a  modification  in  the  agreement  made  between  the  General 
Synod  and  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  at  the  time  the 
property  known  as  "Rutgers  College"  was  conveyed  to  said  Trustees  as 
authorized  by  Synod  in  June,  1864,  said  modification  being  to  the  effect 
that  two-thirds  of  the  number  of  trustees,  exclusive  of  the  three  ex-oMcio 
trustees,  shall  always  be  members  in  full  communion  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  and  said  stipulation  as  thus  modified  remaining  as 
one  of  the  permanent  conditions,  on  breach  of  either  of  which  the 
deed  of  conveyance  shall  be  void  and  the  title  to  the  property  revert  to 
the  Synod.  (See  Minutes  of  Synod,  1864,  Vol.  X,  page  471.)  1891, 
330-1,  425.     [See  below,  1904-5-] 

By  the  Synod  of  1891  the  Board  was  "authorized  and  directed"  to 
take  the  requisite  legal  steps  to  modify  a  contract  made  in  1864  with  the 
Trustees  of  Rutgers  College.  This  contract  transferred  to  the  College 
certain  buildings  and  property  for  an  almost  nominal  sum,  on  condition 
that  the  President  and  three-fourths  of  the  Trustees  should  always  be 
members  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church.  On  application  of  the  Trus- 
tees, the  latter  part  was  changed  by  the   Synod   to  two-thirds. 

For  legal  advice  or  assistance  in  the  matter  the  Board  had  no 
money ;  but  it  appeared  to  themselves  that  if  such  a  change  was  not  in 
itself  a  vitiation  of  the  original  condition  and  consideration  for  the  prop- 
erty, and  the  purpose  and  design  for  which  it  was  made,  it  certainly 
would  be,  should  the  number  at  any  time  hereafter  go  lower — say,  to  one- 
half  of  the  Trustees ;  and  that  the  interests  of  the  Synod  needed  guard- 
ing at  that  point.  Happily  the  high  character  of  the  College  Committee 
and  its  Counsel  enabled  the  Board  to  arrange  the  agreement  satisfactorily, 
with  this  idea  in  view.  The  modification  has,  therefore,  been  made  as 
"directed"  by  Synod.     1892,  468,  502. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Education  be  authorized,  in  connection 
with  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  to  nominate  students  on  the  Van 
Bunschooten  bequest,  and  other  educational  trusts  of  the  Synod  held 
by  the  College.     1895,  92. 

Reference  to  Educational  Funds  for  students  held  by  the  College, 
1896,  439;  Professor  Cooper  addressed  the  Synod  in  behalf  of  the  Col- 
lege, 503- 

Reference  to  History  of  Rutgers  College  by  Committee  on  the  State 
of  the  Church,  1900,  817,  818. 

President  Scott  invited  the  Synod,  meeting  in  New  Brunswick,  in 
1901,  to  visit  the  Building,  attend  the  exercises  of  the  Chapel;  also  to  a 
Reception  in  the  Ballantine  Gymnasium;    1901,   1258. 

An  application  from  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  for  a  change 
in  the  quota  of  Trustees  required  to  be  members  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  from  two-thirds  to  a  majority.  Referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Education,  Colleges  and  Academies. 

7.  Regarding  the  request  of  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  to 
change  the  ratio  of  Trustees  belonging  to  the  Reformed  Church  in  said 
Board,  your  committee  finds  that  through  lack  of  suflficient  data  and  the 
limited  time  at  the  disposal  of  the  Committee,  they  cannot  consider  tht, 
matter  in  all  its  bearings  and  intelligently  recommend  final  action.  We 
therefore  offer  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  this  matter  be  referred  to  a  committee  consisting  of 
the  following:  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Vroom,  Rev.  Chas.  Wright,  Jas.  Benny,  to 
investigate  the  whole  matter  fully  and  report  to  the  next  meeting  of 
General  Synod.     1904,  12,  688-9. 


644  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

To  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America : 

Dear  Brethren:  Your  committee  to  which  the  application  of  the 
Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  for  a  change  of  the  quota  of  trustees  re- 
quired to  be  members  in  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  was  referred 
at  the  last  session,  would  respectfully  report  as  follows : 

After  giving  much  attention  and  thought  to  the  matter,  your  com- 
mittee received,  under  date  of  May  19,  1905,  an  official  communication 
from  the  Board  of  Trustees,  as  follows : 

'At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  held  on  May  6, 
1905,  it  was  resolved, 

"That,  with  the  permission  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America,  the  petition  of  the  trustees  to  that  body  concerning 
the  required  quota  of  members  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  this  Board  of 
Trustees  be  withdrawn. 

(Signed)     W.  H.  S.  DEMAREST, 

Secretary  of  the   Board." 

In  view  of  the  above  action  your  committee  recommends  the  following : 

Resolved,   That,    in   accordance   with   their   request,   the   Trustees   of 

Rutgers  College  have  permission  to  withdraw  their  petition  for  a  change 

in  the  quota  of  members  required  to  be  from  the  Reformed  Church  in 

America. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

WM.  H.  VROOM, 
CHARLES   S.  WRIGHT, 
JAMES   BENNY, 

Committee. 
1905,  99. 

See  the  successive  editions  of  Corwin's  Manual,  1859,  1869,  1879,  1902, 
for  histories  of  Rutgers  College.  Also  Chief- Justice  Bradley's  Centennial 
History,  1870;  and  Prof.  Doolittle's  History  for  the  National  "College 
Book,"  1876.  See  also  "Professorial  Fund;"  "New  Brunswick  Seminary," 
etc.,  in  this  Digest. 

Rutgers  College  Grammar  School.  See  New  Brunswick  Grammar 
School.  It  is  probably  as  old  as  Queens  College.  Several  leaflets  on  its 
history  have  been  published. 

Rutgers,  Henry  (Colonel).  Chosen  President  of  Bd.  of  Trustees 
of  Queens  College,  1818,  29;  chosen,  yearly,  President  of  Bd.  of  Direction 
of  the  Corporation  of  Gen.  Synod,  1819-26 ;  his  name  suggested  as  the  name 
for  Queens  College ;  committee  appointed  to  communicate  to  him  the  views 
of  Synod  on  the  subject,  Sept.,  1825,  25;  purchases  a  bell  for  the  College, 
and  gives  $5,000  toward  its  endowment,  1826,  8,  16,  51.  See  Centennial 
Vol.  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  pp.  113,  407,  378  for  sketch  of. 
Memoir  of,  by  Dr.  Alex.  McLeod.  For  sketch  of  the  Rutgers'  Family, 
see  N.  Y.  Gen.  &  Biog.  Record,  Vol.  17  (1886),  pp.  82,  seq. 

Rutgers,  Professor,  Of  the  Free  University  of  Amsterdam ;  appointed 
delegate  to  R.  C.  A.  1898,  160,  162;  unable  to  come. 

Ryerson,  Rachel  Ann  (Mrs.)  Gives  $2,000  to  Domestic  Missions. 
Held  by  Bd.  of  Corporation  of  Synod. 

Sabbath,  Observance  of.  The  Fourth  Commandment  is  referred  to 
in  the  Constitutions  of  1619,  Art.  67,  and  of  1792,  Art.  67.  That  of  1619 
says  :  "Besides  the  Sabbath  day,  the  congregations  shall  likewise  observe 
Christmas,  Easter  and  Whitsuntide."  .  .  .  That  of  1792  says :  "The 
Reformed  Church  does  not  believe  the  days  usually  called  holy  days,  are 
of  Divine  institution."  .  .  .  "With  regard  to  Feast  Days,  upon  which, 
besides  the  Lord's  Day,  it  has  been  customary  to  abstain  from  labor,  and 


SABBATH,  OBSERVANCE  OF  645 

to  assemble  in  the  church,  it  is  resolved  that  we  must  be  contented  with 
the  Lord's  day  alone."  .  .  .  But  the  Sabbath  is  not  referred  to  at  all 
in  the  Constitutions  of  1833  and  1874,  except  incidentally,  about  explain- 
ing the  Catechism  on  the  Lord's  day;  although  its  observance  is  implied  in 
the  directions  about  Baptism,  the  Lord's  Supper  and  the  Order  of  Wor- 
ship, as  well  as  in  certain  prayers  in  the  Liturgy.  Constitutions  of  1619, 
Art.  68;  of  1792,  Art.  36;  of  1833,  Arts.  64,  65,  93;. of  1874,  Arts.  57,  58,  84. 
The  practical  import  of  the  Sabbath  is  treated  in  Question  103,  of  the 
Heidelberg  Catechism.  There  is  no  direct  allusion  to  the  Sabbath  in 
the  Belgic  Confession  or  the  Canons  of  Dort. 

In  an  article  on  the  "Preservation  of  Morals,"  there  is  an  allusion  to 
the  impropriety  of  "marrying  on  Sundays,"  on  account  of  the  festivities 
connected  therewith,  1781,  92;  and  ministers  are  exhorted  to  oppose  all 
irregularities  on  that  day;  but  in  1792  the  following  action  occurs  under 
"Public  Morals:" 

All  the  Classes  have  this  point,  in  Actis,  and  it  was  thereupon  re- 
solved, that  so  much  of  the  article  (introduced  in  the  Acts  of  Synod  1781, 
Article  XIL)  as  relates  to  marriages  upon  the  Lord's  day,  shall  be  abol- 
ished, and  that  the  Rev.  Classes  and  Consistories  shall  strictly  guard 
against  all  improprieties  accompanying  marriages  upon  the  Lord's  day. 
1792,  241.     Allusions,  1780,  85;  1800,  305;  1812,  432. 

No  further  action  occurs  on  this  subject  until  1815,  when  we  find  the 
following : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  the  churches  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  Synod  to  unite  with  their  Christian  brethren  of  other 
denominations,  in  petitioning  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  pass 
a  law  to  prevent  the  transportation  and  opening  of  the  mail  on  the  Lord's 
day ;  and  that  the  following  be  recommended  as  the  form  of  the  Petition : 

A   PETITION. 

The   undersigned,   inhabitants   of    and   State 

of beg  leave  to  represent  to  the  Honorable,  the 

Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  in  Congress 
assembled :  That  in  the  opinion  of  your  petitioners,  the  transportation  and 
opening  of  the  mail  on  the  Lord's  day,  is  inconsistent  with  the  proper 
observance  of  that  sacred  day,  injurious  to  the  morals  of  the  nation,  and 
provokes  the  judgment  of  the  Ruler  of  Nations.  We  perceive  from  the 
report  of  the  Postmatser  General  on  this  subject  at  your  last  session, 
that  it  is  his  opinion,  that  when  peace  shall  arrive,  the  necessity  of  carry- 
ing and  opening  the  mail  on  the  Lord's  day  will  greatly  diminish. 

While,  therefore,  we  congratulate  you  on  the  return  of  peace,  we  ap- 
proach you  with  confidence,  and  beseech  you  to  take  this  subject  into  your 
serious  consideration,  and  enact  such  laws  as  you,  in  your  wisdom  may 
deem  necessary  for  the  removal  of  this  evil.  And  we,  your  petitioners,  as 
in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray: — 1815,  53,  54. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  regard  with  deep  interest  the  extensive 
and  awful  profanation  of  the  Sabbath  in  this  country. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  consider  the  running  of  public  stages,  and 
steamboats,  and  canal  boats  on  the  Sabbath,  a  gross  profanation  of  that 
holy  day,  and  that  the  members  of  our  churches  and  congregations  be 
and  hereby  are  earnestly  solicited  to  discourage,  both  by  counsel  and 
-xample,  all  such  traveling  on  the  Sabbath  day. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  and  hereby  is  recommended  to  our  different 
Classes  and  congregations  to  take  the  subject  of  the  Sabbath  into  their 
serious  consideration,  and  to  devise  such  measures  as  may,  under  the 
divine  blessing,  prevent  the  profanation  and  promote  the  .sanctification  of 
the  Sabbath  day.     1827,  73. 


646         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Resolved.  That  this  Synod  rejoice  in  the  efforts  that  have  lately  been 
made  in  behalf  of  the  due  public  observance  of  the  Lord's  day,  and  that 
they  recommend  the  "Union"'  lately  formed  in  the  city  of  New  York,  to 
the  prayers  and  co-operation  of  the  several  Classes  and  congregations 
under  their  jurisdiction.  1828,  114.  Similar  action  taken  in  1830,  261, 
262,  292. 

We  believe  that  the  sanctification  of  one  day  in  seven  is  indispensable 
to  the  very  existence  of  religion,  and  that  the  neglect  of  such  observance 
leads  not  only  to  irreligion,  but  to  crime — that  nature  and  revelation  both 
teach  that  man  has  of  right  but  six  days  in  which  to  do  his  own  work,  and 
that  he  cannot  take  more  without  exposing  himself  to  the  peculiar  dis- 
pleasure of  God — that  man's  highest,  social,  civil  and  religious  interests 
demand  the  observance  of  the  Lord's  Day — and  that,  to  use  the  agent's 
words,  "the  loading  and  unloading  of  vessels;  the  sailing  of  vessels  from 
the  harbor ;  the  running  of  stage  coaches,  rail  cars  and  canal  boats,  and 
the  traveling  in  them ;  the  visiting  of  post  offices,  reading  rooms,  and  other 
places  for  secular  reading,  business  or  amusement — are  not  only  unnec- 
essary, but  arc  violations  of  the  law  of  God,  and  ought  to  be  abandoned 
throughout  the  community."  And  we  trust  that  all  the  pastors  of  the 
churches,  and  all  Christian  parents  and  teachers,  will  aim  to  do  their  duty 
in  inculcating  the  law,  and  enforcing  the  observance  of  the  Christian 
Sabbath.     1843,  192. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate  be  instructed  to 
inquire  into  the  propriety  of  requesting  the  Board  of  Direction  of  the 
Corporation  forthwith  to  dispose  of  all  stock  of  such  railroad  corpora- 
tions, now  held  by  the  Board,  whose  trains  run  on  the  Sabbath,  and  re- 
invest the  proceeds  in  some  other  safe  and  less  objectionable  securities. 
1853,  376-7- 

There  were  $2,000  in  bonds,  of  the  New  York  and  New  Haven  R.  R. 
Co.,  which  run  cars  on  the  Sabbath.  They  constituted  the'Jas.  Bogert, 
Jr.,  Second  Scholarship.  On  account  of  lack  of  time  to  investigate  the 
facts,  the  subject  was  left  to  the  discretion  of  Board  of  Direction. 
1853,  357-8. 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  has  heard  with  great  pleasure  and 
deep  interest  the  statements  of  Rev.  Dr.  Cook  on  the  subject  of  the 
efforts  which  have  been  made  by  the  Sabbath  Committee  to  rescue  the 
Holy  Sabbath  from  desecuation  and  place  it  in  its  right  position,  as  a 
day  which  the  God  of  this  nation  requires  should  be  kept  holy;  that  we 
rejoice  in  the  blessed  results  of  these  efforts,  and  that  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  stands  pledged  and  covenanted  with  God  and  man  in  favor  of 
this  work.     1861,  102-3. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  regard  with  great  satisfaction  and  gratitude 
to  God,  the  very  successful  efforts  of  the  Sabbath  Committee  to  secure 
the  better  observance  of  the  Lord's  day,  and  that  they  feel  assured  that 
the  most  wise  and  earnest  labors  of  the  Committee  will  result  in  grow- 
ing advantage  to  the  sacred  cause,  not  only  in  our  great  metropolis,  but 
through  all  our  land. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Synod  be  given  to  the  Committee 
for  their  liberal  gift  of  their  volume  of  Sabbath  Sermons. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  ministers  be  earnestly  requested  to  preach  upon 
the  authority  and  duties  of  the  Christian  Sabbath,  at  least  once  during 
the  coming  ecclesiastical  year.     1862,  213. 

Similar  action,  1863,  358. 

There  has  been  laid  before  us  a  communication  from  the  Congre- 
gational Conference  of  Ohio,  transmitting  their  action  upon  the  question 
of  Sabbath  observance,   with  special   reference   to   the   duties   of   Railway 


SABBATH,   OBSERVANCE   OF  647 

companies,  and  requesting  a  response  from  this  Synod.  Your  Committee 
would  report  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  we  re-affirm  with  a  hearty  and  earnest  belief  the 
Divine  institution  of  the  Christian  Sabbath  as  a  day  of  rest  from  secular 
employment  and  worldly  amusements.  And  we  claim  the  protection  of 
the  civil  law  from  practices  of  those  who,  by  the  sale  of  liquor  or  the 
prosecution  of  any  traffic  or  the  conversion  of  the  day  into  one  of  noisy, 
out-door  festivity  or  celebration,  disturb  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the  wor- 
shipers of  God. 

Resolved,  That  while  we  do  not  insist  upon  the  cessation  of  all  facili- 
ties of  communication  between  distant  places  on  the  Sabbath  [?],  and 
while  we  do  not  necessarily  hold  Railway  companies  responsible  for  the 
desecration  of  the  day  by  those  who  abuse  such  facilities,  we  do  insist 
that  they  shall  reduce  those  opportunities  of  travel  to  the  utmost  limit 
consistent  with  the  prosecution  of  works  of  necessity  and  mercy.     1870,  57. 

In  view  of  the  prevailing  and  increasing  desecration  of  the  holy  Sab- 
bath, in  open  violation  of  civil  and  moral  laws,  by  railroad  and  steamboat 
companies,  by  beer  saloons,  excursion  parties,  Sunday  papers,  &c. 

Resolved,  Therefore,  that  as  a  Synod  we  sincerely  deplore  this  sad 
state  of  facts,  and  that  we  heartily  approve  the  efforts  being  made  by 
various  Sabbath  associations  to  promote  a  better  observance  of  the  Chris- 
tian Sabbath. 

Resolved,  Also,  that  all  the  pastors  within  the  bounds  of  Synod  be 
requested  to  preach  a  special  sermon  on  the  proper  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath, on  the  last  Sabbath  of  October,  1875.     1875,  338. 

International  Centennial  Exposition  at  Philadelphia,   1876. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  minute  express- 
ing the  views  of  this  General  Synod  upon  the  observance  of  the  Lord's 
day  in  the  International  Centennial  Exposition,  which  is  now  in  progress 
in  Philadelphia. 

The  following  were  appointed :  Revs.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  M.  S.  Hutton, 
David  Inglis,  and  Elders  James  Anderson  and  Allen  Rossman. 

The  Committee  presented  the  following  paper,  which  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Sabbath  in  the  Centennial,  respectfully 
report  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  recognizing  the  hand  of  God  in  our  National  pros- 
perity, and  desiring  to  express  our  thanksgiving  to  Him  for  it,  we  are 
anxious  that  in  the  manner  of  its  expression,  we  should  not  ignore  the 
holy  day  He  calls  His  own ;  and  to  the  observance  of  which  we,  in  no 
small  degree,  ascribe  that  prosperity.  We  believe  that  if  we  honor  Him, 
He  will  continue  to  honor  us. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  have  learned  with  great  satisfaction,  the 
decision  of  the  United  States  Centennial  Commission,  to  close  the  Inter- 
national Exposition  on  the  Sabbath  day. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Synod,  the  highest  moral  and 
civic  interests  of  the  nation  will  be  promoted  by  a  firm  adherence  to  the 
decision  of  the  Commission,  which  conforms  to  the  laws  of  most  of  the 
States,  with  the  terms  of  the  cession  of  the  Exhibition  grounds  to  the 
United  States  Government,  with  the  rights  of  thousands  of  exhibitors  and 
employees  to  the  rest  and  recreation  of  the  Lord's  day,  with  the  express 
understanding  of  many  exhibitors  that  the  Sabbath  should  not  be  violated 
by  throwing  the  buildings  open  to  the  public,  and  with  the  general  re- 
ligious sentiment  and  habits  of  the  Christian  people  of  the  whole  land, 
in  favor  of  the  observance  of  the  Lord's  day. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod,  representing  nearly  five  hundred  Churches 
and  seventy-five  thousand  communicants,  and  as  many  families,   respect- 


648  DIGEST  OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

fully  appeals  to  the  Commissioners  to  maintain  their  righteous  stand 
upon  this  subject,  and  that  we  pledge  them  the  moral  support  of  our  entire 
communion  in  resisting  all  demands  for  the  public  desecration  of  the  Day 
of  days,  a  desecration  which  would  dim  the  glory  of  the  International 
Exhibition,  and  would  expose  us  to  the  world  as  a  people  who  have  neither 
the  virtue  nor  the  courage  to  sustain  an  institution  which  has  given  us  so 
great  pre-eminence  over  nations  that  do  not  "Remember  the  Sabbath  day 
to  keep  it  holy." 

Resolved,  That  an  official  copy  of  this  action,  duly  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dent and  Stated  Clerk,  be  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  Centennial 
Commission,  with  a  request  that  it  be  presented  by  him  to  that  body  at 
its  next  meeting.     1876,  549,  550. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  urge  upon  its  ministers  to  care- 
fully instruct  their  people  in  the  Divine  origin  and  authority  of  the  Sab- 
bath ;  and  that  ministers  and  people  strive  together  for  the  maintenance 
of  the  sanctity  of  the  Lord's  day  against  every  form  of  desecration, 
whether  by  individuals  or  corporate  bodies.     1879,  319,  320. 

In  view  of  the  increasing  carelessness  apparent  in  our  country  with 
respect  to  the  desecration  of  the  Sabbath,  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
one  most  potent  agency  in  the  secularization  of  the  Lord's  day  is  the 
Sunday  paper,  this  Synod  does  hereby  most  earnestly  express  its  judg- 
ment that  the  members  of  the  Reformed  Church  owe  to  themselves  and 
their  Christian  profession,  not  to  encourage  by  their  own  subscriptions, 
or  in  any  other  way,  the  circulation  of  such  papers.     1880,  563. 

Sunday  Excursions,  Games,  Papers. 

Whereas,  In  view  of  the  increasing  Sabbath  desecration  in  our  land 
as  shown  in  the  prevalence  of  excursions,  and  the  disposition  of  many  in 
•our  cities  to  encourage  games  in  parks  and  places  of  public  resort  on  that 
day,  thus  leading  our  children  and  youth  to  forget  God,  and  to  cast  off 
those  religious  restraints  which,  more  than  all  things  else,  have  placed 
us  in  the  front  rank  of  nations,  therefore 

Resolved,  First:  That  our  Ministers  be  urged  statedly  to  preach  upon 
the  Christian  Sabbath  and  its  proper  observance,  and  to  use  all  their 
influence  through  the  pulpit  and  the  press  to.  stem  the  growing  tendency 
to  desecrate  the  Lord's  day. 

Resolved,  Second:  That  all  church  officers,  members.  Christian  par- 
ents and  teachers  be,  and  are  hereby,  admonished  so  to  train  those  under 
their  care  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  they  shall  keep  His  Sabbaths  and 
count  His  holy  day  honorable  and  a  delight. 

In  view  of  the  increasing  desecration  of  the  Sabbath  through  the 
Sunday  editions  of  the  secular  papers,  and  the  insidious  influence  of  the 
same  upon  the  minds  of  the  young  and  old,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  we  earnestly  request  the  members  of  our  churches  and 
all  friends  of  morality  to  discountenance  the  Sunday  newspaper  press,  both 
by  refraining  from  the  purchase  of  the  Sunday  papers,  and  by  the  con- 
demnation of  the  same  on  all  proper  occasions.     1883,  336. 

Whereas,  There  exists  in  our  land  a  widespread  and  increasing  dese- 
cration of  the  Lord's  Day,  by  means  of  amusements,  excursions,  and  the 
secular  press,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  does  most  earnestly  urge  upon  its  members  the  importance 
of  aggressive  opposition  to  this  tendency.     1885,  750-1- 

A  communication  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Canada  on  the 
subject  of  Sabbath  desecration,  especially  by  railways,  and  asking  co- 
operation in  lessening  it. 

2d.     The  paper  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Canada  in  relation 


SABBATH,   OBSERVANCE   OF  649 

to  Sabbath  desecration  by  railways.  In  regard  to  which  we  recommend 
the  following: 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance  be  appointed 
which  shall  confer  with  the  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Canada,  and  we  recommend  the  following  as  such  Committee : 

Rev.  S.  D.  Noyes,  Rev.  W.  H.  Gleason,  and  Elder  George  B.  Merritt, 
1887,  375-6. 

See  American  Sabbath  Union,  1888,  615. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance,  to  whom  various 
communications  on  the  subject  were  referred,  presented  the  following  re- 
port, which  was  accepted  and  adopted: 

The  Committee  to  whom  were  referred  several  papers  in  reference 
tD  the  proper  observance  of  the  Lord's  Day  beg  leave  to  report  as  follows : 

1.  We  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  suggestion  of  Messrs.  Collier 
and  Perlee  to  continue  our  adhesion  to  the  American  Sabbath  Union. 

2.  That  the  Rev.  Drs.  E.  A.  Collier  and  Joachim  Elmendorf  and 
Messrs.  R.  N.  Perlee  and  M.  E.  Viele  be  appointed  to  represent  our 
Church  in  the  Union — to  hold  their  position  until  others  are  appointed  in 
their  place. 

3.  That  the  Synod  have  seen  with  great  pleasure  the  action  of  the 
New  York  Central  and  Hudson  River  R.  R.,  the  Delaware  and  Hudson 
Canal  Company,  the  Boston  and  Albany,  the  Pennsylvania,  and  other 
great  corporations  in  reducing  so  largely  the  amount  of  Sunday  service ; 
and  we  trust  that  soon  the  same  practice  will  obtain  upon  all  roads. 

4.  That,  in  accordance  with  the  overture  from  the  Particular  Svnod 
of  New  Brunswick,  the  General  Synod  expresses  its  profound  convic- 
tion of  the  injurious  influence  exerted  by  the  Sunday  issues  of  the  secular 
press,  and  feels  constrained  to  call  the  attention  of  our  people  to  this  im- 
portant matter.  We,  therefore,  earnestly  request  all  who  love  our  Lord 
and  care  for  his  cause  to  refuse  to  read,  to  buy  or  to  advertise  in  Sunday 
newspapers,  and  in  every  possible  way  to  discountenance  these  issues.  It 
becomes  all  who  call  themeslves  Christians  to  resist  whatever  tends  to 
break  down  the  sanctity  of  the  weekly  day  of  rest  and  worship. 

5.  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  that  section  of  the  report  expressing  our 
'gratification    because    of    the    reduction    of    traffic    on    our    transportation 

routes  be  sent  to  the  superintendents  or  managers  of  the  several  corpora- 
tions named. 

6.  Resolved,  That  all  our  ministers  be  requested  to  read  from  the 
pulpit  this  deliverance  of  the  Synod  on  Sunday  newspapers,  and  call  the 
attention  of  their  people  to  its  importance,  and  in  vacant  churches  the 
elders  are  asked  to  see  that  this  is  done. 

7.  The  General  Synod  has  learned  with  great  pleasure  of  the  efforts 
made  by  the  Postmaster-General  [Wanamaker]  to  lessen  the  amount 
of  Sunday  service  in  the  handling  and  distribution  of  mail  matter ;  and  we 
trust  that  these  efforts  will  be  continued  until  the  end  is  reached,  and  all 
Sunday  labor  in  the  post  offices  of  the  land  is  reduced  to  the  lowest  possi- 
ble minimum. 

8.  At  the  present  time  there  seems  to  be  a  general  and  organized 
effort  to  secularize  the  day  of  rest,  and  under  various  pretexts  to  under- 
mine its  sacred  claims,  and  the  Synod  therefore  feels  constrained  to  call 
upon  the  ministry  and  the  membership  of  our  Church  to  co-operate  act- 
ively and  earnestly  in  every  proper  effort  to  maintain  the  important  inter- 
est thus  rudely  assailed. 

T.  W.  CHAMBERS, 
W.  J.  R  TAYLOR, 
F.  J.  VAN  VRANKEN, 
P.    S.    DANFORTH. 
1889,  870-2. 


650         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

REPORT    OF    THE    SPECIAL    COMMITTEE    ON    THE    SABBATH. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  earnestly  bears  its  witness  against  the 
manifold  forms  of  Sabbath  desecration,  and  urges  its  Ministers,  Consis- 
tories and  the  members  of  its  churches  to  withhold  their  patronage  from 
all  modes  of  Sabbath  violation,  and  to  take  in  all  respects  decided 
measures  in  support  of  a  holy   Sabbath. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  desires  to  express  its  hearty  sympathy 
with  the  American  Sabbath  Union  in  its  jealous  and  wisely  directed 
efforts  to  secure  the  protection  of  law,  and  the  moral  support  of  the 
Church  and  community  in  favor  of  the  Lord's  Day. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  requests  its  Ministers  to  impress  upon 
their  congregations  the  divine  authority  of  the  Sabbath,  and  to  enforce 
the  biblical  rules  for  its  observance  and  the  blessings  of  conformity  to 
such  precepts,  and  that  especial  care  be  taken  to  instruct  the  children 
of  our  Church  in  relation  to  this  matter  of  Sabbath  requisition  and 
observance. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  with  devout  gratitude  recognizes  the  suc- 
cess which  has  attended  the  efforts  made  in  this  direction,  in  the  growth 
of  public  sentiment  in  favor  of  a  better  observance  of  the  day  throughout 
our  own  and  other  lands.     1890,   151-2. 

COLUMBIAN    EXPOSITION    AND   THE   SABBATH. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we,  zvith  positiveness  and  with  great  emphasis, 
protest  against  opening  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition  on  Sundays, 
and  that,  through  our  president,  we  communicate  this  action  to  the  cor- 
responding secretary  of  the  American  Sabbath  Union,  to  be  forwarded 
by  him  to  the  World's   Columbian   Commissioners. 

Resolved,  3.  That  a  standing  committee  on  Sabbath  observance, 
consisting  of  five  persons,  be  appointed  by  this  Synod  to  ascertain  by 
circular  letter  and  otherwise  the  prevailing  forms  of  Sabbath  'desecration 
within  the  bounds  of  every  Classis,  the  measures  taken  for  arresting  the 
same,  and  the  extent  of  pulpit  and  Sunday  School  instruction  on  the 
subject;  to  stimulate  in  suitable  wa^'s  the  conscientious  observance  of  the 
Lord's  Day  by  Christians  in  their  family  and  social  life,  and  in  their 
business  habits ;  to  use  all  proper  methods  of  maintaining  the  civil  and 
religious  Sabbath-keeping  of  the  people,  and  to  report  the  results  of 
their  work  at  the  next  General  Synod.     1891,  361. 

The  Synod  appointed  the  following  Standing  Committee  on  Sabbath 
Observance:  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.D.,  Rev.  J.  W.  Brooks,  Rev.  N.  D. 
Williamson,  Elders  H.  D.  Van  Orden  and  John  C.  Giffing.     1891,  362. 

1892. 
The    Standing    Committee    on    Sabbath    Observance,    appointed    last 
year   (page  362),  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  accepted  and 
adopted : 

REPORT    OF    THE    COMMITTEE    ON    SABBATH    OBSERVANCE. 

Mr.  President,  Fathers  and  Brethren:  Our  General  Synod,  at  the 
meeting  of  last  year,  prompted  by  the  appeal  of  the  late  Dr.  Wm.  J.  R. 
Taylor,  appointed  a  Standing  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance,  "to 
ascertain  by  circular  letter  and  otherwise  the  prevailing  forms  of  Sab- 
bath desecration  within  the  bounds  of  every  Classis.  the  measures  taken 
for  arresting  the  same,  and  the  extent  of  pulpit  dnd  Sunday  School  in- 
struction on  the  subject;  to  stimulate  in  suitable  ways  the  conscientious 
observance  of  the  Lord's  Day  by  Christians  in  their  family  and  social 
life,  and  in  their  business  habits ;  to  use  all  proper  methods  of  maintaining 
the  civil  and  religious  Sabbath-keeping  of  the  people,  and  to  report  the 
results  of  their  work  at  the  next  General  Synod."  (P^ide  Minutes, 
page  361.) 

Dr.   Taylor   was   appointed   chairman   of   the   committee,   and   we   are 


SABBATH,   OBSERVANCE    OF  651 

sure  that  it  is  no  exaggeration  when  we  say  that  the  other  members  of 
the  committee  anticipated  for  themselves  Httle  more  than  to  co-operate 
with  Dr.  Taylor  in  carrying  out  his  plans,  and  to  follow  along  the  lines 
of  effort  that  might  be  suggested  by  the  mature  judgment  and  wise 
council  of  that  noble  champion  of  the  Sabbath,  who  had  been  peculiarly 
well  fitted  for  his  position  in  the  pioneer  work  of  the  American  Sabbath 
Union. 

Before  our  committee,  however,  had  been  called  together  for  organ- 
ization, the  sad  intelligence  came  to  us  of  Dr.  Taylor's  translation.  At 
first  it  seemed  to  us  desirable  to  wait  about  beginning  our  work  until 
Dr.  Taylor's  place  could  be  filled  at  this  meeting  of  General  Synod ; 
but  the  pressure  of  circumstances  was  upon  us,  and  the  work  of  our 
committee  seemed  to  be  called  for  at  once.  Accordingly,  after  confer- 
ence we  organized  at  the  office  of  Elder  H.  D.  Van  Orden  in  New  York 
City. 

Our  work  thus  far  has  fallen  short  of  our  plan,  and  we  are  not 
in  a  position  as  yet  to  give  in  our  report  the  exact  information  called 
for ;  but  feeling  the  importance  of  the  matter,  and  realizing  the  need 
of  prompt  action  on  the  part  of  our  Church,  in  the  early  part  of  April 
we  addressed  to  our  pastors  and  elders,  through  their  respective  Classes, 
a  communication,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

"Inasmuch  as  the  season  is  at  hand  when  Sunday  excursions  and 
other  conspicuous  forms  of  Sabbath  desecration  will  be  exerting  their 
potent  influence  for  evil  upon  the  morals  of  the  community,  this  com- 
mittee would  call  the  attention  of  the  people  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
through  their  pastors  and  officers,  to  the  action  of  the  last  General 
Synod  for  the  proper  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  believing  that  through 
the  influence  of  the  pastors,  assisted  by  the  superintendents  and  teachers 
of  Sunday  Schools,  a  great  influence  will  be  exerted  toward  keeping  the 
Lord's  day  holy.  The  committee  would  call  attention  particularly  to  the 
Scriptural  instruction  given  in  Isaiah  LVIII,   13-14. 

"  'If  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from  the  Sabbath,  from  doing  thy 
pleasure  on  my  holy  day ;  and  call  the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the 
Lord  honorable ;  and  shalt  honor  him  not  doing  thine  own  ways,  nor 
finding  thine  own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  thine  own  words ;  Then  shalt 
thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord,  and  I  will  cause  thee  to  ride  upon  the 
high  places  of  the  earth  and  feed  thee  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  thy 
father ;  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it.' 

"We  are  impressed  with  the  duty  of  so  keeping  the  Sabbath  that  it 
shall  be  a  delight,  for  'Happy  is  that  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord.' 
Who  can  estimate  the  influence  exerted  upon  the  community  at  large 
by  the  proper  observance  of  the  Sabbath  on  the  part  of  the  Christian 
people  of  our  land ! 

"And  in  view  of  the  eagerness  with  which  so  many  are  clamoring 
for  'No  Sabbath'  at  the  Columbian  Exposition,  we  earnestly  urge  upon 
every  Classis,  Church  and  Christian  the  immediate  and  imperative  duty 
of  solemnly  protesting  against  the  opening  of  the  'World's  Columbian 
Exposition'  at  Chicago  on  the  Lord's  day.  Cheered  by  the  action  taken 
by  the  Legislature  of  the  Empire  State,  regarding  the  closing  of  the 
New  York  State  Exhibit,  we  feel  confident  of  victory,  provided  every 
one  presses  his  way  to  the  front.  The  time  has  come  when  Christian 
people  should  give  the  Columbian  Commissioners  no  peace  until  the 
matter  has  been  positively  and  finally  settled  that  the  Lord  shall  be 
honored  and  that  in  this,  as  in  all  previous  American  Expositions,  the 
Christian   Sabbath  shall  be  kept  sacred. 

"The  committee  respectfully  request  that  this  communication  be  read 
and  acted  upon  at  the  meeting  of  each  Classis,  and  also  that  every  pastor 
present  the  matter  as  early  as  possible  for  the  prayerful  and  prompt 
action  of  his  congregation." 


652         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  responses  to  this  from  the  Classes,  and  from  the  individual 
pastors,  were  both  cordial  and  hearty.  Two  or  three  of  the  briefest  of 
them  we  may  quote  as  samples  of  a  very  large  number  of  communica- 
tions that  have  been  received  by  us,  e.  g.: 

"The  Classis  of  New  York  heartily  endorses  the  appeal  of  your 
committee   on   Sabbath   observance. — William    Vaughan.'" 

"I  thoroughly  approve  of  the  movement  suggested  in  your  circular 
and  will  do  all  I  can. — Cordially,  Geo.  Thos.  Dowling." 

"My  heart  is  all  with  the  circular  which  you  sent  me.  I  believe  it 
will  be  an  eternal  scandal  to  have  the  Columbian  Exposition  open  its 
doors  on  the  Lord's  day.  I  wish,  if  j^ou  know  how  I  can  do  anything,  at 
any  time,  you  would  feel  at  liberty  to  command  me. — Yours  cordially, 
David  James  Burrell." 

Without  giving  further  extracts,  we  may  say  there  is  apparent  a 
glorious  unanimity  in  the  expressions  from  all  sections  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  on  the   Sabbath  question. 

Your  committee  would  suggest  that,  in  all  efforts  to  keep  the  Sab- 
bath day  holy,  prominence  should  be  given  first  and  foremost  to  the 
honoring  of  the  day  because  the  Lord  honored  it.  When  God's  people 
shall  occupy  this  high  plane,  we  may  trust  Him  for  His  beneficence,  not 
doubting  that  the  country  will  be  blessed  when  its  people  lovingly  remem- 
ber and  honor  Him. 

Accordingly,  we  would  recommend  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  we  request  our  pastors  to  use  their  utmost  endeavor 
to  put  this   Sabbath  question  in  its  true  light  before  their  people. 

Whereas,  The  Christian  public  has,  as  yet,  received  no  assurance  that 
the  Columbian  Exposition,  of  1893,  will  be  kept  closed  on  the  Lord's 
day,  and 

Whereas,  We  regard  this  as  a  matter  of  transcendent  importance 
for  the  future  welfare  of  the  Republic,  and 

Whereas,  All  American  National  Expositions  have  hitherto  estab- 
lished and  maintained  the  precedent  of  Sunday  observance,  and  there 
has  not  appeared  any  reason  why  this  precedent  should  be  departed 
from,  and 

Whereas,  This  is  a  National  and  not  a  local  exhibition,  and  should 
be  an  expression  of  the  National  life  and  conviction,  and  not  a  mere 
indication   of   the    sentiment   of   any   locality   or   city,   and 

Whereas,  Our  Nation  has  no  more  distinctive  product  to  exhibit 
than  the  American  Sunday,  and 

Whereas,  The  Columbian  Exposition  is  likely  to  set  the  example  for 
future  expositions  of  a  similar  character ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  protest  against  any  further  appropriation,  by  our  Congress,  to 
the  World's  Fair,  unless  a  proviso  be  inserted  in  the  legislative  act  to 
the  effect  that  the  Fair  shall  not  be  opened  on  the  Lord's  day. 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  this  action  be  sent  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  to  the  Senate  and  to  the  House  of  Representatives. 

In  case  the  Commissioners  of  the  World's  Fair  decide  to  open  the 
Exposition  on  the  Lord's  day ; 

Resolved,  That  our  historic  Church  can  take  no  part  in  the  proposed 
religious  exhibit  or  in  other  practical  support  of  the  Exposition. 

JESSE  W.   BROOKS, 
N.  D.  WILUAMSON, 
JOHN  C.  GIFFING, 
H.  D.  VAN  ORDEN. 
1892,  603-7. 

Resolved,    That    the    Committee    on    Sabbath    Observance,    appointed 


SABBATH,   OBSERVANCE   OF  653 

under  Resolution  No.  3,  page  361,  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod  of 
1891,  be  reappointed,  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Burrell  be  appointed  to  fill 
the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor.  Further,  that 
the  said  committee  shall  report  annually  to  the  General  Synod,  and  be 
appointed  from  year  to  year. 

The  committee  as  now  constituted  is  as  follows :  Revs.  David  J.  Bur- 
rell, Jesse  W.  Brooks  and  N.  D.  Williamson ;  Elders  John  C.  Giffing  and 
H.  D.  Van  Orden.     1892,  608. 

Report  of  a  Special  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance,  accepted 
and  adopted. 

The  following  papers  have  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  your  committee  : 

A  communication  from  the  American  Sabbath  Union  and  from 
the  Philadelphia  Sabbath  Association,  signed  by  H.  H.  George,  Field 
Secretary  of  the  A.  M.  S.  U.,  and  by  T.  A.  Fernbey,  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary of  the  Philadelphia  Sabbath  Union.  In  the  communication  sugges- 
tions were  made  as  to  the  action  which  these  bodies  desired  the  General 
Synod  to  take. 

Overtures,  i.  From  the  South  Classis  of  Long  Island,  on  Sabbath 
observance. 

2.  From  the  Classis  of  Westchester,  against  the  opening  of  the 
Columbian  Exposition  on  Sunday. 

Your  committee  desire  to  make  the  following  recommendations 
regarding  the  matters   thus  brought  to  their  knowledge : 

Resolved,  i.  That  this  General  Synod  give  its  hearty  approval  to 
the  basis  of  the  American  Sabbath  Union,  inasmuch  as  it  declares  the 
universal  and  perpetual  obligation  of  the  Sabbath  and  its  beneficent  influ- 
ence upon  personal,  family  and  national  life,  and  also  of  its  object  to  pre- 
serve the  Christian   Sabbath  as  a  day  of  rest  and  worship. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we  put  on  record  our  approval  of  the  efforts  of 
the  Sabbath  Union  as  it  is  now  engaged  in  urging  the  claims  of  the  Sab- 
bath before  Congress,  the  State  Legislatures  and  the  various  benevolent 
and  religious  associations  of  the  country,  and  especially  as  it  is  laboring 
to  unite  all  agencies  and  combine  all  moral  and  religious  influences 
against  opening  the  World's  Fair  on  the  Lord's  day. 

And,  further,  we  commend  the  efforts  of  the  American  Sabbath 
Union  to  the  sympathies,  pra\'ers,  confidence  and  support  of  the  pastors 
and  members  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

Resolved,  3.  That  inasmuch  as  the  General  Synod  has  already  ex- 
pressed its  strong  disapproval  of  and  its  opposition  to  the  proposed 
opening  of  the  Columbian  Exposition  on  the  Lord's  day,  the  General 
Synod  does  not  deem  it  necessary  to  do  anything  more  than  to  empha- 
size the  deliverances   already  given   on  that   subject. 

Resolved,  4.  That  should  the  Columbian  Exposition  be  opened  on 
the  Lord's  day,  the  Synod  shall  decline  to  take  any  part  in  the  religious 
exhibit  to  which  all  denominations  are  requested  to  make  contributions. 

Resolved,  5.  That  a  copy  of  Resolutions  3  and  4  be  sent  to  the  man- 
agers of  the  Columbian  Exhibition,  duly  authenticated  by  the  president 
and  clerks  of  the  General   Synod. 

Your  committee  being  instructed  to  prepare  a  finding  on  the  Sunday 
newspaper,  submit  the  following  resolution  for  the  consideration  of  Gen- 
eral  Synod: 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  General  Synod,  the  Sunday 
newspaper  is  a  fertile  source  of  evil,  inasmuch  as  it  necessitates  a  need- 
less amount  of  Sabbath  labor,  and  introduces  the  consideration  of  strictly 
secular  matter  to  the  minds  of  the  readers,  and.  as  the  Synod  believes, 
tends  very  largely  to  interfere  with  attendance  upon  the  services  of  the 
house  of  God.  Further,  the  SA^nod  would  affectionately  counsel  the 
members  and  adherents  of  the  Reformed  Church  to  refrain  from  the 
use  of  the  Sunday  newspaper  on  the  Lord's  day.     1892,  607-8. 


654         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1893. 

PUBLIC    MORALS. 

The  Committee  on  Sabbath  observance  appointed  last  year,  and  to 
be  appointed  to  report  annually  (see  p.  608),  presented  the  following  re- 
port,  which  was  accepted  and  adopted : 

Dear  Brethren. — The  past  year  has  been  one  of  constant  activity 
for  30ur  Sabbath  Observance  Committee.  The  Columbian  Exposition 
has  brought  the  Sabbath  question  to  the  front  as  it  has  never  been  before 
in  the  history  of  our  country.  The  proposition  to  open  the  Exposition 
on  Sundays  while  only  an  incident  has  been  the  occasion  of  proving  the 
strong  hold  that  the  Sabbath  has  upon  the  hearts  of  our  American 
people,  and  as  the  culmination  of  this  effort  is  approaching,  it  may  not 
be  out  of  place  for  us  to  recall  the  position  of  our  church  in  relation  to 
the  matter.  At  the  Synod  of  1891,  when  the  matter  of  Sunday  opening 
was  beginning  to  be  agitated,  our  Syond,  under  the  leadership  of  the 
late  Dr.  William  J.  R.  Taylor,  protested  with  positiveness  and  with 
great  emphasis  against  the  proposed  opening  of  the  Exposition  on  Sun- 
day ;  and  this  unanimous  action  was  forwarded  to  the  World's  Fair 
Commissioners. 

One  year  later,  the  Synod  of  1892  took  more  emphatic  action  and 
protested  against  any  further  appropriation  by  our  Congress  to  our 
World's  Fair  unless  a  proviso  were  inserted  in  the  legislative  act  to  the 
effect  that  the  Fair  should  not  be  open  on  the  Lord's  Day.  Copies  of  this 
action  were  forwarded  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  the  Sen- 
ate and  to  the  House  of  Representatives. 

It  was  in  response  to  this  action,  in  which  many  others  united  with 
us  that  the  appropriation  of  $2,500,000  was  made  upon  the  condition 
that  the  Exposition  should  be  closed  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  com- 
monly called  Sunday.  The  vote  of  Congress  showed  memorabl'e  majority 
both  in  the  Senate  and  House.  The  vote  in  the  Senate  was  45  to  11 
for  closing,  and  in  the  House  147  to  61. 

Our  Synod  last  year,  also,  realizing  the  importance  of  this  matter 
and  feeling  that  the  Sabbath  question  was  made  so  conspicuous  that 
it  was  to  be  the  great  moral  question  of  the  Exposition,  resolved  unani- 
mously, that  ''in  case  the  commissioners  of  the  World's  Fair  decided  to 
open  on  Sunday,  our  historic  Church  could  take  no  part  in  the  proposed 
religious  exhibit  or  in  other  practical  support  of  the  Exposition."  This 
action  was  reiterated,  though  in  a  slightly  changed  form,  as  proposed 
by  a  special  committee  of  which  the  Rev.  Dr.  Waters  was  Chairman. 

The  conditional  grant  of  $2,500,000  was  made  by  Congress  and  the 
grant  and  conditions  were  accepted  by  the  Directory;  and  then  began  a 
system  of  manoeuvering,  trifling  with  governmental  authority  and  ignoring 
of  contract  such  as  has  been  unworthy  of  our  country  and  such  as  has 
proven  the  Exposition  management  to  be  unworthy  of  the  confidence  of 
the  American  people. 

A  most  persistent  and  determined  effort  was  made  to  get  Congress 
to  reverse  its  former  action.  A  hearing  upon  the  matter  was  secured 
before  the  Columbian  Exposition  Committee  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. Half  of  the  time  of  the  four  days'  hearing,  however,  was 
demanded  by  the  friends  of  the  Sabbath  who  did  such  earnest  work,  that 
Chicago's  Mayor,  City  Council  and  Woman's  Club,  with  all  their  follow- 
ing, were  set  at  naught.  The  matter  was  never  carried  out  of  the  com- 
mittee room;  and  by  this  counter-effort  on  the  part  of  the  friends  of 
the  Sabbath,  representing  the  Christian  sentiment  of  the  nation,  our 
Government  was  saved  from  the  ignominy  of  sanctioning  the  proposed 
Sabbath   breaking. 

Whatever  is  done,  whatever  may  be  done  by  the  Exposition  man- 
agement  now,   it   is   not   a   little   occasion   of   satisfaction   to   us   that   our 


SABBATH,   OBSERVANCE   OF  655 

Government  has  had  no  part  in,  and  given  no  sanction  to  a  Sabbath 
breaking  Exposition. 

And  as  the  management  have  now^  decided  to  open  the  Exposition 
on  Sundays  in  defiance  of  the  expressed  will  of  the  American  people, 
and  in  defiance  of  the  action  of  Congress  taken  by  such  an  overwhelming 
majority,  as  they  have  proven  themselves  untrue  and  broken  their  pledge 
to  keep  the  gates  closed,  there  seems  to  remain  but  one  course  for  us,  and 
in  harmony  with  our  action  taken  one  year  ago,  we  can  now  do  no  more 
and  no  less  than  to  join  our  Presbyterian  brethren,  who  in  General 
Assembly  recently  at  the  National  Capitol  adopted  the  following:  Inas- 
much as  the  local  managers  have  decided  to  open  the  gates  of  the  Expo- 
sition in  defiance  of  the  authority  of  Congress,  and  in  clear  violation  of 
the  principles  of  common  honesty,  as  well  as  of  God's  command,  therefore. 
Resolved,  That  we  urge  upon  our  people  the  importance  of  standing  by 
their  conscience  at  whatever  sacrifice  of  personal  profit  or  pleasure.  If 
the  trial  of  their  integrity  is  come,  let  them  not  defile  themselves  with  the 
King's  meat.     Dan.  i  :  8.     Accordingly. 

Resolved,  i.  That  we  earnestly  lay  this  subject  on  the  hearts  and 
consciences  of  our  people,  urging  them  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  pre- 
vent the  securalization  of  the  Lord's  Day  through  the  World's  Fair. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we  congratulate  our  Chicago  brethren  upon  the 
firm  stand  they  have  taken  in  their  effort  to  keep  the  Fair  closed  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  that  we  rejoice  that  our  Reformed  Church  has  stood 
as  a  unit  for  Sunday  closing  from  the  very  first. 

And,  Whereas,  An  attempt  is  being  made  to  induce  ministers  of 
the  gospel  to  hold  religious  services  on  the  grounds  of  the  exposition  on 
the  Lord's  Day,  in  the  hope  of  inducing  Christian  people  to  attend. 

Resolved,  3.  That  we  call  upon  all  ministers  to  consider  the  result 
of  their  influence,  should  they  consent  to  participate  in  such  services. 

Resolved,  4.  That  in  view  of  the  many  attacks  made  upon  Chris- 
tian people  as  to  the  manner  of  keeping  the  Lord's  Day  holy,  we  call 
upon  all  the  members  of  our  Zion  to  be  more  and  more  circumspect  and 
to  cease  not  to  enforce,  by  word  and  example,  the  duty  of  keeping  the 
Lord's  Day  sacred. 

And  Whereas,  The  Sabbath  question  has  been  providentially  brought 
to  the  popular  attention  of  all  Americans, 

Resolved,  5.  That  we  set  apart  Sunday,  the  25th  of  June,  as  a  day 
of  special  prayer  for  God's  blessing  upon  His  Day  of  Rest,  and  that  we 
unite  in  praying  that  He  will  overrule  so  that  the  counsels  of  the  ungodly 
shall  be  put  to  naught,  and  so  that  our  American  people  may  learn  to  honor 
Him  and  to  be  true  to  their  heritage. 

And  Whereas,  We  recognize  the  importance  of  disseminating  Sab- 
bath literature,  now  that  the  popular  mind  is  awakened. 

And  Whereas,  The  American  Sabbath  Union  which  has  been  re- 
peatedly commended  by  our  Synod  to  the  generous  consideration  of  our 
churches,  is  at  present  greatly  in  need  of  increased  support  on  account  of 
the  recent  death  of  its  President  and  largest  donor.  Colonel  Elliott  F. 
Shepard, 

Resolved,  6.  That  we  commend  this  again  to  our  churches  and  that  we 
suggest  that  so  far  as  practicable,  on  Sunday,  the  25th  of  June,  an  offering 
be  made  in  all  our  churches  for  the  assistance  of  the  work  of  the  Union, 
the  importance  of  which  is  in  our  judgment  at  the  present  time  second 
to  none  in  which  the  church  can  engage ;  and  that  remittances  be  sent  to 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Union.  Mr.  R.  N.  Perlee,  29  Rose  Street,  New 
York  City. 

Resolved,  7.  That  we  appreciate  the  decision  of  the  Federal  Court 
of  June  8th,  to  enjoin  the  Exposition  management  from  Sunday  opening; 
and   that   we   now    solemnly   protest   against   further    interference    on   the 


656         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

part   of   the    Chicago    local    authorities    and    the    Exposition    management 
with  the  laws  and  precedents  of  our  country. 

The  report  is  recommended  by  the  full  committee,  excepting  Rev. 
N.  D.  Williamson,  who,  on  account  of  distance,  has  been  prevented  from 
meeting  with  us,  but  whose  co-operation  in  our  work  has  been  hearty. 

JESSE  W.  BROOKS, 
DAVID  JAMES  BURRELL, 
H.  D.  VAN  ORDEN, 
JOHN    C.    GIFFING. 

1893,   841. 
1894- 

The  past  year  has  been  one  of  special  interest  in  connection  with 
the  matter  of  Sabbath  observance,  and  we  have  every  reason  for  devout 
and  hearty  thanksgiving  to  God  for  the  way  in  which  His  Providence 
has  directed.  The  management  of  the  Columbian  Exposition,  which 
attempted  to  do  violence  to  the  Sabbath,  was  rebuked  in  a  way  that  was 
exceedingly  effective,  and  that  proved  the  strong  hold  the  Sabbath  has 
upon  the  hearts  of  our  people. 

Providence  taught  America  by  a  great  object  lesson,  that  while  "God- 
liness is  profitable,"  ungodliness  is  unprofitable  for  the  life  which  now  is ; 
and  it  will  certainly  be  a  long  time  before  another  efifort  of  such  colossal 
proportions  in  the  way  of  Sabbath  desecration  is  attempted  in  this 
country. 

The  International  Sunday  Rest  Congress,  held  at  Chicago  last  Sep- 
tember, was  an  event  of  no  little  importance,  especially  as  it  emphasized 
the  need  of  the  weekly  rest  day  from  the  physiological,  political,  industrial 
and  social  standpoints  no  less  than  from  the  religious.  The  recently  pub- 
lished volume,  "The  Sunday  Problem,"  which  embodies  most  of  the 
addresses  delivered  at  the  Congress,  and  which  has  been  carefully  edited 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Atterbury,  constitutes  an  important  addition  to  the  literature 
of  the  subject;  and  as  it  is  furnished  by  a  generous  committee  at  the  bare 
cost  of  publication,  it  certainly  should  find  its  way  into  every  pastor's 
study  and  into  multitudes  of  the  homes  of  our  land. 

We  believe  there  never  was  a  time  when  students  of  sociological  and 
economic  subjects  were  more  thoroughly  agreed  that  the  weekly  rest 
day  must  be  protected ;  and  we  are  sure  there  never  was  a  time  when 
the  Sabbath  was  so  appreciated  by  a  thoughtful  Christian  public  as  the 
only  safeguard  against  the  encroachemnts  of  selfishness  and  greed  on  the 
part  of  competing  corporations ;  the  only  safeguard  against  lawlessness 
and  anarchy  on  the  part  of  organized  labor. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  ignorance  and  carelessness  of  the  masses 
with  reference  to  the  Sabbath  was  never  more  pronounced  than  to-day. 
Those  who  have  watched  the  proceedings  of  the  New  York  Legislature, 
for  instance,  during  the  past  year  can  understand  how  persistent  and  un- 
scrupulous are  the  efforts  of  the  anti-Sabbath  forces,  and  how  deter- 
mined the  "saloon  power  in  politics"  is  to  undermine  and  overthrow  the 
Sabbath. 

Alien  anti-Sabbath  sentiment  is  very  strong  and  the  subtlety  of  its 
influence  is  everywhere  felt.  It  is  doubtless  true,  as  our  large  sister 
church  has  declared  through  her  General  Assembly,  that  "many  who 
bear  the  Christian  name  have  admitted  the  secular  spirit  into  the  home 
and  church  on  the  Lord's  Day ;  some  have  suffered  habits  of  self-indul- 
gence to  impoverish  their  religious  nature ;  in  some  cases  the  excitement 
of  worldly  pleasures  have  dissipated  serious  thought ;  while,  in  not  a  few, 
God's  holy  Word  is  no  longer  relished  on  account  of  the  pre-occupancy 
of  the  Sunday  secular  paper." 

So  far  as  this  condition  exists  the  burden  of  responsibility  for  it 
must  be  laid  upon  the  individual  heart  and  conscience. 


SABBATH,   OBSERVANCE   OF  657 

We   recommend   the   adoption   of   the   following   resolutions : 

1.  Resolved,  That  we  record  our  hearty  thankfulness  to  God  for 
the  way  in  which  He  has  vindicated  His  cause,  made  "the  wrath  of  man 
to  praise  Him,"  taught  our  people  by  a  mighty  object  lesson  the  folly 
and  unprofitableness  of  disobedience,  and  enshrined  the  Sabbath  more 
than  ever  before  in  the  affections  of  His  people. 

2.  Resolved,  That  we  re-affirm  our  unswerving  loyalty  as  a  Church 
to  the  sacred  Sabbath  as  Divinely  appointed  to  be  universally  and  per- 
petually observed,  and  that  we  again  urge  upon  all  the  members  of  our 
Zion  the  importance  of  scrupulously  avoiding  any  thoughtless  or  careless 
act  which  might  bring  reproach  upon  the  fidelity  of  our  Church. 

3.  Resolved,  That  we  record  our  appreciation  of  the  strong  and 
united  stand  taken  for  Sabbath  observance  by  the  young  people  of  our 
Church  who  are  identified  with  the  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  and 
that  we  especially  urge  upon  all  pastors,  Sunday  School  superintendents 
and  teachers  the  importance  of  having  the  children  of  our  Sabbajih 
Schools  faithfully  and  constantly  instructed  regarding  the  duty  of  obedi- 
ence to  God's  law,  and  regarding  the  fate  which  will  certainly  overtake 
those  who  are  disobedient. 

4.  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  temptations  in  the  way  of  Sunday 
amusements,  Sunday  papers  and  Sunday  excursions  which  are  peculiarly 
alluring  during  the  summer  season,  we  earnestly  recommend  that  every 
pastor,  during  the  present  summer,  devote  a  service  especially  to  this 
cause,  in  order  that  the  Lord's  people  may  be  guarded  against  subtle 
temptations  to  disregard  the  Lord's  Day. 

5.  Resolved,  That  we  urge  upon  our  people  the  importance  of  co- 
operating in  and  supporting  the  work  of  Sabbath  protective  organizations, 
local  (or  municipal),  and  national,  in  order  that  anti-Sabbath  legislation 
may  be  resisted,  and  that  proper  legislative  safeguards  may  continue  to 
protect  this  Divine  institution  so  dear  to  our  hearts.     1894,  159-161. 

See   "American   Sabbath   Union,"    1895,   onward. 

1895. 
The  Permanent  Standing  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance  present- 
ed the  following  report.     It  was  accepted  and  adopted. 

REPORT     OF     synod's     PERMANENT     SABBATH     COMMITTEE. 

The  Permanent  Sabbath  Committee  of  the  General  Synod  was  or- 
ganized at  Asbury  Park,  in  the  Synod  of  1890,  through  the  efforts  of 
Rev.  William  J.  R.  Taylor,  D.D.,  of  blessed  memory.  Almost  his  last 
utterances  in  General  Synod  were  in  earnest  and  eloquent  advocacy  of  this 
committee ;  of  which  he  was  made  Chairman.  He  remained  Chairman 
until  he  was  suddenly  called  to  the  higher  service  of  the  Church  tri- 
umphant. Dr.  Jesse  W.  Brooks  is  now  Chairman  of  the  committee. 
One  member  was  originally  appointed  from  the  West,  and  he  with  the 
Chairman  have  signed  this  report;  the  other  member,  Dr.  Burrell,  of 
New  York  City,  not  being  within  reach. 

During  the  period  connected  with  the  inception,  progress,  and  com- 
pletion of  the  World's  Fair,  the  Committee  East  and  West  did  a  large 
amount  of  hard  work. 

During  the  year  now  ending,  your  committee  have  had  efficient  help 
in  many  regions,  from  "The  Clerks'  Unions,"  one  of  whose  objects  is  to 
close  all  business  houses  on  the  Sabbath  day.  This  "Union,"  which 
has  local,  State  and  National  branches,  has  succeeded  in  some  places 
in  accomplishing  successfully  a  Sunday  closing  of  business  houses  when 
all  other  efforts  had  signally  failed.  One  member  of  your  committee 
preached  in  his  church  to  one  of  these  local  Unions,  a  sermon  which 
had  a  large  circulation. 

Resolved,  That   we   reaffirm   our   constantly   maintained   position   and 


658  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

attitude  upon  the  Sabbath  question ;  and  that  we  urge  our  people  con- 
tinually to  resist  the  tendency  to  Sabbath  desecration  so  generally  appar- 
ent in  most  of  our  communities,  and  that  we  especially  urge  our  young 
people  to  avoid  Sunday  amusements,  and  such  forms  of  Sunday  recrea- 
tion as  tend  to  a  desecration  of  the  blessed  and  holy  day.     1895,  161-2. 

1896. 

Your  Permanent  Committee  on  Sabbath  Observance  would  remind 
the  Synod  that  never  has  there  been  a  time  since  our  church  was 
planted  in  America  when  Sabbath  desecration  was  more  open  and  un- 
relented,  or  when  Sabbath  reform  seemed  more  in  a  state  of  quiescence 
than  to-day. 

The  causes  of  this  deplorable  condition  are  not  far  to  be  sought. 
Sunday  amusements  and  gaming,  Sunday  papers  and  excursions,  the 
prevalent  mammon  service  which  practically  compels  multitudes  of  our 
unfortunate  fellow-mortals  to  labor  seven  days  in  the  week — and,  worst 
of  all,  the  deadened  moral  sensibility  so  apparent  among  the  masses, 
together  with  the  careless  habits  of  many  who  call  themselves  Christians, 
are  among  the  most  potent  factors  which  have  produced  the  unfortunate 
condition  with  which  we  are  all  too  familiar. 

It  is  time  for  God's  faithful  people  to  take  an  uncompromising  stand 
for  truth  and  righteousness  as  required  in  each  of  the  ten  command- 
ments, and  to  insist  that  as  murder  and  adultery  and  theft  are  sinful, 
everywhere  and  always  sinful,  so  idolatry  and  profanity  and  Sabbath 
breaking  are  sins — everywhere  and  always  to  be  condemned.  The  public 
conscience  needs  to  be  toned  up  that  the  people  will  understand  that 
unrighteousness  toward  God  is  no  less  a  sin  than  unrighteousness  toward 
the  fellow-man.  It  is  time  for  our  historic  church  to  speak  again  with 
no   uncertain   sound   and  your   committee   recommend   the   following : 

I. — Resolved,  That  we  reaffirm  our  loyalty  to  the  Decalogue,  that  we 
recognize  each  of  the  ten  commandments  as  an  essential  part  of  the 
moral  law  which  is  universally  binding  upon  the  heart  and  conscience  of 
man. 

II. — Resolved,  That  we  urge,  with  renewed  earnestness,  that  on  the 
Sabbath  there  be  a  cessation  from  all  labor,  except  such  as  may  be 
regarded  as  work  of  necessity  or  mercy. 

III. — Resolved,  That  we  urge  all  our  people,  especially  our  young 
people  carefully  and  prayerfully  to  discriminate  between  harmless  and 
necessary  recreation  {re-cveation)  and  careless  worldly  Sunday 
amusement. 

IV. — Resolved,  That  we  humbly  but  resolutely  express  our  conviction 
that  members  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  should  not  purchase  or  pat- 
ronize the  Sunday  newspaper,  which  is  at  once  the  most  potent  and  subtle 
foe  of  the  Sabbath,  preventing  any  desire  for  spiritual  truth,  keeping  mul- 
titudes of  men  from  church,  causing  the  neglect  of  our  missionary 
periodicals,  and  leaving  the  Bible  practically  a  closed  book  in  many  homes. 

V. — Resolved,  That  in  harmony  with  several  sister  denominations, 
we  recommend  to  our  pastors  and  consistories  that  the  last  Sabbath  of 
October  be  devoted,  so  far  as  practicable,  to  a  consideration  of  the 
Sabbath  question  as  one  of  greatest  importance  connected  with  public 
morals  in  these  closing  years  of  the  nineteenth  century;  and  that  we 
especially  .commend  the  work  of  the  American  Sabbath  Union,  and  also 
that  of  its  auxiliary,  the  Woman's  National  Sabbath  Alliance,  as  worthy 
of  the  hearty  co-operation  and  of  the  pecuniary  assistance  of  our  people. 
— 1896,  440-2. 

For  Report  on  Sabbath  Observance,  hereafter,  see  under  American 
Sabbath  Union,  1897,  697;  1898,  165;  1899,  475;  IQOO,  784;  iQOi,  1132; 
1902.  154.  130-1;  1903.  405-6;  1904,  750,  751;  1905,  156. 

Sabbath    Schools.     See  also   Sunday   Schools. 


SABBATH  SCHOOL  UNION  R.  D.  CHURCH       659 

Sabbath  School  Union  of  the  R.  D.  Church.  (An  independent 
Society.)  Soon  after  the  formation  of  "The  American  S.  S.  Union," 
there  was  a  meeting  of  Ministers  and  members  of  the  R.  D.  Church, 
held  in  New  York,  in  March,  1828,  at  which  there  was  an  Address,  and 
a  Constitution  adopted,  of  "The  Sabbath  School  Union  of  the  R.  D.  C." 
The  pamphlet  consists  of  16  pages.  In  the  Address,  the  Church  is  defined ; 
the  importance  of  the  teaching  of  children  by  the  Church ;  the  obligations 
that  all  feel  to  the  S.  S.  system  of  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union;  the  desirability 
of  a  denominational  S.  S.  Union ;  that  the  Great  Commission  was  given 
to  the  Church,  not  to  a  voluntary  Union  ;  and  there  is  also  much  to  be 
done  in  the  bounds  of  our  own  Church. 

The  Constitution  consists  of  13  Articles:  i.  The  name,  as  above 
given.  2.  The  object;  to  instruct  children  in  the  Bible  as  exhibited  in  the 
Standards  of  the  Church  and  the  Westminster  Catechism.  3.  Refers  to 
a  Board  of  Managers.  4.  Annual  meetings.  5.  Monthly  meetings  of  the 
Managers.  6.  Membership  of  the  Union — Members  of  Consistories,  Su- 
perintendents and  Teachers,  and  others  by  paying  a  $1  fee.  7.  Election 
of  Superintendents  by  the  Teachers,  subject  to  the  approbation  of  the 
Consistory.  8.  Visitations  of  the  School  by  Consistories  and  a  Committee 
of  the  Managers.  9.  Reports  of  the  Superintendents.  10.  Raising  of 
moneys  by  subscriptions,  donations  and  collections.  11.  A  Depository  of 
books  for  supplies  of  schools.  12.  Duties  of  the  treasurer.  13.  Amend- 
ments.    There  were  also   12  By-laws. 

There  follows  a  Statement  of  the  Origin  and  Object  of  the  S.  S.  U. 
of  R.  D.  C.  Several  Sab.  Schools  were  independent.  Desirable  to  bring 
all  under  the  care  of  Pastors  and  Consistories ;  to  promote  the  use  of 
the  Catechisms  of  the  Church,  to  establish  the  children  in  sound  doctrine ; 
also  to  propogate  the  truth ;  to  qualify  teachers.  Not  actuated  by  bigotry, 
but  to  be  auxiliary  to  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union. 

This  Sabbath  School  Union  at  the  next  Synod,  prayed  to  be  received 
under  the  patronage  of  Synod.  Remonstrances.  Synod  deemed  it  inex- 
pedient to  legislate  on  the  subject.  1828,  90;  second  efifort;  postponed, 
1837,  66;  again  postponed,  1838,  154,  155. 

Renewed  request,  with  reasons,  1839,  251-2;  257-8.  Report  of  the 
Committee  on :  Quotes  Rules  of  Synod  on  Sunday  Schools,  of  1830,  278 ; 
design  of  this  Sab.  School  Union,  the  same ;  importance  of  a  Synodical 
S.  S.  Board.  Synod,  at  length,  takes  the  supervision  of  S.  S.  operations, 
and  establishes  "A  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Sabbath  School  Union  of 
R.  D.  C."     1839,  258-260. 

[See  also  a  printed  Pamphlet  of  52  pages,  1833,  containing  an  Ad- 
dress ;  The  Constitution  and  Causes  of  the  Formation  of  the  Sab.  School 
Union  of  the  R.  D.  C ;  and  four  Annual  Reports ;  1829-32 ;  with  the 
Report  of  the  Committee  on  Rewards  a,hd  Regulations.  Collegiate 
Press,  N.    Y.,   1833.] 

Sabbath  School  Union  of  R.  D.  C.  ;  Synod's  Board  of  Managers  of. 
(1839-63.)— On  May  22,  1839,  the  S.  S.  Union  of  R.  D.  C.  (independent), 
presented  the  following  action  to  the  Gen.  Synod  : — That  they  are  con- 
vinced that  the  conducting  of  Sabbath  Schools  under  ecclesiastical  con- 
trol is  beneficial ;  that  they  are  desirous  that  the  Synod  should  take  this 
branch  of  instruction  under  their  care;  and,  therefore,  they  suggest  the 
establishment  of  a  Synodical  Board  to  superintend  these  interests. 

The  importance  of  catechetical  instruction  is  then  emphasized,  which 
the  independent  S.  S.  Union  of  R.  D.  C.  has  happily  carried  on  (1828-39)  I 
and  that  if  Synod  will  now  take  charge  of  S.  S.  work,  the  said  S.  S. 
Union  of  R.  D.  C.  will  dissolve,  and  request  their  schools  to  put  them- 
selves under  the  Synod's  Board.  1839,  251,  257-8.  Referred  to  a  Com- 
mittee, and  the  following  action  taken  : 

That  the  principles  of  this  S.  S.  Union  agree  with  the  action  of  Synod 
taken    in    1830,   278    (see   this   action   under    Sunday    Schools)  ;    that   they 


66o         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

propose  to  put  all  S.  S.  instruction  under  care  of  Synod;  they  ask  Synod 
to  establish  a  Board  to  superintend  and  regulate  these  interests,  to  be 
called  "The  Synod's  Board  of  the  S.  S.  Union  of  the  R.  D.  Church;  that 
this  Board  shall  conduct  S.  S.  instruction  according  to  action  of  Synod, 
1830,  278;  that  then  the  (old)  S.  S.  Union  will  dissolve,  in  favor  of  this 
new  arrangement.     The  Synod  now,  accordingly,  granted  this  petition. 

Resolved,  I.  That  this  Synod,  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the 
General  Synod's  resolutions  of  1830,  278,  will  henceforth  take  the  super- 
vision of  Sabbath  School  operations  under  its  own  peculiar  oversight 
and  care. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Synod  shall  appoint  a  Board  of  Managers 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  superintend  Sabbath  School  operations  accord- 
ing to  a  plan  hereafter  to  be  adopted  by  the  Synod;  which  Board  will  be 
called  "The  General  Synod's  Board  of  the  Sabbath  School  Union  of 
THE  Reformed  Dutch  Church." 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  Synod  recommend  to  all  the  ministers  and 
consistories  of  our  churches  to  request  their  respective  Sabbath  Schools 
to  place  themselves  under  the  Synod's  Board  of  the  Sabbath  School 
Union,  in  order  that  the  purity  and  uniformity  of  Sabbath  School  in- 
struction   may   be    successfully   maintained    throughout    all    our    churches. 

Resolved,  4.  That  this  Board  of  the  Synod's  Sabbath  School  Union 
be  auxiliary  to  the  American  Sunday  School  Union. 

The  following  Constitution  for  the  Synod's  Sabbath  School  Union 
was  then  adopted : 

1.  Name.  Board  of  Managers  of  the  General  Synod's  Sabbath 
School  Union  of  R.  P.  D.  C,  auxiliary  to  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union,  consisting 
of  24  managers,  one-half  to  two-thirds  to  reside  in  the  City  of  New  York. 
[Increased  to  36,  July,  1839,  p.  261.] 

2.  The  Board  to  be  chosen  by  ballot,  by  Gen.  Synod,  .one-third  to 
be  elected  annually.     The  Board  to  elect  their  own  officers! 

3.  Four  regular  meetings  to  be  held  annually  in  New  York ;  seven 
to  constitute  a  quorum. 

4.  The  power  of  the  Board  over  the  several  schools  of  the  Union 
to  be  advisory,  and  exercised  in  concert  with  pastors  and  consistories. 
Together  with  the  Bible  questions  of  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union,  the  Cate- 
chisms and  other  Standards  of  the  Church  sTiall  be  taught,  together  with 
the  Westminster  Catechism.  Information  collected  to  be  presented  in 
an  Annual  Report  to  General  Synod  and  to  the  Am.   S.  S.  Union. 

5.  Funds  to  be  collected  by  subscriptions,  donations,  and  collec- 
tions in  the  churches. 

6.  The  funds  shall  be  used  in  the  support  of  the  schools  of  the 
Union,  so  far  as  necessary ;  the  balance  to  be  paid  over  to  Am.  S.  S. 
Union. 

7.  The  treasurer  shall  pay  all  demands  under  direction  of  the  Board ; 
and  render  an  annual  report  to  General  Synod. 

There  were  also  24  Bv-laws. 

1839.  258-261. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  names  of  the  first  Board  of  Managers : 
Revs.  G.  Abeel,  G.  W.  Bethune,  W.  C.  Brownlee,  F.  F.  Cornell,  Is.  Ferris, 
J.  J.  Janeway,  John  Knox,  N.  I.  ]\Iarselus,  J.  Schoonmaker,  T.  M.  Strong, 
B.  C.  Taylor,  T.  E.  Vermilye  and  Messrs.  V.  Vandewater,  Jas.  Anderson, 
J.  I.  Brower,  M.  W.  Brett,  Thos.  Earle,  Jas.  Forrester,  Bauman  Lowe.  J. 
D.  Oliver,  Chs.  H.  Little,  Chs.  Van  Wyck,  Wm.  P.  Van  Rensselaer  and 
P.  D.  Vroom.     July,  1839,  304-5- 

The  first  meeting  for  organization  was  appointed  for  the  first 
Wednesday  of  July,  1839,  in  the  Consistory  Room,  corner  of  Nassau  and 
Ann  Sts.  1839,  262.  Wm.  Patterson  Van  Rensselaer,  of  Albany,  was 
made  President  of  the  Board.  Great  interest  was  excited.  The  invidious 
system  of  rewards  was  discouraged.     Dependence  on  the  Depositories  of 


SABBATH    SCHOOL  UNION  R.  D.  CHURCH       66i 

other  S.  S.  Unions,  for  books,  was  regretted.  Synod's  Board,  therefore, 
requested  the  privilege  of  pubhshing  the  Catechisms  of  the  Church,  Bible 
Questions,  a  Hymn  Book,  a  Spelling  Book  and  a  Primer.  This  request 
was  granted  on  condition  that  the  expense  was  to  be  defrayed  from  the 
Board's  own  funds.  An  agent  was  to  be  appointed  to  solicit  funds.  1840, 
393-4.     About  13,000  children  were  in  the  Sabbath  Schools.     1840,  355. 

The  Second  Annual  Report  showed  71  schools  connected  with  the 
Union,  in  49  churches — a  small  number.  Certificates  of  honorary  mem- 
bership were  devised  to  increase  the  funds.  Debts,  $600.  Books  not  to 
be  donated,  where  churches  were  able  to  pay.  Life  membership  certifi- 
cates given  on  payment  of  $30.  1841,  513. — 15,000  children  in  the  S.  Ss.  of 
the  Church.  1842,  81,  109.  The  schools  of  about  60  churches  now  con- 
nected with  Synod's  Board.  A  Committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
S.  S.  Hymn  Book.  Names.  1842,  118,  119.  About  350  hymns  had  been 
selected,  mostly  not  before  in  use,  to  enlarge  the  material,  and  make  it 
also  suitable  for  Prayer  Meetings.     1842,  163-5. 

Seventy-five  schools  now  belonged  to  this  Board.  Some  elementary 
books  had  been  prepared.  The  Bible  Questions  were  in  course  of  prepa- 
ration by  Rev.  Isaac  Ferris  ;  as  well  as  a  Hymn  Book.  They  were  also 
selecting  books  suitable  for  S.  S.  Libraries.  The  S.  S.  Union  was  com- 
mended to  the  churches,  and  the  Board  was  exhorted  to  exercise  great 
care  in  selecting  books  for  S.  S.  Libraries.  The  books  of  the  Board 
were  in  Depositories  in  both  New  York  and  Albany.  1843,  229-231. 
Officers,  233. 

The  Board  asked  Synod  for  the  balance  of  the  edition  of  Dr. 
Livingston's  life.  Discretionary  power  given,  1844,  297,  369.  The  S.  S. 
Hymn  Book  was  published  and  extensively  circulated.  Assets,  indepen- 
dent of  plates,  $1,000.  1844,  349-  Again  commended  to  the  churches. 
The  Bible  Question,  under  preparation  by  Rev.  Drs.  Is.  Ferris  and  T.  M. 
Strong,  were  to  be  in  three  series. 

1.  One  of  a  general  character  on  the  historical  portions  of  Scrip- 
ture, for  juvenile  classes.  This  was  finished  to  the  close  of  the  Gospel 
history,   149  lessons,  averaging  65  questions  each. 

2.  Another  series,  more  advanced,  for  the  next  grade  of  scholars. 
For  this,  they  recommend  the  Union  Questions  of  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union. 

3.  Another  series,  for  Bible  Classes,  under  the  care  of  pastors.  To 
be  prepared  before  the  next  Synod.  Synod  referred  these  Series  to  the 
Board,  for  publication,  without  expense  to  Synod.     1844,  352-4- 

The  work  of  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  R.  Fisher,  of  the  German  Refd.  Ch., 
on  the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  adapted  to  the  use  of  Sunday  Schools,  was 
recommended.     1844,  354-5. 

One  hundred  schools,  belonging  to  88  churches,  were  under  the  Synod's 
Board.  Depository,  recently  located  at  103  Fulton  St.  $1,383  have  been 
received;  $1,546  expended.     Other  assets,  $1,640.     Sales,  $250. 

The  Board  requested  permission  to  publish  an  i8mo.  edition  of 
the  S.  S.  and  Social  Hymn  Book ;  but  Synod  referred  the  whole  matter 
of  the  Hymn  Book  to  a  special  committee,  for  rearrangement,  additions, 
etc.     1845',  478-9. 

One  hundred  and  nine  schools  in  connection  with  Synod's  Board. 
Receipts,  $1,040:  disbursements,  $797.  The  Bible  is  read  in  the  Public 
Schools,  but  in  the  S.  Ss.  its  truths  are  taught  as  we  understand  them. 
Board  commended  to  all  the  churches.  Synod  requested  the  Board  to 
have  prepared  a  Succinct  Statement  of  the  History,  Doctrines  and  Usages 
of  R.  D.  C,  to  meet  the  wants  of  our    western  missions.     1846,  "JZ,  74,  87. 

Agent  employed.  Several  books  of  the  Board  stereotyped.  The 
Board  authoirzed  to  stereotype  any  books  sound  in  doctrine,  for  which 
benevolent  individuals  furnish  the  funds.     1847,  178.     (See  1855,  615.) 

Sabbath  Schools  exist  in  nearly  all  our  churches.  10,000  children 
tinder  the  care  of  the  Board.     1848,  235.  270. 


662         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Rev.   Dr.  Jas.   Romeyn,  in  his  "Report  on  the   State  of  the   Church," 

1848,  emphasizes  the  proper  training  of  the  young;  that  the  Am.  S.  S. 
Union  cannot  pubhsh  denominational  books,  altho'  it  should  be  sustained; 
that  our  S.  S.  Board  must  supply  our  S.  S.  literature ;  that  this  Board 
has  already  published  the  Catechisms  of  the  Church,  Brown's  Catechism, 
the  Shorter  Westminster,  Primary  Bible  Questions,  a  Hymn  Book,  with 
a  Primer  and  a  Spelling  Book.  He  urges  all  schools  to  unite  with  Synod's 
Board,  which  is  also  auxiliary  to  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union.  1848,  322-4. 
Action  of  Synod  thereon,  simply  endorsing  it,  1848,  273.  S\-nod's  Board 
henceforth  allowed  to  publish  their  annual  reports,  1848,  417. 

The  S.  S.  Depository  is  amply  supplied  with  choice  and  suitable  books. 
Balance  of  $600  in  treasury.  A  beautiful  stereotype  plate  for  certificates 
of  Honorary   Membership,  has  been  presented  by  Jas.  Anderson,   M.   D. 

1849,  493-4.  Schools  exhorted  to  join  and  patronize  this  Board.  1850,  "ji; 
to  take  up  a  collection  for,  106;  1851,  184;  Synod  expresses  its  confidence, 
also,  in  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union,  1851,  200;  importance  of  the  S.  S.  for  the 
neglected,  1852,  230 ;  156  schools  connected  with  the  Union,  1852.  268 ;  163 
schools,  1853,  363  ;  Synod's  S.  S.  Union,  being  auxiliary  to  the  Am.  S.  S. 
Union,  balances  in  the  treasury  to  be  paid  over  to  Am.  S.  S.  Union,  and 
also,  a  copy  of  its  Annual  Report  to  be  sent  them.     1853,  365. 

The  Board  reports  that  while  there  are  434  Sunday  Schools  in  the 
denomination,  only  167  are  connected  with  Synod's  Board.  Only  8  have 
sent  in  reports.  Impossible  to  give  a  general  report.  Better  either  to  dis- 
band the  Board  and  relinquish  the  whole  field  to  Am.  S.  S.  Union,  or 
to  take  measures  to  render  Synod's  Board  efficient.  It  is  the  duty  of  the 
Church  to  feed  her  own  lambs.  The  Am.  S.  S.  Union  is  doing  a  grand 
work,  and  the  country  needs  it,  but  it  is  anomalous  for  our  own  schools  to 
report  to  it.  A  change  from  present  circumstances  demanded.  Synod 
must  take  action  to  give  efficiency  to  our  own  Board.  Should  not  pay  our 
surplus  to  Am.  S.  S.  Union.  The  union  between  the  Synod's*  Board  and 
the  Am.  S.  S.  Union  was  accordingly  dissolved,  1854,  461-3- 

One  hundred  and  seventy-two  schools  in  connection  with  Synod's 
Board.  Only  25  report.  The  Constitution  of  1839  was  now  amended,  so 
that  Article  4  read :  "In  connection  with  Bible  Questions  [of  the  Am. 
S.  S.  Union — omitted]  they  shall  endeavor  to  promote  instruction"  in 
the  Catechisms,  etc. ;  also  "to  report  to  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union"  was  omitted. 
Art.  6,  of  1839,  was  altogether  omitted — about  paying  over  surplus  funds 
to  Am.  S.  S.  Union.     1855,  592-3- 

As  a  "Board  of  Publication"  had  been  organized  in  1854,  by  Synod, 
all  the  publications  of  the  Church  were  now  put  in  charge  of  this  Board  ; 
and  the  resolution  of  1847,  179,  about  the  S.  S.  Board  stereotyping  plates 
was  rescinded.  The  printing  of  the  Catechism  by  the  S.  S.  Board  (see 
1840,  394),  was  reafBrmed,  but  the  Bd.  of  Publication  was  to  do  the  pub- 
lishing of  all  books  prepared  by  the  S.  S.  Board,  and  to  state  this  fact 
on  the  title  page ;  that  the  S.  S.  Board  was  to  defray  the  expenses  of  their 
own  special  books  (1840,  394),  and  supply  the  Bd.  of  Pub.  with  them,  at 
cost ;  that  the  Bd.  of  Pub.  was  to  defray  the  expense  of  all  new  books 
of  S.  S.  Board,  and  furnish  them  to  said  S.  S.  Board,  at  cost.  1855.  615,  616. 

The  Board  of  Publication  and  the  S.  S.  Board  are  directed  to  allow 
each  other  a  discount  of  20  per  cent,  on  their  respective  publications, 
1856,   118. 

A  committee  was  appointed,  1856,  ...  to  confer  with  Bd.  of 
Pub.  and  the  S.  S.  Board,  in  reference  to  the  management  and  co-opera- 
tion necessary  to  the  proper  conducting  of  their  affairs.  The  S.  S.  Board 
ask  for  the  appointment  of  a  [Corresponding]  Secretary.  It  has  also 
resolved  to  pass  over  to  the  Board  of  Publication  all  its  S.  S.  books,  jour- 
nals, etc.,  as  the  most  suitable  agency  to  take  charge  of  them.  Synod 
sanctioned  the  transfer,  and  the  sale  of  the  stock  in  trade  of  the  S.  S. 
Board,  to  the  Bd.  of  Pub.,  on  equitable  terms,  said  Bd.  of  Pub.  hereafter 


SABBATH    SCHOOL  UNION  R.  D.  CHURCH       663 

to  issue  all  book,  pamphlets  and  S.  S.  papers  of  the  S.  S.  Board ;  that 
the  S.  S.  Board  be  authorized  to  elect  a  [Corresponding]  Secretary;  that 
all  the  schools  of  the  Church  be  urged  to  connect  themselves  with  Synod's 
S.  S.  Board;  that  all  schools  report  to  Synod's  Board  one  month  before 
meeting  of  Synod.     1857,  195 ;  adopted,  242. 

The  S.  S.  Board  is  seeking  to  establish  S.  Ss.  in  destitute  portions 
of  New  York  and  vicinity,  hoping  these  may  become  the  nuclei  of 
churches ;  the  same  plan  to  be  pursued  in  the  West,  and  thus  prepare  the 
way  for  the  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions ;  Rev.  Robt.  B.  Campfield  has  been 
elected  as  Corresponding  Secretary,  having  an  experience  of  25  years  in 
the  Am.   S.   S.   Union.     He  was  commended  to   the  churches.     1858,   335. 

The  new  Corresponding  Secretary,  Campfield,  submitted  an  elaborate 
report  (20th  Annual  Report),  of  Bd.  of  Managers  of  Synod's  S.  S.  Union 
(20  pages),  indicating  enlarged  prosperity.  A  brief  review  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  Board  is  given.  250  schools  are  now  connected  with  the 
Synod's  Board.  Statistics  of  an  encouraging  nature  are  given.  Liberality 
greatly  increased.  Mission  schools  organized.  See  Secretary's  Report. 
A  sermon  to  be  preached  at  each  Synod  in  behalf  of  Synod's  S.  S.  Board. 
1859,  436-8. 

The  Secretary  presented  his  second  report,  full  and  lucid.  266  schools 
connected  with  Synod's  S.  S.  Bd.  Extensive  missionary  activities  in 
New  York  and  the  West.  1,000  children  gathered  in.  With  consent  of 
the  Domestic  Bd.,  ministerial  agents  appointed  in  the  West,  to  found 
schools.  $800  worth  of  books  given  away.  Xames  of  the  new  schools 
to  be  printed,     i860,  151-4. 

Two  hundred  and  seventy-four  schools  connected  with  Syond's 
Board.  $4,200  raised,  being  $1,434  more  than  preceding  year.  1,200 
destitute  children  and  125  teachers  gathered  in  Citj^  mission  schools. 
Students  have  labored  in  organizing  and  conducting  schools.  Synod  urges 
the  cordial  co-operation  of  the  churches.  To  save  expense,  the  Secre- 
tary  to   abandon   visitations,    and   appeal   by    letters.     1861,    74-/6. 

Two  hundred  and  seventy-six  schools  enrolled.  15,000  children.  22,- 
000  volumes  in  these  S.  S.  libraries.  $4,178  received.  5  mission  schools 
in  New  York  City,  with  1,500  pupils.  Books,  valued  at  $279.  donated. 
Balance  in  Treasury,  $841.  Receipts  lessened  by  $900,  through  appeals 
by  letter,  instead  of  personal  solicitation.  Evil  influence  of  the  War. 
Balance   in   Treasury   will  be  absorbed   in   three   months. 

In  view  of  the  statement  of  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  our  Sab- 
bath School  Union,  and  the  embarrassed  condition  of  its  Treasury  for 
several  years  past,  the  question  of  some  decisive  change  in  the  Board 
has   presented   itself  to   your   Committee.     They   submit   the    following : 

Whereas,  At  all  times,  and  the  more  especially  now,  a  careful  regard 
for  economy  in  the  use  of  the  resources  of  the  Church  should  be  prac- 
ticed, and  that  efficiency  should  be  secured  by  the  consolidation  of 
identical  interests  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  so  much  of  the  business  of  the  Sabbath  School 
Board  as  relates  to  its  Missionary  operations,  be  placed  hereafter  under 
the  control  of  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions. 

2.  Resolved,  That  so  much  as  relates  to  its  publications  be  placed 
in  charge  of  the  Board  of  Publication. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  funds  in  the  Treasury  of  the  Sabbath  School 
Board,  after  defraying  necessary  expenses,  be  equally  divided  between 
the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  and  the  Board  of  Publication ;  and  that 
in  the  event  of  there  being  a  deficiency  in  the  Treasury  of  the  Board 
of  Sunday  School  Union  to  meet  or  arrange  their  outstanding  engage- 
ments, that  then  that  deficiency  be  paid  equally  by  the  several  Boards  to 
which  the  whole  subject  shall  be  referred. 

4.  Resolved,  That  in  future  the  Board  of  Publication  be,  and  hereby 
is   especially   instructed  to   provide,  as   far  as   it   may   be  able,  a   suitable 


664         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

literature  for  the  Sal)bath  Schools  of  the  Church,  and  that  the  several 
Sabbath  Schools  in  the  churches  be  requested  to  purchase  their  Sabbath 
School  books  from  this   Board. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Sabbath  School  Union  be  abolished 
after  the  first  day  of  September  next,  and  that  in  the  mean  time,  this 
Board  take  such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  out  the  fore- 
going   resolutions.     1862,    185-7. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Report  of  the  Sabbath 
School  Board,  and  so  much  of  the  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Domestic 
^Missions  and  the  Board  of  Publication,  report — 

In  compliance  with  the  resolution  of  Synod  at  their  last  meeting, 
the  Sabbath  School  Board,  from  their  own  report,  as  was  abolished  on  the 
1st  day  of  September  last;  at  which  time  they  transferred  their  property 
in  equal  parts,  to  the  Boards  of  Domestic  Missions  and  Publication. 

The  Boards  have  accepted  the  transfer,  and  the  Board  of  Domestic 
Missions,  through  their  Missionaries,  are  engaged  in  establishing  and 
maintaining  Sabbath  Schools,  and  the  Board  of  Publication  is  ready  to 
supply  the  books  required  for  Hbraries  and  Sabbath  School  instruction. 
The  only  difficulty  which  has  arisen  from  the  transfer,  relates  to  the  dis- 
position of  the  funds  which  may  be  raised  for  Sabbath  School  pur- 
poses, in  view  of  which  the  following  action  is  recommended  for  the 
adoption  of  Synod : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  that  of  the  moneys  collected 
for  Sabbath  Schools,  those  designed  for  their  establishment  and  main- 
tenance be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  of  the  Domestic  Board, 
and  those  collected  for  libraries  and  books  to  be  used  by  the  schools  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Publication. 

Resolved,  That  the  ^oard  of  Publication  have  the  responsibility  of 
raising  the  funds  and  of  having  on  hand  such  books  as  are  .required  to 
supply  the  wants  of  the  missionary  schools  of  the  Church. 

Resolved,  That  the  Church  be  called  upon  as  heretofore,  to  make 
collections  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  Sabbath  Schools  within  her 
bounds,  and  of  establishing  them  as  she  has  opportunity.  1863,  316.  See 
.Sunday  Schools. 

Sacramental  Forms.     See  Baptism;   Lord's   Supper;  Liturgy. 
Sacraments.     Belgic    Confession,    Arts.    29,    30,    33-35 ;    Heid.    Cate- 
■chism,    Quests.    65-82.     See    also    Liturgical    Forms    of    Baptism    and    the 
Lord's  Supper. — Rules  of  Church  Government,  1619,  Arts.  56-63;   Consti- 
tutions of  1792,  Arts.  57-63;  of  1833,  Arts.  86-88;  of  1874,  Arts.  76-78. 

Sacrifice  of  Christ.     Belgic.  Conf.,  x\rt.  21 ;  Heid.  Catechism,  Quests. 
43,  66,  67;  Canons  of  Dort,  ii.  3,  6. 
Sacrifices.     Belgic.  Conf.,  Art.  34. 

Safe,  An  Iron.  Board  of  Direction  authorized  to  purchase  for 
preservation  of  papers   and  books   in  constant  use.     1883,  250. 

Sage,  Gardner  A.  Gives  $9,000  toward  purchasing  Residence,  cor. 
George  St.  and  Seminary  Place,  New  Brunswick;  thanked;  1870,  15,  16, 
113;  promised  to  build  a  Library,  1871,  179,  186,  218;  elected  a  member  of 
Board  of  Direction,  1873,  668;  Synod  attends  the  laying  of  corner-stone 
of  Sage  Library,  1873,  750 ;  $30,000  received  toward  erection  of  Library, 
1874,  15;  Synod  attends  dedication  of  Library,  1875,  204,  206,  208,  356; 
1876,  40;  Synod  thanks  him  for  his  liberality :— for  $20,000  additional 
toward  the  building  of  the  Library;  for  promised  endowment  for  care  of 
Library;  for  gift  of  $10,000  for  books;  and  for  promised  endowment 
of  Hertzog  Hall,  1875,  204-5,  208;  gives  $700  for  support  of  Hertzog 
llall,  1876,  405;  gift  repeated,  1877,  600,  609;  re-elected  member  of  Board 
of  Direction  for  five  years,  1877,  642;  gives  $700  for  support  of  Hertzog 
Hall.  1878,  17,  39,  40;  gives  $1,044  for  same;  and  $468  to  meet  deficiency 


SAGE,  GARDNER  A.,  LIBRARY  665 

in  revenue  of  Synod;  thanked;  1879,  269;  elected  Treasurer  of  General 
Synod,  1879,  241,  270,  276;  again,  1880,  490;  gives  $1,700  toward  support 
of  Hertzog  Hall ;  and  $500  to  pay  a  debt  of  Synod,  1880,  463 ;  gives  $35,000 
for  Support  and  Maintenance  of  Sage  Library ;  conditions ;  gives  $5,000 
for  finishing  and  fitting  up  basement  of  Library ;  conditions ;  $5,000  for 
two  scholarships  in  the  Seminary ;  $20,000  as  a  fund  for  purchase  of  books 
for  Library;  and  $25,000  as  a  fund  for  Support  and  Maintenance  of 
Hertzog  Hall,  1881,  468,  651,  677-8;  gives  $1,000  for  immediate  use  of 
Hertzog  Hall ;  and  $500  to  meet  deficiencies  in  revenue  of  Synod,  1881, 
651;  elected  Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  1881,  679;  resigns,  1882,  34; 
gives  $1,000  to  meet  deficiencies  in  revenues  of  Seminary,  1882,  ^s  '>  re- 
elected a  member  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  and  elected  President  of  same, 
1882,  59,  62;  his  death,  resolutions  on,  1883,  322,  325,  327-8;  bequest  of 
$50,000  for  a  New  Professorship  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1884, 
421,  453;  to  be  called  'The  Gardner  A.  Sage  Professorship  of  Old 
Testament   Languages   and   Exegesis,    1884,   522-3. 

THE    SAGE    ENDOWMENTS. 

For  Support  and  Maintenance  of  Sage  Library $35,000 

Two    Scholarships 5,ooo 

For    Purchase    of    Books 20,000 

For  Support  and  Maintenance  of  Hertzog  Hall 25,000 

For  Professorship  of  Old  Testament  Languages  and  Exegesis . .         50.000 

Total $135,000 

The    Sage    Library    Building 50,000 

Various    donations 8,3 12. 

Total    $193,312 

For  Sketch  of  ]\Ir.  Sage,  see  Centennial  of  New  Brunswick  Semi- 
nary, pp.  399-402. 

Sage,  Gardner  A.,  Library.  For  the  earlier  action  on  the  Library, 
see  Theological  Library ;  Hertzog  Hall  Library ;  Bethune,  Geo.  W' ; 
Cornell,  James  A.  H.  See  also  the  name  of  Col.  Sage  above.  Col.  Sage 
promises  to  build  a  Library,  1871,  179,  186,  218;  Synod  attends  the  lay- 
ing of  corner-stone  of,  1873,  750;  $30,000  given  for,  1874,  15;  $20,000 
added  thereto,  1875,  208.  Synod  attends  the  dedication  of,  1875,  204,  206, 
208.  356;   1876,  40. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  A.  H.  Cornell,  having  been  appointed  Financial  Agent 
of  General  Synod,  collected  the  following  sums  for  the  purchase  of 
books.  1869-72 : 

Jonathan    Sturges $2,500 

D.   Jackson    Steward 2,500 

James    Suydam 2,500 

Wm.   T.   Runk 2,500 

Gardner   A.    Sage 2.500 

Rev.  Dr.  John  Vanderveer 2.500 

Charles   B.   Lansing 2.500 

Rev.  Dr.  Fred.  F.  Cornell 2,500 

John    A.    Hardenbergh 2,500 

James    E.    Hedges 2,500 

Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  De  Witt 2,500 

P.    A.    H.    Jackson 2.500 

Mrs.    Mary    Board 3,000 

Wm.     Fuller 2,500 

Daniel    Mapes 2,500 

Hiram    W.    Masten 2,500 

John    Leflferts 2.500 

Henry    H.    Farnum i .900 

Jamc>;   Anderson.   M.D i.ooo 

'I'^^tal    $45,900 


666         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Rev.  Oscar  Gesner  also  gave  $i,ooo,  but  his  name  does  not  occur  in 
the  Hst  furnished  the  writer,  by  Dr.  Cornell.  See  the  credit  for  that 
amount,  1870,  2)2. 

3.  Resolved,  That  in  arranging,  labeling  and  forming  a  catalogue 
of  the  books,  the  utmost  care  and  delicacy  be  observed  in  regard  to  the 
rights  and  feelings  of  former  donors,  as  well  as  of  those  who,  it  is  hoped, 
will  hereafter  add  largely,  in  learned  works  and  appliances  for  thorough 
study,  to  this  splendid  depository.     1875,  327. 

In  1875,  203,  326,  the  Faculty  requested  that  a  Committee  of  Co- 
operation with  them  might  be  appointed  for  the  selection  of  books.  Synod 
appointed  Rev.  Dr.  T.  XV.  Chambers,  C.  D.  Hartranft  and  E.  T.  Corwin. 
In  1878,  when  Dr.  Hartranft  removed  away.  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Cooper  was 
appointed  in  his  place.  See  Co-operation,  Committee  of,  for  reference 
to  their  reports.  This  Committee  held  monthly  meetings  for  eight  years, 
1875-83.  In  1878,  41,  it  was  reported  that  $53,763.11  had  been  received,  in 
all,  for  the  Library  Fund,  and  that  $38,750  had  been  spent,  leaving  a  bal- 
ance of  $15,013.11.  See  a  list  of  some  of  the  rarer  works  purchased, 
1877,  751-2;   1880,  561-2. 

In  1881,  651,  677,  Mr.  Sage  added  the  sum  of  $35,000  for  the  sup- 
port and  maintenance  of  this  Library.  Of  the  income  of  this  amount, 
$1,000  was  to  be  paid  to  the  Librarian,  and  the  balance  used  for  the 
care  of  the  Building  and  of  the  books,  and  for  incidental  expenses ;  any 
further  balance  to  go  for  the  purchase  of  books.  Also  $5,000  for  the  fit- 
ting up  of  the  basement ;  and  for  improvements  outside  the  Building ; 
the  balance,  if  any,  to  be  added  to  the  Fund  for  Support  and  Main- 
tenance of  the  Library.  Also  $20,000  additional,  as  a  Fund,  the  income 
of  which  should  go  for  the  purchase  of  books. 

Rev.  Peter  J.  Quick,  having  been  Librarian  of  the  Hertzog  Hall 
Library,  1869-75,  became  Librarian  of  the  Sage  Library,  1875- 1886,  when 
he  died.  John  C.  Van  Dyke  (now  Dr.  Van  D3'ke)  became  at.«first  Assist- 
ant Librarian,  1878-86,  and  then  Librarian,  in  which  office  he  still  con- 
tinues (1906).  In  1891,  285,  the  Committee  on  the  Grounds  built  a 
house  for  the  Librarian  at  a  cost  of  $5,000.  Of  this  sum  $2,400  were 
available  from  certain  of  the  Sage  funds,  and  the  Synod  loaned  $2,600, 
1891,  285 ;  1892,  468-9.  This  last  amount  was  paid  back  in  1903.  See 
Report  of  Property  Com.,  1903,  4. 

This  Library  now  contains  about  47,000  volumes  and  about  9,000 
pamphlets.  Improved  catalogues  have  from  time  to  time  been  pre- 
pared, 1873,  612;  1879,  362;  1882,  134;  reports  of  Committee  on  the 
Property,  1901,  4;   1902,  5;   1905,  6. 

3.  The  Librarian  shall  conduct  the  correspondence  of  the  Library. 
He  shall  also  keep  a  record  of  all  books  received,  and  of  all  which  may  be 
loaned.  In  consultation  with  the  Faculty,  he  shall  arrange  and  catalogue 
the  books,  and  shall  make  an  annual  report  of  the  condition  of  the 
Library   to   the   Standing   Committee.     1888,   536,   540. 

See   Publications   i   and  2  on  "The  Sage  Library,"   1888;    1902. 
Endowment  of  Alcoves. 

First  Plan:  To  Solicit  gifts  of  $1,000  each,  of  which  $225  shall 
be  expended  for  steel  stacks,  to  double  shelf  capacity,  with  tablet,  in 
honor  of  the  giver;  balance  of  the  fund  to  be  applied  to  Library  Main- 
tenance, 1900,  702-5. 

Second  Flan:  To  solicit  gifts  of  $1,500  each,  of  which  $200  to  be 
reserved  for  the  purchase  of  a  Memorial  Window,  and  the  balance,  $1,300, 
to  be  added  to  the  Endowment  Fund  of  the  Library,  1902,  63;  1903.  322. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Memorial  Windows  given  up  m  date: 

I.  Window  in  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Van  den  Bergh  Sandham, 
for  72  years  a  member  of  the  R.  D.  C.  of  New  York  City;  by  her  daugh- 
ter, Anna  M.  Sandham.  A  figure  representing  the  Church,  with  Cross, 
Crown  and  Sacramental  Cup. 


SAINTS,  INTERCESSION  OF  667 

2.  Window  in  memory  of  Mrs.  Ellen  Conover  Smock ;  by  her  son, 
Professor  John  Conover  Smock.  Figure  :  An  angel  representing  the  New- 
Testament,  with  a  lamp  and  a  book. 

3.  Window  in  memory  of  Rev.  Dr.  Abraham  Messier ;  by  his  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Mary  S.  Swift.  Figure  representing  Christ  as  the  Good 
Shepherd. 

4.  Window  in  memory  of  Miss  Jane  Vernon  Hopkins ;  by  her 
sister,   Miss  Josephine   Hopkins.     A  figure   representing  "Faithfulness." 

5.  Window  in  memory  of  Commodore  Alfred  Van  Santvoord ;  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eben  E.  Olcott.  A  figure  holding  the  model  of  a  ship  and 
a  sextant,   representing  "Commerce." 

6.  Window  in  memory  of  Rev.  Dr.  Martin  V.  Schoonmaker ;  by 
Mrs.  J.  M.  Bergen,  of  Babylon,  L.  I.,  and  the  Reformed  Church  of  Wal- 
den,  N.  Y.     Figure  representing  "St.  John." 

7.  Window  in  memory  of  Rev  Dr.  David  D.  Demarest ;  by  his  class- 
mate. Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  H.  Steele.     Figure  representing  "John  the  Baptist." 

8.  Window  in  memory  of  Mr.  Gilbert  S.  Van  Pelt ;  by  Mrs.  Van 
Pelt.     Figure  representing  the  New  Testament  Elder. 

9.  Window  in  memory  of  Abraham  Van  Nest ;  by  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Ann  V.  N.  Bussing.     Figure  representing  "Abraham  the  Patriarch." 

10.  Window  in  memory  of  John  S.  Bussing  and  Ann  Van  Nest 
Bussing;  by  their  children,  John  S.  Bussing  and  Mary  Bussing.  Figure: 
An  Angel  holding  a  lamp  and  walking  through  lilies  among  thorns. 

11.  Window  in  memory  of  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  W.  Mills;  by  Mrs. 
Amira  St.  John  Mills.     Figure :    The  "Angel  of  the  Resurrection." 

12.  Window  in  memory  of  Rev.  Dr.  Cornelius  Low  Wells ;  by  Mrs. 
Wells.     Figure :    "St.  Paul  preaching  at  Athens." 

13.  Window  in  memory  of  Daniel  Le  Fevre  and  his  wife  Henrietta 
Schermerhorn ;  by  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Salinda  Le  Fevre  McKinstrey. 
Figure :     "Christ  in  the  Garden." 

See  Reports  of  Property  Committee,   1903,  4 ;   1904,  4 ;   1905,  6. 

Saints,  Intercession  of.  Christ  the  only  Mediator ;  Belgic  Confes- 
sion, Art.  26;   Heid.   Catechism,  Quests.  31,  49;   Canons  of  Dort.  v.  8. 

Salaries  of  Professors.  A  Professor  to  be  chosen  as  soon  as  the 
Union  [of  Coetus  and  Conferentie]  is  effected,  upon  a  sufficient  salary, 
1771,  14;  churches  not  yet  in  a  condition  to  furnish  a  salary,  1787,  162; 
Synod  will  pay  £s  to  the  Professor,  for  every  student  receiving  Profes- 
sorial certificate,  1787,  168;  the  Professors  to  receive  iio  annually  from 
each  student,  1800,  300;  each  student  to  pay  $5  to  the  Professor,  when 
he  receives  his  Profesorial  certificate,  until  Synod  shall  be  able  to  pay 
a  regular  salary,  1804,  339;  as  soon  as  the  Trustees  [of  Queens  College] 
shall  have  a  fund  sufficient  to  pay  a  salary,  they  shall  be  bound  to  call  the 
Professor  of  Theology  appointed  by  General  Synod,  1807,  365 ;  said 
Trustees  called  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Livingston  as  Prof,  of  Theolog>^  in 
Queens  College,  on  a  salary  of  $750,  1809,  382,  387;  salary  increased  to 
$1,400,  1810;  to  $1,700,  with  $300  for  house  rent,  as  soon  as  the  funds 
permit,  1812,  417;  has  received  $771  up  to  date;  renounced  claim  on  bal- 
ance, 1812,  418,  429 ;  committee  of  Synod  to  meet  with  the  Trustees  to 
consider  the  matter  of  -salary,  1812,  430;  salaries  to  be  fixed  by  Synod, 
1812,  432 ;  arrearages  of  Professor's  salary,  $800,  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
principal  fund,  1814,  46;  Prof.  Schureman's  salary,  1816,  34;  to  be  paid 
out  of  any  moneys  in  the  treasury,  1817,  33;  1818,  50;  the  amounts  thus 
paid,  1817,  46;  the  Professors  supported  largely  b}'  collections.  Cent  Socie- 
ties and  subscriptions,  1818,  18,  26,  32,  33 ;  items  of  salaries  paid,  1818,  42, 
45;  salary  of  Dr.  Livingston  has  nevere  been  regularly  paid,  1818,  51,  60; 
salary  of  Senior  Professor  made  $1,750;  of  other  Professor,  $1,550,  1818, 
52,  58,  60;  Cent  Societies  expected  to  produce  about  $3,000  per  year, 
1818,  54;  $30  may  be  demanded  of  each  student  for  tuition,  1819,  41;  items 
of   payment   of   salaries,    1819,    53 ;    details    of    income   of    Cent    Societies, 


668         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

$3j594»  1819.  59-64;  items  of  salary  payments,  by  Synod,  1820,  38  (Synod 
paid  one-half,  and  the  Trustees  one-half)  :  deficits  raised  by  collections, 
subscriptions.  Cent  Societies  and  25  Cent  Societies,  1820,  44-50 ;  items  of 
payments  of  salaries,  1821,  32-34;  1822,  381. — See  New  Brunswick  Semi- 
nary ;  Western  Seminary ;  Arcot  Seminary ;  Professorial  Fund ;  Perma- 
nent Fund ;  Permanent  Seminary  Fund ;  Smith,  Rev.  Nich.  E. 

In  1850  the  salaries  of  each  of  the  Professors  in  New  Brunswick 
Seminary  were  $i,575;  but  $175  extra  was  allowed  the  Professor  of 
Biblical  Literature  for  house  rent;  and  this  continued  to  be  the  arrange- 
ment until  Oct.,  1855,  page  20,  when  the  salaries  were  arised  to  $1,800 
each,  and  $300  extra  to  Prof.  Bib.  Lit.  for  house  rent.  Thus  they  re- 
mained until  1867.  In  1864,  482-3,  already,  the  income  on  the  salaries 
ran  behind  about  $400;  also  Dr.  DeWitt  asked  for  $500  for  house  rent, 
which  was  allowed  him.  On  account  of  the  increased  cost  of  living 
caused  by  the  war,  the  Synod  also,  by  a  Committee,  raised  an  extra  $1,500 
by  solicitation,  to  divide  equally  among  the  Professors,  1865,  627,  631.     In 

1867,  the  salaries  were  raised  to  $2,500,  for  current  year,  and  the  Board 
was  authorized  to  borrow  money,  to  pay  the  salaries,  if  necessary,  1867, 
271.  189.  A  committee  was  also  appointed  to  raise  $2,800,  the  amount  of 
the  deficiency  in  the  salary  revenue,  1867,  222;  1868,  416,  474;  in  1868  an 
effort  was  made  to  raise  the  salaries  to  $3,000  each,  but  the  Synod  refused, 

1868,  403.  474,  417;  but  the  next  year  this  was  done,  1869,  577,  580;  and 
it  continued  at  this  amount  (1870,  48,  1871,  219),  until  1879.  The  Classis 
of  Phialdelphia  then  proposed  the  reduction  of  all  salaries  so  that  the 
interest  on  the  invested  funds  shall  be  sufficient  to  meet  them,  and  the 
abolishing  of  all  unnecessary  expenses.  A  Memorial  was  also  now  re- 
ceived from  Profs.  Woodbridge,  DeWitt  and  Demarest,  relinquishing  each 
of  them,  $500  of  their  salaries.  This  relieved  the  situation,  and  the  sal- 
aries were  fixed,  for  the  year,  at  $2,500  each,  with  permission  to  make 
them  $3,000  if  funds  warranted,  1879,  267,  273-4 ;  the  Professors  sent 
another  ^Memorial,  again  relinquishing,  each  $500.  Synod  now  fixed  the 
salaries  at  $2,400  each,  authorizing  the  Treasurer  to  pay  $100  more,  to 
each,  if  the  funds  warranted  it,  1880,  461,  488;  in  1881,  the  Professors 
again  memorialized  Synod  upon  the  difficulty  of  living  on  $2,500;  that 
in  1869,  580,  Synod  had  voluntarily  raised  their  salaries  to  $3,000,  and 
they  remained  thus  until  1879,  274;  but  Synod  had  not  the  revenue,  and 
again  fixed  their  salaries  at  $2,400  each,  with  an  extra  hundred,  if  the  funds 
warranted  it,  1881,  752;  in  1882,  a  printed  Memorial  from  Profs.  Wood- 
bridge,  DeWitt  and  Demarest  was  presented,  asking  Synod  to  repay  them 
the  sums  which  they  relinquished  from  their  salaries  in  1879,  1880,  1881, 
as  the  Synod  erroneously  supposed  there  were  no  available  funds  to  pay 
them  $3,000  each;  but  they  were  informed  by  legal  gentlemen,  that  the 
accrued  interest  on  the  bequest  of  $20,000  given  by  Jas.  Suydam  for  a 
Residence,  was  available  for  this  purpose;  the  Synod  directed  that  the 
Board  of  Direction  pay  said  amounts,  if  it  can  be  legally  done,  1882, 
32,  61,  62;  Synod  again  fixed  the  salaries  at  $2,500  each,  and  authorized 
the  Board  to  pay  to  each  $500  or  so  much  as  can  be  legally  paid,  from 
funds  unappropriated,  1883,  242,  221,  249,  250. 

The  three  Professors  again,  1884,  memorialized  the  Synod,  reviewing 
the  whole  matter,  as  no  full  consideration  had  been  given  to  it,  and  no 
tmal  action  taken  on  it;  referring  to  the  increase  of  their  salaries  to 
$3,000  each,  for  ten  years  (1869-79),  and  their  voluntary  relinquishment  of 
$500  each;  that  Synod  had  frequently  declared  that  the  salaries  ought  to 
be  $3,000;  that  then  they  learned  of  $13,106  accumulated  interest  on  the 
$20,000  fund  of  Mr.  Suydam  for  a  Residence,  before  the  house  was  built; 
that  they  had  relinquished  the  $500  each,  and  the  Synod  had  also  acted, 
under  a  false  impression;  and  the  Synod  had  directed  the  payments  of  the 
said  arrearages,  if  it  could  be  legally  done;  that  the  Board,  in  1883,  had 
reported  that  that  money  could  not  be  used  for  this  purpose;   that  Jas. 


SALARY  FUND  OF  WESTERN  SEMINARY       669 

Suydam  had  died  in  1873,  and  interest  had  been  paid  on  the  $20,000  until 
1881 ;  that  the  building  had  recently  been  erected  at  a  cost  of  $22,899, 
leaving  now  $11,243;  is  not  that  surplus,  income?  The  Committee  sug- 
gested a  friendly  suit  to  obtain  a  judicial  decision,  1884,  421,  448-453:  but 
this  resolution  was  stricken  out,  and  the  Board  was  directed  to  fund  all 
unappropriated  balances  ($15,573),  to  be  called  "The  Synod's  Fund  for 
Temporary  Contingencies,"  1884,  449-453  ;  the  salaries  of  the  three  Profes- 
sors were  again  fixed  at  $2,500  each,  with  a  residence,  and  the  Board  was 
authorized  to  pay  them  $500  each,  or  so  much  as  can  be  legally  done  from 
funds  not  otherwise  appropriated,  1884,  455. 

See  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  Finances  of,  for  later  history. 

Salary  Fund  of  Western  Seminary.     See  Western  Seminary. 

Saloons.     1894,  161 ;   1895,  162.     See  Temperance  under  dates. 

Sanctification.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  24,  27;  Heid.  Catechism.  Quests. 
43,  70,  114,  123,  127;  Form  of  Baptism;  Canons,  i.  7. 

Sandham,  Anna  M.  (Miss.)  Thanked  by  Synod  for  special  bene- 
factions for  improvement  of  the  Seminary  Property,  1901,  1049;  toward 
the  endowment  of  the  Alcoves  in  Sage  Lii3rary,  1903,  331 ;  founds  follow- 
ing Scholarship : 

Sandham,  Geo.  Augustus.  Scholarship  of  $3,000,  founded  by  Miss 
Anna  M.  Sandham,  1904,  607. 

Sanitarium  and  Hospital  for  R.  C.  A. 

Your  committee  have  received  a  communication  from  the  Rev.  C.  J. 
Sonnema,  a  delegate  of  this  Synod,  concerning  an  effort  which  is  being 
made  by  him,  together  with  the  Ma3'or  and  other  citizens  of  Pekin.  111., 
to  erect  and  equip,  at  that  place,  a  sanitarium  and  hospital,  to  be  known 
as  The  Sanitarium  and  Hospital  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  and 
also  to  erect  and  establish  in  connection  therewith  a  Home  for  Disabled 
Ministers,  Ministers'  Widows  and  Orphans,  the  entire  property  to  be 
owned  and  administered  by  the  Reformed  Church  in  America. 

Your  Committee  having  conferred  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sonnema  and 
others  regarding  the  project,  would  unanimously  move  the  following 
resolutions : 

1st.  That  this  Synod  gratefully  acknowledges  the  generous  spirit 
and  purpose  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sonnema  and  the  Mayor  and  citizens  of 
Pekin,  111.,  in  their  laudable  effort  to  provide  such  an  institution  for  our 
church. 

2d.  That  the  Synod  recognizes  in  this  suggestion  a  possible  oppor- 
tunity to  provide  for  two  Benevolent  Boards  of  our  Church,  such  facilities 
for  carrying  out  their  purposes,  as  their  present  straitened  finances 
make  imperative  and  urgent. 

3d.  That  the  Synod's  Board  of  Direction  be  authorized  to  make 
diligent  inquiry  into  the  adaptability  of  Pekin,  111.,  both  in  natural  re- 
sources and  geographical  position,  for  such  a  purpose,  and  as  to  the  finan- 
cial ability  and  willingness  of  its  citizens  to  build,  equip  and  sustain  the 
said  institutions. 

4th.  That  on  recommendation  of  the  Board  of  Direction  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Sonnema  be  endorsed  as  Synod's  Agent,  for  one  year,  to  solicit 
funds  for  the  proposed  institutions,  as  well  as  for  the  General  Treasury 
of  the  Disabled  Ministers'  and  Widows'  Funds.  1900.  775-6.  Report 
accepted  and  adopted,  excepting  Resolutions  4,  5,  6.  resolution  4,  referred 
to  Bd.  of  Direction,  to  report  next  year;  resolutions  5  and  6,  laid  on  the 
table.     No  report,  1901. 

Saratoga,  Classis  of.  Organized  in  1857,  consisting  of  churches 
of  Boght,  Cohoes,  Easton,  Fort  Miller.  Gancsvoort.  Jackson,  Northum- 
berland, Rensselaer,  Saratoga.  Schagticoke,  Southwest  Troy,  Tiossiock, 
Union  Village,  Waterford,  West  Troy,  Wynantskill. 


670         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Satisfaction  for  offences,  shall  be  made,  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Consistory,  in  a  public  manner.  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts. 
71,  75;  Constitution  of  1833,  Art.  103;  of  1874,  95. 

Satisfaction  of  Christ.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  20,  21,  34;  Heid.  Cate- 
chism, Quests.  I,  12-19,  40,  56,  60;  Canons  of  Dort,  ii.  1-3. 

Saving  Good.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  24;  Canons  of  Dort,  i.  9;  iii.  and  iv.  3. 

Saviour.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  21,  22;  Heid.  Catechism,  Quests.  29,  30; 
Canons  of  Dort.,  ii.  4,  9. 

Scandalous  Traffic.  An  offence  deserving  discipline.  Constits.  of 
1619,  Art.  80;  of  1833,  Art.  102;  of  1874,  Art.  91. 

Schaddellee,  Martha.  Gives  $785  for  Memorial  Bed  in  Sio-khe 
Hospital. 

Schaefer,  Andrew  J.;  Legacies:  to  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions,  $150; 
to  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions,  $150. 

Schaff,  Philip.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Allusion  to,  in  connection  with  Dr. 
Nevin,  Oct.,  1855,  535 ;  his  Catechism  cannot  be  formally  endorsed  by 
Synod,  but  is  valuable  for  un-denominational  work,  as  that  of  Am.  S.  S. 
Union,  1900,  747. 

ScHANCK,   Daniel  J.,    Scholarship.    $3,000,    i860,   486. 

Schell,  Mary  Taber,  Hospital  in  India.  In  process  of  construe- 
tion,  1902,  97.     Opened  in  Oct.,  1902 ;  see  Report  of  Bd.  For  Mis.,  1903,  viii. 

Schemes  of  the  Church.     1889,  832.     See  Benevolent  Purposes. 

ScHENCK,  Ferdinand.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1892; 
gives  one  of  the  Graves  Lectures,  1897,  611 ;  elected  Prof,  of  Pastoral  The- 
ology and  Sacred  Rhetoric,  1899,  386 ;  publishes  "Bible  Reader's  Guide ;" 
"The  Ten  Commandments ;"  "Modern  Practical  Theology." 

ScHENCK,  JosiAH.  Givcs  Legacy  of  $3,537.15;  held  by  B'd.  of  Dom. 
Missions. 

Schenectady  Academy.  Organization  delayed ;  committee  continued, 
May,   1785,   135;   Oct.,   1785,   140;    1788,   180.     Regents'   Bulletin,   1893,  236. 

Schenectady,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1826;  page  46;  consisting  then 
of  the  churches  of  Amity,  Boght,  Glenville  ist,  Glenville  2d,  Helderbergh, 
Niskayuma,  Rotterdam  ist,  Rotterdam  2d,  and  Schenectady. 

Schermerhorn,  John  F.  (Rev.)  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  re- 
quest General  Synod's  opinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  receiving  candidates 
from  the  Congregational  Church,  without  examination,  1814,  29 ;  report 
of  Committee;  Synod  of  Albany  directed  to  enjoin  upon  the  Classis  of 
Montgomery,  to  enquire  into  the  sentiments  and  views  of  Mr.  Schermer- 
horn, 1814,  35,  36;  offers  his  services  on  a  mission  tour  in  Canada  for 
three  months ;  accepted  by  Mission  Committee,  1817,  10,  35 ;  supplies  for 
his  pulpit  for  three  months,  1817,  38,  39;  success  of  his  work;  expenses, 
$195;  1818,  8,  9,  34;  delegated  to  the  German  Church,  1827,  zi  \  1830,  255; 
appointed  delegate  to  visit  Holland  to  solicit  funds  for  the  Theological 
College,  1827,  37  (see  1826,  57)  ;  appointed  Agent  by  the  Northern  Agency 
of  the  Board  of  Missions  to  call  out  the  resources  of  the  Church  and 
determine  the  proper  missionary  fields,  1829,  205 ;  discharged,  1830,  291, 
293-4,  296;  appointed  by  Board  of  Direction  Nov.  25,  1829,  as  their  Agent 
to  collect  the  outstanding  subscriptions  on  the  Second  and  Third  Pro- 
fessorships, and  secure  additional  subscriptions  on  Professorial  Endow- 
ments, 1830,  238;  collections  small;  but  he  gives  valuable  information, 
1830,  238,  298;  appointed  General  Agent  of  the  Church,  at  a  salary  of 
$1,300,  including  necessary  traveling  expenses,  etc.,  to  raise  funds  for  the 
Missionary  Society,  the  Education  Society,  and  the  Theological  School, 
the  "Plan"  having  received  the  approbation  of  the  two  Particular  Synods 
(New   York  and  Albany),  and  is  now   recommended  by  General   Synod, 


SCHERMERHORN,  JOHN  F.  (Rev.)  671 

1830,  290-300:  his  report:  had  visited  127  churches  and  had  secured  sub- 
scriptions as  follows  :  in  the 

Particular  Synod  of  New  York $5,911.89 

Particular  Synod  of  Albany 9,740.57 

(Details   given.)         Total $15,652.46 

Of  this  amount  there  had  been  subscribed: 

For    Missions $8,298.98 

For    Education 4,533.04 

For  Theological  College 2,818.09 

Total    $15,650. 1 1 

[Slight   discrepancy   in   the  figures.]     1831,   373-8. 

Importance  of  continued  success.  Again  appointed  General  Agent, 
with  same  salary,  1831,  377.  Immediate  efforts  to  be  made  to  pay  his 
back  salary  and  provide  for  his  future  support.  Ministers  and  Consis- 
tories urged  to  co-operate,  1831,  378.  Bd.  of  Missions  directed  to  pay  his 
salary  for  the  coming  year  by  private  subscription;  and  the  Bd.  of  Mis- 
sions to  pay  three-fourths,  and  Bd.  of  Education,  one-fourth,  for  the  past 
year.  183 1,  386-7.  The  Bd.  of  Corporation  requested  permission  to  em- 
ploy their  own  agents,  for  one  year,  to  raise  funds  for  the  Theological 
Professors  and  the  contingent  expenses  of  Gen.  Synod ;  and  to  allow  a 
certain  percentage  on  the  amounts  collected;  and  that  "The  General 
Agent  have  no  further  concern  in  raising  moneys  for  the  Theological  Col- 
lege," 183 1,  373- 

Meantime  articles  appeared  in  the  recently  started  "Christian  Intelli- 
gencer," impugning  ]\Ir.  Schermerhorn's  character  as  General  Agent  of 
Synod.  He  thereupon  demanded  a  Committee  of  Investigation.  See  his 
letter.  But  Synod  refused  to  investigate,  and  expressed  their  full  confi- 
dence in  him,  and  recommended  him  to  the  confidence  of  the  churches, 
Nov.,  1831,  10.  [An  elaborate  statement  of  all  his  accounts,  and  a 
thorough  vindication  of  himself  are  found  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer 
in  the  fall  of  1831.]  Appointed  delegate  to  German  Ch.,  1832,  44;  report, 
Oct.,  '32,  106. 

His  report  in  1832  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee.  He  had 
collected  of  the  moneys  previously  subscribed  for  the  Theological  College, 
$778-55.  He  had  procured  new  subscriptions  for  Missions  and  Education 
as  follows : 

For  Board  of  ^lissions $5,434.67 

For    Education 2,057.27 

Total    $7,491.94 

1832,  75- 

The  subject  of  such  an  Agency  for  raising  money  is  very  elaborately 
discussed,  involving  the  whole  policy  of  the  Church  in  reference  to  the 
extension  of  Christ's  Kingdom,  and  in  conclusion  it  was 

''Resolved,  That  an  Agency,  in  behalf  of  our  Missionary  and  Educa- 
tion operations  be  continued  and  prosecuted  with  additional  effort  during 
the  current  year." 

"Resolved,  That  the  present  Agent  be  re-appointed  for  the  current 
year."     1832,  75-84. 

But  Mr.  Schermerhorn  now  in  a  courteous  letter,  believing  that  the 
enlarged  policy  of  the  Church  was  established,  resigned  his  laborious  posi- 
tion, and  received  the  hearty  thanks  of  the  Synod,   183 1,  84,  85. 

See  Schermerhorn,  John  F.,  on  page  700  of  Corwin's  Manual,  4th 
ed.     1902. 

A  letter  from,  on  extending  the  Church  in  the  Western  States; 
churches  started  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  Fairview,  111.;  Board  of  Missions 


672         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

directed  to  embrace  the  earliest  opportunities  to  extend  Church  opera- 
tions in  the  West.  1839,  287,  289;  Classis  of  Ilhnois  formed;  Mr.  Scher- 
merhorn  is  laboring  in  Indiana,  1842,  133;  a  note  of  J.  F.  Schermerhorn 
for  $510;  1845,  409;  offers  to  pay  his  note  a  year  hence,  if  back  interest 
be  cancelled;  allowed;  1846,  12;  his  death,  1851,  149;  Board  of  Direction 
authorized  to  effect  a  settlement  of  his  note  of  1846,  190;  his  widow  prom- 
ises to  settle,  when  practicable,  1852,  214,  274. 

ScHiEFFELiN,  Samuel  B.,  gives  $100  to  Board  of  Education :  to  be 
used  for  the  best  tract,  or  the  republication  of  tracts,  toward  developing 
a  missionary  spirit  in  the  churches,  1850,  71 ;  tract  prepared  by  Rev.  Dr. 
M.  S.  Hutton,  on  the  Education  of  Young  Men  for  the  Ministry.  185 1, 
183-4;  deposits  $100  toward  the  establishment  of  a  Parochial  School, 
1851,  184;  sends  a  communication  to  Synod  on  the  subject  of  Parochial 
Schools ;  Synod  cannot  adopt  the  system  of  Parochial  Schools,  but  sug- 
gests his  liberal  donation  be  given  to  the  Holland  Academy,  Holland, 
Mich.,  1853,  300,  362;  Synod's  attention  again  called  to  Mr.  Schieffelin's 
liberal  proposal  of  $7,000  for  Parochial  Schools ;  plan  of  Parochial  Schools 
adopted,  1854,  362,  398,  448,  454-6;  gives  $50  to  be  used  toward  awakening 
the  Church  to  pray  for  laborers,  1854,  458;  contributes  $300  to  the  Sus- 
tentation  Fund ;  its  disposal,  1857,  136,  241 ;  offers  $4,000  to  Bd.  of  Publi- 
cation, on  certain  conditions,  to  publish  a  series  of  Christian  School 
Books,  1857,  241 ;  gives  $3,000  toward  Parochial  School  Fund,  1869.  553, 
554^  557;  appointed  a  delegate  to  the  Alliance  of  Presbyterian  Churches 
to  meet  at  Edinburgh,  1877 ;  1876,  450 ;  gives  set  of  electrotype  plates 
in  the  Spanish  language,  and  500  copies  of  his  work — "A  Word  to  Chris- 
tian Teachers,"  to  Board  of  Publication;  thanked;  1881,  782;  gives  473 
volumes  to  Library  of  Hope  College,  1882,  119;  gives  stereotype  plates  of 
his  book,  "An  Index  of  the  Bible,"  to  Bd.  of  Pubhcation,  1886,  in.  See 
Parochial  Schools. 

Schism,  Public.  Parties  guilty  of  deserve  suspensio'n ;  Constitu- 
tions of  1619,  Art.  80;  of  1833,  102;  of  1874,  91.  Those  given  to  raise 
discord,  sects  or  mutiny  in  Church  or  State,  forbidden  the  Lord's  Supper. 
See  Form  for  Administering  Lord's  Supper. 

Schoharie,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1826,  46;  then  consisting  of 
churches  of  Beaverdam,  Blenheim,  Breakabin,  Broome,  Cobleskill.  Middle- 
burgh,  New  Rhinebeck,  Oakhill,  Root,  Roxbury,  Schoharie,  Schoharie 
Mount,  Sharon,  Summit,  Windham. 

Scholarships.  The  congregations  shall  endeavor  to  raise  Public 
Funds  for  the  support  of  students  in  Theology;  Constitution  of  1619,  Art. 
19 ;  any  person  giving  to  the  Synod  $3,000  shall  be  considered  as  having 
established  a  Scholarship  in  said  [Theological]  College,  which  shall  bear 
the  name  of  the  donor ;  and  every  additional  $3,000  shall  bear  such  name 
as  the  donor  may  direct.     1818,  40,  41. 

For  lists  of  Scholarships,  see  Education,  Board  of. 

Schoolmasters,  under  the  care  of  a  Consistory,  shall  subscribe  the 
Belgic  Confession  of  Faith  or  the  Heidelberg  Catechism.  Constitution  of 
1619,  Arts.  53,  54;  shall  not  be  ordained,  unless  exhibiting  singular  talents, 
piety,  the  gift  of  utterance,  etc. ;  and  after  having  sought  the  approbation 
of   [Particular]    Synod,  1619,  Art.  8. 

[Schoolmasters,  especially  in  the  Colonies,  often  sought  ordination.] 

Schools.  Theological  Seminaries  are  thus  designated  in  the  Con- 
stitution, 1833,  Art.  4;  of  1874,  Art.  4;  schools  established  for  educating 
poor  children,  1812,  436;  1809,  396;  see  Parochial  Schools;  Sabbath  and 
Sunday  Schools;  Public  Schools.  National  Reform  Association  ask  that 
second  Sunday  in  Sept.  be  appointed  as  a  day  of  prayer  for  schools; 
have  day  of  prayer  for  Colleges ;  schools  always  remembered ;  hardly 
advisable.     1902,  129,  130. 


SCHOONMAKER.  JACOB  (Rev.)  673 

ScHOON MAKER,  Jacob.  (Rcv.)  Translates  the  Dutch  Minutes  of 
Gen.  Synod;  thanked;  ordered  pubHshed,  1830,  235-6  [not  done];  ap- 
pointed delegate  to  Ger.  Refd.  Synod,  1830,  255;  report,  1831,  246. 

ScHOON MAKER,  Martin  V.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Memorial  Window  in  Sage 
Library,  by  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Bergen,  and  the  Church  of  Walden. 
Report  of  Com.  on  Property,  1904,  4. 

ScHOONMAKER,    Peter    P.    Legacy    to    Education    Fund,    $2,850,    1892, 
472 ;  legacy  of  $3,000  for  benefit  of  Northwestern  Academy,  1902,  78,  79,  86. 

Schraalenberg,  N.  J.  Memorial  from,  relative  to  the  Secession, 
1823,  41 ;  action  of  Gen.  Synod  in  reference  to  Classis  of  Paramus  not 
deposing  Consistory  of,  1824,  34,  35. 

Schuneman,  William.  Appointed  Financial  Agent  by  Bd.  of  Di- 
rection on  Sept.  4,  1829;  collects  old  subscriptions  on  the  Professorships, 
and  obtains  new  ones,  1830,  236,  238,  246-251,  291;  reappointed  agent; 
statement  of  his  accounts,  1831,  319,  320;  his  accounts  deposited  in  Archives, 
1831,  389,  391  ;  reappointed  agent ;  collects  subscriptions,  $1,681 ;  importance 
of  an  Agent,  1832,  27-35;  'lis  reports;  has  collected  $1,243;  expenses,  $600; 
agent  given  up,  1833,  165-8,  218;  but  again  appointed;  partial  success, 
1835,  355,  359- 

Schureman,  John.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  President  of  General  Synod, 
1815,  5;  elected  Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist,  and  Pastoral  Theology;  accepts;  1815, 
45,  46,  49;  arrangements  for  his  inauguration,  Oct.,  1815,  15;  resigns  the 
Presidency  of  Gen.  Synod,  Oct.,  1815,  16;  signs  the  Formula  for  Profes- 
sors, Constitution  of  1619,  Art.  53;  of  1792,  Art.  22;  certificate  of  his  ap- 
pointment given,  drawn  up  by  a  Committee,  Oct.,  1815,  16;  his  salary 
$1,200,  and  the  use  of  a  part  of  the  College  Building,  1816,  34;  to  be  paid 
out  of  any  moneys  in  the  Treasury,  1817,  33;  his  death,  1818,  12,  13,  32;  a 
tombstone  to  be  erected,  1818,  39 ;  performed,  1819,  49. 

Scotch  Church.     See  Associate  Reformed  Church. 

Scotland,  Church  of.     See  United  Associate  Synod  of. 

Scotland,  Free  Church  of.  Rev.  Dr.  Bonner  [Bonar],  Convener 
of,  suggested  Correspondence. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  are  gratified  to  receive  the  intimation 
that  the  opening  of  a  correspondence  will  be  acceptable  to  the  Free 
Church  of  Scotland,  and  cordially  accede  to  such  an  arrangement.  Com- 
mittee appointed.     Oct.,    1855,    12,    15. 

Letter  written  to,  by  said  Committee ;  answer  received ;  copy  of  their 
Proceeding,  held  at  Edinburgh,  May,  1856,  received ;  same  Committee  con- 
tinued ;  second  letter  from  Dr.  Bonar,  reed. ;  had  a  Mission  to  the  Jews 
in  Amsterdam,  with  a  Collegiate  Institution  for  training  Evangelists  for 
the  Continent ;  stands  in  friendly  relations  lo  the  Dutch  National  Church, 
1857,  152;  copies  of  Minutes  of  Free  Church,  for  1857,  1858,  reed.;  1859, 
392;  documents  on  their  Foreign  Missionary  Enterprise,  and  on  their 
Colonial  Missions,  reed. ;  copies  of  our  Minutes  to  be  sent  to,  i860.  507-8 ; 
greetings  from ;  congratulations  on  results  of  the  War,  and  destruction  of 
slavery ;  Rev.  Dr.  Ab.  R.  Van  Nest,  appointed  delegate  to  their  next 
meeting,  1866,  11,  44;  Rev.  Dr.  Patrick  Fairbairn,  and  Rev.  Jas.  Wells  ap- 
peared as  delegates  from  Scotland,  1867,  194 ;  letter  from  delegates  of, 
reed. ;  our  Minutes  to  be  sent  with  a  letter  expressing  regret  that  their 
delegates  were  unable  to  be  present.     1874,  59- 

Allusion  to  the  Mission  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  India; 
its  recognition  of  the  facilities  offered  by  the  Arcot  Theological  Semi- 
nary, suggesting  union  of  forces  on  the  foreign  field,  1899,  390.  See 
Arcot  Theological  Seminary. 

The  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches  reports  hopeful  signs  of  Church 


674         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Union  between  Presbyterian  Churches  in  Scotland,  viz.,  The  United  Pres- 
byterian Church  and  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.     1900,  780. 

1901. 

3.  A  communication,  dated  July  5,  1900,  from  the  joint  Committee 
of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Scotland,  giving  notice  of  the  union  of  these  two  denominations  in  one 
body,  and  inviting  our  Synod  to  send  delegates  to  the  consummation  of 
this  union  October  31,  1900.  Our  Stated  Clerk  promptly  acknowledged 
this  invitation  and  made  known  our  inability  to  send  delegates. 

We  recommend  that  our  Stated  Clerk  be  requested  to  send  to  the 
Moderator  of  the  United  Churches  the  hearty  congratulations  of  this 
Synod  that  the  churches  that  were  two  are  now  one,  and  express  our 
earnest  prayer  that  they  may  be  abundantly  blessed  in  their  united  efforts 
in  the  cause  of  Christ.     1901,  1126. 

Scott,  Austin.  (Dr.)  As  President  of  Rutgers  College,  addresses 
Gen.  Synod,  1891,  425;  elected  Vice-President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1894,  10; 
•elected  member  of  Bd.  of  Education,  1897,  645 ;  elected  member  of  Com- 
mittee on  the  State  of  the  Church,  1899,  506;  elected  member  of  Bd.  of 
Education,  1903,  352. 

Scott,  Charles.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Being  a  Professor  in  Hope  College, 
was  elected  a  Lector  of  Church  History,  Government,  etc.,  by  Gen.  Synod, 
1867,  271;  re-elected,  1869;  re-elected,  1870,  11 1;  re-elected  without  limi- 
tation of  time,  1875,  335;  elected  President  of  General  Synod,  1875,  199; 
elected  Provisional  President  of  Hope  College,  1880,  549;  '82,  118;  '83, 
314;  elected  President  of  Hope  College,  '85,  740;  resigns  his  Lectorship 
in  Hope  College,  '85,  743 ;  preaches  at  Inauguration  of  Prof.  Steffens,  '85, 
742 ;  delivered  an  address  at  Centennial  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary, 
1885  ;  addresses  Synod  in  behalf  of  Educational  Institutions  in  the  West, 
'89,  793;  resigns  Presidency  of  Hope  College,  '92,  524;  his  dearth,  1894,  84; 
sketch  of,  212. 

Scudder,  Ezekiel  C.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Asks  for  a  dispensation  from  full 
course,  to  study  medicine,  1854,  392;  missionary  in  Arcot  Mission,  India, 
1855-76 ;  allusion  to,  1859,  455 ;  his  death,  1896,  390 ;  sketch,  1896,  494. 

Scudder,  Henry  M.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  in  India,  1844-64; 
preaches  before  Synod,  1859,  455;  his  death,  1895,  no;  '96,  390;  sketch 
of,  1895,  190. 

Scudder,  Jared  W.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Asks  for  dispensation  from  full 
course,  to  study  medicine,  1854,  392 ;  missionary  in  India,  1855  to  present 
time  (1906);  alluded  to,  1859,  455;  returns  to  Mission  Field,  1862,  195-6; 
appointed  delegate  to  Alliance  of  Presbyt.  Churches  at  Edinburgh,  1876, 
450;  in  charge  of  Theological  Department,  Arcot  Seminary,  India,  1895, 
65,  73,  75;  elected  Professor,  1895,  80,  81;  installed  (Jan.  11,  1896),  1896, 
339,  340>  343,  349 ;  granted  a  furlough,  1904,  666 ;  return  to  India,  1905,  73,  78. 

Scudder,  John,  Sr.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  in  India,  1819-55;  the 
father  missionary.  (The  allusions  to  the  missionaries,  by  name,  in 
the  Minutes  of  Synod  are  only  occasional.  The  facts  are  to  be 
sought  in  the  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.)  Com- 
munication from,  Sept.,  1841,  7;  addresses  Synod  on  the  "State  of 
the  Heathen,"  1843,  250;  commended  to  the  affectionate  reception  of 
the  churches  he  may  visit,  1843,  257;  his  efficient  labors  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  country,  especially  among  the  children;  expects  to 
return  to  India  in  1846,  a  second  son  accompanying  him,  1845,  495-6; 
sympathy  of  Synod  with,  on  the  loss  of  his  son,  Samuel  D.,  1850,  96; 
laboring  among  the  Tamils,  1852,  279;  letters  from;  desires  to  form 
Classis  of  Arcot,  1853,  371 ;  authority  given  by  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York,  1854,  474;  his  death  in  South  Africa,  1855,  541,  603-4;  Bd.  of  Pub- 
lication requested  to  publish  his  "Voice  from  the  East,"  1855,  607;  this 
work  ought  to  be  in  every  S.  S.  Library,  1856,  119;  allusion  to,  1859,  455; 


SCUDDER,  JOHN,  JR.  (Rev.  Dr.)  675 

monument  in  his  memory,  ought  to  be  erected  in  India;  Committee  ap- 
pointed to  raise  funds  for  same,  1859,  465  ;  appeal  to  the  children  to  raise 
the  funds;  $1,300  produced,  i860,  563;  committee  propose  to  put  monu- 
ment in  Greenwood ;  Synod  refused,  i860,  569 ;  to  be  erected  in  front  of 
Hertzog  Hall,  1861,  84,  85 ;  to  be  removed  from  Hertzog  Hall,  1862,  194, 
250;  1863,  331;  1864,  398,  485;  Committee  on  Grounds  to  remove  it,  1864, 
485.  [It  was  finally  placed  in  the  yard  of  the  First  Church  of  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.] 

ScuDDER,  John,  Jr.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Asks  for  a  dispensation  from  full 
course,  to  study  medicine,  1859,  377,  449;  missionary  in  India,  1869-1900; 
delivers  Graves  Lecture  in  Seminary,  1897,  611;  elected  Vice-President  of 
General  Synod,  1897,  556;  his  death,  1901,  iioo;  sketch  of,  1901,  901-3. 

ScuDDER,  Joseph.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Asked  dispensation  from  part  of  studies 
on  account  of  sickness;  granted;  1851,  190;  licensed;  commissioned  by 
Am.  Board,  1852,  279 ;  sailed  in  June,  1853 ;  reached  Arcot  in  Oct. ;  1854, 
473-4;  missionary  in  India,  1853-60;  alluded  to,  1859,  455;  gives  $1,000 
to  Bd.  of  Education,  1880;  gives  $2,000  for  a  Scholarship  in  India;  held 
by  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions ;  income  paid  to  Bd.  of  Direction. 

ScuDDER  Monument.     See  under  Scudder,  John  (Sr.). 

ScuDDERj  Samuel.  Recommended  for  aid  on  Van  Bunschoten  Funds, 
Sept.,  1841,  27;  dies  while  in  the  Seminary,  1850,  96;  his  death,  1851, 
129,  130. 

Scudder,  Silas.  (M.D.)  Asks  for  dispensation  to  be  ordained; 
granted,  1862,  193,  196-7 ;  missionary  in  India,  1862-74 ;  efficiency  of  his 
Hospital  service;  commended  by  Lord  Napier,  1874,  HQJ  withdraws  from 
the  Mission  Field,  1874,  141. 

Scudder,  William  W.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  in  India,  1846-93; 
laboring  among  the  Tamils,  1852,  279 ;  welcomed  to  Synod,  1856,  225 ; 
alluded  to,  1859,  455 ;  withdraws  from  the  Mission  Field,  1874,  141 5  elected 
Professor  in  Arcot  Seminary,  1889,  775 ;  resigns  as  Professor  in  Arcot 
Seminary,  1895,  65,  73,  74;  his  death,  1895,  95,  no;  sketch  of,  1895,  214. 

Sealing  of  the  Covenant,  i.  By  Baptism;  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  33,  34; 
Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  66;  Rules  of  Church  Government,  1619,  Art.  56.  Forms 
of  Baptism. — 2.  By  the  Lord's  Supper.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  33 ;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quest.  66.  [The  sealing  character  of  these  ordinances  is  not  alluded  to 
in  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.  of  1792,  1833,  1874.] 

Sealing  of  the  Spirit.  Belgie.  Conf.,  Art.  27;  Canons  of  Dort,  v.  8. 
See  Earnest  of  the  Spirit. 

Seal  of  the  Church^.  1819,  46;  committee  to  procure  a  seal,  with 
a  suitable  device  and  inscription,  1819,  47 ;  seal  to  be  altered,  to  conform 
to  the  change  of  Name,  1870,  46 ;  new  seal  prepared,  very  nearly  a  fac- 
simile of  the  old  one,  excepting  the  Inscription,  1871,  187-8.  Calls  should 
be  sealed  with  the  seal  of  the  corporation  of  the  congregation ;  Constit.  of 
1874,  Art.  56. 

Seals  of  the  Covenant.     See  Sealing  of  the  Covenant,  above. 

Seamen's  Friend's  Society.     See  Am.  S.  F.  S. 

Searcher,  The.  A  Magazine  started  by  Rev.  Dr.  Philip  Phelps,  in 
1863,  while  Principal  of  the  Holland  Academy,  in  the  interest  of  the 
Western  churches.  It  continued  only  for  a  year  or  two.  See  Corwin's 
Manual,  4th  ed.,  pp.  654-5. 

Searle,  Jeremiah.  (Rev.)  Complaint  of  Rev.  Cornelius  Bogardus 
and  Christian  Miller,  against  Classis  of  Albany  in  relation  to  their  ordina- 
tion of  Mr.  Searle,  1823,  50,  51;  complaint  stated,  1824,  48;  Synod  refused 
to  censure  Classis  of  Albany  for  receiving  a  licentiate  from  the  Congre- 


676         DIGEST   OFSYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

gational  Church,  hut  requested  the  Classis  to  inquire  of  Mr.  Searle  his 
views  on  certain  doctrines,  1824,  49;  his  views  unanimously  declared  by 
Synod  satisfactory,   1825,  28-30. 

Searle,  John  Preston.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Professor  of  Didactic 
and  Polemic  Theology,  1893,  773-4;  publishes  Outline  Sketch  of  Theo- 
logical Encyclopedia,   1903. 

Secessions.  There  have  been  several  Secessions  of  ministers  and 
churches  at  different  times ;  as  of  certain  ministers  and  churches  from 
the  Coetus,  1755-1771.  See  Minutes,  Gen.  Synod,  pp.  xciv-cxxii,  where 
partial  details  are  given  from  the  Seceders'  side  [that  of  the  Conferentie]  ; 
the  Minutes  of  the  Main  Body  of  the  Church,  the  CcEtus,  for  this  period, 
were  long  lost,  but  were  recovered  in  Holland,  by  Dr.  Corwin,  in  1897-8; 
see  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York,  Vol.  V,  pp.  3480 — to  end  of  Vol.,  and 
first  part  of  Vol.  VI,  down  to  1771.  For  general  history  of  this  Seces- 
sion of  1 755- 1 771,  see  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.,   1902,  107- 117. 

Another  Secession  occurred  in  1822,  led  by  Rev.  Dr.  Solomon  Froe- 
ligh,  with  four  suspended  ministers.  The  matter  was  brought  before 
the  Synod  in  the  form  of  certain  Memorials  from  the  ministers  and 
churches  chiefly  affected,  those  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenberg.  Dr. 
Froeligh,  being  also  a  Professor  of  Theology,  was  suspended  from  the 
ministry  by  the  General  Synod,  to  which  he  was  directly  amenable. 
This  Secession,  styling  itself  "The  True  Reformed  Dutch  Church,"  reached 
its  culmination  in  1830,  after  which  it  began  to  dwindle.  For  a  full  list 
of  ministers  and  churches  connected  with  it,  down  to  1859.  see  Corwin's 
Manual,  ist  ed.,  1859,  pp.  134-137.  For  references  in  Minutes  of  Gen. 
Synod,  see  1823,  41-44;  1824,  34,  35,  43,  46,  51,  52.  See  also  Jacob  Brinck- 
erhoff's  Hist,  of  the  True  Refd.  Dutch  Church,  written  from  an  intimate 
personal  knowledge  of  all  the  facts ;  Taylor's  Annals  of  the  Classis  of 
Bergen,  1857 ;  but  fullest  accounts,  in  Hist,  of  Classis  of  Paramus,  1902. 
Allusions  in  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.,  1902,  pp.  136-141,  etc.  The  remnant 
of  this  Secession  in  1890,  joined  "The  Christian  Refd.  Church,"  which 
see,  on  page  128  of  this  Digest. 

Another  Secession  occurred  among  the  Hollanders  of  the  West  in 
1882  because  Synod  would  not  accede  to  their  demands  to  take  action 
against  Masonry,  in  general,  altho'  not  regularly  brought  before  the 
Synod  by  judicial  processes  upon  individual  cases. 

Second  Advent.     Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  37. 

Second  Professorship  at  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  See  New 
Brunswick  Sem. 

Second  Professorship  (Theological)  at  Hope  College.  See  Western 
Seminary. 

Secretaries  of  the  Boards.     See  Corresponding  Secretaries. 

Secretary.  See  Clerk  for  Constitutional  legislation.  With  the  Con- 
vention for  Union,  1771,  they  began  to  elect  a  clerk  with  a  secundus,  1771, 
7,  Art.  4;  this  continued  down  to  1793,  in  the  old  Synod;  with  the  organ- 
izing of  the  General  Synod  in  1794,  two  clerks  were  to  be  chosen,  one 
for  the  English  language,  and  one  for  the  Dutch,  but  the  English  Miri- 
utes  were  to  be  considered  the  official  copy,  1794,  257;  in  1800,  the  Presi- 
dent and  clerks  began  to  be  chosen  by  ballot,  and  two  clerks  to  be  elected, 
1800,  275.  This  continues  to  be  the  custom  to  the  present  time.  The 
clerks  shall  furnish  the  Stated  Clerk,  as  soon  as  possible  after  adjourn- 
ment,  with   a   fair   copy   of   the    Minutes.     .     .     .     1800,   312. 

Secret  Oath  Bound  Societies.     See  Free  Masonry. 

Sectarian  Appropriations.  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions  commended  for 
uniting  with  other  Home  Boards,  in  memorializing  Congress  against 
governmental    appropriations    for    sectarian    purposes,    especially    against 


SECTS  677 

the  continuance  of  government  support  of  Roman  Catholic  Schools  among 
the  American  Indians,  1899,  450. 

Sects.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  29;  Rules  of  1619,  Art.  9.  See  Admission 
of  Ministers. 

Secular  VocatioiX.  Minister  not  at  liberty  to  devote  himself  to  a 
secular  vocation  without  important  reasons,  1619,  Art.  12 ;  1833,  Art.  17 ; 
1874,  Art.  15. 

Secundi.  To  be  appointed  to  the  Deputati  Synodi,  primarii,  1794, 
260;  Partic.  Synod,  1799,  479;  Mints.  Gen.  Synod,  1815,  31;  see  Rules 
of  Order. 

Segavva,  a.  (Rev.)  A  Japanese  minister,  comes  as  a  delegate  from 
Japan ;  addressed  the  Synod;  1896,  417,  420;  becomes  a  Special  Student 
in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1897,  610. 

Self-Examination.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  35 ;  Form  for  administering 
the  Supper. 

Semelink  Family  Mission  Fund.  $14,000.  Held  by  the  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions. 

Semelink,  Peter  and  Family.  Give  $2,000  for  Scholarship  in  Arcot 
Seminary,  1894,  52;  '95,  18,  26;  erect  the  Semilink  Family  Hall  at  Holland, 
Mich.,  1895,  63,  T2,  85 ;  '96,  360 ;  importance  of  its  endowment,  '96,  329, 
ZZT,  347;  '97j  624;  '98,  ZIT^  endowed  by  family,  with  $3,000.  1902,  60, 
66,  72;   1903,  326. 

Semi-Centennial  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  As  located 
at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  1810-1860.  See  papers  and  speeches  in  Chris- 
tian Intelligencer  under  date. 

Semi-Centennial  Reports.  Reports  were  made  upon  the  "State  of 
the  Church"  in  1792,  1848  and  1900.  Each  of  these  was  of  a  general  nature, 
reviewing  the  condition  of  the  Church  as  a  whole,  and  for  a  long  period. 
In  the  first,  the  American  Polity  of  the  Church  was  fixed ;  in  the  second, 
the  general  Policy  of  the  Church  was  reviewed  and  suggestions  made ;  in 
the  third,  the  history  and  operations  of  the  Church  were  reviewed,  up  to 
the  opening  of  the  Twentieth  Century,  and  suggestions  made  for  enlarged 
operations  in  behalf  of  the  Kingdom.     See  "State  of  the  Church." 

Seminaries.  See  New  Brunswick  Sem. ;  Western  Sem. ;  Arcot 
Seminary. 

Seminary  Grounds  and  Property — Standing  Committee  of.  [So 
called  since  1876;  before  that,  known  as  the  "Standing  Com.  on  the  Peter 
Hertzog  Theological  Hall."]  With  the  erection  of  Hertzog  Hall  it  be- 
came necessary  to  have  a  Committee  to  care  for  the  property.  This 
Committee  consisted  at  first  of  the  three  Professors  then  in  service,  and 
three  others.  Rev.  Drs.  Bethune,  Chambers  and  T.  C  Strong.  1857,  215. 
In  1864,  473,  the  Standing  Committee  began  to  hold  regular  meetings,  to 
keep  minutes,  and  to  report  to  the  Bd.  of  Superintendents ;  but  in  1865, 
627,  the  Standing  Com.  was  directed  to  report  directly  to  General  Synod, 
from  whence  they  received  their  appointment.  In  1866,  93,  94,  the  Pro- 
fessors complained  of  the  burden  imposed  on  them  in  caring  for  the 
property  and  raising  money.  They,  therefore,  requested  the  Synod  to  ap- 
point a  Committee  of  practical  business  men  to  attend  to  this  business.  At 
first  temporary  Committees  were  appointed,  1866.  95,  one,  to  raise  money, 
another  to  look  after  the  property;  1867,  257,  341,  346.  In  1868.  473,  the 
Faculty  repeated  earnestly  the  request  of  1866.  Such  a  Committee  was 
now  appointed,  1868,  478-9,  486,  and  styled  the  Com.  on  "The  Peter 
Hertzog  Theological  Hall,"  to  consist  of  ten  persons,  one  of  whom  should 
be  from  the  Faculty.  This  number  was  reduced  to  six  in  1869,  645,  only 
one  of  whom  was  to  be  of  the  Faculty,  and  it  thus  continued  until  1895, 
61,  71,  when  all  the  members  of  the  Faculty  were  added  to  the  Committee. 
According  to  the   Constitution  of  this   Com.,    1868,  478-91,   it   was   to 


678  DIGEST  OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

consist  of  nine  laymen  (names,  486),  and  one  member  of  the  Faculty; 
they  were  authorized  to  appoint  a  financial  agent  to  raise  money  for  en- 
dowments and  other  Seminary  interests;  to  pay  over  such  funds  to  the 
Bd.  of  Direction  except  what  were  needed  for  repairs;  to  hold  meetings 
quarterly,  or  oftener ;  to  be  the  Executive  Com.  of  the  Bd.  of  Superin- 
tendents, to  report  to  said  Board,  and  be  under  its  general  direction; 
to  hold  a  joint  meeting  with  said  Board;  and  the  Board  to  report  the 
acts  of  the  Committee  to   Synod.     See   Superintendents,   Bd.   of. 

This  Committee  and  the  Bd.  of  Direction  now  appointed  Rev,  Dr. 
Jas.  A.  H.  Cornell  as  their  joint  financial  agent,  1869,  556,  646,  who  se- 
cured such  rich  results.  See  Cornell.  In  1870  this  Com.  began  to  present 
printed  reports  of  its  doings  during  the  year,  which  since  1877  have 
been  bound  up  with  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod.  [In  1892,  the 
writer  collected,  with  difficulty,  six  complete  sets  of  these  reports  of  the 
Property  Committee,  1870-92,  and  had  them  bound.  One  copy  was  given 
to  the  Library,  and  the  others  were  given  to  members  of  the  Committee 
or  of  the  Faculty.     E.  T.  C] 

In  1876,  402,  527,  523,  the  name  of  the  Committee  was  changed  from 
that  of  "The  Standing  Committee  on  the  Peter  Hertzog  Theological  Hall," 
to  that  of  "The  Standing  Committee  on  the  Seminary  Grounds  and  Prop- 
erty."    (See  also  1873,  612,  726.) 

This  Committee  has  made  great  improvements  of  all  the  Property 
and  Grounds,  attending  also  to  the  building  of  the  Professorial  Resi- 
dences (which  see).  For  the  details  of  their  operations,  see  their  suc- 
cessive reports.  Their  duties  are  also  included  in  the  last  "Plan  of  the 
Seminary,"  1888,  536,  541. 

Seminary  Salary  Fund.  1900,  696;  1902,  66-68;  1903,  326;  1904,  653; 
1905,  68.     See  also  Western  Seminary. 

Serenbetz,  Mrs.  Francis  M.  Widow  of  a  minister;  now  destitute; 
daughter  of  Rev.  John  C.  Guldin,  who  for  14  years  was  a  member  of 
Widows'  Fund ;  family  never  reed,  any  benefit ;  cannot  be  helped  from 
Widows'  Fund ;  Synod  ordered  her  father's  contributions  for  14  years,  with 
interest,  $400,  to  be  paid  her,  from  Synod's  Fund  for  Temporary  Contin- 
gencies, 1885,  623,  649. 

Sermons — in  General  Synod.  Sermons  were  not  preached  at  the 
opening  of  the  meetings  of  the  Coetus  (nor  of  the  Conferentie,  during  its 
existence).  At  the  meeting  for  Union,  1771,  a  sermon  was  preached  by 
domine  De  Ronde  on  Eph.  6 :  23 :  "Peace  be  to  the  brethren,  and  love 
with  faith  from  God  the  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  After  this, 
sermons  were  regularly  preached  at  the  opening  of  the  meetings  of  that 
Provisional  Synod,  1771-93,  and  at  the  opening  of  the  General  Synod,  1794, 
to  the  present  time ;  also  generally,  at  the  opening  of  all  other  regular 
meetings  of  Particular  Synods  and  Classes,  altho'  there  is  no  requirement 
for  this  in  the  Constitution. 

In  1800,  276,  in  the  Rules  of  Order,  it  is  said  that  a  Sermon  shall  be 
preached  at  the  opening  of  every  stated  session  of  Gen.  Synod;  and  this 
is  repeated  in  all  subsequent  Rules. 

Allusion  to  Sermons:  At  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper; 
Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  62;  of  1833,  Art.  87  (not  alluded  to  in  Constit.  of 
1874,  Art.  77);  in  the  Order  of  Worship,  Constit.  of  1833,  Art.  89;  of 
1874,  Art.  79  (no  Order  of  Worship  prescribed  in  1619  or  1792)  ;  alluded 
to  in  the  Liturgy;  reading  of  sermons  objected  to,  1812,  405,  by  Classis  of 
New  York;  attempt  made  to  prevent  the  Synod  from  taking  any  action 
on,  but  unsuccessful;  Synod  requested  and  enjoined  every  minister  to  ac- 
custom himself  to  preach  without  reading  his  sermon ;  Classes  to  report 
the  results;  passed,  18  to  7;  the  seven  protested  against  the  action  of 
Synod  as  being  unconstitutional ;  1812,  422-3 ;  church  of  Albany  requested 
permission  that  sermons  might  be  read  in  their  church;  refused,  1812,  438 


SEWARD,  WM.  H.  (Hon.)  679 

[Rev.  Dr.  J.  M.  Bradford  was  pastor  there  at  this  time,  a  very  eloquent 
man];  effort  to  repeal  action  of  1812,  422-3,  lost,  26  to  15;  1814,  41. 

Funeral  Sermons:  To  be  discouraged,  Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  65;  left 
discretionary,  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  68.  No  allusions  to,  in  Constits.  of 
1833,  1874;  if  used,  should  be  carefully  prepared,  1812,  420. 

In  1849,  505,  it  was  resolved  to  have  two  missionary  sermons  preached 
at  each  session  of  Synod,  one  in  behalf  of  Foreign  Missions,  and  one  in 
behalf  of  Domestic  Missions.     This  custom  continued  until  about  1880. 

Seward,  Wm.   H.    (Hon.)     See  National  Affairs  under  date   1863. 

Shaffer,  Mary  D.  Gives  $3,000  Scholarship  for  Ed.  of  Education,  1878. 

Shearer,  Mrs.  I.  D.     Receives  thanks  for  valuable  gifts,  1902,  70. 

Shedd,  Wm.  G.  T.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Prof,  of  Did.  and  Polemic 
Theology,  Extra  Session,  Sept     1871,  7;  declines,  1872,  510. 

Shinto  Shrine.  Presented  by  Rev.  Eugene  S.  Booth.  Thanked, 
1897,  610,  621. 

Sick  Persons.     Special  Prayers  for,  in  Liturgy  of  1792,  14,  15. 

Signs  and  Seals.  Belgic.  Conf.,  Arts.  33,  35;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  66, 
73,  75,  78. 

Silvernail,  Angelina.  Synod  hears  of  bequest,  of,  1887,  266;  given 
for  the  Maintenance  and  Support  of  the  Theological  Seminary ;  amount, 
$12,500;  1888,  514;  1889,  757,  773;  amount  invested,  $14,000,  1890,  33;  the 
Board  takes  the  Silvernail  Farm,  1891,  240-1,  262;  sale  of  Farm  for  $8,200; 
total  amount,  $23,027.57;  1892,  471,  496;  Dr.  Mabon's  funeral  expenses 
paid  from  interest  of,  1893,  750- 

Simony.  Deserves  suspension.  Rules,  1619,  80;  Constits.  of  1833, 
Art.  102;   1874,  91. 

Simpson,  Joel  T.     Scholarship  in  Arcot  Seminary,  $2,000. 

Sin.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  12,  14;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  3-11.  See  Actual 
Sin ;  Original  Sin. 

Sincerity.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  117. 

Singing.  In  report  of  Committee  on  "The  State  of  the  Church," 
1900,  occurs  the  following : 

2d.  Resolved,  That  Synod  heartily  commends  congregational  singing 
in  our  churches  and  favors  such  methods  as  may  be  found  practicable  for 
the  training  of  the  people,  and  especially  the  children,  in  Christian  Praise. 
1900,  829.     See  Hymnology,  Music,  Psalmody,  etc. 

Sinlessness  of  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  18,  26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
35;  Canons  of  Dort,  iii.  and  iv.,  2. 

Sio-KE  Church,  China,  sends  banner  from  its  C.  E.  Soc.  to  Synod ; 
is  to  be  held  by  such  C.  E.  S.  as  contributes,  annually,  the  largest  amount, 
per  member,  to  the  cause  of  Missions,  Dom.  and  Foreign.     1895,  228. 

Slaght,  Magdalen,  V.  H.  Gives  $300  to  cause  of  Education,  1871, 
182,  216. 

Slander.  Deserves  suspension.  Rules  of  1619,  80;  Constits.  of  1833, 
Arts.  102;  of  1874,  91.     Heid  Cat.,  Quest.  112. 

Slavery.  Som.e  difficulties  were  presented  and  answered  by  the  Rev. 
Body  relative  to  the  reception  of  slaves  as  members  of  the  Church,  viz. : 

1.  Whether  the  marriage  of  slaves  after  their  manner,  and  acknowl- 
edged anew  at  their  confession  of  faith,  should  be  regarded  as  an  obstacle 
to  their  reception  into  the  Christian  Church? 

Answer. — No. 

2.  Whether  the  consent  of  masters  and  mistresses  of  slaves  should 
be  a  necessary  condition  of  their  reception  into  the  communion  of  the 
Church  ? 


68o         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Aiiszver. — The  holy  Scriptures  state  no  such  condition.  The  Rev. 
Body,  however,  are  of  opinion  that  the  overseers  of  congregations  should 
exercise  all  proper  prudence,  by  receiving  the  testimony  of  masters  and 
mistresses  in  relation  to  the  subject;  and  likewise,  by  attending  to  every- 
thing which  may  subserve  the  promotion  and  establishment  of  the  peace 
of  the  household.     1783,  183. 

No  difference  between  bond  and  free  in  the  Church  of  Christ;  slaves 
or  blacks,  when  admitted  to  the  Church  possess  the  same  privileges  as 
other  members  of  same  standing ;  infant  children  entitled  to  baptism ; 
ministers  who  deny  them  any  Christian  privileges  to  be  reprimanded. 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  59. 

Whereas,  The  subject  of  slavery  has  for  some  years  past  been  urged 
upon  the  attention  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  and  has  consumed  much  valuable 
time  at  the  annual  meetings ;  and  Whereas,  In  the  opinion  of  this  Synod, 
a  continued  introduction  of  the  subject  into  the  deliberations  of  the  Board 
threatens  to  affect  injuriously  its  harmony  and  efficiency,  and  is  foreign 
to  its  great  object  as  an  institution  created  for  the  simple  but  noble  purpose 
of  spreading  the  Gospel  among  heathen  nations,  and  sustained  as  such  by 
Christians  who  embrace  different  views  on  the  merits  of  this  perplexing 
question ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  respectfully  express  to  the  Board  our  deep 
conviction,  that  it  would  be  highly  inexpedient  for  the  Board  to  entertain 
this  subject  in  its  future  deliberations;  and  that  the  lawfulness  of  admit- 
ting slaves  or  slaveholders  to  the  communion  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
other  kindred  matters,  should  be  left  to  the  adjudication  of  the  churches 
and  ecclesiastical  authorities  to  whom  such  questions  properly  belong. 
1849,  508. 

In  1855,  531,  the  North  Carolina  Classis  of  the  German  Refd.  Church, 
"because  of  Nevinism  in  that  body,  sought  admission  to  the  Dutch  Church. 
Refused,  because  church  members  were  slave-holders ;  and  because  of 
the  dissensions  which  would  thereby  be  introduced  in  the  Dutch  Church. 
See  "North  Carolina  Classis ;"  also  frequent  action  of  Synod  during  the 
Civil  War,  under  "National  Affairs ;"  also  Am.  Colonization  Soc. ;  Scandal- 
ous Traffic;  Colored  People.  Free  Church  of  Scotland  congratulates 
Synod  on  the  results  of  the  War  and  the  destruction  of  slavery,  1866,  44. 

Slocum,  Mrs.  Mary  N.     Bequest  of  $50  to  Theolog.  Sem.    1877.  609. 

Smith,  Gamaliel  G.  Scholarship  for  Arcot  Seminary.  $2,000. 
1895.  51- 

Smith,  George  (Rev.  Dr.),  of  Edinburgh.  Delivers  Graves  Lectures 
before  N.  B.  Sem.     1894,  59. 

Smith,  Nicholas  E.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Gives  his  bond  for  $40,000,  to  make 
up  the  deficiency  in  the  Permanent  Fund  of  N.  B.  Seminary,  on  condition 
of  an  additional  $40,000  being  secured,  for  the  endowment  of  a  Fourth 
Profesorship,  1865,  548;  thanks  of  Synod;  Third  Professorship  to  be 
named  after  him;  the  gift  accepted  with  the  conditions  annexed;  Synod 
at  once  proceeded  to  elect  a  Fourth  Professor;  1865,  626-7  [see  Demarest, 
David  D.]  ;  Dr.  Smith  reports,  as  Corresponding  delegate  to  the  United 
Presbyt.  (ihurch,  1866,  41 ;  his  bond  of  $40,000  transferred  to  Bd.  of  Direc- 
tion ;  'intended  to  add  $700  to  each  of  the  Professorial  salaries ;  $2,800  in- 
terest received;  $30,012  raised  toward  Fourth  Professorship,  according  to 
conditions;  1866,  91,  92;  Dr.  Smith  loses  his  fortune;  unable  to  redeem 
his  bond  ;  requests  to  be  relieved  of  its  obligations,  1867,  161 ;  referred  to 
Bd.  of  Direction,  with  power,  1867,  266.  272J/2  ;  Board  asks  Synod  to  take 
action,  1868,  379;  Synod  directs  the  Board  to  cancel  the  bond  of  Dr 
Smith,  and  that  the  Third  Professorship  named  after  him,  be  known  as 
•The  Professorship  of  Biblical  Literature,"  1868,  379,  408,  415,  417;  the 
bond  cancelled,  1869,  555;  effects,  a  Fourth  Professorship  established;  re- 
view, 1873.  653-655. 


SMITH,  NICHOLAS  E.,  PROFESSORSHIP  68i 

Smith,  Nicholas  E.,  Professorship,  established;  failed.  See  Article 
above. 

Smock,  Garret  S.  Bequest  of  $500  for  use  of  Library  of  Sem.  at  N. 
B.     1878,  17,  39. 

Smock,  John  C.  (Prof.)  Endows  an  Alcove  in  Sage  Library;  Me- 
morial Window  to  his  mother,  Ellen  Conover  Smock ;  an  Angel,  represent- 
ing the  "New  Testament,''  with  a  Lamp  and  a  Book,  in  hand.  See  Report 
of  Com.  on  Property,  1903,  4. 

Socialism.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  36.  See  Community  of  Goods.  Rev. 
Dr.  John  H.  Oerter  delivered  Vedder  Lectures  on  Socialism,  1887. 

Society  of  Inquiry.  At  first  called  Berean  Society,  which  was 
formed  in  1811,  for  the  discussion  of  Biblical  and  Practical  Subjects, 
among  which  that  of  Missions  had  a  prominent  place.  Name  and  Con- 
stitution changed  in  1820,  to  Society  of  Inquiry  on  Missions ;  "to  obtain 
and  circulate  religious  intelligence,  to  correspond  with  similar  Societies 
in  other  Seminaries,  and  with  missionaries,  domestic  and  foreign,  and  to 
diffuse  among  ourselves  a  zeal  for  the  Missionary  cause."  See  Centennial 
of  N.  B.  Sem.,  116,  137.  A  room  fitted  up  for,  in  Rutgers  College,  1846, 
12.     The  missionary  books  were  finally  put  in  Sage  Library. 

Son,  The.     Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  8,  17,  18;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  33,  35. 

Songs  of  Mary,  Zacharias  and  Simeon.  May  be  sung  in  public 
worship.     Rules  of  1619,  Art.  69;  see  Hymnology. 

Songs  of  the  Sanctuary.     1873,  615. 

SoNSHip  OF  Christ.  Belg.  Conf.,  Arts.  10,  18;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  19, 
23,  33 ;  Canons,  ii.,  4. 

South  Africa,  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  The  first  reference  to  this 
Church  in  the  Minutes  of  Synod  is  in  1840.  The  Board  of  Missions  in- 
formed the  Synod  that  a  very  inviting  field  of  labor  had  opened  up 
among  the  Dutch  Boers,  or  farmers  there.  Rev.  Mr.  Lindley  had  already 
begun  laboring  there.  He  is  called  our  missionary  among  the  Dutch, 
in  South  Africa,  1840,  415;  1841,  526.  See  sketch  of  Rev.  David  Lindley, 
in  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.,  1902,  p.  571-2;  also  p.  245;  relinquishes  his 
relation  to  the  American  Dutch  Church,  1842,  132.  Letter  received  from 
Dutch  Church  of  South  /\frica,  dated  Aug.  ist,  1853,  conveying  their  con- 
gratulations, and  giving  a  brief  account  of  their  condition  at  that  time. 
There  were  54  churches,  and  43  ministers  ;  6  Classes,  and  a  Synod  meet- 
ing once  in  five  years.  They  were  trying  to  start  a  Theological  Semi- 
nary. They  had  recently  celebrated,  April  6,  1852,  the  200th  anniversary 
of  the  settlement  of  Cape  Colony  by  the  Dutch.  They  sometimes  used 
EngHsh  in  their  services,  having  re-printed  the  Forms  of  the  American 
Dutch  Church.  1854,  4I2.  The  whole  letter  is  found,  1854,  498-500.  The 
President  and  Adssessor  were  appointed  a  committee  to  answer  said  letter, 

1854,  416.  A  copy  of  their  letter  was  read  before  Synod,  and  Synod  re- 
solved to  open  correspondence  with  the  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Church  of 
South  Africa.  A  committee  was  appointed,  of  which  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
B.    How   was   Chairman.     Also   a   copy   of  our    Minutes   was   to   be   sent, 

1855.  529,  536-7.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Adamson,  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scot- 
land, recently  from  South  Africa,  addressed  the  Synod  on  the  condition 
,•  lul  prospects  of  that  Church.  He  wished  to  establish  an  Institution  there 
for  the  education  of  the  natives  for  missionary  services  among  the 
.\fricans.  He  was  invited  In-  the  Synod  to  deliver  a  special  discourse  on 
his  mission,  in  the  First  Church  of  New  Brunswick,  which  he  did,  1855, 
603,  620.  A  letter  was  also  received,  expressing  their  need  of  teachers, 
their  desire  to  learn  English,  and  they  would  be  glad  to  receive  teachers 
from  America,  Oct.,  1855,  11,  15.  Letters  continued  to  be  exchanged, 
1857,  151;  1859,  392-3;  i860,  506-8.  The  latter  gave  an  account  of  the 
opening  of  their  first  Theological   Seminary  at   Stellenbosch  on   Nov.    ist. 


682  DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

1858;  i860,  506.  This  interesting  letter  in  Christian  Intelligencer,  May 
24,  1859.  Copies  of  Minutes  continued  to  be  sent,  with  Catalogues  of  our 
Seminary.  Their  desire  for  teachers  from  America  led  to  the  going 
of  Rev.  Giles  Vande  Wall  thither,  in  1861.  He  took  a  prominent  place 
there.     See  his  name  in  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.,   1902,  pp.  816-817. 

In  1863,  Synod  received  a  letter  from  a  few  Seceding  ministers  and 
elders  there,  to  which  no  reply  was  made,  1863,  274,  277.  In  1877,  Rev. 
Andrew  Murray  appeared  in  Synod,  as  a  delegate  from  the  Church  of 
South  Africa,  and  made  a  most  interesting  address.  [The  substance  of 
this  address  may  be  found  in  Christian  Intelligencer,  June  or  July,  1877.] 
The  Stated  Clerk  was  directed  to  write  a  fraternal  letter  to  that  Church, 
and  send  a  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  1877,  642-5. 

In  1881  the  following  action  was  taken : 

Whereas,  The  Reformed  Church  in  America  is  in  correspondence 
with  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  South  Africa,  and 

Whereas,  There  is  a  remarkable  similarity  of  circumstances  in 
reference  to  the  origin,  mixture  of  Dutch  and  Huguenot  elements,  unity 
of  spirit,  and  identity  of  ecclesiastical  descent  of  our  churches  in  America 
and    [South]    Africa,  and 

Whereas,  We  have  entire  confidence  in  the  Christian  ministers  be- 
longing to  that  body;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  extend  cordial  greetings  to  the  brethren 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  South  Africa. 

Resolved,  That  we  rejoice  in  the  efforts  of  our  Christian  brethren 
to  establish  schools,  especially  for  the  education  of  young  women,  and 
would  cordially  commend  the  Huguenot  Seminary  at  Wellington,  estab- 
lished on  the  model  of  the  Mt.  Holyoke  School,  to  the  favor  of  benevo- 
lent individuals  in  our  churches.     1881,  688. 

In  1895,  Rev.  George  D.  Mathews,  D.D.,  the  General  Secretary  of 
the  Alliance  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  brought  also  the  salutations  of 
the  Reformed  Churches  of  South  Africa,  and  urged  that  an  official  greet- 
ing be  sent  to  them  from  the  Synod  in  America. 

Your  Committee  recommended  that  such  greeting  be  sent  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  this  Synod,  and  that  it  be  also  signed  by  the  Stated  Clerk. 
1895,   136,  139- 

In  1897  the  propriety  of  re-opening  correspondence  with  the  Reformed 
Church  of  South  Africa  was  again  brought  forward,  and  the  following 
action  was  taken : 

It  is  believed  that  such  correspondence  would  naturally  enlarge  our 
Christian  sympathies  and  promote  a  desirable  fellowship  with  a  branch  of 
the  Church  with  which  we  are  already  closely  allied  by  ties  of  acquaint- 
ance, of  kinship  and  of  faith.     The  following  is  therefore  recommended : 

Resolved,  That  a  corresponding  delegate  be  appointed  by  this  Synod 
to  convey  by  letter  the  fraternal  greetings  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  to  the  corresponding  ecclesiastical  body  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  South  Africa,  and  that  he  be  authorized  to  suggest  in  his  letter  the 
propriety  of  maintaining  regularly  such  correspondence  between  the  two 
churches.     1897,  692-3. 

Rev.  Drs.  Henry  E.  Dosker  and  Chs.  W.  Fritts  were  appointed  dele- 
gates.    1897,    694. 

A  letter  was  again  received,  acknowledging  a  letter  from  America 
of  July  20,  1895,  expressing  their  appreciation  of  the  kind  and  Christian 
sentiments  expressed.  Delegates  appointed :  Revs.  John  Van  der  Meulen 
and  A.  Vennema.     1898,   161,   163. 

In  1900,  the  Alliance  of  Reformed  Churches  reports  hopeful  signs 
of  Church  Union  among  churches  of  the  Presbyterian  order  in  South 
Africa : 

2.     Since  our  brethren  of  the   Reformed   Churches   in   South  Africa 


SOUTH  AFRICA,  REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH  683 

are  passing  through  severe  trials  because  of  the  war  in  which  they  are 
engaged  with  the  British  Empire,  they  are  put  to  a  severe  test  of  their 
faith.  Strong  in  the  conviction  of  God's  sovereign  rule  over  nations 
and  churches,  they  teach  us  a  lesson  in  patient  endurance  and  Christian 
fortitude.  Their  condition  calls  for  earnest,  deep  and  prayerful  sympathy. 
As  the  General  S\'nod  of  over  600  churches,  so  like  them  in  history,  doc- 
trine, faith  and  mission,  one  in  origin  and  one  in  destiny,  we  pray  that  they 
may  be  richly  endowed  with  power  from  on  high  to  suffer  and  to  wait 
patiently  for  the  morning  of  their  deliverance ;  that  they  may  realize  the 
presence  of  the  great  Jehovah  while  they  are  passing  through  the  Red 
Sea  of  Trial.  We  assure  our  sister  churches  in  South  Africa  of  our 
profound  sympathy  and  prayers  in  their  behalf. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  send  a  copy  of  this  resolution  to 
those  churches  through  the  Envoys  of  the  Republics  of  South  Africa 
now  in  this  country.     1900,  780. 

The  Rev.  J.  H.  Van  Broekhuizen,  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Pre- 
toria, Transvaal,  exiled  from  his  country,  was  accorded  the  platform, 
and  moved  the  Synod  by  his  fervid  eloquence  as  he  pleaded  in  behalf 
of  his  suffering  countrymen.  After  his  address,  the  President,  grasping 
his  hand,  expressed  words  of  sympathy.  President  Wortman  was  fol- 
lowed in  brief  and  earnest  addresses  by  Drs.  P.  Moerdyke,  D.  J.  Burrell, 
and  A.  E.  Kittredge.  Prof.  J.  T.  Bergen  offered  resolutions  of  sym- 
pathy, which,  on  motion,  were  referred  to  a  special  committee,  consisting 
of  Prof.  Bergen,  Drs.  Kittredge,  Burrell  and  Moerdyke.  The  following 
action  was  taken : 

The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  desires  to 
express  its  deep  love  and  hearty  sympathy  to  our  sister  churches  of  the 
Reformed  faith  in  South  Africa,  which  have  suffered  even  to  dismem- 
berment, in  many  instances,  by  the  existing  war,  and  whose  Christian 
work  has  been  seriously  interrupted. 

We  are  deeply  pained  by  the  intelligence,  brought  to  us  by  pastors 
from  South  Africa,  that  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Church,  not  bearing 
arms,  have  been  imprisoned  and  exiled,  because  of  their  loyalty  to  their 
congregations,  and  their  country ;  and  that  women  and  children  have 
been  imprisoned  and  kept  in  camps,  without  proper  shelter,  or  any  pro- 
vision for  nourishing  food.  We  realize  that  war,  under  any  circum- 
stances, is  terrible,  but  our  appeal  is  to  the  Christians  of  the  churches  of 
Great  Britain,  that  such  treatment  of  helpless  women  and  children  and 
of  the  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ  is  in  opposition  to  the  teachings  of  our 
Saviour,  and  we  therefore  enter  our  earnest  protest,  and  urge  our  Eng- 
Hsh  brethren  to  demand  that  these  evils  be  remedied.  Furthermore, 
we  cannot  but  express  the  earnest  hope  that  England,  as  the  stronger 
power  and  as  a  Chris,  ian  nation,  may  see  her  way  to  arbitrate  the  existing 
differences,  and  thus  peace  and  prosperity  come  to  that  desolate  land. 
1901,    1131. 

2.  A  letter  from  Mr.  P.  Louter  Wessels,  special  commissioner  from 
the  South  African  Republic,  gratefully  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  the 
resolutions  passed  by  this  Synod  last  year,  expressing .  sympathy  with 
the  Reformed  Churches  in  South  Africa.  This  letter  has  been  published 
in  the  Christian  Intelligencer.     1902,  1 125-6. 

Rev.  Clinton  T.  Wood,  of  South  Africa,  addressed  the  Synod 
concerning  the  Church  in  South  Africa.  The  following  was  adopted 
by  the  Synod : 

The  Reformed  Church  in  America  assembled  in  General  Synod  at 
Asbury  Park,  June  the  Fourth,  1903,  sends  to  her  sister  Church  in  South 
Africa  a  cordial  message  of  sympathy  and  of  confidence. 

We  have  felt  with  you  the  sufferings  through  which  you  have  been 
called  to  pass  as  a  people  and  a  Church ;  but  we  rejoice  in  the  evidence  of 
God's  presence  and  blessing  with  the  "Church  under  the  Cross"  through 


684  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

the  time  of  trial,  and  give  thanks  for  the  bands  of  missionary  volunteers 
from  the  prison  camps  and  for  the  evidences  that  yon,  as  a  Church,  are 
realizing  more  than  ever  the  purpose  of  God  in  giving  you  a  home  in 
Africa.  We  believe  in  you  as  "brought  to  the  Kingdom  for  such  a  time 
as  this."     "It  is  the  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  Kingdom." 

It  is  our  desire  to  understand  better  your  conditions  and  your  work 
and  to  this  end  we  propose  to  cultivate  closer  fellowship  in  the  future. 
As  the  hrst  step  in  that  direction  we  are  glad  to  send  with  this  message 
to  your  General  Synod,  the  Rev.  Clinton  T.  Wood  of  our  own  body, 
who  has  been  also  your  fellow-laborer  for  five  years. 

The  sum  of  $167.31  was  raised  among  the  members  of  Synod  and 
handed  to  Rev.  Clinton  T.  Wood  to  aid  the  brethren  in  South  Africa. 
1903,  400. 

Just  before  the  recent  war  there  were  about  700  Reformed  churches 
in  South  Africa.  See  Collegiate  Ch.  Year  Book,  1903,  700.  There  is 
a  remarkable  account  of  their  recent  missionary  activity,  by  Rev.  L  Hof- 
meyr,  in  Christian  Intelligencer,  June  3,  1903.  About  200  young  men 
volunteered  to  become  missionaries,  and  about  50  young  women.  Money 
is  given  most  liberally.  See  pamphlets  on  Huguenot  Seminary  at  Wel- 
lington, Cape  Colony,   1881.     See  also  Bechthold,  in  Manual. 

South  Bend,  Ind.  The  sum  of  $1,379.03  has  been  paid  from  Church 
Building  Fund  to  secure  this  Church  property,  1864,  399. 

South  Carolina.  See  an  elaborate  history  of  settlers  of  the  German 
Reformed  Church,  in  this  colony,  in  Christian  Intelligencer,  Sept.  11,  18, 
1901.  For  recent  operations  of  R.  C.  A.  there,  see  Colored  People;  Re- 
ports of  Bd.  Dom.  Missions,  since  1902. 

South  Classis  of  Bergen.  Organized,  1873,  from  the  Classis  of 
Bergen ;  composed  of  the  following  churches :  Bergen,  First  Jersey  City ; 
First  Bayonne;  First  Van  Vorst ;  Bergen  Point;  Hudson  City;  Second 
Hudson  City ;  La  Fayette ;  West  End ;  Greenville ;  Free  Jersey  City ; 
Third  Bayonne. 

South  Classis  of  Long  Island,  by  division  of  the  Classis  of  Long 
Island.  Organized  1843 ;  composed  of  the  following  churches  :  Brooklyn ; 
New  Utrecht ;  Gravesend ;  Flatbush ;  Flatlands ;  New  Lots ;  Central 
Brooklyn;   East  New  York;   South,  Brooklyn;   Fourth,   Brooklyn. 

South  Classis  of  New  York.  Organized  1828 ;  composed  of  the 
following  churches :  South  Church,  Garden  St. ;  Market  St. ;  Tompkins- 
ville,  S.  I. ;  Courtlandtown ;  Orchard  St. — Reunited  with  Classis  of  New 
York,    1876. 

South  Holland,  Synod  of.     See  North  Holland. 

South  India,  Synod  of.  The  subject  of  the  union  of  the  various 
Presbyterian  churches  in  India  was  first  emphasized  in  1863.  It  was 
further  emphasized  in  1865  at  the  Triennial  Meeting  of  the  Synod  of 
Northern  India.  A  committee  was  then  appointed  to  correspond  with 
the  different  Presbyterian  Bodies  on  the  subject  of  Union.  A  General 
Conference  was  held  at  Allahabad  in  January,  1871,  and  representatives 
of  several  Bodies  were  present.  A  General  Presbyterian  Organization 
was  deemed  very  desirable,  and  all  Presbyterian  Bodies  in  India  were 
requested  to  send  delegates  to  a  Conference  at  Allahabad  in  Nov.,  1871. 
Delegates  from  the  Church  of  Scotland,  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  the 
American  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Reformed  Church  in  America 
met  together.  All  agreed  on  the  desirability  of  the  Union  of  the  native 
Presbyteries  as  soon  as  practicable.  It  was  determined  to  hold  General 
Conventions,  from  time  to  time,  for  consultation  and  co-operation.  Such 
a  Convention  was  held  in  Dec,  1872,  when  47  delegates  were  present  with 
12  consultative  members.  The  Irish  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  United 
Presbvterian  Church  in  America,  besides  the  others,  also  now  sent  dele- 


SOUTH  JAPAN  MISSION  685 

gates.  A  Consociation  was  ultimately  formed,  and  steps  were  taken,  at 
meetings  in  Allahabad  in  1873  and  1875  to  draft  a  Constitution,  to  pro- 
mote sympathy  and  unity,  to  arrange  for  co-operation,  to  encourage  the 
native  churches  to  self  support  and  in  the  work  of  evangelization,  and  to 
prepare  the  way  for  Organic  Union. 

The  first  Council  of  this  Alliance  was  held  at  iMlahabad  in  Dec.  1877, 
the  same  year  in  which  the  first  Council  of  the  General  Presbyterian 
Alliance  met  at  Edinburgh.  Succeeding  Councils  were  held  in  1880, 
1883,  1886  and  1889,  at  various  places.  In  1888,  "The  Indian  Standard," 
the  organ  of  the  Alliance,  was  founded,  which  did  much  to  further  the 
Union  movement.  Eleven  years  passed  before  the  next  Council  in  1901. 
The  Union  movement,  in  all  that  time,  had  continued  to  gain  strength. 
A  comimttee  was  now  appointed  to  draw  up  a  Synopsis  of  Doctrine  and 
to  formulate  a  Basis  of  Union.  The  Plan  was  submitted  to  the  next 
Council  in  1902.  Twelve  Bodies  were  there  represented.  The  Eighth 
Council  met  at  Allahabad  Dec.  15,  1904.  48  delegates  were  present,  with 
12  consulting  members.  The  relation  of  the  foreign  missionaries  to  the 
native  Presbytery  was  earnestly  discussed.  It  was  finally  decided  that 
each  [Indian]  Presbytery  shall,  in  conjunction  with  the  Home  Church  or 
Churches  concerned,  determine  the  nature  of  their  relationship  to  the 
Presbytery,  that  is,  the  relation  of  the  foreign  missionaries  to  each 
Indian   Presbytery. 

A  General  Assembly  was  formed.  A  native  Hindu,  Rev.  Dr.  Kali 
Charan  Chatter ji,  was  unanimously  elected  Moderator.  The  Assembly 
by  a  unanimous  vote  adopted  the  Confession,  Constituion  and  Canons 
recommended  by  the  Alliance.  Translations  were  made  into  all  the  lan- 
guages represented.  A  commtitee  was  appointed  to  advise  the  Assembly 
on  all  points  relating  to  incorporation  and  holding  of  property  by  the 
several  Presbyteries  and  other  Church  Courts.  The  Assembly  ad- 
journed to  meet  again  on  Dec.  19,  1905.  See  Arcot,  Classis  of.  in  this 
Digest,  pp.  53-56;  also  Arcot  Theological  Seminary,  pp.  61-64. 

South  Japan  Mission.     See  Japan. 

South,  The.  See  Colored  People ;  Presbyterian  Church.  South : 
Domestic  Missions ;   Kentucky ;   South   Carolina. 

Sovereign  Grace.  Belg.  Conf..  Art.  16;  Heid.  Cat..  Quest.  54; 
Canons  of  Dort,  i.  7,  15,  18;  ii.  7;  iii.  and  iv.  7. 

Sovereignty  of  God.  Canons  of  Dort,  i.,  1-18;  ii.,  7-9;  iii.,  7,  14,  15. 
See  Election ;   Predestination. 

Sower  and  Gospel  Field.     See   Sower. 

Sower  and   Mission   Monthly.     See   Sower. 

Sower  and   ^Missionary   Recorder.     See   Sower. 

Sower,  The.  The  newly  established  Board  of  Publication  proposed 
to  Synod  the  establishment  of  a  Monthly  Paper,  to  be  the  organ  for  all 
the  Boards,  and  contain  full  accounts  of  all  our  operations  as  a  Church ; 
also  to  be  a  suitable  print  for  the  family  and  the  Sabbath  School.  It  was 
represented  that  about  2.000  subscribers  had  already  been  secured.  This 
was  proposed  as  a  cheap  paper,  inasmuch  as  in  many  congregations  not 
a  single  copy  of  the  Christian  Intelligencer  was  taken.  The  editors  of  the 
Intelligencer  endorsed   the   plan. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  approve  the  proposition  to  issue  a  monthly 
paper  for  ecclesiastical  purposes,  as  made  by  the  Board  of  Publication. 
1855,  614. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Boards  of  our  Church  be  recommended  to 
employ  the  columns  of  "The  Sower,"  in  communicating  to  the  churches 
knowledge  of  their  respective  operations,  and  that  it  be  farther  recom- 
mended that  each  Board  bear  so  great  a  proportion  of  the  expenses  of 
that  paper  as  may  seem  to  it  to  be  just.     1856.  118. 


686         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  next  year  it  appeared  that  the  expenses  of  the  Sower  had  ex- 
ceeded the  income  by  more  than  $500.  The  Boards  had  not  borne  their 
several  proportions  of  expense  as  directed.  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions  of- 
fered to  do  this,  if  the  others  did.  Churches  urged  to  patronize  the 
Sower.     1857,  241-3,  263. 

During  the  year  the  name  was  changed  to  the  "Sower  and  Mission- 
ary Recorder,"  and  the  Synod  congratulated  it  upon  its  patronage,  1858, 
360;  the  following  years,  it  is  'The  Sower,"  which  is  commended,  1859, 
458;  i860,  569;  but  in  1863  the  paper  is  styled  "The  Missionary  Recorder," 
alone. 

The  attention  of  the  Board  is  called  to  the  consideration  of  the 
question,  whether  the  paper  formerly  named  "The  Sower,"  and  now 
known  as  the  "Missionary  Recorder,"  would  not  be  more  useful,  and 
command  a  larger  circulation,  if  used  as  the  organ  of  all  the  Boards. 
1863,  355;  in  1865  "The  Missionary  Recorder"  is  discontinued,  and  'The 
Sower"  is  revived. 

Resolved,  That  each  Pastor  and  Consistory  of  our  denomination  are 
requested  by  General  Synod  to  make  an  especial  effort  to  secure  the 
introduction  of  "The  Sower"  into  every  family  of  their  respective 
Churches.     1865,   645. 

'The  Sower"  now  became  the  organ  of  all  the  Boards,  and  it  was 
suggested  that  it  be  sent  gratuitously  to  all  the  churches,  in  order  to 
acquaint  them  with  the  operations  of  the  Boards.     1866,   109. 

In  1870,  "The  Sower  and  Gospel  Field"  were  united,  and  had  a 
considerable  circulation,  and  this  paper  was  commended  as  the  official 
organ  of  all  the  Boards,  1870,  133,  134;  it  was  soon  made  a  semi-monthly, 
1871,  339,  340;  it  was  again  highly  commended,  although  it  did  not  pay 
expenses,  1872,  525-527;  1874,  151;  an  effort  to  merge  this  paper  with  the 
"Earnest  Worker"  of  the  Southern  Presbyt.  Ch.  was  not  successful;  its 
circulation  was  7,500  copies,  1875,  348 ;  and  it  was  commended  anew  as 
a  religious  paper  and  as  a  valuable  assistant  in  the  preparation  of  the 
S.  S.  Lessons ;  1875,  353 ;  1876,  548 ;  it  was  sustained  by  the  munificent 
aid  of  Mr.  David  Bingham,  while  Rev.  Dr.  Bishop  and  Rev.  Mr.  Veh- 
slage  furnished  the  matter  for  the  paper  gratuitously,  1878,  143,  144; 
the  Bd.  of  Publication  was  directed  to  confer  with  the  other  Boards 
with  the  view  of  publishing  a  Monthly,  combining  "The  Sower"  and  "The 
Mission  Monthly,"  at  a  low  cost,  1879,  276,  while  the  Classis  of  Bergen 
suggested  the  issuing  of  "The  Sower,"  chiefly  as  a  Sabbath  School 
Monthly.     Referred  to  the   Bd.   of   Pub.   with  power.     1879,   395. 

In  1880,  a  resolution  was  offered  that  it  was  advisable  to  publish  a 
small,  inexpensive  sheet  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Boards  and 
Funds  of  the  Church ;  this  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee,  which 
reported  adversely ;  the  Church  had  had  "The  Christian  Intelligencer" 
for  50  years ;  "The  Sower  and  Gospel  Field"  had  done  excellent  ser- 
vice as  a  Monthly ;  but  it  might  be  wise  to  unite  "The  Sower"  and  "The 
Mission  Monthly."  Committee  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Boards  on 
the  subject,  1880,  580-2;  attention  was  called  to  the  clear  and  practical 
exposition  of  the  S.  S.  Lessons  in  "The  Sower ;"  and  the  Lesson  Leaves, 
issued  by  the  Board;  1880,  577-8. 

"The  Sower  and  Mission  Monthly"  now  became  the  organ  of  the 
Boards,  having  a  circulation  of  10,000  per  month,  and  Synod  heartily  en- 
dorsed it  from  year  to  year,  1881,  780,  782-3;  1882,  158;  1883,  359;  1884, 
557;  in  1885  it  became  self-sustaining,  1885,  351,  770- 1 ;  1886,  in,  112; 
nevertheless,  in  1887,  the  Synod  ordered  the  Bd.  of  Pub.  to  discontinue 
the  publication  of  "The  Sower  and  Mission  Monthly,"  with  the  Septem- 
ber number,  and  in  its  place  to  issue  a  "Monthly  Magazine"  entirely 
devoted  to  the  diffusions  of  missionary  intelligence  and  the  benevolent 
work  of  the  Church.  Its  editorial  management  was  put  under  the 
control  of  the  several  Boards,  and  the  churches  were  exhorted  to  secure 


SPANISH  WAR,  THE  687 

a  wide  circulation.  1887,  351-3;  1888,  601.  See  "The  Mission  Field;" 
also  "The  Gleaner." 

Spanish   War,  The.     See   National  Affairs,    1898. 

Special  Account.  1815,  48;  1817,  45.  See  Special  Treasurer;  Per- 
manent Fund. 

Special  Treasurer  of  General  Synod.  The  Committee  on  the  Pro- 
fessorate, in  1812,  after  referring  to  the  removal  of  Dr.  Livingston  to  New 
Brunswick,  in  1810,  on  the  promise  of  $1,400  salary  by  the  Trustees 
of  the  College,  and  their  inability  to  meet  their  obligations  on  account 
of  the  low  state  of  the  Funds,  requested  the  Trustees  to  appoint  agents 
to  solicit  subscriptions  in  those  parts  of  the  Church  where  no  applications 
had  yet  been  made ;  and  that  the  funds  thus  collected,  be  sent  to  the  Treas- 
urer of  the  College,  to  be  by  him  invested.  All  churches  were  also 
directed  to  take  up  collections  between  August  and  November;  one-half 
of  these  collections  was  to  be  devoted  to  needy  students  in  divinity  and 
to  the  Library;  and  the  other  half  was  to  be  for  the  support  of  the 
Professor.  Such  collections  were  to  be  sent,  thro'  the  Treasurers  of 
the  Classes,  to  the  Special  Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  about  to  be  ap- 
pointed, and  to  be  subject  to  the  draft  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Col- 
lege.    18 1 2,  429. 

Mr.  Isaac  L.  Kip  was  made  Special  Treasurer  to  receive  all  moneys, 
which  shall  hereafter  be  collected,  for  the  Theological  Institution,  1812, 
430.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  Permanent  Fund.  In  Oct.,  1815, 
G.  B.  Vroom  was  appointed  Special  Treasurer,  Oct.,  1815,  18;  1816,  42; 
but  this  office  was  discontinued,  as  well  as  that  of  Questor  (the  old 
Treasurer),  and  this  same  G.  B.  Vroom  was  made  [general]  Treasurer 
of  Synod,  1818,  62.  This  office,  however,  was  only  transitional  to  that 
of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Direction,  1819.  Mr.  Vroom,  declining 
to  serve,  Cornelius  Heyer  was  chosen ;  but  he  also  declining,  John 
Nitchie    became    the    first    Treasurer    of    the    Corporation.     1819,    47. 

The  "Ordinary  Accounts"  of  the  Special  Treasurer  are  found  as 
follows:  Oct.,  1813,  24,  25;  1814,  55,  56;  1815,  12-15,  40,  41,  48;  1816, 
40-43;    1817,  44;   Oct.,   1817,  9;    1818,  42-44. 

The  Special  Treasurer  and  the  Permanent  Clerk,  in  1818,  presented 
the  First  Annual  Digest  of  the  Funds  of  the  Church;    1818,  48-59. 

The  "Permanent  Fund"  accounts  of  the  Special  Treasurer  will  be 
found,  1816,  40;  1817,  45,  46;  1819,  52,  70.  Continued  under  "Corpora- 
tion, Board  of,"   1820,  40,  etc.     See  "Treasury  Board." 

Spirit.     See  Holy  Spirit. 

Spiritual  Death.     See  Death  Eternal. 

Spiritual  Life.     See  Life  Eternal. 

Spiritual  Life  and  Growth.  The  heading  of  one  of  the  main 
divisions  in  the  Semi-Centennial  Report  on  "The  State  of  the  Church," 
1900,  825,  831. 

Spiritual  Regeneration.     See   Regeneration. 

Sponsors.     See  Witnesses. 

Spring  Lake,  III.  $800  loaned  to,  from  Church  Building  Fund, 
1867,  162. 

Spykerman,  Jan.  Legacy  of  $500  to  Second  Professorship  in  West- 
ern Seminary.   1899,  321. 

Standards  of  Faith.  The  Constitution  of  the  Netherlands  Reformed 
Church  was  formally  adopted  by  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  1771, 
p.  9,  Art.  I.  [That  Constitution  then  consisted  of  the  Belgic  Confession 
of  Faith ;  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  and  the  Compendium  of  the  same ; 
the  Liturgy;  the  Canons  of  Dort ;  and  the  Rules  of  Church  Government; 
all   of   which    were   adopted   in    1618-19,   at   the    Synod   of    Dort.]     These 


688         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Standards  were  frequently  referred  to  as  "The  Formulas  of  Unity," — 
Formulieren  van  Eenigheit — or  accurately  conceived  modes  of  expressing 
divine  truth,  intended  to  subserve  "Uniformity  of  Belief,"  and  to  furnish 
means  for  the  ready  detection  of  error  [Post  Acta,  Synod  of  Dort,  1619, 
Session  3,  section  6,  159;  also  Session  6]  ;  1780,  80,  note. 

Subscriptions  have,  therefore,  been  always  required  of  Ministers 
and  Professors  to  these  Standards,  and  it  is  required  that  preaching 
shall  be  in  harmony  with  the  same.     See  Subscriptions. 

Special  "Standards  of  Doctrine,"  constituting  a  voluntary  bond  of 
union,  unattended  with  civil  emoluments  or  penalties,  as  such  cannot 
be  considered  an  infringement  on  Christian  charity — the  "Word  of  God" 
remaining  the  only  Standard  of  Faith  and  Worship.  "We  believe  that 
these  Holy  Scriptures  fully  contain  the  will  of  God,  and  that  what- 
soever a  man  ought  to  believe  unto  salvation  is  sufficiently  taught 
therein."  .  .  .  "For  since  it  is  forbidden  to  add  unto  or  take  away 
anything  from  the  Word  of  God  .  .  .  the  doctrine  thereof  is  most 
perfect  and  complete  in  all  respects."  See  Belgic.  Conf.,  Art.  7 ;  and 
Preface  to  Constit.,  1793,  1815,  first  and  second  editions.  See  also  the 
"Defence  of  the  American  Church,"  when  accepting  the  "Standards  of 
Doctrine"  of  Holland,  in  not  including  also  the  so-called  "Rejection  of 
Errors,"   which    see.     1902,    122-5. 

Ordered  that  "the  Heidelberg  Catechism,  Confession  of  Faith,  and" 
[Liturgical]  "Forms  of  our  Church,  as  translated  and  printed  in  the 
present  New  York  Psalm  Book"  [of  1767,  issued  by  the  Collegiate 
Church],  "be  inserted  in  the  new  edition  of  the  Psalm  Book,"  [issued  by 
Synod],  1788,  182(6).  .  .  .  Besides  the  "Confession  of  Faith,"  also 
the  "Order"  of  our  Church,  and  its  Form  of  Church  Government,  are  to 
be  translated  into  English,  with  Additional  [Explanatory]  Articles,  hav- 
ing special  reference  to  the  circumstances  of  the  Church  in  America,  1788, 
185.  Completion  of  this  work,  1792,  235-6.  First  issue  of  the  Standards 
complete,  in  English,  1793,  245-6;  second  edition  to  be  printed,  1815, 
52,  53 ;  its  issue,  1816,  8,  9.  The  Doctrinal  Standards  and  the  Liturgy 
[but  not  including  the  Rules  of  Church  Government],  are  to  be  printed 
in  all  editions  of  the  authorized  Hymn  Books  of  the  Church,  1812,  424. 
This  requirement  often  repeated ;  see  Hymnology.  Recent  reference  to 
the  requirement,   1894,   120. 

Standard  Songs.  For  Prayer  Meetings,  about  to  be  issued  by  Bd. 
of   Publication.     Report  of  Bd.,   1905,  3. 

Standing  Committee  on  Missions.     See  Missions. 

Standing  Committee  on  the  Seminary  Grounds  and  Property. 
See    New   Brunswick   Seminary ;    Hertzog   Hall   Committee. 

Standing  Committees  of  General  Synod.  At  first,  the  Synod  being 
small,  all  ordinary  business  was  discussed  directly  in  Synod,  acting  as  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole.  Frequently,  however,  as  circumstances  de- 
manded, Special  Committees  were  appointed  to  report  on  special  mat- 
ters. There  were  no  "Standing  Committees"  in  the  sessions  of  1794, 
1797,  1800,  but  in  1803,  319,  such  Committees  began  to  be  appointed 
at  the  opening  of  every  Synod,  to  whom  the  various  items  of  busi- 
ness were  referred,  as  presented.  The  following  list  shows  the  gradual 
development  of  the  business  of  Synod,  as  successive  Standing  Committees 
were  appointed : 

Dates.  •        Names    of    Committees. 

1803,  319.     Missions.     Changed    in    1855    to    Domestic    Missions;    Foreign 
Missions. 

"        "        Professorate. 

"        "        Church   Orders   and   Widows'   Fund ;    appointed  only   in    1803. 

"         "        Correspondence. 


I8l2, 

402. 

I8I8, 

7- 

1827, 

7- 

1829, 

151- 

1833, 

7. 

1839, 

295- 

1842, 

52. 

1842, 

52. 

1854, 

495- 

1855, 

510. 

1855, 

510. 

1869. 

STANDING  COMMITTEES  GEN.  SYNOD  689 

1804,  326.     Synodical  Minutes. 
"        "       Gravamina.     Dropped,  1826,  21. 
State  of  Religion. 
Overtures.     Changed    to    "Overtures    and    Judicial    Business," 

1842. 
Finance.     Changed  to   "Accounts." 
Accounts. 
Education. 

Widows'    Fund.     See    under    1869. 
Overtures    and   Judicial    Business ;    divided    in    1869. 
Nominations.     Dropped,  1885.     See  1886,  205. 
Publication. 

Domestic  Missions.     Occasionally  "Church  Building  Fund"  is 
added  to  this  title,  as  in  1870,  1874,  etc.,  and  added  per- 
manently  in    1887. 
Foreign    Missions. 

Widows    and    Disabled    Ministers'    Fund.     See    under     1886. 
"  Leave  of  Absence. 

"  Board    of    Direction.     The    report    of    this    Board    had    from 

1820-69,  been  referred  to  Committee  on  the  "Professorate." 
"  Overtures.     See  1842  and  1818. 

"  Judicial   Business.     See    1842  and   1818. 

1880.  Benevolent  Institutions. 

"  Systematic  Beneficence. 

In  1885,  778,  a  Special  Committee  to  revise  the  Lemmata,  with  spe- 
cial reference  to  the  Standing  Committees,  presented  the  following,  with 
reference  to  such  Committees   (see  also  Lemmata)  : 

STANDING  COMMITTEES.       1886. 

1.  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation. 

2.  Professorate   and   Theological    Seminaries. 

Note. —  (To  consist  of  four  ministers  and  three  elders,  to  be  divided 
into  two  sections,  to  each  of  w^hich  respectively  shall  be  committed  the 
matters  pertaining  to  the  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  and  at  Hope 
College,  ]Mich.  The  report,  however,  shall  be  presented  as  a  whole, 
from  the  Committee.) 

3.  Education — Academies   and   Colleges. 

4.  Sunday    Schools    and     Catechetical    Instruction.     [S.     Schools    and 

Young  People's  Societies ;   1900,  750.] 

5.  Domestic  Missions.     [And  Ch.  Building  Fund,  1887,  334.] 

6.  Foreign  Missions. 

7.  Publication. 

8.  Widows'   Fund. 

9.  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 

10.  Overtures. 

11.  Synodical  Minutes  and  References. 

12.  Judicial    Business. 

13.  Correspondence. 

14.  Benevolent   Societies. 

15.  Systematic  Benevolence. 
t6.  State   of   Religion. 

Note. —  (To  be  constituted  as  prescribed  by  recent  action  of  Synod.) 

17.  Necrolog\-. 

Note. —  (To  be  appointed  a  year  in  advance.) 

18.  Accounts. 

19.  Leave  of  absence. 

1886,  204-5. 
Standing  Order  of  Business.     See  Rules  of  Order. 
Stated  Clerk.     This  term  first  occurs  in  1800,  when  it  was  ordered 


690         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

"that  the  minister,  or  the  oldest  minister,  where  there  is  more  than  one, 
of  that  congregation  where  the  meeting  of  General  Synod  is  next  to  be 
held,  be  considered  as  a  Stated  Clerk;  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  transcribe 
and  transmit  a  fair  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  Synod  to  the  Presidents  of  the 
several  Classes,  and  also  to  transcribe  them  into  the  Book  of  Records; 
which  he  is  safely  to  keep,  and  to  produce  the  same  to  the  Synod  at  their 
next  meeting;  that  the  [temporary]  clerks  furnish  the  Stated  Clerk  with 
a  fair  copy  to  be  thus  transcribed,  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  consid- 
ered as  responsible  to  Synod  for  a  fair  copy  of  the  Minutes,  with  all  the 
records  and  papers  belonging  to  the  General  Synod  and  receive  for  his 
services  such  compensation  as  the  Synod  shall  judge  reasonable."  This 
was  fixed  at  $16.     1800,  211,  312.     See  Secretary. 

Rev.  Jas.  V,  C.  Romeyn  appointed  Stated  Clerk,  1806,  360;  continued 
3.S  Stated  Clerk ;  twenty  shillings  to  be  paid  him  for  each  copy  of  Min- 
utes of  each  ordinary  session ;  1809,  395 ;  Romeyn  resigns  ;  Rev.  John  M. 
Bradford  appointed;  Minutes  hereafter  to  be  printed  and  signed  by  the 
Stated  Clerk,  and  sent  to  each  Particular  Synod,  Classis  and  Consistory; 
and  such  signed  [printed]  copies  to  be  considered  as  authentic  in  all  the 
judicatories  of  the  Church;  1812,  403;  $18  to  be  paid  to  the  Stated  Clerk, 
for  transcribing,  superintending  the  publication  and  distributing  the  Min- 
utes of  each  session,  1812,  441 ;  the  Questor  of  General  Synod,  upon  the 
order  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  pay  bills  for  printing  Minutes  of  Synod, 
etc.,  1812,  441 ;  authorized  to  make  a  selection  of  Rules  and  Orders  of 
Gen.  Synod  for  publication,  1813,  33;  pubHcation  of  same  as  Appendix, 
1814,  59-83 ;  requests  that  his  salary  for  the  past  three  years,  be  paid, 
1816,  7;  directed  to  have  six  sets  of  all  the  Minutes  of  Synod,  and  draw 
on  Questor  for  the  costs ;  that  3  sets  be  kept  in  his  hands  and  three 
deposited  with  Permanent  Clerk,  1817,  43 ;  Bradford  resigns  as  Stated 
Clerk ;  duties  of  Stated  Clerk  and  Permanent  Clerk  to  be  J^lended,  and 
all  devolve  upon  the  present  Permanent  Clerk,  who  shall  be  styled  the 
Stated  Clerk,  1818,  40  [this  was  Rev.  Selah  S.  Woodhull,  who  had  been 
appointed  Permanent  Clerk,  1815,  5]  ;  Stated  Clerk  to  have  printed  on  the 
covers  of  the  Minutes  "Forms  of  Bequest;"  also  to  annex  a  Statement 
-concerning  the  endowing  of  Professorships  and  Scholarships;  1818,  40; 
Woodhull  resigns,  and  Rev.  John  Knox  appointed;  1820,  6;  Knox  resigns, 
and  Rev.  Thos.  M.  Strong  appointed,  1828,  99;  $50  "allowed  the  Stated 
Clerk  as  a  salary  for  services  rendered  by  him,  including  all  expenses  of 
transcribing  and  necessary  traveling,  to  which  he  may  be  subject,"  1830, 
302;  to  publish  important  parts  of  the  Minutes  in  the  "Christian  Intelli- 
gencer," the  "N.  Y.  Observer,"  and  the  "Journal  and  Telegraph,"  1832,  93 ; 
salary  increased  to  $100  per  annum,  1835,  439;  directed  to  prepare  a 
Digest  of  Acts  of  Synod,  1841,  535;  to  procure  a  suitable  case  in  which 
to  keep  the  Archives  and  Minutes,  1841,  535;  salary  made  $150,  1845,  514; 
directed  to  prepare  an  Index  of  the  Constitution  [Rules  of  Order],  1846, 
83;  ordered  pubhshed,  1847,  199;  illness  of  Dr.  Strong,  the  Stated  Clerk; 
an  assistant,  to  be  called  the  Permanent  Clerk,  to  be  appointed,  1855,  619 
[see  Permanent  Clerk]  ;  the  S.  C.  to  have  25  copies  of  Minutes  of  Synod 
at  his  disposal,  to  distribute  among  literary  and  theological  institutions; 
1857,  244;  directed  to  publish  a  Roll  of  Synod,  '60,  581 ;  death  of  Dr.  T.  M. 
Strong,  S.  C,  '62,  114;  Rev.  Dr.  David  D.  Demarest  elected,  '62,  209. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Synod,  with  the  aid  of  the 
Treasurers  of  the  Boards,  be  requested  to  prepare  annually  a  tabular 
statement  of  the  contributions  made  by  the  several  churches  to  the 
Boards,  and  Funds  recommended  by  Synod ;  that  each  amount  so  cred- 
ited shall  embrace  in  one  sum  all  that  may  have  been  contributed  to 
such  object,  from  whatever  source,  and  that  such  statement  be  reported 
annually  to  Synod  and  published  in  the  proceedings  of  Synod  under 
the  head  of  Article  22.     1862,  212. 


STATED  SUPPLIES  691 

List  of  Stated  Clerks  to  be  annually  published  in  Minutes,  '62,  208; 
allusion  to,  '64,  475. 

Resolved,  That  the  accounts  for  the  Minutes  of  the  General  Synod 
be  transferred  from  the  Treasurer  to  the  Stated  Clerk,  and  that  he  fur- 
nish the  usual  item  on  that  subject  for  the  "Annual  Digest.''    1864,  477,  480. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  several  Particular  Synods 
be  and  are  hereby  instructed  to  send  the  credentials  of  delegates  to  the 
General  Synod  to  the  said  delegates,  immediately  upon  their  election,  and 
also  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General  Synod.     1868,  499. 

Resolved,  That  the  office  of  Permanent  Clerk  be  restored,  and  that 
the  division  of  labor  be  arranged  between  this  officer  and  the  Stated 
Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  the  Permanent  Clerk  be  allowed  a  salary  of  fifty 
dollars  per  annum,  and  that  his  necessary  expenses  while  attending  the 
meetings  of  General  Synod  be  paid.     1869,  663. 

Inasmuch  as  the  Stated  Clerk  has  been  in  the  habit  hitherto  of  tran- 
scribing into  MSS.  volumes  the  full  Minutes  of  this  General  Synod,  and 
inasmuch  as  this  seems  to  be  a  useless  labor,  as  from  1,000  to  1,400  copies 
are  annually  printed,  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  no  longer  required  to  make 
such  transcriptions,  but  that  a  copy  of  the  printed  Minutes,  signed  by 
the  Stated  Clerk,  be  considered  as  an  official  copy ;  and  that  the  orginal 
Minutes,  signed  by  the  officers  of  the  Synod,  together  with  all  the  orig- 
inal papers  adopted  by  Synod,  be  carefully  preserved  in  the  archives. 
1879,  421. 

Stated   Clerks. 
Names.  Appointed.  Retired. 

Rev.  Cornelius    Brouwer 1800  1803 

Rev.  James  V.  C.  Romeyn 1806  1812 

Rev.  John   M.   Bradford 1812  1818 

Rev.  Selah    S.    Woodhull 1818  1819 

Rev.  John    Knox 1820  1828 

Rev.  Thomas    M.    Strong 1828  1861 

Rev.  David  D.   Demarest 1862  1871 

Rev.  Paul  D.  Van  Cleef 1871  1895 

Rev.  W.   H.  Ten  Evck 1886-7  p.  t. 

Rev.  W.   H.  Ten  Evck 1895-6  p.  t 

Rev.  W.    H.    DeHart 1896 

Stated  Supplies.  Their  legal  status :  By  courtesy,  a  Stated  Supply 
may  preside  at  a  meeting  of  Consistory,  but  he  cannot  vote ;  cannot  repre- 
sent the  church  in  Classis.  His  presiding,  by  request,  does  not  invali- 
date Consistorial  proceedings ;  he  may,  by  request,  ordain  elders  and  dea- 
cons; but  a  minister,  not  of  the  same  Classis,  cannot  moderate  a  call; 
1898,    151-9. 

State  of  Innocence.     See   Image  of   God. 

State  of  Religion,  or  State  of  the  Churches.  Many  allusions  to, 
in  the  Amsterdam  Correspondence.  See  Ecc.  Records  of  New  York 
(soon  to  be  indexed),  1620-1800;  6  vols.,  1901-6.  See  also  Minutes  of 
Ccetus  and  Conferentie,  so  far  as  published.,  1747-67,  in  the  so-called 
first  Vol.  of  Minuts.  Gen.  Synod,  and  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Provisional 
Synod,  1771-93.  As  to  Constitutional  legislation :  The  Ministers  and 
Elders  have  the  spiritual  oversight  of  the  churches ;  and  Consistories 
must  report  the  State  of  Religion  to  the  Classes ;  the  Classes  to  the 
Particular  Synods,  and  the  Particular  Synods  to  the  General  Synods. 
See  Constitutions  of  1874,  Arts.  28,  46,  61,  64.  68  [of  1833,  Arts.  30,  50, 
53,  69,  72,  72>,  80;  of  1792,  Arts.  27,  38,  39,  42,  44",  of  1619,  Arts.  22>,  41,  44]. 

The  State  of  Religion  was  originally  ascertained  by  the  questions 
of  the  President  of  each  Classis  to  the  ministers  and  elders  of  each 
church ;    and   also   by   Church   Visitations,    which   see ;    Constit.    of    1619, 


692  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Arts.  41,  44.  This  Church  Visitation  was  at  first  quite  impracticable  in 
America,  on  account  of  distances,  etc..  and  the  manner  of  its  per- 
formance was  left  to  the  General  Body  to  determine  (Articles  of  Union), 
1771,  Art.  25;  1773.  43;  1774.  52;  but  from  1778  onward  the  subject  is 
treated  under  the  Heading — "State  of  the  Church."  The  Particular 
Bodies  (or  Classes)  are  requested  to  make  reports,  especially  of  such  as 
have  been  driven  from  their  homes  by  the  War,  that  reports  may  be 
made  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  and  Synod  of  North  Holland,  1778, 
66,  67.  In  1781,  the  Classes  were  urged  to  begin  the  Visitation  of  the 
churches,  according  to  their  judgment,  that  reports  might  be  made  to  the 
Mother   Church,   1781,  93,  94. 

In  1784  the  first  formal  report  was  received;  the  ministers  and 
churches  which  yet  stood  aloof  from  the  general  Union  of  churches 
were  noted,  and  a  complete  list  of  churches  and  pastors  was  made,  as 
they  stood  at  the  end  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  viz.,  85  congregations  and 
32  ministers.  Only  53  churches  were  provided  with  regular  pastors ; 
that  the  War  had  prevented  large  additions  to  the  churches ;  that  no 
candidates  can  be  made  ready  short  of  a  couple  of  years ;  that  all  sorts 
of  error  and  sin  abounded ;  that  new  settlements  were  everywhere  start- 
ing up,  many  of  them  of  Dutch  people :  and  that  proper  measures  should 
be  taken  to  meet  all  these  conditions.  May.  1784.  111-115.  The  Visitation 
of  the  Churches  progressed  slowly,  1785,  139;   1786,  146. 

The  new  Constitution  of  1792,  decreed  that  each  Classis  should 
yearly  decide  what  was  necessary  and  practicable  regarding  the  Visita- 
tion of  the  Churches;  that  the  General  Synod  might  propose  a  series 
of  Questions,  which  the  Visitors  might  ask,  etc.,  1792,  Art.  44.  The 
Classes  now  began  to  make  reports  to  the  (one)  Particular  Synod,  Oct., 
1793,  253;   1794,  449;   1796,  457;   1799,  482. 

In  1797,  the  General  Synod  Resolved,  That  every  Classes  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  Body  annually  report  to  the  Particular  Synod  the 
numbers  and  changes  of  the  congregations  under  their  care ;  and  prepare 
a  duplicate  of  said  report,  to  be  laid  before  the  General  Synod.  Aud 
further.  That  the  Particular  S\'nod,  at  their  annual  meeting,  prepare  a 
report  of  their  proceedings,  for  the  information  of  this  Body.     1797,  271. 

In  1800,  the  Synod  adopted  a  plan  of  visitation,  1800,  298-9.  See 
Visitation  of  Churches. 

In  1800,  301-3,  313-316,  a  new  classification  of  the  Classes  is  made, 
and  a  Pastoral  Letter  is  sent  from  the  Synod  to  all  the  churches,  304-7. 

In  1804,  the  following  action  was  taken : 

Resolz'ed,  also,  That  a  committee  be  appoitned  to  inquire  and  report 
what  removals  by  death  or  otherwise,  of  the  ministers  belonging  to  this 
Church,  have  taken  place  since  the  meeting  of  General  Synod  in  1800. 
The  committee,  appointed  for  this  purpose  were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bas- 
sett,   Brouwer,   and  Eltinge.     1804,   329.     Report   is   found,    1804,   337-8. 

1809. 

REPORTS    ON    STATE    OF    RELIGION. 

Resolved,  That  at  the  close  of  each  ordinary  session  a  full  and  free 
conference  shall  be  held  on  the  subject  of  vital  religion  and  its  progress 
or  decline  in  each  congregation ;  and  that  each  Consistory  be  invited 
to  furnish  the  delegates  to  this  Synod  with  such  practical  views  of  the 
state  of  their  societies  as  are  requisite  to  obtain  the  object. 

Before  the  question  was  taken  on  the  above  resolution,  a  motion  was 
made  and  carried  for  adjourning  till  to-morrow,  9  o'clock. 

Closed  with  prayer. 

Wednesday    Morning,   9   ©'clock. 

Opened   with  prayer. 


STATE  OF  RELIGION  693 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted  instead  of  the  resolution  of 
yesterday,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined,  through  the  medium  of  the  Particu- 
lar S}Tiods  and  the  several  Classes,  upon  the  several  Consistories,  to 
present  annualh-  to  their  respective  Classes  a  statistical  account  of  their 
congregations,  and  also  an  account  of  the  real  state  of  vital  religion 
throughout  their  societies ;  which  account  is  to  be  communicated  through 
the   Particular   S\-nods  to  this  body  at  their  next   ordinar\-   session. 

Resolved,  moreover,  That  at  each  ordinarv^  session  a  committee  be 
appointed  to  draft  a  report  of  the  real  state  of  religion  in  their  churches. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  sake  of  uniformitv-,  the  form  of  statistical 
account  adopted  by  the  Classis  of  New  York  be  approved  by  this  S>-nod, 
and  recommended  through  the  Classes  to  the  several  Consistories. 
1809.  395-6. 

In  1 812  occurs  the  first  regular  Classical  Report  on  the  State  of 
Rehgion,  which,  as  a  matter  of  special  interest,  is  here  given  in  full : 

REPORT    ON    THE    STATE   OF    RELIGION.       l8l2. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  made  the  following  report, 
which  was  adopted,  viz. : 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  in  our  churches  respect- 
fully  report: 

That  they  have  attended  to  the  matters  referred  to  them,  and  find, 
from  the  best  authorities  before  them,  that  there  are  in  our  connection 
87  ministers,  5  candidates,  and  about  160  congregations ;  the  number 
of  families  and  members  in  communion  with  the  Church  cannot  be  ac- 
curateh-  ascertained,  in  consequence  of  the  negligence  of  some  churches 
in  attending  to  statistical  accounts. 

Your  committee  with  joy  communicate  to  this  S^-nod  the  very 
pleasing  tidings,  that  in  many  of  our  congregations,  God  has  blessed 
His  word  to  the  awakening  and  conversion  of  sinners.  The  churches 
of  New  York,  of  Greenwich,  of  Poughkeepsie,  of  Tarrytown.  and  of 
Kakeat.  have  enjoyed  a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord.  In  other  churches,  too  numerous  to  be  here  particularized,  the 
state  of  religion  is  improving.  Where  formerly  lukewarmness  prevailed, 
there  is  now  a  more  general  attention  paid  to  the  preaching  of  the  ever- 
lasting Gospel,  and  many  are  seriously  inquiring  what  they  shall  do  to 
be  saved. 

The  committee  feel  happy  in  stating  to  S^nod,  that  there  is  reason 
to  believe  that  the  doctrines  of  distinguishing  grace  are  faithfully  incul- 
cated by  the  ministers  of  our  Reformed  Zion :  that  these  doctrines  are 
treated  more  tenderly,  and  received  more  cheerfully  by  numbers  of 
their  hearers,  than  formerly.  That  considerable  attention  is  paid  to 
the  imi>ortant  duties  of  visiting  and  catechising,  those  duties  which, 
when  faithfully  discharged,  tend  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  to  alarm  the 
secure,  to  feed  the  lambs,  and  to  build  up  the  saints  in  their  most  holy 
faith ;  that  praj-ing  societies  are  generally  instituted  not  only  among 
the  more  advanced  in  years,  but  in  several  places  among  the  young 
and  rising  generation.  This  to  us  is  matter  of  consolation,  as  it  is  an 
evidence  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  is  pouring  out  the  spirit  of 
grace  and  supplication  in  a  more  copious  measure  than  our  churches  in 
this  country-  have  heretofore  experienced;  much,  indeed,  of  the  divine 
presence  may  be  confidently  expected,  should  such  societies  for  prayer 
and  praise  become  more  numerous  in  our  congregations.  Jehovah  has  re- 
vealed himself  to  be  the  hearer  of. prayer:  He  hath  never  said  to  the 
seed  of  Jacob,  seek  ye  me  in  vain;  and  soon  would  the  Church,  with 
which  we  stand  more  intimately  connected,  be  made  by  him  like  a 
watered  garden,  were  those  who  enjoy  her  privileges  more  humbled 
under  a  sense  of  their  sins,  and  more  engaged  in  supplicating  the  influ- 
ences of  His  Spirit. 


694  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Your  committee  find,  to  their  great  satisfaction,  that  in  some  socie- 
ties schools  for  educating  poor  children  are  established,  and  that  other 
schools,  through  the  exertion  of  your  ministers  and  Consistories,  are 
furnished  with  suitable  teachers. 

But  while  your  committee  with  gratitude  acknowledge  the  mercies 
bestowed  upon  the  churches,  they  find  reason  to  lament  that  numbers 
who  have  been  dedicated  to  God  by  baptism,  though  blessed  with  line 
upon  line,  and  precept  upon  precept,  live  in  the  habitual  neglect  of 
public  worship,  and  in  the  practice  of  various  immoralities ;  within  the 
bounds  of  the  churches,  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  is  still  great — the 
Sabbaths  of  the  Lord  in  many  places  are  profaned — unhallowed  diver- 
sions and  scandalous  vices  captivate  the  affections  of  many  young  per- 
sons— even  among  those  who  name  the  name  of  Christ,  there  are  some 
persons  who   exhibit  lamentable  conformity  to  the  present  evil  world. 

Your  committee  after  this  representation  on  the  state  of  religion  in 
the  churches,  and  in  the  view  of  impending  judgments,  would  therefore 
recommend  to  this  Synod  to  appoint  a  day  of  humiliation,  fasting  and 
prayer ;  and  as  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  have  set  apart  for 
that  purpose  the  last  Thursday  in  July  next,  that  we  cheerfully  concur 
with  them. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  however,  that  this  day  should 
be  observed  throughout  the  State ;  and  since  it  is  not  in  the  immediate 
power  of  this  Synod  to  effect  this,  it  may  perhaps  be  proper  that 
measures  should  be  adopted  by  Synod  to  direct  the  attention  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York  to  this  subject. 

All  of  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

JAS.    S.    CANNON,    Chairman. 
1812,  435-6. 

Since  1812  reports  on  the  State  of  Religion  have  been  regularly  made. 

In  the  first  quarter  of  the  19th  century,  the  growth  of  social  prayer 
meetings  is  often  alluded  to ;  the  increase  of  family  worship ;  the  faith- 
fulness of  pastoral  visitation ;  the  frequency  of  revivals ;  the  formation 
of  the  great  Benevolent  Societies ;  the  growing  union  of  Christians,  and 
the  increase  of  benevolence.  The  Statistical  reports  were  at  first  imper- 
fect and  irregular,  but  by  constant  exhortation,  they  gradually  became 
fuller  and  more  perfect.  The  importance  of  early  instruction  of  the 
young  is  repeatedly  emphasized,  and  the  development  of  Sunday  Schools 
hailed  with  joy.  In  1820  ministers  were  requested  to  set  apart  the  hour 
before-  noon,  on  Saturdays,  as  an  hour  of  special  prayer  for  their 
churches.  Revivals  and  periods  of  depression  are  frequently  alluded 
to;  large  revivals  occurred  in  the  thirties  and  the  seventies;  and  during 
the  last  decades  special  evangelistic  efforts  have  been  prominent.  In 
the  last  half  of  the  Nineteenth  Century  Missionary  success  has  been 
phenomenal. 

See  a  general  review  of  reports  on  the  State  of  Religion,  by  Dr.  Far- 
rar,  1906,  538-543- 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  the  Consistories  of  the  respective 
churches  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Synod,  to  exhibit  to  their  respect- 
ive Classes  at  their  annual  meetings — and  upon  the  Classes,  to  transmit 
through  their  delegates  to  General  Synod,  written  and  particular  ac- 
counts of  the  state  of  vital  godliness  within  their  bounds,  the  subjects  of 
sorrow  in  the  Church,  the  state  of  the  congregation,  the  prevailing  vices, 
the  efforts  of  benevolence  that  are  made,  and  whatever  else  may  be 
deemed  interesting  as  the  materials  of  the  report  on  the  State  of 
Religion.     1827,  45. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  different  ministers  to  read 
from  their  pulpits  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion; 


STATE  OF  RELIGION  695 

and  also  such  parts  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate 
as  they  shall  consider  important  to  be  known  by  all  the  churches,  upon 
the  first  Sabbath  after  the  printed  Minutes  shall  be  received  or  as  soon 
thereafter  as  practicable.     1829,  210. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Particular  Synods,  in  pre- 
paring their  reports  on  the  State  of  religion,  to  embody  in  them,  as  far 
as  possible,  an  extract  from  the  minutes  of  each  Classis,  embracing  a  com- 
parative statement  of  the  state  of  rehgion  in  their  bounds,  as  materials 
out  of  which  the  General  Synod  may  form  a  more  accurate  estimate  of 
the  condition  of  the  whole  Church.     1855,  542. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  and  Particular  Synods  be  requested 
to  make  their  reports  upon  the  state  of  religion  include,  as  far  as  possible, 
a  synopsis  of  the  statements  of  the  individual  consistories.     1857,  154. 

*  [Third.  Resolved:  i.  That  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion 
be  a  permanent  committee  of  this  Synod. 

2.  That  the  Reports  of  the  Particular  Synods  on  the  State  of 
Religion,  and  the  statistical  tables  be  sent  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Stand- 
ing Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  by  the  stated  Clerks  of  the  Par- 
ticular Synods,  so  soon  as  said  reports  shall  be  printed.] 

*  Laid  over  to  the  next  General  Synod. 

1883,  260. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  two  resolutions  of  last  year,  laid  over  to  this 
General  Synod,  be  and  are  hereby  approved,  viz. : 

"i.  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  be  a  per- 
manent Committee  of  this  Synod. 

"2.  Resolved,  That  hereafter  the  President  of  each  General  Synod 
shall  be  ex-oMcio,  the  Chairman  of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  the 
State  of  Rehgion ;  and  that  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Particular  Synods 
are  hereby  instructed  to  send  the  printed  Minutes  of  the  Synods  to  him, 
at  the  earliest  practicable  moment,  that  he  may  prepare  a  digest  of  the 
same."     1884,  465. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  pastors  and  consistories  be  herewith 
called  to  the  action  of  the  General  Synod  to  read  the  Annual  Report  on 
the  State  of  Religion  from  the  pulpit.     1896,  442-8. 

We  cannot  resist  the  impression,  however,  that  a  prime  reason  of 
the  declension  which  we  in  common  with  others  are  called  to  deplore, 
lies  hidden  in  the  subtle  influence  of  modern,  broad  and  so-called  phil- 
osophic thought,  which,  by  relaxing  the  authority  of  Scripture  as  in- 
spired of  God  renders  Christian  testimony  less  decided  and  preaching 
less  effective  than  when  the  sharp  arrow  of  conviction  has  been  pointed 
by  an  unhesitating,  THUS  SAITH  THE  LORD ! 

May  not  another  reason  be  discovered  in  the  constant  tendency 
of  nature  to  sink  back  and  to  lean  upon  external  appliances  in  religion, 
and  in  too  dim  and  feeble  an  apprehension  of  the  reality  and  directness 
of  the  Holy  Spirit's  power  and  His  willingness — in  answer  to  prayer — to 
accomplish  those  miracles  of  spiritual  success  which,  without  Him,  are 
simply  impossible?     1900,  847. 

In  reference  to  Infant  Baptism : 

Your  Committee  fear  that  this  most  important  and  beautiful  Ordin- 
ance is  becoming  less  and  less  revered  and  longed  for  by  Parents  in  our 
churches.  We  feel,  therefore,  that  it  belongs  to  the  Committee's  duty 
in  this  survey  of  the  State  of  Religion,  to  call  attention  to  the  need  of 
earnest  and  affectionate  appeal  to  our  Church  People  to  show  more 
faith  in  the  God  of  the  Covenant,  as  well  as  more  anxious  concern  for 
their  Children,  by  an  early  and  sincere  consecration  of  them  to  Him, 
whose  first  of  all  they  are,  and  who  alone  can  "keep  them  from  the  evil 
in  the  world."     1901,  1187. 


696         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

It  is,  indeed,  to  be  lamented  that  as  to  our  church  membership  there 
are  not  more  accessions.  It  may  be  said  that  conditions  are  against 
increase;  so  much  the  worse  for  the  conditions,  and  so  much  the  more 
use  for  our  attentive  investigation  of  their  causes. 

WorldHness,  the  rapid  rises  in  wealth,  the  substitution  of  morality — 
and  of  not  too  high  a  sort — for  religion,  the  very  frequent  removals  of 
city  families  from  place  to  place  as  the  husband's  business  may  require, 
the  introduction  of  too  many  societies  and  clubs  for  pleasure,  the  demorali- 
zation of  our  towns  through  too  intensive  surrender  to  social  gatherings 
that  cover  half  the  year  for  one  night  every  week,  so  that  the  card-party 
frequently  usurps  the  one  evening  formerly  reserved  for  devotional  im- 
provment;  and  its  dangerous  approach  to  gambling  in  its  prizes;  the 
neglect  of  family  religious  rites  and  home  religious  training ;  the  sup- 
planting of  the  regular  instructions  and  worships  of  the  Sabbath  by  a 
plethora  of  less  substantial  ones ;  these  are  having  their  deleterious  effects. 
The  standard  of  piety,  is  it  not  lowering?  Respect  for  the  church,  is  it 
not  diminishing?  And,  indeed,  is  not  the  church  at  fault  for  letting  itself 
be  wasted,  and  its  authority  and  influence  deteriorated,  by  permitting  all 
sorts  of  agencies,  some  of  them  infantile  in  more  respects  than  one,  to 
absorb  her  vitality? 

Somehow  it  does  seem  that  the  church  must  get  back  into  her  own 
traces  if  she  is  going  to  draw  along  the  modern  ark  of  God ! 

*  *  *  * 

While  great  efforts  are  making  among  the  young,  are  we  not  possibly 
neglecting  the  older?  What  if  we  should  start  Endeavor  Societies,  etc., 
for  the  old  and  for  the  men  in  busy  life?  Most  of  our  additions  are  from 
the  young ;  naturally  so ;  there  are  more  of  them ;  and  they  are  of  ten- 
derer, more  moldable  mind. 

*  *  *  *         ^ 

None  shall  exalt  more  than  we,  the  young  people's  organizations;  but 
-when  they  become  a  substitute  for  the  church,  they  were  better  put  entirely 
away.  If  regarded  as  the  children's  church,  if  they  diminish  attendance  on 
the  sanctuary  of  prayer  and  the  Word ;  if  they  diminish  the  sense  of 
family  responsibility;  not  only  is  an  injustice  done  to  divinely  established 
ordinances,  but  a  fatal  hurt  to  the  almost  worse  than  neglected,  the  mis- 
trained  children.  The  direct  moral  effect  of  being  Sabbath  after  Sabbath 
in  the  good  old  family  pew  is  too  great  on  father  and  mother  and  child, 
to  be  relegated  back  among  the  lost  arts,  or  treated  as  sentimental  relics 
of  a  less  successful  age  and  method. 

*  *  *  * 

Resolved,  That  religion  consists  more  in  saving  than  in  being  saved; 
that  Christ  came  to  make  men,  men;  that  all  labor,  all  wealth,  all  love, 
all  everything,  is  to  be  subordinated  to  His  purpose  and  made  Christian 
by  His  Spirit;  that  we  recognize  the  brotherhood  of  man  to  be  radically 
effected  through  our  brotherhood  with  the  Son  of  Man;  that  we  invoke 
all  that  is  manly  and  noble  and  worthy  in  our  churches  to  identify  itself 
with  the  mission  of  the  great  Master;  that  we  hereby  pledge  ourselves 
anew  to  obedience  to  Him;  and  we  invite  all  our  churches  to  pray  for 
the  inflow  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  who  alone  can  work  in  us  to  do  His  will ; 
and  we  lift  higher  than  ever  the  standard  of  the  Cross;  and  we  ask  all 
men  and  women  to  help  carry  it  forward:  our  motto  not  merely,  United, 
•we  stand  but   United— and   Forward.     1902,    155-7- 

1903. 

The  year  has  been  memorable  in  the  fact  that  with  very  few  excep- 
tions there  has  been  the  abiding  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  our 
churches;  out  of  over  one  hundred  letters  received  by  your  Evangelistic 
Committee,  only  three  have  reported  no  special  religious  interest,  and  all 
the  rest  have  testified  to  an  unusual  awakening,  whose  results  have  been 


STATE  OF  RELIGION  697 

an  increased  sense  of  personal  responsibility  on  the  part  of  God's  people, 
a  deepening  of  spiritual  life,  and  additions  on  confession  of  faith. 

*  *  *  * 

We  have  certainly  reason  to  praise  God  that  this  wave  of  blessing 
has  extended  over  all  our  beloved  Church ;  over  our  Mission  fields  in 
this  country,  even  these  feeble  churches  contributing  more  than  ever  before 
to  the  Boards;  and  then  the  showers  have  fallen  upon  the  fields  in  India 
and  Japan,  refreshing  believers,  making  closer  the  fellowship  in  Christ, 
and  multiplying  the  harvest  grain. 

The  additions  by  Confession  have  been  six  thousand  three  hundred 
and  sixty-four,  the  largest  gain  being  in  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
Brunswick.  A  year  ago  there  was  reported  a  loss  on  confession  of  four 
hundred  and  twenty-six  as  compared  with  the  previous  year.  We  can 
report  this  year  a  gain  of  one  thousand  five  hundred  and  eight  instead 
of  a  loss.  The  gain  to  the  total  membership  has  been  two  thousand  five 
hundred  and  sixty-three,  as  against  a  gain  of  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-five  reported  a  year  ago,  making  the  total  membership  to-day 
one  hundred  and  twelve  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirteen,  as  against 
one  hundred  and  ten  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty  a  year  ago. 

The  contributions  to  the  Boards  have  been  about  $300,000,  a  gain  of 
$25,000  over  last  year. 

We  have  thus  shown  in  this  report  a  great  advance  in  the  spiritual 
work  of  our  churches,  and  a  corresponding  advance  in  benevolence,  for 
the  piety  that  does  not  touch  the  pocketbook  is  superficial  and  of  little 
worth ;  but  your  committee  feel  that  another  advance  is  needed,  and  must 
come  with  the  deepening  of  the  religious  life.  It  is  in  the  pushing  of  our 
work,  not  only  in  missionary  fields,  but  all  over  our  land,  by  the  organiza- 
tion of  new  churches,  and  of  Sunday  Schools  for  the  instruction  of  the 
children  and  youth.     1903,  468-470. 

See  Evangelistic  Work. 

1904. 

What  is  the  power  of  the  Church  but  the  aggregated  and  spiritual 
potencies  on  the  individual  disciple  of  the  living  Christ?  How  shall  we 
estimate  so  that  we  may  give  as  true  report  as  possible?  Several  factors 
enter  into  this  problem.  We  have  first,  the  annual  reports  of  the  four 
Particular  Synods,  New  York,  Albany,  New  Brunswick  and  Chicago. 
The  Statistical  Tables  furnish  the  cold  facts.  It  is  necessary  also  that 
we  take  into  account  the  general  conditions  and  temper  of  the  Church  as 
evidenced  by  the  current  events  as  recorded  in  the  Church  paper,  and 
gathered  from  all  possible  sources.  *  *  *  Another  factor  is  the  benevo- 
lence of  the  churches.  Not  simply  in  the  account  of  amounts  contrib- 
uted, but  in  the  spirit  of  the  people  as  indicated  by  the  reception  given 
to  the  representatives  of  our  various  Boards  and  Benevolences  *  *  * 
5,337  have  been  added  on  confession.  Special  blessings  had  been  experi- 
enced in  the  Synod  of  Chicago.     1904,  779-783- 

1905. 

Five  thousand  three  hundred  eighty-two  were  received  on  confession 
of  faith,  and  benevolence  increased  nearly  $30,000.  The  decreasing  enroll- 
ment of  ministers  calls  for  serious  thought.  There  is  a  growing  discrep- 
ancy between  the  number  of  catechumens  and  the  number  of  Sunday 
School  scholars.  The  number  of  infant  baptisms  does  not  keep  up  in 
proportion  to  the  increase  of  families.  The  doctrine  of  the  "Covenant" 
has  ever  been  one  of  the  distinctive  features  of  the  Churches  of  the 
Reformation.  Even  the  honored  head  of  our  nation  lifts  up  his  voice 
against  "race-suicide."     1905,  225. 

1906. 

See  very  elaborate  Report  of  Rev.  Dr.  Farrar,  on  the  State  of  Re- 


698  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ligion,  1906,  at  the  Centennial  Session  of  General  Synod.  See  also  other 
details  under  Colored  People;  Prayer  Meetings;  Revivals;  Statistical 
Tables;  Temperance;  Sunday  Schools. 

State  of  the  Church.  General.*  Committees  have  thrice  been  ap- 
pointed to  report  on  the  General  State  of  the  Church.  First,  in  1788, 
184-5,  on  the  Polity  of  the  Church  in  connection  with  the  civil  liberty  just 
obtained.  Their  report  was  seething  for  four  years.  See  1789,  201 ; 
1790,  210;  May,  1791,  217;  Oct.,  1791,  226;  May,  1792,  229;  Oct.,  1792, 
235-6,  when  Explanatory  Articles  were  adopted,  to  apply  the  Rules  of 
Church  of  Government  of  1619,  to  American  conditions.  The  second  com- 
mittee on  the  General  State  of  the  Church  was  appointed  in  1847,  195-6, 
on  the  Policy  of  the  Church;  the  history  of  the  Church  was  reviewed, 
and  the  development  of  its  aggressive  machinery  in  its  Boards;  and  many 
useful  suggestions  were  made.  See  the  Elaborate  Report,  1848,  293-336. 
The  third  committee  on  the  General  State  of  the  Church  was  appointed  in 
1899,  505-6.  Their  report  is  given,  1900,  808-844.  The  general  develop- 
ment of  the  Church  was  traced  in  its  Institutions,  Endowments,  Mis- 
sions, Foreign  and  Domestic,  and  other  efforts ;  in  its  Spiritual  Life  and 
Growth,  with  a  number  of  suggestions ;  in  its  Educational  Work,  with  sug- 
gestions ;  and  suggestions  in  reference  to  its  ]\lission  Work.  For  a  general 
history  of  the  work  of  the  two  Committees  of  1788  and  1848,  see  two 
articles  in  Christian  Intelligencer,  on  Semi-Centennial  Reports,  May,  1899. 

Statesir  Scholarship.  Gift  of  $3,000  by  ]\Irs.  Cornelia  A.  and  Miss 
Liddie  R.  Statesir,  to  the  Board  of  Education,  1889. 

Statistical  Reports.  See  also  under  State  of  Religion.  Rev.  Mr. 
Livingston,  at  the  request  of  this  Rev.  Body,  undertakes  to  form  a  list 
of  the  ministers,  licentiates,  and  vacant  congregations  in  both  Provinces, 
to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  with  the 
request  that  they  be  placed  upon  the  register,  which  is  annually  printed 
in  Holland.     1773,  43-        .  .        •  . 

The  Revolution  coming  on,  this  was  not  accomplished  until  May, 
1784,  112-114,  when  his  list  showed  85  churches  and  32  ministers;  only 
53  churches  had  regular  pastors.  Another  list  occurs  in  1800,  in  which 
there  are  139  churches,  59  ministers,  and  5  candidates.     1800,  313-316. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined,  through  the  medium  of  Particular 
Synods  and  the  several  Classes,  upon  the  several  Consistories,  to  present 
annually  to  the  respective  Classes,  a  statistical  account  of  their  congrega- 
tions ;  and  also  an  account  of  vital  religion  throughout  their  societies ; 
which  account  is  to  be  communicated,  through  the  Particular  Synod,  to 
this  body  at  their  ordinary  session.     1809,  395 ;  1812,  406. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  on  the  several  Classes  to  require  from 
each  congregation  a  particular  and  full  account  of  the  state  of  such  con- 
gregation, specifying  particularly  the  state  of  religion  therein — to  the  end, 
that  through  the  Classes  and  Particular  Synods,  the  General  Synod  may 
receive  correct  information  relating  to  the  Churches  under  their  care. 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  consider  this  to  be  the  most  proper  mode 
for  obtaining  a  regular,  full,  and  true  account  of  whatever  relates  to  the 
Churches  composing  this  Body.     1815,  28. 

Whereas,  It  is  important  that  the  statistical  reports  from  our 
churches  should  be  regularly  made  to  Synod;  and,  Whereas,  Some 
Classes  have  made  no  returns  at  all,  and  many  churches  have  been  habit- 
ually negligent  in  making  full  returns;  therefore, 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  subject  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  atten- 
tion of  all  our  Classes  and  churches. 

2.  That  whenever  any  of  the  churches  shall  be  delinquent  in  making 
their  statistical  reports,  the  Classes  be  advised  to  supply  such  neglect, 
by  inserting  the  last  report  from  said  churches,  and  add  a  note  of  explana- 
tion of  this  fact. 


STATISTICAL  REPORTS  699 

3.  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  several  Classes  be  directed  to  send 
annually,  a  copy  of  their  statistical  reports  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General 
Synod.     1829,  183. 

With  the  revision  of  the  Constitution  in  1833,  it  was  provided  therein, 
that  Consistories  should  make  to  the  Classis,  statistical  reports  of  their 
congregations,  according  to  the  formula  prescribed  by  Synod,  1833,  Arts. 
55>  17)\  Constit.  1874,  Art.  48;  from  the  reports  of  the  Classis,  the  Particu- 
lar Synod  shall  report  to  the  General  Synod;  Constit.  of  1833,  80;  of 
1874,  68. 

Resolved,  That  the  present  column  for  contributions  embrace  only 
those  that  are  strictly  benevolent ;  and  that  a  column  for  congregational 
purposes  be  added,  which  shall  include  all  moneys  raised  for  salaries, 
debts,  church  expenses,  etc.,  and  that,  if  necessary,  the  column  headed 
'Total  of  the  Congregation"  be  dropped.     1856,  56. 

Resolved  That  the  several  Classes  and  Particular  Synods  be  request- 
ed to  make  their  reports  upon  the  State  of  Religion  include,  as  far  as 
possible,  a  synopsis  of  the  statements  of  the  individual  Consistories. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  several  Classes  be  requested 
to  add  up  the  statistical  tables  of  their  Classes,  before  they  transmit 
them  to  the  Particular  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  Particular  Synods  be  enjoined  to  furnish  to  the 
respective  Classes  blank  forms  for  their  statistical  reports,  and  the  Classes 
to  furnish  similar  forms  to  the  Consistories  for  their  reports.     1857,  154. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  several  Classes  be  directed 
to  send  up  in  their  Statistical  Reports  the  Post  Office  addresses  of  the 
members  without  pastoral  charge,     i860,  581. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  several  Classes  be  directed 
to  fill  up  the  blanks  in  the  column  headed  "Total  now  in  Communion" 
by  inserting  the  number  in  the  last  Report,  so  signifying  the  fact.  1863,  314. 

For  the  sake  of  promoting. uniformity : 
.  Resolved,  i.     That  in  the  Consistorial  Report  under  the  head  "Xum- 
ber  of  Families,"  only  such  be  reckoned  as  are  attendants  upon  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Church. 

2.  That  the  several  Consistories  be  directed  to  keep  a  separate  list 
of  those  members  whose  places  of  residence  after  diligent  search,  cannot 
be  ascertained,  and  that  such  members  be  not  included  in  the  yearly  statis- 
tical report. 

3.  Under  the  head  of  "Catechetical  and  Bible  Classes,"  by  Catechu- 
mens be  understood  only  such  as  are  regularly  instructed  in  the  cate- 
chisms recognized  by  the  Church ;  by  "Biblical  Instruction,"  be  understood 
such  only  as  are  instructed  directh-  from  the  Bible  as  a  text  book. 

4.  Under  the  head  of  "Contributions  for  Religious,  Congregational, 
and  Benevolent  Purposes,"  be  undertsood  the  actual  contributions  of  the 
congregations  to  said  objects  for  the  year  thus  reported,  excluding  all 
income  from  bequests  of  previous  years,  rentals  from  real  estate,  or 
invested  funds  of  whatever  kind. 

5.  That  the  above  rules  be  printed  on  the  backs  of  the  statistical 
tables  for  future  guidance.     1866,  80. 

Resolved,  That  in  reporting  the  number  of  "Baptized  non-Communi- 
cants," the  Churches  be  directed  to  include  only  those  baptized  persons, 
young  and  old,  not  members  in  full  communion,  who  are  identified  with 
the  congregation  at  the  time  of  making  the  report.     1880,  497. 

Synod  refused  to  eliminate  the  column,  "Baptized  Non-Communi- 
cants," 1889,  883.     See  Baptized  Non-Communicants. 

The  local  churches  are  requested  to  adopt  April  ist  to  March  31st  as 
the  dates  of  their  fiscal  year.     No  action  seemed  practicable   (altho'  sug- 


700         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

gested)  in  reference  to  the  exact  fiscal  year  of  the  Benevolent  Boards, 
owing  to  frequent  delays  in  the  transmission  of  funds,  1890,  113. 

Consistories  urged  not  lightly  to  cover  up  "loss  of  members"  by  a 
"revised  list,"  as  a  substitute  for  Consistorial  discipline.  Fractions  of 
dollars  need  not  be  reported  in  statistics.  Churches  requested  to  classify 
their  contributions  for  benevolence,  making  an  additional  column  of 
"Other  Religious  and  Benevolent  Purposes,"  when  not  for  Denominational 
objects.  1890,  III,  116.  The  Stated  Clerk  is  authorized  to  insert  any 
changes  of  names  of  pastors  or  churches,  so  as  to  make  the  Minutes  as 
correct  as  possible  up  to  date  of  publication,  1890,  153-4.  Repeated  ex- 
hortations to  make  the  Statistical  Tables  accurate.  1895,  168;  1897,  687, 
etc.,  etc. 

Synod  refused  to  adopt  a  suggestion  to  insert  a  column  in  the  Statis- 
tical Tables  to  be  styled  a  "Non-Resident"  column,  to  show  the  number  of 
non-residents  in  each  church,  1893,  810,  811;  1894,  133-4;  iQOO,  776. 

Comparison  of  Statistics  for  1850  and  1900;  1900,  813-828. 

Summaries  of  the  Statistics  of  the  Church  began  to  be  given  only  in 

1845,  and  not  then  very  completely.  The  following  shows  these  sum- 
maries at  periods  of  five  years : 

Benevolence  to 
No.  of  No.  in  Denomina-  For  Con- 
No.  of  No.  of    Communi-  Sabbath  tional          Other  gregational 
Years.    Chs.      Mins.        cants.  Schools.  Objects.      Objects.  Support. 

1845 . .    274        275  32,883  16,631  

1850..    292        293  33,553  19,791  

1855..    364        348  38,927  26,593        $77,999  

i860. .    370        387          50,427          45,362        125,010          $402,197 

1865..    427        436          54,286          40,256        225,410         545,540 

1870..    464        493          61,144          48,411        281,647 906,034 

1875..    490        528          70,628          68,041        282,505 944,116 

1880..    510        545          80,208          80,445         171,614          852,286 

1885..    543        573          83,702          95,931        233,996          871,387 

1890..    551        560          90,878  103,046  280,661        $32,838  1,003,815 

1895..    618        652        103,348  117,260  187,124        124,392  1,022,206 

1900..    643        715         109,899  124,248  233,831          83,215  1,090,383 

1905..    649        704        116,668  120,711  318,119          86,081  1,221,800 

Steele  Memorial  College,  Japan.  Founded,  1892.  For  brief  sketch, 
see  Corwin's  Manual,  1902,  273.  In  1905  this  College  had  more  than  100 
students  on  its  roll.  It  falls  below  government  schools  in  mathematics  and 
science.  Its  tone  is  decidedly  Christian.  It  has  a  high  reputation  for  its 
teaching  of  English.  Report  of  Board,  1887,  8,  1905,  xii.  See  1903,  368; 
and  reports  of  Board,  1892,  70;  1893,  -JZ- 

Steele,  Wm.  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  to  Borneo,  1842-9;  gives 
Memorial  Window  in  Sage  Library  in  honor  of  Rev.  Dr.  D.  D.  Demarest; 
Report  of  Com.  on  Grounds,  etc.,  1904,  4.     See  Steele  Memorial  College. 

Steepens,  Nicholas  M.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Delegate  to  Gen.  Assembly  of 
United  Presbyt.  Ch.,  1883,  252;  elected  Prof.  Didactic  and  Polemic  The- 
ology at  Hope  College,  1884,  535 ;  report  of  his  inauguration,  1885,  741 ; 
intends  to  resign,  1891,  278;  withdraws  his  resignation  at  request  of 
Synod,  1891,  286;  again  resigns,  1895,  72,  ^z,  79;  1896,  347;  member  of  Bd. 
of  Sups,  of  Western   Sem.,    1901,   1050;   resigns   from  certain   Committee, 

1902,  122;    elected    Prof,    of    Historical    Theology   in    Western    Seminary, 

1903,  335-6;  report  of  his  inauguration,  1904,  670. 

Stewart,  Abel  T  (Rev.  Dr.)  $3,000  Scholarship  to  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion, 1878. 

Stitt,  Charles.   (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1869. 


STITT,  GEORGE  S.  701 

Stitt,  George  S.    Acting  Treas.  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  1857. 

Stock.     Transferred  to  Professors  in  payment  of  salaries,  1816,  43. 

Stokes,  Caroline  L.  (Mrs.)  Bequest  of  $500  to  Dom.  Miss.,  1868, 
278,  415. 

Storms,  Abram.  Bequests:  Scholarship,  $2,000;  to  Dom.  Missions, 
$2,000;  to  Church  Extension  Fund,  $2,000;  to  Foreign  Missions,  $2,000; 
toward  endowment  of  Professorship  of  Did.  and  Pol.  Theologv'  at  Hope 
College,  $170.     1879,  240-1. 

Stout,  Henry.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  in  Japan  since  1869.  Delivers 
Graves  Lectures,  1897,  611. 

Strong,  Paschel  X.  (Rev.)  Announces  to  Synod  the  formation  of 
the  Missionary  Society  of  R.  D.  C,  1822,  19 ;  serves  as  Secretary  of  Bd. 
of  Direction,  1824,  23,  55 ;  his  death,  1825,  9. 

Strong,  Theodore,  LL.D.  Appointed  Prof,  of  Mathematics  in  Rut- 
gers College,  1828,  125. 

Strong,  Thomas  C.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Permanent  Clerk  of  General  Svnod, 
1855-62. 

Strong,  Thomas  M.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod, 
1828-1861. 

Stryker,  Isaac  P.  (Rev.)  Missionary-;  has  probably  reached  Batavia, 
1841,  526;  has  reached  Batavia,  1842,  131;  his  death,  1843,  191,  243.  See 
sketch,  Corwin's  Manual,  761. 

Stryker,  Peter,  of  Flatbush,  L.  I.  Bequeaths  47  shares  of  stock  in 
the  Farmers'  Fire  Insurance  and  Loan  Co.,  for  the  endowment  of  a 
Scholarship,  to  be  called  "The  Cornell  Scholarship ;"  par  value,  $2,350, 
1834,  295,  297;  sale  at  123  per  cent.,  brokerage  deducted,  $2,883.27;  1835, 
408;  $1,700  paid  Bd.  of  Direction  to  found  Cornell  Scholarship;  balance 
to  be  allowed  to  accumulate  to  found  a  "Stryker  Scholarship ;"  1835,  404, 
408-9;  accumulating,  1836,  497;  1837,  60;  1838,  107,  163;  review;  the  47 
shares,  with  dividends,  produced  $3,109.27;  the  balance,  $1,409,27  (after 
paying  $1,700  for  Cornell  Scholarship),  now  amounts,  by  accumulation, 
to  $1,721.63.  Both  Scholarships  to  be  allowed  to  accumulate  to  $2,000. 
so  as  to  produce  each  $120;  1839,  262-4;  the  Stryker  Scholarship  com- 
pleted; review,  1845,  411,  472-3,  486. 

Stryker,  Peter.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1895;  his  dis- 
course on  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  to  be  published,  1896,  409;  sketch 
of,  1900,  905,  912. 

Stuart,  George  H.  Addresses  Synod  on  the  Christian  Commission 
in  behalf  of  the  armies,  1864,  507-8. 

Stuart,  M.  Cohen.  Secretary  of  Evangelical  Alliance ;  urges  Synod 
to  appoint  delegates  to,  1866,  11,  44. 

Studdiford,  Peter.  (Rev.)  Appointed  Teacher  of  Hebrew,  pro  tem., 
by  Bd.  of  Sups.,  1814,  19. 

Students.  Congregations  shall  endeavor  to  raise  public  funds  for 
the  support  of  Students  in  Theolog\-.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  19.  The 
Coetus  directed  that  a  student  shall  pay  £8  for  his  examination — £4  in 
advance;  the  congregation  calhng  him,  shall  pay  £20  for  his  final  exam- 
ination; Coetus  Mints.,  1747,  page  x;  1748,  p.  xx;  students  to  be  pro- 
visionally examined  at  next  meeting,  1771,  14;  students  shall  study  at 
New  York,  Albany,  Fishkill,  Raritan  or  Hackensack,  1772,  33;  shall  pay 
£S  for  their  preparatory  examination  for  licensure,  1773,  40;  must  bring  a 
certificate  from  Dr.  Livingston,  as  Professor,  when  desiring  examination, 
1784,  125;  Synod  Will  pay  £5,  instead  of  the  student,  at  his  preparatory 
examination  for  licensure,  1787,  168;  students  must  exhibit  literar\-  diplo- 
mas   or   pass   examinations,   before   being   admitted   as    students    of   the- 


702         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

ology,  before  a  Classical  Committee,  1788,  178-9;  to  be  examined  as  to 
literary  qualifications  by  a  Committee  of  this  Synod,  1790,  206;  a  diploma 
from  some  college,  or  certificate  from  some  Academy  necessary,  before 
being  adrnitted  to  begin  theological  studies,  1791,  225;  students  must 
have  studied  at  least  two  years  with  the  Professor  or  some  Synodical 
Lector  before  he  can  obtain  a  Professorial  Certificate;  Constitution  of 
1792,  Art.  23;  may  seek  examination  for  licensure  before  the  [Particular] 
Synod  or  any  Classis  he  may  choose;  Constitution  of  1792,  Arts.  23,  39, 
40,  47;  moneys  accruing  from  examination  of  students,  to  be  sent  by 
Presidents  of  Classes  to  Questor  of  Synod,  1794,  265;  Professors  tell 
the  number  of  their  students,  since  1797  [Prof.  Romeyn,  10;  Prof.  Froe- 
ligh,  5;  Prof.  Livingston  does  not  remember;  has  at  present,  i]  ;  1800,  291; 
students  not  to  be  permitted  to  study  under  private  instructors,  when  the 
Divinity  Hall  is  opened  in  Queens  College,  1809,  389;  Articles  relating  to 
students  in  the  Plan  of  the  Seminary,  1812: 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OF   STUDENTS. 

1.  Every  student,  upon  admission  to  the  Theological  School,  shall 
produce  a  certificate  of  his  membership  in  some  regular  Protestant  church, 
and  testimonials  of  his  academic  attainments,  or  submit  to  an  examination 
upon  academic  studies. 

2.  The  students  shall  exhibit  to  the  professors  weekly,  in  rotation, 
one  lecture  or  sermon  upon  such  subjects  as  the  professors  shall  appoint, 
and  each  one  annually  to  the  Superintendents,  and  write  upon  such  sub- 
jects as  the  professors  may  prescribe. 

3.  Strict  morality,  piety,  diligence  in  studies,  and  attention  upon 
lectures,  recitation  and  prayers,  are  required,  under  pain  qi  reproof  or 
expulsion. 

4.  Every  student  shall  spend  a  portion  of  his  time  morning  and 
evening  in  private  devotion,  and  every  Lord's  day  in  pubhc,  social,  and 
private  worship,  with  a  particular  reference  to  personal  religion  and 
growth  in  grace. 

5.  Those  students  who  are  not  able  to  defray  the  expenses  of  their 
education  shall  be  assisted,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  funds  devoted 
to  that  purpose.     1812,  432. 

It  is  recommended  to  students  to  apply  for  licensure  to  the  Classes 
within  whose  bounds  they  resided  when  they  began  their  theological 
studies,  1813,  II. 

Whereas,  The  students,  according  to  the  plan  agreed  upon,  in  rela- 
tion to  the  Theological  Institution,  are  required  to  submit  to  an  examina- 
tion before  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  previous  to  their  obtaining  a 
Professorial  certificate  for  examination  and  licensure. 

Resolved,  That  every  student  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  shall, 
previous  to  his  commencing  the  study  of  Theology,  make  himself  known 
as  such  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  and  shall  be  considered  under 
the  care  of  said  Board. 

Resolved,  That  every  student  of  Divinity  under  whomsoever  he  may 
have  studied,  shall,  previous  to  his  examination  by  the  Professor,  apply 
for  the  said  purpose  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents  before  he  is  exam- 
ined and  licensed.     1813,  36. 

All  those  who  design  to  apply  for  licensure  to  preach  in  the  Dutch 
Church,  must  prosecute  their  studies  in  the  Institution  of  that  Church, 
unless  a  special  act  of  indulgence  be  obtained  from  Synod,  1813,  37 ;  but 
this  does  not  apply  to  the  students  of  Prof.  Froeligh,  but  only  to  the 
schools  of  sister  Churches,  1814,  45 ;  act  of  1794,  265,  re-enacted ;  a  reso- 


STUDENTS  703 

lution  that  students  be  directed  to  apply  for  licensure  to  the  Classis 
within  whose  bounds  their  parents  or  their  families  reside  at  the  time 
they  apply  for  examination — was  postponed,  indefinitely,  1815,  30,  33; 
1839,  252;  dispensations  for  students  to  study  elsewhere  than  in  the 
School  of  the  Church,  no  longer  to  be  granted,  1815,  41 ;  proposed  amend- 
hent  to  Explanatory  Art.  40,  of  Constitution  of  1792,  requiring  students  to 
apply  to  the  Classis,  to  which  they  belonged  when  they  began  their 
[theological]  studies,  for  examination  for  licensure,  1817,  25,  26;  but 
attention  of  students  only  called  to  action  of  1813,  11;  1817,  25,  26;  the 
admission  of  students  into  the  Theological  College,  or  the  school  of  Prof. 
Froeligh,  to  be  intrusted  to  the  Professors  and  the  Bd.  of  Sups.,  or  to  a 
Committee  of  five,  appointed  by  the  Board;  that  the  Bd.  be  authorized 
if  they  deem  it  expedient,  to  demand  $30  annually,  from  each  student ;  the 
Synod  recommended  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  40, 
requiring  students  to  return  to  their  own  Classes  for  examination  for 
licensure  unless  said  Classis  allow  them  to  apply  elsewhere,  1819,  32,  41 ; 
reports  of  the  Classes,  1820,  14,  65,  70;  amendment  declared  adopted, 
upon  partly  unofficial  reports,  1820,  70;  recommended  to  Consistories,  to 
correspond  with  the  students'  instructors,  while  they  are  pursuing  their 
classical  studies,  1823,  42;  Consistories  exhorted  not  to  allow  students  to 
preach,  1824,  47. 

In  the  new  Plan  of  the  Seminary  in  1828,  141,  the  Article  on  Students 
is  as  follows : 


ART.  IV. 

OF   STUDENTS. 

1.  Every  student  upon  admission  to  the  Theological  School,  shall  pro- 
duce a  certificate  of  his  membership  in  some  regular  Protestant  Church, 
and  a  diploma  from  some  literary  College,  or  testimonials  of  such  literary 
attainments  as  would  entitle  him  to  such  diploma.  He  shall,  moreover, 
submit  to  such  examination  by  the  Board,  or  such  committee  as  they 
may  appoint,  of  his  piety,  talents,  and  such  other  qualifications  as  would 
give  reasonable  ground  to  hope  that  he  is  called  of  God  to  preach  the 
Gospel. 

2.  Every  student  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  shall,  previous  to  his 
commencing  the  study  of  Theology,  make  himself  known  as  such  to  the 
Board  of  Superintendents,  and  shall  be  considered  under  the  care  of 
said  Board.  And  every  student  of  Divinity,  under  whomsoever  he  may 
have  studied,  shall  previous  to  his  examination  by  the  Professor,  apply 
for  the  said  purpose  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  before  he  is  exam- 
ined and  licensed.     (See  above,  1813,  36.) 

Articles  3,  4,  5,  6,  which  follow,  are  the  same  as  Articles  2,  3,  4,  5, 
of  1812,  which  see. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  students  of  our  Seminary 
to  study  the  claims  of  the  destitute  parts  of  our  own  country,  as  well 
as  of  the  world  at  large;  to  consider  the  question  of  personal  duty  in 
regard  to  them ;  to  acquire  due  conceptions  of  the  amount  and  forms  of 
labor  requisite  in  given  fields ;  to  spend  a  portion  of  their  vacations  in 
colporteur  labors ;  and  while  cherishing  a  sturdy  spirit  of  endurance,  that 
they  cultivate  those  habits  of  study,  and  modes  of  address,  which  will 
facilitate  their  entrance  among  them.     1848,  427. 

The  Bd.  of  Superintendents  suggested  the  employment  of  students, 
by  the  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions,  during  their  summer  vacation;  heartily 
endorsed  by  Synod;  1884,  417,  519.  This  has  been  continued  to  present 
time.     See  reports  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions,  and  reports  of  Synod. 


704         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

In  the  revised  Plan  of  the  Seminary  of  1888,  the  Article  on  "Students" 
is  as  follows : 

Art.  IV.  Of  the  Students. — i.  Every  student  shall  before  his  admis- 
sion to  the  School,  present  to  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  or  to  its 
Committee,  or  to  the  Faculty,  a  certificate  of  membership  in  some  Protes- 
tant Church,  and  a  diploma  certifying  that  he  has  received  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts  from  some  College  or  University.  In  lack  of  this,  he 
shall  give  proof,  by  testimonials  or  examination,  of  such  literary  attain- 
ments as  will  enable  him  to  enter  upon  the  course  of  studies  in  the  School. 
His  piety,  talents  and  other  quahfications  shall  also  be  made  matters  of 
inquiry. 

2.  Every  student  shall,  on  his  admission  to  the  school,  be  required  to 
subscribe  his  name  in  the  Matriculation  Book  provided  for  this  purpose. 
He  shall  also  consider  himself  pledged  to  lead  a  consistent  Christian  life, 
to  be  diligent  in  study,  and  punctual  in  attendance  on  lectures,  recitations, 
and  the  various  exercises  of  the  School. 

3.  The  work  of  the  students  shall  be  directed  by  the  Professors. 
They  shall  write  upon  such  subjects  as  the  Professors  may  assign  them, 
and  every  member  of  the  Senior  and  Middle  Classes  shall  present  a  ser- 
mon to  the  Board  for  examination  at  the  annual  meeting. 

4.  Students  shall  not  be  allowed  to  preach  or  lecture  in  any  of  our 
churches  or  congregations,  except  the  students  of  the  Senior  Class.  These 
shall  be  allowed  to  deliver  their  own  discourses  under  the  direction  of 
one  of  the  Professors  of  Theology,  with  the  undertsanding  that  this 
direction  is  to  extend  to  the  time  when,  the  place  where,  and  the  dis- 
course to  be  delivered.  The  same  privileges  shall  be  allowed  to  them  in 
the  churches  of  which  they  are  members,  under  the  direction  of  their 
own  pastors.  The  students  of  the  Middle  Class  shall  be  allowed  to  preach 
during  vacations  under  the  direction  of  their  Theological  Professors. 
1888,  539,  540. 

1.  Resolved,  That  students  shall  not  be  admitted  to  examination  be- 
fore the  Board  of  Superintendents  unless  recommended  by  the  Faculty. 
This  recommendation  shall  certify  to  their  faithfulness,  good  behavior 
and  scholarship.  But  any  professor  may  present  to  the  Board  special 
cases  of  deficiency  in  his  own  department. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  whole  matter  of  students  preaching  be  remitted 
to  the  control  of  the  Faculties  of  the  Seminaries.     1894,  80. 

The  Synod  commends  the  Students'  summer  campaign,  and  recom- 
mends the  churches  to  encourage  the  young  men  in  their  endeavor  to 
awaken  new  interest  in  Foreign  Missions,  especially  among  our  young 
people,  1899,  443.  Whole  number  of  students,  from  the  beginning  in  New 
Brunswick  Seminary,  up  to  1900,  is  1,032;  1900,  817.  Student  missionaries 
alluded  to,  1900,  821 ;  decrease  in  number  of  students,  1901,  1067. 

In  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  "State  of  the  Church,"  1900, 
the  following  is  found: 

14th.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  each  Classis  to  keep  a 
constant  oversight  of  all  students  for  the  ministry,  who  may  be  members 
of  churches  within  its  bounds,  during  their  whole  course  of  study,  either 
through  the  Committee  provided  for  in  Resolution  2nd,  or  otherwise,  and 
that  it  be  required  of  them  to  make  regular  reports  to  Classis.  1900, 
734,  836. 

On  the  marriage  of  students,  see  New  Brunswick  Seminary  under 
years    1902,    1903. 

Students'  Preaching.  Students  have  never  been  licensed  to  preach 
in  R.  C  A.,  until  the  close  of  the  Seminary  course,  and  hence  the  above 
phrase  is  somewhat  anomalous.  Having  never  signed  the  Formulas  for 
Licentiates    or    Ministers,    they    are    not    under    the    same    restrictions    as 


STUDENTS'  PREACHING  705 

these.  It  is  therefore,  a  question  whether  resolutions  of  the  Synod  or 
Board  of  Superintendents  can  legally  anticipate  their  licensure  and  ordina- 
tion subscriptions.     Yet  the  following  has  been  the  action  on  this  subject: 

Early  Synodical  Action  in  Holland. 

In  the  Synod  of  Dort  of  1618  and  1619,  Sess.  155,  §  20,  the  following 
language  is  held :  "In  churches  in  which  the  more  competent  ministers 
are  found  the  treatment  of  propositions  shall  be  instituted,  in  order,  by 
such  exercises,  to  prepare  persons  for  the  ministry  of  the  Word,  follow- 
ing in  this  respect  the  order  specially  appointed  by  this  Synod."  In  the 
Minutes  of  the  Synod  held  at  the  Hague  in  1586,  §  18,  there  is  (in  addi- 
tion to  the  immediately  preceding)  the  following  language:  "It  being 
regarded  as  well  understood  that  none  thus  exercising  themselves  shall 
publicly  teach  the  Church  from  the  pulpit,  but  such  as  have  been  lawfully 
examined  and  recognized  as  qualified. '  In  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod 
of  Dort,  Anno.,  1578,  we  find:  "In  congregations  in  which  there  are 
students  of  theology,  the  same  shall  be  weekly  exercised  in  the  treatment 
of  propositions,  in  a  special  assembly  appointed  for  the  purpose,  in  pres- 
ence of  the  ministers  of  the  Word."  In  the  Synod  held  at  Wesel,  Anno., 
1568,  we  have  the  distinction  stated  between  propositions  and  prophesies. 
Chap.  I,  §  16,  it  is  said:  "Prophets,  we  here  denominate  those  who.  in 
the  public  religious  assembly,  explain  in  order  some  passages  of  Scripture 
according  to  the  institution  of  Paul ;  and  herein  are  these  destinguished 
from  ministers,  that  to  them  is  entrusted  the  explaining  of  Scripture  and 
imparting  instruction,  while  the  duty  of  the  ministers  of  God  is  of  much 
wider  extent."  In  §  17,  it  is  further  taught  that  the  prophets  shall  prophesy 
by  turns,  and  in  each  other's  presence,  and  under  common  subjection. 
In  §  19,  it  is  further  ordained  that  those  who  desire  the  gift  of  prophecy 
shall  practise  in  subjection  to  the  judgment  and  pleasure  of  ministers  and 
other  prophets  before  exercising  their  gift  for  the  common  good.  The 
office  of  ministers  is,  in  §  13,  declared  to  be  the  "faithful  proclamation, 
adequate  unfolding,  and  appropriate  application  of  the  Word  of  God, 
both  in  public  and  private,  to  instruction,  exhortation,  comfort,  and 
reproof."     See  also  Note,  in  Minutes  of  Gen.  Syn.,  1787,  163. 

Early   Legislation    in   America    by    the    Coetus. 

Henceforth  no  student  shall  undertake  to  preach  in  an}'  congregation, 
be  it  in  church,  barn,  or  house,  without  the  presence  of  a  minister  ;  under 
penalty,  after  he  has  been  warned  by  a  member  of  this  body,  of  never 
being  admitted  to  an  examination  before  us.  And  each  minister  and  elder 
is  charged  to  make  this  known  to  the  students.     Coetus,  1747,  p.  xi. 

•It  was  unanimously  resolved  that  no  students  shall  give  formal  dis- 
courses [proposities  doen]  unless  under  their  preceptors,  where  they  are 
studying  and  where  they  are  residing ;  and  then  shall  use  no  other  than 
the  Lord's  Prayer  before  and  after  service,  and  without  singing  or  pro- 
nouncing the  blessing,  and  without  ringing  the  bell ;  and  it  must  be 
during  the  week,  apart  from  the  usual  hours  of  divine  service.  If  they 
transgress  this  resolution,  they  shall  be  rebuked  by  the  Coetus.  This  act 
shall  be  made  known  by  each  minister,  wherever  he  may  come.  Nor  shall 
any  be  allowed  to  preach  before  it  appears  that  they  are  members  of  the 
Dutch  Reformed  Church.     Coetus,  1749,  p.  xxxvi. 

By    the   Provisional   Synod. 

The  Rev.  Body  ordain,  that  no  student  of  Sacred  Theolog>'  shall 
ever  be  permitted  to  treat  any  proposition  during  the  time  of  public 
religious  service  in  presence  of  any  congregation.  In  the  mean  time, 
it  is  permitted  that  they  exhibit  and  exercise  their  gifts  by  preaching 
under  the  oversight  of  the  Professor,  Lector,  or  such  ministers  as  are 
instructing  and  preparing  such  students  for  the  ministerial  office.     1787,  163. 


7o6         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

This  regulation  is  continued,  and  those  Classes  which  do  not  have 
it  in  their  Acts  are  directed  to  insert  it.     1790,  206. 

By  the  General  Synod  and  the  Board  of  Superintendents: 

That  it  has  been  communicated  to  your  committee  that  certain  stu- 
dents in  divinity  have  preached  on  the  Lord's  day  in  the  time  of  pubhc 
\vorship,  in  the  congregation  of  Rhinebeck  Flats,  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie,  without  the  presence  of  a  minister. 
Your  committee  beg  leave  to  offer  it  as  their  opinion,  that  such  conduct 
is  extremely  irregular  and  dangerous. 

Upon  the  second  article.  Resolved,  That  General  Synod  approve 
the  watchfulness  of  the  committee  upon  this  subject,  and  take  occasion 
to  recommend  to  the  subordinate  judicatories  to  guard  against  any  irregu- 
larity of  the  kind  for  the  future,  as  it  is  a  fixed  principle  in  this  Synod 
that  no  person  shall  be  admitted  to  preach  publicly  in  any  of  the  churches 
who  has  not  been  previously  examined  and  licensed  to  preach  by  the 
•competent  judicatories.     1804,  2>Z^- 

No  allusion  to  Students'  Preaching  in   Plan  of  Seminary  of  1812. 

"V.  In  order  to  regulate  the  practice  of  public  exhortations  and 
preaching  among  the  students  :  That  the  Board  highly  disapprove  of  said 
practice,  and  that  no  student  be  allowed  either  to  preach  or  lecture,  unless 
under  the  immediate  inspection  of  the  Professor  or  Professors ;  and 
further, 

"That  while  the  Board  do  decidedly  disapprove  of  the  practice  of 
theological  students  in  the  Seminary  publicly  and  indiscriminately  lecturing 
or  preaching,  yet  they  have  no  objections  that  students  of  the  Senior 
Class  should  deliver  public  exhortations  in  New  Brunswick,  or  its 
vicinity,  provided  such  exhortations  be  first  wholly  committed  to  writing, 
and  first  presented  to  and  approved  at  least  by  one  of  the  Professors  in 
the  Institution."     Bd.  of  Superintendents,  1815. 

Resolved,  That  every  Classis,  under  the  care  of  the  Synod,  enjoin 
it  on  the  Consistories  of  our  congregations,  not  to  admit  students  of 
theology,  or  any  other  persons  not  duly  licensed,  to  preach,  lecture,  or 
publicly  expound  the  Scriptures,  1824,  47.  No  allusion  in  "Amended 
Plan,"  1828. 

Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  the  preaching  of  the  students  is  com- 
plained of  by  the  faculty  as  a  serious  evil,  the  subject  be  referred  to  Gen- 
eral  Synod  for  their  adjudication." 

This  course  was  proposed  and  adopted  by  the  Board,  because  all 
their  attempts  have  hitherto  failed  to  secure  obedience  to  what  it  is  be- 
lieved is,  and  ought  to  be,  required  of  those  who  are  members  of.  our 
Seminary.  The  Board  transmits,  for  the  adjudication  of  the  General 
Synod,  a  complaint  of  the  Faculty  against  the  students  for  preaching,  and 
your  Committee  regret  that  the  Board  states  that  they  have  failed  in  any 
attempts  they  have  made  to  secure  compliance  with  what  they  deem  (and 
your  Committee  concur  with  the  Board  in  the  opinion  they  express)  a 
highly  necessary  and  proper  requirement.  Your  Committee  believe  that 
the  evil  complained  of  calls  for  a  direct  prohibition.  The  character  of 
the  institution,  and  the  proper  training  of  the  future  ambassadors  of  the 
gospel,  alike  demand  habitual  subordination  to  rightful  authority. 
1846.  10.  81. 

The  Board  of  Superintendents  gave  the  Senior  Class  liberty  to 
"preach  any  sermons  that  are  approved  by  any  of  the  Professors,  not 
only  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Brunswick,  but  elsewhere,  provided  that  this 
permission  be  not  construed  to  interfere  with  their  attendance  on  the 
usual  lectures  of  the  Professors."     July,  1851. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  Professorate  be  instructed  to 
inquire  whether  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Theological   Semi- 


STUDENTS'  PREACHING  707 

nary  have  power  to  authorize  the  students  of  that  Institution  to  preach 
in  the  churches. 

Resolved,  That  said  Committee,  in  connection  with  the  foregoing  in- 
quiry, be  instructed  to  consider  the  expediency  of  modifying  or  rescinding 
the  resolution  adopted  by  General  Synod,  A.  D.,  1824,  which  forbids  "the 
admission  to  the  pulpits  of  the  churches  of  students  of  theology,  or  any 
other  persons  not  duly  licensed  to  preach,  lecture,  or  expound  the  Scrip- 
tures."    1853,  366. 

6.  Two  resolutions  were  referred  to  the  Committee,  instructing  them 
to  inquire  whether  the  Board  of  Superintendents  have  power  to  authorize 
the  students  to  preach  in  the  churches,  and  also  the  expediency  of  modi- 
fying or  rescinding  the  resolution  of  General  Synod,  A.  D.,  1824,  which 
forbids  the  admission  to  the  pulpits  of  the  churches  of  students  of  the- 
ology, or  any  other  persons  not  duly  licensed  to  preach,  lecture,  or  expound 
the  Scriptures. 

The  Committee  cannot  ascertain  that  the  Board  of  Superintendents 
has  ever  assumed  the  right  to  suspend  or  disregard  the  action  of  the 
General  Synod  on  this  subject.  The  resolution  of  General  Synod  of  1824 
has  never  been  considered  as  prohibiting  the  members  of  the  Senior  Class 
from  preaching  sermons  which  have  been  approved  by  the  Professors  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  Brunswick.  It  is  to  be  presumed  that  the  Board  is 
anxious  to  act  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  and  design  of  that  resolution; 
and  the  only  question  seems  to  be,  how  far  it  is  desirable  that  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Senior  Class  have  some  opportunity  to  exercise  their  gifts  and 
graces  in  preaching  occasionally,  not  as  licensed  ministers,  but  as  students 
of  theology.  Can  we  leave  the  subject  in  safer  hands  than  the  Board  of 
Superintendents,  composed  of  a  member  from  each  Classis,  of  whom  one- 
third  is  elected  annually?  The  Committee  would  advise  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  Board  of  Superintendents  be 
called  to  the  former  action  of  the  General  Synod,  in  reference  to  the 
preaching  of  the  students  of  theology ;  that  they  endeavor  to  bring  the 
practice  of  the  students  into  conformity  with  that  action,  as  far  as  that  is 
designed  to  prevent  them  from  preaching  in  the  churches  generally,  or 
assuming  the  office  of  the  ministry,  or  visiting  vacant  churches  as  can- 
didates before  they  are  formally  licensed.     1853,  369. 

The  Board  of  Superintendents  passed  the  following: 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  resolutions  of  the  Board  of  185 1  be  rescinded. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  students  of  the  Senior  Class  be  permitted  to 
preach  such  sermons  as  are  approved  by  the  Theological  Faculty,  in  the 
city  of  New  Brunswick,  and  at  such  time  and  in  such  places,  as  that  they 
may  be  reached  and  returned  from  without  rendering  absence  from  any 
of  the  exercises  of  the  Seminary  necessary. 

3.  Resolved,  That  no  student  of  the  Senior  Class  shall  be  allowed  to 
accept  of  any  invitation  to  preach  without  the  consent  of  one  or  more 
of  the  Professors. 

4.  Resolved,  That  as  the  Rule  of  Synod,  passed  in  1824,  forbids  Con- 
sistories to  invite  students  to  preach  in  their  churches  when  vacant,  so  it 
be  positively  enjoined  upon  the  students  not  to  preach  in  any  vacancies, 
under  pain  of  censure  from  the  Board. 

5.  Resolved,  That  students  of  the  Middle  and  Junior  Classes  shall 
under  no  circumstances  be  allowed  to  preach  in  any  pulpit. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  Theological  Faculty  be  directed  to  inform  the 
students  of  the  Seminary  of  these  resolutions,  to  attend  to  their  execu- 
tion, and  that  they  report  to  the  Board  every  case  of  the  violation  of  said 
rules.     1854,  395. 

These  were  sanctioned  by  the  General  Synod,  1854,  47i- 


7o8  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

See  three  articles  on  Students'  Preaching  in  Christian  InteUigencer, 
April  and  May,  1857. 

The  subject  of  preaching  by  students  of  Theology  has  been  brought 
to  the  attention  of  your  Committee  by  resolutions  of  the  Classes  of 
Bergen  and  North  Long  Island.  They  both  ask  a  modification  of  the 
resolutions  of  the  last  Synod  on  this  subject;  while  the  penalty  for  the 
violation  of  the  rule  is  so  severe  that  it  is  not  likely  to  be  enforced,  the 
rule  itself  becomes  a  dead  letter.  Your  Committee  freely  grant  that 
such  a  rule  of  General  Synod  ought  to  be  obeyed  without  a  penalty. 
But  the  privilege  of  preaching  by  the  students  of  Theology  has  been 
so  long  enjoyed,  not  only  by  the  students,  but  by  the  pastors  who  have 
been  relieved  by  their  services,  that  to  the  minds  of  many  it  appears  as 
a  right  of  which  they  ought  not  to  be  deprived.  The  practice  of  the 
students  of  neighboring  institutions  goes  so  far  to  strengthen  this  idea, 
that  it  seems  impossible  to  enforce  any  rule  that  would  entirely  take 
away  the  liberty  of  the  students  to  deliver  their  discourses  in  public 
assemblies.  While  your  Committee  feel  that  the  General  Synod  has 
no  right  under  the  Constitution  to  license  any  one  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
yet  under  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and  believing  that  an  imper- 
fect rule  well  regulated  and  enforced  is  preferable  to  a  perfect  one  that 
is  not  likely  to  be  carried  into  practice,  they  submit  for  the  action  of 
the  Synod  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  no  student  of  Theology  in  our  Seminary  be  allowed 
to  preach  or  lecture  in  any  of  our  churches  and  congregations,  except 
that  the  students  of  the  Senior  class  be  allowed  to  deliver  their  own 
discourses,  under  the  direction  of  one  of  the  Professors  of  Theolog}',  with 
the  understanding  that  this  direction  is  to  extend  to  the  time  when,  the 
place  where,  and  the  discourse  to  be  delivered ;  and  except  further,  that 
students  of  the  Senior  Class  be  allowed  the  same  privileges  in  the  churches 
of  which  they  are  members,  under  the  direction  of  their  -own  pastors, 
the  direction  to  extend  as  in  the  case  before  mentioned. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Superintendents,  at  their  annual  meet- 
ing, inquire  of  each  member  of  the  different  Classes  whether  he  has 
conformed  to  the  above  resolution,  and  embody  in  their  report  to  this 
S\'nod  the  result  of  their  inquiries,  with  the  names  of  any  that  have 
exceeded  the  rule. 

Resolved,  That  the  Professors  of  Theology  be  requested  to  discourage 
all  preaching  of  students  of  Theolog}'  previous  to  their  licensure. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  resolutions  are  not  intended  to  abridge  the 
liberty  or  interfere  with  the  duties  of  the  students  as  private  members  of 
the  Church  and  followers  of  the  Lord  Jesus.     1858,  345-6. 

In  1872,  401,  the  students  were  interrogated  as  to  their  preaching; 
and  the  Board  of  Superintendents  requested  the  Synod  to  rescind  the  rule 
directing  the  Board  to  make  such  inquiries  of  the  students.  This  was 
done,  502. 

In  1876,  535,  the  Synod  gave  permission  to  the  students  of  the  Aliddle 
Class  to  preach  during  their  vacations  under  the  direction  of  the 
Professors. 

In  1884,  the  Board  again  alluded  to  this  matter,  declaring  that  the 
evils  of  students'  preaching  are  greater  than  the  advantages,  both  to  the 
students  and  the  efficiency  of  the  Seminary.  They  had,  however,  no  rec- 
ommendations to  make,  only  remarking  the  desirability  of  a  sounder 
public  opinion  on  the  subject  both  in  and  out  of  the  Seminary,  1884,  418. 
The  Committee  on  the  Professorate  said  that  the  evil  complained  of  con- 
sisted more  in  the  continuous  preaching  of  a  student  in  one  church,  thus 
using  up  his  time  in  preparation,  instead  of  devoting  it  to  his  studies. 
He  thus  fell  also  into  a  slipshod  method  of  preaching  which  dishonored 


STUDENTS'  VOLUNTEER  MOVEMENT  709 

him  and  his  Seminary  and  confirmed  him  in  habits  ruinous  to  his  future 
pulpit  efficiency.  The  enforcement  of  the  rules  of  Synod  was  proposed — 
that  no  student  preach  unless  sermon,  time  and  place  be  expressly  approved 
and  permitted  by  at  least  one  of  the  Professors. — This  recommendation 
was  laid  on  the  table.     1884,  521. 

In  the  revised  Plan  of  the  Seminary,  1888,  a  distinct  paragraph  was, 
for  the  first  time  in  all  the  Plans,  inserted  on  this  subject,  as  follows: 

4.  Students  shall  not  be  allowed  to  preach  or  lecture  in  any  of  our 
churches  or  congregations,  except  the  students  of  the  Senior  Class.  These 
shall  be  allowed  to  deliver  their  own  discourses  under  the  direction  of  one 
of  the  Professors  of  Theolog>',  with  the  understanding  that  this  direc- 
tion is  to  extend  to  the  time  when,  the  place  where,  and  the  discourse 
to  be  delivered.  The  same  privileges  shall  be  allowed  to  them  in  the 
churches  of  which  they  are  members,  under  the  direction  of  their  own 
pastors.  The  students  of  the  Middle  Class  shall  be  allowed  to  preach 
during  vacations  under  the  direction  of  their  Theological  Professors. 
1888,  540. 

Students'  Volunteer  Montment.  Should  receive  more  attention. 
The  response  of  so  many  young  men  and  women  to  Christ's  last  com- 
mand, delightful  evidence  of  the  vitality  of  religion,  1891,  316;  Synod 
views  with  sincere  appreciation  and  gratification  the  spirit  with  which 
large  numbers  of  young  men  and  women  consecrate  themselves  to  Foreign 
Missionary  work;  17  have  offered  themselves  to  us;  Divine  significance 
in  the  movement,  1898,  123. 

Study,  Term  of.  See  Curriculum;  New  Brunswick  Seminary;  also 
page  462  of  Centennial  Vol.  of  New  Brunswick  Sem. 

Stundists,  of  Russia.  Dr.  G.  D.  Matthews,  of  London,  Sec.  of  the 
AlHance  (Presbyt.),  recently  returned  from  Poland  and  Russia,  addressed 
the  Synod  concerning  the  progress  of  the  Stundist  movement  in  those 
countries,  and  urged  that  America  and  England  send  missionaries  to 
help  those  brave  Reformers.     1902,   127. 

Sturges  Seminary — Japan.  See  Manual  of  1902,  274.  Founded  1887. 
Report  of  Bd.  of  For.  Missions,  1887,  8;  also  Mints.  Gen.  Synod,  1902,  97; 
Cyc.  of  Miss.,  ii.,  505. 

Sturges,  Theodore.  Elected  a  member  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  1892, 
468,  504;  his  death,  1893,  7^2,  751. 

Submission.    Held.  Cat.,  Quest.  124. 

Subscriptions — to  the  Standards  of  the  Church.  Constitutions  of 
1619,  Arts.  53,  54;  of  1792,  Arts.  5,  6,  11,  12,  22;  of  1833,  Arts.  6,  7,  12,  13, 
27;  of  1874,  Arts.  6,  7,  12,  13,  24. 

When  the  Ccetus  was  organized,  all  those  who  joined  that  body  sub- 
scribed its  Fundamental  Articles;  1738,  vii.,  viii. ;  1748,  xix-xxii.,  xxiv. 
When  the  Conferentie  was  formally  organized,  its  adherents  signed  the 
Articles  of  the  Coetus  anew,  claiming  to  be  the  only  lawful  body,  1765, 
cxxiii.  The  Conferentie  had  possession  of  the  Coetus  Minute  Book, 
and  their  subscriptions  are  wrongly  printed,  in  the  English  translation,  on 
page  xxii.     These  subscriptions  included  the  Standards. 

When  the  Articles  of  Union  had  been  approved  by  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam,  1771,  almost  all  the  ministers  subscribed  these  Articles,  and 
the  custom  was  continued  until  1792.  Oct.,  1771,  18-20;  1772,  25,  26;  Con- 
sistories not  required  to  sign,  1774,  52. 

Substitute,  Character  of  the.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  12-19. 

Substitution.    Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  12,  60,  61 ;  Canons,  ii.,  2,  3. 

Sunday.     See  Sabbath,  Observance  of. 


7IQ         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Sunday  Amusements  and  Excursions.     See  Sabbath,  Observance  of; 
especially  under  years  1883,  1892,  1894,  1896. 

Sunday  Labor.     See  Sabbath,  Observance  of ;  especially  under  1896. 
Sunday  Mail.     See  Sabbath,  Observance  of;   especially  under   1815, 


Sunday  Newspapers.  See  Sabbath,  Observance  of;  especiallv  under 
1880,  1883,  1885,  1889,  1896. 

Sunday  School  and  Social  Hymn  Book.  1845,  478;  Sept.,  1848,  413. 
See  Hymnology. 

Sunday  School  Helps.  See  S.  Ss.  and  Catechetical  Instruction. 
General  Synod  most  earnestly  cautions  all  consistories  and  churches 
against  the  use  in  their  Sabbath  Schools,  of  any  system  advocating  the 
principles  of  the  Rationalistic  Higher  Criticism ;  and  be  it  further. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  agitations  of  the  hour,  and  the  con- 
fusion in  many  quarters  of  Theological  thought,  the  Synod  deems  it  wise 
and  expedient  at  this  time  to  reaffirm  the  constant  testimony  of  our 
Standards  to  the  direct  and  plenary  inspiration  of  Holy  Scripture  as  the 
Word  of  God.     1894,  105.  , 

Special  Com.  on  "S.  S.  Helps"  appointed  1894,   105,  reported: 

Resolved,  I.  That  we  cordially  recommend  the  use  of  the  Interna- 
tional Series  of  Lessons  in  our  Sunday  Schools. 

Resolved,  II.  That  in  the  judgment  of  the  General  Synod  no  Series 
of  Lessons  or  Lesson  Helps  should  be  introduced  or  used,  in  which  it  is 
not  distinctly  taught,  according  to  the  historic  faith  of  the  Reformed 
Church  (Const.  Art.  V.),  that  the  Scriptures  are  wholly  true,  and  the 
veritable  Word  of  God. 

Resolved,  III.  That  the  scope  of  the  General  Synod's  Standing 
Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  be  so  enlarged,  as  to  give  them  authority 
to  review  from  time  to  time,  such  publications  as  may  be  designed  for 
the  use  of  our  Sunday  Schools,  with  the  intent  of  advising  against  such  as 
seem  dangerous  in  their  tendency.     1895,  104. 

A  paper  from  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Western  section  of  the 
[Alliance  of]  Reformed  Churches  throughout  the  world  holding  the 
Presbyterian  system,  has  been  referred  to  the  committee. 

The  paper  recounts  the  felt  need  of  Sunday  School  educators  for  some 
course  of  lessons  to  supplement  the  present  International  series  for  those 
scholars  who  have  been  in  attendance  during  the  cycle  of  seven  years, 
which  this  system  requires  to  go  through  the  Scriptures. 

The  Executive  Committee  of  the  Alliance,  therefore,  proposes  to  have 
formulated  a  series,  supplementary  to  the  International  system,  compris- 
ing a  three  years'  course,  which  shall  consist  of  two  years  of  study  of 
Bible  History  (one  year  each  to  the  Old  and  the  New  Testament),  and 
one  year  to  a  "study  of  Fundamental  Bible  Truths  held  by  the  churches 
of  the  Alliance,  and  of  their  government,  history  and  activities." 

In  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Alliance,  we  have  considered  the  matter,  and  recommend  the  approval 
of  Synod  of  the  plan  as  thus  outlined.  We  understand  that  our  approval 
is  simply  of  the  plan,  and  that  hereafter,  when  the  details  are  more 
thoroughly  worked  out  they  will  be  submitted  for  our  examination  and 
revision,  if  necessary. 

The  Executive  Committee  further  requests  that  a  representative  of 
this  committee  be  elected  to  act  with  the  Special  Committee  of  the  Alli- 
ance, having  this  matter  in  charge,  upon  the  entire  subject.  We  nominate 
Rev.  A.  DeW.  Mason  for  this  position. 

A  request  from  the  Rev.  A.  DeW.  Mason,  Secretary  of  Young  Peo- 
ple's work,  asking  for  an  opportunity  to  address  the  Synod,  has  been  re- 


SUNDAY  SCHOOL  HYMNAL  711 

ferred  to  this  committee.  We  recommend  that  he  be  heard  for  fifteen 
minutes,  at  such  time  during  the  discussion  of  the  Foreign  or  Domestic 
Mission  reports  as  may  be  most  convenient.  1903,  262-3.  See  Alliance 
of  Refd.  Chs.  under  date.     See  Sabbath  Schools. 

Sunday  School  Hymnal.  See  Hymnology,  under  date  of  1S42,  1864, 
etc.     Also  next  Article. 

Sunday  School  Hymn  Books:  See  Hymnology. 

The  Committee  on  S.  Ss.  and  Catechetical  Instruction  in  1898,  say : 

10.  Hymn  Books:  The  inquiry,  "What  hymn  book  is  used?"  was 
made  for  the  first  time  this  year.  The  answers  show  an  astonishing  num- 
ber and  variety  of  hymn  books  in  use  in  the  schools  of  the  Reformed 
Church.  No  less  than  58  different  collections  are  reported.  Some  of 
these  collections  are  excellent,  both  in  the  matter  of  the  hymns  and  the 
quality  of  the  music,  but  others  are  only  fair,  and  many  can  only  be 
ranked  as  poor.  One  hundred  and  fifty-seven  schools  use  Gospel  Hymns. 
That  the  Synod  should  put  the  seal  of  its  approval  on  certain  collections 
of  hymns  for  the  use  of  churches  seems  to  warrant  the  hope  that  the  same 
action  may  be  taken  with  reference  to  Sunday  School  hymn  books.  For, 
if  the  inculcation  of  erroneous  doctrine  is  feared  through  the  medium 
of  hymns,  the  injury  is  done  by  the  time  the  child  is  old  enough  to  sing 
out  of  the  larger  collection.     1898,  113,  114. 

Action  of  Synod. 
The  large  number  of  hymn  collections  used  in  our  Sunday  Schools 
has  started  several  questions.  Shall  Synod  approve  of  certain  collections 
of  hymns  for  the  Sunday  School  ?  Shall  a  number  of  the  best  be  recom- 
mended, with  such  description  as  to  price,  character,  size,  as  may  enable 
our  schools  to  judge?  Shall  a  new  collection  be  prepared?  It  seems 
desirable  that  Synod  should  take  some  action.  We,  therefore,  submit  the 
following : 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  consisting  of  Revs.  E.  A. 
Collier,  Denis  Wortman  and  B.  E.  Dickhaut,  to  consider  the  matter  of 
Sunday  School  hymn  books,  and  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  General 
Synod.     1898,  115. 

1899. 
Report  of  Committee  of  1898.     {Abstract.) 

The  above  report  and  action  is  quoted.  Importance  of  children  using 
such  hymns  as  are  Scriptural  and  wholesome,  poetic  and  elevating.  A 
Hymnal  for  children  was  prepared  in  1842 — 350  hymns ;  approved,  but 
better  adapted  to  prayer  meetings.  "Only  fair"  or  "poor"  hymn  books 
should  be  excluded.  Some  "Children's  Hymnals"  contain  erroneous  teach- 
ings;  morbid,  exaggerated  sentimentalism,  jingling  rhymes;  sometimes, 
also,  trivial  tunes  with  rollicking  refrains,  set  to  beautiful  hymns.  Service 
of  song,  a  very  important  part  of  worship.  In  both  hymns  and  music, 
the  devotional  element  is  of  supreme  importance,  yet  in  many  popular 
songs,  not  one  devotional  stanza  or  strain.  Children  do  not  need  the 
trivialities  of  ephemeral  hymns  or  tunes.  Heber's  magnificent  hymn, 
"Holy,  Holy,  Holy,"  with  Dyke's  noble  music,  is  sung  by  young  children 
with  zest  and  pleasure. 

The  educational  power  of  song  is  well  known.  In  the  second  century, 
used  both  for  heresy,  and  in  defence  of  the  truth,  Luther's  songs  were  a 
mighty  factor  in  the  spread  of  the  Reformation.  Enemies  of  the  truth 
know  and  use  the  power  of  song.  Children's  minds  should  early  be  sat- 
urated with  God's  truth  in  elevating  and  pleasing  lyrical  form,  and  set  tc^ 
worthy  music. 

Conditions :  A  popular  hymn  book  must  avoid  extremes  of  too  intri- 
cate and  involved  harmony,  and  of  senseless  jingle  and  monotonous  repe- 
tition.    It  must  be  adapted  to  the  musical  ability  of  the  average  schooL 


712         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

It  should  be  preparatory  to  participation  and  enjoyment  of  the  standard 
hymns  and  tunes  for  Church  service.  The  hymns  should  be  dignified  in 
character,  acceptable  in  metre,  pure  in  diction,  on  themes  appealing  to 
children,  of  singing  melody  and  simple  harmony. 

Search  for  the  proper  kind  of  a  book  not  successful ;  some  of  too  high 
an  order;  others  contained  too  few  of  the  better  class  of  hymns  and 
tunes.  The  publication  of  a  separate  Sunday  School  Hymn  Book  for  our 
own  Church  too  expensive  and  risky.  To  make  a  proper  compilation, 
and  to  get  some  publisher  to  take  the  responsibility,  not  feasible. 

It  was  then  discovered  that  the  German  Evangelical  Church — The  Re- 
formed Church  in  the  United  States — and  the  Presbyterian  Church  were 
working  along  similar  lines.  Co-operation  with  one  of  these  may  be 
possible. 

This  Special  Committee  was  continued  "to  consider  the  matter  of 
Sunday  School  Hymn  Books,"  with  power  to  adopt  such  book,  with  the 
approval  and  co-operation  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  as  may  seem 
proper,  1899,  423-8. 

1900. 

Your  Committee,  originally  appointed  in  1898,  was  reappointed  in  1899, 
and  "given  power  to  adopt  such  a  book  for  the  schools  of  our  church 
as  may  seem  best,  -with  the  approval  and  co-operation  of  the  Board  of 
Publication." 

After  careful  and  prolonged  consideration,  the  Committee  decided, 
unanimously,  to  recommend  to  the  Sunday  Schools  of  our  church  the 
"Sunday  School  Hymnal,"  compiled  by  a  committee  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  United  States.  The  MS.  was  submitted  to  our  examination 
and  criticism,  and  many  changes  and  suggestions  were  courteously 
adopted.  The  work  was  also  submitted  to  us  for  further  correction  in 
proof;  and  the  mechanical  details  were  determined  largely  by  the 
-wishes  of  the  Board  of  Publication. 

For  the  present,  we  suppose,  a  widely  acceptable  hymnal  must  needs 
"be,  as  this  is,  a  compromise  between  extremes.  It  seeks  the  elevation 
of  the  standard  of  Sunday  School  song,  as  regards  both  words  and 
■music.  It  is  thoroughly  Scriptural  and  wholesome  in  sentiment.  It  gives 
•emphasis  to  the  spirit  of  worship,  which  should  be  the  prominent  character- 
istic of  every  hymnal.  It  leads  up  to,  and  not  away  from  the  church 
hymnals  and  the  service  of  song  in  the  house  of  the  Lord.  It  has 
many  old  favorites,  and  much  that  is  new  and  desirable.  Its  ample 
supply  of  standard  hymns  will  make  it  useful  in  the  prayer  meeting  and 
the  Christian  Endeavor  Society.  It  rings  with  praise,  more  than  any 
hymnal  known  to  us.  It  is  in  substantial  harmony  with  the  views  pre- 
sented in  the  report  to  Synod  last  year. 

The  Committee  deem  it  only  just  to  state,  without  the  consent  of 
the  junior  member,  that  most  of  the  real  work  has  been  done  by  him; 
with  willing  acceptance,  however,  of  the  judgment  and  counsel  of  the 
others. 

We  recommend  the  following  action : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  hereby  expresses  its  approval  of 
the  work  and  conclusions  of  its  Committee,  and  recommends  "The  Sun- 
day School  Hymnal"  for  use  in  all  our  Sunday  Schools. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  be  and  hereby  is  discharged. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

EDWARD  A.  COLLIER, 
DENIS  WORTMAN. 
BENJ.  E.  DICKHAUT. 
1900,  738-9- 
Sunday  School  Instruction.     In  the  Report  of  the  Special  Committee 
on  the  "State  of  the  Church"  in  1900,  occurs  the  following: 


SUNDAY  SCHOOL  INSTRUCTION  713 

4th.  Resolved,  That  a  Special  Committee  be  appointed  to  take  into 
consideration  the  system  of  instruction  in  our  Sunday  Schools,  and  to 
propose  some  practical  methods  by  which  it  may  be  rendered  more  effi- 
cient in  training  both  the  minds  and  the  hearts  of  our  children  and 
youth.     1900,  829. 

To  take  into  consideration  the  System  of  Instruction  in  our  Sunday 
Schools,  Resolution  4 :  Revs.  I.  W.  Gowen,  P.  H.  Milliken,  P.  T.  Pockman, 
W.  H.  Boocock,  T.  J.  Kommers,  Elders  George  Carragan,  V.  M.  W. 
Suydam.     1900,  845. 

Report,  1901. 

The  Committee  referred  to  the  importance  of  the  Sunday  School 
work.  Before  Sunday  Schools  arose,  children  and  youth  were  instructed 
by  the  pastor  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Word  of  God.  The  Catechumen  is 
a  term  hallowed  by  centuries ;  this  class  of  church  members  needs  to  be 
restored  to  its  rightful  place  in  the  cultus  of  the  Church.  "Feed  my 
lambs" — the  first  duty  of  the  pastor.  (See  Pastoral  Letter,  1901,  1084.) 
The  Sunday  School,  a  providential  growth  within  the  Church,  has  accom- 
pHshed  great  good.  International  Series  of  Lessons  has  created  a  vast 
literature.  Any  change  must  be  a  matter  of  growth.  Proper  accommo- 
dations are  very  important  for  greatest  efficiency.  Graded  schools  are 
desirable.  The  International  Series  has  made  familiar  the  facts  of  Bible 
history,  but  has  failed  on  equally  important  lines.  Only  a  sentiment,  that 
all  ages  and  grades  should  always  be  studying  the  same  lessons.  Uniform- 
ity, never  the  symbol  of  the  highest  life.  A  graded  course,  supplemental  to, 
if  not  supplanting,  the  present  system,  is  needed.  Such  a  course  should 
follow  pedagogical  lines.  There  might  be  four  Departments,  Primary, 
Junior,  Intermediate  and  Senior.  (See  tabulated  plan,  Minutes,  1901, 
1080- 1.)  There  might  be  also  a  Home  Department,  for  the  regular  study 
of  the  lessons  by  those  at  home,  who  cannot  attend  the  school,  and  a 
Normal  Department,  for  training  teachers. 

The  efficiency  of  the  school  depends  largely  on  the  efficiency  of  the 
teaching.  Our  Seminaries  might  wisely  enlarge  the  course  of  instruction, 
and  train  ministers  to  become  the  trainers  of  teachers.  The  aim  of 
Sunday  School  instruction  is  not  only  educational,  but  religious,  a  matter 
both  for  mind  and  heart.  The  trained  teacher's  office  might  be  recog- 
nized by  some  sort  of  installation. 

The  Sunday  School,  being  an  integral  part  of  the  Church,  should  be- 
come a  factor  in  the  development  and  work  of  the  Church.  Its  efficiency 
is  in  the  training  of  a  generation  of  useful  church  members.  The  services 
of  the  Church  and  School  should  in  some  way  be  connected.  The  law  of 
service  is  the  law  of  highest  authority.  The  school  should  be  closely 
connected   with   all   the   missionary   work   of   the    Church.     1901,    1078-83, 

One  thousand  extra  copies  of  this  Report  were  printed  for  circulation. 

See  Catechetical  Instruction  of  the  Young,  1901,  1084. 

SuND.w  School  Lesson  Helps.     See  S.  S.  Helps. 

Sunday  School  Libraries.  An  agent  of  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union  ad- 
dressed the  Synod  in  reference  to  a  plan  to  supply  a  library  of  moral 
and  religious  books  for  public  and  private  schools,  factories,  families, 
etc.,  projected  by  said  S.  S.  Union.  Several  copies  of  said  Plan  laid  on 
Synod's  table.  1839,  194.  Incidental  allusions  to  the  importance  of  proper 
books  in  S.  S.  Libraries  occasionally  made. 

Sunday  School  Prayers.  Certain  Prayers  adopted  as  optional,  1889, 
863-4.     See  Liturg>',  under  date. 

Sunday  School  Supplies.  Importance  of  purchasing  from  our  own 
Bd.  of  Publication  often  alluded  to,  e.  g.: 

Resolved.  That  Synod  recommends  to  the  Church  the  purchase  of 
all  Sunday  School  supplies  so  far  as  possible  through  the  agency  of  this 


714         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Board,   which   offers   the   very   lowest   rate,   thereby   giving   to   the   Board 
the  benefit  of  the  profits.     1898,  138. 

2.  That  we  do  most  earnestly  request  all  our  pastors,  all  Superin- 
tendents of  Sunday  Schools  and  all  Christian  Endeavor  Societies  to  order 
their  respective  supplies  from  our  Board  of  Publication  and  from  that 
Board  only,  and  that,  as  a  matter  of  duty  and  privilege,  we  rally  around 
the  Board,  realizing  thai  "Eendracht  Maakt  Macht" — "In  Unity  is 
Strength;"  and  make  this  Board  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  efficient 
agencies  for  the  good  of  our  Church  and  for  the  glory  of  God.     1899,  456. 

3.  Sunday  School  Supplies. 

One  hundred  thirty-four  schools  report  that  they  do  not  order 
their  supplies  through  our  Board  of  Publication.  One  Classis  reports 
that  the  schools  of  that  Classis  buy  of  any  publishing  house  which  may 
chance  to  send  them  samples,  and  suggests  that  the  Board  of  Publication 
ascertain  the  names  of  schools  which  do  not  buy  from  them,  and  ply 
them  with  samples  and  prices.  Your  Committee  enables  the  Board  to 
act  upon  this  suggestion  by  putting  the  necessary  information  in  their 
hands.  One  Classis  passed  a  resolution  requesting  all  schools  in  their 
bounds  to  purchase  supplies  through  their  Church  Board.  While  recog- 
nizing the  fullest  rights  of  all  schools  to  purchase  their  supplies  wherever 
they  choose,  yet  denominational  loyalty  would  suggest  that  our  own 
Board  be  given  the  preference,  especially  since  as  good  terms  can  be 
obtained  there  as  elsewhere,  and  since  the  profits  of  the  Board  go  to  the 
benefit  of  the  Church  at  large.     1901,    1074-5. 

Sunday  Schools.  First  official  reference  to,  in  1826,  in  report  on 
State  of  Religion.  Therein  elaborately  endorsed.  Sunday  Schools  organ- 
ized in  many  of  our  churches.  Mighty  instrument  for  the  advancement 
of  the  Kingdom.  Importance  of  instructing  children  and  youth.  Regular 
courses  of  religious  instruction.  Benefit  to  teachers.  Nurseries  for  the 
church.  Ministers  and  churches  exhorted  to  organize  S.  Ss.*,  1826,  35,  36. 
Reports  of  Am.  S.  S.  Union  received.  S.  Schools  heartily  endorsed. 
1826,  47,  48. 

Independent  S.  S.  Union  of  R.  D.  C.  formed.  Asked  Synod  to  take 
charge.     1828,  90.     See  Sabbath  School  Union,  R.   D.   C. 

Consistories  urged  to  take  the  S.  Schools  under  their  oversight  and 
control.  Bible  Questions  of  American  S.  S.  Union  highly  appreciated; 
but  catechisms  of  the  Church  should  be  also  introduced,  but  must  not 
be  allowed  to  take  the  place  of  weekly  catechetical  instruction  by  the 
pastor ;  importance  of  preparing,  by  translation,  or  otherwise,  of  exposi- 
tions of  the  Catechism,  and  Scriptural  Helps,  for  the  use  of  Bible  Classes 
and  Sabbath  Schools.     1830,  278. 

Communication  from  Am.  S.  S.  U.  received,  relative  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  S.  S.  in  every  district  of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  Synod 
heartily  endorses  the  plan,  and  commends  the  object  to  the  charities  of 
the  churches.     1830,  302. 

Constant  references  to  the  importance  of  S.  S.  work  in  the  reports 
on  the  "State  of  Religion,"  or  under  "Schools  and  Christian  Education." 
1832,  47 ;  1833,  187 ;  1834,  269 ;  1835,  Z72>,  2>77-  Am.  S.  S.  Union  has  cele- 
brated its  tenth  anniversary.  10.000  schools  under  its  care.  1,000,000 
scholars  in  the  various  S.  Ss.  of  the  country.  Many  conversions.  INIany 
young  men  have  consecrated  themselves  to  the  ministry.  Great  claims  of 
the  Sunday  School,  1834,  272. 

Certain  resolutions  presented  in  reference  to  S.  Ss.  1'hc  whole  sub- 
ject referred  to  a  special  committee,  1834,  294.  Their  lengthy  report: 
Benefits  of  the  S.  S.  in  reaching  the  neglected  classes ;  dangers,  in  causing 
parents  to  neglect  home  instruction ;  importance  of  right  methods  of  in- 
struction, and  competent  teachers;  Constitution  of  Church  provides  for 
pastoral   instruction;   elders  and  deacons,  and  all   Christians,   had  special 


SUNDAY  SCHOOLS  715 

responsibilities  in  reference  to  this  matter.  Resolutions :  Churches  should 
bestow  increased  diligence  on  the  religious  instruction  of  the  young; 
Consistories  should  remember  the  Lord's  injunction,  Feed  my  lambs; 
should  seek  enlightenment  by  prayer ;  should  correct  defects  in  the  S.  S. 
and  suggest  improvements ;  that  pastors  should  instruct  in  Bible  Classes, 
and  prepare  others  to  become  teachers ;  that  yearly  reports  should  be  made 
of  the  progress  attained,  and  the  same  be  incorporated  in  substance  in 
the  Consistorial  reports ;  and  that  this  report  be  read  in  the  pulpits. 
1835.  401,  409-413- 

The  churches  exhorted  to  aid  the  Am.  S.  S.  Union  in  establishing 
schools  in  the  South  and  West,  and  in  furnishing  literature  to  foreign 
missionary  stations.     1836,  534. 

Sunday  Schools  and  Bible  Classes  well  sustained.     1837,  33. 

The  (independent)  S.  S.  Union  of  R.  D.  C.  asks  to  be  taken  under 
care  of  Synod.  Postponed,  1837,  66.  Am.  S.  S.  Union  proposes  to  Synod 
a  plan  to  supply  libraries  of  moral  and  religious  books,  for  public  and 
private  schools,  factories,  families,  etc.,  1838,  194. 

Two  hundred  and  fifty  S.  Ss.  connected  with  R.  D.  C,  with  from  12,000 
to  15,000  children.     1839.  22S. 

For  other  legislation  on  Sunday  Schools,  1839-1863,  see  "Sabbath 
School  Union  of  R.  D.  C. ;"  and  also  "Sabbath  School  Union  of  R.  D.  C, 
Board  of  Managers  of;"  "American  S.  S.  Union;"  also  "Parochial 
Schools." 

Sunday  Schools,  continued;  after  dissolution,  in  1863,  of  Sabbath 
School  Union  of  R.  D.  C,  Board  of  Managers  of. 

A  communication  from  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie  has  been  put 
into  the  hands  of  the  Committee  containing  the  following  resolutions : 

"Whereas,  The  institution  of  the  Sabbath  School  has  become  an 
important  means  of  grace,  and  a  valuable  auxiliary  to  the  Church,  but 
has  never  been  distinctly  recognized  as  such  by  General  S3'nod  nor  its 
relations  to  the  Church  been  defined,  but  left  to  a  practical  independence : 
therefore  we,  the  Classis  of   Poughkeepsie — 

"Resolve,  i.  That  we  respectfully  request  General  Synod  to  recog- 
nize the  Sabbath  School  as  a  valuable  instrumentality  of  the  Church, 
and  to  adopt  it  as  an  important  means  of  grace. 

"2.  To  define  the  relation  of  the  pastor  to  the  Sabbath  School,  and 
to  secure  to  him  his  prerogative  as  the  divinely  appointed  instructor  of 
youth  and  shepherd  of  the  flock,  and  such  authority  as  belongs  to  him 
by  virtue  of  his  oflice  and  relations,  and  as  is  necessary  for  the  proper  dis- 
charge of  his  duty. 

"3.  To  invest  Consistories  with  authority  to  control  the  details  in 
the  organization,  and  operations,  and  government  of  the  school  or  schools 
committed  to  them. 

"4.  To  enjoin  such  a  course  of  instruction  as  will  secure  to  our 
children  and  youth  a  better  acquaintance  with  the  doctrines  and  standards 
of  our  Church — a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  cardinal  doctrines 
of  the  Gospel,  and  to  keep  before  them  their  relation  to  the  covenant  by 
baptism,  and  the  privileges  and  obligations  arising  therefrom." 

The  recognition  of  the  Sabbath  School  as  a  means  of  grace  needs 
not  now  be  made  by  General  Synod,  inasmuch  as  the  history  of  the 
Church  for  years  past  is  abundant  in  such  recognition. 

The  relation  of  the  Pastor  and  Consistory  to  the  Sabbath  School, 
and  their  authority  in  the  regulation  and  control  of  the  same  ought 
not  to  be  an  open  question  in  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church. 
By  the  Constitution  of  the  Church  its  spiritual  government  is  committed 
to  the  "Elders  together  with  the  Ministers  of  the  Word,"  and  as  the 
religious  instruction  of  children  and  youth  in  Sabbath  Schools  is  under- 


7i6  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

stood  to  belong  to  the  spiritual  afifairs  of  the  Church,  it  must  come  under 
the  control  and  government  of  the  Pastors  and  Consistories. 

The  Classis  also  asks  General  Synod  to  "enjoin  such  a  course  of 
instruction  as  will  secure  to  our  children  and  youth  a  better  acquaint- 
ance with  the  doctrines  and  standards  of  our  Church."  The  Synod  has 
heretofore  provided  for  the  publication  of  catechisms  and  other  books  suit- 
able to  this  purpose,  and  recommended  their  adoption  in  all  our  schools. 
Perhaps  this  is  as  much  as  the  Synod  can  do  to  secure  this  desirable  result, 
unless  it  be  to  enjoin  upon  Pastors  and  Consistories  a  due  attention  to 
the  importance  of  supervising  carefully  the  books  which  are  used,  and 
the  character  of  the  instructions  given  in  the  Sabbath  School.  1863, 
318,  319- 

Under  the  missionaries  employed  by  the  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions, 
14  new  S.  Ss.  have  been  established.  The  Board  controls  the  character 
of  the  literature  and  the  text  books  employed,  and  hopes  that  some  of 
these  schools  may  become  churches.     1864,  493. 

There  are  88  chools  connected  with  the  Domestic  Board,  having  5,390 
children.  Receipts  for  the  S.  S.  department,  $1,260.  Resolution  about  the 
importance  of  educating  the  rising  generation  in  the  doctrines  and  princi- 
ples of  the  Gospel.  1865,  638 ;  1867,  199.  Success  of  Domestic  mission- 
aries in  organizing  24  new  schools,  1867,  179,  280;  1869,  652;  1870,  125; 
1872,  521 ;  1878,  132. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  our  Sunday  Schools  be,  and  hereby 
is,  called  to  the  "Sower  and  Gospel  Field,"  and  the  Lesson  Leaves, 
issued  by  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  that  this  Synod  considers  it  desir- 
able that  the  "Sower  and  Gospel  Field"  should  be  circulated  in  every  Con- 
gregation, and  the  Lesson  Leaves  used  by  all  our  Sunday  Schools.  1880,  578. 

Importance  of  keeping  the  Sunday  Schools  under  the  direction  of 
the  church ;  of  gathering  in  the  children  of  irreligious  parents,  1882,  70. 

The  heading  in  Statistical  Tables  of  "Total  Number  of  Scholars"  to 
be  hereafter  "Total  Enrollment,"  including  officers  and  teachers,  1883,  305. 

Whereas,  The  Sabbath  School  has  become  of  vital  importance  to  the 
Church,  and  in  the  Providence  of  God,  is  materially  affecting  its  progress 
and  moulding  its  character ;  and 

Whereas,  It  is  highly  desirable  to  maintain  our  Sabbath  Schools  as 
nurseries  of  the  Church,  and  secure  to  them  such  instruction  as  shall 
tend,  not  only  to  preserve  sound  doctrine,  but  also  the  distinctive  doctrines 
of  the  Reformed  Church ;  and 

Whereas,  Differences  of  opinion  exist  as  to  the  extent  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  Consistories  over  the  Sabbath  Schools  of  the  respective  churches, 
in  matters  of  oversight  and  control ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  General  Synod  of  1830, 
be,  and  it  is  hereby  reaffirmed  in  words  following,  to  wit :  "That  it  be 
recommended  to  the  several  ministers  and  consistories  in  our  Church, 
where  it  is  not  already  the  case,  to  take  the  school  or  schools  belonging 
to  their  churches  and  congregations  under  their  oversight  and  care." 

Resolved,  That  ministers  and  officers  of  the  Church,  and  parents 
be  urged  to  use  all  proper  means  to  induce  the  children  of  the  Sabbath 
School  to  attend  the  services  of  God's  house.     1883,  313. 

Resolved,  That  a  Standing  Committee  be  appointed,  to  be  designated 
as  a  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction,  and  that 
the  several  Classes  be  requested  to  organize  like  committees  to  act  with 
this  committee  of  Synod. 

The  following  were  appointed  :  Revs.  Wm.  H.  Ford,  Cornelius  Brett, 
Alan  D.  Campbell ;  Elders,  Albro  J.  Newton  and  J.  Townsend.  Lansing. 
1885.  719. 

See   Sunday   Schools   and   Catechetical   Instruction — next   Article. 


S.  S's  AND  CATECHETICAL  INSTRUCTION       717 

Sunday  Schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction.  In  1885  the  fol- 
lowing action  was  taken :  "Resolved,  That  a  Standing  Committee  be  ap- 
pointed, to  be  designated  as  a  'Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  and  Cate- 
chetical Instruction,'  and  that  the  several  Classes  be  requested  to  organize 
like  Committees  to  act  with  this  Committee  of  Synod,"  1885,  719.  Before 
this,  the  church  had  had  for  many  years  a  few  statistics  of  S.  Ss.  in  the 
Statistical  Tables ;  and  allusions  to  S.  Ss.,  more  or  less  elaborate,  in  the 
report  of  Com.  on  State  of  Religion.  The  subject  was  also  sometimes 
treated  under  Publication,  Board  of;  Education,  Board  of;  Overtures, 
etc.     See  Sabbath  Schools. 

1886. 

This  subject  has  also  now  a  Lemma  of  its  own,  Article  VII.,  in  the 
Minutes.  The  Committee  appointed  in  1885,  719,  sought  definite  informa- 
tion by  circulars  from  all  the  schools,  as  to  numbers,  catechetical  instruc- 
tion, lesson-helps,  etc.  Only  about  one-seventh  of  the  schools  reported. 
The  Synod  requested  that  a  blank  Sabbath  School  report  should  accom- 
pany the  blank  Consistorial  Report,  to  be  transmitted  by  the  Stated 
Clerks  of  the  Classes  to  the  Chairman  of  Synod's  Committee ;  that  this 
Committee  was  requested  to  present  to  the  next  Synod,  a  system  of  Lesson- 
Helps,  to  accord  with  our  Standards ;  that  one  session  in  each  quarter  be 
devoted  to  instruction  on  Missions ;  that  the  Com.  be  authorized  to  draw 
on  the  Contingent  Fund  for  their  expenses ;  and  that  at  least  one  of  the 
devotional  meetings  of  Synod  shall  be  especially  in  behalf  of  S.  Ss. 
1886,  78.     The  form  of  the  blank,  80. 

1887. 

In  1887,  only  25  per  cent,  of  the  schools  had  yet  reported ;  yet  out  of 
these,  there  had  been  1,154  accessions  to  the  church.  It  was  requested 
that  two  new  columns  be  added  to  the  S.  S.  blank  form,  viz.,  "Catechumens," 
and  'Text-Books  Used."  Great  variety  in  the  Lesson-Helps  used.  Synod 
now  directed  the  Classes  to  procure  the  blanks;  and  urged  the  observance 
of  "Children's  Day"  (which  see)  ;  1887,  318.  Attention  was  also  called 
to  the  importance  of  full  and  accurate  statistics ;  the  evening  of  the  third 
day  of  Synod  was  set  apart  to  the  consideration  of  this  Committee's  report. 
The  authorized  Catechisms  are  the  Heidelberg,  the  Compendium  of  the 
same,  and  the  Westminster  Shorter  Catechism.  See  Manual  of  Instruc- 
tion, etc.     A  new  and  simplified  form  for  S.  S.  reports,  ordered,  319-321. 

1888. 

Eleborate  report  in  1888.  Synod  endorsed  the  Young  People's  Society 
of  Christian  Endeavor,  as  well  as  other  kinds  of  Christian  effort  among 
the  young  people,  569.  Increasing  number  of  reports  reed. ;  570.  The 
blank  forms  as  simplified  have  columns  for  (i)  the  number  of  officers 
and  teachers;  (2)  number  of  scholars;  (3)  average  attendance;  (4)  num- 
ber of  scholars  received  into  full  communion;  (5)  benevolence  to  Church 
Boards;  (6)  to  other  objects.  Synod  urges  the  schools  to  use  these  forms, 
571,  574.     Members  of  the  church  exhorted  to  co-operate  in  S.   S.  work, 

571.  Benevolence  should  be  made  a  marked  feature  of  S.  S.  training, 
in   which   the    Boards    of   our   own    Church    should    be    made    prominent, 

572,  578.  Synod  refused  to  co-operate  in  an  International  Series  of  Les- 
sons recognizing  the  chief  festivals  of  the  Christian  year,  572,  577.  See 
First  Lessons  in  Christian  Truth.     1887,  568,  574.     Blank  Forms,  579-583. 

1880. 
Reports  from  every  Classis ;  679  schools ;  average  attendance,  nearly 
57,000;  2,610  scholars  have  been  received  into  full  communion;  $33,225 
raised  for  benevolent  purposes,  of  which  $20,599  went  to  our  own  Boards ; 
nearly  35,000  catechumens  reported ;  the  Lesson  Helps  are  largely  the 
Westminster  Series,  Peloubet's,  and  Cook's.  1889,  795.  The  schools  were 
exhorted  to  use  the  Heidelberg  Catechism  and  the  Compendium.  It  was 
suggested  that  the  Synod  have  prepared  a  weekly  leaflet,  explanatory  of 


7i8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODIC AL   LEGISLATION 

the  International  S.  S.  Lesson,  798,  799.  See  Statistical  Table  of  the 
S.  S.,  1889,  801;  1890,  82.  [Reports  too  incomplete  for  general  tabula- 
tion in  this  Digest.     See  General  Statistical  Tables.] 

1890. 

The  importance  of  the  S.  S.  as  a  Missionary  Agency,  emphasized; 
ought  to  enter  new  and  unoccupied  fields.  It  is  therefore  suggested  that 
each  Classis  appoint  a  Committee  to  study  the  needs  within  their  own 
bounds,  to  arrange  for  S.  S.  Conventions,  and  to  plant  S.  Ss.  in  needy 
places,  76,  Tj;  see  Home  Department;  also  that  Synod's  Com.  consider 
the  matter  of  the  S.  S.  Missionary  Enterprise  suggested  above,  and  make 
suggestions  to  next  Synod,  ^y.  A  suggestion  to  appoint  a  S.  S.  Secre- 
tary, postponed;  Synod  refused  to  change  Children's  Day  from  the  second 
to  third  Sunday  in  June ;  the  printing  of  special  S.  S.  statistics  was  ordered 
to  be  discontinued,  78,  79 ;  and  important  facts  or  figures  or  suggestions  to 
be  included  in  Consistorial  and  Classical  Reports,  80.  Synod  also  now 
resolved  to  act  directly  on  the  report  of  the  Standing  Com.  on  S.  Ss.,  in- 
stead of  referring  it  to  the  Committee  of  the  year;  also  Resolved,  That  the 
evening  of  the  third  day  of  the  Synodical  Session  be  devoted  to  a  general 
conference  on  the  all  important  questions  connected  with  the  instruction 
and  training  of  the  children  of  the  Church ;  that  arrangements  for  the 
Conference  be  made  by  the  Com.  of  the  preceding  Synod.  The  following 
resolution  of  1882  respecting  the  S.  S.  was  re-affirmed : 

"We  deem  it  essential  that  its  organic  union  with  the  Church  be 
maintained  and  strengthened,  that  it  may  not  drift  away  as  a  separate 
and  independent  institution,  but  receive  its  vitality  and  direction  from  the 
Pastor  and  Elders  and  members  of  the  Church  and  be  a  direct  agency 
for  building  up  the  Church  by  training  the  youth  in  the  regular  attend- 
ance upon  the  services  of  the  Sanctuary,  the  weekly  prayer  meeting,  and 
all  the  established  means  of  grace."     1890,  81. 

1891. 
Review  of  the  operations  of  this  Committee,  307 ;  many  particulars  in 
the  narratives  on  Religion  of  this  year.  "First  Lessons  in  Christian 
Truth"  give  great  satisfaction,  308;  the  schools  of  8  of  the  Classes  have 
given  over  $500  in  benevolence ;  see  names,  309 ;  the  exact  duties  of  the 
Com.  on  S.  Ss.  defined,  310;  see  National  Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union,  311,  312. 

1892. 

Union  Schools  are  to  be  indicated  by  a  foot-note,  and  scholars  belong- 
ing to  other  Churches  are  not  to  be  included  in  the  reports;  duplications 
in  reports  must  be  avoided;  the  number  of  Union  Schools  to  be  reported 
The  Conferences  also  to  consider  the  subject  of  Young  People's  Societies; 
and  the  Com.  on  S.  Ss.  hereafter  to  report  on  such  Societies  as  well  as 
upon  S.  Ss.     539-544- 

1893. 

Subject  of  Catechetical  instruction  emphasized.  The  schools,  so  far 
as  reported,  have  given  $10,806  to  Foreign  Missions;  $6,511  to  Domestic 
Missions;  $2,086  to  the  Church  Building  Fund.  There  are  275  Young  Peo- 
ple's Societies  of  Christian  Endeavor,  all  doing  good  work ;  their  contribu- 
tions to  Missions,  $3,334.  Model  Constitutions  for  S.  Ss.  are  to  be  pre- 
pared; 786-9. 

1894. 

Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss.,  so  far  as  reported,  $19,071.  360  C  E.  Ss.  gave 
$4,547.  In  the  Eastern  schools,  catechetical  instruction  is  given  in  the 
S.  Ss. ;  in  the  Western  schools,  in  week-day  classes.  In  40  schools  rewards 
are  given.  Only  65  are  reported  as  directly  under  Consistorial  control; 
in  28  schools  the  pastors  act  as  superintendents.  Normal  classes  sug- 
gested;  resolution  of  1882  and   1890  reaffirmed;  also  resolution  of   1891, 


S.  S's  AND  CATECHETICAL  INSTRUCTION      719 

310.  Desirability  of  a  "Permanent  Committee  on  S.  Ss."  Revs.  Chs.  H. 
Pool  and  A.  D.  W.  Mason  appointed;  99-103.  Special  Com.  appointed  on 
S.  S.  Helps;  which  see;  105. 

1895. 

All  the  Classes  but  9  have  Standing  Coms.  on  S.  Ss.  and  Catechetical 
Instruction.  Necessity  of  a  uniform  method  of  reports ;  benevolence, 
$18,921 — ^462  C.  E.  Ss. ;  benevolence,  $5,542 — 23  chapters  of  Brotherhood  of 
Andrew  and  Philip  with  a  membership  of  500.  Only  about  60  per  cent, 
of  S.  S.  children  regular  attendants  at  church  services ;  31  per  cent,  of 
adult  church  membership  are  engaged  in  S.  S.  work ;  but  only  about  half 
the  members  of  Consistories.  Desirability  of  denominational  S.  S.  Helps. 
All  the  Classes  urged  to  appoint  Committees  on  S.  Ss.,  to  co-operate  with 
Synod's  Permanent  Com. 

Resolved,  (i)  That  Synod's  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  and  Cate- 
chetical Instruction  be,  and  hereby  is,  constituted  a  permanent  committee. 

Resolved,  (2)  That  the  Rev.  B.  B.  Staats  be  the  chairman  of  said 
Committee,  and  that  Revs.  T.  J.  Kommers  and  W.  H.  Boocock,  together 
with  two  Elders,  be  associated  with  him.     96-103. 

1896. 

Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss.  about  $17,000;  of  Y.  P.  Ss.,  $8,205.  Only  284 
schools  have  filled  up  blanks  of  the  Permanent  Com.  Home  Depart- 
ment of  S.  Ss.  in  operation,  so  far  as  reported,  in  only  9  chs.  The  Pres- 
byterian Board  is  willing  to  publish  the  Westminster  Lesson  Helps,  in  a 
special  edition  for  R.  C.  A.,  with  our  name  on  title-page,  and  our  Com- 
pendium. "Normal  Classes"  and  "Graded  Classes"  suggested.  General 
desire  for  increased  doctrinal  instruction,  but  in  a  more  simplified  form. 
Synod  endorses  the  proposed  edition  of  Westminster  Lesson  Helps  in 
name  of  R.  C  A.  Rev.  A.  H.  Demarest  appointed  chairman  of  Perma- 
nent Committee.     See  "Temperance"  under  1896.     377-385. 

1897. 
Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss.,  $17,566;  of  the  Y.  P.  Ss.,  $8,162.  Several 
Classes  have  no  Permanent  Com.  on  S.  Ss.  About  one-third  of  the 
schools  reporting,  use  R.  C.  A.  edition  of  Westminster  Lesson  Helps ; 
about  30  Dutch  and  German  Churches  use  none  of  these  S.  S.  Helps. 
R.  C.  A.  Compendium  printed  in  our  Westminster  Helps.  Full  arrange- 
ments for  the  Synodical  Conference,  on  "Training  and  Education  of  the 
Young,"  to  be  made  by  Synod's  Permanent  Com.  The  Classes  requested 
to  make  their  Coms.  on  S.  Ss.  Permanent  Coms.,  650-7. 

1898. 

Five  hundred  and  ninety-six  C  E.  Societies,  with  30,000  members.  31 
Chapters  of  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  PhiHp.  Benevolence  of  S.  Ss., 
$20,309;  of  Y.  P.  Ss.,  $9,937.  About  half  the  schools  use  R.  C  A.  edition 
of  the  Westminster — nearly  46,000  copies.  About  25  per  cent,  of  S.  S. 
scholars  (28,000),  are  regular  attendants  at  church  services.  Only  49 
schools  report  Normal  Classes ;  and  47  schools  report  a  Home  Department, 
with  1824  membership.  Of  Hymn  Books,  as  reported,  58  different  collec- 
tions are  used.  The  R.  C  A.  edition  of  Westminster  lessons  largely  in- 
creased; but  the  Bd.  of  Publication  has  recently  adopted  the  Refd.  Ch. 
Quarterly  of  the  [German]   Refd.  Church,  as  its  own. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  consisting  of  Revs.  E.  A. 
Collier,  Denis  Wortman  and  B.  E.  Dickhaut,  to  consider  the  matter  of 
Sunday  School  hymn  books  and  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  General 
Synod. 

Resolved,  That  hereafter  the  President  of  the  Synod,  in  making  up 


720  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

the   committees,  name  as  the   committee   on    Sunday   Schools  and   Cate- 
chetical Instruction  the  permanent  committee  on  this  subject.     108-115. 

1899. 

Every  Classis  has  now  a  Permanent  S.  S.  Com.,  except  the  Classis 
of  Raritan.  A  card  catalogue  of  all  the  S.  Ss.  has  been  prepared,  contain- 
ing much  valuable  information;  it  is  deposited  in  the  Refd.  Ch.  House. 
"Methods  of  Work"  need  to  be  studied.  646  C.  E.  Societies.  54  Chapters 
of  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Philip.  Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss.,  $20,600 ; 
of  C.  E.  Ss.,  $8,498.  The  Refd.  Quarterly  is  used  in  149  schools;  26  dif- 
ferent S.  S.  Papers  are  taken  in  the  schools ;  1820  S.  S.  scholars  received 
into  full  communion.  There  are  also  many  Junior  C.  E.  Ss. ;  Mission 
Bands ;  Young  Men's  Societies ;  King's  Daughters,  Boys'  Brigades,  etc. 
Superintendents  should  strive  to  bring  the  enrolled  membership  and  the 
average  attendance,  which  is  only  65  per  cent.,  closer  together ;  429-436. 

1900. 

By  Synod's  Permanent  Com.  on  S.  S.  and  Catechetical  Instruction,  the 
S.  S.  work  is  being  systematized  as  never  before.  Consistories  and 
schools  have  been  brought  closer  together.  The  Committee  has  brought 
about  the  publication  of.  our  "Refd :  Ch.  Lesson  Helps,"  and  the  "Hei- 
delberg Series,"  and  promoted  the  co-operation  of  the  schools  with  our 
Bd.  of  Publication ;  has  promoted  the  study  of  the  Catechism ;  interested 
the  schools  in  the  Benevolent  Boards  of  the  Church ;  extended  the  work 
of  the  Home  Department,  and  Normal  Classes.  Results  depend  largely 
on  the  "Classical  Committees"  and  the  pastors.  Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss., 
$21,816. 

About  half  the  schools  use  the  Refd.  Ch.  Quarterly  for  Lesson 
Helps ;  2,261  scholars  were  reed,  into  full  communion.  Synod  felt  unable 
formally  to  endorse  Dr.  Philip  Schaff's  "Christian  Catechism,"  while  com- 
mending it  for  undenominational  work.  Synod  refused  to  abolish  Perma- 
nent Com.  on  S.  Ss.,  on  request  of  Classis  of  Raritan.     739-/47- 

Sj-nod  now  enlarged  their  "Permanent  Com.  on  S.  Ss.  and  Catechetical 
Instruction"  by  two  adidtional  members,  and  changed  its  name  to 

"Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  and  Young  People's 
Societies.     1900,  750.     See  Sunday  Schools  and  Young  People's  Societies. 

Sunday  Schools  and  Catechumens.  See  Catechetical  Instruction ; 
also  Sunday  Schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction,  etc. 

Sunday  Schools  and  Home  Department. 

Whereas,  The  Home  Department  of  Sunday  School  work  is  being 
largely  developed,  and  is  commended  by  the  New  York  State  Sabbath 
School  Union  and  by  other  State  Sunday  School  Associations,  and  has 
for  its  object  the  study  of  the  Word  of  God  by  that  large  class  that  cannot 
attend  the  regular  sessions  of  the  Schools,  and 

Whereas,  Many  of  our  churches  are  working  in  the  line  of  the  Home 
Department,  and  are  satisfied  of  its  benefits, 

Resolved,  That  our  Standing  Committee  on  Sabbath  Schools  be  re- 
quested, in  their  Report  to  Synod,  to  commend  to  all  our  churches  this 
department  of  Sunday  School  work.     1895,   105. 

Sunday  Schools  and  Young  People's  Societies.  The  General  Synod 
of  1900  adopted  a  report  of  a  Special  Committee,  appointed  by  the  pre- 
vious General  Svnod,  by  which  the  "Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday 
Schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction"  was  increased  by  the  addition  of  two 
members,  its  title  changed  to  that  of  "Permanent  Committee  on  Sunday 
Schools  and  Young  People's  Societies,"  and  its  scope  enlarged,  "so  as  to 
include  the  advisory  oversight  of  our  Young  People's  work,  including 
Sunday  Schools  and  Young  People's  organizations  in  all  our  Churches." 

(Min.  Gen.  Syn.  1900,  pp.  748-750.) 

At  its  first  meeting,  this  new  committee  agreed  that  the  organization 


S.  S.  AND  YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  SOCIETIES         721 

of  our  Church,  known  as  "The  Christian  Endeavor  Missionary  League," 
and  recognized  by  the  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missionary  Boards  as  their 
"Department  of  Young  People's  Mission  Work,"  should  continue  in  charge 
of  this  important  branch  of  our  work,  and  that  effort  should  be  made 
to  interest  actively  so  many  of  our  Young  People's  organizations,  not  now 
affiliated  with  it,  as  could  be  induced  to  unite  in  the  adoption  of  its 
methods  and  the  support  of  its  objects.  1901,  1069-1077. 
These    Societies   are : 

1.  The  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor. 

2.  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Philip. 

3.  King's   Daughters. 

4.  Miscellaneous :  Boys'  Brigade ;  Cadets  of  Temperance :  Local 
Young  Men's  Societies ;  Mission  Bands  and  Circles ;  Mission  Study 
Classes. 

5.  Sunday  Schools  and  Catechumens.     1901,  1070-1. 

See  "Christian  Endeavor  Churches ;"  "Ch.  End.  Miss.  League."  See 
Table  of  Benevolences,  1901,  1072;  remarks  on  Lesson  Helps,  Catechetical 
Instruction,  S.  S.  Supplies,  Accessions  to  the  Church,  Denominational 
Benevolence,  Home  Department,  Normal  Classes,  Graded  Schools,  Stated 
Examinations  ;  1901,  1074-7. 

Report  of  "Committee  to  take  into  consideration  the  System  of 
Instruction  in  our  Sunday  Schools :" 

[Abstract.] 

Importance  of  the  subject;  children  formerly  trained  directly  under 
the  pastor's  care;  meaning  of  "Catechumen;"  duty  of  feeding  Christ's 
lambs. — The  S.  S.  much  to  commend  it ;  a  providential  growth ;  made  a 
multitude  of  Christian  workers ;  promoted  the  uniform  study  of  the 
Scriptures ;  any  changes  in  the  S.  S.  system  must  be  slow. — The  room 
arrangements  are  important ;  the  building  should  be  adapted  to  the 
necessities  of  the  school. — The  graded  school  most  important  for  success. 
Uniformity  of  lessons  not  the  highest  style  of  teaching.  See  Plan  of 
a  Graded  School,  1901,  1080-1.  Importance  of  the  personality  of  the 
teacher  in  piety  and  ability  to  teach.  Necessity  of  Normal  Classes. 
Theological  Seminaries  should  give  instruction  as  to  the  training  of 
teachers.  S.  S.  instruction  is  not  merely  educational,  but  religious — is 
a  matter  for  both  the  mind  and  heart.  The  teacher's  office  should  have 
some  proper  recognition  in  the  church. — The  S.  S.  is  an  integral  part  of 
the  church,  and  should  be  used  to  train  a  generation  of  useful  church 
members.  The  services  of  the  S.  S.  and  Church  should  be,  in  some  way, 
combined.  While  the  church  has  ecclesiastical  authority  over  the  school, 
it  is  the  "service"  which  constitutes  the  real  authority  and  commands 
loyalty  and  love. — The  S.  S.  should  help  itself  financially,  and  also  have 
support  from  the  church.  Benevolent  and  missionary  work  should  early 
be  inculcated,  if  the  coming  generation  is  to  conquer  the  world  for  Christ ; 
1901,  1078-1083. 

See  Pastoral  Letter,  prepared  by  Dr.  Joachim  Elmendorf,  to  the  pas- 
tors of  the  Church  upon  the  doctrinal  instruction  of  the  Young;  1901, 
1084-1091. — 1,000  copies  ordered  printed,  and  translations  to  be  made  in 
Dutch  and  German. 

1902. 

Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss .  . . $24,236 

of  the  C  E.  Ss 9,713 

"  of  the  King's  Daughters 1,787 

Total , . ..'., $35,437 

As  to  the  varied  (3,etails,  see  roport,  1902,  91-94- 

2.  Resolved,  Thzt  the  recommendations  of  Section  III  of  this  report, 
especially  those  referring  to  Catechetical  Instruction   (2)  ;  to  the  growth 


722         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

of  the  church  from  the  ranks  of  the  Sunday  School  (4)  ;  to  Sunday  School 
benevolences  (5)  ;  to  the  grading  of  Sunday  Schools  (8)  ;  and  the  main- 
tenance of  Normal  Classes  (7)  ;  and  to  the  systematic  study  of  missions 
in  our  Sunday  Schools  (9)  be  urgently  commended  to  the  officers  and 
members  of  all  our  Sunday  School  and  Young  People's  Societies  in  the 
hope  that  these  suggestions  may  be  adopted  as  far  as  feasible  by  all  our 
Young  People's  organizations  of  every  name.     1902,  94. 

1903. 

Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss $24,749 

"  of  C.  E.  Ss 9,419 

"  of  other  organizations 3,966 

Total   $38,135 

Two  hundred  and  sixty-one  schools  use  the  Refd.  Quarterly;  2,888 
•scholars  were  reed,  into  full  communion  of  the  church;  86  schools  have 
Home  Departments,  with  3,508  members ;  38  schools  have  Normal  classes ; 
226  are  graded;  48  have  stated  examinations. 

8.  In  the  light  of  the  growing  interest  which  the  subject  of  mis- 
sions is  awakening  throughout  the  Church,  as  well  as  the  necessity  for 
intelligent  comprehension  of  the  facts,  factors  and  spirit  at  present  work- 
ing in  the  religious  world  and  looking  toward  the  world's  evangelization, 
your  committee  would  urge  that  a  systematic  study  of  this  subject  as  it 
pertains  not  only  to  our  own  Church,  but  to  the  Church  at  large,  be 
made  a  part  of  the  curriculum  of  study  in  all  our  schools.  At  present 
there  are  only  one  hundred  and  eighty-six  schools  which  make  any  pre- 
tence in  this  direction.  Why  should  not  all  our  schools  give  a  fair  por- 
tion of  their  time  and  thought  to  considering  this,  the  world's  greatest 
movement  for  man's  redemption? 

Whereas,  The  collection  of  full  and  detailed  statistics  concerning 
Sunday  Schools  and  Young  People's  Societies,  becomes  every  year  more 
difficult,  many  churches  complaining  about  the  filling  out  of  blanks,  and 
one  entire  Classis  being  in  open  revolt,  and. 

Whereas,  The  present  wonderful  expansion  of  religious  educa- 
tional work  emphasizes  the  need  of  something  more  being  done  than  the 
mere  collection  of  statistics, — something  positive  in  the  direction  of  rais- 
ing the  standard  and  improving  the  methods  of  Sunday  School  work ;  and. 

Whereas,  Much  closer  co-operation  between  the  Board  of  Publication 
and  this  committee,  perhaps  even  to  the  extent  of  unifying  their  work, 
seems  desirable;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  appoint  a  special  committee  of  five, 
on  which  both  the  Board  of  Publication  and  the  Committee  on  Sunday 
Schools  and  Young  People's  Societies  shall  be  represented,  to  consider 
this  matter  in  all  its  bearings,  formulate  a  plan  in  regard  to  the  same,  and 
report  at  the  next  General  Synod;  and, 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  consist  of  the  following  persons,  the 
committee  to  elect  its  own  Chairman:  Rev.  Chas.  I.  Shepard,  Rev.  James 
Hunter.  Rev.  John  Conklin,  Rev.  Prof.  F.  S.  Schenck,  and  Rev.  Gerrit  H. 
Dubbink.     1903,  356-362. 

1904. 

The  work  of  your  committee  this  year  has  been  greatly  facilitated  by 
the  adoption  of  the  card  system  of  gathering  statistics.  The  method  has 
proved  helpful  to  the  various  Classical  committees,  as  well  as  to  the 
Synodical  Committee,  and  these  cards,  giving  the  fullest  information 
available   concerning   each    Sunday   School,    will   be   kept   on   file   in   the 


SUNDAY  TRAVEL  723 

Church  building  for  the  use  of  the  various  Boards  of  the  Church.     The 
returns  this  year  are  the  completest  in  the  history  of  your  committee. 

Benevolence  of  the  S.   Ss $26,940 

of  C.  E.  Ss 9,306 

of  the  K.  Ds 346 

"  of  the  Crusaders 148 

"  of  other  organizations 5,692 

Total   $42,433 

Two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ten  scholars  have  been  received 
into  full  communion.  The  Home  Department  is  growing. — The  name 
of  the  Chairman  of  Classical  Com.  on  Y,  P.  Ss.  to  be  printed  in  the 
Classical  reports.  Synod  heartily  commended  the  Catechetical  Hand  Book 
on  Missions  prepared  by  Mrs.  A.  E.  Meyers  and  Rev.  John  W.  Conklin, 
to  promote  the  systematic  study  of  missions,  690-6. 

Report  of  Special  Com.  on  S.  Ss.  and  Y.  P.  Ss.,  elaborate  and  im- 
portant, containing  a  Curriculum  of  a  Graded  S.  S.,  697-729. 

1905. 

Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss.  and  Y.  P.  Ss.  for  Foreign  Missions,  $25,991 ; 
for  Domestic  Missions,  $18,176;  for  Education,  $437;  total,  $44,604. — 764 
Sunday  Schools;  706  C.  E.  Societies;  no  King's  Daughter  Societies;  47 
Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Phihp ;  other  Y.  P.  Societies,  22;  Mission 
Bands,   119;   Crusaders'   Posts,  60;   other  Societies,  55. 

S.  S.  scholars  who  have  united  with  the  church,  2,578;  5,462  names 
are  enrolled  in  the  Home  Department  of  the  S.  S.  Instruction  in  Mis- 
sions is  increasing,  promising  enlarged  contributions.  The  Graded  School 
Curriculum  is  making  some  progress.     1905,   100-5. 

1906. 

Benevolence  of  the  S.  Ss.  $43,638. — 3,297  S.  S.  scholars  entered  into 
full  communion  during  the  year.     1906,  455-465. 

We  further  recommend  to  the  Sunday  schools  of  the  Reformed 
Church  the  judicious  selection  and  training  of  teachers;  the  careful  grad- 
ing of  schools  in  conformity  with  the  best  practical  educational  standards ; 
the  holding  of  stated  examinations ;  that  special  attention  be  given  to 
Cathechetical  instruction  in  doctrine,  ethics,  and  in  missions ;  and  the 
adoption,  where  feasible,  of  the  Cradle  Roll  and  the  Home  Department. 
1906,  464 ;  544-6. 

Sunday  Travel.  See  Sabbath,  Observance  of;  especially,  1827,  1843, 
1853,   1875,  1889. 

Superintendence  or  Superintendency.  The  Presbyterian  Form  of 
Government,  both  in  Scotland  and  in  Holland,  at  first  provided  for  a 
kind  of  Superintendency,  by  personal  visitation  of  certain  qualified  and 
authorized  representatives  of  the  Classis  or  Presbytery.  Thus  was  a 
worthy  minister  strengthened  and  stimulated,  and  congregations  ex- 
horted to  fidelity,  and  unworthy  ministers  weeded  out.  It  was  a  kind 
of  Episcopacy  without  its  hierarchical  dangers.  In  Scotland  this  kind  of 
Superintendency  fell  into  desuetude  in  a  time  of  religious  declension  in 
the  i8th  century.  In  Holland,  excellent  provision  was  made  for  such 
superintendency.  The  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  44,  enacted  that  each 
Classis  from  time  to  time,  should  authorize  two  or  more  of  the  eldest, 
most  experienced  and  best  qualified  of  its  members,  to  visit  annually  all 
the  churches  belonging  to  its  jurisdiction,  both  in  the  cities  and  in  the 
country,  whose  business  it  should  be  to  inquire  whether  the  ministers, 
consistories  and  schoolmasters  do  faithfully  discharge  thdr  offices ; 
whether  they  adhere  to  sound  doctrine ;  whether  they  observe  in  all  things 
the  received  discipline,  and  promote,  as  much  as  possible  by  word  and 
deed,  the  edification  of  the  congregation  in  general,  and  of  the  youth  in 


724  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

particular,  so  they  may  in  a  reasonable  and  brotherly  manner  admonish 
those  who  in  either  of  these  particulars  may  be  found  negligent;  and  by 
their  counsel  and  conduct  assist  in  directing  all  things  to  edification  and 
the  prosperity  of  the  churches  and  schools. 

The  office  of  the  superintendents  as  above  described,  was  intended 
to  watch  over  the  doctrine  and  ritual  of  the  church  by  a  personal  visi- 
tation. But  besides  this,  the  Classis  was  directed  to  ask  certain  questions 
of  ministers  and  elders  once  a  year,  viz. :  Whether  the  consistories  held 
their  weekly  consistorial  meetings;  whether  church  discipline  was  exer- 
cised; whether  the  poor  and  the  schools  were  properly  taken  care  of;  and 
finally,  whether  they  stood  in  need  of  the  advice  and  assistance  of  the 
Classis  in  anything  respecting  the  regulation  of  their  churches.  1619, 
Art.  41. 

From  lack  of  full  organization,  this  plan  was  never  very  effectually 
carried  out  in  America.  The  superintendents  were  never  appointed  before 
1771,  though  a  few  ministers  had  exercised  the  office  by  personal  dignity 
and  worth.  Feeble  attempts  were  made  to  carry  out  the  system  subse- 
quently to  1771,  but  the  distance  between  the  churches  made  the  efforts 
futile.  In  1792,  with  the  independence  of  the  church,  and  the  first 
American  Constitution,  it  was  enacted  that  once  every  year  the  Classis 
should  direct  what  might  be  deemed  necessary  and  practicable  with  regard 
to  the  visitation  of  the  churches  within  their  respective  bounds,  and  report 
the  same  to  the  Synod.  For  the  more  uniform  and  proper  execution  of 
this  important  duty,  such  particular  questions  and  inquiries,  as  the  General 
Synod  might  from  time  to  time  enact,  should  be  inserted  in  the  Classical 
records,  and  proposed  by  the  visitors  to  the  ministers,  elders  and  deacons, 
separately.     Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  44. 

In  1797,  272,  there  was  an  attempt  made  to  abolish  the  system,  on 
account  of  the  difficulties  of  performance,  and  put  all  the  duties  directly 
on  the  Classis ;  but  in  1800,  293,  a  Special  Committee  was  appointed  to 
report  on  this  subject;  they  suggested  that  the  mode  now  in  practice 
be  continued,  but  they  also  presented  and  printed  a  plan  proposed  by  Rev. 
John  M.  Van  Harlingen,  which  is  as  follows : 

PLAN   OF   ECCLESIASTICAL  VISITATION. 

1.  Each  Classis  shall  be  divided  into  two  or  more  districts  of  vis- 
itation, except  where  it  be  small,  and  the  congregations  lying  contiguous, 
when  it  shall  form  a  single  district. 

2.  The  Classis  shall  appoint  the  most  prudent  and  faithful  minister 
in  each  district  to  visit  the  several  congregations  of  the  district  in  which 
he   resides. 

3.  Said  minister  shall  visit  all  the  congregations  of  his  district  once 
a  year  regularly. 

4.  Certain  days  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the  visitor,  and  the  minister 
and  consistory  of  the  congregations,  as  established  seasons  of  visitation. 

5.  If  any  congregations  be  so  remote  as  to  render  a  yearly  visitation 
of  them  inconvenient,  they  shall  be  visited  at  the  Classis  in  the  persons 
of  their  delegates,  by  the  visitor,  during  the  intermission  of  Classis. 

6.  The  visitors' shall  remain  in  office  during  good  behavior,  or  until 
voluntary  resignation. 

7.  They  shall  be  continually  amenable  to  the  Classis,  in  their  visitorial 
capacity. 

8.  The    Consistories    of    the    several    congregations    shall    allow    the 

visitors  for  each  visitation  the  sum  of  ,  from  the  moneys  usually 

collected  in  the  church,  or  other  resources,  if  they  possess  others. 

Reasons  for  alteration  of  the  mode  of  visitation,  at  present  in  use, 
and  for  the  establishment  of  the  above  given  plan : 

T.     Because  the  mode  of  visitation  at  present  in  use  is  a  greater  de- 


SUPERINTENDENTS,  CLASSICAL  725 

parture  from  the  rule  prescribed  in  the  Church  Orders  than  appears  to 
be  necessary. 

2.  Because  it  is  calculated  to  expose  the  failings  and  errors  of  min- 
isters and  Consistories  immediately  to  public  view,  thus  speedily  to  injure 
ministers  and  Consistories  in  the  public  mind. 

3.  Because  it  cannot  be  expected  that  so  just  a  representation  of 
matters  will  be  made  by  one  member  of  Consistory,  as  by  the  body  of 
Consistory. 

4.  Because  the  mode  proposed  will  probably  prevent  many  disagree- 
able disputes  and  altercations  between  the  members  of  Classis,  at  their 
meetings. 

Ordered,  That  the  report  of  the  committee  be  accepted. 

In  183 1,  374,  it  is  declared  that  the  old  system  cannot  be  enforced  in 
this  country ;  but  each  Classis  was  advised  to  appoint  a  Committee  or 
Committees  to  visit  every  congregation  within  their  bounds,  and  to 
spend  a  day  or  more  in  devotion.  » 

In  the  Constitution  of  1833,  Art.  72,  the  Constitutional  Questions  were 
introduced  in  the  place  of  the  ancient  system.  See  also  Constit.  of  1874, 
Art.  64.  See  Supervision ;  also  Rev.  Dr.  J.  McC  Holmes'  Essay  on  "Pres- 
byterian Polity,"  1880. 

[It  is  to  be  feared  that  these  questions  do  not  by  any  means  take 
the  place  of  a  wise  and  Christian  system  of  superintendency,  such  as 
existed  in  the  earliest  period  of  the  Reformed  Churches.  The  implicit 
obedience  required  to  bishops  in  the  Episcopal  church  is  foreign  to 
American  institutions.  The  Episcopacy  in  the  Methodist  church,  with  its 
ruling  elders,  is  less  objectionable.  Can  Presbyterianism  be  so  modified  in 
America  as  to  have  all  the  advantages  of  Episcopal  oversight,  without  any 
of  the  evils  or  dangerous  tendencies  of  the  Episcopal  system?  Then  every 
congregation  might  always  have  a  proper  pastor,  and  every  worthy  minis- 
ter might  always  have  a  field  in  which  to  labor.  In  this  respect  the 
Methodist  system  is  almost  perfect.  Then,  also,  by  personal  inspection  of 
limited  districts  might  vacant  fields  be  supplied,  and  domestic  missionary 
operations  be  carried  on  with  far  more  vigor  and  success.  This  personal 
supervision  of  small  districts,  rather  than  the  supervision  of  a  Board 
over  a  vast  field,  is  one  secret  of  the  rapid  multiplication  of  Episcopal 
and  Methodist  churches.] 

Superintendents,  Classical.  These  have  occasionally  been  appointed 
in  recent  times  to  look  after  the  interests  of  local  fields  and  struggling 
churches.  See  Classical  Missionary  Agents ;  also  Manual  of  1902,  223. 
Superintendents  of  the  several  Seminaries  of  the  Church ;  see  Arcot  Sem. ; 
New  Brunswick  Sem. ;  Western  Sem. ;  see  also  Rutgers  College. 

Superstition.  All  superstition  must  be  avoided  in  the  celebration 
of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  62.  Infants  must  not  be 
baptized  out  of  custom  or  superstition.     See  Form  of  Infant  Baptism. 

Supervision.  A  greater  Assembly  shall  take  cognizance  of  those 
things  alone  which  could  not  be  determined  in  a  lesser,  or  that  pertain  to 
the  churches  in  general,  which  compose  such  an  Assembly ;  Rules  of  Dort, 
1619,  Arts.  30,  36;  Constit.  of  1833,  Arts.  31;  of  1833,  Arts.  37,  41,  46;  of 
1874,  Arts.  36,  40,  123. — The  Classis  has  a  general  supervision  over  the 
spiritual  interests  of  the  churches.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  41,  44; 
Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  38,  39,  44 ;  of  1833,  Arts.  66,  72 ;  of  1874,  Arts.  59,  64. 
— The  Particular  Synod  may  take  original  cognizance  of  such  cases  as  are 
not  merely  local,  or  which  affect  the  general  welfare  of  the  Church ; 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  46;  of  1792,  Art.  46;  of  1833,  Art.  77;  of  1874,  Art. 
66. — The  General  Synod  is  the  highest  Judicatory  and  the  last  resort  in 
everything  relating  to  the  peace  and  unity  of  the  Church;  Constit.  of  1792, 
Art.  51 ;  it  elects  Professors,  controls  the  Theological  Schools,  and  corre- 
sponds with  other  Churches;  Constit.  of  1792,  Arts.  52;  of  1833,  Art.  84; 


726         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

of   1874,   Art.   73;    may  grant   dispensations;   of    1874,   Art.    74;    and   is   a 
Court  of  Final  Appeal;  of  1874,  Arts.  J09,  119. 

SuRSUM  CoRDA. — Lift  Up  youY  heavts  1  "  .  .  .  Let  us  not  cleave 
with  our  hearts  unto  the  external  bread  and  wine,  but  lift  them  up  on  high 
in  heaven:" — See  "Centennial  Discourses,"  page  323,  note  25;  p.  324,  for 
the  peculiar  significance  of  this  clause  in  the  Communion  Form. 

Suspense  Account.  Begun  in  1886,  p.  50.  Certain  sums  were  trans- 
ferred to  this  Account.  See  Annual  Digests.  It  remained  at  $1,121.16 
from  1886-1891 ;  in  1892,  498,  it  appears  as  $3,760.17,  and  remains  at  that 
figure  until   1901,  when  it  is  no  longer  reported. 

Suspension — from  Church  membership,  or  from  office :  General  of- 
fences deserving  suspension;  Constitutions  of  1619,  Art.  80;  of  1833,  Art. 
102;  of  1874,  Art.  91.  [It  will  be  noticed  that  in  Constitution  of  1619, 
"habitual  drunkenness"  is  the  offence ;  in  those  of  1833  and  1874,  the  ad- 
jective is  omitted]  ;  other  offences,  doctrinal  or  moral,  of  members  of 
Consistories,  Ministers  or  Professors :  Constitutions  of  1619,  Arts.  3,  53, 
76,  79;  of  1792,  Arts.  5,  II,  22,  24,  32,  72;  of  1833,  Arts.  6,  12,  26,  27,  53, 
62,  loi,  114;  of  1874,  Arts.  6,  12,  23,  24,  46,  55,  93,  106. — See  also  Disci- 
pline ;  Deposition. 

Sustentation  Fund.     See  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 

SuYDAM,  James.  Gives  $10,000  to  General  Synod  for  the  Bd.  of  Edu- 
cation, i860,  549;  '63,  252,  317;  adds  $2,000  to  this  gift  to  make  the 
amount  $12,000  that  there  may  be  four  scholarships  of  $3,000  each,  '68, 
378;  gives  $6,000  to  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions,  as  a  Guarantee  Fund,  which 
is  to  be  allowed  to  accumulate  to  $10,000,  to  be  a  basis  of  security  for  drafts 
for  the  use  of  the  Missions,  '60,  567;  gives  $40,000  for  a  Professorial 
Fund ;  Synod  resolved  that  the  Professorship  be  called  "The  James  Suy- 
dam  Professorship  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology;"  '69,  548,  579, 
645-6;  gives  $10,000  to  Hope  College,  '70,  108-9,  nS!  gives  $9,000  toward 
purchasing  a  Professorial  Residence,  corner  of  George  St.  and  Semi- 
nary Place,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  '70,  15,  16,  113  (see  Sage)  ;  gives 
$50,000  toward  the  erection  of  Suydam  Hall,  '71,  218;  the  $40,000  given  for 
the  Suydam  Professorship  to  be  kept  sacred  for  the  salary  of  that  Pro- 
fessor, '72,  435 ;  $20,000  additional  received,  July  26,  1872,  to  make  the 
endowment  of  the  Suydam  Professorship  $60,000,  '73,  618,  631 ;  and 
$20,000  additional,  toward  the  completion  of  Suydam  Hall,  '73,  618,  632, 
the  entire  $70,000  of  bonds  for  this  building,  reaHzing,  when  sold. 
$74,303.82.     James  Suydam  died  Oct.  7,  1872. 

By  his  will  the  General  Synod  received  the  following  additional 
gifts :  $20,000  for  the  erection  of  a  Professorial  Residence ;  $30,000  for  the 
Disabled  Ministers'  Fund ;  $20,000  for  the  Maintenance  and  Support  of 
the  Suydam  Hall;  $20,000  for  Repairs  and  Improvements  of  the  Build- 
ings and  Grounds;  interest  had  already  been  paid  on  all  these  sums 
for  several  years,  1881,  651,  676,  678.— 1877,  610;  '82,  59,  61,  62;  '84,  450. 
See  Synod's  Fund  for  Temporary  Contingencies. 

THE     suydam     endowments     CLASSIFIED. 

I.    For  New  Brunswick  Theological  Seminary: 

(i)  Professorship  of  Didactic  Theology $60,000.00 

(2)  Suydam  Hall ;  bonds  for 74,303.82 

(3)  Residence  for  Didactic  Professor 20,000.00 

(4)  Residence  on  George  St 9,000.00 

(5)  Maintenance  of  Suydam   Hall 20,000.00 

(6)  Maintenance  of  Grounds  and  Buildings 20,000.00 

(7)  Suydam    Fund    for    Prof.    Residences    (see    Synod's 

Fund  for  Temporary  Contingencies) 11,134.99 

(8)  For  books  for  Library 2,500.00 


SUYDAM,  JOHN  HOWARD  (Rev.  Dr.)  727 

(9)     A  Fund  for  the  gift  of  books  to  students  of  Senior 
Class    of   the    Theological    Seminary    on    certain 

conditions    2,000.00 

2.  Four  Scholarships  of  $3,000  each 12,000.00 

3.  Security  Fund  for  Foreign  Missions 10,000.00 

4.  Disabled   Ministers'   Fund 30,000.00 

5.  Hope  College  Endowment 10,000.00 

6.  "  "  "  2,500.00 

7.  (i)     Rutgers  College  Endowment 5,000.00 

(2)  Fund  for  two  Prizes  in  Scholarship 1,000.00 

(3)  Fund  for  purchase  of  Reviews 1,000.00 

Besides  all  this  he  was  a  very  liberal  giver  to  all  good  objects  through- 
out his  life.  He  left  also  to  the  American  Bible  Society,  to  the  Home  of 
the  Friendless,  and  to  the  American  Tract  Society,  $25,000  each ;  and 
made  the  Bible  Society  and  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary  joint  residuary 
legatees. 

[Rev.  Dr.  J.  A.  H.  Cornell  engaged  Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor  to  write 
a  somewhat  extended  biography  of  James  Suydam,  as  well  as  of  Gardner 
A.  Sage.  He  subsequently  committed  these  to  care  of  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin. 
From  these.  Prof.  Doolittle  made  the  sketches  which  are  printed  in  the 
Centennial  of  the  Seminary,  390-402.  The  larger  sketches  were  finally 
deposited  in  the  Archives.     E.  T.  C.] 

SuYDAM,  John  Howard.  (Rev,  Dr,)  President  of  General  Synod,  1885. 

Swart,  H.  .  .  .  Presents  to  Library  of  the  Western  Seminary 
a  complete  file  of  "De  Hope."     1900,  692. 

Swearing.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  99,  100. 

Swearing  by  Saints  or  Angels.     Heid.  Cat,  Quest,  102, 

Swift,  Mary  S.  (Mrs.)  Endows  an  Alcove  in  Sage  Library  in 
memory  of  her  father,  Rev.  Dr.  Ab,  Messier,  1903,  331,  See  Report  of 
Com,  on  Property,  1903,  4. 

SwiTZ,  Abram  J,  (Rev,)  Legacy  from;  referred  to  Bd.  of  Direc- 
tion, 1881,  650,  679;  reference  to,  1883,  248;  correspondence  on;  no  results, 
1884,  422;  Scholarship  of  $500  in  Western  Seminary,  1887,  291;  gradually 
accumulating  (see  Annual  Digest);  now  $1,165.68;   1905,  40. 

SwiTZ,  Catharine.  Donation  for  Domestic  Missions,  $953.  1891, 
240-1,     See  Elmendorf,  Jane. 

Switzerland.  Pastors'  Assoc,  of  National  Protestants  of  Geneva, 
send  fraternal  letter,  with  salutations  and  greetings,  with  report  of  Con- 
vocation commemorative  of  the  commencement  of  20th  century,  1902,  126- 

Syllabi  of  Lectures,  Synod  requested  to  appropriate  annually  $500, 
to  be  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  Faculty  (of  New  Brunswick  Seminary) 
to  meet  various  incidental  expenses,  especially  in  connection  with  the 
preparation  of  Syllabi  of  the  Lectures,  for  the  use  of  students,  and 
the  printing  of  examination  papers ;  reports  to  be  made  to  Bd.  of  Super- 
intendents ;  granted ;  1894,  60,  67-84, — The  Western  Seminary  asked  for 
an  annual  appropriation  of  $500  for  the  same  purpose.  Granted,  if  funds, 
are  available.     1895,  72. 

Symbolics.     1888,  545. 

Symbols.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  66,  69-73,  79, 

Synod.     See  Particular  Synod;  Gen.  Synod. 

Synodical  Archives,  See  Archives. — In  1884,  the  following  action 
was  taken: 


728         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Whereas,  It  is  desirable  that  our  Church  should  preserve  some  per- 
manent record  of  her  ministers  deceased,  other  than  the  mere  list  of 
names  which  is  usually  appended  to  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on 
the  State  of  Religion,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  henceforward  Synod  have  a  Standing  Committee  on 
Necrology,  to  exist  during  the  year,  and  to  report  at  the  succeeding 
regular  Session  of  Synod  such  biographical  notice  of  ministers  deceased 
that  year,  as  they  shall  deem  fitting. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod  be  the  permanent 
Chairman  of  said  Committee ;  and  that  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  receive,  col- 
late, expand  or  abbreviate  according  to  his  judgment  such  necrological 
memorials  as  he  shall  receive  during  the  year  from  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  Committee  or  from  the  Classes,  or  from  whatever  source; 
that  in  cases  where  he  does  not  promptly  receive  such  memorial  he  shall 
himself  prepare  it,  or  direct  some  member  of  his  committee  to  do  so ; 
in  order  that,  year  by  year,  he  may  submit  to  Synod  for  publication  in 
the  Minutes,  upon  approval,  a  necrological  record  for  the  year,  as  suitable 
and  complete  as  circumstances  will  permit. 

Resolved,  That  upon  the  death  of  any  one  of  our  ministers  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Classis  to  which  he  last  belonged 
to  transmit  notice  of  the  fact  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  General  Synod,  and, 
at  least  within  a  week  after  the  next  meeting  of  the  Classis,  to  transmit 
also  a  copy  of  such  memorial  record  as  the  Classis  may  have  made,  to- 
gether with  any  facts  in  the  case  which  may  help  to  form  the  basis  of 
the  necrological  report  to  Synod.     1884,  576. 

The  substance  of,  or  reference  to,  all  these  sketches  of  deceased  min- 
isters, from  1884  to  1902,  will  be  found  in  the  last  edition  of  the  Manual. 
The  following  is  a  list,  with  references,  of  those  who  have  died  since  1902 : 

Bergmans,  Jac.  C,  1903,  5i3-  Mandeville,   Giles   H.,   i<)05,  279. 

Bertholf,  Henry,  1905,  273.  Mattice,    Ab.,    1905,    288. 

Boehrer,  John,   1903,  SM-  Medd,  Thos.  H.,  1905,  282. 

Bookstaver,  Aug.,  1905,  274.  Meyer,  Carl,  1902,  207. 

Bovd,  John  C,  1902,  197.  Mills,  Samuel  W.,  1903,  522. 

Buersma,  Ale,  1902,  198.  Oliver,   Matthew  N.,   1905,  282. 

Cochran,   Ab.    G.,    1903,   5I5-  Park,  Clearfield,  1904,  840. 

Cole.  David,   1904,  831.  Parsons,  Andrew,   1905,  283. 

Cooper,   Jacob,    1904,  834.  Ruhl,   Fred.   W.,   1905,  283. 

Deyo,    Paul   T.,    1902,    199.  Schumacher,  Gustav,  1903,  524. 

Dickson,   Alex.,    1904,   837.  Searle,  Samuel  T.,   1903,  525- 

DuBois,   Anson,    1905,   277.  Selden,   Edwm  G.,    1905,  284. 

DuBois.    Hasbrouck,    1903,    516.  Shaw,  Wm.  A.,  1902,  209. 

Enders,   Jacob   H.,    1902,   200.  Shepard,  Chs.  I.,  1904,  841. 

Gaston,  John,  1902.  201.  Smock,  John  H.,  1903,  526. 

Gramm,  Gustavus  E.,  1902,  203.  Te  Winkel,  John  W.,  1902,  210. 

Guenther,  John  C,   1905,  272.  Te   Kolste,    Gerardus,    1903,    527- 

Hageman.  Chs.   S.,   1902,  205.  Thomas  Eugene  E.,  1905,  285. 

Hansen,   Maurice  G.,   1905,  277.  Van  Cleef,  Paul  D.,  1903.  527- 

Inglis,  Thos.  E.,  1903,  51 7-  Van  Emmerick,  Gernt,   1904,  846. 

Tongeneel     Jas.,    1903,   518.  Van  Santvoord,  Cornelius,  1902,  21 1. 

Kershaw,' Wm.    H..    1904,    838.  Van  Zee,  Chs.  W.,   1904,  843. 

King,    Albert   A.,    1903,   5i9-  Wells,  Cornelius  L     1905,  286. 

Kip,   Isaac  L.,    1902,  206.  Wiersum,    Harry   J..    1902,   213. 

Kommers,   Tinus   J.,    1904.  838.  Williamson,  John  F.,   1904,  844. 

Lansing,    Raymond    A.,    1903,    520.     Williamson,  Wm.  H..  1905,  287. 

Lockwood,   Louis   J.,    1903,   521.  Wilson,   Peter  Q.,   1902.  215. 

Lubach,  Wietse,   1904,  839.  Zwemer,  Fred.  J.,  1904,  «45- 

MacNair,   John   L.,    1905,   278. 


SYNOD'S  BOARD  OF  S.  S.  UNION  729 

Names  for  1906  received  while  work  was  going  thro'  press. 

Beidler,   F.   P.,   1906,  597.  Pool,  Chs.   H.,   1906,  602. 

Bolton,  Jas.,  1906,  597.  Southard,  Jas.  L.,   1906,  603. 

Hoover,  David  S.,  1906,  598.  Stanborough,  Rufus  M.,  1906,  604. 

Huizinga,  Abel  H.,  1906,  599.  Steele,  Wm.  H.,  1906,  604. 

Knowlton,  A.  W.,  1906,  600.  Van  Gieson,  A.  P.,  1906,  606. 

Kuiper,  Albert,  1906,  600.  Van  Hetloo,  Elbert,  1906,  607. 

Lloyd,  Aaron,  1906,  601.  Vermilye,  A.  G.,  1906,  609. 

Woodbridge,  S.  M.,  1906,  609. 

Synodical  Board  or  Synod's  Board  of  Sabbath  School  Union. 
See  Sab.  School  Union  of  R.  D.  C. 

Synodical  Commission.  Appointed  1893,  772,  to  consider  the  read- 
justment of  the  ecclesiastical  relationship  of  Theological  Professors  and 
other  matters  relating  to  the  government  and  discipline  of  our  Semi- 
naries. Names  of  Commission,  773.  Their  report:  (i)  Made  suggestions 
concerning  the  mode  of  electing  Theological  Professors ;  that  the  power 
of  electing  should  remain  in  the  Synod,  but  that  the  Classes  should  have 
the  right  of  nominating ;  proper  Constitutional  changes  recommended ; 
(2)  Constitutional  changes  proposed,  to  allow  each  Faculty  to  appoint  a 
member  as  a  delegate  to  General  Synod;  (3)  suggestions  as  to  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Boards  of  Superintendents ;  as  to  students ;  as  to  curricula ; 
as  to  discipline ;  as  to  students  under  the  care  of  the  Bd.  of  Education. 
See  Amendments  to  the  Constitutions ;  Superintendents,  Bds  .of,  under 
the  several  Seminaries ;   Students ;   Curriculum ;  Education,  Bd.  of. 

Synodical  Expenses.  See  Contingent  Expenses ;  Permanent  Con- 
tingent Fund ;  etc. 

Synodical  Minutes  and  References.  Present  Lemma  14.  Com- 
mittee on,  examines  the  Minutes  of  the  Particular  Synods,  and  last 
General  Synod,  and  reports  anything  in  them  requiring  the  attention  of 
General  Synod. 

Synodical  Reports  on  the  State  of  the  Churches.  Lemma  5  or  6, 
from  1812-1886;  then  changed  to  Lemma  22.  and  styled  "State  of  Re- 
ligion and  Statistical  Tables." 

Synodical    Superintendents.     Occasionally    appointed   by    Particular 
Synods  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  churches  within  their  bounds. 
See  Classical   Superintendents.     See   1890,   153. 
Synod  of  Dort.     See  Dort  or  Dordrecht. 
Synod  of  North   Holland.     See   North   Holland. 
Synod  of   South    Holland.     See   South   Holland. 
Synods.     The  Higher   Bodies  in  the  grade  of  Ecclesiastical   Assem- 
blies in  the  Reformed  Churches.     See  Constitutions  of   1619,  Art.  29;  of 
1792,  Art.  31,  38;  of  1833.  Art.  36;  of  1874.  Art.  35.     See  Particular   (or 
Local,  or  District)   Synods.     General  Synod.     [The  term  "Synod,"  wher- 
ever  it   occurs   in   the   Constitutions   of    1619  and    1792,   always    refers   to 
Particular   Synods.     When   the   General    Synod   is   referred   to,   it   is   thus 
expressed.     The  Articles  of  Union,   1771,  9-1 1,   1772,  2>^,  do  not  use  the 
word  Synod  at  all.     This  was  in  order  not  to  excite  prejudices.     See  dis- 
cussion  of   this   matter    in    Ecc.    Records,   previous    to    177 1.     But    during 
the    Revolution   the   word  began   to   be   used,   and   slipped   in   the   written 
minutes.    1782.    99.    the    first    use    of    the    word.     In    1784,    128,    the    body 
resolved  to  use  it  thenceforth.     See  also   1790,  211. 

Synod's  Fund  for  Temporary  Contincencies.  The  Board  of  Direc- 
tion was  "authorized  to  fund  all  unappropriated  sums  and  balances  of 
interest  on  hand,  from  time  to  time,  and  invest  the  same,  the  annual 
interest  of  which  may  be  appropriated  as  Synod  shall,  from  year  to 
year,   direct;   the  interest  thus  yielded,  to  be  called   "Synod's   Fund   for 


730  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Temporary  Contingencies,"  1884,  521   (see  1882,  59,  61,  62;  '84,  450,  453)  ; 

'85,  622,  643,  649.     The  amount   was  $13,083.86;    1886,  27;  .'87,   266,  296; 

name   changed   to    "Suydam   Fund    for    Repair   and    Improvement   of   the 

•Professorial  Dwellings  at  New  Brunswick,   1887,  300;  '88,  491;   1892,  470. 

Systematic  Beneficence.  This  duty  was  insisted  on,  and  practised, 
long  before  this  particular  term  was  used.  See  unded  "Collections," 
for  support  of  the  Professorate ;  for  Missionary  purposes ;  Cent  Socie- 
ties ;  Twenty-five  Cent  Donations,  etc.  The  names  of  churches  regularly 
contributing  were  recorded,  as  well  as  those  not  contributing;  see  1820, 
45;  49,  50;  1821,  19;  1822,  26;  1823,  20;  1824,  21,  etc. 

In  1857,  the  Synod  passed  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  each  Consistory  be  requested  to  incorporate  in  its 
next  yearly  report  a  statement  of  its  system  of  benevolent  contributions, 
and  that  these  statements  be  included  by  the  Classes  in  their  reports  to 
the  Particular  Synods.  1857,  156.  The  Board  of  Publication  was  also 
requested  to  publish  a  Tract  on  "Systematic  Beneficence,"  and  to  circu- 
late it  among  the  churches;  also  to  prepare  "Forms"  suitable  to  the  pur- 
poses  of   Systematic    Beneficence.     1857,   243. 

Resolved,  That  we  cannot  acquit  ourselves  of  our  imperative  duty  in 
view  of  the  dealings  of  God,  without  largely  exceeding  for  the  coming 
year  our  benevolent  contributions  for  the  past,  and  of  giving  for  the 
cause  of  Christ  according  as  the  Lord  hath  prospered  us. 

Resolved,  That  those  of  our  churches  who  have  failed  to  contribute 
to  any  or  all  of  our  Boards  during  the  last  year,  are  hereby  most  ear- 
nestly requested  and  affectionately  urged  not  to  fail  to  contribute,  and 
that  liberally,  to   each  of  the   benevolent   enterprises  of  our   Church. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  to  the  pastors  of  our  respective  churches  that 
we  look,  and  by  whom  we  confidently  expect  that  the  several  causes  of 
benevolence  shall  be  statedly  presented  to  their  congregations,  with 
such  information  as  shall  enable  them  to  contribute  according  to  the 
claims  of  the  subjects  presented.     1858,  362. 

2.  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  earnestly  enjoin  upon  the  churches 
the  duty  of  forming  each  for  itself  a  systematic  plan  of  benevolence, 
in  which  the  Foreign  Missionary  work  shall  occupy  a  place.     1859,  458. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  upon  the  pastors  and  Consistories  of 
the  churches  to  give  increased  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  this  grace, 
in  which  they  ought  to  abound ;  that  all  proper  efforts  should  be  promptly, 
systematically,  and  perseveringly  made  to  raise  the  actual  beneficence  of 
all  the  churches  to  the  Scriptural  standard. 

Resolved,  That  the  Classes  be  hereby  enjoined  to  pay  particular  at- 
tention to  the  previous  action  of  the  General  Synod  on  this  subject,  so 
as  to  secure  an  advancing  munificence,  and  ample  reports  of  the  annual 
contributions  to  the  religious  and  benevolent  institutions  of  the  Church. 
i860,  572. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Classes  be  urged  to  take  such  steps  as  shall 
insure  that  the  claims  of  all  of  our  Boards  be  statedly  presented  to 
each  of  the  Churches  under  their  care,  and  collections  taken  for  them. 
1861,  90. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  hereby  reiterate  resolution  No.  5  of  the 
Synod  of  1861,  contained  on  page  90  of  the  proceedings,  in  the  follow- 
ing words : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Classes  be  urged  to  take  such  steps  as  shall 
insure  that  the  claims  of  all  our  Boards  be  statedly  presented  to  each 
of  the   Churches   under  their  care,  and  collections   taken   for  them." 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Classes  be,  and  are  hereby  requested 
to   suggest  to  their  churches  to   prepare   a   programme   of  the   different 


SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE  731 

objects  of  benevolence  as  recommended  by  the  General  Synod,  and 
specify  and  adopt,  as  a  standing  rule,  certain  Sabbaths  when  these  con- 
tributions shall  annually  be  made. 

Resolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Synod,  with  the  aid  of  the 
Treasurers  of  the  Boards,  be  requested  to  prepare  annually,  a  tabular 
statement  of  the  contributions  made  by  the  several  churches  to  the 
Boards  and  Funds  recommended  by  Synod ;  that  each  amount  so  cred- 
ited shall  embrace  in  one  sum  all  that  may  have  been  contributed  to  such 
object  from  whatever  source,  and  that  such  statement  be  reported  annually 
to  Synod,  and  published  in  the  proceedings  of  Synod  under  the  head  of 
Article  22.     1862,  212. 

In  1867,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  devise  and  report  .  .  . 
some  scheme  for  securing,  if  possible,  generous  and  systematic  contribu- 
tions from  all  our  churches  to  our  Benevolent  Boards.     1867,  286,  353. 

The  report  was  made  and  referred  to  another  Committee,  1868,  500. 
They  carefully  reviewed  it,  eliminating  some  of  its  suggestions  about 
enjoining  pastors  and  churches,  under  threat  of  discipline,  to  do  so  and 
so,  about  "Systematic  Beneficence ;"  they  emphasized  the  distinction  be- 
tween "enjoining"  and  "recommending;"  that  "injunctions"  had  proved 
to  be  failures ;  that  ministers  should  "teach  and  lead  their  people"  in 
these  matters;  the  acts  of  Synod  on  this  matter  from  1862  to  1868,  are 
briefly  stated ;  and  finally,  the  following  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  express  its  decided  conviction  that  the 
regularity  of  benevolent  contributions  depends  mainly  on  the  minis- 
ters settled  over  the  Churches. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  settled  minister,  and  of  every 
consistory  where  there  is  no  settled  pastor,  to  see  to  it  that  the  collec- 
tions ordered  by  Synod  are  regularly  taken  up  in  the  Churches  under 
their  care. 

Resolved,  That  Synod  earnestly  express  its  conviction  that  every 
minister,  and  every  consistory  where  there  is  no  settled  pastor,  ought 
to  attend  to  this  duty,  and  Synod  also  requests  them  to  do  it  this  year. 

Resolved,  That  the  Joint  Committee  of  the  Boards  of  the  Church 
be  directed  to  prepare  a  new  edition  of  the  programmes  of  benevo- 
lence, and  to  furnish  them  to  the  churches,  to  be  returned  to  their 
Secretary,  with  the  assignment  of  the  days  on  which  they  will  take 
up  collections  for  the  Boards  and  Funds  of  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  said  Committee  be  authorized  to  accompany  such 
programmes  with  a  circular  letter,  prepared  and  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dents of  the  four  Boards  on  behalf  of  and  by  authority  of  General 
Synod,  and  that  they  also  publish  with  said  programmes  any  resolu- 
tions passed  by  this  present  Synod  which  they  may  deem  suitable  for 
their  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  the  pastor  of  each  Church  be  directed  to  read  from 
his  pulpit,  and  that  the  consistory  of  each  Church  which  has  no  pastor, 
be  directed  to  cause  to  be  read  from  their  pulpits,  by  the  supplies  occu- 
pying them  for  the  time,  the  address  prepared  by  the  President  of  the 
Boards  on  the  Sabbath  after  the  reception  of  the  circular. 

Resolved,  That  every  Classis  be  directed  at  its  regular  spring  meet- 
ing, at  the  time  set  apart  for  asking  the  questions  prescribed  by  the 
Constitution,  to  ask  every  pastor  and  elder  the  following  question: 
Has  a  collection  been  taken  up  in  your  Church  during  the  year  for 
each  of  the  Boards  and  Funds  of  General  Synod?  and  to  enter  on  the 
Minutes  of  Classis  the  answer  given  by  each. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  affectionately  and  earnestly  request  each 
Classis  at  every  regular  meeting  to  give  at  least  one  hour  to  fraternal 


732  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

conference    and    prayer    with    reference    to    the    benevolent    operations    of 
the   Church,  that  they  may  provoke  one  another  to  good  works. 

Resolved,  That  Synod  affectionately  call  the  attention  of  our  Classes 
to  the  small  proportion  of  the  benevolent  contributions  given  to  our  own 
Boards,  as  compared  with  the  gross  amount  reported,  and  request  them 
to  use  their  influence  as  may  seem  to  them  best  adapted  to  secure  a 
change   in   this   respect.     1868,   504-5. 

In  1872,  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  proposed  the 
following: 

There  is  no  subject  of  more  importance  to  the  welfare  and  progress 
of  our  Church  than  the  matter  of  giving.     Your  Committee  recommend, 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  our  Pastors  is  hereby  earnestly  and 
affectionately  called  to  the  subject  of  systematic  benevolence,  and  that 
each  be  enjoined  by  'The  General  Synod"  at  least  once  in  each  year 
to  bring  the  subject  before  the  people  in  a  sermon,  setting  forth  the  teach- 
ing of  the  Word  of  God  in  reference  to  the  subject.  And  that  this  be 
done,  so   far  as  practicable,   some  time  during  the   month   of   October. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  pastors  and  consistories  is  especially 
called  to  the  often  reiterated  requirement  of  the  General  Synod,  that 
each  church  take  up  at  least  one  collection  each  year  on  behalf  of  every 
one  of  the  Boards  of  our  Church,  and  that  the  Classes  observe  the 
greatest  care  in  their  inquiries  upon  this  subject.     1872,  445. 

A  Special  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  in  1872  made  a 
brief  report :  That  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  examine  the  score  of 
plans  of  Systematic  Benevolence,  but  referred  especially  to  the  "Powell 
Revenue  System,"  published  by  the  Evangelical  Press  Association.  The 
Committee  was  continued,   1872,  531. 

The  following  is  their  report:  They  were  to  report  on  the  whole 
subject  of  "Systematic  Beneficence,"  or  "Christian  giving,  its  obligations 
and  its  methods  in  its  relations  to  Christian  duty  and  Church  work." 
How  shall  all  the  people  be  reached,  to  do  their  due  proportion  of  the 
work  of  the  Master.  .  .  .  God's  plan  is  best:  "Upon  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store  as  God  has  prospered 
him."  .  .  .  Seven  objects,  especially,  are  placed  before  our  churches, 
to  aid  which,  collections  are  enjoined — the  four  Boards,  the  Widows'  and 
Disabled  Ministers'  Funds,  and  the  Church  Building  Fund.  The  "Tabu- 
lar Statement"  reveals  many  deficiencies.  The  questions  in  Classis,  about 
obeying  the  injunctions  of  Synod,  produce  no  results.  But  the  Committee 
suggested  the  following  action : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  add  to  its  list  of  Standing  Com- 
mittees, one  to  be  entitled  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence,  who 
shall  consider  the  financial  statements  contained  in  the  reports  of  the 
Boards,  and  who  shall  present  to  the  Synod  a  report  reviewing  the 
same.  That  they  shall  also  make  such  suggestions  as  shall  in  their 
judgment  be  best  fitted  to  increase  benevolence  among  the  Churches. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  hereby  reiterates  its  repeated 
injunction  to  each  Pastor  and  Consistory,  to  see  to  it  that  the  Church 
under  their  care  be  afforded  the  opportunity  of  contributing  to  each  of 
the   seven   objects   commended   to   the    Churches. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  hereby  most  earnestly  recom- 
mends each  church  to  adopt  some  system  of  Beneficence  that  shall 
serve   to   call   out   the   charities   of   the    Church    reaching   every   family. 

As  to  the  methods :  Means  should  be  taken  to  secure  from  each 
family  and  member  a  stated  weekly  contribution,  by  means  of  envelopes, 
or  blanks,  or  publication.  No  one  system  will  suit  all  localities.  "Tread- 
way's  Scriptural  Method  of  Systematic  Beneficence"  was  submitted, 
1873,  752-6. 


SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE  733 

This  action  was  not  carried  out,  however,  until  1879,  when  the  fol- 
lowing appears : — The  Committee  on  Synodical  Minutes  reported  the 
failure  of  Synod  to  appoint  a  "Standing  Committee  on  Systematic  Benefi- 
cence," as  directed  in  1873.  The  value  and  design  of  such  a  Committee 
were  presented,  and  the  following  action  taken : 

Resolved,  That  such  a  Committee  on  Systematic  Benficence  be  now 
appointed,  who  shall  be  instructed  to  consider,  and  if  possible,  prepare 
and  present  to  the  General  Synod,  at  its  next  session,  some  plan  for  the 
support  of  the  work  of  our  benevolent  Boards,  which  will  reach  every 
church  and  member.  1879,  318.  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  J.  R.  Taylor  was  made 
Chairman,  together  with  Revs.  Drs.  Ormiston  and  H.  N.  Cobb,  and 
Elders  Gamaliel  G.   Smith  and  Samuel  Sloan. 

At  the  same  session  the  Committee  on  the  State  of  Religion  presented 
a  resolution  on  the  same  subject : 

I.  That  the  attention  of  Consistories  be  earnestly  and  efifectionately 
called  to  the  subject  of  systematic  beneficence,  with  the  urgent  appeal  that 
contributions  be  made  at  least  once  a  year  to  each  of  the  Boards  of  our 
Church,  and  that  special  pains  be  taken  to  secure  contributions  from  each 
and  every  member  of  the  congregation.     1879,  283. 

An  elaborate  Report  was  presented  by  Dr.  Taylor  and  his  Committee 
in  1880,  covering  six  pages,  and  1,000  extra  copies  were  printed  for  dis- 
tribution with  the  Minutes.  The  design  of  the  resolution  of  1879,  appoint- 
ing the  Committee,  was  to  secure  a  more  regular  and  adequate  support 
of  the  work ;  and  to  employ  the  facilities  and  power  of  our  ecclesiastical 
organization  to  accomplish  this  object.  The  necessit}'  of  a  more  regular 
and  adequate  support  was  generally  recognized.  The  necessity  of  some 
better  method  for  its  support  was  evident.  The  Boards  were  hampered 
and  crippled  in  their  work,  because  so  many  of  the  churches  failed  to  do 
their  duty.  Many  facts  were  collated  and  pressed  upon  the  attention. 
The  injury  to  the  non-contributors  was  referred  to ;  to  the  work  of  the 
Church,  it  was  disastrous.  Some  needed  to  be  stimulated.  The  resolu- 
tion of  1873  directing  the  appointment  of  a  "Standing  Com.  on  System- 
atic Beneficence"  was  quoted,  and  its  wisdom  emphasized.  The  following 
"Plan  of  Action"  was  then  presented  and  adopted: 

PLAN    OF    ACTION. 

1.  Each  Board  shall  present  annually  to  the  General  Synod  a  detailed 
statement  of  all  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  previous  year,  with 
the  actual  state  and  liability  of  the  treasury  at  its  close,  and  of  all  funds 
committed  to  its  care ;  also  of  the  estimates  and  appropriations  for  the 
year  to  come,  and  any  sums  desired  and  needed,  but  not  appropriated,  and 
the  reasons  therefor,  together  with  a  statement  of  appropriations,  receipts, 
expenditures  and  debts  (if  any),  for  a  period  of  ten  years  next  preceding 
(this  last  provision  "for  a  period  of  ten  years  next  preceding"  is  only 
intended  to  apply  to  the  report  of  the  present  year),  all  which  papers  shall 
be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence. 

2.  This  Committee,  after  carefully  considering  these  statements,  and, 
if  desired  or  need  be,  hearing  the  officers  of  the  Boards  with  regard  to 
them,  shall  report  such  sums  as,  in  their  judgment,  the  interests  of  the 
various  Boards  and  their  work  actually  demand ;  shall  apportion  said 
sums  among  the  different  Classes  to  be  raised  during  the  year,  adding  a 
small  percentage  to  cover  the  probable  failure  on  the  part  of  some,  and 
shall  report  the  amounts  so  apportioned  to  the  Synod,  with  such  other 
statements  and  recommendations  appropriate  to  the  subject  as  may  seem  to 
them  called  for.  This  apportionment  shall  be  based  upon  a  comparison — 
First,  of  the  numerical  strength  of  the  Classes ;  Second,  of  the  amounts 
given    for    congregational    purposes,    and    the    presumed    ability    of    the 


734         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Churches;  and  Thirdly,  of  the  actual  contributions  of  the  Classes  to  the 
Boards  and  Funds. 

3.  The  Classes,  at  their  meetings  next  subsequent  to  the  meeting  of 
the  General  Synod,  shall  act  upon  the  direction  of  Synod  in  these  mat- 
ters; shall  distribute  the  sums  apportioned  to  them  among  the  several 
churches,  upon  such  basis  as  may  be  agreed  upon,  having  reference,  as 
far  as  possible,  to  the  actual  ability  and  circumstances  of  each  Church; 
they  shall  make  it  the  duty  of  the  churches,  that  some  method  be  adopted 
in  each  congregation  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  work  and  the  appor- 
tionment of  Synod;  and  they  shall  require  reasons  for  failure  on  the  part 
of  any  minister  or  Consistory  to  comply  with  this  instruction.  1880,  589-595. 

The  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  reported  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  make  the  apportionment  this  year;  and  lest  it  should  jeopardize 
the  prosperity  of  the  work  in  hand,  the  following  resolutions  were 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod,  in  adopting  its  plan  for  Systematic  Benefi- 
cence, does  not  design  to  interfere  with  the  present  working  of  any  plans 
that  may  now  exist  and  be  effective,  but  to  urge  their  faithful  prosecution; 
while  it  does  desire  to  secure  some  efficient  method  where  none  is  found. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  various  Classes  be  specially 
directed  to  this  subject,  and  that  they  be  earnestly  exhorted  at  their  next 
meetings  to  take  such  steps  as  may  result  in  the  speedy  and  thorough 
organization  of  some  such  system  of  Beneficence,  in  their  respective 
churches,  and  to  apply  it  also  to  their  Sabbath  Schools,  so  far,  at  least,  as 
the  work  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions  is  concerned. 

In  view  of  the  possible  lack  of  information  with  regard  to  definite  and 
feasible  methods  or  systems  for  inspiring  individual  churches  and  Chris- 
tians to  greater  activity. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Publication  be  directed  to  send  to  each 
pastor  and  Consistory,  a  copy  of  its  tract.  No.  41,  on  Systematic  Beneficence. 

It  must  also  be  evident  to  any  member  of  this  Synod  that  the  plan 
already  adopted  is  not  in  opposition  to,  but  in  aid  of,  the  operations  of  the 
Boards.  As  its  success  will  depend  largely  upon  the  careful  and  intelli- 
gent action  of  the  Boards  themselves,  and  any  lack  of  caution,  or  evident, 
or  even  supposed  attempt  to  lay  unnecessary  burdens  upon  the  churches 
would  be  fatal,  your  Committee  offer  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  different  Boards  be  specially  di- 
rected to  the  careful  preparation  of  such  statements  as  are  called  for  by 
section  I.  of  the  Plan  to  be  presented  to  the  next  General  Synod. 

Resolved,  That  the  operations  to  which  these  provisions  are  intended 
specially  to  apply  are  those  of  the  Boards  of  Domestic  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, and  of  Education,  and  the  Church  Building  Fund;  but  that  collec- 
tions for  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  Widows'  and  Disabled  Ministers' 
Funds  be  also  regularly  taken.     1880,  596-7- 

In  1881,  a  resolution  was  offered  to  strike  out  of  above  report,  1880, 
589-595,  all  that  related  to  "apportionment."  Referred  to  Committee  on 
Syst.  Beneficence.  See  their  report,  1881,  792-7-  The  reports  of  the 
Boards  were  not  complete;  objections  were  made  to  the  plan;  it  seemed 
more  like  a  tax  than  an  appeal  to  Christian  love ;  yet  it  was  impossible  to 
strike  out  all  about  "apportionment,"  without  destroying  the  "Plan"  alto- 
gether; they  therefore  proposed  the  following  "Plan:" 

PLAN    OF   ACTION. 

I.  Each  Board  shall  present  annually  to  the  General  Synod  a  detailed 
statement  of  all  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  previous  year,  with 
the  actual  state  and  liability  of  the  treasury  at  its  close,  and  of  all  funds 
committed  to  its  care;  also  of  the  estimates  and  appropriations  for  the 


SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE  735 

year  to  come,  and  any  sums  desired  and  needed,  but  not  appropriated,  and 
the  reasons  therefor,  together  with  a  statement  of  appropriations,  receipts, 
expenditures  and  debts  (if  any)  for  a  period  of  ten  years  next  preceding 
(this  last  provision  "for  a  period  of  ten  years  next  preceding"  is  only 
intended  to  apply  to  the  report  of  the  present  year),  all  which  papers 
shall  be  referred  to  the  Committees  on   Systematic  Beneficence. 

2.  This  Committee,  after  carefully  considering  these  statements, 
and,  if  desired  or  need  be,  hearing  the  officers  of  the  Boards  with  regard 
to  them,  shall  report  such  sums  as,  in  their  judgment,  the  interests  of 
the  various  Boards  and  their  work  actually  demand. 

3.  The  Classes,  at  their  meetings  next  subsequent  to  the  meeting  of 
the  General  Synod,  shall  make  it  the  duty  of  the  churches,  that  some 
method  be  adopted  in  each  congregation  to  meet  the  requirements  of 
the  work;  and  they  shall  require  reasons  for  failure  on  the  part  of  any 
minister  or  consistory  to  comply  with  this  instruction.     1881,  795. 

In  1882,  the  Com.  on  Syst.  Beneficence  reported  that  no  plans  of 
estimates  and  apportionments  had  secured  the  hearty  approval  of  any  large 
number  of  Synod's  members;  that  it  was  necessary  to  fall  back  on  God's 
Word,  I  Cor.  16 :  i,  2 ;  giving  must  be  periodical ;  and  is  universally  bind- 
ing; is  a  personal  matter;  and  must  be  done  in  proportion  as  God  blesses 
each  one;  but  that  the  Christian  ought  not  to  give  less  than  the  Jew, 
one-tenth.     1882,  165-6. 

In  1883,  the  duty  of  giving  was  especially  emphasized;  that  this  duty 
was  binding  on  all;  and  that  it  ought  to  be  systematic ;  yet  many  churches 
give  nothing.  Systematic  giving  was  commended;  and  dehnquent  pastors 
and  churches,  exhorted.  1883,  364-6.  Similar  reports,  1884,  573-6;  1885, 
791;  1886,  137;  special  attention  called  to  the  training  of  children  and 
youth  in  the  matter  of  Systematic  Beneficence ;  and  that  sermons  be 
preached  and  literature  on  the  subjects  be  diffused.     1887,  379. 

A  constant  and  gracious  advance  in  the  contributions  to  the  Boards, 
and  in  general  benevolence.  During  the  past  five  years,  1883-8,  the  contri- 
butions to  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  alone  have  increased  $61,660  over 
those  of  the  preceding  five  years,  1878-83.  The  words  "Offerings  to  the 
Lord"  suggested,  to  take  the  place  of  the  word  "Collections,"  for  general 
use  in  public  worship,  and  that  these  be  made  a  part  of  the  regular  service 
on  the  Lord's  Day ;  that  Consistories  adopt  some  regular  plan  for  weekly 
"Offerings;"  that  ministers  impress  the  Tithe  principle  as  the  minimum; 
that  fractions  of  dollars  be  omitted  in  the  "Tables,"  and  the  space  gained 
be  devoted  to  an  additional  column,  entitled,  "Other  Religious  and  Benevo- 
lent Purposes;"  while  the  present  column  "Religious  and  Benevolent  Pur- 
poses" be  changed  to  "Schemes  of  the  Church ;"  that  a  Permanent  Com- 
mittee be  appointed  to  study  the  spirit  and  practical  methods  of  benevo- 
lence, to  report  to  next  Synod.  Names  given.  Dr.  George  S.  Bishop, 
Chairman.     1888,  620-2. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  reaffirm  its  former  deliverances  on  Sys- 
tematic Beneficence,  and  earnestly  urge  upon  the  Church  the  essential 
importance  of  the  practical  and  immediate  employment  of  some  method 
by  which  our  benevolent  operations  may  be  fully  and  regularly  sustained. 

They  would  suggest,  without  asking  for  formal  action,  that  pastors 
enforce  the  devotional  character  of  the  "offering"  by  a  brief  preface  of 
Scripture  or  of  prayer.     1889,  846. 

Report  of  "Permanent  Committee,"  appointed  in  1888,  622 : — The  Cate- 
chism emphasized  the  three  fundamental  doctrines.  Ruin,  Redemption, 
Gratitude.  Christians  are  co-workers  with  Christ.  Progress  should  be 
made  in  systematic,  proportionate,  and  liberal  offerings ;  Christians  should 
abound  in  this  "Grace"  more  and  more.  Our  offerings  tabulate  the  pul- 
sations of  the  Church;  there  has  been  a  slow,  but  steady  increase,  per 


736         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

member  in  some  parts  of  the  Church,  but  not  in  all.  Covetousness,  the 
sin  of  luxury,  stirs  uneasily,  under  doctrine  and  duty.  The  following 
action  taken : 

1.  That  the  Pastors  and  Consistories  be  reminded  of  the  ordination 
and  installation  vows,  to  be  faithful  in  God's  House,  and  that  fidelity 
in  Christ's  service  requires  that  an  opportunity  be  given  annually  to  the 
congregations  to  make  an  offering  to  each  and  every  object  recommended 
by  the  General  Synod  of  our  Church. 

2.  That  some  systematic  plan  or  method  be  adopted  by  every  Con- 
sistory, whereby  this  opportunity  shall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the 
congregation. 

3.  That  the  Particular  Synods  and  several  Classes  be,  and  are  hereby 
instructed  to  appoint  a  Permanent  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence. 

4.  That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  thus  far  carefully  studied  the  Synod 
continue  its  Permanent  Committee,  that  the  chairmen  of  the  Particular 
Synod's  Committees  be  added  to  this  General  Committee  as  corresponding 
members.     1890,   135-8. 

Benevolence  decreased,  causing  great  anxiety  to  the  brethren  charged 
with  important  interests.  No  resolutions.  No  report  from  the  Perma- 
nent Committee,  which  was  continued,  with  Dr.  E.  B.  Coe  added,  as 
Chairman,  to  report  to  next  Synod  some  Plan  or  Method  for  Systematic 
Beneficence.     Resolution  3,  of  1890,  reaffirmed.     1891,  362-4. 

Report  of  Permanent  Committee :  Pledge-cards  suggested,  stating  the 
amount  which  each  person  is  willing  to  give  to  the  different  objects.  The 
following  action  taken : 

1.  That  a  new  Permanent  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence  be 
appointed,  whose  chairman  shall  be  a  man  who  is  willing  to  undertake 
the  work  of  preparing  and  circulating  among  the  churches  tracts  and 
leaflets  exhibiting  the  duty  and  the  desirableness  of  systematic  giving, 
and  explaining  in  detail  such  plans  as  are  suggested  in  this  report.  He 
should  also  prepare  blank  forms  of  pledges  of  different  kinds  and  be 
ready  to  furnish  them  gratuitously  to  all  who  will  use  them. 

2.  That  there  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  this  committee  a  sufficient 
sum  (say,  $250)  to  defray  the  cost  of  printing  and  postage.  Without  this 
the  plan  cannot  be  introduced.  This  sum  the  several  Boards  of  the 
Church  might  (if  necessary)  be  requested  to  furnish,  each  contributing 
a  part  of  it,  which  should  be  in  proportion  to  its  receipts  during  the 
year  just  closed.  The  amount  employed  in  this  way  would  be  more  than 
made  up  to  them  in  increased  receipts. 

3.  That  the  committee  consist  of  Rev.  Henry  M.  Cox,  of  High  Bridge, 
N.  Y.,  chairman;  Rev.  D.  H.  Martin.  Newark,  N.  J.;  Rev.  Jesse  W. 
Brooks,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  Elders  John  S.  Bussing,  New  York,  and 
V.  M.  W.  Suydam,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 

4.  That  the  committees  on  systematic  beneficence  in  the  several 
Classes  be  urged  to  do  their  utmost  to  further  the  work  of  Synod's 
committee. 

5.  That  the  full  weight  of  the  authority  of  this  General  Synod  be 
given  to  this  committee  to  urge  the  plan  herein  outlined  (with  such 
modifications  as  may  be  necessary  in  particular  cases)  upon  all  our 
churches  for  their  adoption.     1892,  587-590. 

First  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1893. 

The  Committee's  work,  a  work  of  organization  and  agitation.  The 
Classes   asked   to  appoint    Permanent   Committees   of   co-operation.     Gen- 


SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE  737 

erally  done.  Pledge  cards  and  envelopes  introduced,  with  gratifying  results. 
The  importance  of  agitating  the  subject  of  organized  beneficence,  recog- 
nized. Publications  issued:  Dr.  Coe's  report  in  1892,  1,000  copies;  Sys- 
tematic Beneficence  Leaflets :  No.  i.  Points  to  be  emphasized  in  introduc- 
ing the  Proposed  Plan,  5,000  copies ;  2d  ed.,  10,000  copies ;  Xo.  2,  The 
Argument  from  Experience,  5,000  copies ;  Xo.  3,  Why  not  try  it  in  your 
Church  5,000  copies.  Circulars  and  the  religious  papers  also  used  to 
give  information.  Expenses  presented.  Too  soon  to  see  large  results. 
Conscience  in  giving  as  important  as  conscience  in  living.  The  Divine 
plan  includes  (i)  Voluntary  giving.  (2)  Periodical  giving.  (3)  Propor- 
tionate giving.  Many  churches  have  a  system,  but  not  many  individuals 
practise  it.  Action :  These  plans  reaffirmed ;  Classical  Committees  exhort- 
ed to  co-operate ;  that  setting  apart  of  a  definite  proportion  of  one's  income 
for  the  Church  and  its  benevolent  work,  a  duty  and  a  privilege ;  that 
ministers  and  church  officers  should  set  the  example;  that  the  following 
should  be  about  the  proportion  to  the  different  agencies  of  the  Church  : 
To  Foreign  Missions,  30  per  cent.;  to  Dom.  Miss.,  20;  to  Church  Building 
Fund  and  Education,  15  each;  to  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  10;  to  Widows' 
Fund,  .05 ;  to   Publication,  .05. 

This  Report  of  the  Permanent  Committee  was  highly  commended 
by  Synod's  Standing  Com.,  and  the  ministers  and  churches  were  exhorted 
to  heed  the  suggestions,  and  the  Permanent  Com.  was  continued. 
1893,  823-9. 

Second  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1894. 

Progress  made  in  the  work  of  organization.  Discussions  in  the 
Classes.  Leaflets  i  and  3  (1893),  translated  into  Holland,  and  5,000  copies 
of  each  issued.  Dr.  E.  B.  Johnson's  Address  on  "The  Giver's  Xeed  of 
Systematic  Giving,"  abridged,  has  been  published ;  5,000  copies.  First 
Annual  Report  published;  1,000  copies.  Publications  in  "The  Bulletin," 
a  Monthly,  of  the  Board  of  Publications,  and  in  the  'Tntelligencer"  and 
"Mission  Field."  Churches  have  entered  into  the  work  heartily,  and  some 
have  doubled  their  gifts  thereby.  Reports  from  the  Classes,  noticed.  The 
obligations  of  "stewardship'"  need  to  be  continually  urged.  Permanent 
Com.  divided  into  three  classes,  one-third  to  be  elected  each  year. 

The  Synod  gratefully  acknowledged  the  growing  interest  in  this 
matter;  that  the  subject  be  commended  anew;  that  the  churches  report 
fully  on  the  subject;  that  former  deliverances  be  reaffirmed.     1894,  147. 

Third  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1895. 

Publications  :  Second  Annual  Report,  1,500  copies.  Leaflet,  Xo.  5,  "A 
Working  Plan  and  How  it  Worked,"  3,000  copies ;  Catalogue  of  Publica- 
tions and  Price  List  of  Envelopes,  1,000  copies.  Demand  for  the  "En- 
velopes" steadily  increasing;  number  of  contributing  churches,  increasing; 
yet  owing  to  a  curtailment  of  resources,  the  total  received,  less  than  in 
1894.  C.  E.  Societies  developing  in  benevolence  thro'  the  Envelopes ; 
could  be  used  to  advantage  in  Woman's  Auxiliaries  and  in  S.  Ss. — Synod 
commended  the  work.     1895,  143-7. 

Fourth  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,   1896. 

Xumber  of  churches  using  the  Envelope  system  for  giving,  increasing. 
Increase  of  benevolence  to  the  Boards  and  Funds  of  the  Church  over 
last  year,  $35,562.  This  largely  for  removal  of  the  debt  of  the  Foreign 
Board.  Envelope  system  now  self-supporting.  Suggestion  that  the  "Of- 
ferings'' be  accompanied  by  a  short  prayer.  The  whole  matter  commended 
to  the  Churches.     1896,  422-5. 


738  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Fifth   Report   of   Permanent   Committee,    1897. 

Publications:  Annual  Report  of  1896;  "Principles  and  Methods  of  Giv- 
ing." by  Mrs.  E.  Q.  Brush,  5,000  copies ;  number  of  churches  contributing, 
slightly  less  than  preceding  year;  amounts  also  less.     1897,  698-702. 

Sixth  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1898. 

Marked  improvement  in  the  beneficence  of  the  Church.  Aggregate, 
perhaps,  never  exceeded.  Leaflet  No.  7,  "What  are  we  giving  our  money 
for?"  by  Rev.  A.  E.  Myers,  has  been  issued— ^,000  copies,  in  all.  Envel- 
opes have  been  distributed  gratuitously  to  collect  the  benevolence,  with 
good  results.  Gain  in  benevolence,  over  last  year,  $16,500  for  Foreign 
Missions;  and  $10,000  for  Dom.  Missions.  Suggestion  that  the  blanks 
include  contributions  for  the  Arabian  Mission.  Classical  Agents  to  be 
appointed  to  further  this  work.  Pastors  urged  to  preach  an  annual  ser- 
mon on  Benevolence.  Permanent  Com.  asked  to  consider  the  consolidat- 
ing of  Synod's  Standing  Com.  with  this  Permanent  Com.     1898,  166-173. 

Seventh  Report  of  Permatient  Committee,  1899. 

Envelopes  for  benevolence  furnished  free.  About  6,000  leaflets  and 
600  pledge  cards  also  furnished  gratis.  Most  of  the  churches  give  to  the 
Mission  Boards,  but  not  so  many  to  the  other  Funds.  The  Permanent 
Committee  reported  against  consolidating  Synod's  Standing  Com.  with 
itself.  Benevolence  decreased,  but  legacies  and  interest  from  invested 
funds  no  longer  included.  Churches,  Sunday  Schools,  C.  E.  and  kindred 
Societies,  urged  to  adopt  the  method  of  Systematic  Beneficence.  Presi- 
dent of  Synod  requested  to  make  the  Permanent  Committee,  Synod's 
Standing  Com.  on  Sys.  Beneficence.  1899,  476-483.  This  resolution  re- 
scinded, 1900,  786. 

Eighth    Report   of   Permanent    Committee,    i90Cf. 

Great  increase  in  the  number  of  envelopes  used  for  Systematic  Benefi- 
cence. Three  new  envelopes  added  to  the  list.  Permanent  Committee  re- 
quested to  report  the  actual  amount  of  gifts  each  year.     1900,  786-791. 

Ninth  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1901. 

Large  gain  in  the  number  of  churches  contributing  to  the  Boards  and 
Funds.  Total  of  benevolence  to  these  objects,  $246,154.  Besides  the  mere 
use  of  envelopes,  the  people  must  be  impressed  with  the  fact  that  they  are 
God's  stewards,     1901,  1133-1138. 

Tenth  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1902. 

In  reviewing  the  work  of  ten  years,  we  point  with  pleasure  to  the 
good  result  brought  about  by  the  members  of  the  Committee,  who  revived 
and  established  the  method  of  systematic  giving  in  our  churches.  It  has 
been  comparatively  easy  for  the  present  Committee  to  carry  forward  a 
work  so  well  started. 

Our  purpose  is  to  teach  and  preach  the  obligation  for  every  worshipper 
of  religious  contribution.  The  need  of  a  graduated  and  movable  scale 
of  giving  corresponds  to  the  varying  requirements  or  possessions  of  each 
person,  and  as  an  efficient  aid  to  this  end  the  use  of  envelopes,  marked 
with  name  of  the  object,  numbered  and  dated. 

Total  Envelopes  furnished  for  Church  Support 78,916 

Total    Envelopes   furnished   for   Benevolence.. 114,282 

Total 193.198 

♦  *  *  * 


513 

534 

518 

533 

533 

555 

558 

544 

512 

525 

520 

541 

518 

516 

565 

566 

329 

337 

336 

342 

233 

250 

349 

361 

319 

315 

323 

355 

353 

333 

384 

362 

242 

555 

266 

270 

301 

289 

292 

309 

i8i 

172 

183 

193 

207 

204 

212 

288 

144 

195 

178 

210 

188 

215 

214 

218 

SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE  739 

A  table  showing  the  number  of  churches  contributing  to  each  of  the 
Boards  and  Funds  of  the  Church  for  the  years  1895  to  1902  inclusive: 

1895.  1896.  1897.  1898.  1899.  1900.  1901.  1902. 

Number  of  churches  contrib- 
uting to  Foreign  Missions.... 

Number  of  churches  contrib- 
uting to  Domestic  Missions... 

Number  of  churches  contrib- 
uting to  Church  Building  Fund 

Number  of  churches  contrib- 
uting to  Board  of  Education. . 

Number  of  churches  contrib- 
uting to  Disabled  Ministers' 
Fund     

Number  of  churches  contrib- 
uting to  Widows'  Fund 181 

Number  of  churches  contrib- 
uting to  Board  of  Publication 

Total  Number  of  Contributions  for  the  Year. 

For  the  purpose  of  comparison  the  following  figures  are  recorded, 
showing  the  total  amount  contributed  by  all  the  churches  to  the  seven 
Boards  and  Funds  of  the  Church  each  year  from  1895  to  1902,  inclusive, 
as  follows : 

1895.  1896.  1897.  1898.  1899.  1900.  1901.  1902. 

$194,646    $230,208    $204,017    $218,410    $216,190    $245,268    $246,154    $210,799 

These  figures  do  not  include  legacies,  incomes  from  invested  funds 
or  special  gifts,  except  the  years  1895  to  1898.  From  1899  to  1902  they 
represent  the  total  gifts  from  all  the  churches. 

*  *  *  * 

Referred  to  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence : 

Resolved,  That  Synod  reiterates  its  apprecation  of  the  faithful  service 
of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Systematic  Beneficence,  and  request  the 
Committee  to  prepare  and  distribute  similar  tracts  to  those  already 
issued.     1902,  132-5.. 

Eleventh  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1903. 

Results  have  been  satisfactory.  The  number  of  churches  using  the 
Envelopes,  on  the  increase.  The  literature  on  the  subject,  exhausted.  The 
work  of  Systematic  Beneficence  again  commended  to  the  churches.  The 
Committee  authorized  to  provide  themselves  with  what  literature  is 
necessary  for  the  prosecution  of  their  work,  and  the  expenses  be  paid  by 
the  Boards.  The  Committee  permitted  "to  make  arrangements  with 
the  Board  of  Publication,  whereby  the  work  of  the  Committee,  that  can 
be  carried  on  by  the  Board,  be  transferred  to  them."     1903,  406-9. 

Twelfth  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1904. 

The  work  of  issuing  the  Envelopes  not  yet  passed  over  to  Board 
of  Publication,  because  of  pending  contracts;  but  this  will  soon  be  done. 
Synod  expressed  its  appreciation  of  the  work  done.  Resolved,  That  the 
Board  of  Publication  to  which  the  work  of  Systematic  Beneficence  is 
transferred,  be  authorized  to  supply  itself  with  whatever  literature  is  neces- 
sary for  this  work,  and  that  the  expenses  connected  therewith  be  paid 
by  the  several  Boards  in  whose  interest  the  literature  is  prepared  and 
distributed." — Recommended,  that  sermons  be  preached  on  Systematic 
Beneficence  on  3d   Sunday  of  September.     1904,   752-5. 


740         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Thirteenth  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1905. 

Committee  handled  about  400,000  envelopes  last  year,  and  is  in  corre- 
spondence with  about  one-fourth  of  the  churches.  The  business  of 
printing  and  distributing  is  now  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Board  of 
Publication,  while  the  Permanent  Committee  is  to  take  care  of  the  cor- 
respondence. Only  25  per  cent,  of  the  churches  report  any  special  method 
of  Systematic  Beneficence.  Cause  again  commended  to  the  churches. 
Third  Sabbath  of  Sept.  to  be  observed  as  Benevolence  Day,  by  sermons, 
etc.     1905,   157-9. 

Fourteenth  Report  of  Permanent  Committee,  1906. 

Nearly  100,000  envelopes  distributed  in  the  interest  of  Benevolent 
Boards  and  Funds,  and  nearly  400,000  envelopes  for  Church  support. 
The  work  of  information  and  education  has  been  already  largely  done,  but 
needs  to  be  continued.  The  work  of  distribution  has  been  performed 
by  the  Board  of  Publication,  the  expenses  being  paid  by  the  several 
Boards.     1906,  514,  515. 

Tabular  Statement  of  Offerings.  Clerk  of  Gen.  Syn.  with  the 
aid  of  the  Treasurers  of  the  Boards,  requested  to  prepare  annually  a 
Tabular  Statement  of  the  contributions  made  by  the  churches  to  the 
Boards  and  Funds,  and  be  printed,  annually,  under  Art.  22.     1862,  212. 

Talmage,  Goyn.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Cor.  Sec.  of  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions, 
1862-7;  President  of  Gen.  Syn.,  1874;  bequests  to  Gen.  Syn.  for  Bd.  of 
Dom.  Miss.,  $250;  to  Bd.  of  For    Miss.,  $250;  1892,  472;  1896,  317. 

Talmage,  John  V.  N.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  at  Amoy,  China. 
1846-89.  Died  Aug.  19,  1892 ;  1888,  585,  589.  See  Amoy.  See  his  name  in 
Manual  of  1902;  Fagg's  Life  of  Talmage;  Pitcher's  Hist,  of  Amoy  Mis- 
sion;  Mints.   1893,  591. 

Talmage  Memorial  Hall — in  the  Amoy  Mission,  China.  Built  1892 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  increasing  numbers  of  the  Koiongsu  Boys' 
Academy,  which  see.     See  also  Reports  of  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

Taylor,  Benjamin  C.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod, 
1838;  on  many  important  Committees. 

Taylor,  William  J.  R.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod, 
1871.     On   very  many   important   Committees. 

Taxation  of  Church  Property.  Overture  from  Classis  of  Hudson, 
on ;  Committee  appointed,  1876,  403 ;  no  report ;  Com.  discharged,  1877,  7SS- 

Taxes.  Certain  lands  of  Synod,  sold  for  taxes,  to  be  redeemed, 
1817,  34;  annual  taxes,  part  of  the  contingent  expenses  of  Synod,  1818,  53; 
1819,  51. 

Teachers  in  Hebrew.  The  original  Particular  Synod,  after  the  or- 
ganiztion  of  the  Gen.  Syn.  in  1794,  appointed  Revs.  Solomon  Froeligh, 
John  Bassett  and  Gerardus  A.  Kuypers  teachers  in  Hebrew ;  forgetting 
that  they  then  had  no  right  to  do  this.  They  never  acted  under  this 
appointment.     Partic.  Syn.,  1799,  487,  in  Vol.  I.  of  Mints.  Gen.  Syn. 

Teachers  of  Theology.  The  title  of  the  Second  Office  treated  in 
the  (Constitution.  In  the  Rules  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  the  treatment 
is  very  brief;  see  Constit.  1619,  Art.  18,  with  an  allusion  in  Art.  3;  but 
this  one  Art.  18,  is  elaborated  in  Explanatory  Articles  of  1792,  in  Arts. 
19-25;  in  Constit.  of  1833.  in  Arts.  25-29;  and  in  Constit.  of  1874,  in  Arts. 
22-27  ■>  which  see. 

Resolved,  That  the  Professors  hereafter  to  be  appointed  shall  hold  no 
pastoral  charge.     1819,  39. 

Te   Deum,   The.     See    Hymnology.     Also    Baird's    Euxtaxia,    29. 

Telugu  Students.  Permitted  to  go  to  some  other  Seminary  in  India. 
1896,  350-1. 


TEMPERANCE  741 

Temperance.  In  the  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  habitual  drunkenness  was 
specified  as  one  of  the  sins  deserving  suspension;  Constit.  1619,  Art.  80; 
but  in  the  Constitutions  of  1833,  Art.  102,  and  of  1874,  Art.  91,  habitual 
is  omitted.  In  the  earher  times  discipline  was  frequently  exercised  upon 
the  intemperate.  See  Public  Morals ;  Innkeepers. — Synod  began  definitely 
to  legislate  on  the  subject  in  1827.  We  give  the  earlier  action  somewhat 
more  fully : 

"Whereas,  The  vice  of  Intemperance  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous  and 
destroying  evils  of  our  country,  and  calls  for  the  deliberations  of  the  wise, 
and  the  determined  activity  of  all  the  friends  of  man ;  and,  Whereas,  It  is 
desirable  that  this  Synod  shall  solemnly  consider  this  subject,  and  obtain 
such  light  on  the  best  measures  to  correct  this  evil  as  may  be  accessible; 
and  Whereas,  The  Agent  of  the  American  Society  for  the  Promotion  of 
Temperance  is  present,  and  has  expressed  a  desire  to  exhibit  the  views 
of  that  Society  to  this  Synod;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  the  Synod  will  hear  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hewitt,  Agent  of 
the  American  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Temperance  on  the  subject 
of  his  agency." 

He  was  then  heard,  and  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Society,  of  its  Constitution,  and  of  the  address  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  was  presented  and  read.  The  following  action  was  taken 
by  the  Synod: 

"Resolved,  That  this  Synod  has  heard  with  deep  interest  and  painful 
solicitude  the  address  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hewitt,  on  the  causes,  the  conse- 
quences and  the  remedy  of  Intemperance ;  that  it  cordially  approves  the 
object  of  the  Society  of  which  he  is  the  Agent;  and  that  it  be  hereby 
affectionately  recommended  to  the  Ministers,  Consistories,  and  Congrega- 
tions under  its  care,  to  promote  the  cause  of  temperance  by  precept  and 
example;  and  as  one  means  of  furthering  this  most  benevolent  object,  to 
discourage  the  indiscriminate  use  of  ardent  spirits  in  family  and  in  social 
circles."     1827,  72,  73. 

In  1828  the  following  Resolutions  were  adopted: 

1.  That  the  principle  adopted  by  many  individuals  and  societies  in 
different  parts  of  the  country  for  the  suppression  of  intemperance,  viz. : 
Total  abstinence  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  excepting  only  its  use 
as  a  medicine,  meets  with  the  decided  approbation  of  this  Synod. 

2.  That  it  is  therefore  earnestly  recommended  to  the  members  of 
our  churches  that  they  entirely  refrain  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  ex- 
cept as  above  mentioned 

3.  That  it  be  requested  of  all  our  ministers  and  churches  to  inculcate 
the  said  principle,  not  only  by  example,  but  by  precept,  and  especially 
among  the  rising  generation,  and  to  diffuse  such  information  as  may  be 
deemed  best  calculated  to  effect  the  object. 

4.  That  it  be  recommended  to  our  churches,  ministers,  and  indi- 
vidual Christians,  to  promote  the  cause  of  temperance  by  the  formation 
of  societies,  or  by  such  other  measures  as  may  be  thought  best  adapted 
to  the  end. 

5.  That,  as  without  God  we  can  do  nothing,  the  prayers  of  all  Chris- 
tians be  requested  for  His  blessing  upon  the  means  used,  and  for  the 
putting  forth  of  His  power  for  the  suppression  of  intemperance.     1828,  133. 

See  Temperance  Sabbath. 

In  1830  reference  was  made  in  the  Report  on  the  State  of  Religion  to 
the  happy  results  already  seen  from  the  principle  of  entire  abstinence 
from  the  use  of  distilled  liquors,  and  a  Resolution  exhorted  to  the  organ- 
ization without  delay  of  total  abstinence  societies.     1830,  260,  261. 

In  183 1,  the  Synod  says  that  it  cannot  speak  in  terms  too  decided  on 


742  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Temperance.  God  had  prospered  the  work.  Much  good  had  been  done 
throughout  the  country.  It  was  a  preparation  for  the  coming  of  the 
Lord.     183 1,  353-4. 

In  1833:  Temperance,  a  cause  of  the  greatest  importance  to  human 
happiness  and  morals,  and  assailing  one  of  the  most  formidable  obstacles 
to  the  Gospel.  It  appears  to  have  received  great  attention  and  to  have 
produced  the  best  results.     1833,  187. 

A  Temperance  Society  has  been  formed  in  Rutgers  College  on  the 
principle  of  total  abstinence  from  spirituous  liquors  except  as  a  medicine. 
1834,  300. 

It  deserves  to  be  distinctly  noticed  that  the  temperance  reformation 
is  still  on  the  advance.     1835,  2>7Z- 

The  New  York  Temperance  Society  sent  copies  of  the  Temperance 
Almanac  for  the  3^ear  1838,  and  of  the  Temperance  Recorder  for  distribu- 
tion among  the  members.     1838,  194. 

A  Circular,  addressed  to  the  Synod  by  the  Executive  Committee  of 
the  N.  Y.  Temperance  Society,  was  referred  to  Committee  on  the  State 
of  Religion.  It  declared  that  the  best  hopes  for  the  triumphs  of  Tem- 
perance were  to  be  sought  in  the  Sanctuaries.  The  Synod  added  that  the 
pulpit  is  consecrated  to  the  best  interests  of  man;  that  the  ministers 
should  not  cease  to  give  their  efforts  to  the  driving  away  of  one  of  the 
most  desolating  vices  that  has  ever  afflicted  our  world.     1840,  358. 

In  1842,  the  following  reference  was  made  to  John  B.  Gough,  the 
great  orator  of  temperance,  altho'  without  mentioning  his  name : 

The  cause  of  temperance  heretofore  so  deservedly  successful,  has  of 
late  received  a  new  impulse,  penetrating  the  abodes  of  wretchedness,  en- 
gaging the  labors  of  those  from  whom  of  all  others  we  had  least  expected 
such  assistance.  The  poor  inebriate,  weak  and  besotted,  having  no  hope 
within  and  viewed  as  desperate  without,  has  been  rescued  'from  his  low 
estate;  and  disenthralled  himself,  he  is  now  going  forth,  erect,  and  elo- 
quent in  the  story  of  his  own  experience;  and  multitudes  participate 
with  him  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  blessed  fruit — their  griefs  are  allayed, 
their  tears  of  anguish  had  dried  up,  and  a  new  song  is  put  into  their  mouthy 
that  of  praise  to  the  Most  High.     1842,  78. 

Rev.  Mr.  Marsh,  Cor.  Sec.  of  Am.  Temp.  Union,  addressed  the  Synod : 

Resolved,  That  the  cause  is  held  in  highest  estimation  by  Synod ;  and 
is  recommended  to  all  the  ministers  and  churches  to  be  sustained  by  them 
in  righteousness  and  love,  and  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  conformity  to 
His  Word.     1849,  510. 

In  the  decade  1850-60  there  was  a  lull  in  Synodical  legislation  on 
Temperance.     Even  the  following  occurs: 

A  delegation  from  a  State  Temperance  Convention  now  in  session  in 
New  Brunswick,  appeared  in  Synod,  and  invited  them  to  attend  said  con- 
vention for  the  purpose  of  hearing  an  address  to  be  delivered  before  them 
by  the  Hon.  President  Frelinghuysen,  whereupon  it  was 

Resolved,  That  while  this  Synod  sympathize  in  the  objects  of  the 
Temperance  Society,  and  wish  it  all  success,  the  urgency  of  its  business 
forbids  the  pleasure  of  accepting  its  invitation.     1855,  619. 

But  the  Synod  of  1855  had  a  very  large  amount  of  unusual  business 
to  attend  to,  even  requiring  an  adjourned  session  in  the  fall. 

But  in  i860  the  evils  of  Intemperance  were  elaborately  portrayed  as 
follows : 

Intemperance  continues  to  number  its  wretched  victims  by  scores  of 
thousands,  while  the  subtle  poison  of  its  enticements  is  diffusing  itself 
through  the  veins  and  arteries  of  society,  while  the  manifold  evils  that 
march  in  its  train— improvidence,  sensuality,  discord,  thefts,  murders,  sui- 


TEMPERANCE  743 

cides,  and  crimes  of  every  name — defile,  and  ruin,  and  spread  desolation 
everywhere.     .     .     . 

Among  the  sins  and  evils  already  specified  as  making  up  the  body  of 
social  and  national  immorality,  the  evil  of  intemperance  has  been  singled 
out  and  made  the  subject  of  a  special  reference  to  your  Committee,  on  the 
ground  that  the  increasing  ravages  of  this  evil  demand  active  interposition 
on  the  part  of  all  the  friends  of  morality  and  religion.  Reference  is  also 
made  to  this  evil  in  the  close,  of  the  Synodical  Report  of  the  Particular 
Synod  of  New  York,  setting  forth  that  intemperance  is  on  the  increase, 
and  that  young  men  are  found  oftener  than  formerly  in  haunts  where  the 
force  of  this  temptation  is  apt  to  be  most  deadly.  That  the  evils  of  in- 
temperance are  huge  and  threatening  is  undeniable,  and  equally  so  that 
the  servants  of  Christ,  and  friends  of  good  order  and  morality,  should 
labor  and  pray  for  their  abatement  and  removal.  But  while  no  difference 
of  opinion  exists  in  regard  to  the  character  and  dimensions  of  the  evil, 
there  is  a  difference  in  regard  to  the  best  mode  of  bringing  Church  action 
to  bear  upon  it.  The  Gospel  contains  the  great  remedy  for  this,  as  for 
all  other  moral  diseases ;  and  where  it  is  applied  in  all  the  fullness  of  its 
potent  adaptations,  temperance,  and  purity,  and  peace  will  be  apt  to  stand 
forth  to  attest  its  reformatory  power.  Your  Committee,  without  attempt- 
ing to  prescribe  any  specific  plan  of  operations  for  the  practice  of  the 
churches  touching  this  evil,  would  recommend  our  ministers  and  elders, 
each  in  his  own  sphere,  and  with  such  ability  as  all  may  be  able  to  exert, 
to  bring  the  power  of  the  Gospel  to  bear  against  this  giant  evil,  and  with 
an  earnestness  proportioned  to  its  magnitude  and  the  tenacious  hold  it  has 
taken  on  the  community,     i860,  511,  512.     Similar  action,  1862,  144. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod,  in  consideration  of  the  fearful  and  in- 
creasing prevalence  of  intemperance  throughout  our  land  and  the  world, 
recognizes  with  joy  the  organization  and  successful  operation  of  the  Na- 
tional Temperance  Society  and  Publication  House,  that  we  recommend  it 
to  the  sympathy  and  support  of  our  Churches  and  individual  members ; 
and,  further,  that  we  call  attention  to  the  utterances  of  this  body  in  the 
past  upon  this  subject,  and  warmly  urge  upon  our  ministers,  elders,  and 
members  generally,  their  hearty  co-operation  in  this  needful  and  noble 
reform,     i860,  114. 

10.  A  communication  from  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Na- 
tional Temperance  Society,  requesting  this  Synod  to  appoint  seven  dele- 
gates to  the  National  Temperance  Convention,  to  be  held  at  Cleveland, 
July  29,   1868.     Your  Committee  recommend  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  said  Convention  is  not  of  an  eccle- 
siastical nature,  this  Synod  most  respectfully  declines  to  appoint  dele- 
gates to  represent  this  body  in  the  proposed  National  Temperance 
Convention. 

2.  Resolved,  That  this  action  may  not  be  construed  into  either  an 
expressed  or  implied  want  of  sympathy  on  the  part  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  with  the  efforts  of  Christian  men  to  suppress  the  evils  of  Intem- 
perance in  all  parts  of  the  land,  the  Synod  would  call  the  attention  of 
the  Church  at  large  to  the  oft  repeated  deliverances  of  the  General  Synod 
upon  the  sin  of  Intemperance,  and  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  employ  every 
Scriptural  instrumentality  to  promote  the  cause  of  Temperance.     1868,  462. 

"Resolved,  That  we  urge  upon  our  ministers,  both  by  precept  and 
example,  to  inculcate  the  habits  of  abstinence  from  intoxicating  beverages, 
and  to  deal  faithfully  with  the  consciences  of  those  who  are  engaged  in 
the  liquor  traffic."     1870,  56. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  heartily  sympathizes  with  the  earnest  efforts 
being  made  by  the  Christian  public  in  behalf  of  the  cause  of  temperance; 
and  so  far  as  the  means  used  are  Scriptural,  would  endorse  the  popular 
movement,  and  urge  upon  ministers  and  Consistories  of  our  churches  the 


744          DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

great  importance  of  giving  all  possible  aid  and  counsel  to  the  earnest  work- 
ers in  this  good  cause.     1874,  no- 

1875. 
Whereas,  The  principle  adopted  by  many  individuals  and  societies  in 
this  country,  for  the  suppression  of  intemperance,  viz. :   Total  abstinence 
from   the   use  of   ardent   spirits,   except   only   its   use   as   a   medicine,   has 
accomplished   much   good,   therefore, 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  earnestly  recommend  to  the  members 
of  our  Churches,  to  refrain  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  except  as  above 
mentioned. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  ministers  of  our  Church  be  requested  to  incul- 
cate the  said  principle  both  by  precept  and  example,  and  to  diffuse  such 
knowledge  among  the  young  as  shall  best  effect  this  object. 

3.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  our  Churches,  ministers,  and 
individual  Christians  to  form  societies  and  to  adopt  such  other  measures 
as  may  be  best  adapted  to  the  end  in  view. 

4.  Resolved,  That,  as  we  can  do  nothing  without  God's  help,  the 
prayers  of  all  Christians  be  requested  for  His  blessing  upon  the  means 
used,  and  the  putting  forth  of  His  power  to  stay  the  progress  of,  and  soon 
entirely  suppress  this  withering,  blasting  and  destructive  sin  of  intem- 
perance.    1875,  339- 

The  Special  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  minute  expressing 
the  sense  of  this  Synod  regarding  "the  revival  of  the  Temperance  cause," 
report  the  following  resolutions : 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  heartily  approve  the  great  movements 
now  in  progress  in  various  sections  of  our  country,  that  have  for  their 
object  the  advancement  of  the  Temperance  cause. 

2.  That  while  we  desire  to  place  no  restraint  upon  Christian  liberty, 
or  impose  an  unscriptural  burden  on  the  conscience  of  any  one,  we  do 
most  affectionately  urge  upon  professing  Christians  in  the  present  aspect 
of  the  Temperance  question,  to  seriously  consider  the  obligation  of  total 
abstinence  from  all  intoxicants,  so  that  the  full  weight  of  their  influence 
may  be  upon  the  side  of  purity,  good  order  and  Christian  morals. 

3.  That  we  urge  upon  our  churches  and  consistories  constant 
faithfulness,  in  the  exercise  of  Christian  discipline  against  offenders  in 
the  Church,  who  not  only  in  the  excesses  of  drunkenness,  but  by  the  man- 
ufacture and  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks,  and  also  in  the  renting  of  property 
for  the  purposes  of  this  nefarious  traffic  dishonor  Christ. 

4.  That  we  bid  a  hearty  God  speed  to  the  efforts  now  in  progress  in 
the  cities  of  New  York  and  Brooklyn,  and  Philadelphia,  for  the  "suppres- 
sion of  tippling  houses,''  and  to  "secure  the  enforcement  of  our  present 
laws   regulating  the   liquor  traffic." 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  clerks  of  the  several  Classes  of  our  Church, 
be  directed  to  call  the  attention  of  the  ministers  and  consistories  of  their 
respective  Classes  to  these  resolutions,  and  to  urge  them  to  bring  them 
to  the  notice  of  the  members  of  their  churches,  and  to  secure  as  generally 
as  possible  compliance  with  their  recommendations.     1877,  734-5- 

In  1881,  the  action  of  1875  and  1877  was  reaffirmed,  and  a  copy  sent 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  National  Convention.     1881,  790-1- 

Resolved,  That  the  evils  resulting  from  intemperance  are  so  great, 
that  in  the  judgment  of  this  Synod  the  good  and  welfare  of  the  Church, 
as  well  as  society,  demand  the  hearty  co-operation  of  all  Christians  in 
such  wise  action  as  will  finally  result  in  the  prohibition  and  suppression 
of  the  traffic  in  intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beverage.     1883,  z?>7 '^  1884,  124-5. 

I.  Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Synod  it  is  the  duty  of  all 
who  love  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  their  fellow-men,  to  use 


TEMPERANCE  745 

every  endeavor  to  resist  the  progress  of  intemperance,  to  prevent  men  from 
being  ensnared  by  this  dreadful  evil,  and  to  deliver  those  who  are  under 
its  power. 

2.  Resolved,  That  we  deem  it  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  character 
and  profession  of  the  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  to  encourage  the 
traffic  in  intoxicating  liquors,  by  renting  for  the  purpose  of  such  traffic 
any  property  which  they  own  or  which  is  under  their  control ;  by  signing 
the  applications  of  those  who  apply  for  licenses  to  sell  intoxicating  liquor; 
by  becoming  sureties  for  those  who  make  application  for  such  licenses, 
or  in  any  other  manner  whatsoever.     1885,  707. 

To  your  Committee  has  been  referred  a  communication  on  the 
Temperance  question,  which  sets  forth  the  evils  attending  the  traffic  in 
intoxicating  drink,  and  urges  the  Synod  to  make  a  declaration  that  it 
is  the  duty  of  Christians  to  cast  their  votes  so  as  "to  outlaw  and  suppress 
the  traffic,  both  by  Constitutional  Amendment  and  by  the  election  of 
officers  favorable  to  total  prohibition." 

The  General  Synod  has  so  often  expressed  its  sentiments  in  favor 
of  temperance  and  urged  upon  ministers  and  all  Christian  people  the  duty 
of  exerting  their  best  influences  in  its  favor,  that  any  further  words  seem 
needless;  yet,  because  of  the  extreme  importance  of  the  subject,  we  would 
reiterate  and  emphasize  these  deliverances  and  press  the  matter  anew  upon 
the  heart  and  conscience  of  our  Church.  As  for  pledging  the  Synod  and 
the  Church  to  any  particular  form  of  action,  we  deem  it  inexpedient  and 
calucuated  to  divide  rather  than  concentrate  and  make  effective  our  efforts 
in  this  good  cause. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  our  ministers  be  urged  to  give  special 
prominence  to  this  subject  in  their  public  ministrations,  and  that  all  Chris- 
tians, both  by  example  and  by  effort,  do  their  utmost  to  restrain  the 
evils  of  intemperance.  Especially  do  we  recommend  that  most  careful 
work  be  done  among  the  young,  so  that  they  may  be  fortified  against  the 
temptations  which  so  constantly  surround  them.  1886,  124-5  •  •  • 
1888,  635. 

The  Synod  reaffirmed  the  utterances  of  former  Synods,  and  expressed 
its  sympathy  with  the  work  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union, 
and  bid  the  Union  God-speed  in  its  noble  efforts  to  rescue  men  from  the 
curse  of  strong  drink.     1887,  392. 

Whereas,  The  organized  liquor  traffic  of  the  nation  is  a  great  cor- 
rupter of  public  and  private  morals,  the  persistent  foe  of  peace  and  good 
order,  the  destroyer  of  souls,  and  a  great  bar  to  the  advancement  of  the 
Kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ ;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America,  do  hereby  urge  upon  all  Christians  and  all  lovers  of  good  morals, 
and  especially  upon  the  members  of  our  own  Church,  the  immediate 
necessity  and  the  present  duty  of  taking  such  united  and  aggressive  stand 
and  action  consistent  with  Christian  faith  and  practice,  as  will  lead  to  and 
result  in  the  speedy  overthrow  and  extirpation  of  this  relentless  enemy  of 
our  national,  moral  and  spiritual  growth.     1890,  152. 

Resolved,  That  our  pastors  and  elders  and  churches  are  urgently 
requested  to  assume  an  unmistakable  attitude  of  unflinching  opposition  to 
the  evil  of  intemperance,  wherever  the  Lord  may  open  a  door  of  testi- 
mony, and  to  aid  the  cause  of  temperance  in  every  possible  way,  both  by 
precept  and  example. 

in.  As  to  the  other  requests  of  the  Classis  of  Westchester,  your 
committee  feels  constrained  to  report  to  Synod  that  they  deem  the 
appointment  of  a  standing  committee  on  temperance  as  beyond  the  province 
of  this  Synod;  whilst  the  printing  and  extensive  circulation  of  a  general 
appeal  in  behalf  of  temperance — "to  be  put  in  every  household  of  the  land" 


746  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

—would  involve  an  expense  to  which  Synod's  treasury,  in  its  present  con- 
dition, seems  inadequate.     1892,  567. 

Whereas,  The  saloon  is  still  in  the  ascendency  in  almost  all  parts 
of  our  land,  and  intemperance  is  yearly  carrying  away  multitudes  of  our 
citizens,  and. 

Whereas,  The  Church  as  well  as  the  country  suffers  from  this 
terrible  curse;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  the  past  utterances  of  this  Synod  on  this  subject  be  re- 
affirmed; that  our  pastors  be  requested  to  preach  against  this  evil,  and 
all  our  people  be  recommended  to  give  their  example  and  influence  in 
furtherance  of  this  reform. 

Resolved,  further,  That  Synod  call  attention  to  the  National  Tem- 
perance Society  and  Publication  House,  located  at  58  Reade  Street,  New 
York  City,  and  recommend  the  work  this  society  is  doing.  1894,  161-2 
.     .     .     1895,  162. 

In  reference  to  a  communication  from  the  American  Anti-Saloon 
League  extending  a  cordial  invitation  to  become  affiliated  with  it,  and 
more  definitely  identified  with  its  activities  by  the  sending  of  ten  dele- 
gates to  their  convention,  to  be  held  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1898,  and  by 
appointing  a   representative  upon  their   National   Board. 

Your  Committee  respectfully  recommends  the  following: 

I.  That  in  view  of  the  extent  and  intensity  of  the  special  forms 
of  the  evil  against  which  the  American  Anti-Saloon  League  directs  its 
energies,  the  General  Synod  again  emphatically  denounces  all  the  vicious 
influences  of  those  engaged  in  the  sale  of  intoxicants,  and  expresses  its 
concurrence  in  their  general  work  as  an  Anti-Saloon  League.     1898,  165. 

The  following  paper  concerning  the  canteen  in  the  army  was  adopted, 
to  be  forwarded  to  the  President  of  the  United  States : 

To  the  President  of  the  United  States,  Chief  Executive  and  Head  of  Army 

and  Navy: 

Whereas,  By  a  provision  in  the  Army  Bill  passed  February  27  and 
28,  1899,  and  approved  March  2,  Congress  clearly  prohibited  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  drinks  "in  any  encampment  or  fort,  or  on  any  premises  used 
for  military  purposes  by  the  United  States,"  and 

Whereas,  The  Attorney-General  has  interpreted  incorrectly,  as  we 
believe,  said  Section  17  Army  Reorganization  Bill,  and 

Whereas,  The  deplorable  effect  of  liquor-selling  as  a  part  of  the  can- 
teen system  of  the  United  States  army  continues  to  work  havoc  with  the 
manhood  of  the  men,  and  with  the  discipline  of  the  army,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  record  its  unanimous  protest  against  any  disregard  or  seeming 
nullification  of  said  law  as  clearly  interpreted  by  both  houses  of  Congress, 
and  by  the  American  people,  and 

Resolved,  That  we  appeal  to  the  patriotism  of  President  William 
McKinley,  as  head  of  the  army,  to  suspend  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquor,  as  a  beverage,  in  the  army  and  in  the  territories  now  under  mili- 
tary occupation  by  the  United  States  government,  until  such  time,  at 
least,  as  the  courts  shall  have  passed  upon  the  validity  of  said  Section 
17  of  the  Army  Reorganization  Bill,  and  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  behalf  of  the  113,000  communicant  members  and 
law-abiding  citizens  of  this  historic  American  Church,  the  above  resolu- 
tions be  signed  by  the  President  of  Synod,  and  by  the  Permaner^t  and 
Stated  Clerks,  and 


TEMPERANCE  747 

Resolved,  That  when  so  signed,  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent 
to  the  Chief  Executive  of  the  American  Nation. 

Earnestly,    sincerely,   and    respectfully   submitted, 

GEORGE  S.  BISHOP,  President. 

WM.  H.  TEN  EYCK,  Permanent  Clerk. 

WM.    H.    DeHART,    Stated    Clerk. 
Done  at  Catskill,  N.  Y., 
This   13th  day  of  June,  1899. 

1899,  503. 

Having  heard  with  pleasure,  through  the  Rev.  Jas.  B.  Dunn,  D.D., 
of  the  work  which,  for  thirty-five  years,  the  National  Temperance  Society 
and  Publication  House  has  been  carrying  forward  in  creating  and  circu- 
lating a  sound  temperance  literature,  and,  also,  of  its  efforts  to  rouse 
and  enlist  the  Christian  Church  in  this  great  reform,  the  Committee 
recommends  the  following  for  adoption : 

1.  We  congratulate  the  Society  on  the  work  which  it  has  done 
during  the  last  two  years  among  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  our  nation, 
and  in  seeking  to  abolish  the  drink  evil  from  the  army  and  navy. 

2.  We  commend  the  Society  and  its  pubHcations  to  the  sympathy, 
prayers  and  aid  of  the  ministers  and  consistories,  and  members  of  our 
churches.     1900,  785. 

2.  The  Synod  is  asked  to  take  some  action  against  the  Army  Canteen 
Bill. 

While  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of  temperance  in  our  land,  as 
well  as  in  the  Army  and  Navy,  the  Committee  has  not  sufficient  knowledge 
of  the  bill  referred  to,  to  enable  it  to  make  an  intelligent  commendation. 
1900,  786. 

I.  While  rejoicing  in  the  success  of  the  Anti-Saloon  League,  we 
deem  it  unwise  for  Synod  to  send  delegates  to  the  National  Anti-Saloon 
League  Convention,  of  next  December,  thus  recognizing  an  unecclesiastical 
organization,  and  paving  the  way  for  many  such  delegations.     1901,  1132. 

Your  Committee  learns  from  Mrs.  H.  S.  Ellis,  Secretary  of  the  Sun- 
day School  Union,  that  an  attempt  will  be  made,  at  the  coming  Interna- 
tional Sunday  School  convention  to  have  the  Quarterly  Temperance  Les- 
son omitted  from  the  series.  Your  Committee  suggests  that  General 
Synod  strongly  approve  of  the  retention  of  the  Temperance  Lesson,  as 
there  are  many  children  whose  only  instruction  in  this  hne  is  in  the  Sunday 
School,  and  that  we  declare  further  our  hearty  approval  of  all  efforts  to 
promote  temperance  and  morality  among  the  youth  of  our  land.     1902,  130. 

Whereas,  The  Church  realizes  the  tremendous  evil  of  the  saloon,  and 
looks  with  deep  sorrow  upon  the  appalling  effects  of  this  foe  of  the 
Church,  and  reahzing  that  it  is  a  growing  and  menacing  obstacle  to  the 
Church,  therefore  we  would  recommend  this  Society  and  its  work  to  the 
brethren  of  the  Church,  and  assure  the  League  of  our  hearty  approval  of 
its  endeavor,  and  of  our  earnest  co-operation  in  the  work  of  the  suppres- 
sion of  the  saloon.     1903,  403-4. 

IV.  A  request  from  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Temperance  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres.  Church,  U.  S.  A.,  asking  for  an  appoint- 
ment of  a  like  committee  by  this  Synod. 

Your  committee  recommend  that  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  motive 
of  this  request  and  reaffirming  its  action  of  previous  years  upon  this 
great  question,  finds  in  its  standing  order  upon  public  morals  sufficient 
provision  made  for  the  due  consideration  of  all  communications  addressed 
to  it  upon  this  subject.  1904,  745.  Rev.  R.  G.  Hutchins  appointed  as 
Committee  of  R.  C.  A.     1906,  501. 

See  Temperance  Sabbath. 


748  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Temperance  Sabbath.  And  Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  has  recommended  the  observance  of  the  4th  Thurs- 
day of  January  next  [1829],  as  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer, 
in  reference  to  the  sin  of  intemperance,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  our  Churches  to  unite  in  the 
observance  of  the  same  day  for  the  purpose  aforesaid, — and  that  the  Min- 
isters be  enjoined  that  the  exercises  on  that  day  be  especially  directed  to 
impress  upon  the  minds  of  their  congregations  the  evils  of  intemperance 
and  the  necessity  of  reform.     1828,  pp.  132-3. 

Your  committee  have  had  placed  in  their  hands  a  petition  from  the 
Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  of  Greene  County,  N.  Y.,  to  the 
efifect  that  one  or  more  Sabbaths  may  be  set  apart  for  the  presentation 
of  the  subject  of  temperance,  and  a  collection  in  behalf  of  that  cause 
be  taken  up  on  such  day  or  days. 

Resolved,  That  without  appointing  any  special  day  or  days.  Synod 
is  of  the  opinion  that  the  great  subject  of  temperance  is  worthy  of  receiv- 
ing the  consideration  of  the  ministers  of  our  denomination  at  any  time,  as 
a  part  of  the  enforcement  of  the  Christian  principles  of  self-denial  and 
helpfulness  to  others.     1896,  415. 

To  your  committee  was  referred  a  memorial  on  a  "Temperance  Sab- 
bath," asking  for  the  endorsement  by  the  General  Synod  of  a  movement 
by  the  "London  Sabbath  School  Union"  to  secure  the  observance  of  the 
fourth  Sabbath  in  November  as  Temperance  Day. 

Your  committee  feels  the  importance  of  temperance  work  and  agita- 
tion. The  curse  of  strong  drink  is  felt  everywhere,  and  every  member 
of  the  Christian  Church  must  exert  his  power  and  influence  against  this 
monstrous  evil.  Yet  we  think  best  to  leave  every  one  of  our  churches 
perfectly  at  liberty  in  regard  to  the  time  when  they  wish  to  do  a  special 
work  for  the  advancement  of  the  temperance  cause. 

Your  committee  is  in  sympathy  with  the  work,  but  not  with  this  par- 
ticular method   suggested.     Therefore  we  offer  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod,  while  urging  the  importance  of 
temperance  work,  does  not  think  it  wise  to  endorse  the  movement  of  a 
"Temperance  Sabbath."     1897,  658. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  great  and  obvious  evils  of  intemperance, 
and  of  the  saloon  system  legalized  in  our  country,  we  recommend  that 
the  third  Sunday  in  November  be,  so  far  as  is  compatible  with  other 
interests,  selected  by  our  ministers  as  an  appropriate  day  on  which  they 
may  call  the  attention  of  their  several  congregations  to  the  existence  of 
these  evils,  and  the  desirability  of  mitigating  them  by  every  proper  means 
in  their  power. 

Resolved,  That  the  work  of  the  National  Temperance  Society  be  com- 
mended to  the  sympathy  of  our  denomination.     1897,  695-6. 

Two  communications  came  to  our  hands. 

The  first  from  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  asking  that  General  Synod  R.  C.  A., 
set  apart  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  November  as  Temperance  Sabbath  each 
year.  This  in  accord  with  the  London  Sabbath  School  Union,  which  is 
endeavoring  to  secure  the  observance  of  this  day  for  this  purpose  through- 
out the  world. 

Your  committee  respectfully  recommends  that  this  be  done.    1899,  474-5- 

I.  A  memorial  has  been  received  from  the  Superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  School  department  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  In  response  to  this  me- 
morial the  Committee  recommended  the  observance  of  some  Lord's  Day 
in   November,   as  Temperance   Sabbath.     1900,   785. 

Whereas.  The  Reformed  Church  of  America  is  ever  at  the  front  in 


TEMPORAL  NECESSITIES  749 

every  moral  cause,  and  in  hearty  sympathy  with  every  movement  tending 
to  suppression  of  vice  and  uplifting  of  humanity ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  bid  God-speed  to  all  societies  and  organizations 
working  in  behalf  of  Temperance  reform,  and  especially  to  the  Women's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  the  Anti-Saloon  League,  the  latter  of 
which  is  proving  itself  an  agent  of  usefulness  in  creating  and  extending 
public  sentiment  in  favor  of  total  abstinence ;  and  be  it  further 

Resolved,  That  the  last  Lord's  Day  in  November  be  observed  as 
Temperance  Sabbath.     1901,  1133. 

Upon  request  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  Synod 
recommended  that  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  November  be  observed,  as 
"World's  Temperance  Day :"  the  manner  left  to  the  discretion  of  the 
churches,   1905,   155. 

Temporal  Necessities.     Heid.  Cat.,  Questions  118,  125. 

Temporary  Assistants  to  the  Professors.  See  Lists  of  Professors  at 
close  of  Mints,  of  Gen.  Synod,  each  year ;  e.  g.  1904,  860. 

Temporary  Clerks.  Clerks  appomted  yearly  to  assist  the  Stated 
Clerk  and  Permanent  Clerk ;  in  keeping  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod. 
Two  temporary  clerks,  one  for  the  English  language  and  one  for  the 
Dutch,  were  appointed  at  the  first  General  Synod,  1794,  257;  but  the  Eng- 
lish Minutes  were  to  be  the  official  copy. 

Temporary  Contingent  Fund.  See  Synod's  Fund  for  Temporary 
Contingencies. 

Temptation.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  26;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  9,  44,  127; 
Canons  of  Dort,  v.  3,  4,  11. 

Tempted  Persons.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  26.  See  Prayers  in  Liturgy  for 
"Sick  and  Tempted  Persons;"  two  specimens  in  Old  Liturgy  of  1792 
and  1815. 

Ten  Eyck,  Catalina.  Scholarship  of  $2,000.  1854,  397,  467.  See 
Ten  Eyck,  Margaret. 

Ten  Eyck,  Conrad.  (Rev.)  Tried  for  heresy  for  preaching  an 
unlimited  atonement.  See  general  statement  of  his  case,  and  his  excellent 
character,  in  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.,  1902,  779-781.  Documents  of  his 
trial,  in  Mints,  of  Gen.  Synod,  1820,  17,  18,  66,  67;  Oct.,  1820,  17,  18,  22-28; 
1822,  57 ;  1823,  48-50 ;  1824,  43,  48. 

Ten  Eyck,  Jacob  H.  (Rev.)  $10,000  received  from  his  estate,  "be- 
queathed by  him  to  the  Theological  Seminary  of  New  Brunswick,  N.  J." 

1874,  15-  By  vote  of  a  "majority"  of  the  Bd.  of  Direction,  the  sum  of 
$5,000  had  been  paid  to  the  Treas.  of  the  Hertzog  Hall  Committee,  1875, 
241.  [The  whole  $10,000  had  been  added  to  the  Endowment  Fund ;  but 
now,  to  meet  very  needed  repairs  [steam  heating]  in  Hertzog  Hall,  the. 
sum  of  $5,000  was  withdrawn,  altho'  the  receipt  to  the  Executor  stated  it 
had  been  added  to  the  Endowment  Fund.]  Action  of  Synod  thereon; 
review,  with  references ;  Mr.  Peter  Warner,  President  of  Bd.  of  Direction, 
opposed  the  transfer,  1875,  241-4;  Synod  forbade  any  future  withdrawals 
from  Permanent  Funds,  and  directed  that  the  $5,000  withdrawn,  be  re- 
stored ;  245 ;  yet  subsequently,  a  supplementary  report,  "Resolved,  That  the 
unexpended  sum  of  $5,000,"  given  by  Ten  Eyck  to  the  Seminary,  "be  held 
subject  to  the  draft  of  the  Peter  Hertzog  Hall  Commitee"  .  .  .  !  1875, 
248.  [Mr.  Warner,  President  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  published,  Dec.,  1875, 
a  review  of  these  proceedings  in  a  pamphlet  of  15  pages,  vindicating  his 
position  in  opposing  the  use  of  the  Ten  Eyck  Fund  for  temporary  pur- 
poses, and  complaining  of  the  action  of  Synod   in  its   second   resolution, 

1875,  208,  248.  Mr.  Sage,  also,  issued  a  pamphlet,  vindicating  his  course 
as  Treasurer  of  the  Hertzog  Hall  Committee,  in  opposition  to  Mr.  War- 
ner,  in  June,   1876.     Mr.   Warner   now  peremptorily   resigned,    1876,  404, 


750         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

The  balance,  $5,ooo,  was  paid  to  the  Hertzog  Hall  Committee,  1876,  405, 436. 

Ten  Eyck,  Margaret,  Scholarship  of.  $2,000,  1854,  397,  467.  See  Ten 
Eyck,  Catalina. 

[These  two  Ten  Eyck  Scholarships  ($4,000)  were  paid  into  the  Treas- 
ury by  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck,  Esq.,  of  Albany,  being  a  bequest  of  his  sister, 
Margaret,  for  such  beneficiaries  in  the  Theolog.  Sem.  as  the  Profs,  may 
indicate;  the  principal  to  revert  to  the  heirs  of  said  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck 
whenever  the  corporate  title  of  our  Church  shall  be  altered.  1854,  397>  467.] 
Ten  Eyck,  Rev.  Dr.  William  H.  Elected  Permanent  Clerk  of  Gen. 
Synod,  1871,  341,.  at  $100  per  year.  Elected  Stated  Clerk  of  Gen.  Synod, 
for  one  year,  during  sickness  of  Dr.  Van  Cleef,  S.  C,  1886,  10,  201 ;  again, 
Stated  Clerk  for  one  year,  1895,  10,  224,  227;  his  salary  increased  to  $200, 
'96,  506 ;  offers  his  resignation  as  Permanent  Clerk ;  not  accepted,  1900, 
918,  919;  salary  increased  to  $300,  1903,  534;  congratulated  by  Synod  as 
their  Permanent  Clerk,  in  full  vigor,  at  the  age  of  87;  1905,  291;  finally 
resigns,  1906,  359,  360. 

Tent  Work  in  New  York  City.  Plan  adopted  for  Evangelistic 
Work  by  Committee;  Rev.  Dr.  Fagg,  Chairman.  Collegiate  Church  sup- 
ports a  Tent  known  as  the  Fulton  St.  Prayer-Meeting  Tent,  for  the  season 
at  a  cost  of  $2,500;  1905,  227-8. 

Tercentenary  of  the   Heidelberg   Catechism.     Celebrated   in   1863. 
See  Tercentenary  Volume ;  also  Refd.  Ch.  in  U.  S. 
Term  of  Study.     See  Curriculum. 

Terms  of  Office.  Ministers  are  called  without  any  limitation  of  time; 
Elders  and  Deacons  are  elected  for  two  years,  but  may  be  re-elected ; 
Constit.  of  1619,  Art.  27;  of  1792,  Art.  38;  of  1833,  Art.  34;  of  1874,  Art. 
33 ;  Professors  are  elected  for  life,  or  during  good  behavior,  or  until  they 
become  incapable  of  performing  their  duties,  or  until  their  resignation ; 
Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  24;  of  1833,  Art.  26;  of  1874,  Art.  28. 

Testimony.  In  trials,  the  sum  of  the  evidence  shall  be  faithfully 
minuted;  Constits.  of  1792,  Art.  70;  of  1833,  Arts.  42,  no;  of  1874,  102, 
113,  114- 

Text  Books.  Synod  appropriated  ii5  for  the  purchase  of,  for  stu- 
dents;  1787,  157,  169;  see  Mark's  Medulla;  Professors  have  the  right  to 
select  the  Text  Books  for  their  own  departments,  1888,  539. 

Textual  Preaching.  The  "Call"  says — "Besides  preaching  upon  such 
texts  of  Scripture  as  you  may  judge  proper  to  select  for  our  instruction," 
etc.  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  36;  of  1833,  Art.  60;  of  1874,  Art.  53.  See 
Preaching. 

Thankfulness.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  64,  116;  86-129. 
Thanksgiving.     The  closing  prayer  after  any  religious  service  was  in 
the  old  Liturgy  designated  as  a  "Thanksgiving."     See  also  Rules  of  Dort, 
1619,  Art.  32.     See  Prayer  at  close  of  Form  of  Infant  Baptism. 

Thanksgiving  Days.  The  Church  should  request  the  Civil  Rulers  to 
set  apart  days  of  Thanksgiving;  See  1780,  83-86;  or  Ecclesiastical  Bodies 
should  themselves  appoint  them.  Constitution  of  1792,  Art.  66.  No  refer- 
ence to,  in  the  later  revisions  of  the  Constitution.  The  Church  of  New 
York  was  in  the  habit,  from  early  times,  of  setting  apart  Thanksgiving 
Days.  (See  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  N.  Y.)  Gen.  Synod  appoints 
Thanksgiving  Days,  4th  Thursday  of  Aug.;  1809,  396;  ist  Thursday  of 
Nov.,  1823,  36;  3d  Wednesday  in  Dec,  1826,  36,  unless  the  Civil  Authori- 
ties should  name  some  other  day;  collections  were  often  ordered  to  be 
taken  up  for  Missions  on  these  days,  1826,  61 ;  1827,  TJ ;  1828,  135 ;  1829, 
207,  etc.     See  Feast  Days;  Fast  Days. 

Thanks  of  Synod.  Given  at  the  close  of  every  Synod  to  the  Pastor 
and  Church  whose  hospitality  has  been  enjoyed.     These  are  generally  em- 


THEFTS  751 

braced  in  a  series  of  resolutions.     Thanks  are  also  frequently  given  for 
special  services  rendered,  for  gifts,  etc. 

Thefts.  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests,  no. — Deserves  suspension;  Rules,  1619, 
Art.  80;  1833,  Art.  102;  1874,  Art.  91. 

Theological  College.  Proposed  "Plan"  of,  by  a  "Union  of  Queens 
College  and  the  New  Brunswick  Theological  Seminary,"  in  which  the 
Theological  Professors  were  also  to  teach  in  the  Literary  Departments  of 
the  College.  First  draft  of  "Plan,"  1815,  44,  45 ;  committee  to  confer  with 
the  College  Trustees,  1815,  49;  report  on  said  "Plan,"  and  its  adoption  after 
slight  amendment,  by  the  Trustees,  Oct.,  1815,  5-7;  committee  to  confer 
further  with  the  Trustees,  on  the  "Plan  of  blending  the  Theological  [and] 
Literary  Schools  at  New  Brunswick,  and  to  present  details  to  put  it  in 
immediate  operation,"  Oct.,  1815,  8;  Details  of  the  "Plan  of  a  Theological 
College  to  be  formed  by  a  Union  between  Queens  College  and  the  [Theo- 
logical] Professorate,"  Oct.,  1815,  9-14.  [See  General  Review  of  the  rela- 
tions between  the  College  and  the  Seminary,  1850,  73-89.] 

Abstract  of  Plan. 

1.     Object:   Primarily,  education  of  men  for  the  ministry. 

IL     Number  and  Appointment  of  Professors: 

1.  Four  Professors;  respectively,  for  Systematic  Theology;  Ecc.  Hist., 
Ch.  Government  and  Pastoral  Duties;  Biblical  Criticism;  Mathematics 
and  Natural  Philosophy. 

2.  The  first  three  to  be  appointed  by  the  General  Synod  of  R.  D.  C, 
which  appointments  the  Trustees  shall  approve;  the  fourth  to  be  appointed 
by  the  Trustees  alone. 

3.  Synod's  Professors  must  be  ministers,  and  the  Trustee's  Professor, 
a  professor  of  religion ;  or,  at  least,  willing  to  subscribe  to  the  doctrinal 
standards  of  R.  D.  C. 

4.  Six  months'  notice  must  be  given  of  intention  to  resign,  to  the 
Board  of  Superintendents;  or  in  case  of  death,  said  Board  may  employ 
suitable  persons  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  Professorship. 

5.  Any  Professor,  excepting  Dr.  Livingston,  who  declines  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  assigned  him,  shall  be  considered  as  resigning  his 
Professorship. 

6.  The  General  Synod  will  choose  a  Professor  of  Biblical  Criticism 
as  soon  as  the  Funds  permit. 

in.  Duties  of  the  [Theological]  Professors  in  the  Literary  Depart- 
ment: 

1.  The  Prof,  of  Syst.  Theology  will  teach  Moral  Philosophy,  Logic, 
and  the  Philosophy  of  the  Human  Mind. 

2.  The  Prof,  of  Ecc.  History  will  teach  Belles  Lettres,  Roman  and 
Grecian  Antiquities,  General  History,  Composition  and  Elocution. 

3.  The  Professor  of  Biblical  Criticism  will  teach  Latin  and  Greek. 

IV.  Duties  of  the  Professors  in  the  Theological  Department. 

Each  Professor  shall  deliver  at  least  two  lectures  every  week  to  the 
theological  students,  opening  and  closing  the  exercise  with  prayer. 

V.  Salaries  of  the  Professors. 

1.  The  salaries  of  each  Professor,  for  the  present,  to  be  $1,400;  here- 
after to  be  fixed  by  the  Synod  and  the  Trustees. 

2.  Synod  shall  pay  one-half  of  the  salaries  of  its  Professors,  and  the 
Trustees  one-half,  provided  said  Professors  perform  their  duties  in  the 
Literary  Department. 

3.  Dr.  Livingston  is  to  receive  his  salary  from  the  proceeds  of  the 
Professorial  Fund;  any  deficiency  to  be  made  up  by  Synod,  out  of  the 
moneys  collected  under  order  of  June,  1815. 


752  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

4.  Subsequently,  the  proceeds  of  the  Professorial  Fund  shall  be  used 
by  Synod  in  paying  the  one-half  of  their  Professors. 

5.  All  moneys  now  or  hereafter  raised  from  collections,  under  order 
of  June,  1815,  shall  be  employed  by  Synod  in  paying  their  half  of  the 
salaries  ;  but  the  "moneys  hereafter  collected  in  New  Jersey  for  the  Theo- 
logical College,  belong  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  are  to  be  employed 
by  them  in  fulfilling  their  part  of  the  contract  with  the  General  Synod;" 
but  the  Synod  may  take  up  collections  in  all  their  churches  for  the  ordinary 
purposes  of  Synod. 

6.  All  moneys  collected  by  Synod  shall  be  at  their  own  disposal. 

VI.  Students. 

1.  Students  must  be  14  years  old,  to  enter  the  Literary  Department. 

2.  The  time  and  course  of  study  in  the  Theological  Department  shall 
not  be  less  than  tliree  years. 

3.  Theological  students  shall  be  examined  by  the  Professors  before 
the  Board  of  Superintendents,  and  may  be  continued  in  the  School  or 
furnished  with  a  Professorial  Certificate  which  shall  admit  them  to  exam- 
ination for  licensure. 

4.  Students  of  Theology  shall,  after  their  first  year,  present  to  the 
Professors  once  a  month,  a  lecture  or  sermon  on  a  prescribed  subject; 
shall  deliver  before  the  Professors,  every  week,  a  sermon  in  rotation ;  and 
the  graduating  class,  or  some  of  them,  shall  deliver  sermons  before  the 
Board  of  Superintendents. 

5.  Every  student  upon  entering  the  Theological  Department  shall 
produce  certificates  of  church  membership,  and  academic  attainments,  or 
submit  to  an  examination. 

VII.  Faculty  of  the  College. 

1.  The  President,  Professors  and  Tutors  of  the  College,  with  three  ap- 
pointed Trustees  of  the  College,  shall  constitute  the  Faculty- 

2.  The  Trustees  shall  choose  a  President  of  the  College  from  Synod's 
Professors. 

3.  Two  vacations  each  year,  not  to  exceed  three  months  in  all,  at 
such  times  as  the   Superintendents  and   Trustees   shall  agree  upon. 

VIII.  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Theological  Department. 

1.  The  Synod  shall  appoint  a  Board  of  nine  Superitnendents,  three 
from  each  of  the  two  Particular  Synods,  and  three  from  the  clerical 
members  of  the  Trustees ;  to  be  chosen  by  ballot  once  in  three  years. 

2.  This  Board  shall  meet  annually  in  the  Professorial  Hall ;  four 
members,  regularly  convened  to  constitute  a  quorum. 

3.  All  their  meetings  to  be  opened  and  closed  with  prayer;  one  ser- 
mon, at  least,  to  be  preached  at  each  ordinary  meeting,  either  by  the  Presi- 
dent, or  some  other  member  appointed  for  the  purpose. 

4.  Said  Board  shall  choose  a  President,  Stated  Clerk  and  Secre- 
tary ;  keep  minutes ;   and   report  yearly  to   General   Synod. 

5.  Said  Board  shall  superintend  an  annual  examination  of  all  the 
students. 

6.  Said  Board  may  censure  or  remove  immoral  or  incompetent  stu- 
dents;  take  cognizance  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Professors;  regulate  the 
course  of  study ;  recommend  changes,  advantageous  to  the  School  or  the 
R.  D.  C. 

7.  President  of  the  Board  may  call  special  meetings  at  the  written 
request  of  two  Professors,  or  of  any  two  members  of  the  Board,  on  giving 
four  weeks'  notice.     Oct.,  1815,  9-14. 

Synod  to  help  defray  the  expenses  of  the  Trustees,  if  necessary,  Oct., 
1815,  14.  15;  certified  copy  of  said  "Plan  of  a  Theological  College,"  to  be 
sent  to  the  Trustees,  by  the  Synod,  Oct.,  1815,  15;  that  all  moneys  collected 


THEOLOGICAL   COMMENCEMENTS  753 

under  the  order  of  June,  1815,  be  funded;  Oct.,  1815,  15.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  the  "Permanent  Fund,"  which  see. 

But  the  funds  of  the  College  proved  totally  inadequate  to  carry  out 
this  arrangement,  and  the  Trustees  notified  the  Synod  the  next  year 
of  their  inability  to  fulfill  their  part.  They,  therefore,  offered  the  use  of 
the  College  Building  for  the  use  of  the  "Theological  College,"  with  the 
exception  of  the  wing  used  by  Prof.  Vethake,  and  the  room  in  which  the 
Grammar  School  was  held,  until  the  College  could  re-open  its  doors. 
The  Synod  expressed  its  regrets,  but  accepted  the  offer,  1816,  29,  30. — 
See  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1815;  also  Rutgers  College,  1815,  1825. 

Theological  Commencements.     See  Commencements. 

Theological  Faculty.     See  Faculty. 

Theological  Hall.  (Now  known  as  Queens  Building,  Rutgers  Col- 
lege.) To  be  erected  by  General  Synod  and  the  Trustees  of  Queens  Col- 
lege, 1807,  366 ;  1813,  4-7,  22 ;  1814,  77 ;  a  collection  to  be  taken  up  in  every 
congregation  of  R.  D.  C  in  State  of  New  York,  for,  1807,  366 ;  the  building 
begun,  1809,  383,  388;  alluded  to,  1813,  5;  College  appropriated  $5,000 
toward,  1813,  6;  Synod  appropriates  $3,000  toward,  1813,  23;  Dr.  Livings- 
ton's portrait  to  be  deposited  in,  1815,  53;  Hall  not  yet  finished,  1818,  63; 
costs  of,  Oct.,  1820,  8 ;  names  of  subscribers  toward  Second  Professorship 
to  be  placed  conspicuously  in,  1823,  64. 

Theological  Fund.  A  term  often  used  for  the  old  Professorial  Fund ; 
which  see. 

Theological  Hall.     See  Peter  Hertzog  Theological  Hall. 

Theological  Library.  Synod  requested  to  appropriate  some  money 
for  purchase  of  text  books,  not  easily  obtained  here,  for  use  of  students ; 
ii5  appropriated.  May,  1787,  157;  the  books  procured,  Oct.,  1787,  169;  Prof. 
Livingston  to  take  charge  of  all  books  for  the  use  of  students,  and  report 
a  catalogue  of  same,  1794,  258-9;  the  books  in  his  care,  1800,  287  [quoted 
in  Digest,  1814,  59,  60]  ;  General  Synod  agrees  with  the  Trustees  of  Queens 
College  to  provide  money  for  a  Library,  1807,  366  [in  Digest,  1814,  Jj]  ; 
felt  need  of  a  Library,  1812,  416,  418;  collections  ordered  for,  429,  430; 
1813,  30,  2)7',  Synod  appropriates,  $100  for  books;  a  considerable  number  of 
books  received  by  donation  and  purchase;  appoints  a  Librarian,  1814,  19; 
200  volumes  on  hand,  1814,  220;  $100  appropriated  to  increase  the  Library; 
donation  of  a  number  of  valuable  books,  1815,  17;  agents  to  be  appointed 
in  each  Classis  to  solicit  funds  for  the  Library,  42,  46;  $500  appropriated 
toward  the  Library;  Cohimittee  appointed  (Rev.  Drs.  Milledoler,  Wood- 
hull  and  Eltinge)  to  purchase  books,  and  a  Librarian  to  be  appointed,  1818, 
52,  61 ;  books  purchased  to  the  amount  of  $391.85,  1819,  73 ;  $210.24  paid 
out  for  the  Library,  1820,  42;  Trustees  of  Queens  College  appropriated 
$1,800  toward  the  Library,  (Dct.,  1820,  8;  agents  appointed  to  raise  money 
for  increase  of  the  Library,  1825,  40;  Sept.,  1825,  29;  list  of  subscriptions 
for  the  Library,  1826,  12,  13;  resolution  to  buy  the  Library  of  late  Prof. 
Woodhull,  1826,  55,  56;  Bd.  of  Superintendents  of  Rutgers  College  to 
seek  subscriptions  and  donations  for  Library,  1827,  68;  ministers  and  agents 
requested  to  press  claims  of  Library,  1828,  129;  1829,  197;  needs  of  the 
Library,  1830,  234 ;  donations  of  books  to,  281 ;  the  Library  of  the  late 
Prof.  John  DeWitt  to  be  purchased,  1831,  8;  $1,059  raised  for  same;  ap- 
praised at  $2,104,  1832,  65 ;  Committee  instructed  to  secure  same  for  cash 
on  hand,  and  pay  interest  on  balance;  churches  exhorted  to  take  up  col- 
lections for  same,  1832,  66;  reports  of  the  Committee  on  the  DeWitt 
Library,  Oct.,  1832,  101-2;  1833,  164;  First  printed  Catalogue  of  Library. 
1832  (see  1846,  75,  76,  80)  ;  package  of  books  from  Prof.  Mitchell,  of 
Edinburg,  for  Library,  1833,  182;  yet  due  Mrs.  DeWitt  for  husband's 
Library,  $767;  subscriptions  to  be  sought  for  same,  1833,  219;  further 
reports  on  DeWitt  Library,  1834,  248,  321-2;  fully  paid  for,  1835,  345,  353, 
355;  $200  to  be  annually  appropriated  toward  Library,   1835,  425;   Com- 


754         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

mittee  to  solicit  books  and  money  for,  1835,  y]  \  reports  of  books  and 
moneys  received,  1837,  78-80;  1838,  105;  1839,  204-5;  1840,  334;  importance 
of  a  Librarian,  1842,  124;  to  be  appointed  at  a  reasonable  compensation, 
126-7;  Prof,  of  Didactic  Theology  to  prepare  a  Digest  of  Rules  for 
Library,  1843,  246;  Prof.  Hodenpyl  appointed  Librarian,  1843,  237;  148 
volumes  in  the  Dutch  language  presented  by  Rev.  Zecharias  H.  Kuypers, 
1844,  294,  374;  nearly  500  volumes  added  by  gift;  one  dollar  fee  for  the 
use  of  the  Library  to  be  charged,  1844,  356,  370;  rebinding  of  many  books 
necessary,  and  care  of  pamphlets;  appropriation  needed,  1845,  481,  484,  490; 
5,000  volumes  now  in  Library;  no  printed  catalogue  (?),  1845,  491;  ex- 
penses for  rebinding  and  cataloguing,  authorized,  1845,  492 ;  Rev.  C.  R.  V. 
Romondt.  Librarian ;  necessity  of  a  printed  catalogue ;  said  to  be  10,000 
volume  (?);  catalogue  in  MSS.  ready;  no  catalogue  since  1832;  1846, 
75,  76,  80 ;  Bd.  of  Superintendents  of  the  Seminary  ask  for  a  liberal  appro- 
priation to  purchase  "systematic  and  historical  works,  commentaries  and 
books  of  reference,"  for  the  Library ;  printing  of  the  "catalogue"  has  been 
postponed  by  a  failure  of  the  appropriation ;  necessity  of  rebinding  many 
volumes;  1847,  112,  181;  the  Library  may  be  removed  to  Van  Nest  Hall, 
1847,  184-5 ;  lack  of  exegetical  books ;  $400  appropriated  for,  1851,  129, 
130,  190;  250  volumes  in  Dutch,  from  the  Library  of  late  Rev.  Eilardus 
Westerlo,  given,  1852,  211 ;  fee  of  $1  for  use  of  Library,  repealed,  1852,  275; 
Librarian  and  College  Committee  ask  for  an  appropriation ;  report  on 
Library ;  about  7,000  volumes ;  $200  appropriated  for  printing  Catalogue 
and  binding,  1853,  365,  368 ;  only  $130  spent  on  Library,  1854,  397 ;  sugges- 
tion to  separate  the  part  of  the  Library  belonging  to  the  Seminary  from 
that  of  the  College,  1855,  513,  514;  separation  postponed,  597;  deficit  on 
binding  and  cataloguing,  594-5 ;  Synod  orders  the  books  given  by  Mrs. 
Margaret  Chinn,  with  the  case  containing  them,  from  Rutgers  College 
to  Hertzog  Hall ;  the  Theological  Professors  to  be  a  Committee  to  act 
with  a  Committee  of  the  College  Trustees,  for  an  amicable  and  equitable 
division  of  this  Library,  1857,  213,  214;  2,000  books  separated  for  the 
Hertzog  Hall  Library,  1859,  376-     See  Hertzog  Hall  Library,  Sage  Library. 

Theological  Professors.  Rules  of  Church  Government  of  Dort,  1619, 
Arts.  I,  18;  Constit  of  1792,  Arts.  19-25  [Professors  hereafter  shall  hold 
no  pastoral  charge.  Mints.  Gen.  Syn.,  1819,  39]  ;  Constit.  of  1833,  Arts.  25- 
29;  Constit.  of  1874,  Arts.  22-27. — Synodical  Commission  appointed,  in 
reference  to  mode  of  nominating  and  electing  Theological  Professors,  their 
ecclesiastical  standing,  etc..  1893,  773 ;  report  of  said  Commission ;  that  the 
Classes  as  well  as  General  Synod  should  have  the  right  of  nominating 
Professors;  that  the  Board  of  Superintendents  may  temporarily  fill  vacan- 
cies in  the  Professorships;  that  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Gen.  Synod  shall 
notify  the  Classes  when  nominations  to  a  Professorship  are  necessary; 
and  that  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution,  embracing  these  features  be 
recommended  to  the  Classes.  1894,  75-77;  Form  of  proposed  amendment, 
and  its  adoption,  1894.  ^^  \  1895.  131;  report  in  reference  to  Ecclesiastical 
Standing  of  Professors :  that  the  Faculty  of  each  Seminary  have  the  right 
to  appoint  one  of  its  members  as  a  delegate  to  General  Synod,  possessing 
all  the  rights  of  other  delegates;  Form  of  proposed  amendments,  1894,  78; 
rejected  by  the  Classes,  1895,  132;  Synod  must  pay  Bd.  of  Publication  the 
cost  of  printing  installation  services  of  Professors ;  1894,  121  ;  Committee 
on  State  of  the  Church.  1900,  proposed  amendment;  that  the  Synod  may 
make  onlv  three  additional  nominations  for  a  Professor,  besides  those 
made  bv  the  Classes,  1900,  836;  adopted,  1901,  1124;  also  that  a  Professor 
retiring"  from  office,  if  he  does  not  choose  to  be  dismissed  to  some  particu- 
lar Classis,  shall  be  dismissed  to  the  Judicatory  from  which  he  was  re- 
ceived. 1900,  836;  adopted,  1901,  1124. 

Theological  School  or  Schools.  Name  used  for  Theological  Semi- 
naries in  Constitution  of  1833,  Art.  4;  of  1874,  Art.  4-  In  June  1867,  242, 
it    was    proposed    to    amend    the    Constitution    by    changing    "School     to 


THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARIES  755 

"Schools."  Adopted,  Nov.,  1867,  340.  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  re- 
quests General  Syn.  to  establish  a  Theolog.  School  within  their  bounds, 
1817,  25;  reasons  for  refusal,  1817,  30;  term  "Schools"  again  used,  1830, 
298 ;  1832,  75. 

Theological  Seminaries.  See  Arcot  Seminary ;  New  Brunswick 
Seminary;  Western  Sem. 

Theses.  Collegiate  Ministers  shall  discuss  theological  theses,  accord- 
ing to  appointment  of  General  Synod,  in  order  to  prepare  others  thereby 
for  the  ministry.  Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  20. — Theses  by  students,  sug- 
gested ;  to  be  discussed  by  the  class,  1888,  543. 

Third  Professorships.  See  New  Brunswick  Sem.,  1825 ;  and  Western 
Seminary,  1905,  40. 

Thirty-fourth  St.  Church,  New  York  City.  See  New  York  City, 
Broome  St.  and  Thirty-fourth  St. 

Thomas  DeWitt  Professorship.     See  DeWitt,  Thos.,  Professorship. 
Thomas  DeWitt  Theological  Hall,  China.    See  DeWitt,  Thos.,  etc. 

Thompson,  Margaret  Antoinette.  Gives  $2,000  Scholarship,  1894, 
17,  21;  1896,  318,  320. 

Thompson,  John  B.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Prepares  one  of  the  Centennial  Dis- 
courses— "Immovable  Attachment  of  the  Church  to  its  own  Heirlooms  of 
Faith  and  Order,"  1876,  552 ;  on  many  important  Committees,  especially 
"Hymnology,"  which  see.     President  of  General  Synod,  1896. 

Thousand  Isles,  Church  of,  at  Alexandria  Bay,  1851. — A  missionary 
station,  supported  by  private  benevolence,  1850,  98;  title  of  parsonage 
property  to  be  held  by  Bd.  of  Corporation,  1859,  377,  454;  deed  not  yet 
received,  i860,  492 ;  Bd.  of  Corporation  and  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions  clothed 
with  discretionary  power,  concerning;  i860,  558;  deed  received,  1861,  13; 
parsonage  title  held  for  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions ;  said  Board  to  bear  any 
expense,  1864,  479,  480;  Synod  owns  parsonage  property,  1876,  439;  re- 
quests that  title  of  parsonage  and  church  lots  be  transferred  to  Consis- 
tory, 1880,  462,  489,  490 ;  church  of  Utica  holds  part  of  the  property ; 
permission  given  to  transfer  title  to  Consistory  on  certain  conditions,  1880, 
490;  President  of  Synod  to  represent  Synod  at  30th  anniversary  of  church, 
1881,  790;  request  permission  to  sell  portion  of  parsonage  lot;  granted,  and 
all  restrictions  waived,  1882,  31,  60,  61. 

Title,  or  Name,  of  "The  Reformed  Church  in  America."  At  first, 
the  churches  of  this  Body  were  addressed  as  "The  Reformed  Dutch 
Churches  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey;"  see  letters  in  "Ecclesiastical 
Records  of  State  of  New  York" ;  in  1789  with  the  expansion  of  the  Church, 
the  title  was  given,  "Reformed  Dutch  Churches  in  North  America,"  1789, 
201 ;  the  name  incidentally  used  at  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  in  the 
Minutes  of  Synod,  was :  "The  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  North  America," 
1792,  236;  but  the  name  on  the  title  page  of  the  first  edition  of  the  Con- 
stitution, printed  in  1793,  is  "The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America;"  same  title  on  second  edition,  1815;  in  subsequent 
editions — "The  Refd.  Dutch  Ch.  of  North  America ;"  in  the  Act  of  Incor- 
poration,  1819,  as  "The  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,"   1819,  46. 

In  1840,  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  suggested  dropping  the  word 
"Dutch"  from  the  name  and  style  of  the  Church;  matter  was  referred  to 
a  special  committee,  1840,  379,  380;  they  reported  that  such  change  should 
not  be  made  except  by  very  general  consent,  and  Synod  "Resolved  unani- 
mously, That  it  is  wholly  inexpedient  for  this  Synod  to  take  any  measures 
with  a  view  to  a  change  of  any  part  of  our  denominational  style  and  title." 
The  Stated  Clerk  was  directed  henceforth  to  use  the  name  under  which 
the  General  Synod  was  incorporated — "The  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church,"  1840,  420-1.     [The  word  "Protestant"  is  from  this  time,  inserted 


756  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

in   the   title   of   the   Minutes,   down   to    1867 ;   but   the   words   "of   North 
America"  continued  to  be  added,  altho'  not  in  the  Act  of  incorporation.] 

In  1848,  the  Committee  on  the  "State  of  the  Church,"  refers  to  an 
elaborate  discussion  on  the  subject  of  changing  the  Name  of  the  Church, 
which  had  been  carried  on  in  the  columns  of  the  Christian  Intelligencer 
during  the  year  [1847-8],  but  owing  to  the  perplexing  character  of  the 
subject,  and  the  practical  pressing  necessities  of  other  matters,  declined 
to  make  any  suggestions  in  reference  thereto,  1848,  329. 

First  Formal  Attempt  to  Change  the  Name,  1853. 

In  1853  a  resolution  was  offered  "that  steps  be  taken  by  the  proper 
authorities  to  have  the  style  and  title  of  this  Corporation  amended,  by 
omitting  the  word  "Dutch."  1853,  2,77.  A  Committee,  consisting  of  Rev. 
Drs.  J  .H.  M.  Knox,  E.  S.  Porter  and  elder  Nicholas  Wyckoff,  appointed. 
Elaborate  report  made  at  same  session  in  favor  of  such  change ;  and  re- 
questing the  Classes  to  send  up  their  views  as  to  the  expediency  of  it; 
377-380;  16  Classes  reported,  out  of  the  26,  and  15  were  opposed  to  the 
change : 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  contemplate  with  pleasure  this 
almost  unanimous  expression  of  the  several  Classes,  so  far  as  it  has  been 
made,  and  would  express  the  hope  that  any  further  agitation  on  this  sub- 
ject may  be  discontinued.  1854,  396,  494.  [There  was  an  elaborate  discus- 
sion of  the  matter,  at  the  time,  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  1853-4 ;  and 
an  earnest  opposition  Circular  was  published,  April  13,  1854.  This  is 
dated  Jan,,  1854,  and  is  signed  by  the  names  of  54  laymen,  not  a  minister's 
name  being  on  the  list.  The  articles  are  curious  and  interesting.  The 
writer  has  a  collection  of  them.     E.  T.  C] 

Second  Attempt  to  Change  the  Name,  1866-7. 

In  1866,  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  referred  to  the  fact  that  the 
Name  of  the  Church — "Dutch" — was  a  great  barrier  to  their  success  in 
the  West.  Synod  was  asked  to  look  the  matter  in  the  face.  Accordingly 
a  Committee  of  five  ministers  and  three  elders  was  appointed  "to  examine 
into  the  expediency  and  propriety  of  this  change,  and  report  at  the  next 
meeting  of  General  Synod."     1866,  102,  112. 

A  communication  was  received  from  the  South  Classis  of  Long  Island 
in  regard  to  the  Name  of  the  Church;  another  from  Rev.  W.  Wust; 
Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Overtures.  As  the  matter  was  in  the  hands 
of  a  Special  Committee,  no  action  was  suggested ;  1867,  160,  236. 

The  Special  Committee  appointed  in  1866,  112,  reported,  and  their 
report  was  accepted,  amended,  and  ordered  to  be  printed  in  an  Appendix 
to  the  Minutes.  (See  1867,  Appendix,  pp.  1-29,  where  a  full  discussion 
of  the  subject  may  be  found.)  Also  to  be  printed  in  the  Christian  Intelli- 
gencer, 1867,  285.  The  Synod  recommended  to  the  Classes  amendments 
to  the  Constitution:  that  the  corporate  title  of  the  Church  should  be  "The 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America;"  that  a  "Prefatory 
Note"  should  be  adopted  as  a  part  of  the  Constitution,  explaining  the 
change  of  name,  and  the  identity  of  the  Church  under  its  new  Name 
with  the  "Reformed  Dutch  Church;"  that  the  Constitution  of  the  Church 
embraces  [also,  besides  the  Rules  of  Government]  the  Catechism,  the 
Compendium,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dord- 
recht, and  the  Liturgy."  The  ayes  and  noes  are  recorded,  no  to  9. — 1867, 
239-242.  Amendments  adopted,  Nov.,  1867,  331-5-  (See  page  324  respect- 
ing opposing  petitions).  The  ayes  and  noes  are  recorded,  112  to  7.  The 
Stated  Clerk  is  directed  to  use  the  new  title,  "The  Reformed  Church  in 
America,"  in  issuing  the  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod,  Nov.,  1867,  340.— A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  secure  any  necessary  civil  legislation,  1867,  241. 
Their  report:  Nov.,  1867,  336-340;  petition  to  the  Legislature,  to  change 
the  legal  title  of  the  Church,  1868,  464-6;  the  Act,  effecting  such  change, 
1869,  625-6.     [The  discussion  on  the  change  of  name  was  very  exciting, 


TITLES  OF  INDIVIDUAL  CHURCHES  757 

and  for  many  months  was  carried  on  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer.  Many- 
pamphlets  were  also  issued,  especially  on  the  opposition  side.  A  few  sets 
of  these  have  been  collected  and  bound ;  and  some  were  bound  with  the 
sets  of  Minutes.  Most,  if  not  all,  of  these  opposition  pamphlets  are 
bound  up  in  the  writer's  set  of  Minutes.     E.  T  C] 

Titles  or  Names  of  Individual  Churches,  Boards,  Etc. 

Resolved,  That  the  corporate  titles  of  individual  churches  are  properly 
and  legally  subject  only  to  the  choice  of  such  churches;  and  that  any 
diversity  in  said  titles  which  may  exist  now  or  hereafter,  shall  in  no  way 
affect  the  recognized  relations  of  said  churches  to  this  Synod  and  to  the 
Denomination.     1867,  241. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  all  the  details  of  the  civil 
legislation  which  the  proposed  change  of  name  may  make  necessary,  June, 
1867,  241.  Their  report:  No  legal  objection,  as  tending  to  impair  or 
affect  any  corporate  rights,  or  imperil  the  property  of  the  Church,  or  the 
franchises  of  its  corporate  bodies.  Temporalities  depend  on  identity  of 
doctrines,  etc.  Yet  a  propriety  exists  in  enactment  of  laws,  changing  the 
names  of  the  several  corporate  Boards,  etc.  The  words  ''Protestant"  and 
"Dutch"  should  be  stricken  out,  and  the  words  "in  America"  added,  after 
the  word  "Church,"  so  as  to  read  in  each  case  "The  Reformed  Church  in 
America."  Another  section  should  be  added  confirming  in  substance  the 
titles  of  the  newly  named  corporations,  in  and  to  all  the  property,  rights 
and  franchises,  now  vested  in  the  present  corporations,  and  continuing 
the  officers,  agents  and  Boards  precisely  as  they  are  now  constituted,  and 
devolving  all  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  present  corporations  upon  the 
newly  named  Bodies.  The  appropriate  forms  of  the  Acts  to  this  end  are 
herewith  submitted. 

Nothing  exists  in  the  action  of  Synod  which  alters  the  condition  or 
affects  the  status  of  the  individual  status  of  the  individual  churches  to  the 
Church  generally,  or  their  corporate  rights  and  immunities.  (See  resolu- 
tion of  Synod  on  this  subject  of,  1867,  241.)  The  word  "Dutch"  may 
remain  in  any  such  title.  Nevertheless,  the  titles  of  individual  churches 
should  generally  conform  to  the  name  of  the  Denomination.  The  act  of 
1853,  entitled  "An  Act  to  authorize  religious  corporations  to  change  their 
names"  provides  a  simple  plan  of  doing  this. 

The  Committee  was  continued  and  enlarged,  with  power  to  secure 
such  enactments  as  they  shall  find  to  be  necessary.  Nov.,  1867,  336-340. — 
Petition  to  the  Legislature,  1868,  464-6;  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  New 
York,  1869,  624-6,  678. 

ToKio  Theological   Seminary.     See  Japan. 

Total  Abstinence.     See  Temperance. 

Tracts  of  Reformed  Dutch  Church.     See  Publication,  Board  of. 

Tract  Society.     See  American  Tract  Society. 

Tract  Society  of  Refd.  Prot.  Dutch  Church.  Proposed,  1839,  251-2. 
Proposition  laid  on  Table. 

Transfer  of  Churches  from  one  Denomination  to  another. 
Resolved,  That  if  the  General  Assembly  shall  concur,  no  church  shall 
be  transferred  from  one  body  to  the  other  without  the  formal  dismissal 
of  the  Presbytery  or  Classis  with  which  it  shall  have  been  connected. 
1850,  39.  The  General  Assembly  would  not  absolutely  concur  with  this 
resolution,  altho'  acknowledging  that  such  consent  should  generally  be 
obtained,  1851,  143-4.  Classis  of  Raritan  request  the  reaffirmation  of  the 
resolution   of    1850,   39;    request    refused.     Reasons.     1889,   832-3. 

Transfer  of  Classes.  General  rearrangement  made  by  General 
Synod,  1800,  301-3.  313-316;  see  Classes,  pp.  143-4,  of  this  Digest;  see 
also  Chicago,  Particular  Synod  of;  New  Brunswick,  Particular  Synod  of. 

Transfer  of  Funds,  Deeds,  Etc.     Owing  to  lack  of  incorporation  or 


758  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

for  other  reasons,  it  so  happens  that  Funds  designed  for  one  body,  or 
institution,  are  held  by  another.  Trustees  were,  at  first,  occasionally 
appomted,  to  hold  certain  funds.  The  Collegiate  Church  was  occa- 
sionally asked  to  hold  funds  of  Synod.  The  Trustees  of  Queens  College 
were  requested  to  take  charge  of  the  Van  Bunschoten  Fund,  the  Synod 
not  then  yet  ( 1814)  being  incorporated.  Other  funds  for  Education,  and 
funds  for  Missions,  have  at  times  been  left  to  General  Synod.  Occa- 
sionally some  of  these  bequests  have  been  transferred  to  the  Boards  for 
which  they  were  intended,  after  these  Boards  became  incorporate  For 
example : — 

The  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  transferred  to  Bd.  of  Direction  the 
balance  of  the  original  Professorial  Fund,  $9,750.  1828,  103-4 ;  1829,  171 ; 
transferred  deeds  for  certain  lands  in  Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.,  which  they  held 
for  Synod  before  Synod's  incorporation,  1829,  157-8;  Synod  required  the 
College  Trustees  to  report  to  them  concerning  the  Van  Bunschoten  and 
Knox  Funds,  1830,  287;  1831,  371;  1832,  69,  70;  Bd.  of  Education  (vet 
unincorporated)  was  directed  to  transfer  the  funds  of  the  five  Scholar- 
ships in  their  hands,  to  the  Board  of  Direction,  1834,  3I9»  320;  the  new 
Wyckoff  Scholarship  to  be  paid  to  the  Bd.  of  Direction,  1834,  320;  the 
Scholarships   so  transferred,   1835,  354. 

The  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions  having  become  incorporated,  1859,  458, 
requests  Gen.  Synod  to  transfer  the  title  to  certain  Missionary  Property, 
to  said  Board.  Request  granted.  All  the  property  held  by  Gen.  Synod 
at  the  foreign  mission  stations  ordered  to  be  deeded  to  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sion Bd.,  i860,  557;  report:  Property  of  the  Amoy  Mission  and  the 
Arcot  Mission  conveyed  to  Foreign  Mission  Bd.,  1862,  120;  Bd.  of  Direc- 
tion ordered  to  transfer  all  moneys  of  the  Church  Building  Fund  to  the 
Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions,  1867,  281 ;  Nov.,  1867,  348 ;  amount  transferred, 
$20,884.57;  Bd.  of  Direction  ordered  to  merge  the  "Permanent  Contin- 
gent Fund"  and  the  "Centennial  Seminary  Fund"  into  the  "Permanent 
Seminary  Fund,"  1884,  423;  action  postponed,  455;  Bd.  of*  Direction  re- 
quests permission  to  transfer  certain  shares  of  Bergen  County  Turnpike 
Stock  to  Rutgers  College,  1884,  423 ;  granted,  455 ;  unappropriated  sums 
and  balances  of  interest  merged  into  a  Fund  to  be  called,  "Synod's  Fund 
for  Temporary  Contingencies,"  1884,  453,  521  ;  1885,  622 ;  Bd.  of  Superin- 
tendents of  Western  Seminary  ask  for  a  transfer  of  a  surplusage  of  $804 
of  the  First  Professorship,  toward  the  endowment  of  a  Second  Profes- 
sorship ;  already  done ;  approved  by  Synod,  1893,  748,  749 ;  the  Committee 
on  Education  suggested  the  possibility  of  investing  the  funds  contributed 
for  Western  Educational  work,  in  western  securities,  to  obtain  larger 
returns,  1895,  95  ;  Council  of  Hope  College  ask  that  the  Bd.  of  Direction 
be  directed  to  transfer  to  the  Council  all  invested  funds  held  in  trust  for 
the  College,  1896,  282,  287,  not  granted  at  present,  328;  but  a  committee 
appointed  to  report  upon  the  power,  legality  and  expedie^'^y  of  such 
transfer,    1896,   325,   328-330;    committee   not   ready   to    report ;    continued, 

1897,  607;  reports:  majority  report:  Bd.  of  Direction,  as  constituted,  can- 
not delegate  its  duties  to  others;  investments  out  of  the  State  make  the 
Trustees  liable,  1898,  66-68;  minority  report:  the  Funds  alluded  to  belong 
to  Hope  College,  and  have  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  General  Synod 
only  as  Trustees ;  the  said  Funds  are  not  a  part  of  Gen.  Synod's  real 
and  personal  estate ;  therefore  the  transfer  of  such  Funds  is  within  the 
power  of  Gen.  Synod ;  $800  increase  of  interest  could  be  secured  by  invest- 
ments in  Michigan ;  a  motion  to  adopt  the  minority  report  as  an  amend- 
ment to  the  majority  report  was  lost;  the  majority  report  was  then 
amended,  authorizing  the  Bd.  of  Direction  to  turn  over  to  the  Council  of 
Hope  College  such  funds,  as  were  given  for  the  endowment  of  Hope 
College,  "provided  they  can  do  so,  without  incurring,  personally,  responsi- 
bility for  the  administration  of  the  above  mentioned  funds  in  the  future. "^ 

1898,  68,  69. 


TRANSLATIONS  759 

[The  transfer  of  the  Van  Bunschoten  and  Knox  Funds,  belonging  to 
Synod,  to  the  Board  of  Education,  and  perhaps  of  some  others ;  of  all 
funds  for  Missions,  held  by  Synod,  to  their  respective  Boards;  the  dona- 
tion of  Col.  Rutgers  for  the  College,  held  by  Synod,  to  the  College  Trus- 
tees, etc.,  etc.,  would  greatly  simplify  their  administration.  A  special  Act, 
or  Acts,  if  necessary,  might  be  secured,  to  legalize  such  transfers.] 

Translations.  Rev.  Drs.  Dirck,  Romeyn  and  Westerlo  translated 
the  Articles  of  Union  of  1771 ;  1790,  210;  Dr.  Livingston  translated  the 
Rules  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1788,  185;  1792,  235-6;  Rev.  Dr.  G.  A.  Kuy- 
pers  again  translated  the  Articles  of  Union  of  1771  (the  first  translation 
having  been  forgotten,  or  else  being  in  private  hands),  1813,  ;^2;  1814,  40; 
1815,  9,  36;  this  translation  to  be  found,  1815,  57-72;  also  in  Minutes  of 
1848,  397-406. 

Translations  of  all  the  Dutch  Minutes,  ordered,  Oct.,  1817,  21 ;  '18,  39; 
'19,  51;  but  if  such  translation  was  made,  it  was  never  delivered.  Again, 
in  1829,  Rev.  Jacob  Schoonmaker  was  requested  to  translate  the  Minutes, 
1771-93;  1829,  210;  this  was  accomplished,  1830,  234-6;  but  this  translation 
was  never  put  in  possession  of  the  Synod. 

In  1857  the  Bd.  of  Publication  was  directed  to  have  a  translation 
made  of  the  Dutch  Minutes,  1771-1793;  1857,  243;  this  was  done  by  Rev. 
Wm.  Demarest,  1858,  361 ;  after  these  were  in  t3'pe  and  paged,  it  was 
ordered  that  the  Minutes  of  the  Coetus  and  Conferentie  (so  far  as  pos- 
sessed), should  also  be  translated  and  prefixed;  1859,  464.  This  transla- 
tion was  made  by  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers,  considerably  abbreviating  the 
material.  Hence  also  the  different  paging  in  the  so-called  first  volume  of 
Minutes   of   General   Synod.     This   volume   was   issued   in    1859. 

In  1841,  42,  Rev.  Dr.  Thos.  DeWitt  was  requested  to  translate  the 
Dutch  material  brought  from  Holland  to  America  by  Hon.  J.  Romeyn 
Brodhead ;  this  was  partly  done  by  translating,  occasionally,  certain  letters, 
and  printing  them  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  1850-52.  In  1866,  112,  113, 
Synod  requested  the  N.  Y.  Historical  Society  to  translate  and  publish 
the  Brodhead  material,  but  this  was  not  done ;  in  1876,  528,  the  Committee 
of  Co-operation  for  Selecting  Books  for  the  Sage  Library  asked  permis- 
sion of  Synod  to  have  translations  of  the  Brodhead  material  made  at  the 
expense  of  the  Library  Fund;  this  was  done,  rather  imperfectly,  by  Dutch 
students  in  the  Seminary;  '78,  99,  224;  'yg,  362,  369. 

In  1887  much  new  material  came  to  light  in  Holland,  and  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Library  Committee,  co-operating  with  the  Faculty,  were  au- 
thorized to  secure  the  same,  and  have  translations  made ;  1887,  440-2,  446 ; 
progress  reported,  '88,  685-6;  '89,  920-1;  '90,  196.  The  entire  material 
was  not  secured  until  1897-8,  when  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin  brought  it  to  this 
country.  Rev.  Dr.  Daniel  Van  Pelt  and  Rev.  Henry  Utterwick  then 
completed  the  translation  of  all  the  new  material,  and  part  of  the  old, 
and  all  was  issued  in  the  Ecclesiastical  Records  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  6  vols.,  1901-6.  See  Constitution;  Minutes  of  Ecc.  Bodies;  Amster- 
dam Correspondence. 

Transubstantiation.  Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  35,  at  the  end;  Heid.  Cat, 
Quests.  78-80. 

Transvaal.     See  South  Africa. 

Traveling  Expenses — of  Delegates.     See  Delegates. 

Travel  on  the  Sabbath.     See  Sunday  Travel. 

Treasurer — of  the  old  Provisional  Synod,  of  1771-93,  and  of  its 
continuance  as  the  Original  Particular  Synod,  1794-99. — Consistory  at 
New  York  appointed  Questor,  pro  tem,  to  whom  Revs.  Ritzema  and  Ver- 
bryck  shall  render  account,  and  lodge  balance  in  their  hands,  1773,  40; 
the  New  York  Consistory  willing  to  take  care  of  the  moneys,  but  cannot 
act  as  Questor ;  acting  Questor  to  be  appointed  at  each  session ;  Rev.  J.  H. 
Livingston  appointed;  former  accounts  audited,  1774,  48,  49;   Rev.  Meyer 


76o         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

delivers  moneys  in  his  hands  to  New  York  Consistory;  May,  1784,  116; 
^Ieyer's  accounts  audited,  1785,  143;  1786,  152;  Questor  to  give  account 
of  moneys,  the  Synod  standing,  1787,  168;  Rev.  Mr.  Linn  continued,  as 
Acting  Questor,  1789,  201;  1790,  212;  Peter  Wilson  appointed  to  "nego- 
tKite  a  capital"  with  any  Professorial  Funds,  which  he  shall  deliver  to  the 
Corporation  of  the  Congregation  of  New  York,  May,  1791,  216;  Rev.  Mr. 
Linn  continued  Questor,  1791,  22"]. 

Partic.  Synod  requests  any  Professorial  Funds  to  be  put  in  the  hands 
of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  1794,  449;  May,  1796,  458;  in  hands 
of  Treas.  for  support  of  missionaries,  £165  9s.  2d. ;  for  Synodical  Fund, 
i29  9s.  6d.  Total,  £194  i8s.  8d.,  1796,  467;  for  missionaries,  £38  3s.  6d. ; 
on  Synod's  account,  ii2  13s.  3d.,  1797,  476;  Questor  of  [Gen.]  Synod, 
requested  to  render  account  to  this  [Particular]  Synod,  of  moneys  on 
hand ;  that  the  congregations  making  collections  for  missionaries  be 
requested  to  transmit  them  to  the  Questor  speedily,  and  to  make  future 
collections ;  and  that  the  Classis  of  Albany  be  authorized  to  draw  £100 
on  the  Questor,  May,  1799,  481 ;  on  hand,  £124  12s.  6d.,  for  missionaries ; 
7s.  6d.  on  Synodical  account,   1799,  484. 

Treasurer  or  Questor  of  General  Synod,  1794- 1819.  Mr.  Peter 
Wilson,  John  Vanderbilt,  Robt.  Benson  and  Richard  Varick,  appointed 
Trustees  of  any  Professorial  Funds,  1794,  262-3;  Wm.  W.  Gilbert  pre- 
sented the  accounts  now  in  hands  of  Treasurer;  audited;  John  H. 
Sickles  was  Treas.,  1800,  292-4;  Questors  of  the  several  Classes  to  deposit 
any  Professorial  Funds  with  the  Questor  of  Gen.  Synod,  1800,  300; 
Treasurer  directed  to  pay  the  expenses  of  this  Synod,  1800,  310;  Consis- 
tory of  New  York  offers  to  be  the  depository  of  any  Professorial  Funds, 
1804,  339;  Consistory  to  invest  such  funds  in  public  stock,  or  loan  it  on 
real  security,  1806,  347;  J.  K.  Sickles  still  the  Questor  of  General  Synod, 
1806,  355 ;  Isaac  L.  Kip  made  Special  Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  1812, 
429,  430;  "the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Professorial  Fund,  and  the 
Special  Treasurer  of  Synod,  to  transmit  to  Gen.  Synod,  with  their 
annual  account  current,  an  abstract,  in  detail,  of  the  funds  and  property 
■confided  to  them  respectively,  and  the  annual  income  arising  from  the 
same." — "The  Treasurer  of  the  Professorial  Fund  [must]  press  the  pay- 
ment of  all  arrears  of  interest;"  and  invest  any  additional  funds  in  seven 
per  cent,  stock,  in  preference  to  bonds  and  mortgages.  1817,  32;  report 
of  Special  Treasurer,  1817,  43-46;  Oct.,  1817,  8,  9;  1818,  40-48;  office  of 
Questor  discontinued,  and  henceforth  to  be  only  one  Treasurer  for  all  the 
funds  of  Synod,  '18,  56;  Guysbert  B.  Vroom,  Esq.,  appointed  Treasurer, 
"j8,  62.     See  Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of.     Also  next  Article. 

Treasurers — of  the  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corporation  (or  of 
the  General  Synod)  ;    1819  onward.     See  page   172-3  of  this  Digest. 

After  the  Incorporation  of  General  Synod,  1819,  no  salary  was  paid 
to  the  first  treasurers,  John  Nitchie,  1819,  or  to  Isaac  Heyer,  1820-26. 
(1827,  20.)  Then  Isaac  Young  was  appointed  Treasurer  at  a  salary  of 
$250  (1807,  32),  which  in  1847,  118,  was  increased  to  $400,  $150  being 
given  for  care  of  the  Widows'  Fund  (which  sum  was  taken  out  of  its 
income).  This  arrangement  continued  until  Mr.  Young's  resignation, 
1857,  134,  212,  213,  and  through  the  brief  term  of  service  of  George  H. 
Stitt,  1857.  (Livingston  R.  Miller,  altho'  elected,  declined  to  serve.) 
John  I.  Brower  was  elected  in  1858,  344,  and  his  salary  was  made  $450, 
with  $150  for  care  of  Widows'  Fund.  In  1864,  475,  477.  479»  it  was 
resolved  to  pay  the  Treasurer's  salary,  pro-rata  from  the  different 
funds.  In  1865,  558,  Mr.  Brower's  salary  is  put  down  at  $600,  without 
reference  to  the  Widows'  Fund.  In  1866,  21,  100,  his  salary  was  raised  to 
$1,000.  at  which  figure  it  continued  until  1876,  443,  when  it  was  made 
$1,500.  Gardner  .A..  Sage  became  Treasurer  in  1879,  and  for  two  or 
three  years  he  contributed  a  large  part,  or  the  whole,  of  his  salary,  to 
meet  the  increasing  expenses  ot  the  Church.     With  the  election  of  John 


TREASURERS  761 

Van  Nest,  in  1882,  60,  115,  the  salary  was  made  $2,000,  which  in  1886, 
56,  57,  was  increased  to  $2,500,  at  which  figure  it  has  remained  until 
the  present  time  (1906). 

In  1890,  16,  with  the  removal  of  the  Treasurer's  office  from  59  Wil- 
liam St.  to  the  Drexel  Building,  corner  of  Wall  and  Broad  Sts.,  the 
rent  of  the  office  began  to  be  paid  in  addition,  viz.,  $500  in  1890;  $800  in 
1891  and  1892.  But  with  the  death  of  John  Van  Nest  in  1892,  and  the 
removal  of  the  office  to  the  Reformed  Church  Building,  25  East  22d  St., 
the  rent  of  the  office  was  fixed  at  $500,  and  Frank  R.  Van  Nest  suc- 
ceeded his  father,  as  Treasurer,  at  a  salary  of  $2,500,  1893,  713,  720, 
and  still  continues    (1906). 

Treasurers  of  the  Classes.  To  be  designated  in  the  Statistical 
Tables  by  the  letter  T  opposite  their  names.     1902,  115,  116. 

Treasury  Board,  1818-19.  The  Committee  on  the  Annual  Digest 
also  suggested  the  formation  of  Cent  Societies  in  every  congregation ; 
that  the  surplus  of  the  Van  Bunschoten  Fund  be  applied  to  the  support  of 
Professors ;  that  the  office  of  Questor  be  discontinued,  and  that  there 
be  only  one  Treasurer  for  all  the  moneys  of  General  Synod;  and  that  a 
Treasury  Board  of  three  persons  be  appointed,  to  whom  the  Treasurer 
shall  report,  monthly,  all  his  accounts,  in  detail.  This  Board  shall 
charge  the  Treasurer  for  amounts  received,  and  credit,  in  account,  the 
several  objects  to  which  the  money  is  to  be  applied.  This  Board  should 
be  authorized — 

1.  (i.)     To   draw  on   the   Treasurer   for   all   authorized   appropriations, 

and  apply  all  benefactions  to  the  objects  specified. 
(2.)     To    invest    the    moneys    of    the    Permanent    Fund    to    the    best 
advantage. 

2.  (i.)     To   keep   an   exact   account   of  all   moneys   drawn,   and   of  the 

manner  of  their  application. 

(2.)  To  keep  a  record  of  all  Congregations  and  Cent  Societies,  and 
their  gifts. 

(3.)  To  exhibit  a  detailed  statement  of  their  accounts,  annually,  to 
Synod.     1818,  40,   56,   57,  62. 

Synod  adopted  this  Plan,  and  appointed  Rev.  S.  S.  Woodhull,  and 
elders  Isaac  Heyer  and  Isaac  L.  Kip  such  Treasury  Board,  for  one  year. 
1818,  56,  62.     Aug.,  1818,  7. 

This  Treasury  Board  the  next  year  reported,  exhibiting  an  alpha- 
betical list  of  the  churches  and  their  contributions.  These  amounted  to 
$3,594.71.  They  also  showed  to  what  special  funds,  or  other  objects,  this 
money  had  been  distributed.  These  items  also  appear  in  Synod's  Treas- 
urer's  report.     1819,   58-67. 

But  the  Incorporation  of  Synod  in  1819,  modified  all  these  plans.  See 
Corporation,  Bd.  of. 

Trials.     See    Process   and   Trial ;    also    Discipline,    Offences. 

Tricentennial  Anniversary  of  the  Heidelberg  Catechism.  See 
Tercentenary,   etc. ;    Heidelberg   Catechism,    1863. 

Tricentennial  of  the  Belgic   Confession.     See   Belgic   Confession. 

Triennial  Convention.  Held  at  Harrisburgh,  Aug.  8,  1844.  This 
represented  one  of  the  efforts  to  effect  a  closer  union  between  the  German 
Reformed  and  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churches.  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Berg 
and  Elias  Heiner  were  delegates  from  the  German  to  the  Dutch  Church 
in  1842,  71 ;  one  of  these  suggested  that  the  time  had  come  to  consider 
the  subject  of  a  closer  union  between  these  two  Churches.  A  committee 
was  at  once  appointed  to  report  on  the  matter.  They  reported  that  the 
subject  was  worthy  of  most  grave  consideration,  that  it  could  not  now 
be  considered  premature  to  enter  upon  preliminary  measures  looking  to 
so  desirable  a  result.  Reference  was  made  to  their  common  origin ;  that 
both    Churches    would    be    benefited    by    union;    the    field    of    the    Dutch 


762.         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Church  was  narrow  (in  1842),  and  she  had  difficuhies  in  extending  in  the 
West,  unknown  to  larger  denominations ;  the  Dutch  had  also  the  prospect 
of  a  redundant  ministry,  while  the  German  Church  was  lacking  in  this 
respect.  A  Committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  a  similar  German 
Committee.  1842,  71-73.— Report  of  said  Committee:  The  two  Committees 
met  m  Philadelphia  on  March  28,  1843.  After  conference,  they  agreed  that 
the  time  for  union  had  not  yet  come ;  hut  they  proposed  a  Triennial  Con- 
vention, to  consist  of  36  delegates,  one-third  from  the  Dutch  Church,  and 
two-thirds  from  the  German  Church;  and  that  the  first  meeting  be  held 
at  Harrisburgh,  on  second  Tuesday  of  August,  1844.  Their  powers  to  be 
only  advisory,  in  order  to  promote  the  interests  of  religion,  at  home  and 
abroad.  That,  especially  west  of  the  Ohio  river,  they  unite  in  the  support 
of  a  minister  of  either  Church,  each  church  to  decide  its  ecclesiastical 
relations.  That  the  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Church  commend  to  their  stu- 
dents the  inviting,  but  destitute  fields  of  the  German  Church.  The  Plan 
was  referred  to  the  several  Classes  of  the  Dutch  Church,  to  report  to  the 
next  Synod,   1843,  179-181. 

The  Classes  of  New  Brunswick,  Poughkeepsie,  South  Classis  of 
Long  Island,  Schenectady,  Rensselaer,  Schoharie  and  Washington  (7), 
approved  the  Plan;  while  the  Classes  of  Bergen,  Paramus,  Ulster,  Mont- 
gomery and  Orange  (5),  disapproved  the  Plan,  in  whole  or  in  part.  After 
careful  consideration,  the  Synod  adopted  the  Plan,  and  appointed  12  dele- 
gates to  the  first  Triennial  Convention,  and  provided  for  their  expenses. 
1844,  308-9. 

THE    HARRISBURGH    CONVENTION. 

The  Convention  was  held  at  Harrisburgh  according  to  arrangements. 
Rev.  Drs.  S.  A.  Van  Vranken,  John  Ludlow,  S.  B.  How  and  John  Gosman, 
with  Elders,  Ab.  Van  Nest,  Geo.  Zabriskie,  Ephraim  Smith  and  Henry 
Loucks,  were  the  representatives  of  the  Dutch  Ch.  Rev.  Dr.  John  Lud- 
low (of  the  Dutch  Church)  was  elected  President,  and  Rey.  Samuel  R. 
Fisher  (of  the  German  Church),  Secretary.  The  opening  sermon  was 
preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  W.  Nevin,  from  Eph.  4:4-6,  "There  is  one  body," 
etc.  His  subject  was  "The  Unity  of  the  Christian  Church."  Rules  were 
drafted  for  the  government  of  the  Convention.  Committees  were  ap- 
pointed from  each  of  the  Synods  to  propose  topics  for  consideration,  relat- 
ing to  the  condition,  wants  and  prospects  of  the  two  Denominations.  The 
Presbyterian  General  Assembly  (O.  S.),  had  authorized  their  correspond- 
ing delegates  to  the  Dutch  and  German  churches,  to  attend  this  Convention, 
but  the  Convention,  while  recognizing  the  fraternal  feelings  involved 
therein,  did  not  feel  authorized  to  invite  them  to  seats  in  the  Convention. 
The  Committees  on  "Topics"  reported,  and  the  Report  was  followed 
by  a  free  interchange  of  sentiments  and  mutual  inquiries  concerning  each 
other's  Churches.  A  Committee  was  then  appointed  to  formulate  the 
opinion  of  the  Convention,  and  suggest  further  action :  Reference  was 
made  to  the  statements  concerning  the  condition  of  the  German  churches 
on  each  side  of  the  Alleghenies ;  that  the  German  and  Dutch  Churches 
are  called  upon  to  cherish  and  strengthen  the  bond  by  which  they  are 
naturally  related,  and  to  co-operate  earnestly  and  actively  in  the  great 
work  committed  to  their  hands.     The  following  suggestions  were  made : 

1.  That  the  licentiates  of  each  Synod  should  be  considered  candi- 
dates in  both  Denominations. 

2.  That  a  correspondence  be  maintained  between  the  students  of 
the  Seminaries  of  the  two  Bodies,  to  awaken  affection  and  interest  in 
the  rising  ministry. 

3.  That  the  system  of  instruction  in  the  Seminaries  of  the  tv.o 
Bodies  be  conformed  to  each  other  as  nearly  as  possible  [by  the  adoption 
of  the  same  text-book  of  Didactic  Theology]. 

4.  That  the  Liturgies  and  Forms  of  Worship  of  the  two  Bodies 
should  be  conformed  to  each  other  as  nearly  as  possible. 


TRIENNIAL  CONVENTION  763 

5.  That  the  Dutch  Church  should  extend  her  missionary  operations 
in  the  destitute  fields  of  the  German  Church ;  such  missionaries  to  act 
under  a  German  Board  to  be  established;  any  churches  organized  by  the 
Dutch  missionaries  to  belong  to  the  German  Body,  unless  they  should 
choose  to  unite  with  the  Dutch  Church. 

These  propositions  were  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Dutch  Synod. 

[See  also  Ch.  Intell.,  Aug.  24,  1844;  and  Aug.  31st,  1844,  for  "Topics" 
alluded  to  above.] 

The  Convention  also  recommended  that  the  two  Synods  should  make 
provision  for  future  Triennial  Conventions.  That  a  sermon  should  be 
preached  at  the  opening  of  each,  by  a  minister  to  be  appointed  by  each 
Synod,  in  rotation ;  and  that  the  Dutch  Church  make  the  next  appoint- 
ment ;  that  the  next  meeting  be  held  at  Reading,  Pa.,  in  Aug.,  1847. 

It  was  further  reported  that  the  German  Synod  had  endorsed  the 
Plan,  except  they  had  stricken  out  the  clause  about  using  the  same  text- 
book of  Didactic  Theology.  They  also  appointed  a  "Board  of  Missions," 
in  order  to  extend  the  missionary  operations  of  the  German  Church,  by 
means  of  missionaries  from  the  Dutch   Church. 

The  Dutch  Synod  expressed  its  gratitude  on  the  holding  of  this 
Convention,  and  its  hope  that  it  would  promote  fraternal  confidence  and 
affection. 

The  Dutch  Synod  then  approved  items  i,  2,  3,  4,  as  approved  by  the 
German  Church  (also  omitting  the  clause  about  text-books  of  Didactic 
Theology)  ;  while  the  5th  item  was  amended,  so  that  Dutch  missions 
should  not  be  restricted ;  that  the  German  Board  and  Dutch  Board  of 
Missions  should  operate  conjointly;  and  that  the  churches  should  choose 
to  which  body  they  should  belong. 

The  Dutch  Synod  also  agreed  to  make  provision  for  future  Conven- 
tions ;  to  elect  a  preacher  for  the  next  Convention  in  1847 ;  and  agreed  to 
meet  at  Reading,  Pa. — But  that  the  missionaries  sent  by  the  Dutch  Church 
shall  retain  their  relations  to  the  Dutch  Bd.  of  Missions,  unless  they  become 
pastors  of  churches  belonging  to  the  German  Church.  That  the  Dutch 
Board  of  Missions  enter  into  a  correspondence  with  the  German  Board, 
in  reference  to  the  emploj^ment  of  Dutch  Reformed  missionaries,  and  that 
the  Dutch  Board  be  authorized  to  spend  $1,000  during  the  year,  in  this 
enterprise. 

It  was  also  resolved  that  beneficiaries  entering  into  the  German 
Church,  under  these  arrangements,  need  not  repay  moneys  received  from 
Bd.  of  Education.     1845,  423-430. 

In  1847,  the  Dutch  delegates  appointed  to  visit  the  German  Synod, 
reported  :  that  they  had  been  received  with  great  cordialit}^  but  that  certain 
points  of  difference  have  not  been  sufficiently  examined  and  discussed;  nor 
was  the  mind  of  either  Church  ripe  for  final  action.  The  German  Church 
had  not  appointed  a  Committee  of  Conference  to  meet  a  Committee  of 
the  Dutch  Church,  according  to  request,  1846,  30,  31 ;  but  frank  conversa- 
tions were  had  by  the  delegates,  with  members  of  the  German  Synod,  and 
the  whole  matter  was  referred  to  the  next  Triennial  Convention.  Nothing 
rmained  to  be  done  except  the  adjustment  of  the  theological  questions. 
The  German  Church  desired  to  continue  the  Convention,  1847,  129-132; 
[but  the  Dutch  Church  had  suggested  the  propriety  of  discontinuing  it, 
1846,  30,  31]- 

Review  of  the  situation:  It  had  been  proposed  to  refer  the  subject 
of  doctrine  to  a  Committee  of  Conference,  but  the  German  brethren  pre- 
ferred the  consideration  of  this  in  the  Convention.  The  real  question  is, 
Shall  the  proposed  Convention  be  continued?  The  general  object  had 
been  "a  closer  union;"  but  with  the  real  object  of  ultimate  amalgamation, 
Inducements  were  held  out  to  the  young  men  of  the  Dutch  Church  to 
enter  destitute  German  fields.  Feeble  churches  were  permitted  to  choose 
their  ecclesiastical  relations  between  the  two.     The  relations  of  the  two 


764  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

Churches  had  always,  before  1844,  been  harmonious.  But  with  the  at- 
tempts at  closer  union,  differences  of  opinion  in  reference  to  doctrine 
began  to  appear.  Classes  made  overtures  on  the  subject.  Differences 
were  found  to  exist  which  would  hinder  cordial  co-operation.  These 
were  not  realized  at  the  time  of  the  first  Convention.  Comparison  of 
views  between  individuals,  and  articles  in  the  recognized  journals  had 
brought  out  these  facts.  As  a  fact,  also,  from  whatever  reason,  none  of 
the  objects  proposed  by  the  Convention  in  1844,  have  been  secured.  Is  it 
worth  while  to  continue  the  arrangement?  The  effort  has  not  been  fruit- 
less. It  displays  the  tendencies  of  Christianity.  Our  efforts  are  premature. 
Hence  the  expediency  of  dissolving  the  Convention.  Yet  they  suggest  the 
appointment  of  delegates  to  another  Triennial  Convention,  to  present  our 
views ;  to  allow  them  large  discretion ;  but  unless  these  difficulties  can  be 
relieved,  they  be  authorized  to  agree  to  a  dissolution  of  said  Convention, 
with  an  abrogation  of  all  the  specialties  connected  with  it.  Delegates  were 
elected  to  said  Convention,  1847,  136-142. 

These  delegates  reported  in  1848:  The  Dutch  delegates  had  voted 
unanimously  for  the  discontinuance  of  the  Convention,  and  this  was  con- 
tirmed  by  the  General  Synod.     1848,  232-3. 

Trinity,  The.  Belgic  Conf.,  Articles  8-10;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests.  24,  25; 
Forms  of  Baptism;  Athanasian  Creed;  Canons  of  Dort,  ii.  4. 

True  Church.     See  Church. 

True  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  See  Secession.  Also  Christian 
Refd.  Church. 

Trustees,  General.  Peter  Wilson,  John  Vanderbilt,  Robt.  Benson 
and  Richard  Varick  were  appointed  Trustees  of  any  funds  raised  for  the 
Professorate.  1794,  262-3. — If  the  Legislature  should  be  unwilling  to  in- 
corporate the  General  Synod,  as  such,  certain  persons  were  named  to  be 
Trustees,  to  hold  the  property  of  General  Synod,  1818,  29.  In  1819,  Gen- 
eral Synod  was  incorporated,  and  chooses  yearly  its  own  Board  of  Di- 
rectors.    See  Corporation,  Bd.  of  Direction  of ;  Charters. 

Trustees  of  Churches.  Objectionable  features  of  the  one  Act  of 
the  Legislature  of  New  York,  for  the  incorporation  of  all  the  religious 
persuasions.  The  Dutch  churches  should  not  be  hasty  in  availing  them- 
selves of  this  law,  but  wait  for  further  action  of  this  Synod.  1784,  129; 
matter  deferred,  May,  1785,  134;  Synod  believes  that  the  old  Charters 
for  the  incorporation  of  Consistories,  as  Trustees  of  ecclesiastical  property, 
ought  to  be  preserved ;  a  petition  to  be  presented  to  the  authorities,  to 
secure,  by  an  Act,  the  right  and  power  to  all  the  congregations  to  be  in- 
corporated in  the  same  manner.  1787,  166.  See  Incorporation  of  Re- 
ligious Societies ;  Charters. 

Trustees  of  Schools.  In  order  to  carry  out  the  system  of  Paro- 
chial Schools,  Consistories  were  requested  to  divide  their  congregations 
into  school  districts,  and  associate  with  the  Consistory  school  trustees  in 
each  district ;  that  these  Trustees  shall  secure  suitable  teachers ;  of  sound 
principles,  and  provide  for  their  support ;  that  they  shall  visit  the  school 
monthly  and  see  that  the  pupils  are  instructed  in  the  Reformed  Doctrine; 
and  that  the  pastor  be,  ex  officio  chairman  of  each  district  committee. 
1809,  398;  repeated,  1814,  82  (in  Digest).     See  Parochial  Schools. 

Trusteeship.  See  paper  of  Rev.  Dr.  George  S.  Bishop  on  "Secularism 
and  the  Trusteeship,"  and  the  peculiarly  Scriptural  position  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  thereon ;  delivered  before  Particular  Synod  of  New 
Brunswick,  May,  1883,  with  resolutions  of  that  body. 

Truth  or  Truthfulness.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest.  112. 

Tucker,  John  J.  Appointed  member  of  Board  of  Direction,  189J. 
18,  55 ;  1902,  12,  52. 

Tuition    Fees.     Bd.    of    Superintendents    of    Seminary   authorized    to 


TURKISH    EMPIRE  765 

charge  $30  tuition  fees ;  1819,  41 ;  the  Faculty  of  Rutgers  College  suggest 
the  payment  of  tuition  fees  for  beneficiaries  by  Bd.  of  Education;  1829,  281 ; 
the  usual  tuiton  fees  to  be  continued  for  the  beneficiaries,  July,  1839,  282, 
315;  1840,  405-6;  1842,  117;  such  tuition  fees  have  not  been  paid  by  Bd. 
of  Education,  1842,  117,  127;  the  Trustees  of  the  College  to  report  to  Bd. 
of  Direction  how  much  of  the  interest  of  the  Van  Bunschoten  Fund  has 
been  retained  for  tuition  fees  of  beneficiaries,  1843,  243 ;  review,  1844, 
359j  362-3,  366;  allusion,  1846,  71;  reference  in  Digest  of  1848,  360;  1850, 
yz,  76;  1854,  468.     See  Education,  Board  of. 

Turkish  Empire.  Resolutions  against  the  persecutions  of  Armenians ; 
request  to  the  United  States  Government  to  act,  1895,  225 ;  1896,  504. 

Turk,  Louis  E.  Appointed  Business  Agent  of  the  Board  of  Publi- 
cation, 1899,  454.     Report  of  Bd.  Pub.,  1899,  i. 

Turk,  Tannake,  Scholarship.  Endowed  by  Miss  Anna  Turk,  a 
member  of  the  Collegiate  Church,  $1,700.  In  memory  of  her  mother, 
1839,  211,  262,  268. 

Twentieth  Century  Missionary  Movement.  The  Committee  on  the 
State  of  the  Church,  1900,  recommended :  that  in  view  of  the  opening  of 
the  Twentieth  Century,  which  dawns  so  auspiciously  on  our  Church  and 
the  world,  the  General  Synod  recommends  the  observance  of  the  first 
week  in  Jan.,  1901,  as  a  special  season  of  Thanksgiving,  Confession  and 
Prayer,  1900,  813,  828-9. 

In  report  on  Foreign  Missions :  That  we  most  heartily  recommend  the 
Twentieth  Century  Missionary  Movement  to  all  our  Y.  P.  C.  E.  Socie- 
ties, and  all  our  Sunday  Schools,  1900,  755. 

In  report  on  Domestic  Missions : 

Resolved,  3.  That  we  especially  commend  "The  Twentieth  Century 
Missionary  Forward  Movement,"  as  already  introduced  into  our  Sunday 
School  system.  We  see  in  it  the  promise  of  great  usefulness,  both  in 
immediate  result  and  future  influence ;  and  we  request  all  our  pastors 
and  Sunday  School  superintendents  to  carefully  consider  this  system, 
and,  if  it  seem  feasible  to  them,  to  give  it  a  fair  trial  in  the  benevolent 
operations  of  their  schools.     1900,  759;  1901,  1077. 

In  report  of  Committee  on  Benevolent  Societies : 

3.  That  we  especially  commend  the  Twentieth  Century  Missionary 
Forward  Movement,  and  urge  all  our  Sunday  Schools  to  examine  and, 
where  practicable,  to  adopt  its  methods.     1900,  783. 

Twenty-five  Cent  Donations.  This  was  a  plan  for  raising  money 
for  Missions,  Education,  etc.,  in  the  second  and  third  decades  of  the  19th 
century :  recommended  by  Bd.  of  Direction,  1820,  47 ;  recommended  by 
Synod,  and  measures  for,  proposed,  1820,  50;  1821,  40;  churches  which 
attended  to  the  recommendations,  1821,  21;  1822,  2"]  \  1823,  20;  1824,  21; 
amounts  collected,  1821,  21 ;  1822,  27;  1823,  21 ;  importance  of,  in  sustaining 
the  Theological  Seminary,  1822,  8,  62;  how  far  complied  with,  1822,  26; 
urged  on  the  churches,  1822,  62;  1824,  21;  1829,  158-9;  1830,  40,  239,  240; 
1831,  344;  1832,  40;  1835,  370. 

Twenty  Thousand  Dollar  Assessment.  In  a  general  review  of  the 
resources  and  expenses  of  the  General  Synod,  in  1864,  it  was  found  that 
there  was  an  annual  deficiency  of  $1,200,  or  the  interest  of  $20,000,  at 
6  per  cent.  This  amount,  $20,000,  was  accordingly  assessed  upon  the 
Classes  of  the  Particular  Synods  of  New  York  and  Albany.  [The  Par- 
ticular Synod  of  New  Brunswick  did  not  yet  exist,  and  that  of  Chicago, 
was  not  assessed.]  This  $20,000  was  to  be  added  to  "The  Permanent 
Fund"   for  the   support  of  the   Theological    Professors.     The   amount   of 


766  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

assessment   on   each   Classis   may  be   seen   in   the    Minutes,    1864,  478-481. 
The  following  table  shows  the  gradual  accumulation  of  this  Fund: 

1865 $6,785.56  1870 $17,056.49 

1866 12,173-38  1871 17,347-91 

1867 14,586.18  1872 17,689.61 

1868 15,576.21  1873 17,689.61 

1869 16,417.41 

The  figures  may  be  found  in  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Direction, 
each  year.     After  1873,  653,  the  matter  ceases  to  be  alluded  to. 

Types.     Belgic  Conf.,  Art.  25. 

Ubiquity  of  Christ.     Heid.  Cat.,  Questions  47,  48. 

Ulster,  Circle  of.     See  Orange,  Circle  of. 

Ulster,  Classis  of.  Organized  in  1800,  the  old  Classis  of  Kingston 
being  divided  into  the  two  Classes  of  Poughkeepsie  and  Ulster.  The 
churches  in  Classes  of  Ulster  were:  Montgomery,  Shawangunk,  Oak  Hill, 
Woodstock,  New  Hurley,  Bloomingdale,  Klein,  Esopus,  New  Paltz,  Kings- 
ton. Marbletown,  Rochester,  Saugerties,  Wawarsing,  Catskill,  Shokan, 
Paghkatghkan.     1800,  302-3. 

Unbelief.     Canons  of  Dort,  i.,  15 ;  ii.,  6. 

Understanding,  The.     Canons,  iii.  and  iv.,  i,  16. 

Unfinished  Business.  Reports  to  be  ready  at  the  opening  of  the 
next  Synod,  1902,  153. 

Uniformity  in  Worship.  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church, 
1900,  proposed  that  the  Order  of  Worship  (Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  79), 
should  be  made  recommendatory,  instead  of  obligatory,  1900,  840.  The 
amendment  proposed,  was  passed,  1901,  1124. 

Union.  See  Church  Union ;  Federation  of  Churches ;  'Presbyterian 
Church;  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  etc. 

Union  College.  Synod  will  co-operate  for  a  College  at  Schenectady, 
1784,  124;  1785,  135. 

Union  for  Promoting  Public  Morals.  Concurrence  of  other  Chris- 
tion  Churches  to  be  solicited,  in  seeking  to  restrain  intemperance  and 
immorality,  by  combined  efforts,  with  the  Legislatures  of  N.  Y.  and  N.  J. 
1812,  464-5 ;  See  National  Federation. 

Union  in  Foreign  Missions.  See  Amoy;  Arcot;  Japan;  South  In- 
dia, Synod  of. 

Union  Missionary  Society,     See  Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society. 

Union  of  Ccetus  and  Conferentie.  The  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
became  divided  into  two  parties,  about  1754,  and  the  division  continued 
for  17  years.  For  the  fullest  history  of  this  sad  controversy,  see  Cor- 
win's  Manual,  R.  C.  A.,  4th  ed.,  pp.  104-117.  In  1771  the  two  parties 
came  together  again.  See  'Articles  of  Union,"  and  Manual,  R.  C.  A., 
pp.  1 17- 126.  The  documents  bearing  on  this  subject  found,  in  part,  in 
Vol.  I.  of  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  will  be  found  in  full  in  Vols.  V 
and  VI,  of  "Ecclesiastical  Records  of  the  State  of  New  York,"  issued 
1905,  ^y  the  Legislature  of  the  State. 

Union    with    Christ.     See    Faith;    Justification;    Sanctification. 

United  Associate  Synod  of  Scotland.  Minutes  of  their  last  ses- 
sion received;  correspondence  to  be  opened  with,  1831,  347-8;  report  of  the 
Committee  to  correspond  with,  1832,  41,  42.  Committee  continued,  1832, 
43;  letter  received  from  Scotland,  Oct.,  1832,  105-6  (printed  in  Appendix, 
Oct..  1832,  145-151)  ;  Minutes  of  Synod  to  be  sent,  with  a  copy  of  our 
Church  Constitution  and  of  the  Life  of  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston,  Oct.,  1832, 
108;  further  report  of  Committee;  gifts  from  Scotch  Synod  for  Library, 


UNITED  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST  IN  JAPAN        767 

1833,  181-4;  same  Committee  on  Correspondence  continued,  1834,  268; 
letter  received,  1836,  465-6  (printed  in  Appendix,  1836,  536-543)  ;  committee 
continued,  1836,  466 ;  copy  of  their  Minutes  received,  1837,  28 ;  copy  of 
Minutes  of  Dutch  Ch.  to  be  sent  to  the  Ch.  of  Canada,  in  connection  with 
said  Ch.  of  Scotland,  1837,  2&\  report  of  Committee  on  Correspondence 
with,  1837,  124-6;  report  of  Committee,  1839,  226-7,  committee  continued; 
further  report  of  Committee,  letters  sent,  1840,  352-3,  Committee  continued. 
United  Church  of  Christ  in  Japan.     See  Japan. 

United  Foreign  Missionary  Society.  For  general  history  of,  see 
Corwin's  iManual,  4th  ed.,  1902,  pp.  239,  240.  It  consisted  of  a  union  of 
the  Presbyterian,  the  Dutch  Reformed  and  the  Associate  Reforrned 
Churches,  and  any  others  who  should  join. — Invitation  from  Presbyterian 
Church,  to  unite  in  forming,  and  Commissioners  appointed,  1816,  16,  17 ; 
reports  of  Committees  of  Conference,  and  Constitution  of  the  Society, 
1817,  6,  79;  Committee  of  Conference  appointed,  and  the  Society  recom- 
mended to  the  churches,  1817,  40;  1818,  37;  1819,  45;  reports  of  Society 
received,  1818,  8 ;  1819,  16,  44,  45 ;  1821,  18 ;  1822,  19 ;  proposed  amend- 
ments to  Constitution  of  Society,  1818,  37;  1820,  8;  1821,  18;  requests  from 
the  Society  more  extensively  to  aid  the  funds,  1822,  19 ;  Synod  suggests 
the  formation,  in  all  churches,  of  Auxiliary  Foreign  Missionary  Societies, 
and  Classes  are  to  inquire  whether  this  has  been  done ;  and  that  collec- 
tions be  taken  up  at  the  Monthly  Concerts  for  Prayer,  1822,  65 ;  happy 
effects  of  this  Foreign  Missionary  Society ;  churches  exhorted  to  aid  it ;  to 
patronize  the  American  Missionary  Register,  1823,  60,  61 ;  1824,  59,  60 ; 
the  American  Board  asks  that  Synod  permit  its  amalgamation  with  said 
Board ;  granted,  1826,  59,  61. 

United  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  in  India.  Unites  with  Ref. 
Ch.  in  America  in  forming  of  its  Presbytery  of  Madras,  and  of  the  Classis 
of  Arcot,  the  Synod  of  South  India.  See  Arcot,  Classis  of;  1900, 
634,  717-712;  1901,  974,  1099,  1121;  1902,  99;  1903,  334;  1904,  710,  711- 

United  Presbyterian  Church  of  N.  A. 

The  Synod  resolved  to  enter  into  Correspondence  with,  1864,  424. 
[Consists  of  parts  of  the  Associate  Refd.  Ch.  and  the  Associate  Presby- 
terian Church.] 


delegates   appointed  to. 

delegates  from, 

1864  Rev.  John  Forsyth, 

" 

A.  T.   Stewart. 

1865 

a 

N.  E.  Smith, 

Rev.  J.  B.  Dales. 

il 

.as.  R.  Talmage. 

1866 

11 

.'.   C.   Cruikshank, 
J.  Romeyn  Berry. 

"     Hugh  Blair. 

1867 

(I 

Philip  Peltz, 
R.  H.  Steele. 

1868 

(( 

J.  A.  DeBaun, 
C.  L.  Wells. 

"     Henry  Gordon. 

1869 

(t 

J.   F.   Harris, 

"     W.  W.  Barr. 

CI 

W.  E.  Turner. 

1870 

li 

0.  E.  Cobb, 
S.  W.  Mills. 

1871 

1872 

u 

E.  A.  Collier, 
W.  H.  Gleason. 

1873 

" 

J.    S.    Joralmon, 

"     J.  B.  Lee. 

(I 

R.   Pieters. 

"     W.  G.  Morehead. 

1874 

It 

J.  H.  Duryea, 

cc 

J.  H.  Suydam. 

1875 

(( 

N.   D.   Williamson, 

"     Robt.  Armstrong. 

768 


DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 


Rev.  Elbert  Nevius. 

1876 

David  Inglis, 

Rev.  R.  G.  Brank, 

E.  T.  Corwin. 

"      W.  S.  Plumer. 

1877 

John  Steele, 

"     J.  S.  McCulloch, 

Jac.  Vander  Meulen. 

"     W.  W.  Barr. 

1878 

Alex.  McWilliam, 

John  Gardner. 

1879 

D.  K.  Bartlett, 
J.    L.    Pearse. 

1880 

H.  P.  McAdam, 
J.  H.  Suydam. 

I88I 

J.   H.   Suydam, 

Hasbrouck  DuBois. 

1882 

J.   N.   Jansen, 

"     Jas.  A.  Williamson, 

N.    M.    Steffens 

"     J.  P.  Lee. 

1883 

J.  G.  Smart, 

C.  E.  Crispell. 

1884 

S.   W.   Strong, 
A.    D.    Campbell. 

1885 

C.  L.  Wells, 
Henry  Ward. 

"     Jas.  Bruce. 

1886 

John  A.  Todd, 
C.   W.   Fritts. 

"     W.  W.  Barr. 

1887 

W.  A.   Shaw, 
E.  Winter. 

1888 

H.  M.  Cox 
J.  G.  Smart. 

"     W.  J.  Martin. 

1889 

A.   D.   Campbell, 

J.  A.  DeBaun. 

1890 

J.  K.  Allen, 

I.  L.  Kip. 

..• 

I89I 

J.  L.  Pearse, 

Taber  Knox. 

1892 

A.  P.  Van  Gieson, 
C.  H.  Jones. 

"     D.  B.  Wilson. 

1893 

" 

I.   P.  Brokaw, 

1894 

R.  H.  Joldersma, 

"     T.  W.  Anderson, 

John   Gardner. 

"     A.  H.  Crosbie, 

1895 

H.  M.  Cox, 
P.  Crispell. 

"     A.  K.  Duff. 

1896 

J.   M.  Farrar, 

"     J.  0.  Campbell. 

J.  K.  Allen. 

1897 

W.    P.   Bruce, 

Letter  from  delegate. 

R.   K.   Wick. 

1898 

J.  R.  Kyle, 
J.  M.  Farrar. 

1899 

T.  H.  Mackenzie, 
W.  P.  Bruce. 

Rev.  H.  C.  Swearigen. 

1900 

I90I 

J.   K.   Allen, 
M.  Kolvn. 

"      I.   S.  Garvin. 

1902 

M.    Kolyn, 

J.  T.  Bergen. 

1903 

C.  Brett, 
I.  T.  Lee. 

"     Jas.  A.  Reed. 

1904 

Benj.  E.   Dickhaut. 

Endorsed    Plan    of    Federal 

Union     among     Presbyter 

1894, 

138 

UNITED  PRES.  CHURCH  OF  SCOTLAND  769 

United  Presbyteriax  Church  of  Scotland.  Unites  with  United 
Free  Church  of  Scotland,  1901,  1126. 

United  Reformed  Scotch  Church.  See  Associate  Reformed  Church 
of  X.  Y. 

United  States  Government.  Petition  to,  to  take  vigorous  measures 
for  the  protection  of  American  citizens  in  Turkey.  Resolutions  of  sym- 
pathy sent  to,  for  the  persecuted  x\rmenians.  1895,  225 ;  1896,  504-5 ; 
Synod  urges  the  Government  to  insist  on  the  principle  of  Arbitration  in 
all  disputes  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  1896,  420.  See 
Arbitration  ;     Armenians  ;  National  Affairs  ;  Bible. 

Unity,  Formulas  of.     See   Standards  of  Faith. 

Unity  of  the  Church.  Belg.  Conf.,  Art.  27;  Heid.  Cat.,  Quests. 
54,  55 ;  Rules  of  Ch.  Gov.  of  1619,  Art.  85 ;  of  1792,  Art.  52 ;  of  1833,  Art. 
84;  of  1874,  Art.  73.  See  Correspondence;  Alliance  of  Refd.  Chs. ;  Evan- 
gelical Alliance ;   Church  Union ;   Federation ;   National  Federation,   etc. 

University,  Free,  of  Amsterdam.  Salutations  received  from,  at  Cen- 
tennial of  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1885,  736. 

Upper  Canada.  See  Corwin's  Manual  for  account  of  Church  opera- 
tions in  Upper  Canada,  pp.  215-218 ;  944-5 ;  also  McDowell,  Robt.,  p.  594. 

Usages  and  Customs.  The  Heading  to  the  third  General  Division 
of  the  Explanatory  Articles  of  1792.  In  the  Rules  of  Gov.  of  1619,  this 
division  is  styled  "Doctrines,  Sacraments  and  Usages,"  which  see.  See 
also  "Customs  and  Usages."  In  1792,  "Usages  and  Customs"  embraced 
Articles  56-68.  These  related  to  Schoolmasters;  Infant  Baptism;  times, 
place  and  Forms  of  Baptism ;  equality  of  bond  and  free  in  the  Church 
of  Christ ;  unimportance  of  sponsors,  godparents  or  witnesses,  at  infant 
baptisms ;  instruction  of  youth  in  doctrine ;  conditions  of  partaking  of 
the  Lord's  Supper ;  pastoral  visitations ;  freedom  in  printing  books ;  author- 
ized Psalms  and  Hymns. 

Use  of  Means.     Canons  of  Dort,  i.  16;  iii.  and  iv.  17;  v.  14. 

Usury.     Heid.  Cat.,  Quest,   iio;   see  Scandalous  Traffic. 

Utah.  General  Synod  sends  a  Protest  to  Congress  against  the  bill 
giving  Statehood  to  Utah  until  its  population  shall  be  in  sympathy  with 
American  Institutions,   1894,   162.     See   Mormonism ;    Pohgamy ;    Divorce. 

Utica,  Church  of.  Its  formation,  1831,  380;  proposition  to  cancel 
the  claim  of  Synod,  for  $6,000,  against,  by  substituting  bond  of  Collegiate 
Church  of  New  York  for  $4,000,  and  Ab.  Varick's  bond  for  $2,000. 
1837,  16;  granted,  1837,  76;  this  arrangement  accomplished,  1838,  107; 
bond  of  Ab.  Varick  not  considered  good,  1845,  409;  request  from  Con- 
sistory of  Utica,  that  the  Synod  would  unite,  when  necessary,  in  selling 
their  property,  in  order  to  locate  elsewhere,  Oct.,  1855,  11;  granted  on 
certain  conditions,  Oct.,  1855,  20,  21 ;  church  of  Utica  allowed  to  put  a 
mortgage  of  $8,000  on  its  property  under  certain  conditions,  1871,  219, 
220;  the  property  of  the  Church  and  Parsonage  of  Alexandria  Bay,  be- 
ing held  jointly  by  the  Consistory  of  Church  of  Utica  and  the  Consistory 
of  Alexandria  Bay,  the  latter  makes  request  that  the  title  be  vested  wholly 
in  the  Consistory  of  Alexandria  Bay;  granted  on  certain  conditions,  1880, 
462,  489,  490;  1882,  61  ;  church  of  Utica  asks  permission  to  mortgage  their 
property  up  to  the  sum  of  $10,000;  brief  review,  1894,  17;  Synod  failed 
to  act;  subject  renewed,  1895,  19;  Synod  confirms  action  of  Bd.  of  Di- 
rection granting  their  request,   1895,  55-  56. 

Utrecht,  University  of.  Sends  congratulations  to  New  Brunswick 
Seminary,  at  its  Centennial,  1884,  531. 

Vacancies  in  the  several  Boards.  The  Boards  are  generally  allowed 
to  fill  vacancies  which  may  otcur  during  the  recess  of  General  Synod. 
1824,  55;  1837,  76;  1865,  627. 


770         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Vacant  Congregations.  Churches  to  be  informed  that  they  may 
"have  the  services  of  Hcentiates,  1782,  98;  same  privilege  referred  to  yearly 
until  1791  ;  Synod  enjoins  licentiates  to  visit  vacant  congregations,  1792, 
240;  and  to  itinerate  among  the  churches,  1794,  265;  vacant  congrega- 
tions complain  because  not  visited  by  licentiates   (Partic.  Syn.),  1794,  447. 

The  Classes  directed  to  appoint  ministers  to  visit,  at  least  once  a  year, 
every  vacant  congregation,  to  administer  the  ordinances,  and  to  report 
on  the  state  of  such  congregation  to  the  Classis.     1817,  37;   1818,  38. 

The  Committee  on  State  of  the  Church,  1900,  suggested  that  Synod 
should  devise  some  way  by  which  vacant  churches  and  unemployed  min- 
isters and  candidates  may  be  brought  together.  1900,  828,  830;  commit- 
tee appointed,  845. 

Vacations.  Two  vacations  in  the  Seminary  each  year,  to  corre- 
spond with  those  in  Queens  College,  or  otherwise,  as  the  Professor  and 
Superintendents  may  determine;  not  to  exceed  three  months  in  any  one 
year.  1812,  433;  Sept.,  1825,  26. — Three  vacations,  1828,  142.  See 
1888,  541- 

Van  Antwerp  (James),  Scholarship,  of  $2,522.72,  from  the  estate 
•of  Mrs.  Maria  Van  Antwerp.     1883,  221,  246. 

Van  Benschoten,  Jacob.  The  Missionary  Society  of  R.  D.  C.  trans- 
fers $250,  a  bequest  of  Jacob  Van  Benschoten,  deed.,  to  the  Bd.  of  Cor- 
poration ;  the  interest  to  be  paid  to  the  Bd.  of  Domestic  Missions,  1846,  12. 

Van  Bunschooten,  Elias.  A  communication  from  him  respecting  a 
proposed  donation.  A  committee  of  conference  appointed.  Bonds,  etc., 
received.  A  committee  to  confer  with  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College 
;about  the  care  of  the  funds.  The  Particular  Synods  and  Classes  directed 
to  insert  the  communication  in  their  Minutes,  and  read  it  at  each  regu- 
lar session.     1814,  12-14. 

The  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest. 

The  donor  has  a  mind  to  bestow  thirteen  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  forty  dollars  in  obligations,  and  eight  hundred  in  cash,  to  the  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College  in  New  Jersey,  in  trust,  on  the  following  terms, 
viz. :  The  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  America 
to  appoint  a  Committee,  and  said  Trustees  to  appoint  one  also.  The 
two  Committees  jointly  to  devise  the  best  plan  and  most  solid  founda- 
tion to  put  out  said  money  to  interest  which  the  giver  reserves  to  him- 
self during  his  life  ;  but  after  his  decease  the  Trustees  to  use  and  apply 
•said  interest  for  the  support  and  education  in  the  Classical  and  Theolog- 
ical studies  of  pious  youth  who  hope  they  have  a  call  of  God  to  preach 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ ;  no  one  is  to  be  admitted  to  said  benefit,  but 
such  as  are  recommended  by  General  Synod.  If  the  interest  of  what 
is  now  offered  and  what  in  future  may  be  added  by  him  and  others  should 
accumulate  above  the  aforementioned  education,  such  overplus  the  Trus- 
tees, with  the  advice  and  consent  of  General  Synod,  may  then  use  and  apply 
to  such  other  purposes  as  shall  most  tend  to  the  good  of  the  Institution 
and  the  benefit  of  literature;  who  are  to  render  an  account  to  General 
Synod  when  they  require  it. 

The  giver  humbly  desires  that  these  terms  be  recorded  in  the  Record 
of  General  Synod,  and  in  the  Records  of  the  Particular  Synods,  and 
registered  in  the  Records  of  all  the  Classes  belonging  to  General  Synod, 
and  to  be  read  in  the  said  judicatories  at  their  ordinary  meetings,  not 
for  aggrandizement  or  self-ostentation,  but  to  be  an  humble  pattern  for 
others  to  copy  after;  if  the  thing  being  so  kept  alive  and  considered, 
who  knows  whether  God  in  His  good  providence  would  not  move  some 
to  do  the  like. 

It  will  also  be  the  pleasure  and  delight  of  him,  the  bestower,  and 
others,  that  all  officers  of  the  College  live  frugal  and  industrious,  and  thus 


VAN  BUNSCHOOTEN,  ELI  AS  771 

set  a  good  pattern  to  their  pupils ;  and  all  ecclesiastical  officers  deport 
themselves  diligent,  frugal  and  pious  before  those  over  whom  they  are 
set  for  edification ;  thus  to  prepare  not  only  for  heaven,  but  also  for  the 
approaching  Millenium,  the  commencement  of  which  may  be  at  a  farther 
distance  than  the  present  living.  It  is  also  the  humble  and  sincere  re- 
quest of  the  donor  that  the  abovesaid  officers  exhibit  no  special  inclina- 
tion for  luxury,  and  accumulation  of  wealth,  which  is  offensive  and  bars 
the  door  of  donation.  On  the  said  terms  and  recommendations  the  giver 
is  willing  to  bestow  as  before  mentioned. 

ElIAS    V.    BuNSCHOOTEN. 

New  York,  June  9,  1814. 

It  is  my  wish,  and  I  therefore  recommend  it  to  the  Trustees  within 
named,  to  require  such  retribution  as  they  shall  deem  just  and  reason- 
able from  any  persons  who  shall  obtain  the  benefit  of  the  within  mentioned 
Fund,  and  who  may  become  able  to  make  such  retribution. 

ElIAS    V.     BUNSCHOOTEN. 

June  9,  1814.  1814,  15. 

Resolved,  That  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College  be  requested  to  in- 
sert the  communication  of  Rev.  Elias  Van  Bunschooten  at  length  on  their 
minutes. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  receipt,  and 
also  a  letter  to  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Bunschooten,  in  which  shall  be  expressed 
the  grateful  sentiments  of  this  Synod;  which  committee  shall  report  to 
this  Body;  and  that  the  Rev.  Messrs.  McMurray,  Gunn  and  Ostrander 
be  such  committee.     1814,  16,  17. 

Copy  of  receipt  and  letter  in  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod.     As  this  letter 
is   in   acknowledgment   of  the   first   large   donation   for   educational   pur- 
poses, we  venture  to  insert  it  here: 
Rev.  Sir : — 

The  General  Synod  impressed  with  the  sense  of  the  important  bene- 
fit you  have  conferred  on  the  Church  under  their  care,  beg  you  to  ac- 
cept their  thanks  and  blessing.  You,  no  doubt,  have  the  reward  which 
Christian  benevolence  always  brings  its  possessor,  in  the  consciousness 
of  doing  good ;  and  that  Redeemer,  for  the  promotion  of  whose  kingdom 
and  glory  you  have  cheerfully  devoted  your  earthly  substance,  will  here- 
after reward  you  with  inperishable  riches — an  unfading  inheritance. 
Others,  we  trust,  to  whom  God  has  given  wealth,  will  be  induced  to  fol- 
low your  bright  example.  We  anticipate  the  happy  result,  that  while 
the  Church  in  succeeding  generations  shall  reap  the  benefit  of  your  liber- 
ality, thousands  who  may  be  ready  to  perish  for  want  of  spiritual  food, 
and  who  may  be  fed  by  the  means  which  you  have  bestowed,  will  bless 
your  memory.  We  thank  you;  posterity  will  bless  you;  God  will  reward 
you !  And  as  the  Lord  has  enabled  you  and  inclined  you  to  bring  forth 
fruit  in  old  age,  which,  we  trust,  will  redound  to  his  glory  and  the 
prosperity  of  Zion,  our  prayer  to  him  is,  that  his  Covenant  consolation 
may  be  the  solace  of  your  declining  years ;  and  that  when  he  shall  see 
fit  to  call  you  from  this  world,  you  may  go  down  to  the  grave  as  a  shock 
of  corn  fully  ripe,  and  enter  into  the  joy  of  your  Lord.  You  will  then 
rest  from  your  labors,  and  your  works  will  follow  you. 

Wm.  McMurray,  Chairman. 

1814,  16-18. 

Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  Synod,  to  confer  with  a  Committee 
of  the  Trustees  of  Queens  College,  concerning  the  investment  of  these 
funds.  The  Treasurer  of  the  College  was  authorizd  to  invest  the  moneys 
on  hand,  or  which  should  come  to  hand  in  bonds  and  mortgages,  after 
consultation  with  a  certain  committee.     1815,  11,  12. 


772  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

[Elias  Van  Bunschooten  died  Jan.  lo,  1815.  Synod  took  action  to 
have  a  suitable  monument  erected,  and,  if  desirable,  to  have  his  body 
removed.  1816,  33.  Synod  requests  permission  of  relatives  to  remove 
body  to  New  Brunswick,  where  a  monument  would  be  erected,  1818,  41, 
42.  This  was  done,  1818,  39;  1819,  49.  See  Article  on  Van  Bunschooten 
in  Corwin's  Manual,  with  references.] 

Rumor  that  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Bunschooten  had,  by  will,  left  an  additional 
bequest  to  the  Institutions;  amount  unknown,  1815,  43. — Amount  on  hand, 
$17,122.  1816,  32,  33-— $3,333  additional  received.  1817,  28,  29.— Synod 
suggests  that  the  Trustees  invest  future  funds  in  seven  per  cent.  New 
York  stocks.  Conimittee  of  advice  appointed.  1817,  32.  Synod  ordered 
that  any  surplus  interest,  beyond  the  necessities  of  students,  be  used  to 
pay  Professorial  salaries.  Oct.,  1817,  13,  16;  1818,  56,  62.  Trustees  re- 
plied they  could  only  do  so  after  they  had  applied  the  income  to  needy 
students,  and  requested  Synod  to  recommend  such  action,  1819,  36,  2)7- — 
Students  receiving  aid  from  the  Van  Bunchooten  fund  need  not  repay, 
1818,  60,  61. — Deficit,  in  the  interest,  of  $1,366.  Synod  urges  promptness 
in  collecting,  1819,  78.  A  certain  rebate  from  the  fund  of  $1,048,  charged 
by  the  Trustees;  1819,  78.  Reported  that  said  charge  was  unobjection- 
able, 1820,  35.  Synod's  Board  of  Direction  recommends  that  its  mode 
of  investments  be  changed,   1820,  35,  49. 

Resolved,  That  the  recommendations  of  persons  to  receive  aid  from 
the  Van  Bunchooten  Fund,  be  considered  as  remaining  in  force,  and  di- 
rected to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  until  rescinded  by  General  Synod,  or 
until  they  cease  by  their  own  limitation.     1821,  55. 

No  student  shall  be  admitted  into  the  Theological  School  as  an  in- 
cumbent on  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  without  a  certificate  of  his  church 
membership  from  his  Classis,  1823,  53. — Treasurer  of  the  College  re- 
quested to  present  annually,  to  the  Synod,  the  number  of  beneficiaries 
on  the  V.  B.  fund,  and  the  amount  of  funds  unappropriated.  1830,  287. 
The  request  not  heeded;  renewed,  1831,  371.  The  request  still  unheeded; 
(altho'  the  present  Treasurer  has  furnished  a  satisfactory  account  of  th> 
funds  during  his  term  of  service,  1824-32)  ;  a  committee  appointed  by 
Synod  to  confer  with  the  Trustees  on  the  subject.  1832,  69.  Committee 
did  not  report ;  was  continued,  1833,  220.  Their  report :  Reviews  the 
history  of  the  Van  Bunchooten  and  Knox  Funds ;  charges  gross  negli- 
gence in  those  having  charge  of  them,  (1814-1823),  in  not  enforcing 
punctual  payment  of  interest.  Hence  heavy  losses.  The  accounts  had 
only  been  audited  in  Sept.,  1819,  and  April,  1822.  Amount  of  interest  re- 
ceived on  the  V.  B.  Fund,  (1814-23),  $4,606.93;  amount  paid  beneficiaries, 
$2,985;  amount  carried  to  Permanent  [Van  Bunschooten?]  Fund,  $1,238.13. 
1834,  249,  250. — Stated  that  some  of  the  losses,  (1814-23),  were  owing  to 
depreciation  caused  by  the  war.  The  neglect  to  audit  the  accounts.  (1814- 
19),  inexcusable.  Synod  reminds  the  Trustees  of  their  responsibility  for 
the  faithful  guardianship  of  these  funds.  Interest  should  be  $1,320  per 
year.     1834,  322. 

If  any  vacancy  exist  on  the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  and  there  are 
no  names  on  the  list  recommended  by  Synod,  the  Trustees  may  select 
any  name  from  the  beneficiaries  of  the  Bd.  of  Education,  to  fill  said 
vacancy.     1837,  78. 

A  certain  Plan  was  proposed  in  1839,  in  reference  to  the  Theological 
Professors  teaching  in  the  College : 

Resolved,  That  if  the  Trustees  adopt  the  Plan  here  proposed,  and 
will  so  arrange  the  appropriations  of  the  beneficiary  funds  under  their 
control,  as  to  secure  to  their  treasury  the  tuition  fees  of  their  beneficiaries, 
then  the  Education  Board  of  the  Synod  be  instructed  so  to  arrange  the 
appropriations  as  to  produce  the  same  result.     1839,  282. 


VAN  BUNSCHOOTEN,    ELIAS.  773 

The  College  Treasurer  was  directed  to  collect  any  moneys  due  for 
bonds  given  by  incumbents  on  the  Van  Bunschooten  and  Knox  Funds, 
which  may  be  forfeited.     1839,  283. 

Resolved,  That  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  be  authorized  to  pay, 
in  addition  to  the  allowance  for  the  support  of  beneficiaries  on  the  Van 
Bunschooten  and  Knox  Funds,  the  fees  of  their  tuition  in  the  College; 
and  that  a  like  authority  be  given  to  the  Board  of  Education  in  refer- 
ence to  their  beneficiaries.     1840,  406. 

As  it  is  difficult  to  judge  who,  among  the  beneficiaries  of  the  Church 
may  have  a  preference  of  recommendation  (to  the  Van  Bunschooten 
Fund),  the  Board  of  Education  is  requested  to  name  to  the  Trustees  the 
persons  who  should  be  transferred  to  that  Fund.     1841,  520. 

The  Van  Bunschooten  and  Knox  Funds  are  Synod's  property,  held 
in  trust  by  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College.  Synod  should  annually  be 
furnished  with  a  list  of  the  securities  for  these  investments.  1843,  242. 
— Principal  of  the  V.  B.  Fund  is  $20,000  secured  by  mortgages  in  N.  J. 
Balance  of  interest,  April  i,  1843,  $2,778,  and  interest  due  May  ist,  of 
$1,246;  but  only  $565  has  been  paid  to  students.     Explanation  needed. 

1st.  Resolved,  That  in  future  the  Board  of  Direction  require 
from  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College  a  list  of  the  securities 
for  the  loans  made  of  moneys  belonging  to  the  Van  Bunschooten  and 
Knox  funds,  to  be  transmitted  to  Synod. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  the  trustees  of  Rutgers  College  be  required  to 
report  to  the  Board  of  Direction  the  reason  for  the  accumulation  of  in- 
terest on  the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  and  why  the  same  has  not  been 
expended  according  to  the  terms  of  the  bequest  of  the  reverend  donor; 
also,  whether  any,  and  if  any,  how  much,  of  said  interest  has  been  re- 
tained by  the  trustees  as  tuition-fees  for  beneficiaries  connected  with 
the  college,  and  that  the  Board  of  Direction  of  the  corporation  report 
to  the  next  Synod  on  the  whole  subject;  also,  what  amount  of  moneys 
appropriated  to  beneficiaries  in  former  years  has  been  refunded,  and  what 
disposition  has  been  made  of  such  refunded  moneys.     1843,  243. 

After  further  elaboration  on  the  subject,  Synod  resolved  to  appoint 
a  Committee  of  seven  to  adjudicate  all  financial  relations  between  the 
Synod  and  the  College  Trustees.     1843,  245,  249. 

Report  of  this  Committee. 

Before  1839,  beneficiaries  were  not  required  to  pay  tuition  fees,  in 
College.  But  in  that  year,  (1839,  315),  the  Synod  ordered  them  to  pay 
such  fees  so  long  as  the  College  needed  the  same.  In  1840,  406,  the  Col- 
lege Trustees  and  the  Board  of  Education  were  authorized  to  pay  tuition 
fees  for  beneficiaries,  in  addition  to  the  usual  allowance  to  students.  But 
the  Bd.  of  Ed.  has  latterly  been  unable  to  advance  $40  additional,  for 
each  student,  because  the  large  number  of  beneficiaries  consumed  all 
their  means.  Hence,  the  Bd.  of  Ed.  endeavored  to  transfer  certain  of 
their  beneficiaries  to  the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  according  to  permis- 
sion given,  1837,  78;  1841,  520;  and  requested  the  Trustees  to  pay  tuition 
fees  of  such  students.  But  the  Treasurer  of  the  V.  B.  fund  did  not  feel 
at  liberty  to  do  this  without  a  special  act  of  Gen.  Synod.  Hence,  the 
accumulation. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  treasurer  of  the  trustees  of  the  college  be 
authorized  to  pay  over,  for  tuition  fees  of  the  beneficiaries,  all  surplus 
funds  now  in  his  hands  arising  from  the  Van  Bunschooten  and  Knox 
funds. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  trustees  of  college,  and  the  Synod's  Board 
of  Education,  in  the  reception  of  young  men  on  the  education  funds,  pro- 
vide for  the  payment  of  tuition  fees ;  making  their  maximum  of  appro- 
priation $160  instead  of  $120.     1844,  362-3. 


774  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

The  Trustees  also  appointed  a  Committee  to  report  on  the  same  sub- 
ject to  them.  Both  these  reports  were  submitted  to  another  Committee 
in  the  Synod.  1844,  364.  The  main  facts  were  the  same  on  each  side. 
In  reference  to  the  V.  B.  Fund,  the  explanation  of  the  accumulation  of 
interest  by  the  Trustees  was  entirely  satisfactory,  and  the  following 
action  was  taken : 

2.  On  the  subject  of  the  balance  of  the  interest  on  the  Van  Bun- 
schooten  Fund,  which  has  accumulated  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  of 
college,  your  committee  cannot  but  regard  the  explanation  given  by  the 
committee  as  entirely  satisfactory,  and  would  therefore  recommend  the 
adoption  of  the  following  resolutions,  viz. — 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  treasurer  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  col- 
lege be  authorized  to  pay  over,  for  tuition  fees  of  the  beneficiaries,  so 
much  of  the  surplus  funds  now  in  his  hands,  arising  from  the  Van  Bun- 
schooten  and  Knox  Funds,  as  shall  be  necessary  for  this  purpose. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  stated  clerk  of  Synod  call  the  attention  of  the  trus- 
tees of  the  college,  and  the  Synod's  Board  of  Education,  in  the  reception  of 
young  men  on  the  education  funds,  to  the  acts  of  Synod  as  passed  on  this 
subject  in  1839,  page  282,  and  in  1840,  page  406. — 1844,  365-6. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  1848,  315-321,  reviews  the 
Education  and  Beneficiary  System.  50  persons  had  received  aid  from 
the  Van  Bunschooten  and  Knox  Funds,  (1822-1848),  to  the  amount  of 
$23,338. — In  1849,  496,  the  Trustees  of  the  College  request  Synod  to  ex- 
punge from  the  review  of  1848  that  part  of  it,  which  related  "to  the  charge 
of  misappropriation  of  the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,"  1849,  496;  the  state- 
ment referred  to  was  discovered  to  be  an  error  by  the  Chairman  of  that 
Committee,  and  promptly  corrected ;  the  Stated  Clerk  was  authorized  to 
append  an  explanatory  note,  1849,  99.  [As  no  such  note  occurs,  the  cor- 
rection was  probably  made  before  the  printing  of  the  Report  in  1848. 
See  1848,  316-321.] 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  call  upon  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  Col- 
lege for  a  detailed  account  and  statement  of  the  present  in- 
vestments of  the  V.  B.  Fund,  and  of  the  annual  income  and 
expenditure  of  the  same,  from  the  reception  of  said  fund ;  1849,  496. 
— A  minority  report  was  presented  in  Aug.,  1849.  The  Trustees  de- 
clared that  they  had  regularly  reported  to  Synod  the  items  asked  for, 
and  referred  the  Synod  to  its  own  printed  Minutes;  1849,  6,  7. — Another 
Com.  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Trustees,  and  amicably  adjust 
all  unsettled  business  in  reference  to  the  funds  in  the  hands  of  the 
Trustees  claimed  by  Synod.  A  standing  Committee  was  also  appointed 
by  Synod,  to  act  as  a  joint  Com.  with  a  similar  Com.  of  the  Trustees, 
to  invest  the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  and  do  all  other  things  necessary, 
as  required  by  the  donor.     Passed,  31  to  16.     Names.  1849,  7,  8. 

Report  of  said  Committee,  1850.  A  table  of  actual  receipts  and  ex- 
penditures, 1831-50,  is  given,  on  pp.  76,  yy.  An  item  of  $2,480  from  this 
fund  for  tuition  fees,  is  specially  referred  to,  as  sanctioned  by  Synod, 
1844,  366.  $1,500,  tuition  fees,  have  been  paid  from  this  fund,  1840-50; 
before  1840,  no  tuition  fees  were  charged  to  beneficiaries.  All  statements 
satisfactory,  1850,  73,  74;  interest  somewhat  behind,  92. 

Plan  for  receiving  students  on  Bd.  of  Education,  1851,  180-2. — Stu- 
dents shall  only  be  recommended  to  the  V.  B.  Fund  after  examination 
by  Gen.  Synod,  according  to  said  plan;  1851,  182-3,  191.  Reports  of  the 
Trustees  clear  and  satisfactory,  '52,  274.  Question  raised  whether  the 
terms  of  the  V.  B.  Fund  are  carried  out,  by  present  mode  of  admitting 
beneficiaries  to  same;  '53,  359;  the  Trustees  can  admit  none  on  this 
V.  B.  Fund  but  such  as  are  recommended  by  Synod.  According  to  Plan 
of  1851,  180-2,  the  Bd.  of  Superintendents  is  made  Synod's  Standing  Com. 
to  examine.     Synod  decided  that  this  was  legal;  '53,  363.— Question  again 


VAN  BUNSCHOOTEN,  ELIAS  775 

raised  by  the  Trustees;  '54,  464;  Synod  decided  that  in  future,  the  Synod 
itself  would  nominate  (recommend)  the  beneficiaries  for  the  V.  B.  Fund, 
'54,  469,  470.  Attention  was  called  to  the  conflicting  legislation  of  the 
Synod  of  1854,  470,  and  the  Plan  of  Operations  adopted  in  1851 ;  '55,  514; 
no  specific  action  on,  unless  that  found  in  1855,  592,  which  would  con- 
firm that  of  1854. 

Minutes  of  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany  showed  that  the  V.  B. 
bequest  had  been  read  only  by  its  title : 

That  the  reading  of  the  said  bequest  by  "the  title"  does  not  meet 
the  desire  of  the  donor,  and  the  faith  which  the  Church  plighted  to  him 
by  the  acceptance  of  it  on  his  terms,  as  appears  from  the  terms  of  the 
document,  and  has  been  admitted  by  the  long-established  custom  of  our 
Church;  and  further,  that  it  be  and  is  hereby  enjoined  upon  all  the  Classes 
and  Synods  to  attend  carefully  to  the  reading  of  the  Van  Bunschooten  be- 
quest at  all  their  ordinary  meetings.     1868,  469. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Education  have  authority  to  place  on 
the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  such  number  of  students  as  may  be  found 
advisable  upon  consultation  with  the  Treasurer  of  the  Fund.  1884,  508. 
(See  1896,  375-6.) 

Correction  of  the  text  of  the  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest :  "thus  to 
prepare  not  only  for  heaven,  but  also  for  the  approaching  Millenium,  the 
commencement  of  which  may  be  at  [no]  farther  distance  than  the  present 
living."  The  original  draft  did  not  contain  the  word  "no,"  altho'  all  the 
more  recent  copies  contained  this  word.  All  the  bodies  of  the  Church 
directed  to  correct  the  text  accordingly.  The  "no"  is  not  in  the  Synod's 
copy  of  1814,  15.  [See  note  on  page  370  of  New  Brunswick  Centennial 
Volume.]     1886,  24,  120. 

The  Overture  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  New  Brunswick,  re- 
quests the  General  Synod  to  make  careful  inquiry  whether  any  interest 
of  the  Church  would  be  imperiled  by  the  abolition  of  the  reading  of  the 
Van  Bunschooten  Bequest,  and  if  not,  to  reheve  the  Synod  and  Classes 
of  the  rule  requiring  the  reading.  The  preamble  to  this  request  sets 
forth,  that  a  doubt  exists  in  the  minds  of  many  brethren  in  the  Church 
whether  the  reading  of  the  said  Bequest  at  all  regular  meetings  of  our 
Classes  and  Synods  is  mandatory  under  the  terms  of  the  Bequest.  The 
overture  not  granted.     1894,  128. 

On   the  Reading   of   the    Van  Bunschooten  Bequest. 

The  Classis  of  Kingston  overtures  General  Synod  for  relief  from 
reading  the  Elias  Van  Bunschooten  bequest. 

Your  Committee  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  Special  Com- 
mittee, to  which  this  matter  in  all  its  relations  and  bearings  be  referred; 
said   Committee   to    report   at   next    regular   meeting   of    General    Synod- 

1895,  132. 

Rev.  F.  S.  Schenck,  Rev.  C.  W.  Fritts  and  Elder  E.  A.  Best  were 
appointed.     1895,  159. 

1896. 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Reading  of  the  Van  Bunschooten  Be- 
quest, appointed  at  the  last  Synod,  reported  as  follows : 

The  Committee  on  the  reading  of  the  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest  ap^ 
pointed  by  the  General  Synod,  in  June,  1895,  respectfully  reports: 

The  Classis  of  Kingston  has  overtured  the  General  Synod  to  give 
the  Classes  the  option  to  print  the  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest  and  cir- 
culate it  at  each  meeting,  or  to  read  it  aloud  as  is  now  directed. 

Your  Committee  think  that  the  desire  expressed  by  the  donor  is^ 
that  the  Bequest  be  read  aloud  as  a  part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Synods 
and  Classes. 

Our  first  consideration  is  concerning  our  legal  right  to  discontinue; 
this  reading.     Will  we  thereby  endanger  our  possession  of  the  Fund? 


776         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  what  is  called  the  Van 
Bunschooten  Bequest  is  rather  a  deed  of  gift,  a  charitable  donation  by 
one  living.  It  was  made  in  June,  1814.  and  was  accepted  by  the  General 
Synod  at  its  session  in  the  same  3^ear,  and  the  Rev.  E.  Van  Bunschooten 
lived  until  the  early  part  of  the  following  year.  Had  it  been  a  bequest, 
he  could  have  revoked  it  at  any  time  up  to  the  day  of  his  death;  but  he 
could  not  have  revoked  this  gift  five  minutes  after  he  had  signed  it.  The 
only  way  such  a  gift  can  be  revoked  is  by  express  terms  of  revocation 
in  the  deed  of  gift  itself,  upon  conditions  clearly  defined — and  there  are 
no  such  terms  in  this  document. 

Should  it  be  regarded  as  a  bequest,  the  question  arises :  Is  this  de- 
sire of  the  Testator  a  condition  upon  the  fulfillment  of  which  the  Fund 
depends  ? 

It  is  to  be  considered  that  the  Fund  is  vested  in  the  Trustees  of  Rut- 
gers College,  and  that  the  General  Synod  is  associated  with  these  trustees 
simply  in  the  administration  of  the  Fund.  It  cannot  be  supposed  that 
the  Testator  intended  the  rights  of  the  trustees  to  be  dependent  upon  the 
fulfillment  of  his  desire  by  another  body,  over  which  they  had  no  control. 
Looking  now  at  the  desire  itself ;  it  is  for  a  specific  and  outward  act 
which  can  easily  be  taken  notice  of  by  the  State  courts,  and  thus  it  differs 
in  nature  from  the  following  request  concerning  the  frugal-living  of  the 
officers  of  the  college  and  all  ecclesiastical  officers.  Moreover,  the  act 
desired  is  not  difficult  or  improper,  and  the  Testator  certainly  had  a  right 
to  make  it  a  condition  of  the  holding  of  the  Fund. 

Still,  it  is  an  open  question  whether  this  desire  is  in  the  nature  of  a 
condition.  The  reason  of  his  desire  is  expressed,  and  thus  it  is  submitted 
to  the  judgment  of  the  Synod;  it  is  that  others  may  be  incited,  by  his 
example,  to  like  action.  If  the  Synod  should  be  convinced  that  the  read- 
ing of  the  bequest  no  longer  had  that  effect,  or  that  it  had  a  reverse  effect, 
•the  desire  based  upon  that  reason  would  itself  vanish  away. 

In  view  of  these  considerations,  your  Committee  are  clearly  of  the 
opinion  that  no  right  to  the  Fund  would  be  endangered  by  refusing  longer 
lo  read  the  bequest,  as  the  donor  desired. 

Still  it  is  not  safe  to  say  that  all  must  take  this  view.  Some  heir 
of  Mr.  Van  Bunschooten  might  find  some  lawyer  who  would  bring  a  suit 
to  recover  the  Fund  on  account  of  our  breach  of  trust,  or,  no  heir  ex- 
isting, some  Attorney-General  of  the  State  might  bring  such  a  suit  for 
the  State;  and,  while  we  firmly  believe  the  courts  would  decide  there 
Avas  no  ground  for  action,  still,  the  bringing  and  conducting  such  a  suit 
might  prove  a  scandal  to  our  church  and  to  the  cause  of  Christ. 

We  now  turn  to  another  and  most  important  phase  of  the  subject. 
An  educated  ministry  is  regarded  by  our  church  as  essential  to  her 
welfare  and  usefulness.  Rutgers  College  has  the  splendid  record  of  hav- 
ing given  over  five  hundred  ordained  ministers  to  the  church  of  Christ. 
Our  Theological  Seminary  has  sent  forth  most  of  these,  and  many  others, 
into  the  service  of  our  church.  The  Educational  Funds  of  our  Church, 
for  the  education  of  the  ministry,  held  by  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  Col- 
lege, the  Board  of  Education,  and  the  General  Synod  together,  amount 
to  over  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  dollars.  These  Funds  are  the  accumula- 
tion of  manv  gifts  for  scholarships  and  smaller  gifts,  made  during  many 
years.  This' gift  of  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Bunschooten  was  the  first  one  made- 
it  stands  at  the  beginning  of  these  Funds;  not  only  that,  but,  though 
nearly  one  hundred  individuals  have  contributed  to  these  Funds,  the  larg- 
est amount  given  by  any  one  person,  with  a  single  exception,  was  that 
given  by  him.  He  stands  at  the  head  of  the  list,  and  may  well  be  called 
the  father  of  the  Educational  Funds  of  our  Church.  As  many  of  the 
contributors  to  these  Funds  have  been  ministers  and  elders,  members  of 
Classes  and  Synods,  and  as  this  bequest  has  been  read  many  tmies  ui  their 
hearing,  and  in  the  hearing  of  the  churches  generally,  it  is  not  at  all  im- 


VAN  BUNSCHOOTEN,  ELIAS  777 

probable  that  its  reading  has  suggested  and  fostered  in  some  of  their  minds 
the  purpose  to  contribute  to  these  Funds ;  and  it  is  not  at  all  unreasonable 
to  suppose  a  like  effect  in  the  future.  The  continued  reading  of  the  be- 
quest is  giving  Rev.  E.  Van  Bunschooten  the  honor  due  him  as  the  father 
of  the  educational  funds  of  our  church,  and  is  in  line  with  his  expressed 
hope  for  the  continual  increase  of  these  Funds. 

It  needs  also  to  be  said  that  the  common  morality  inculcated  by 
courts  of  equity,  that  while  one  enjoys  the  benefit  of  a  trust 
he  should  faithfully  carry  out  the  reasonable  wishes  of  the  one  confer- 
ring the  trust,  though  they  are  not  expressly  made  conditions  of  the  trust, 
is  a  standard  not  too  high  for  the  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
that  we  should  live  up  to  it  most  heartily. 

While,  therefore,  your  Committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  no  legal 
compulsion  rests  upon  us  to  read  the  bequest  for  the  sake  of  saving  our 
Fund,  we  are  just  as  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  the  reasonable  request 
of  Mr.  Van  Bunschooten  should  be  faithfully  followed. 

We  therefore  recommend  the  following  action : 

Resolved,  That  we  adhere  to  the  rule  for  our  action,  and  the  direc- 
tion for  the  action  of  the  Particular  Synods  and  Classes,  concerning  the 
reading  of  the  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest,  adopted  by  the  General  Synod 
at  its  session  in  1814,  and  observed  continuously  for  the  past  eighty-two 
years. 

F.    S.    SCHENCK, 
C.  W.  FRITTS, 
E.  A.  BEST. 

1896,  437-440. 

[The  Rev.  Dr.  B.  C.  Taylor,  well-acquainted  with  the  cotemporaries 
of  Rev.  E.  Van  Bunschooten,  assured  the  undersigned  about  i860,  that 
the  request  to  have  the  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest  read  in  all  Ecclesias- 
tical Bodies,  was  urged  by  the  lawyer  who  drew  up  the  Bequest,  and  that 
the  donor  very  reluctantly  consented.     E.  T.  Corwin.] 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Education  be  authorized,  in  connection 
with  the  Trustees  of  Rutgers  College,  to  nominate  students  on  the  Van 
Bunschooten  bequest,  and  other  educational  trusts  of  the  Synod  held  by 
the  College.     1895,  92. 

A  fourth  suggestion  concerning  questions  of  administration  comes 
from  the  trustees  of  Rutgers  College.  (1896,  282),  and  a  resolution,  ger- 
main  to  the  suggestion,  offered  by  a  member  of  the  General  Synod,  is 
also  in  the  hands  of  a  committee. 

With  reference  to  this  request  from  the  trustees  of  Rutgers  College 
that  the  General  Synod  return  to  the  custom  followed  every  year  until 
1884,  of  making  recommendations  to  the  Van  Bunschooten  bequest  by 
its  own  acts  in  meetings  regularly  convened.     Your  committee  find  : 

The  Van  Bunschooten  bequest  is  a  deed  of  gift  to  the  trustees  of 
Rutgers  College,  made  in  the  year  1814.  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  pious 
young  men  in  the  pursuit  of  the  Gospel  ministry ;  the  deed  specially  stipu- 
lates that  "Xo  one  is  to  be  admitted  to  said  benefit  but  such  as  are  rec- 
ommended by  General  Synod." 

It  thus  appears  that  the  General  Synod  has  been  associated  with  the 
trustees  of  Rutgers  College  in  administering  the  Trust ;  and  in  carrying 
out  the  letter  of  the  bequest,  it  was  the  invariable  custom  of  the  General 
Synod,  previous  to  the  year  1884.  to  make  recommendations  of  such  young 
men  as  might  be  nominated  by  the  Board  of  Education  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Van  Bunschooten  Bequest. 

The  General  Synod  of  1884,  adopted  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Education  have  authority  to  place  on 
the  Van  Bunschooten  Fund,  such  number  of  students  as  may  be  found 
advisable  upon  consultation  with  the  treasurer  of  the  fund.     (1884,  5o8.) 


778         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

In  accordance  with  this  resolution,  the  whole  matter  has  been  for  the 
last  fourteen  years  arranged  by  the  Board  of  Education  acting  as  repre- 
sentative of  the  General  Synod. 

This  usage  having  been  brought  to  the  attention  of  learned  counsel, 
they  have  advised  that  the  resolution  of  1884,  involved  the  delegation  of 
a  discretionary  trust,  and  was,  therefore,  unwise  and  illegal.  In  order  to 
provide  for  the  future,  and  validate  the  several  acts  of  the  Board  of 
Education,  under  instruction  of  General  Synod,  your  committee  recom- 
mend the  necessary  legislation.     1896,  370-1. 

Resolved,  11.  That  the  General  Synod  rescinds  the  resolution  adopted 
by  the  General  Synod  of  1884,  to  wit:  "Resolved  that  the  Board  of 
Education  have  authority  to  place  on  the  Van  Bunsehooten  Fund,  such 
number  of  students  as  may  be  found  available  on  consultation  with  the 
Treasurer  of  the  fund ;  and,  further,  that  the  General  Synod  return  to 
the  original  usage,  in  recommending  by  its  own  acts,  on  the  nomination 
of  the  Board  of  Education,  the  persons  who  are  to  receive  the  benefit 
of  the  Van  Bunsehooten  Fund. 

And  still  further,  lest  any  question  might  arise  concerning  the  admin- 
istration of  the  fund  since  1884,  the  General  Synod  does  hereby  approve 
all  the  recommendations  made  since  June,  1884,  by  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion acting  as  the  General  Synod  ad  interim."     1896,  375-6. 

[The  V.  B.  Fund  really  belongs  to  the  General  Synod,  as  all  the 
documents  and  acts  of  Synod  show ;  but  the  Synod  not  being  incorporated 
in  1814,  the  funds  were  put  in  the  care  of  the  Trustees,  who  must  act 
as  the   Synod   directs.] 

Van  Cleef,  Cornelius,  (Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1861. 

Van  Cleef,  Paul  D.,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Delegate  to  Presbyt.  Ch.  in  U.  S., 
1871,  223 ;  elected  Stated  (Ilerk  of  Gen.  Synod,  1871,  341,  resigns,  1895, 
223-4 ;  delegate  to  Christian  Refd.  Ch.  in  the  Netherlands,  1882,  64-5,  re- 
port thereon,  1883,  252-3 ;  chairman  of  Com.  to  make  arrangements  for 
Centennial  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1882,  130;  resolutions  of  sym- 
pathy, 1886,  200;  resigns  as  S.  C.  of  Bd.  Sups.  New  Brunswick  Sem. 
1895,  58,  70. 

Van  Courtlandt,  Mrs.  Jane.  Bequest  of  $1,000  to  Theol.  Sem.  New 
Brunswick,  1842,  56,  65,  128. 

Vanderpoel,  Mrs.  S.  Oakley.  Gift  of  books  to  Western  Sem. 
1902,  59. 

Vanderveer,  John,  (Rev.  Dr.)  $2,500  given  for  ]\Iissions,  Foreign 
and  Domestic,  and  for  Hope  College,  1890,  12 ;  $950  for  For,  Miss.,  and  $950 
for  Domestic  Miss.  1896,  317. 

Van  Deursen,  Staats,  Treas.  of  Queens  College,  1815,  14. 

Van  Doren,  John  V.  L.,  Scholarship  of  $5,833  to  Bd.  of  Educa- 
tion.    1875. 

Van  Doren,  Wm.  H.,  (Rev.)  Bequest,  $725  for  Prize  Essay  on  Mis- 
sions, 1847,  218;  1848,  218,  275-6. 

Van  Dyke,  Frederic  A.,  sells  land  to  complete  campus  of  New  Bruns- 
wick Sem.     1859,  439,  440,  449;  i860,  486. 

Van  Dyke,  John  C.  (Dr.)  Appointed  Assistant  Librarian  of  Sage 
Library,  Aug  ist,  1878;  preparing  a  Catalogue  of  Subjects;  Report  of 
Property  Com.,  1879,  4;  Catalogue  of  Subjects  completed;  Report,  '80, 
5;  '81,  5;  appointed  Librarian,  on  death  of  Rev.  Peter  J.  Quick,  the  for- 
mer Librarian,  Report,  '87,  4;  publishes  "Notes  on  the  Sage  Library" — 
a  small  pamphlet  of  27  pages,  giving  some  account  of  (i)  Collected  Sets 
of  Books;  Rare  Books;  Incunabula;  Manuscripts;  Rolls;  (2)  Of  the  The- 
ological and  Religious  Books;  (3)  Of  the  Philological,  Historical,  Sci- 
entific and  Art  Books;  and  in  an  Appendix,  the  Needs  of  the  Library. 


VAN  DYKE,  LAWRENCE  H.  779 

Frequent  recognitions  of  his  work,  as  Report,  '87,  300,  etc. ;  residence 
built  for  the  Librarian,  Report,  '92,  4 ;  publishes,  1902,  a  second  pamphlet 
of  30  pages — "Notes  Descriptive  of  the  Sage  Library,"  1902:  (i)  Found- 
ing of  the  Seminary  Library;  (2)  Founding  of  the  Sage  Library;  (3) 
Architecture  of  the  Library;  (4)  Early  Collections  of  the  Library;  (5) 
Buying  Books  for  the  Present  Library;  (6)  General  Contents  of  the  Li- 
brary; (7)  Incunabula,  Codices,  Bibles,  Theological  Books;  (8)  Philolog}', 
Philosophy,  Law,  Historj^;  (9)  Fine  Arts,  Science,  Reference  Books; 
(10)  Library  Catalogues,  Portraits,  Marbles;  (11)  Needs  of  the  Library: 
Books;  (12)  Needs  of  the  Library:  Money;  (13)  Memorial  Alcoves  and 
Windows;  (14)  Forms  of  Bequest. 

Gives  $500  toward  re-cataloguing  books  in  Sage  Library,  1903,  321 ; 
plan  for  Memorial  Windows,  1903,  325.     See  Sage  Library. 

Van  Dyke,  Lawrence  H.     Rector  of  Hertzog  Hall,  1876-81. 

Van  Gieson,  Acmon  P.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod, 
1873 ;  writes  Centennial  Discourse  on  "The  Type  of  Doctrine  of  R.  C 
A.,  1876;  on  many  important  Committees. 

Van  Harlingen,  John  M.  (Rev.)  Elected  Prof,  of  Hebrew  and 
Ecc.  Hist.,  New  Brunswick  Sem.     1812,  (54),  433;  his  death,  1813,  30,  35. 

Van  Nest,  Abram.  Elected  to  Bd.  of  Superintendents,  Rutgers  Col- 
lege, Sept.,  1825,  25 ;  chosen  member  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  1830,  22,7,  254, 
and  annually  thereafter  till  1857;  chosen  President  of  Bd.  of  Direction, 
1843,  179,  and  annually  till  1857;  to  be  repaid  moneys  advanced  to  in- 
digent students,  1827,  70;  delegate  to  Assembly  of  Presbyt.  Ch.  1830, 
255;  report  thereon,  1831,  346;  supports,  in  part,  Prof.  Beck,  Prof,  of 
chemistry  in  Rutgers  College,  1831,  369,  370;  again  appointed  delegate  to 
Assembly  of  Presbyt.  Ch.,  1835,  372 ;  gives  $5,000  toward  Third  Professor- 
ship, 1852,  214,  274 ;  declines  re-election  to  Presidency  of  Bd.  of  Direction, 
1858,  275,  343. 

Van  Nest,  Abraham  R.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General 
Synod,  1879. 

Van  Nest,  Frank  R.  Appointed  director  and  treas.  protem,  of  Bd. 
of  Direction,  1893,  7'^Z,  749;  elected  director  and  treasurer,  1894,  55  and 
annually  thereafter,  until  present  time,   (1906). 

Van  Nest  Hall.  Erected ;  1847,  181 ;  Rutgers  College  Library  to 
be  removed  into  it,  185. 

Van  Nest,  John.  Elected  Pres.  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  1876,  443 ;  an- 
nually thereafter  until  1881 ;  elected  Treasurer  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  '82, 
53,  63,  and  annually  thereafter,  until  1892;  his  death,  '93,  712,  713,  751. 

Van  Nostrand,  Garret.  Elected  member  of  Bd.  Direction,  1891, 
269;  his  death,  1892,  468. 

Van  Pelt,  Daniel,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Appointed  Permanent  Clerk  (for 
one  year)  of  General  Synod,  1886,  10;  elected  Prof,  of  Bib.  Langs,  and 
Literature  in  Western  Seminary;  decHnes ;  '86,  25.     See  name  in  Manual. 

Van  Pelt,  Phebe,  (Mrs.)  Bequeaths  $475  to  New  Brunswick  Semi- 
nary, 1893,  713,  721. 

Van  Raalte,  Albertus  C.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Commended  as  agent  to  col- 
lect funds  for  Holland  Academy,  1857,  197;  his  success,  '60,  550;  deeds 
land  to  Synod  for  Holland  Academy,  '61,  13 ;  appointed  delegate  to  Evan- 
gelical Alliance,  at  Amsterdam,  '66,  44;  elected  Prof,  of  Evangelistic  The- 
ology in  Western  Seminary,  '69,  648;  declines,  '70,  116;  his  name  sug- 
gested as  the  name  of  a  Professorship  of  Theology  in  the  Western  In- 
stitution, '78,  118;  '79,  238,  364. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Eugene.  Gives  $5,000  to  Permanent  Fund, 
1875,  208. 


78o         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Van  Rensselaer,  Philip  S.  Deed,  dated  June  i8,  1811,  for  640 
acres  of  land  in  the  county  of  Franklin,  N.  Y.,  to  the  Trustees  of  Queens 
College;  1819,  50;  1829,  157.     See  1817,  34. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Stephen,  (Hon.)  Gives  $1,000  toward  Third  Pro- 
fessorship, Sept.,  1825,  6;  gives  $200  toward  building  cupola  in  Rutgers 
College,  1826,  16;  appointed  delegate  to  Presbyt.  Gen.  Assembly,  1837, 
27;  helps  support  Prof,  of  Chemistry  in  Rutgers  College,  1831,  369,  370; 
again  chosen  delegate  to  Presbyt.  Gen.  Assembly,  1836,  469;  notice  of 
his  death,  1839,  265. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Stephen,  Scholarship.  Gives  $1,500  for;  1832, 
51,  61,  69;  allowed  to  accumulate,  '33,  207,  209;  '34,  295,  354-5,  404;  '39, 
262,  264.     Amount  now  $1,700. 

Van  Rensselaer,  Wm.  P.,  Scholarship.  $1,500.  1832,  61,  70;  1833, 
207,  209 ;  1834,  295 ;  1835,  354,  404.     1839,  262,  264.     Now  $1,700. 

Van  Santvoord,  Rev.  Dr.  Cornelius.  Elected  President  of  Gen. 
Synod,  1857,  128,  sermon  before  Synod,  1858,  267 ;  thanks  for,  and  pub- 
lication requested.  361-2 ;  congratulated  by  Synod  as  the  oldest  ex-presi- 
dent, 1896,  503. 

Van  Santvoord,  Rev.  Staats.  Financial  agent  to  collect  outstand- 
ing subscriptions  toward  endowment,  and  to  secure  new  ones,  1828,  129, 
130;  1829,  156,  162-170;  1830,  237,  238,  287;  1831,  316,  373]  1832,  27,  68,69. 

Van  Santvoord,  Miss  Susan  M.  Gives  $500  toward  Disabled  Min- 
isters' Fund.     1896,  289. 

Van  Schaick  Hall.     See  Ferris  Seminary. 

Van  Schaick,  Alida,  (Miss).  Notice  given  that  Synod  has  been 
made  residuary  legatee  of  her  estate  to  a  large  amount,  1903,  273 ;  will 
probably  exceed  $100,000,  310;  1904,  644. 

In  the  settlement  of  the  Van  Schaick  legacy,  acting  under  the  ad- 
vice of  legal  counsel,  the  Board  unanimously  determined  to  pay  to  Mrs. 
Helen  V.  S.  Oddie,  the  niece  and  for  many  years  inseparable  companion 
of  Miss  Van  Schaick,  the  sum  of  $2,000  a  year  for  her  life.  The  Board 
was  advised  that  the  claims  of  Mrs.  Oddie  were  such  that  had  she  con- 
tested the  will  it  would  probably  be  broken.     1905,  13. 

Amount  received,  $109,669.10;  1905,  14,  42. 

The  committee  is  happy  to  record  that  the  prospective  settlement  of 
the  controversy  and  litigation  which  was  pending  over  the  estate  of  Miss 
Alida  Van  Schaick,  involving  the  validity  of  the  gift  to  Sjmod,  and  which 
was  reported  to  the  last  Synod  as  being  in  process  of  settlement  has  re- 
sulted successfully,  and  the  possible  devise  and  legacy  have  become  ac- 
complished possessions  and  payments,  all  objections  having  been  with- 
drawn, and  the  will  of  Miss  Van  Schaick  having  been  admitted  to  probate, 
and  the  Board  of  Direction  has  received  under  the  settlement  effected 
during  the  past  year  over  one  hundred  and  ten  thousand  dollars,  principal 
and  interest,  and,  has  under  the  advice  of  counsel,  and  as  a  necessary  con- 
dition to  the  withdrawal  of  the  contest,  and  the  carrying  out, 
and  completing  such  settlement  arranged  to  pay  to  Mrs.  Helen  V.  S. 
Oddie  the  possible  contestant,  an  annuity  of  $2,000.00  in  semi-annual  pay- 
ments, and  the  first  of  such  payments  has  been  made. 

The  devise  and  bequest  to  General  Synod  is  specified  to  be  "for  the 
religious  and  charitable  uses  and  purposes  of  that  corporation  in  the 
maintainance  and  support  of  the  Domestic  Missionary  operations  of  the 
said  Church ;''  and  since  the  care  of  the  Mission  churches  and  the  erec- 
tion of  new  churches  for  congregation  belonging  to  said  Mission  churches 
has  l)een  committed  to  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  and  since  the 
Board  of  Direction  has  declared  its  willingness,  if  the  General  Synod  so 
direct,  to  pay  over  the  income  arising  from  the  Van  Schaick  foundation 


VAN  SCHAICK,  ALIDA,  SCHOLARSHIP  781 

to  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  so  that  said  Board  may  distribute 
such  income  according  to  the  terms  of  the  devise  and  legacy,  and  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  rules  of  the  Church  Building  Fund ;  and  since  the  Board 
of  Domestic  Missions  has  expressed  its  willingness  to  accept  the  respon- 
sibility involved  in  the  said  devise  and  legacy ;  and  the  said  two  boards 
having  overtured  the  General  Synod  to  adopt  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  referred  to  your  committee  to  investigate  and  report,  and  the 
said  overture  having  been  duly  considered,  your  committee  would  rec- 
ommend the  passing  of  the  resolution  requested,  i.e. 

Resolved,  In  the  matter  of  the  bequest  of  Miss  Alida  Van  Schaick, 
herein  mentioned,  that  the  Board  of  Direction  be  authorized  and  instructed 
to  pay  over  to  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  the  income  arising  from 
the  invested  funds  received  in  accordance  with  the  said  bequest  as  it  may 
accrue,  and  that  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  be  authorized  and  in- 
structed to  distribute  such  income  according  to  the  terms  of  the  bequest, 
and  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  Church  Building  Fund.  1905, 
51,  52. 

Bequeaths  to  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions,  $30,000.  Report  of  Board, 
1905,  III,  116. 

Van  Schaick,  Alida,  Scholarship.  $12,000.  Income  will  be 
awarded  by  the  Bd.  of  Education  to  a  member  of  the  graduating  class 
of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary  for  such  scholarship  and  character  as 
give  promise  of  greatest  ministerial  efficiency  thro'  its  use.  It  will  re- 
quire him  successfully  to  pursue  a  3'^ear  of  post-graduate  work  in  the 
Seminary.     1906. 

Van  Vechten,  Abraham  V.  W.,  founds  a  prize  of  $60,  in  1884,  by 
the  gift  of  $1,000  to  Rutgers  College,  in  honor  of  his  mother,  Mrs.  Louisa 
Van  Vechten,  and  his  father,  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Van  Vechten ;  the  prize 
"to  be  given  annually  to  that  student  of  Rutgers  College  who  shall  pre- 
sent the  best  essay  on  Foreign  Missions,  not  to  exceed  3,000  words." 
Faculty  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary  to  be  the  judges. 

Van  Vechten,  Jacob,  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod  twice, 
1844  and  1850. 

Van  Vranken,  Samuel  A.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Altho'  not  the  President 
or  Vice-President  of  Synod,  appointed  to  deliver  a  Sermon  at  opening  of 
extra  session,  in  Sept.,  1825 ;  June,  '25,  44 ;  appointed  delegate  to  Presbyt. 
Gen.  Assembly,  1841,  467;  elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology 
in  New  Brunswick  Sem.,  Oct.,  1841,  40-42,  57;  delegate  to  Gen.  Assembly 
of  Presbyt.  Ch.  1846,  32,  teaches  Evidence  of  Christianity  in  Rutgers  Col- 
lege, 1846,  75  ;  Synod  requests  Trustees  of  the  College  to  call  Dr.  V.  V. 
as  Prof,  of  Theology  in  the  College,  1850,  89 ;  elected  to  such  office,  1852, 
270;  his  death,  1861,  9,  36,  78,  79;  his  portrait  presented  to  Synod  by  first 
church  of  Freehold,  '62,  117;  his  Library  presented,  '63,  250,  330. 

Van  Wyck,  Charles  P.  Proprietor  of  Christian  Intelligencer,  1830- 
72.     See  page  128  of  this  Digest.     Also  Mints.  1838,  191. 

Van  Zandt,  Abraham  D.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Delegate  to  Gen.  Assembly 
of  Presbyterian  Church,  (South),  1871,  223;  elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  and 
Polemic  Theology  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  '72,  514;  his  sickness, 
'78,  12;  '81,  646;  resignation,  647;  condolence  of  Synod,  750-1,  762,  787; 
his  death,  Oct.,  '81,  10,  11,  13,  14. 

Varick,  Abraham.     Gives  bond  of  $2,000.     1845,  409. 

Vaudois,  The.     See  Waldenses. 

Vedder,  Nicholas.  Gives  $10,000  to  found  a  Lectureship  on  "Mod- 
ern Infidelity"  ;  referred  to  a  Special  Committee ;  1873,  I5 ;  1874,  I5- 


782         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  Vedder  Lectureship. 

The  Committee  on  the  Vedder  Lectureship  read  the  following  report, 
which  was  adopted : 

report  of  the  committee. 

That  the  Synod  may  understand  the  terms  of  Mr.  Vedder's  bequest 
before  accepting  it,  your  committee  present  the  following  as  among  the 
fundamental  conditions : 

1.  Synod  is  annually  to  select  a  lecturer  by  ballot,  and  at  their  reg- 
ular session,  but  said  lecturer,  although  necessarily  a  member  of  the  Re- 
formed Church,  need  not  be  a  clerical  member. 

2.  The  lectures  after  delivery  are  to  be  placed  in  trust  in  the  hands 
of  the  President  of  the  General  Synod.  They  are  to  be  offered  for  pub- 
lication, first  to  the  Board  of  Publication ;  and  if  by  them  declined,  the 
President  of  Synod  shall  offer  the  same  to  any  publisher,  who  will  un- 
dertake to  publish  them,  and  furnish  certain  copies.  Your  Committee 
notice  here  that  the  form  in  which  they  shall  be  published,  when  the  Presi- 
dent of  Synod  shall  be  free  from  his  responsibility  in  getting  them  pub- 
lished, or  what  amount  of  pecuniary  obligation  may  fall  upon  the  Synod 
in  the  matter,  are  not  clearly  determined. 

Your  Committee  offer  the  following  resolutions,  covering  the  whole 
subject  of  the  bequest  and  its  terms : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  gift  of  $10,000,  by  Nicholas  F.  Vedder,  of 
Utica,  to  found  a  Lectureship,  be  accepted  by  the  Synod  according  to  the 
terms  thereof,  and  the  same  entered  on  the  minutes,  and  that  in  memorial 
of  his  admirable  gift,  said  lectureship  shall  be  known  as  the  Vedder  Lec- 
ture on  Modern  InfideHty. 

2.  Resolved,  That  in  the  publication  of  the  lectures,  the  President 
of  General  Synod  shall  not  be  allowed  to  involve  the  Synod  in  any  pe- 
cuniary expense. 

3.  Resolved,  That,  after  offering  them  to  such  leading  and  responsi- 
ble publishers  as  may  be  within  his  reach,  if  they  decline  he  shall  deposit 
the  lectures  in  the  Library  of  the  Seminary;  but  in  either  case,  General 
Synod  shall  have  the  copyright  and  the  sole  right,  subject  to  the  condi- 
tions prescribed  in  the  gift. 

4.  Resolved,  That  in  the  selection  of  a  lecturer,  the  mode  observed 
shall  be  that  prescribed  in  the  Constitution  for  the  selection  of  a  pro- 
fessor. 

5.  Resolved,  That  if,  after  the  Synod  has  fulfilled  its  own  duty  in 
electing  a  lecturer,  death  or  any  other  contingency  should  cause  the  course 
for  that  year  to  fail,  the  income  of  the  lectureship  shall  be  invested  and 
held  subject  to  the  trust,  to  be  used  in  case  of  failures  of  income  of  any 
year. 

6.  Resolved,  That  one  of  the  professors  of  the  Seminary,  alternat- 
ing in  the  order  of  seniority,  the  President  of  Rutgers  College,  and  the 
President  of  the  existing  Synod,  shall  be  a  committee  each  year  to  select 
the  theme  of  the  lectures,  after  consultation  with  the  lecturer. 

7.  Resolved,  That  the  heartiest  acknowledgments  are  due  to  Rev. 
Isaac  S.  Hartley,  of  Utica,  whose  thoughtful  suggestions  originated  and 
shaped  the  plan  of  this  valuable  lectureship,  which  promises  to  add  so 
much  to  the  theological  literature  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

A.  G.  Vermilye,  Chairman. 

1873.  736-7. 


VEDDER,  NICHOLAS  783 

THE  VEDDER  LECTURESHIP. 
The  Present  Aspects  of  Modern  Infidelity,  Including  its  Cause  and 

Cure. 

the  VEDDER   GIFT. 

For  divers  good  considerations  moving  me  thereto,  and  especially 
that  I  may  in  some  degree  aid  in  upholding  the  great  and  cardinal  truths 
of  the  Christian  religion  in  opposition  to  the  popular  infidelity  of  the  times 
and  of  "Science  falsely  so  called,"  I,  Nicholas  F.  Vedder,  of  Utica,  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  do  give,  transfer,  and  set  over  to  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  ten  bonds  of  the  denomination  of 
$1,000  each — known  as  equipment  bonds  of  the  Toledo  and  Wabash  Rail- 
way Company,  bearing  seven  per  cent,  interest,  semi-annually,  with  coupon 
attached,  and'  being  of  the  value  of  ten  thousand  dollars  at  par. 

This  gift  is  for  the  purpose  of  founding  and  sustaining  an  annual 
course  of  lectures  to  be  delivered  before  the  students  of  the  Theological 
Seminary,  of  New  Brunswick,  and  also  to  the  Students  of  Rutgers  Col- 
lege, of  New  Brunswick,  on  "The  Present  Aspects  of  Modern  Infidelity, 
Including  its  Cause  and  Cure,"  and  this  gift  is  made  to  the  said  General 
Synod  upon  the  following  express  trusts,  and  subject  in  all  respects  to 
the  conditions  following,  that  is  to  say : 

1.  That  the  General  Synod  shall  annually  and  every  year  after  this 
gift  takes  effect,  elect  by  ballot,  at  their  regular  annual  session,  a  lecturer 
for  the  year  ensuing  said  annual  session.  The  lecturer  shall  always,  at 
the  time  of  his  annual  election,  be  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Church 
in  America. 

2.  That  the  said  lecturer  shall  be  required  to  deliver  at  least  five  lec- 
tures on  the  general  theme  or  subject  hereinbefore  prescribed,  to  the  stu- 
dents of  the  two  Seminaries  or  Institutions  hereinbefore  mentioned,  one 
month  or  more,  as  may  be  found  most  practical  and  expedient,  before  the 
graduation  of  the  Senior  class  in  each  of  said  Institutions. 

,3.  That  after  having  completed  the  delivery  of  the  said  lectures,  and 
within  the  period  of  three  months  thereafter,  the  said  lecturer  shall  de- 
liver a  corrected  copy  of  his  lectures,  prepared  for  the  press,  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  General  Synod  for  the  time  being,  who  shall  give  a  receipt 
therefor,  upon  the  presentation  of  which  to  the  custodian  of  the  fund 
hereby  created,  the  person  receiving  the  same  shall  be  entitled  to  receive 
and  shall  be  paid  the  income  of  the  said  fund  for  the  then  current  year ; 
but  in  no  year  shall  he  be  entitled  to  receive  more  than  the  annual  sum 
which  shall  be  realized  and  actually  obtained  from  the  said  fund. 

4.  That  the  General  Synod,  after  the  manuscript  of  the  lectures  is 
delivered  as  aforesaid,  shall  offer  the  same  to  the  Board  of  Publication  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  for  the  purpose  of  publication  by  said  Board ;  and 
if  the  Board  accept  the  same,  such  lectures  shall  from  time  to  time  be  pub- 
lished by  said  Board.  And  if  the  profits  arising  therefrom  shall  be  suffi- 
cient, copies  thereof  shall  be  presented  to  each  student  in  both  institu- 
tions, who  was  present  at  the  delivery  thereof,  and  copies  shall  likewise 
be  placed  in  the  libraries  of  the  Seminary  and  of  the  College ;  and  any 
surplus  of  profits  shall  be  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  Board  of  Publica- 
tion. If  the  Board  shall  decline  the  offer  to  publish  the  said  lectures, 
then  the  President  of  the  General  Synod  shall  offer  the  same  to  any  pub- 
lisher, who  will  undertake  to  publish  the  same  and  furnish  copies  as  herein- 
before provided  for. 

The  above  are  fundamental  conditions  imposed  by  me  and  to  be  strictly 
fulfilled,  when  the  trust  hereby  created  shall  take  effect.  During  my  life 
I  desire  no  publicity  to  be  given  to  this  endowment ;  but  after  my  death, 
it  is  my  request  that  the  same  be  made  known  and  designated  as  "The 
Vedder  Lecture  on  Modern  Infidelity." 


784  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  securities  I  have  above  named  I  have  placed  in  the  hands  of  Rev. 
Isaac  S.  Hartley,  of  Utica,  to  be  by  him  retained  until  the  General  Synod, 
by  a  resolution  to  be  passed  and  entered  on  their  minutes,  have  accepted 
the  trust  hereby  created,  and  agree  to  its  conditions,  and  then  to  be  de- 
livered to  the  said  General  Synod,  or  their  Treasurer;  and  I  enjoin  on 
the  Synod  to  hold  the  funds  until  the  same  shall  arrive  at  maturity,  and 
on  their  payment  (whenever  that  shall  take  place)  to  reinvest  the  capital 
in  permanent  securities  to  be  approved  by  the  Treasurer  of  General 
Synod,  and  held  as  a  perpetual  fund  to  secure  the  objects  herein  pro- 
vided for. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  this  13th 
day  of  January,  1873.  N.  F.  Vedder,     (L.  S.) 

In  presence  of  Wm.  J.  Bacon.     1873,  738. 

Failure  of  interest  from  the  Fund,  1875,  208-9,  240,  244;  Dr.  Lewis 
only  partially  paid,  1875,  244;  the  Fund  unavailable,  1876,  405,  439;  1877, 
639;  1878,  40,  144;  clerks  of  Synod  to  prepare  an  amended  rule  for  elec- 
tion of  lecturer,  1879,  379  \  nomination  to  be  made  on  second  day  of  Synod, 
1879,  379;  new  rules  for  election,  1880,  560. 

The  following  have  been  the  lecturers  on  this  foundation  and  their 
topics : 

1874.  Rev.  Isaac  S.  Hartley,  D.D.— Prayer  and  Its  Relation  to  Mod- 
ern Thought  and  Criticism. 

1875.  Prof.  Tayler  Lewis,  LL.D.,  L.H.D.— The  Light  by  Which  We 
See  Light,  or  Nature  and  the  Scriptures. 

1876.  Rev.  Talbot  W.  Chambers,  D.D.— The  Psalter,  a  Witness  to 
the  Divine  Origin  of  the  Bible. 

1877.  Rev.  William  R.  Gordon,  D.D. — The  Science  of  Divine  Truth 
Impregnable,  as  Shown  by  the  Argumentative  Failure  of  Infidelity  and 
Technical  Geologv. 

1878.  1879,  1880,  1881.     No  lectures  delivered. 

1882.  Rev.  William  Ormiston,  D.D. — Inspiration. 

1883.  Rev.  John  B  .Drury,  D.D. — Truths  and  Untruths  of  Evolution. 

1884.  Rev.  Cornelius  van  Santvoord,  D.D. — The  Negations  of  In- 
fidelity. 

1885.  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Campbell,  D.D.     (No  lecture.) 

1886.  Rev.  George  S.  Bishop,  D.D. — Inspiration,  literal  and  direct. 

1887.  Rev.  John  H.  Oerter,  D.D.— Socialism. 

1888.  Rev.  Jacob  Cooper,  D.D.— Doubt. 

1889.  Rev.  Alan  D.  Campbell. — God's  Thoughts  as  Seen  in  the 
World's   Progress. 

1890.  Rev.  John  A.  DeBaun,  D.D.     (No  lecture.) 

After  1875,  these  bonds  failed  to  produce  any  interest.  After  1890, 
the  appointment  of  a  lecturer  was  discontinued. 

Veenhuizen,  Rev.  A.  B.  Legacy  of  $611.05  toward  Second  Theolog. 
Professorship  in  Western  Sem.     1899,  321. 

Vellore  College.  An  educational  institution  had  existed  from  al- 
most the  beginning  of  the  Arcot  Mission,  giving  both  secular  and  reli- 
gious instruction.  This  was  all  done  in  the  vernacular  down  to  1870, 
when  a  strong  desire  for  education  in  English  was  manifested.  Such 
instruction  now  began,  and  the  school  became  subject  to  governmental 
inspection. 

A  separate  institution  for  theological  instruction  was  founded.  The 
old  Arcot  Seminary  now,  therefore,  became  the  Arcot  Academy,  and 
under  the  Princii)alship  of  Rev.  J.  W.  Conklin,  made  rapid  strides.  He 
returned  to  America  in  1890,  and  Harry  J.  Scudder  became  Principal, 
1890-4.  during  which  time  this  Academy  became  a   High   School. 

But  the  Church  of  Scotland  Mission  had  maintained  an  Anglo-Ver- 


VENNEMA,  ELIZABETH,  SCHOLARSHIP  785 

nacular  School  at  Vellore  since  1864.  With  the  aid  of  government  grants 
it  was  self-supporting,  and  had  in  1894,  350  pupils.  About  this  time  the 
Pan- Presbyterian  Council  urged  union  and  co-operation  on  mission  fields, 
especially  in  educational  work.  Hence  came  the  proposition  to  unite  the 
Arcot  Academy  with  the  school  of  the  Scotch  Mission.  The  scheme 
was  endorsed  by  the  Board  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  but 
vetoed  by  the  Board  of  the  Scotch  Church.  But  the  latter  offered  to 
sell  the  school  property  to  the  Reformed  Church  for  $3,000.  This  offer 
was  accepted. — Thus  in  Jan.,  1895,  our  Arcot  Academy  at  Ranipett  was 
amalgamated  with  this  Scotch  School  at  Vellore,  under  the  name  of  'The 
American  Mission  High  School  at  Vellore."     It  had  now  450  students. 

Mr.  Scudder's  term  of  service  now  expiring,  Rev.  Wm.  I.  Chamberlain 
was  chosen  Principal.  In  two  years  the  number  of  scholars  increased  to 
950,  making  it  the  largest  High  School  in  that  Presidency.  In  Jan.,  1897, 
steps  were  taken  toward  opening  College  classes,  and  in  Jan.,  1898,  a 
College  Department  was  instituted.  The  institution  was  to  be  known 
as  "The  Arcot  Mission  College.  Vellore."  In  1902,  96,  loi,  this  College 
received  a  gift  of  $25,000  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ralph  Voorhees,  of  Clinton, 
N.  J.,  and  is  now  known  as  Voorhees  College  at  Vellore.  See  Arcot 
Mission,  etc. ;  also  sketch  in  Ch.  Intelligencer,  by  Dr.  J.  H.  Wyckoff,  Jan. 
19,  1898. 

Vennema,  Elizabeth,  Scholarship.  $1,872  for  Western  Seminary, 
1893,  779 ;  1902,  ^6. 

Vexezuelian  Boundary.  1896,  419.  See  Arbitration;  Evangelical 
Free  Churches  of  England. 

Verbeck.  Guido  F.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  and  Educator  in  Japan, 
1859- 1898.  See  Manual,  page  875,  for  sketch  and  references.  1898, 
117,  239. 

Verbryck,  Samuel,    (Rev.)     President  of  Coetus.     1753. 

Vermilye,  AshbelG.,  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1870; 
writer  of  one  of  the  Centennial  Discourses.  1876 — ''The  Huguenot  Ele- 
ment among  the  Dutch"  ;  Member  of  the  Board  of  Direction  of  the  Corpora- 
tion, 1885- 1904;  President,  pro  tem  of  Board,  1892-3;  on  very  many  im- 
portant Committees.     See  name  in  Manual;   1905,  13,  52;   i9oi5,  608. 

Vermilye,  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  E.  President  of  General  Synod,  1848. 
See  Manual. 

Vestments,  Ecclesiastical.  No  reference  to,  in  any  of  the  Rules 
or  Legislation  of  R.  C  A. 

Vicarious  Suffering.  Belgic  Conf.,  Arts.  20,  21;  33-35;  Heid.  Cat., 
Quests.  I,  12-18;  37-43;  Canons,  ii.  1-9;  Sacramental  Forms  in  Liturg>-. 

Vice.  Resolved,  That  we  commend  the  work  of  the  Xew  York  So- 
ciety for  the  Suppression  of  Vice  to  the  considerate  attention  of  our  pas- 
tors, and  that  we  heartily  commend  the  Society  as  a  medium  of  benevo- 
lence to  all  who  are  interested  in  the  moral  healthfulness  and  in  the  gen- 
eral well-being  of  the  coming  generations  of  our  land.     1891,  360. 

Vice-President.  This  term  to  be  used  henceforth  instead  of  Ad- 
sessor.     1882,  115. 

Violence,  Acts  of.  Deserve  suspension ;  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  Art. 
80;  Constitution  of  1833.  102;  of  1874,  Art.  91. 

Virgin  Mary.     Belg.  Conf..  Art.  18;  Heid.  Cat.  Questions  25,  2>i,  35. 

Visitation  of  Churches.  Each  Classis  shall  authorize  two  or  more 
of  the  eldest,  most  experienced  and  best  qualified  of  its  members,  annually, 
to  visit  all  the  churches, to  inquire  if  the  ministers,  con- 
sistories and  schoolmasters  do  faithfully  perform  their  offices :  Rules  of 
Dort,   1619,  Art.  44;  of  1792,  Art.  44;  of   1833,  61;  of   1874,  54- — [In  the 


786  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Rules  of  the  Coetus,  the  same  points  are  referred  to,  1747,  page  xi ;  1748, 
page  XX.  See  also  Articles  of  Uuion,  1771,  Art.  26.  But  the  Visitation 
of  Churches,  according  to  original  phn  of  1619,  was  impracticable  in 
America,  because  of  the  distances ;  this  is  acknowledged,  1773,  43 ;  1781, 
93;  1782,  96;  1783,  102;  further  attempts  were  made  after  the  Resolution, 
but  not  with  great  success,  1784,  20;  1785,  139;  1786,  146;  1787,  161-2; 
1789,  196;  1790,  205;  1791,  222.  Then  came  the  Explanatory  Articles, 
1792,  Art.  44,  in  which  the  Classes  were  to  do,  in  reference  to  this  mat- 
ter what  was  considered  practicable.  Gen.  Synod  might  propose  a  se- 
ries of  questions,  which  the  Visitors  should  ask.  But  the  difficulties 
were  still  found  to  be  almost  insuperable,  1797,  272,  yet  attempts  to  modify 
the  plan  were  unsuccessful,  1800,  293,  298.  The  so-called  "Classical  Ques- 
tions" were  finally  incorporated  in  the  Constitution  of  1833,  Art.  72;  and 
•of  1874,  Art.  64,  with  one  additional  question,  inserted  later,  about  tak- 
ing up  a  collection  for  each  Board. 

Visitation,  Pastoral,  Constitution  of  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  23; 
of  1792,  Arts.  14,  63;  of  1833,  Arts.  15,  30;  of  1874,  14,  28.— The  Classes 
to  ask  whether  this  duty  is  performed ;  Constit.  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  41, 
44;  of  1792,  Art.  44;  of  1833,  Art.  72;  of  1874,  Art.  64. 

Visitors,  Classical.    See  Visitation  of  churches ;  Classical  Visitations. 

Visitors  of  the  Sick.     See  Comforters  of  the  Sick. 

VisscHER,  Catharine  G.  Gave  $100  to  Theological  Sem.  at  New 
Brunswick,  1874,  15. 

VisscHER,  Hendrtck,  (or  Fisher).  The  principal  elder  in  Middle 
New  Jersey,  during  the  middle  and  latter  part  of  the  i8th  century.  See 
the  Historical  Discourses  of  the  churches  of  the  Raritan  Valley. 

Vocal  Culture  at  New  Brunswick  Seminary.  Training  in,  by  Prof. 
Peabody  and  Prof.  Barbour  since  about  1885.     Frequent  allusions  to. 

Voluntary  Advisory  Confederation  of  Churches.  Suggestion  for, 
from  Dr.  Schmucker,  of  Gettysburg,  in  a  Fraternal  Appeal.  Plan,  1873, 
^73-4- 

Volunteer  Mission  Movement.     Commended,  1898,  123. 

Voorhees  College.     See  Vellore  College. 

VooRHEES,  Lucas  J.  Executors  offered  to  give  bequest  of  $1,000  to 
General  Synod  upon  security  that  the  interest  should  be  paid  to  mother 
of  donor  during  her  lifetime.  Declined.  1855,  596. — Same  received,  for 
Foreign  Missions,     1869,  553-4,  563,  577.     See  Gordon,  W.  R. 

VooRHEES,  Ralph  and  Elizabeth  R.,  his  wife.  Give  $10,000  to  Bd. 
of  Domestic  Missions,  1898,  447;  $5,000  to  Bd.  of  Education,  1899,  421, 
1900,  734;  (see  also  Report  of  Board,  1899,  11 ;)  $25,000  to  College  at  Vel- 
lore, India,  1902,  96,  97,  loi ;  (see  also  Report  of  Bd.  of  For.  Miss.  1903, 
95;)  $25,000  toward  endowment  of  Chair  of  Hellenistic  Greek  and  New 
Testament  Exegesis,  in  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  1900,  635,  715;  give 
$100,000  (Nov.  I,  1905,)  to  Hope  College;  $3,500  of  this  amount  to  be 
used  for  the  building  of  a  Dormitory  for  Young  Women ;  and  the  re- 
mainder, $65,000  to  be  applied  to  Permanent  Endowment  Fund.     1906,  442. 

Votes  or  Voting.  Collegiate  ministers  each  have  a  right  to  vote  in 
Classis,  except  when  such  votes  affect  their  own  persons  or  congregations. 
Rules  of  Dort,  1619,  Art.  42;  of  1792,  Art.  38;  of  1833,  Art  65;  of  1874, 
58 ;  individuals  who  have  voted  on  a  case  in  a  lower  court,  cannot  vote 
on  the  same  case  when  appealed  to  a  higher  court ;  of  1833,  Art  45 ;  of 
1874,  118;  or  who  have  conducted  the  case,  cannot  vote  in  a  higher  court; 
of  1874,  118;  a  member  dissenting  from  any  decision  of  an  ecclesiastical 
court  may  require  the  ayes  and  noes  to  be  recorded:  of  1833,  Art.  43;  of 
1874,  Art.  41.     [The  Constitution  does  not  decide,  in  the  election  of  min- 


VROOM,  GUISBERT  B.  787 

isters,  elders  or  deacons,  whether  a  plurality  vote  is  sufficient  to  elect, 
if  there  are  more  than  two  candidates.]  In  the  election  of  a  Professor, 
a  majority  of  votes  cast  between  the  two  highest,  elects;  Constit.  of  1792, 
Art.  21  ;  1833,  Art.  25  ;  a  vote  of  three-fourths  of  the  members  present, 
required;  Constit.  of  1874,  Art.  22. 

Vroom,  Guisbert  B.  Special  Treasurer  of  Gen.  Sjnod,  1815,  18.  Re- 
signs, 1819.  47.  Member  of  Board  of  Direction,  1820,  51 ;  1821,  41 ;  1822, 
45 :  1823,  28 ;  1824,  26 ;  his  death,  1825,  9. 

Vroom,  Wm  H.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Acting  Secretary  of  Board  of  Domestic 
Missions,  1905 — . 

Walbridge,  George  B.,  Fund:  For  ministerial  education,  $5,000.  In- 
come paid  to  Bd.  of  Direction.     See  For.  Miss.  Report,  1903,  95. 

Waldenses,  The,  or  Native  Free  Church  of  Italy. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Thomas  DeWitt,  D.D., 
and  the  Elders  Van  Xest  and  Clarkson  F.  Crosby,  be  authorized  to  raise 
by  contributions  from  members  of  the  Dutch  Church  the  sum  of  four 
hundred  dollars,  to  be  appropriated  to  the  support  of  a  Professor  in  the 
Waldensian  College.     1853,  373. 

Report  of  the  above  Committee,  1854,  412 :  The  Synod  had  wel- 
comed in  1853,  Rev.  J.  P.  Revel,  the  Moderator  of  the  Waldensian  Gen- 
eral Synod,  and  had  appointed  a  Committee  to  raise  $400.  There  were 
collected  $579.25.  (See  names  of  contributors).  $400  were  remitted  in 
Oct..  thro'  the  A.  and  F.  Ch.  Union.  The  rest  soon  to  be  sent.  Rev.  Dr. 
Thos.  DeWitt  had  addressed  a  letter  to  that  Synod.  The  following 
letter  had  been  received  in  reply,  in  French : 

To    the  President  and  Members  of   the  Synod   of   the   Reformed   Dutch 
Church  of  the  United  States  of  America: 

Reverend  axd  Dear  Brethren  in  Christ  Jesus  : — It  is  now  one 
year  since  the  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  our  Church  placed  his  feet  on 
your  soil.  He  was  charged  to  bear  to  the  Evangelical  Churches  and  breth- 
ren of  America  the  cordial  salutation  of  the  Vaudois  Church  of  Piedmont, 
and  to  make  known  to  them  the  marvellous  things  which  the  God  of  our 
fathers  has  been  pleased  to  work  in  our  days,  by  the  means  of  instruments 
so  feeble  and  unworthy  as  we  are,  for  the  advancement  of  his  kingdom 
in  Italy. 

Our  delegate,  on  his  return,  has  related  to  us  with  what  kind  at- 
tention and  warm  cordiality  you  welcomed  him  in  various  circumstances, 
and  more  especially  in  your  Synod,  assembled  at  Philadelphia.  An  af- 
fectionate message  has  been  transmitted  to  us,  in  your  name,  by  the  hand 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  DeWitt,  of  Xew  York.  It  has  been  particularly  agree- 
able and  encouraging  to  us  to  learn  that  your  Synod  unanimously  resolved  to 
recommend  a  collection  in  the  midst  of  your  churches,  the  annual  pro- 
ceeds of  which  will  furnish  the  support  of  a  Professor  in  our  College, 
for  whom  provision  has  not  been  made.  This  Professor  will  immediately 
follow  the  one  supported  by  our  brethren  in  Holland.  It  is  pleasant  and 
instructive  to  see  associated  in  our  College  the  works  of  Christian  charity 
of  two  Churches,  whose  ancestors  conferred  such  great  benefits  upon  our 
ancestors  in  the  time  of  their  greatest  tribulations. 

We  have  thus  the  most  striking  evidence  of  the  lively  sympathy,  which 
j'ou  have  for  us,  and  for  the  work  which  God  has  given  us  to  perform 
in  the  land  where  he  has  preserved  us,  by  the  arm  of  his  power,  that  we 
might  bear  testimony  to  his  truth. 

Our  Moderator  has  transmitted  to  Rev.  Dr.  DeWitt  some  remarks 
upon  the  state  of  the  labors  of  our  Church  during  the  year  1853.  This 
Rev.  Brother  will  doubtless  have  the  goodness  to  communicate  this  to 
your  Synod,  in  the  way  deemed  most  expedient. 


788  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Will  you,  dear  and  honored  brethren,  be  present  in  spirit  in  the  midst 
of  us,  and  deign  to  remember  our  poor  people,  and  our  work  before  the 
throne  of  divine  grace  ?  And  we  shall  ever  remember  your  love  and  your 
benefits  in  the  presence  of  our  common  Saviour. 

May  the  God  of  all  grace  ever  multiply  upon  3'ou  all  his  heavenly 
blessings  in  Christ  Jesus. 

In  behalf  of  the  members  of  the  Vaudois  Table: 

J.  P.  Revel,  Moderator. 

P.  Lanlard,  Adjunct  Moderator. 

J.  DuRAND,  Secretary. 

Latour,  April  26,  1854.     1854,  501. 

The  Com.  on  Correspondence  reported : 

They  have  also  to  report  a  communication  from  the  Moderator  of 
the  Vaudois  Synod,  Rev.  J.  Revel,  respecting  the  condition  and  labors  of 
the  Vaudois  Church  of  Piedmont  during  the  year  1854,  and  a  statement 
from  the  members  of  the  Vaudois  Table,  thanking  this  Synod  for  the 
cordial  adoption  of  means  by  which  they  have  been  aided  in  the  support 
of  their  institutions  of  learning. 

Your  Committee  would  suggest  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  claims  of  the  ancient  Church  of  the  Waldenses  be 
earnestly  commended  to  the  liberal  consideration  of  the  members  of  our 
churches,  and  that,  wherever  circumstances  permit,  collections  be  taken 
for  the  benefit  of  their  institutions.     1854,  415,  416. 

Reply  was  received,  dated,  Dec.  12,  1854,  acknowledging  receipt  of 
$200,  to  aid  the  Vaudois  churches  in  educating  students  for  the  ministry 
in  the  College  of  Latour.  Resolutions  were  passed,  to  raise  an  addi- 
tional $200  for  this  year,  and  to  take  up  further  collections  for  the  same 
cause. — Committee  appointed  to  write  them  a  brotherly  letter.  (Drs. 
How,  Vanderveer  and  Crispell.)     1855,  536-7.  ■*. 

Meantime  the  following  was  received: 
To  the  President  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church: — 

Brethren  beloved  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ: — From  amid  the  solemn 
circumstances  in  which  our  country  and  our  Church  now  stand,  the  Synod 
of  the  Vaudois  Church,  assembled  at  Latour,  knowing  that  your  Synod 
is  in  session  at  the  same  time,  desire  earnestly  to  ask  an  interest  in  your 
prayers. 

We  know  the  love  you  bear  us.  On  many  occasions  you  have  given 
us  proofs  of  it.  This  affection,  produced  by  the  same  faith  which  both  our 
Churches  hold,  strengthened  by  the  same  principles  and  the  same  ecclesias- 
tical forms,  is  reciprocal ;  and  it  is  because  we  are  deeply  convinced  of 
it,  that  in  this  solemn  and  critical  moment,  after  having  looked  to  God, 
we  turn  to  you. 

While  you  are  reading  these  lines,  our  towns  and  our  fields  are  deso- 
lated by  war,  and  our  country  is  moistened  by  the  blood  of  its  defenders. 
We  are  daily  expecting  one  of  those  great  battles  where  thousands  fall 
and  die.  God  only  knows  what  is  before  us,  and  we,  without  being  gov- 
erned by  political  considerations,  look  forward  with  confidence  and  heart- 
felt hope. 

Until  God,  who  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  reveals  his  designs  in  regard 
to  our  country,  we  feel  ourselves  constrained  to  follow  our  king,  our 
country,  and  our  allies  with  our  constant  prayers,  and  to  implore  our 
brethren  to  unite  with  us  in  beseeching  Almighty  God  that  he  will  make 
righteousness  and  justice  triumphant. 

We  do  not  fear  that  our  brethren  in  the  United  States  vvill  remain 
neutral  in  this  holy  cause.  We  know  they  will  take  part  with  us;  they 
will  approve  of  our  desires,  they  will  sympathize  in  our  hopes,  they  will 


WALES  789 

unite  with  us  in  our  prayers  to  God,  that  the  result  of  this  terrible  crisis 
may  be  to  establish  civil  and  religious  liberty  in  Italy,  and  to  open  new 
doors  for  the  admission  of  the  gospel. 

We  hope  that  ere  long  our  Church  will  have  new  fields  opened  for 
her  occupation,  and  that  she  will  be  able  to  send  more  laborers  to  pro- 
claim the  glad  tidings  to  souls  bowed  down  under  the  heavy  yoke  of 
Rome;  and  we  are  confident  that  our  brethren  of  the  United  States  will 
come  to  our  succor,  and,  by  their  sympathy  and  their  pecuniary  aid, 
strengthen  our  hearts  and  our  hands. 

It  is  this  assurance,  dear  and  well-beloved  brethren,  that  has  induced 
us  to  address  you,  praying  you  to  believe  that  in  the  bonds  of  our  holy 
faith,  we  are. 

Your  humble  and  affectionate  brothers. 

By  order  of  the  Synod, 

J.  P.  Revel,  Dr.  and  Prof.  Theo.,  President. 
[Spring  of  1855.] 

Two  more  letters  were  received  from  the  Vaudois  Church,  in  French, 
with  translations  of  the  same,  in  reply  to  letters  sent.  Ordered  that  a 
copy  of  the  Minutes  of  Gen.  Synod  for  1857,  be  sent  in  reply.     1857,  15 1-2. 

Letter  from  the  Vaudois  Church  again  received  in  i860,  506,  and  a 
reply  sent.     See  Reply,  i860,  508. 

In   1889,  837,  841,   Rev.   Cavaliere   Matteo   Prochet,   D.D.,  was  received 
as  a  corresponding  delegate  from  the  Waldensian  Church. 

In  1892,  572,  the  credentials  of  Rev.  Teofilo  Gay,  D.D.,  a  delegate 
from  the  Waldensian  Church  of  Rome,  were  received;  with  a  letter  from 
him,  written  from  British  Columbia,  regretting  his  inability  to  be  present. 
He  extended  the  greetings  of  the  Italian  brethren  to  R.  C.  A.,  and  de- 
sires R.  C.  A.  to  consider  the  Waldensian  Christians  as  her  missionaries 
for  the  evangelization  of  the  native  land  of  Columbus. 

Resolved,  I.  That  the  Stated  Clerk  be  authorized,  either  in  person 
or  by  letter,  to  convey  to  Dr.  Gay  our  deep  interest  and  warm  sympathy 
with  every  effort  which  is  now  being  put  forth  by  this  Waldensian  Church 
to  evangelize  Italy. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we  call  the  attention  of  our  entire  Church  to  this  op- 
portunity of  spreading  the  Gospel  "at  Rome  also,"  and  commend  most 
heartily  the  efforts  of  the  Waldensian  Church  to  the  prayer  and  liberal- 
ity of  every  member  of  the  Reformed  Church.     1892,  572. 

Wales.  Synod  is  addressed  by  Rev.  John  Elwy  Lloyd  on  the  Revival 
in  Wales.     1905,  231. 

Walloon  Churches.  According  to  the  Articles  of  the  Synod  of 
Dort,  elders  were  to  be  appointed  from  the  Particular  Synod  of  the  Wal- 
loon churches,  as  delegates  to  the  General  Synod  of  the  Netherlands.  The 
Wallon  churches  were  to  have  their  distinct  Consistories,  Classes  and  Par- 
ticular Synods.  In  cities  where  these  Walloon  churches  existed,  their 
ministers  and  elders  were  to  meet  with  the  Dutch  ministers  and  elders 
monthly,  to  preserve  unity  and  assist  each  other  with  counsel.  Articles 
of  Synod  of  Dort,  1619,  Arts.  50,  51,  52. — The  Walloon  churches  were  also 
permitted  to  use  the  Geneva  Catechism,  instead  of  the  Heidelberg;  Han- 
sen Ref.  Ch.  of  the  Netherlands,  77 ;  and  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  both 
the  Walloon  Church  and  of  the  Dutch  Church  should  be  signed  by  both 
Churches.     Hansen,  83. — Also  Manual,  R.  C.  A.,  1902,  p.  7,  16,  etc. 

Warner,  Peter  R.,  President  of  Bd.  of  Direction,  1865-7,  again  1869- 
76.  Gives  $10,000  to  Bd.  of  Dom.  Missions,  1873,  619.  See  Corporation, 
Bd.  of  Direction  of,  under  dates,  1865-76. 

Washing  away  of  Sins.     Heid.   Cat.   Quests.   69-73,   78;    see   Form 


790         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

of  Infant  Baptism. — Washing  of  Regeneration,  Heid.  Cat.  71,  T},. — Wash- 
ing in  the  Blood  of  Christ,  Heid.  Cat.  Quests.  69-72;  also  Form  of  Bapt. 
— Washing  with  water,  H.  C.  69,  ^2. 

Washington,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1818,  chiefly  from  the  Classis 
of  Rensselaer,  and  consisting  of  the  churches  of  Wynantskill,  Water- 
ford,  Schagticoke,  Tiashook,  Saratoga,  Easton,  Union  Village  (now 
Greenwich),  Argyle,  Clifton  Park  and  Middletown.  In  1857,  this  Clas- 
sis and  that  of  Watervleit  united  to  form  the  Classis  of  Saratoga.  1818, 
38;   1821,  48. 

Washington  George.  Committee  appointed  to  present  a  respectful 
address  to  the  President  of  the  U.  S.,  1789,  200.  Another  address  at 
the  Centennial  of  the  National  Constitution,  1889,  930.  See  National 
Affairs. 

Watchfulness.     See  Canons  of  Dort,  v.  4. 

Watervleit,  Classis  of.  Organized  1845,  consisting  of  churches  of 
Cohoes,  Waterford,  West  Troy,  South  West  Troy,  Wynantskill  and 
Boght.  In  1857,  united  with  Classis  of  Washington  to  form  one  new 
Classis,  that  of  Saratoga. 

Watson,  George  B.  Made  bequests  to  Bd.  of  Ed.  of  $1,000;  and  to 
Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  of  $1,000. — 1891,  p.  240.  [On  page  246,  these 
amounts  are  credited  to  Geo.  B.  Wilson.] 

Weathercocks.  Vanes,  as  indicators  of  the  direction  of  the  wind, 
are  referred  to  by  Andronicus,  as  existing  in  ancient  Athens.  In  the 
middle  ages,  in  connection  with  vanes,  the  words  gallus  and  vcntilogium 
are  met  with.  Mention  of  weathercocks  occur  as  early  as  the  ninth  cen- 
tury, the  cock  being  intended  as  an  emblem  of  clerical  vigilance.  It  was 
considered  the  duty  of  the  clergy,  like  the  cock  which  roused  Peter,  to  call 
the  people  to  repentance.  Thus  the  cock  came  to  be  placed*  on  ecclesias- 
tical buildings.  The  large  tail  of  the  cock  was  well  adapted  to  turn  with 
the  wind.  A  weathercock  surmounted  the  old  Dutch  Church  in  Albany, 
at  the  foot  of  State  St.,  from  1656  to  1808,  and  is  now  on  the  ventilating 
tower  of  the  Madison  Av.  church  of  Albany.     It  is  made  of  beaten  brass. 

Week  of  Prayer.  It  was  suggested  in  1858-9,  by  certain  missionaries, 
that  the  week  beginning  with  the  first  Sunday  in  January,  each  year,  be 
set  apart  for  special  prayer  for  the  conversion  of  the  world.  The  sug- 
gestion was  almost  universally  adopted. 

"Resolved,  That  the  second  week  in  January  be  recommended  to  our 
churches,  to  be  observed  as  a  week  of  united  and  special  prayer  for  the 
conversion  of  the  world."  i860,  569. — Similar  resolutions,  with  slight 
change  in  time,  have  been  passed  nearly  every  year  since.  See  1862,  214; 
1863,  345,  in  which  the  time  is  changed  to  first  week  of  the  year.  See 
Prayer,  Days  of. 

Welker,  G.  W.  (Rev.)  Second  Commissioner  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina Classis,  Oct.,  1855,  II.     See  North  Carolina  Classis;  Butler,  Thornton. 

Wellington  Seminary.     See  South  Africa. 

Wells,  Cornelius  L.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod,  1903. 
On  many  important  Committees.  Member  of  Bd.  of  Foreign  Missions, 
1864-1904.  Mrs.  Wells  erects  Memorial  Window  to,  in  Sage  Library; 
Report  of  Property  Com.  1904,  4. 

Wells,  James,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Delegate  to  R.  C.  A.  from  Free  Church 
of  Scotland,  1867. 

Wells,  Ransford,  Rev.  Dr.)     President  of  General  Synod,  1855. 

Wessels,  Wessel  and  Francis.  Gave  $2,000  to  pay  for  lot,  to  com- 
plete the  Seminary  Campus  at  New  Brunswick.    Reference  to,  Oct.,  1855,  10. 


WESTBROOK,  CORNELIUS  D.   (Rev.  Dr.)  791 

Westbrook,  Cornelius  D.  (Rev.  Dr.)  President  of  General  Synod, 
1817.     First  Editor  of  Christian  Intelligencer,  1830-33. 

Westchester,  Classis  of.  Organized  June  17,  1851,  being  formerly 
a  part  of  the  Classis  of  New  York.  When  formed  it  consisted  of  the 
churches  of  Fordham,  Tarrytown  ist,  Courtlandtown,  Unionville,  West 
Farms,  Greenville,  Yonkers,  Bronxville,  Greenburgh,  Hastings,  Peekskill, 
Tarrytown  2d.  See  Historical  Paper  on,  by  Rev.  Dr.  David  Cole,  at  the 
Semi-Centennial  of  the  Classis,  1901. 

Westerlo,  Rev.  Dr.  Eilardus,  250  volumes  of  Theological  Works  in 
the  Dutch  language,  from  the  Library  of,  given  to  General  Synod  by  his 
son,  Rensselaer  Westerlo.     1852,  211. 

Westerlo,  Rensselaer,  and  wife,  give  lands  to  General  Synod,  May 
21,  181 1,  being  lot  107,  containing  138  and  83/100  acres,  being  partly  in 
Montgomery  and  partly  in  Essex  Counties,  N.  Y.     1819,  50;   1829,   157. 

Western  Delegates  to  General  Synod — Expenses  of.  See  also  under 
Delegates,  in  general. 

Classis  of  Michigan,  thro'  P.  S.  of  Albany,  requested  that  provision 
be  made  to  help  defray  expenses  of  [Western]  delegates,  by  establishing 
a  fund  for  that  purpose.     1854,  448. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  Classes  be  requested  to  raise  the  sums 
referred  to  them  respectively  in  the  following  list,  and  to  pay  the  same 
into  the  treasury  of  the  General  Synod  before  the  ist  of  January  next, 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  Delegates  to  the  General  Synod  from  the  Classes 
of  Illinois,  Michigan,  and  Holland : 

Classis  of  New  York $50  00 

South    Classis   of    New   York 2000 

Classis  of  New    Brunswick    30  00 

Classis  of  Bergen  30  00 

Classis  of  Paramus    20  00 

South   Classis   of  Long  Island 30  00 

North  Classis  of  Long  Island 20  00 

Classis  of  Philadelphia     30  00 

Classis  of  Poughkeepsie  30  00 

Classis  of  Hudson  20  00 

Classis  of  Albany    30  00 

Classis  of  Ulster    30  00 

Classis  of  Rensselaer    20  00 

Classis  of  Washington 10  00 

Classis  of  Montgomery    20  00 

Classis  of  Schoharie   20  00 

Classis  of  Schenectady  20  00 

Classis  of  Cayuga 20  00 

Classis  of  Orange    30  00 

Classis  of  Greene  15  00 

Classis  of  Watervleit 10  00 

Classis  of  Monmouth   10  00 

$515  00 
1854,  495. 

In  1857,  191,  Classis  of  Wisconsin  asked  assistance  of  Synod  for  their 
delegates  to  General  Synod.  It  was  considered  that  to  prevent  failure 
of  representation  from  the  more  distant  Classes,  the  excess  of  expense 
incurred,  should  be  paid. 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  of  delegates  from  the  following  Classes 
incurred  in  attendance  at  Synod,  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  one  cent  per 
mile,  for  the  distance   set  opposite  their  names,   respectively,   and  appor- 


792         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

tioned  as  follows :  Classes  of  Wisconsin.  800  miles,  $96 ;  of  Illinois,  900 
miles,  $108;  of  Michigan,  700  miles,  $84;  of  Holland,  700  miles,  $84. 
Total,  $372. — The  Treasurer  was  directed  to  pay  said  delegates  the  ap- 
propriations due  them,  on  the  order  of  Stated  Clerk.     1857,   191,  192. 

The  arrangement  not  satisfactory.  Classis  of  Illinois  complained 
that  it  cost  each  of  her  delegates  $60.  Synod  requested  to  divide  the  ap- 
propriation to  the  Classis  of  Illinois,  among  delegates  attending,  pro- 
vided no  delegate  receive  more  than  his  actual  expenses.  Synod  complied 
with  this  request.  1858,  327-8,  364. — Classis  of  Michigan,  1859,  asked 
for  same  arrangement. 

Resolved.  That  we  return  to  the  arrangement  of  1857,  viz. :  to  divide 
the  sum  appropriated  between  not  more  than  three  delegates  from  each 
Classis ;  and  if  there  be  less  than  three  delegates  in  attendance,  then  each 
delegate  shall  receive  but  one-third  of  the  sum  thus  appropriated.  1859, 
466,  467 ;  i860,  583 ;  etc. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  opportioned  to  the  western  delegates — be 
paid  from  the  Contingent  Fund  of  Gen.  Syn.  1867,  296;  1868,  515; 
1869,  679. 

In  1882,  the  matter  was  reviewed,  and  the  justice  of  discriminating, 
according  to  the  actual  distance,  was  acknowledged ;  but  this  should  be 
done  by  the  Classes  and  not  by  the  Synod.     1882,  177-8. 

Committee  appointed  to  readjust  the  apportionment  for  defraying 
the  expenses  of  Western  delegates  to  General  Synod,  1905,  289,  290  See 
this  report  in  1906.     Not  yet  at  hand.     See  Delegates,  in  Addenda. 

Western  Theological  Seminary  at  Holland,  Michigan. 

'A  memorial  from  the  members  of  the  Senior  Class  of  Hope  College, 
respectfully  petition  the  General  Synod  to  take  such  measures  as  may 
•enable  them  to  pursue  their  theological  studies  at  their  present  institu- 
tion."    1866,  96. 

Resolved,  That  the  subject  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion and  the  Council  of  Hope  College,  with  instruction  that  leave  be 
:granted  to  pursue  their  theological  studies  at  Hope  College,  provided  no 
measures  shall  be  instituted  by  which  additional  expense  shall  be  thrown 
upon  Synod  or  the  Board  of  Education  at  this  time ;  and  provided  further, 
that  Synod  reserves  the  right  to  withdraw  this  permission  at  any  time  that 
it  may  deem  expedient.     1866,  97-        .         .  . 

Under  such  permission,  theological  instruction  was  commenced  in 
the  fall  of  1866  by  the  Professors  in  Hope  College. 

In  June,  1867,  upon  the  report  of  its  committee,  the  Synod  took  meas- 
ures to  continue  theological  instruction.  For  this  purpose  they  elected 
Rev.  C.  E.  Crispell,  "Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology  at 
Hope  College,  to  take  charge  of  the  class  and  give  instruction  in  theol- 
ogy;" and  invited  other  professors  in  the  college.  Revs.  T.  Romeyn  Beck 
and  Chs.  Scott,  to  act  as  "Lectors  in  the  several  branches  of  training 
which  they  had  charge  of  during  the  former  year  with  the  Theological 
Class."  The  Synod  divided  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  semi- 
nary into  two  branches,  and  gave  to  the  Western  branch,  composed  of 
the  representatives  of  the  Western  Classes,  the  ordinary  duties  of  a 
Board  of  Superintendents  of  a  Theological  School.     1867,  268-271,  273. 

These  provisional  arrangements  were  to  continue  "for  three  years, 
and  then  be  subject  to  the  will  of  the  Synod,  unless  circumstances  in  Provi- 
dence indicate  earlier  another  mode  of  proceeding." 

In  June,  1869,  the  Council  of  Hope  College  was  "constituted  and  ap- 
pointed the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Theological  School  in  Hope 
College,  with  duties  and  prerogatives  like  those  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
intendents of  the  Theological  School  at  New  Brunswick."  A  Theological 
Faculty  was  designated  and  "empowered  and   instructed  to   elect  one  of 


WESTERN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  793 

their  number  to  represent  them  as  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Hope  Col- 
lege." Two  additional  professors  were  elected,  viz.,  of  Evangelistic  The- 
ologv,  and  of  Exegetical  Theology.  The.  Professor-elect  of  Evangelistic 
Theology,  Rev.  A.  C.  van  Raalte,  D.D.,  declined  the  office.  1869,  647-8. 
The  Professor-elect  of  Exegetical  Theology,  Rev.  P.  Phelps,  Jr.,  D.D., 
signified  his  acceptance  of  the  office,  but  in  1871,  and  before  he  had  quali- 
fied by  signing  the  formula,  he  resigned.     1871,  323. 

The  term  of  service  for  which  the  Lectors  were  invited  to  teach  hav- 
ing expired  in  June,  1870,  Professors  Beck  and  Scott  were  reappointed 
"to  the  same  services  for  the  next  three  years."     1870,  116. 

In  June,  1871,  the  Constitution  of  Hope  College  was  amended.  In 
this  amended  constitution  the  relations  of  the  Theological  School  to  the 
College  were  more  clearly  defined;  and  the  General  Synod's  "original  cog- 
nizance of  all  matters  relating  to  the  Theological  Schools,  the  appoint- 
ment of  professors,  and  their  course  of  instruction,  the  appoint- 
ment of  Superintendents  of  said  Schools,  and  the  regulations  thereof," 
as  guaranteed  by  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America, 
was  more  expressly  and  carefully  guarded,  1871,  309-311. 

The  amended  constitution,  therefore,  declared  that  "the  province 
of  the  Council  in  regard  to  the  Theological  Department  is  that  of  a  Board 
of  Superintendents,  according  to  the  Constitution  and  usages  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  America.  In  regard  to  the  other  departments  it  is 
fiduciary." 

Hence,  on  the  one  hand,  it  was  affirmed  that  the  Council  of  Hope  Col- 
lege shall  "constitute  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Hope  College,  and  in  such  relation  shall  be  invested  with 
powers,  and  charged  with  such  duties,  as  have  been  given  to  the  Board 
of  Superintendents  of  the  Theological  Seminaries  by  the  existing  laws  of 
the  Church;"  that  "in  regard  to  the  Theological  Department,  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  College  shall  have  only  such  powers  as  shall  be  definitely  stipu- 
lated by  the  General  Synod — in  regard  to  all  other  departments  his  duties 
and  prerogatives  shall  be  such  as  the  Council  may  determine,  subject  to 
the  revision  of  the  General  Synod ;"  that  "the  Theological  Faculty  of  Hope 
College  shall  be  composed  of  those  holding  theological  appointments  from 
the  General  Synod — the  Theological  Professors  acting  as  President  of 
the  Faculty  in  rotation ;"  that  "those  appointed  by  the  Council,  acting 
as  a  Board  of  Superintendents,  as  temporary  teachers,  shall  be  members 
for  the  time  being,  with  an  equal  voice  in  all  the  proceedings,  and  a  vote 
in  matters  pertaining  to  their  several  branches  of  instruction;"  that  "each 
professor  shall  be  chosen  by  the  General  Synod,  but  in  the  recess  of 
Synod,  in  cases  of  vacancy  only,  the  Council,  acting  as  a  Board  of  Su- 
perintendents, may  employ  suitable  persons  to  give  theological  instruc- 
tion;" that  "the  professors  and  other  teachers,  for  the  time  being,  shall 
give  certificates  to  the  members  of  the  Senior  Class,  whose  final  examina- 
tion shall  have  been  approved  by  the  Council,  acting  as  a  Board  of  Super- 
intendents."    1871,  309-311. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Council  was  continued  as  the  Board  of  Su- 
perintendents of  the  Theological  School.  To  the  President  of  the  Col- 
lege were  "definitely  stipulated"  certain  duties  and  prerogatives  in  ref- 
erence to  it.  The  Theological  School  was  made  subject  to  certain  regu- 
lations of  the  General  Faculty  of  the  College,  composed  of  one  representa- 
tive from  the  Faculty  of  each  separate  organized  department  of  instruc- 
tion, with  the  President  of  the  College  as  the  presiding  officr ;  and  the 
Theological  Faculty  also  elected  annually  one  of  their  number  to  be  an 
advisory  member  of  the  Council,  without  the  right  of  voting. 

The  time  of  service  of  Profs.  T.  Romeyn  Beck  and  C  Scott  in  the- 
ological instruction  having  expired  in  June,   1873,  they  were  reappointed 


794         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

as  the  theological  teachers  in  the  same  branches  which  had  been  com- 
mitted to  them  by  the  Synod.     1873,  734. 

In  1875,  206,  Prof.  T.  R.  Beck,  owing  mostly  to  undefined  status  and 
duties,  resigned  his  position  in  the  Theological  Department ;  and  the 
Synod,  in  declining  to  accept  his  resignation,  appointed  him  and  Prof. 
C.  Scott  "Lectors  in  Theology  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Hope  Col- 
lege," designating  the  one  ''Lector  in  Exegetical  Theology,  including  Sa- 
cred Philology,  Biblical  Criticism  and  Hermeneutics ;''  the  other,  "Lector 
in  Church  History  and  Government  and  Archaeology."     1875,  334-5. 

Previously  to  June,  1875,  the  theological  teachers  had  received  sala- 
ries as  college  professors,  and  had  taught  theology  "without  compensa- 
tion." But  in  this  year  Synod  assumed  the  salaries  of  her  theological 
teachers,  and  their  services  in  the  other  departments  were  gratuitous.  To 
provide  for  these  salaries  the  Synod  relied  upon  the  free-will  offerings 
of  individuals  and  churches,  and  appropriations  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion. These  proving  insufficient,  the  following  year  the  Sj-nod  added  "the 
most  earnest  request  of  all  the  churches  to  take  up  a  special  collection 
on  the  second  Sabbath  of  November  next,  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the 
Synod  in  supporting  the  "Theological  Seminary  at  Hope  College."  This 
request  met  with  no  adequate  response — only  a  dozen  churches  making 
returns.     1875,  333-5. 

Suspension   of   Theological  Instruction,   1877-84. 

In  June.  1877,  707,  the  Synod  adopted  the  following :  "Resolved,  That 
in  view  of  the  present  embarrassed  condition  of  the  finances  of  the  Col- 
lege, the  Council  be  directed  for  the  present  to  suspend  the  Theological 
Department."  Thus  the  doors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  America  at  the  West  were  closed. 

In  June,  1878,  123-5,  the  Synod  requested  the  Professor  of  Theology 
at  Hope  College  to  place  his  resignation  in  the  hands  of  *a  committee 
of  Synod,  to  take  effect  at  such  time  as  said  committee  should  designjjte. 
About  thirty-seven  students  received  their  theological  education,  in  whole 
or  in  part,  in  this  institution  up  to  1877. 

Prof.  Crispell  resigns  his  Professorship,  1879,  239,  363. 

Endowments. 
In  the  Centennial  Year,  1871,  the  following  action  appears : 

Resolved,  That  the  interests  of  our  Church  at  the  West  would  be  fur- 
thered, and  a  most  important  advance  be  made  in  the  efficiency  and  stabil- 
ity of  our  Educational  Institutions  there,  by  the  endowment  of  a  Pro- 
fessorship in  the  Theological  Department  of  Hope  College.     1871,  324-5. 

Rev.  Drs.  Crispell,  Scott  and  Beck  were  appointed  a  Committee  to 
seek  to  raise  funds  for  the  endowment,  1873,  734. 

Resolved,  That  the  funds  that  have  been  raised,  or  shall  hereafter 
be  raised,  for  the  endowment  of  the  Chair  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  The- 
ology at  Hope  College,  be  held  on  the  same  basis  and  with  the  same  re- 
lations to  the  General  Synod  as  the  endowments  of  the  other  Theological 
Professorships  of  the  Synod ;  and  that  the  income  of  said  funds  when 
collected  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer  of  the  Synod  to  the  Professor  of  Di- 
dactic and  Polemic  Theolog>'  at  Hope  College,  as  salary,  the  same  as 
similar  incomes  are  paid  to  the  other  Theological  Professors  of  the 
Synod.     1874,  136. 

The  speedy  endowment  of  this  Chair  was  further  urged  in  1875,  334, 
and  in  1876,  530. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Synod,  until  the  College  shall 
be  put  upon  a  secure  and  satisfactory  basis,  the  question  of  the  restora- 
tion of  Theology  should  be  kept  in  abeyance;  but  as  soon  as  the  College 


WESTERN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  795 

has  been  placed  upon  such  a  basis,  then  the  effort  should  be  earnestly- 
made  to  place  Theology  upon  a  similar  foundation.     1879,  350,  363-5. 
Restoration  of  Theological  Instruction,  1884. 

In  1883,  319,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  on  the  advisability 
of  resuming  theological  instruction.     See  their  report,  1883,  320-1. 

Resolved,  That  theological  instruction  at  Hope  College  be  resumed 
in  the  autumn  of  1884,  provided  that  the  churches  belonging  to  the  Synod 
of  Chicago  obtain  funds  which,  when  added  to  the  sum  now  under  the 
care  of  the  Bd.  of  Direction  for  that  purpose,  will  fully  endow  the  Pro- 
fessorship of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology.     1883,  321. 

In  1884,  the  endowment  was  not  complete,  but  Synod  resolved  to 
elect  a  Professor;  but  he  shall  not  enter  on  his  duties  until  $30,000  shall 
be  in  the  hands  of  the  Bd.  of  Direction  for  his  support.  1884,  529,530. 
Rev.  Nicholas  M.  Steffens  was  unanimously  elected,  1884,  535;  1885,  741. 
Revs.  Peter  Moerdyke  and  Henry  E.  Dosker  were  appointed  by  the  Coun- 
cil of  the  College  to  assist  the   Professor,  and  were  thanked  by   Synod. 

1885,  742.  The  style  and  title  of  the  Seminary  was  now  changed  from 
'The  Theological  Department  at  Hope  College,"  to  'The  Western  Theo- 
logical Seminary  of  the  R.  C  A."  1885,  746.  Lectors,  meanwhile, 
assisted  the  Professor. 

In  1885,  it  was  declared  that  the  Theological  Department  was  not 
under  the  Council  of  Hope  College,  as  such ;  that  henceforth  it  should 
have  a  separate  Board  of  Superintendents,  consisting  of  one  minister  from 
each  Classis  of  the  Synod  of  Chicago,  and  seven  members  from  the  Church 
at  large,  four  of  whom  should  be  from  the  Synod  of  Chicago,  and  one 
from  each  of  the  other  Synods ;  and  that  the  President  of  Hope  College 
should  be  a  member,  ex-officio ;  that  it  should  be  subject  to  the  same  rules 
and  regulations  as  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  New  Brunswick 
Seminary,  1885,  745-6;  and,  until  which  Board  was  organized,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Council  were  to  continue  to  act. — Vacancies  to  be  filled,  1890, 
49,   58. 

,  The  Synod  of  1885,  749,  elected  Rev.  Daniel  van  Pelt  as  Professor 
of  Biblical  Languages  and  Exegesis.  On  his  declinature  of  the  call,  1886, 
24,  25,  66,  the  Lectors  of  the  previous  year  were  re-engaged  to  do  the 
same  work  as  before.  But  the  work  of  teaching  and  maintaining  their 
ministerial  charges  proved  too  onerous,  and  in  1886,  Rev.  Henry  E.  Dosker 
was  elected  as  Lector  with  the  understanding  that  he  resign  his  charge 
and  devote  himself  exclusively  to  teaching.  The  historical  branches  and 
Greek  exegesis  were  assigned  to  him,  whilst  Professor  Steffens  taught 
all  the  remaining  branches.     This  arrangement  continued  for  two  years. 

1886,  20;  1887,  257-260. 

Second  Professorship. 

In  1888,  Rev.  Dr.  John  W.  Beardslee  was  elected  to  teach  Biblical 
Languages,  Literature  and  Exegesis ;  but  was  not  to  be  installed,  until 
the  sum  of  $30,000  was  secured  for  his  Professorship.  1888,  548,  552-3 ; 
1892,  512,  519. — In  1892,  504,  510,  a  request  was  presented  that  the  en- 
dowment funds  of  the  Western  Institutions  be  invested  in  western  se- 
curities. Refused.  In  1893,  768-9,  the  installation  of  Prof.  Beardslee  was 
allowed  on  the  condition  that  the  Synod  should  only  be  responsible  to 
him  to  the  amount  of  the  income  of  the  fund,  together  with  such  other 
moneys  as  may  be  contributed  for  that  purpose.  $804,  surplusage  of  the 
First  Chair  was  now  transferred  to  the  Second ;  1893,  749,  760.  Cash  and 
pledges,  $29,000. — 1894,  18,  71-75- 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Western  The- 
ological Seminary  shall  consist  of  one  minister  from  each  of  the  Classes 
in  the  Particular  Synod  of  Chicago,  with  three  ministers  and  three  elders 
at  large  from  the  same  Particular  Synod,  and  also  one  minister  from  each 


796  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

of  the  Eastern  Particular  Synods.  These  members  shall  hold  office  for 
five  years,  under  the  same  conditions  as  to  manner  of  appointment,  etc., 
as  at  present. 

The  President  of  Hope  College  shall  be  a  member  ex-oMcio  of  the 
Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  Western  Theological  Seminary,  since 
that  College  is  under  the  direct  control  of  the  General  Synod  of  the  Re- 
formed Church  in  America. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  Faculty  in  each  of  our  Semina- 
ries, shall  also  be  a  member,  ex-oificio,  of  its  Board  of  Superintendents. 

Resolved,  That  each  Board  of  Superintendents,  immediately  after 
its  adjournment,  through  its  Secretary,  shall  notify  in  writing,  the  Faculty 
of  the  Institution  under  its  care,  of  all  acts  of  that  Board  which  depend 
on  the  Faculty  for  their  fulfillment.     1894,  79. 

Third  Professorship. 

In  1894,  Synod  resolved  to  establish  a  Professorship  of  Historical 
Theology.  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  E.  Dosker  was  elected  thereto,  but  was  not 
to  be  installed  until  an  endowment  fund  of  $30,000  had  been  deposited 
with  the  Board  of  Direction,  or  pledges  received  of  $1,200  per  year  for 
five  years.  1894,  72-75.  These  were  secured,  and  the  installation  took 
place  on  Nov.  12,  1894.  Prof.  Steffens  resigned  his  Chair,  1895,  71-73, 
which  resignation  was  accepted,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Egbert  Winter  was  elected 
in  his  place.     1895,  79,  80. 

Care  of  Grounds  and  Buildings. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  Hope  College,  the  Rev.  J.  W. 
Beardslee,  the  Hon.  G.  J.  Diekema,  Mr.  John  Snitzeler,  of  Grand  Rapids, 
and  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Van  Zanten,  be  hereby  appointed  the  "Committee  of 
General  Synod  on  the  Campus  and  Buildings  of  the  Institutions  belong- 
ing to  the  General  Synod  in  Holland,  Mich. ;"  the  said  Conunittee  to  be 
similar  in  its  functions  to  the  "Committee  on  Seminary  Grounds  and 
Property"  in  New  Brunswick.  Said  Committee  to  report  through  the 
Council  of  Hope  College  and  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of  the  West- 
ern Theological  Seminary.     1895,  90,  95. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Synod  be  requested  to  print  Syllabi  of 
Lectures  so  far  as  may  be  needful,  as  for  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary. 
1898,  74- 

Resolved,  i.  That  General  Synod  appoint  Rev.  J.  F.  Zwemer  its 
agent  to  secure  an  additional  endowment  of  at  least  $50,000  for  the  West- 
ern Seminary. 

2.  That  the  endowment  of  each  chair  shall  be  $30,000,  and  the  re- 
mainder shall  be  for  incidental  expenses. 

3.  That  Rev.  J.  F.  Zwemer  be  directed  to  secure  two-thirds  of  this 
amount  from  the  churches  in  the  West,  before  making  an  appeal  to  the 
Eastern  part  of  the  Church.  1899,  391-3-  IQOO,  705-7-  iQOi,  1022-25; 
1040-44. 

Meantime,  $200  or  $300  have  generally  been  asked  of  Synod,  annually, 
for  incidental  expenses. 

The  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Church,  1900,  suggested  that 
the  endowment  of  the  Western  Seminary  be  pushed  forward  with  re- 
newed vigor.  1900,  835. — This  was  done  through  Rev.  J.  F.  Zwemer, 
1900-1906,  who  secured  additions  to  endowment,  and  pledges  to  a  "Semi- 
nary Salary  Fund,"  which  sustained  the  Professors  while  the  endow- 
ment was  being  increased. 

1902,  66-72,  the  Second  Chair  became  fully  endowed,  ($30,000), 
while  pledges  to  "Seminary  Salary  Fund"  made  up  deficiencies  in  the 
Third  Chair.  Propriety  of  a  Fourth  Chair  again  suggested,  to  be  sup- 
ported by  pledges  for  a  term  of  years.     The  salaries  of  the  three   Pro- 


WESTERN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  797 

fessors  raised  to  $1,400  each;  deficiencies  of  income  to  be  made  up  by  vol- 
untary gifts.  These  gifts  to  Salary  Fund  from  1898-1902  have  been 
respectively,  $1,004;  $1,181;  $1,246;  $1,264;  $1,560. 

Rev.  Dr.  Henry  E.  Dosker  resigned  his  Chair,  and  his  resignation 
accepted.  1903,  332.  Rev.  Dr.  Nicholas  M.  Stefifens  was  elected  thereto. 
^903,  336. — Rev.  Dr.  Egbert  Winter  also  resigned  his  Chair.  Resignation 
accepted  to  take  place  in  May,  1904.  Rev.  J.  F.  Zwemer  was  employed 
to  teach  Practical  Theology  for  three  months  during  the  coming  year. 
J903,  333-  See  Zwemer's  "Special  Report  on  the  Finances,  1903,  325-9. 
Rev.  Jas.  F.  Zwemer  reported  that  he  had  secured  by  donations  and  prom- 
ises, payable  during  the  year,  $5,000.  The  cash  receipts  had  been  $3,494- 
Cash  received  for  salary  fund  was  $1,482.  After  the  endowment  of  the 
three  Chairs,  these  annual  gifts  may  lay  the  foundation  of  a  Fourth  Pro- 
fessorship for  Practical  Theolog}',  and  the  Agent  asks  for  authority  for 
pledges  for  that  purpose.  1904,  651-4,  660-2;  granted,  669. — Rev.  Gerrit 
H.  Dubbink  was  elected  Professor  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology, 
1904,  664.  Synod  also  established  a  Chair  of  Practical  Theology,  a  Pro- 
fessor to  be  elected  thereto,  when  the  endowment  of  the  Third  Chair  is 
complete,  and  the  pledges  to  the  Salary  Fund  are  sufficient  for  the  per- 
manent support  of  the  Fourth  Chair.  Temporary  instruction  may  at 
once  be  provided  therefor,  if  this  can  be  done  without  expense  to  Synod. 
— Dr.  Winter's  salary  was  ordered  to  be  paid  in  full  to  Sept.  ist,  1904.  An 
appropriation  of  $400  was  made  for  Dr.  Winter,  half  of  which  is  to  be 
raised  by  Synod's  Financial  Agent.     1904,  668-670. 

Synod's  Financial  Agent  reported  in  1905  that  $1,576  had  been  raised 
for  the  Salary  Fund,  and  each  of  the  Professors  had  been  paid  $1,400. 
— Of  the  50,000  ordered  to  be  raised,  $35,000  have  been  secured  in  cash, 
pledges  or  notes  (the  cash  is  $29,145),  and  only  $15,000  more  needed 
to  complete  the  endowment  of  the  three  Chairs.  1905,  59-62,  68.  The 
Agent  was  authorized  to  canvass  also  the  eastern  churches  to  complete 
the  amount ;  76. 

The  desirability  of  a  Fourth  Chair,  a  Chair  of  Practical  Theology, 
is  again  alluded  to.  A  special  law  of  Michigan  is  given  authorizing  trus- 
tees for  anj^  religious  body,  to  manage  the  funds,  and  it  was  requested 
that  the  funds  raised  might  be  entrusted  to  such  a  Board.  Xot  granted ; 
77.     [The  law  is  given,  1905,  71-73.] 

Dr.  Winter  requested  to  be  made  Professor  Emeritus  at  a  salary  of 
$500.  As  he  had  already  taken  his  certificate  to  the  Classis  of  Grand 
River,  Synod  could  not  now  do  this ;  but  ordered  $300  to  be  paid  him, 
one  half  to  be  raised  by  the  western  financial  Agent.  1905,  74,  75.  See 
Corporation,  Board  of  Direction  of. — $2,000  appropriated  from  balance 
of  scholarships,  for  instruction  in  Bibhcal  Theology ;   1905,  58,  79. 

Special  instruction  in  Vocal  Culture  has  been  given  by  Prof.  Xykerk, 
of  Hope  College,  1893,  758,  768 ;  and  by  Prof.  J.  Tallmadge  Bergen,  of 
Hope  College,  1896,  338;  '97,  612-616;  '98,  74-78;  '99,  374-6,  etc.;  and 
perhaps  by  others. 

See  Semelink  Family  Hall. 

The  Library  of  the  Western  Seminary  receives  donations  in  books 
and  money  continually  from  ministers'  libraries  in  the  east,  and  from  other 
generous  friends.  See  1892,  510-512;  500  volumes  from  family  of  the  late 
Rev.  Dr.  Anson  DuBois ;  1893,  759.  2,500  volumes  and  500  pamphlets 
left  by  will  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  T.  W.  Chambers ;  1897,  612-623.  See 
also  1896,  3S7;  '98,  74-78;  '99,  374;  a  complete  file  of  '"De  Hope,"  from 
Mr.  H.  Smart,  1900,  690;  $300,  in  money,  from  estate  of  Miss  Catharine 
Adaline  Duryee,  1902,  59.  A  complete  set  of  "Het  Groot  Plakaat  Boek," 
8  vols.,  containing  all  the  Edicts,  Civil  and  Ecclesiastical,  of  the  Dutch 
Republic,  1600-1800,  by  Rev.  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin.  1900,  318.  [There  is  a 
copy  of  this  rare  work  in  the  New  York  State  Library  at  Albany;  and  in 


798         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

the  Sage  Library  at  New  Brunswick.  Possibly  these  three  copies  are 
the  only  ones  in  the  country.]  See  also  gifts  from  families  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Cornelius  Van  Santvoord  and  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  G.  E.  See,  etc.,  1904,  653; 
and  many  gifts  in  books  and  money,  1905,  61. 

1906. 
The  Western  Seminary  receives  large  accession  of  books  from  many 
sources;  2nd  Church  of  Zeeland  gives  $60  toward  Library  Fund.  Sala- 
ries of  Professors  fixed  at  $1,500.  The  income  of  the  $2,000  given  by 
the  Bd.  of  Education  will  be  devoted  to  securing  a  Lecture  Course  dur- 
ing the  coming  year.  $100  of  the  income  of  the  Van  Schaick  Legacy 
to  be  used  for  instruction  in  elocution,  and  the  balance  of  the  income 
.to  be  divided  among  the  students,  under  certain  conditions.  The  Fourth 
Chair  to  be  filled  as  soon  as  funds  warrant  it.  The  $100,000  endowment 
soon  to  be  realized,  $91,000  having  already  been  pledged.  Review  of 
Synod's  action  as  to  Salary  Fund,  1906,  421-2,  427-432,  435.  438. 

Professors  and  Lectors  in  the  Western  Theological  Seminary- 
First  Professorship. 
Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology. 

Rev.  Dr.  C.  E.  Crispell,  1867-79. 

Rev.  Dr.  N.  M.  Steffens,   1884-95. 

Rev.  Dr.  Egbert  Winter,  1895- 1904. 

Rev.  Dr.  G.  H.  Dubbink,  1904 — 

Second  Professorship. 
Biblical  Criticism  and  Philology. 
Rev.   Dr.   Theodorick  Romeyn  Beck,  Lector,   1867-85. 

E.vegetical  Theology.  , 

Rev.  Dr.  Philip  Phelps,  Lector,  1867-77. 

New    Testament    Exegesis. 
Rev.  Dr.  Peter  Moerdyke,  Lector,  1884-86. 
Rev.  Dr.  Henry  E.  Dosker,  Lector,  1886-88. 

Biblical  Languages,  Literature  and  Exegesis. 
Rev.  Dr.  John  W.  Beardslee,  Professorj  1884 — 
Third  Professorship. 
Church  History. 
Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Scott,  Lector,  1867-85. 

Historical  Theology. 
Rev.  Dr.  Henry  E.  Dosker,  Lector,  1884-94. 
Rev.  Dr.  Henry  E.  Dosker,  Professor,  1894-1903. 
Rev.  Dr.  Nicholas  M.  Steffens,  Professor,  1903 — 

Fourth  Professorship. 
Pastoral  Theology  and  Sacred  Rhetoric. 
Rev.  Peter  J.  Oggel,  Lector,  1867-70. 

Practical  Theology. 
Rev.  James  F.  Zwemer,  Lector,  1904,  1905. 

Westervelt,   John    L     Treas.   of   Committee   of   Missions.     1820,    13, 
73\  1821,  16;  1822,  16. 

West,  Jacob,    (Rev.   Dr.)     Cor.   Sec.   of   Bd.   of   Domestic   Missions, 
1868-88;  Hon.  Sec.  of  same,  1888-90.— 1889,  220. 

Westminster  Assembly.     See  Ecclesiastical   Records  of  New  York, 
Vol.  i.  185,  191-2. 


WESTMINSTER  CATECHISM  799 

Westminster  Catechism.  1839,  261;  1867,  159.  (Digest  of 
1848,  362.) 

Westminster  Lesson  Helps.  See  Sunday  Schools;  Publication, 
Board  of. 

Westminster  Standards.  An  invitation  was  received  to  send  a  dele- 
gate to  the  250th  anniversary  of  the  adoption  of  the  Westminsters  Stand- 
ards. This  was  committed  to  the  regularly  appointed  delegate  to  the  Pres- 
byterian General  Assembly.     1897,  564,  691,  693. 

West  Troy,  South  Ch.  of.  Review  of  difficulties,  1885,  621,  708-714; 
Committee  to  adjust,  1886,  129;  Report,  1895,  137-8;  1896,  413-  416. 

Whitsunday  or  W^hitsuntide.  According  to  Articles  of  Synod  of 
Dort,.  this  Festival  to  be  observed;  1619,  Art.  67;  Lord's  Supper  to  be 
celebrated  at,  1619,  Art.  63  ;  observance  in  America  left  to  discretion  of  the 
minister.  Constit.  of  1792,  Art.  Gy. — Xo  references  to  in  Constitution  of 
1833,  1874.  See  Hansen's  Refd.  Ch.  of  the  Xeths.  89,  96;  Baird's  Eu- 
taxia,  31. 

W^iDows'    Fund,   The. 

Article  XIH.  of  the  Rules  of  Church  Government  of  the  Synod  of 
Dort  (1618)  says:  "If  a  minister  becomes  incapable  of  performing  the 
duties  of  his  office,  either  through  age,  sickness,  or  otherwise,  such  min- 
ister shall,  notwithstanding,  retain  the  honor  and  stile  of  his  office,  and 
be  provided  with  an  honorable  support  by  the  churches  to  which  he  hath 
ministered;  provision  is  in  like  manner  to  be  made  for  the  widow's  and 
orphans  of  ministers  in  general."  Explanatory  Arts.  XVL  and  XVH.  of 
the  Constitution  of  1792,  elaborate  the  idea  of  ministers  emeritii,  but  add 
nothing  about  their  widows.  See  Orphans ;  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund ; 
Emeritii ;  Constitutions  of  1833,  Art.  19 ;  of  1874,  Art.  16. 

In  Holland,  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  the  property  which  then 
belonged  to  the  Church  was  set  apart  for  the  use  and  maintenance  of 
the  newly  established  clergy.  From  this  fund  the  ministers  received  a 
large  proportion  of  their  salaries,  the  local  regencies  making  up  the  re- 
mainder. During  the  French  Revolution  this  fund  was  seized  and  de- 
clared national  property.  The  government  now  pays  the  clerg>-.  The 
amount  in  the  year  1838  was  1,025,785  guilders.  The  maximum  salary 
is  about  i200,  the  minimum  about  £50.  Country  ministers,  however,  have 
a  free  house,  glebe,  and  garden.  The  consistories  frequently  increase  the 
government  stipend.  From  the  government  allowance  there  is  retained 
10  guilders  annually  towards  the  fund  for  ministers'  zvidows.  This  is  de- 
ducted from  the  first  quarterly  payment  each  year.  The  emeritii  clergy- 
men also  contribute  an  equal  sum  if  their  pension  amounts  to  600  guilders. 
If  below  500  guilders,  they  pay  five  guilders  a  year.  There  are  also  local 
associations  to  increase  the  help  thus  given.  In  1830,  the  government  de- 
creed that  400  guilders  should  be  given  to  the  widows  of  ministers  who  had 
served  in  the  larger  cities ;  300  guilders  to  those  living  in  certain  other 
specified  cities  ;  and  200  guilders  to  all  the  others.  The  widow  is  also  al- 
ways allowed  the  annus  gratice,  or  a  whole  year's  stipend,  dating  from 
the  day  of  her  husband's  death.  If  there  be  no  widow,  the  orphan  chil- 
dren, if  under  22  years  of  age,  receive  it.  If  there  be  neither,  the  legal 
representatives  receive  the  salary  of  the  current  quarter. 

It  is  also  worthy  of  remark  that  a  clerg>-man  receives,  in  addition  to 
his  regular  stipend  from  the  government,  25  guilders  annually  for  every 
child  under  22  years  of  age ;  for  every  son  at  a  Latin  school,  50  guilders ; 
and  when  studying  at  a  Dutch  university,  with  a  view  to  the  Church, 
200  guilders.  This  last  is  enjoyed  for  six  consecutive  years.  This  privi- 
lege continues  after  the  death  of  the  father.  Widows  and  children  of 
British    Presbyterians    settled    in   Holland    enjoy   the    same   advantages    if 


8oo  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

they  remain  in  the  countr3\  If  they  remove,  one-third  ?>t  these  amounts 
are  deducted. 

See  Corwin's  Manual,  4th  ed.  1902,  564,  note. 

A  minister  emeritus  who  has  served  the  Church  forty  years  is  en- 
titled to  retire  salve  honore  et  stipendo. 

These  provisions,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  were  incorporated  in 
many  of  the  calls  made  by  the  early  American  churches.  In  the  call  of 
Selyns  to  the  church  of  New  York,  it  was  stipulated  that  his  widow 
should  receive  the  full  amount  for  the  current  year,  and  100  guilders  there- 
after yearly  for  life.  The  same  feature  appears  in  the  call  of  Megapolen- 
sis  to  Albany.  When  the  Articles  of  Union  were  adopted  in  1771,  and  no 
more  ministers  were  called  from  Holland,  the  American  churches  felt 
the  necessity  of  attending  to  this  matter.  But  they  had  no  government 
aid  to  fall  back  upon. 

The  delegates  from  the  Classes  of  New  York  and  Kingston  were 
directed  in  1773,  40,  to  urge  upon  the  General  Body  the  propriety  of  es- 
tablishing a  FUND  for  the  relief  of  clerical  widows  and  orphans.  Dr.  Liv- 
ingston was  requested  to  draw  up  a  plan,  and  report  the  following  year. 
He,  however,  then,  1774,  48,  only  reported  progress;  but  in  1775,  read 
a  PLAN  for  a  royal  charter,  which  was  approved,  and  measures  were  taken 
to  obtain  such  charter  from  the  provincial  governments  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey.     April,  1775,  56. 

The  Revolution,  however,  put  an  entire  stop  to  the  whole  business, 
I775>  60,  and  it  was  not  till  twelve  years  later,  1787,  167,  that  further  ac- 
tion was  taken  on  the  matter.  A  report  was  made  the  following  year, 
1788,  181-2,  and  a  plan  was  proposed,  and  measures  to  secure  a  charter 
were  taken — the  delinquent  Classes  of  Hackensack  and  New  Brunswick, 
in  the  mean  time,  being  directed  to  insert  "Widows'  Fund"  in  the  list  of 
their  lemmata,  1790,  210,  the  other  Classes  having  already  done  so.  The 
Committee  having  the  matter  in  charge  were  also  urged  to  "push  the  busi- 
ness, 1792,  236;  1794,  263.  See  also  Articles  Explanatory  of  the  Consti- 
tution, 1792,  Nos.  16,  17.  But  the  subject,  after  this,  remained  in  an  en- 
tirely dormant  condition  for  fifteen  years.  No  action  whatever  was  taken 
by  the  General  Synod  till  1809,  when  the  Particular  Sjaiod  of  New  York 
sent  up  a  request  concerning  the  matter,  and  a  plan  for  a  Widows'  Fund, 
1809,  395.  This  PLAN  the  General  Synod  indorsed,  and  recommended  to 
ministers  and  others  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  and  here  again  the 
matter  for  a  time  reposed.     This  Plan  is  not  given  in  the  Minutes. 

The  Particular  Synod  of  New  York,  however,  continued  to  agitate 
the  matter,  and,  in  1813,  again  requested  the  General  Synod  to  put  in 
operation,  as  soon  as  practicable,  some  plan  of  a  Widows'  Fund.  1813, 
10,  II.  A  committee  was  accordingly  appointed,  consisting  of  Revs.  Brad- 
ford, Cuyler,  Westbrook,  and  Gosman,  and  Elder  Abram  Van  Vechten, 
to  devise  and  initiate  a  plan.  A  plan  is  accordingly  found  in  the  minutes 
of  1814,  48-53,  consisting  of  twenty-three  articles.  The  committee  state 
that  it  was  no  slight  task  to  form  an  equitable  plan  of  such  a  fund,  but 
they  had  been  greatly  guided  by  the  laws  of  a  similar  society  in  the  Epis- 
copal Church.  That  society  was  incorporated,  and  had  its  funds  secured 
by  charter.  It  was  thought  desirable  that  the  Dutch  Church  should  have 
a  similar  incorporated  Society.  The  plan  stated,  in  brief,  that  there  could 
be  three  classes  of  members  to  said  fund,  according  as  they  paid  $10, 
$20,  or  $30  annually,  to  be  benefited  accordingly,  and  that  these  subscrip- 
tions, together  with  all  donations  and  legacies,  should  go  to  constitute  a 
permanent  fund,  the  income  of  which,  when  not  required,  should  swell 
the  principal.  The  annuities  should  be  five  times  the  sum  of  all  the  an- 
nual contributions,  provided  this  were  possible ;  if  not,  in  a  pro-rata  pro- 
portion among  the  members;  but  never  should  an  annuity  exceed  $750. 
If  only  five  premiums  had  been  paid,  then  the  beneficiary  should  receive 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  8or 

ten  per  cent,  on  the  amount  actually  contributed,  but  only  for  thirteen 
years.  If  more  than  five  or  less  than  fifteen  premiums  had  been  paid, 
the  annuitant  should  only  receive  half  dividend,  until  the  other  half  should 
make  up  the  equivalent  of  fifteen  full  premiums — the  latter  number  mak- 
ing one  a  full  member  of  the  fund. 

Any  brother  who  should  marry  a  second  time  should  pay  one  extra 
premium.  A  clerical  widow,  remarrying,  should  receive  thereafter  only 
half  the  annuity  to  which  she  was  previously  entitled.  A  motherless 
child,  or  children,  should  receive  the  complete  annuity  for  thirteen  years, 
or  a  final  and  equitable  settlement  could  be  made  in  place  of  annuities, 
if  desired.  Congregations  could  pay  the  premiums  for  their  ministers, 
and  clergymen  of  other  denominations  could  belong  to  the  fund. 

The  Synod  of  1814,  48-54,  confirmed  this  plan  as  the  basis  of  the 
Widows'  Fund,  and  a  final  resolution  appoints  the  first  thirteen  subscrib- 
ers as  the  First  Board  of  Trustees,  who  should  choose  their  own  officers. 
And,  although,  there  is  no  further  allusion  to  an  Act  of  Incorporation  of 
such  Society  in  the  Minutes  of  General  Synod,  nevertheless,  such  an  Act 
was  secured  in  1815.  This  was  four  years  before  the  incorporation  of 
General  Synod.     The  Act  is  as  follows : 

CHAPTER  LXIII. 

An  Act  to  Incorporate  the  Widows'  Fund  Society  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church.     Passed  ^March  10,  1815. 

Whereas,  John  H.  Livingston  and  certain  other  persons  have  formed 
themselves  into  a  Society  for  the  relief  of  the  Widows'  and  children  of 
deceased  clerg\-men  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  in  the 
United  States,  by  the  name  and  style  of  "The  Widows'  Fuxd  Society,'^ 
and  have  by  their  petition  to  the  Legislature,  prayed  to  be  incorporated, 
in  order  the  better  to  promote  the  benevolent  purposes  of  the  said  So- 
ciety :     Therefore, 

I.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented 
in  Senate  and  Assembly,  that  such  persons  as  now  are,  or  hereafter  may 
become,  members  of  the  aforesaid  Society,  shall  be  and  are  ordained  and 
appointed  a  Body  corporate  and  politic,  in  fact  and  in  name,  by  the  name 
of  "The  Widows'  Fund  Society,"  and  that  by  that  name,  they  and  their 
successors  shall  and  may  forever  hereafter  have  continual  succession,  and 
shall  be  persons  in  law  capable  of  suing  and  being  sued,  pleading  and  be- 
ing impleaded,  in  all  courts  and  places  whatsoever,  in  all  manner  of  ac- 
tion and  actions,  suits,  matters,  complaints  and  causes  whatsoever :  And 
that  they  and  their  successors  may  have  a  common  seal,  and  may  change 
and  alter  the  same  at  their  pleasure :  and  also  that  they  and  their  suc- 
cessors, by  the  name  of  'The  Widows'  Fund  Society,"  shall  be  in  law 
capable  of  purchasing,  holding  and  conveying  any  estate,  real  or  personal, 
for  the  use  of  the  said  Society  :  Provided  always  that  such  real  and  per- 
sonal estate  shall  not  at  any  time  exceed  the  annual  value  of  Twenty- 
five  Thousand  Dollars. 

II.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  for  the  better  carrying  into  ex- 
ecution the  objects  of  the  said  Society,  there  shall  be  a  President,  Vice- 
President,  Treasurer,  Secretary  and  nine  Trustees,  who  shall  hold  their 
offices  for  one  year  or  until  others  shall  be  chosen  in  their  room;  and 
shall  be  elected  at  the  time  of  the  stated  annual  meeting  of  the  General 
Synod  of  the  aforesaid  Church,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  June,  every  year, 
or  at  such  other  time  and  at  such  place  as  the  Corporation  shall  from  time 
to  time  appoint :  And  that  every  such  election  shall  be  by  ballot  by  a 
majority  of  the  members  present  at  every  such  meeting;  and  that  in  case 
any  vacancies  shall  happen  in  either  of  the  said  offices,  by  death,  resigna- 


8o2  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

tion  or  otherwise,  such  vacancies  shall  and  may  be  filled  up  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year  by  the  remaining  Trustees,  by  a  by-law  of  the  Cor- 
poration. 

III.  And  be  it  further  enacted  that  John  H.  Livingston  shall  be  the 
first  President,  and  John  M.  Bradford  the  first  Vice-President  of  the  said 
Society ;  and  Cornelius  C.  Cuyler,  Andrew  N.  Kittle,  Jacob  Brodhead, 
Gilbert  R.  Livingston,  Stephen  Rowan,  William  Murray,  Jesse  Fonda, 
Alexander  Gunn  and  Selah  S.  Woodhull,  the  first  Trustees;  Simeon  De- 
Witt,  the  first  Treasurer,  and  Selah  S.  Woodhull,  the  first  Secretary  of 
the  said  Society :  Who  shall  hold  their  offices  respectively  until  the  first 
Tuesday  of  June  next  and  until  others  shall  be  chosen  in  their  room. 

IV.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  at  every  ordinary  or  extraor- 
dinary meeting  of  the  Society,  when  seven  members  are  met,  they  shall 
have  power  to  adjourn  from  time  to  time,  and  when  ten  are  met,  they  shall 
Tiave  full  power  to  do  and  transact  all  the  business  thereof. 

V.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  Corporation  and  their 
successors  shall  have  full  power,  to  make,  constitute,  ordain  and  estab- 
lish such  by-laws,  rules,  ordinances  and  regulations,  as  they  shall  from 
time  to  time,  judge  proper,  for  the  election  of  their  officers,  for  the  ad- 
mission of  New  Members  of  the  said  Corporation,  and  the  terms  and 
manner  of  admission,  and  the  sums  which  shall  be  paid  yearly,  or  other- 
wise, by  the  members  of  the  Society :  Provided  always,  That  such  sum 
shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  Thirty  dollars  yearly  and  every  year;  and 
also  for  the  management  and  disposition  of  the  stock,  property,  estate 
and  effects  of  the  said  Society,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  into  effect  the 
objects  thereof;  and  for  fixing  the  times  and  places  of  the  meetings  of 
the  said  Society,  and  touching  the  duties  and  conduct  of  the  officers 
thereof,  and  all  such  other  matters  as  appertain  to  the  business,  end,  and 
purposes  for  which  the  said  Corporation  is  by  this  Act  constituted,  and 
for  no  other  purpose  whatsoever :  Provided  always.  That  such  by-laws, 
rules,  and  regulations  be  not  repugnant  to  the  Constitution  and  laws  of 
the  United  States  or  of  this  State. 

VI.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  this  Act  shall  be  deemed  and 
considered  a  Public'  Act,  and  that  the  same  be  construed  in  all  courts  and 
places  favorably,  for  every  purpose  thereby  intended. 

But  after  this  foundation  was  laid,  a  long  Sabbath  ensued.  The  mat- 
ter is  barely  referred  to  in  1816,  37.  In  1822,  66,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed, consisting  of  Revs.  C.  C.  Cuyler,  R.  Bronk,  and  Elder  Christian 
Aliller,  to  investigate  anew  the  matter  of  the  Widows'  Fund,  and  report 
in  1823,  61.  They  were  not  ready.  They  were  discharged,  and  another 
committee  appointed  in  their  place,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Jas.  A.  Harden- 
bergh,  A.  Van  Nest,  and  Peter  Sharpe.  This  committee  made  no  report 
from  year  to  year,  though  continued  for  seven  years,  1824,  60;  1825,  43; 
1826,  61;  1829,  208;  and  in  1830.  271,  300,  they  were  discharged  and  no 
further  action  taken,  and  the  subject  remained  in  abeyance  till  1835, 399, 
400.  In  this  year,  the  Chassis  of  Montgomery  recommended  their  churches 
to  raise  a  fund  for  disabled  ministers  or  their  widows,  and  the  Particu- 
lar Synod  of  Albany  noticed  the  matter,  and  referred  it  to  the  General 
Synod.  The  subject  was  by  them  referred  to  a  special  committee,  con- 
sisting of  Revs.  Jacob  Schoonmaker,  James  Murphy,  John  H.  Bevier,  and 
Elders  Isaac  Roosevelt  and  Benjamin  Wood.  They  reported,  to  refer 
the  whole  matter  to  the  Board  of  Direction  of  Corporation,  and  that  Revs. 
James  Murphy,  Andrew  Yates,  and  Thomas  M.  Strong  be  associated  with 
said  Board,  and  that  they  report  at  the  next  Synod.  1835,  436.  But  at 
the  time  specified,  no  report  was  received,  and  the  committee  was  dis- 
charged. 1836,  529.  A  special  committee  was  then  appointed,  consist- 
ing of  Revs.  James  Murphy,  Cornelius  Bogardus,  and  Elder  P.  D.  Vroom, 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  803 

who  made  a  report  at  the  same  session,  which  was  accepted,  but  final 
action  deferred  till  the  next  year ;  the  report  in  the  mean  time  to  be  pub- 
hshed  in  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  (which  was  done  in  January,  1837,) 
and  the  several  Classes  were  asked  to  give  particular  attention  to  it,  and 
to  express  their  opinions  about  it.  The  Board  of  Direction  were  also 
asked  to  take  charge  of  the  fund,  to  which  they  agreed,  1837,  17,  87. 

In  the  Particular  Synod  of  Albany,  some  of  the  Classes  approved  the 
plan  completely,  and  some  partially.  In  the  Particular  Synod  of  New 
York,  the  Classes  of  Bergen,  Paramus,  and  Poughkeepsie  urged  the  mat- 
ter on,  the  other  Classes  either  having  neglected  to  take  action,  or  declin- 
ing to  express  an  opinion,  1837,  55. 

The  General  Synod,  after  hearing  these  proceedings  of  Classes,  re- 
ferred the  whole  matter  to  a  committee,  consisting  of  Revs.  James  Mur- 
phy, Edwin  Holmes,  and  Isaac  M.  Fisher,  and  Elders  Isaac  Hutton  and 
Wm.  R.  Thompson,  who  reported  at  the  same  session : 

"That  the  clergymen  now  present  be  invited  to  sign  a  memorandum, 
promising  to  pay,  within  the  year,  $20  for  the  establishment  of  such  a 
fund.  That  the  churches  take  up  collections  about  the  first  Sabbath  in 
October  next  for  this  cause." 

Committees  were  also  appointed  to  solicit  contributions  in  the  differ- 
ent cities.  Each  Classis  was  directed  to  appoint  a  committee  for  a  simi- 
lar purpose;  that  their  duties  be  done  without  delay;  and  that  the  Board 
of  Corporation  digest  the  plan  more  fully,  and  frame  by-laws,  and  that 
explanatory  circulars  be  sent  to  the  churches.  Twelve  clergymen  at  once 
paid  the  amount,  making  $240.     1837,  87,  88,  107. 

PLAN    OF    FUND,    1837. 

The  circular  which  was  sent  to  the  churches,  1838,  108- no,  explained 
the  plan  and  objects  of  the  fund.  It  was  to  be  under  control  of  the  Gen- 
eral Synod.  A  payment  of  $20  annually  secured  an  interest  in  the  fund, 
which  should  become  available  to  applicants  when  it  had  reached  $10,000, 
after  which  premiums  and  donations  could  be  considered  income,  if  so 
desired.  The  maximum  allowance  to  disabled  ministers  or  their  widows 
should  be  $200  per  annum,  or  to  their  children,  if  wholly  orphans,  $75 
per  annum  each,  till  sixteen  years  of  age.  If  the  funds  warrant,  the 
maximum  may  be  increased — the  whole  income,  be  it  more  or  less,  to  be 
divided,  pro  rata,  among  the  applicants.  Five  premiums,  however,  must 
have  been  paid  to  entitle  one  to  the  maximum ;  if  not  so  many,  the  benefit 
to  be  in  due  proportion.  Failure  to  pay  the  premiums  forfeits  the  mem- 
bership in  the  fund ;  the  marriage  of  a  widow  forfeits  her  claims,  but  not 
the  claims  of  the  children  under  sixteen,  who  shall  receive  as  if  full  or- 
phans. During  the  first  year,  premiums  and  donations  amounted  to  $596. 
1838,  120,  180. 

The  committee  appointed  to  solicit  contributions  reported  that,  on 
account  of  the  financial  embarrassments  of  the  times  (1837)  they  had  not 
thought  it  wise  to  proceed.  1838,  189-191.  The  Synod  directed  that  the 
circular  of  the  Board  of  Direction  be  read  in  the  churches  before  the  col- 
lection. Consistories  were  exhorted  to  make  their  pastors  members  by 
an  annual  contribution  (1839).  But  few  ministers,  however,  subscribed; 
comparatively  few  contributions  were  received,  and  but  few  Classes  were 
heard  from.  The  Board  of  Corporation  say  in  their  report,  1839,  212, 
that  they  cannot  speak  on  this  subject  without  pain,  considering  the  im- 
portance of  the  fund,  as  it  disappointed  expectations.  One  Classis  (that 
of  Schoharie)  at  the  same  time  asked  the  Synod  to  make  some  provision 
by  which  poor  ministers  may  become  members  of  the  fund.  The  Synod 
at  this  time  appointed  a  standing  committee  consisting  of  Revs.  Murphy, 
Kittle,  and  Zabriskie,  and  Elders  Heyr  and  Houston,  to  be  called  the  Com- 
mittee  on  the   Widows'   Fund.     During  the   then   session,   they   examined 


8o4  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

into  its  condition  and  prospects,  and  reported  encouragingly.  Two  years 
had  produced  a  fund  of  three  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  dollars 
and  twenty-one  cents.  The  committee  at  once  requested  in  their  report 
that  the  Board  of  Corporation  prepare  their  by-laws  and  suggestions,  and 
that  the  whole  plan  be  published  in  an  appendix  to  the  minutes  of  Synod. 
A  modification  of  the  plan  was  also  adopted,  permitting  brethren  to  with- 
draw their  premiums  without  interest  if  they  desired.  The  system  of 
Classical  agencies  was  also  proposed,  and  the  consistories  were  directed 
to  endeavor  to  keep  their  pastors  members  of  this  fund.  The  ministers 
present  were  entreated  at  once  to  become  members  by  payment  in  cash^ 
or  by  giving  their  notes.  1839,  295-7.  The  plan,  as  now  amended,  is 
accordingly  found  in  an  appendix  to  the  minutes  of  July,  1839,  318-322. 

The  accumulation  was  still  very  slow.  Up  to  June,  1840,  only  $5,000 
had  been  obtained.  1840,  32,^,  417-419.  Many  of  those  who  had  originally 
promised  had  not  met  their  pledges.  In  1841,  530,  it  stood  at  $6,009;  in 
1842,  140,  at  $7,550 ;  in  1843,  270,  at  $8,732  ;  in  1844,  387,  at  $9,800.  Great  com- 
plaint was  made  that  many  of  the  original  subscribers  could  not  yet  re- 
ceive any  benefit  through  the  apathy  of  others.  An  additional  article  was 
now  added  to  the  Plan  by  which  a  minister  might  pa}'  at  one  time  a  sum, 
the  annual  interest  of  which  shall  amount  to  $20.  and  that  such  payment 
may  at  his  death  or  disability  be  withdrawn  without  impairing  his  right 
of  benefit  in  the  fund,  1844.  388.  It  was  suggested  that  a  special  Act  of 
Incorporation  be  obtained  for  the  Widows'  Fund,  but  this  was  declared 
unnecessary.  1844,  388;  1845,  409,  410.  Five  and  ten-dollar  subscriptions 
were  now  allowed  with  benefit  accordingly.  1844,  388.  In  June,  1845, 
509,  the  fund  for  the  first  time  became  available.  It  was  now  stipulated 
that,  if  any  withdrew  the  premiums  paid,  it  should  be  taken  from  the  in- 
come, and  not  the  principal.  Eight  3'ears  had  been  consumed  in  reach- 
ing $10,000,  and  only  seven  churches  had  taken  up  collections.  The  treas- 
urer was  henceforth  allowed  $150  per  annum  for  taking*  care  of  the 
Widows'  Fund.  During  the  first  year  in  which  it  was  available,  there 
were  paid  $1,100  as  annuities  from  its  income,  and  collections  to  be  con- 
sidered as  income.     1845,  509-512. 

Resolved,  That,  although  subscribers  have  the  privilege  of  withdraw- 
ing their  subscriptions,  confidence  is  weakened  in  the  institution  when 
withdrawments  are  made  without  imperious  necessity.     1845,  511. 

The  Plan,  principles,  rules  and  by-laws  as  they  existed  at  this  time 
were  published  in  Synod's  Minutes,  1846,  100-102;  see  also  pages  91,  92. 
But  these  new  rules  were  not  to  be  regarded  as  applicable  to  previous 
subscribers,  to  their  detriment,  1847,  116.  The  Board  was  now  authorized 
to  employ  an  agent  to  increase  the  Principal.  Churches  paying  premiums 
for  their  ministers,  such  premiums  could  not  be  withdrawn,  unless  such 
right  were  secured  when  payment  was  made.     1847,  198. 

The  fund  slowly  increased;  constant  appeals  were  made,  1848,  219, 
220;  1850,  22,  100;  1851,  132,  198;  1852,  214,  283;  1853,  300,  376;  1854, 
397t  479-  In  1855,  the  dividends  were  reduced  25  per  cent.  A  tract  had 
been  issued,  on  the  Origin,  Endowment  and  Claims  of  the  Widows'  Fund, 
1854.  See  Sustentation  Fund,  which  was  started  in  1855.  The  usual  rec- 
ommendations were  made,  1857,  238;  1858,  277,  358;  1859,  378,  460-2.  In 
i860,  it  was  reported  that  no  new  subscriptions  had  been  made ;  that  only 
35  out  of  85  annual  subscribers  had  made  payment ;  that  6  ministers  had 
withdrawn  their  subscriptions,  $500  being  taken  from  the  Principal  and 
$1,180  out  of  the  Income;  that  the  annuities  have  thereby  been  reduced 
to  almost  nothing;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  consisting  of  Elders  Jacob 
B.  Jewett,  Peter  D.  Vroom,  S.  B.  Schieffelin,  and  Rev.  I.  N.  Wyckoff, 
D.D.,  and  Rev.  B.  C.  Taylor,  D.D.,  to  take  into  consideration  the  subject 
of  the  Widows'  Fund,  with  the  view  of  ascertaining  what  measures  can 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  805 

be  adopted  to  give  greater  stability  and  efficiency  to  the  operations  of  this 
Fund ;  and  that  such  committee  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,  i860, 
576-7- 

General  History  of  the  Fund: 

This  Committee  made  an  elaborate  report,  1861,  91-97,  which  is  as 
follows  : 

The  Fund  consists  of  two  parts :  an  increasing  principal,  and  a  vary- 
ing income.  From  its  beginning  until  the  year  1845,  all  receipts  of  every 
kind  went  to  the  principal  account,  in  accordance  with  the  original  con- 
dition, that  no  payments  should  be  made  to  annuitants  until  the  Fund 
amounted  to  ten  thousand  dollars.  This  result  was  attained  in  1845,  and 
since  that  time  all  donations  and  collections  in  churches,  and  all  payments 
by  ministers  of  a  sum  the  interest  of  which,  at  four  per  cent.,  would 
amount  to  twenty,  ten,  or  five  dollars  per  year,  have  gone  to  the  princi- 
pal account,  and  have  been  invested  on  bond  and  mortgage,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Board  of  Corporation.  This  Fund,  therefore,  must  in- 
crease in  proportion  to  the  liberality  of  the  churches,  and  cannot  be  dim- 
inished except  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  sums  paid  in  by  ministers,  as 
above  mentioned,  and  which  now  amount  to  twenty-six  hundred  and  sixty- 
six  dollars.  This  Fund  had  increased  from  the  original  amount  of  $10,000 
in  1845,  to  $17,378.46  on  the  thirtieth  of  April,  1861 ;  and  even  if  all  should 
withdraw  from  it  who  are  entitled  to  do  so,  it  cannot  be  reduced  below 
the  sum  of  $14,711.80. 

The  income  of  this  Fund  is  derived  from  the  interest  of  the  invested 
principal,  the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  and  from  donations  when  so 
specially  directed.  This  income  is  appropriated  as  follows :  First,  to  the 
payment  of  the  Treasurer's  salary  and  contingent  expenses,  which  amount 
to  about  $153  a  year;  then  to  the  payment  to  those  ministers  who  have 
made  annual  payments,  and  who  determine  to  relinquish  their  interest  in 
the  Fund,  of  the  amount  of  money  actually  paid  by  them,  without  inter- 
est ;  and  the  balance  is  distributed  ratably  among  the  annuitants.  The 
maximum  allowance  of  two  hundred  dollars  being  paid  to  those  who  have 
made  five  annual  payments  of  twenty  dollars  each,  and  a  fixed  propor- 
tionate allowance  to  those  who  have  made  smaller  payments.  If  the  in- 
come to  be  distributed  is  not  sufficient  to  pay  each  annuitant  the  maxi- 
mum allowance,  each  receives  a  proportionate  share  of  the  amount  to  be 
distributed. 

From  this  brief  statement,  the  following  conclusions  are  apparent : 

1st.  That  the  principal  cannot  be  impaired,  and  must  constantly  in- 
crease in  proportion  to  the  liberality  of  the  churches,  and  that  its  safety 
depends  entirely  upon  the  care  and  judgment  ivith  zvhich  it  is  itjvested 
by  the  Board  of  Corporation.  This  is  a  point  of  great  importance,  as  the 
impression  seems  to  have  become  prevalent  that  the  principal  is  being 
constantly  diminished  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  annual  subscribers ; 
whereas,  the  effect  of  such  withdrawal  is  actually  to  increase  the  benefits 
to  be  derived  from  this  principal  by  those  who  continue  to  be  interested 
in  the  Fund ;  the  only  withdrawals  which  can  effect  it  being  of  those 
who  have  paid  in  at  one  time  a  gross  sum ;  and  the  amount  that  has  been 
thus  paid  is  now  only  $2,666.66.  It  may  then  be  truly  affirmed  that  this 
principal  is  as  safe  as  any  investment  on  bond  and  mortgage  can  be,  and 
as  safe  as  any  funds  under  the  control  of  General  Synod. 

2nd.  That  the  income  is  very  variable,  depending  upon  the  amount 
paid  by  annual  subscribers,  and  upon  the  amount  withdrawn  by  them ; 
so  that  annuitants  cannot  make  any  reliable  estimate  of  the  amount  to  be 
received  by  them ;  and,  indeed,  would  not  in  some  years  receive  anything, 
if  it  should  happen  that  the  amount  to  be  paid  to  those  withdrawing 
should  be  equal  to  the  whole  income  received.     At  one  time,  annuitants 


8o6  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

did  receive  the  maximum  allowance  of  $200,  while  in  the  year  ending 
May  I,  i860,  they  only  received  seventy-one  dollars,  and  this  because  so 
large  an  amount  was  paid  during  that  year  to  those  withdrawing,  there 
having  been  $1,180  paid  to  ministers  withdrawing,  while  only  $845  were 
paid  to  annuitants ;  and  this  year  the  payments  will  be  even  less,  and  for 
the  same  reason. 

Your  Committee  was  appointed  to  consider  what  measures  should 
be  adopted  to  give  greater  stability  and  efficiency  to  this  Fund,  and  in 
view  of  the  foregoing  statement  it  seems  to  them  evident  that  it  is  im- 
portant to  provide  for  a  more  rapid  increase  of  the  principal,  and  to  ren- 
der the  income  more  reliable.;  and  after  a  careful  consideration  of  the 
subject,  they  would  recommend  the  following  alteration  in  the  plan  of 
the  Fund,  believing  that  they  would  accomplish  these  objects,  and  ren- 
der the  operations  of  the  Fund  much  more  satisfactory : 

1st.  To  permit  only  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  amount  paid  in  by 
annual  subscribers,  to  be  subsequently  withdrawn  by  them. 

2d.  To  allow  not  more  than  half  of  the  net  income  to  be  paid  out 
in  any  fiscal  year  to  those  desiring  to  withdraw. 

3d.  To  appropriate  to  the  principal  account  one-half  of  the  annual 
payments  made  by  ministers,  and  the  other  half  to  the  income  account ; 
also  to  appropriate  each  year  to  the  principal  account  a  sum  equal  to 
the  interest,  at  the  rate  of  three  per  cent,  per  annum,  upon  those  sums 
which  shall  stand  to  the  credit  of  ministers  in  the  principal  account ;  and 
where  Consistories  or  individuals  direct  the  amount  of  their  contributions 
to  apply  to  the  credit  of  any  minister,  such  amount  to  be  placed  in  the 
principal  account,  and  not  thereafter  to  be  withdrawn,  unless  otherwise 
directed  at  the  time  of  payment. 

The  object  of  the  first  proposition  is  to  check,  to  a  certain  extent, 
the  withdrawals  of  those  paying  annual  subscriptions;  which  object  it  is 
hoped  would  be  accomplished  by  withholding  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the 
amount  paid  by  them,  and  by  the  adoption  of  this  with  the  other  propo- 
sitions, making  the  fund  so  reliable  an  investment  as  to  render  it  greatly 
to  their  interest  to  continue  their  subscriptions. 

The  object  of  the  second  proposition  is  to  make  it  certain  that  the 
annuitants  will  receive  each  year  at  least  one-half  of  the  net  income,  and 
the  whole,  if  there  are  no  withdrawals. 

The  object  of  the  third  proposition  is  to  secure  a  more  rapid  increase 
of  the  principal,  and  a  more  equitable  distribution  of  the  annual  receipts, 
by  providing  that,  in  addition  to  the  amount  now  appropriated  to  the  prin- 
cipal account,  one-half  of  the  payments  by  ministers  should  be  added  to 
that  fund.  It  seems  apparent  to  your  Committee  that  it  is  neither  judi- 
cious nor  equitable  that  all  the  annual  payments  by  ministers  should  be 
paid  out  each  year  as  income,  but  that  all  who  are  interested  in  the  fund 
should  be  benefited  by  these  annual  payments.  It  may  happen  that  for 
a  few  years  there  may  be  a  large  number  of  annual  payments,  all  of  which, 
under  the  present  arrangement,  would  be  distributed  among  those  who 
should  then  be  annuitants ;  and  if,  at  some  subsequent  time,  many  of  these 
ministers  should  withdraw  the  amounts  due  them,  they  would  have  to  be 
paid,  to  the  great  detriment  of  those  who  should  then  be  annuitants.  If 
the  amount  paid  by  those  who  make  annual  payments  should  be  equally 
divided  between  principal  and  income,  a  more  equitable  result  would 
seem  to  follow.  Under  the  present  arrangement,  none  but  annuitants 
derive  any  benefit  from  the  annual  payments  of  ministers.  It  is  also 
thought  that  the  principal  account  should  derive  some  benefit  from  those 
cases  in  which  ministers,  by  making  a  single  payment,  are  entitled  to  all 
the  advantages  of  the  fund,  and  it  is  proposed  that  three  per  cent,  upon 
these  payments  should  be  annually  credited  to  the  principal  account.    With 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  807 

reference  to  the  appropriation  that  is  recommended  of  the  moneys  paid 
by  Consistories,  it  is  supposed  that  the  views  of  congregations  would  more 
generally  be  carried  out  if  the  minister  for  whom  the  payment  was  made 
should  not  afterwards  be  privileged  to  withdraw  the  amount  so  paid ;  but 
this  provision  will  not  prevent  Consistories  directing  that  the  payment 
by  them  shall  have  the  same  effect  as  if  it  were  made  by  the  minister. 

Your  Committee  is  aware  that  these  changes  cannot  be  made  without 
the  consent  of  the  paying  subscribers  as  well  as  the  annuitants,  yet  they 
believe  them  to  be  so  obviously  proper  that  it  will  not  be  difficult  to  obtain 
these  consents.  The  only  right  relinquished  by  the  ministers  making  an- 
nual payments  is  that  of  withdrawing  the  whole  amount  paid  by  them, 
and  perhaps,  in  some  cases,  of  obtaining  in  one  year  the  whole  amount 
due  them ;  but  we  think  that  this  will  be  more  than  compensated  by  the 
provision  made  for  increasing  the  principal,  and  by  the  greater  stability 
of  the  fund.  The  only  rights  relinquished  by  the  annuitants  will  be  that 
of  having  the  whole  of  the  annual  payments  of  ministers  and  the  whole 
of  the  interest  of  the  principal  sums  paid  by  some  ministers  go  to  the  in- 
come account ;  but  this  will  be  much  more  than  compensated  by  the  provi- 
sion intended  to  secure  fewer  withdrawals  from  the  fund,  and  to  provide 
for  the  payment  to  them  of  at  least  one-half  of  the  net  income  and  annual 
payments. 

The  following  tabular  statement  is  interesting  and  suggestive,  and 
for  it  the  Committee  is  indebted  to  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  John  I.  Brower, 
Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  the  preparation  of  it  having  involved  con- 
siderable labor  : 

Payments  by         Collections  and       Withdrawn  by  Paid  to 

Ministers.  Donations.      Annual  Subscribers.       Annuitants. 

$18,849.50  $9,45974  $7,065.10  $19,754.43 

Whole  number  Deceased     Annuitants  ceased 

Expenses.  Annuitants.  Annuitants.      by  Marriage. 

$2,542.13  22  4  I 

Present  number         Present  number  Withdrawn  from 

of  Annuitants.  of  Members.  Principal. 

17  70  $2,038.33 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  22  annuitants  have  received  from  this  fund 
$19,754.43.  Who  can  estimate  the  amount  of  relief  this  sum  has  afforded? 
It  is  interesting  to  know  that  the  whole  sum  which  had  been  paid  to  en- 
title annuitants  to  this  amount  was  only  $2,640.00,  while  in  one  case  the 
payment  of  twenty  dollars  has  enabled  the  widow  to  receive  the  sum  of 
$978.49 ;  and  in  another  the  payment  of  $100  enabled  a  widow  to  receive 
$2,612 ;  and  in  every  instance  but  one  the  amount  paid  has  been  but  trifling: 
compared  with  the  amount  received ;  and  it  is  apparent  that  if  the  prac- 
tical working  of  this  fund  should  in  the  future  correspond  with  its  theory, 
no  more  satisfactory  investment  could  be  made  b}'  any  minister. 

It  is  not  within  the  province  of  your  Committee  to  consider  the  pro- 
priety of  the  fund,  or  the  principles  upon  which  it  was  founded.  Yet 
they  cannot  forbear  saying  that  investigation  has  served  to  convince  them 
not  only  of  the  importance  of  the  object  it  was  designed  to  secure,  but 
of  the  wisdom  of  the  general  features  of  the  plan  ;  and  while,  on  the  one 
hand,  it,  from  necessity,  does  not  fully  provide  for  the  cases  of  those  for 
whom  the  Sustentation  Fund  was  designed,  yet,  on  the  other  hand,  it  does 
enable  those  who  can  lay  by  five,  ten,  or  twenty  dollars  a  year,  to  pro- 
vide a  reliable  mode  of  obtaining  a  certain  amount  of  relief  for  them- 
selves if  disabled,  and  for  their  widows  and  young  children  after  their 
death.  An  examination,  too,  of  the  names  of  the  members  and  of  the 
annuitants  has  furnished  to  them  an  answer  to  the  remark  that  is  some- 


So8  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

times  made,  that  this  fund  only  benefits  those  ministers  whose  means  are 
adequate  without  aid  from  the  fund. 

In  conclusion,  your  Committee  would  not  only  recommend  this  fund 
to  the  ministry,  but  would  urge  upon  our  Churches  increased  contributions 
to     it. 

In  accordance  with  the  foregoing  suggestions,  your  Committee  would 
recommend  to  the  Synod  the  adoption  of  the  following  amendments  to 
the  plan  of  the  "Relief  Fund,"  provided  the  necessary  consent  can  be 
obtained  from  the  parties  interested. 

Amendments: 

Amend  the  second  paragraph  of  the  plan  as  follows :  Substitute  in 
place  of  the  clause  commencing  with  the  word  "ministers  interested  in 
the  fund,"  the  following  clauses :  "Ministers  interested  in  the  fund,  by 
the  payment  of  an  annual  subscription,  shall  be  at  liberty  to  relinquish  such 
interest  by  ceasing  to  make  such  annual  payment ;  and  they,  as  well  as 
those  who  have  hertofore  ceased  to  make  such  payments,  shall  be  enti- 
tled to  receive  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  amount  paid  by  them,  with- 
out interest,  by  giving  notice  to  the  Treasurer  nine  months  prior  to  the 
thirtieth  day  of  April  in  each  year,  provided  the  amounts  so  to  be  paid 
shall  not  in  the  aggregate  exceed  one-half  of  the  income  of  the  current 
year;  in  which  case  one-half  of  such  income  shall  be  distributed  pro  rata 
among  the  applicants,  and  the  balance  due  them  shall  be  included  among 
the  applications  for  payments  to  be  made  at  the  close  of  the  next  fiscal 
year.  Ministers  who  have  made  a  payment  of  a  principal  sum,  as  above 
provided,  may  withdraw  the  amount  of  money  actually  paid  by  them,  with- 
out interest,  by  giving  nine  months'  notice  to  the  Treasurer  prior  to  the 
thirtieth  day  of  April  in  any  year,  and  shall  be  entitled  then  to  receive 
the  same  from  the  principal  of  the  fund.  Ministers  leaving  our  Church 
shall  be  subjected  to  the  same  rule  in  the  withdrawment  o^f  their  sub- 
scriptions." 

Substitute  in  place  of  paragraph  "3,"  the  following:  "One-half  of 
the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  and  donations,  when  so  specially  di- 
rected by  the  donor,  shall  be  considered  income ;  the  other  half  of  the 
annual  payments  by  ministers ;  all  other  donations  and  the  collections  in 
the  Churches  shall  be  considered  principal,  and  the  interest  only  used 
as  income.  There  shall  also  be  added  to  the  principal,  at  the  close  of 
each  fiscal  year,  out  of  the  income,  a  sum  equal  to  three  per  cent,  of  the 
^principal  sums  standing  to  the  credit  of  individual  ministers,  in  consequence 
of  payments  made  by  them  under  the  provisions  of  paragraph  2.  Con- 
sistories or  individuals  may  at  their  pleasure  direct  their  contributions,  col- 
lections, and  donations  to  apply  in  whole  or  in  part  to  the  credit  of  any 
minister  they  may  designate;  but  in  such  cases  the  same  shall  be  consid- 
ered as  principal,  and  not  thereafter  withdrawn,  unless  otherwise  directed 
at  the  time  of  payment." 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

JACOB  B.  JEWETT, 
P.  D.  VROOiM, 

SAMUEL  B.  SCHIEFFELIN,       Committee. 
I.  N.  WYCKOFF, 
BENJAMIN  C.  TAYLOR, 
Dated  May  27,  1861. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  amendments  to  the  plan  of  the  Widows'  Fund, 
recommended  in  the  report  of  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meet- 
ing of  General  Synod,  be  adopted,  provided  the  requisite  consent  of  those 
interested  in  the  Fund  can  be  obtained. 

2.  Resolved.    That  the   Board  of   Corporation   be   requested   to   take 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  809 

such  measures  as  they  may  deem  expedient  to  obtain  the  consent  of  those 
interested  in  the  Fund,  and  to  secure  as  speedy  an  adoption  as  is  practica- 
ble of  the  proposed  amendments.     1861,  91-97. 

In  1862,  only  32  out  of  57  of  the  annual  subscribers  paid  their  pre- 
miums. Twelve  entirely  withdrew,  taking  out  of  the  income  $io6o;  an- 
nuitants received  sums  varying  from  $21  to  $57,  for  a  half  year.  Only 
II  churches  took  up  collections.  Benevolent  individuals  had  contributed 
$165.49.  The  matter  was  reviewed  in  Synod,  and  the  following  resolu- 
tions taken : 

1.  That  the  Synod  is  grieved  that  so  many  ministers  have  withdrawn 
their  patronage  from  the  Fund. 

2.  That  this  Synod  appeal  to  all  the  ministers  of  the  Church,  if  pos- 
sible, to  give  their  countenance  and  help  to  this  cause. 

3.  That  the  Churches  be  requested,  without  fail,  to  make,  at  least, 
one  collection  in*  the  year  for  the  benefit  of  this  Fund. 

4.  That  the  Board  of  Corporation  use  all  dispatch  in  obtaining  the 
consent  of  subscribers  to  the  Fund,  to  the  modifications  of  last  year's 
Report. 

Resolved,  That  each  Classis  be  directed  to  appoint  one  of  its  mem- 
bers to  solicit  subscriptions  or  collections  for  the  Widows'  Fund  within 
the  bounds  of  such  Classis,  either  by  personal  interviews  with  Consis- 
tories, or  by  preaching  upon  the  subject;  and  that  the  person  so  appointed 
be  considered  an  officer  of  General  Synod  to  act  in  this  behalf.     1862,  204. 

In  1863,  $1,180,  had  been  withdrawn,  leaving  only  $104  for  distribu- 
tion among  annuitants :  paying  subscribers  had  been  reduced  to  45 ;  but 
the  Principal  had  steadily  increased,  and  was  now  about  $20,000 ;  claimants 
have  withdrawn,  but  contributions  from  individuals  and  churches  have 
increased.  Fear  of  organic  change  has  caused  the  withdrawals ;  but  these 
increase  the  benefit  to  those  who  remain.  If  the  amendments  proposed 
in  1861  be  carried  out,  the  Principal  can  never  become  less ;  and  the  in- 
come will  consist  of  the  interest  and  one-half  the  annual  payments.  Each 
Classis  ought  to  imitate  the  Classis  of  Paramus.  and  keep  every  minister 
a  member  of  this  Fund.     The  following  action  was  taken : 

2.  That  we  recommend  and  sanction  the  amendments  approved  by 
the  Synod  in  1861,  and  hereby  authorize  the  Board  of  Direction  to  ad- 
minister the  Fund  in  accordance  with  these  provisions. 

Resolved,  That  we  heartily  approve  of  the  liberal  offer  of  one  of  our 
ministers  to  be  one  of  200  subscribers  to  raise  $100,000  to  be  added  to 
the  Widows'  Fund,  and  earnestly  recommend  his  example  to  the  ministrv 
and  the  churches. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  Classes  to  continue  the  plan 
of  Classical  agencies,  and  so  arrange  it,  that  every  church  within  their 
bounds  may  be  appealed  to  and  urged  to  greater  liberalities  in  sustaining 
this  fund. 

Resolved,  That  we  cordially  endorse  the  resolution  of  the  Classis 
of  Paramus,  and  hope  that  their  example  will  secure  an  interest  in  this 
Fund  to  every  minister  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.     1863,  352. 

In  1864,  on  account  of  withdrawals  of  funds,  nothing  was  left  for  an- 
nuitants. But  the  prospect  already  was  brightening,  and  agents  in  the 
Classes  of  Bergen  and  Paramus  illustrated  the  wisdom  of  such  plan.  They 
preached  on  the  Fund,  had  conferences  with  ministers  and  consistories, 
addressed  pastoral  letters  to  the  churches,  and  had  aroused  considerable 
interest.  The  Synod  enjoined  it  upon  all  Classes  to  appoint  Classical 
Agents  at  once  to  commend  this  fund  to  the  churches.     1864,  49^. 


8io         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Plan  of  the  Fund. 

The  following  is  the  Plan  of  the  Widows'  Fund,  as  amended,  1864, 
497-500;    [with  amendments  of  1890,  added.] 

1.  The  Fund  shall  be  called  "The  Fund  for  the  Relief  of  Disabled 
Ministers,  and  the  Widows  and  Children  of  Ministers  of  the  Reformed 
Church,'"  and  shall  be  administered  by  the  Board  of  Corporation  of  the 
General  Synod  of  said  Church,  during  the  pleasure  and  under  the  control 
of  the  General  Synod. 

2.  Every  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church  [under  65  years  of  age, 
(1890,  103)]  may  secure  a  full  interest  in  the  Fund,  by  the  payment  of 
$20  annually.  Payments  of  ten  dollars,  or  five  dollars,  annually,  shall  en- 
title subscribers  to  a  proportionate  benefit  from  the  Fund.  Neglect  of  pay- 
ment for  one  year  to  be  a  forfeiture  of  benefit.  Interest,  however,  shall 
at  all  times  be  required  after  six  months.  Payments  at  one  time,  of  a 
sum,  the  interest  of  which,  at  four  per  cent,  per  annum,  shall  amount 
to  twenty  dollars,  or  to  ten  dollars,  or  five  dollars  per  annum,  shall  give 
a  claim  upon  the  Fund  in  the  same  manner  as  if  those  amounts  were  paid 
annually ;  and,  in  this  case,  the  amount  of  the  original  payment  may,  at 
the  death  or  disability  of  the  minister,  be  withdrawn  without  impairing 
the  right  of  benefit  from  the  Fund.  Ministers  interested  in  the  Fund  by 
the  payment  of  an  annual  subscription,  shall  be  at  liberty  to  relinquish 
such  interest  by  ceasing  to  make  such  annual  payment ;  and  they,  as  well 
as  those  who  have  heretofore  ceased  to  make  such  payments,  shall  be  en- 
titled to  receive  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  amount  paid  by  them,  with- 
out interest,  by  giving  nine  months  notice  to  the  Treasurer  prior  to  the 
thirtieth  day  of  April  in  each  year,  provided  the  amounts  so  to  be  paid 
shall  not,  in  the  aggregate,  exceed  one-half  of  the  income  of  the  current 
year ;  in  which  case  one-half  of  such  income  shall  be  distributed  pro  rata 
among  the  applicants,  and  the  balance  due  them  shall  be  included  among 
the  applications  for  payments  to  be  made  at  the  close  of  the  next  fiscal 
year.  Ministers  who  have  made  a  payment  of  a  principal  sum,  as  above 
provided,  may  withdraw  the  amount  of  money  actually  paid  by  them,  with- 
out interest,  by  giving  nine-months  notice  to  the  Treasurer  prior  to  the 
thirtieth  day  of  April  in  any  year,  and  shall  be  entitled  then  to  receive  the 
same  from  the  principal  of  the  Fund.  Ministers  leaving  our  Church 
shall  be  subjected  to  the  same  rule  in  the  withdrawal  of  their  subscrip- 
tions. 

3.  One-half  of  the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  and  donations 
when  so  specially  directed  by  the  donor,  shall  be  considered  income ;  the 
other  half  of  the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  all  other  donations,  and 
the  collections  in  the  churches,  [above  ivhat  is  needed  to  pay  to  each  annuitant 
the  maximum  annuity,  (1890,  108)]  shall  be  considered  as  principal,  and 
the  interest  only  used  as  income.  There  shall  also  be  added  to  the  prin- 
cipal, at  the  close  of  each  fiscal  3^ear,  out  of  the  income,  a  sum  equal  to 
three  per  cent,  of  the  principal  sums  standing  to  the  credit  of  individual 
ministers,  in  consequence  of  payments  made  by  them  under  the  provi- 
sions of  paragraph  two.  Consistories  or  individuals  may,  at  their  pleas- 
ure, direct  their  contributions,  collections  and  donations,  to  apply  in  whole 
or  in  part  to  the  credit  of  any  minister  they  may  designate ;  but  in  such 
cases  the  same  shall  be  considered  as  principal,  and  not  thereafter  with- 
drawn, unless  otherwise  directed  at  the  time  of  payment. 

4.  No  money  belonging  to  this  fund  shall  be  loaned  (except  on  tem- 
porary loan  with  collateral  security)  unless  secured  by  bond  and  mort- 
gage on  real  estate.  The  moneys  belonging  to  this  Fund  shall  be  kept  sep- 
arate and  distinct  from  all  other  funds  of  Synod. 

5.  The  officers  of  the  Board  of  Direction  shall  be  the  officers  of  the 
trust — the  Treasurer's  duty   shall  be  to  collect  the  income  and   make  all 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  8ii 

payments.  He  shall  report  minutely  and  fully  to  General  Synod  at  each 
of  its  annual  meetings ;  his  accounts  to  be  audited  by  a  committee  of  the 
Board  of  Direction. 

6.  The  maximum  amount  to  be  paid  to  parties  interested  in  the  Fund 
shall  be — to  a  minister  disabled  by  sickness  or  age,  two  hundred  dollars 
per  annum ;  to  the  widow  of  a  deceased  minister,  two  hundred  dollars 
per  annum ;  to  children  of  clergymen,  both  whose  parents  have  deceased, 
seventy-five  dollars  per  annum,  each,  until  they  attain  the  age  of  sixteen 
years.  Should  the  income,  upon  due  experiment,  be  found  to  admit  it, 
this  maximum  may  hereafter  be  increased.  When  but  one  payment  has 
been  made,  the  maximum  of  the  annuity  allowed  shall  be  seventy-five  dol- 
lars. When  two  annual  payments  have  been  made,  the  maximum  an- 
nuity allowed  shall  be  one  hundred  dollars.  When  three  annual  payments 
have  been  made,  the  maximum  annuity  shall  be  one  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars.  When  four  annual  payments  have  been  made,  the  maximum  an- 
nuity shall  be  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars ;  and  where  payments 
have  been  made  for  five  years  and  upwards,  the  maximum  annuity  shall 
be,  as  above  stated,  two  hundred  dollars — the  widows  and  children  of 
such  to  receive  respectively  according  to  this  graduation. 

As  long  as  the  income  is  sufficient  to  pay  each  claimant  the  maxi- 
mum annuity,  the  maximum  shall  be  allowed;  but  should  the  income  not 
be  sufficient,  then  the  whole  income  shall  be  divided  among  the  claimants 
in  proportion  to  their  claims. 

It  is  expressly  understood  that  in  all  the  above  cases,  to  entitle  the  ap- 
plicants to  their  annuities,  the  payments  of  subscriptions  must  be  continued 
regularly  until  they  cease  by  the  operation  of  the  principles  herein  con- 
tained. 

7.  A  widow  of  a  minister  contracting  marriage,  forfeits  her  claim 
to  the  annuity ;  but  in  such  case  the  children  under  sixteen  years  of  age 
shall  be  entitled  to  their  annuities,  as  though  both  parties  had  deceased. 

8.  In  disbursing  the  income  of  the  Fund,  where  a  minister  is  the 
applicant,  he  shall  be  required  to  produce  a  certificate  from  his  Classis, 
or  other  satisfactory  evidence,  declaring  that  by  reason  of  sickness,  old 
age,  or  other  providential  cause,  he  is  incapable  of  service. 

Where  a  widow  is  an  applicant,  like  satisfactory  evidence  for  the 
decease  of  her  husband,  and  the  date  thereof,  shall  be  required. 

When  children,  both  whose  parents  have  deceased,  are  concerned,  like 
evidence  of  the  death  of  their  parents,  and  of  their  own  age,  shall  be  re- 
quired. 

9.  The  payments  to  annuitants  shall  be  made  half  yearly ;  to  minis- 
ters, commencing  with  the  date  of  their  incapacity  for  service ;  to  widows, 
from  the  death  of  their  husbands;  and  to  children,  from  the  death  of  their 
last  surviving  parent. 

The  Treasurer's  books,  or  authentic  vouchers,  shall  furnish  the  evi- 
dence of  the  payment  of  subscriptions. 

Annuitants  shall  be  admitted  to  the  benefit  of  the  Fund  by  a  vote  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  Fund,  or  a  committee  specially  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

10.  Alterations  may  be  made  in  the  rules  relating  to  the  general 
management  of  the  Fund,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  paying  subscribers 
thereto ;  but  the  plan,  in  its  essential  prinicples  relating  to  a  civil  compact 
between  each  subscriber  and  the  General  Synod,  as  the  contracting  par- 
ties, cannot  be  altered  without  the  consent  of  every  paying  subscriber. 

11.  These  rules  are  adopted  and  confirmed  by  Synod,  as  the  system 
for  the  management  of  the  Widows'  Fund.     1864,  497-500. 


8i2         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

ADDITIONAL    EXPLANATIONS. 

1.  The  sums  mentioned  in  Sec.  2  ($500,  $250,  and  $125)  must  remain 
in  the  treasury  five  years  in  order  to  constitute  a  full  annuitant.  If  they 
remain  for  a  shorter  period,  the  benefit  will  be  pro  rata  according  to  the 
scale  mentioned  in  Sec.  6. 

2.  The  privilege  of  withdrawing  seventy-five  per  cent,  on  giving 
nine-months'  notice,  applies  only  to  a  minister  making  payments  for  him- 
self, and  not  to  a  church  or  other  party  making  payments  for  him,  unless 
they  give  notice  at  the  time  of  payment  of  their  desire  to  have  the  privi- 
lege. 

3.  The  fiscal  year  begins  May  i.  If  payments  due  then  are  not  made 
until  after  October  30,  interest  from  May  i  to  the  date  of  payment  must 
be  added.     The  same  rule  applies  in  the  case  of  a  first  payment. 

4.  When  churches  make  yearly  payments  for  their  pastor's  benefit, 
they  should  always  mention  him  by  name. 

5.  When  there  is  a  change  of  pastors,  the  former  pastor  must  con- 
tinue the  payments  himself  or  have  it  done  by  his  new  church.  But  if 
he  goes  out  of  the  denomination,  his  interest  ceases  altogether.  See  Sec.  2. 

6.  To  derive  benefit  from  the  Fund,  it  is  essential  that  yearly  pay- 
ments be  kept  up.  But  where  a  principal  sum  has  been  paid,  it  can  be 
withdrawn  without  interest  in  case  of  death  or  disability,  and  the  min- 
ister, if  disabled,  or  his  family,  if  he  dies,  can  still  enjoy  the  benefit 
of  the  Fund. 

7.  Payments  cannot  be  anticipated.  The  rules  provide  only  for  an- 
nual payments  or  the  deposit  of  a  sum  the  interest  of  which  is  equal  to 
an  annual  payment. 

8.  The  requisites  for  obtaining  an  interest  in  the  fund  are  all  stated 
in  the  foregoing,  nor  is  there  any  limitation  beyond  what  is  there  ex- 
pressed.    1890,  106. 

See  also  1881,  774" 780. 

The  usual  statements  and  recommendations,  1865,  642 ;  1866,  107 ; 
(Treasurer's  salary  increased  to  $250;)    1867,  283;   1868,  493;   1869,  657. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Direction  be  requested  to  prepare  and 
issue,  as  soon  as  possible,  a  brief  statement  of  facts  and  an  appeal  in 
behalf  of  the  Widows'  and  Disabled  Ministers'  Funds,  for  general  cir- 
culation among  the  churches,  and  for  use  in  the  public  presentation  of 
these  objects.     1869,  580. 

There  is  a  single  feature  of  the  plan  of  the  Widows'  Fund,  to  which 
the  Committee  deem  it  important  to  call  attention. 

Under  the  amended  rules,  the  contributions  of  the  Churches,  unless 
otherwise  ordered  by  the  churches  contributing,  are  added  to  the  prin- 
cipal of  the  fund.  The  consequence  is  that  these  contributions  have  but 
little  perceptible  influence  upon  the  amount  of  annuities.  It  is  the  view 
of  your  Committee  that  one  great  reason  of  the  lack  of  confidence  which 
is  manifested  by  the  churches  and  Pastors,  is  the  smallness  of  these  an- 
nuities. If  the  sums  contributed  by  the  churches  during  the  last  year 
had  been  added  to  the  income  to  be  divided  among  the  annuitants,  the 
amount  paid  to  each  would  have  reached  nearly  the  maximum  allowed 
by  the  rules  of  the  Fund,  viz. :  $200.  With  a  view,  therefore,  to  enable 
the  Fund  to  pay  to  those  who  are  entitled  to  receive  its  benefits,  a  sum 
more  nearly  adequate  to  meet  their  necessities,  which,  in  some  cases,  are 
very  pressing,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  inspire  a  larger  confidence,  your 
Committee  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  churches,  in  making  con- 
tributions to  the  Widows'  Fund,  to  direct  the  application  of  their  con- 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  813 

tributions  to  the  income  of  the  Fund,  so  far  as  may  be  necessary  to  bring 
the  annuities  up  to  the  maximum  amount.     1869,  657-8. 

2.  Resolved,  That  each  Pastor  be  earnestly  requested  to  study  the 
"Plan"  of  the  Widows'  Fund,  and  to  preach  on  the  subject  once  during 
the  year. 

3.  Resolved,  That  each  Consistory  is  fraternally  exhorted  to  take 
up  a  collection,  and  to  raise  sufficient  to  constitute  their  Pastor  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Fund,  and  that  in  such  cases,  Consistories  be  requested  to  ap- 
propriate one-half  to  the  Income  of  the  Fund. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  devise  and  en- 
deavor successfully  to  execute  some  means,  whereby  Missionaries  under 
their  care,  may  be  constituted  and  continued  members  of  the  Widows' 
Fund.     1870,  130. 

The  usual  statements,  exhortations  and  recommendations,  1871,  337; 
1872,  524;  1873,  746;  1874,  148,  advising  also  that  each  Classis  appoint 
one  of  its  pastors  to  present  the  cause  to  each  church,  as  was  done  in 
1862;  or  to  accomplish  the  same  object  by  an  exchange  of  pulpits. 

A  bequest  of  $5,000  from  the  estate  of  John  Clark  of  New  Brunswick, 
paid  into  this  fund,  1875,  347. — The  usual  recommendations,  1876,  547 ;  and 

Resolved,  That  the  example  of  those  who  have  left  legacies  to  the 
Funds,  be  held  up  for  imitation  on  the  part  of  those  members  of  the 
Reformed  Church  who,  in  making  the  final  disposition  of  their  property, 
desire  to  turn  some  of  their  fortunes  into  benevolent  channels.     1876,  547. 

The  usual  recommendations  were  made  in  behalf  of  the  Widows' 
Fund,  1877,  727 ;  1878,  141 ;  1879,  393 ;  1880,  575 ;  1881,  77Z.  Also  the  fol- 
lowing Special  Report,  1881  : 

The  Special  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  (1880) 
(Minutes,  p.  575),  to  report  to  this  Synod  on  the  conditions  on  which  the 
Fund  should  be  administered,  presented  the  following  report,  which  was 
accepted  and  adopted : 

REPORT  OF  SPECIAL  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  WIDOWS'  FUND. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Sjmod  to  consider  and 
report  upon  certain  questions  that  from  time  to  time  arise  in  connection 
with  the  working  of  this  Fund,  beg  leave  to  report.  The  action  of  the 
last  General  Synod  in  reference  to  the  matter  is  found  in  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  on  "Widows'  and  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,"  Page  574, 
Minutes  of  1880. 

It  is  as  follows : 

"A  communication  has  been  referred  to  your  Committee  detailing 
the  recent  case  of  a  pastor  in  failing  health,  who  shortly  after  the  pay- 
ment of  $20  into  the  Widows'  Fund,  was  removed  by  death.  This  first 
payment  made  under  circumstances  which  rendered  it  likely  to  be,  as  it 
proved,  the  last,  entitles  the  widow  to  an  annuity  of  seventy-five  dollars. 

"This  case  may  be  considered  as  exceptional ;  yet  similar  cases  may 
recur.  It  is  important  that  the  Fund  should  be  administered,  as  far  as 
may  be,  on  principles  of  equity,  bearing  alike  upon  all  who  are  partici- 
pants in  its  benefits.  Without  losing  sight  of  the  benevolent  feature 
of  the  Fund,  care  should  be  taken  that. no  injustice  should  be  done  to 
those  who  for  many  years  have  made  regular  payments.  What  condi- 
tions or  restrictions  as  to  health — if  any — should  be  made,  your  Com- 
mittee is  not  prepared  to  say.  Instead  of  pronouncing  a  hasty  judgment 
upon  a  matter  which  needs  careful  deliberation,  touching  as  it  does  the 
rights  and  interests  of  all  who  are  subscribers  or  annuitants,  your  Com- 
mittee would  advise  its  reference  to  a  Special  Committee  to  report  to  the 
next  General  Synod." 

The  Committee  found  when  they  entered  upon  the  consideration  of 


8i4         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

the  questions  connected  with  the  case  here  cited  that  inquiries  were  sug- 
gested in  every  direction.  It  was  decided  to  confer  with  the  Board  of 
Direction.  The  President  of  The  Board  of  Direction,  Mr.  John  Van 
Nest,  was  invited  to  meet  with  the  Committee,  which  he  did.  It  was 
evident  at  once  that  the  whole  matter  of  the  working  of  the  "Widows' 
Fund,"  was  not  understood  in  the  Church.  The  Board  of  Direction  are 
continually  receiving  communications,  asking  questions  concerning  it  and 
its  conditions,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  in  the  Digest  of  1869,  85-90, 
the  whole  plan  of  the  Fund  is  given,  and  the  laws  by  which  it  is  governed 
plainly  stated.  The  Board  of  Direction  have  only  an  administrative  func- 
tion. The  law  of  the  Fund  is  inflexible.  It  was  therefore  deemed  best 
to  review  the  whole  matter,  though  it  may  seem  that  in  thus  doing,  the 
Committee  have  perhaps  gone  beyond  the  question  submitted  to  them  in 
the  action  of  the  last  Synod.  The  Board  of  Direction  are  very  desirous 
that  the  ministers,  and  the  various  consistories  of  our  churches  should 
clearly  understand  the  nature  and  objects  of  the  Fund,  as  well  as  the  laws 
under  which  it  is  administered.  It  will  be  observed  that  no  change  can 
be  made  in  the  "essential  principles  of  the  plan"  of  the  Fund,  in  so  far 
as  it  is  a  civil  compact  between  each  subscriber  and  the  General  Synod 
as  the  contracting  parties,  "without  the  consent  of  every  paying  sub- 
scriber."    It  will  be  seen  that  no  such  change  is  recommended. 

After  long  conference  it  was  resolved  to  submit  to  the  legal  gentle- 
man of  the  Committee,  Mr.  H.  D.  Van  Orden,  a  series  of  questions 
which  were  suggested  by  the  Board  of  Direction,  as  covering  the  ground 
of  the  inquiries  received  concerning  the  matter,  with  the  request  that  he 
would  take  time  and  prepare  a  carefully  considered  opinion,  as  to  the  in- 
terpretation given.  This  was  done  and  the  result  submitted  to  the  busi- 
ness men  on  the  Board  of  Direction,  and  meets  with  their  full  approba- 
tion as  to  the  legal  bearing  of  the  provisions  of  the  Fund.  There  is  no 
manner  of  doubt  but  that  their  conclusions  are  such  as  will*  be  sustained 
by  any  court  that  might  be  required  to  pass  upon  them.  The  questions 
and  answers  are  as  follows : 

QUESTIONS. 

1.  Can  any  minister  of  any  age  and  in  any  condition  of  health  be 
included  under  this  provision.     Sec.  i,  sub.  .2.  Widows'  Fund? 

Answer — Yes. 

2.  Is  any  protection  or  change  needed  as  to  condition  of  health  or 
age? 

Answer — The  fund  thus  far  has  met  all  the  calls  made  upon  it,  not 
only,  but  has  increased. 

Exceptional  cases  may  occur  whereby  the  Fund  may  have  larger 
draughts  made  upon  it. 

Do  these  exceptional  cases  work  any  injustice  to  the  members  of 
the  Fund  ? 

Are  the  yearly  payments  and  the  benevolence  of  the  churches  suf- 
ficient to  meet  the  calls  likely  to  be  made  upon  the  Fund? 

If  these  principles  of  Life  Insurance  are  to  be  applied  to  the  Fund, 
then  these  questions  would  arise : 

Who  is  to  examine  the  applicant? 

What  condition  of  health,  age,  and  predisposition  to  hereditary  dis- 
eases are  to  exclude  the  applicant? 

Who  is  to  admit  or  reject  the  applicant? 

The  framing  of  these  questions  suggests  the  inexpediency  of  any 
change  of  policy. 

I  doubt  the  propriety  of  attempting  to  turn  this  Fund  into  a  volun- 
tary Insurance  Fund. 


WIDOWS'  FUND.  THE  815 

It  would  be  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  rules  and  the  object  of  their 
creation. 

It  is  better  to  leave  the  rules  as  they  are,  and  then  give  expression 
to  their  construction,  and  the  principles  upon  which  they  are  adminis- 
tered by  the  Board  of  Direction,  to  the  end  that  they  may  be  better 
understood,  and  a  greater  interest  taken  by  the  churches  in  increasing 
the  Funds. 

3.  Is  neglect  of  payment  for  one  year  a  forfeiture  of  privilege  ? 
Answer — Yes. 

4.  Should  a  change  be  made,  viz. :  Neglect,  oversight,  inabihty  by 
pastor  or  church,  or  lack  of  interest? 

Answer — No ;  but  more  attention  should  be  called  to  the  rules  regu- 
lating the  Fund. 

5.  Must  the  $500  named  in  the  2d  Article,  ist  section,  remain  in  the 
treasury  five  years,  in  order  to  constitute  a  full  annuitant? 

Answer — Yes. 

6.  Is  there  a  difference  between  payments  made  by  a  church  for 
the  minister,  and  payments  made  by  the  minister  for  himself? 

Answer — Yes. 

A  minister  may  stop  making  payments  and  on  giving  notice  9  months 
before  April  30th,  is  entitled  to  receive  75  per  cent,  of  the  amount  paid 
by  him,  but  without  interest. 

A  church  cannot  do  this. 

7.  Is  forfeiture  from  the  date  of  payment  or  from  the  beginning  of 
the  fiscal  year? 

Answer — From  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year.  May  i.  Otherwise  it 
would  lead  to  great  confusion  in  keping  the  accounts.  If  payments  are 
made  after  November  i,  then  interest  from  May  i  must  be  added  to  the 
payment. 

Also,  if  the  first  payqient  of  $20  is  made  after  November  i,  then  in- 
terest on  the  $20  should  be  added  from  May  i,  and  be  paid  with  the  $20. 

8.  Does  the  amount  of  the  annuity,  which  may  be  increased,  apply 
to  the  whole  or  simply  to  children? 

Answer — Applies  to  all. 

9.  Who  are  included  under  the  phrase,  "Disabled  Ministers?" 
Answer — Such   as    Classis    declares    disabled    for    reasons    satisfactory 

to  it.     The  Board  does  not  go  behind  the  action  of  Classis. 

10.  Can  disabled  ministers  receive  under  any  circumstances  benefit 
from  the  Widows'  Fund? 

Answer — Yes.  on  complying  with  the  rules  of  the  Fund,  viz. :  making 
yearly  payments,  or  if  his  church  does,  but  not  otherwise.  If  a  payment 
is  omitted,  then  the  member  must  commence  anew. 

11.  Can  a  disabled  minister  apply  to  both  Funds? 
Answer — Yes,  as  follows  : 

Unless  a  minister  is  a  member  of  the  Disabled  Ministers'  and  Widows'. 
Fund,  [?]  by  having  made  annual  payments,  neither  he  nor  his  family  can 
derive  any  benefit  from  the  Fund;  but  if  he  has  made  his  annual  payments, 
then  he  and  they  can  derive  benefit  from  the  Fund. 

As  to  the  Fund  called  "Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,"  any  disabled  min- 
ister or  family  of  a  deceased  minister  can  derive  benefit  therefrom  on 
cornplying  with  the  rules.  Aid  is  granted  by  the  Board  of  Direction  on 
satisfactory  recommendation  of  Classis,  certified  by  the  Clerk,  and  stat- 
ing the  amount  needed.  Regard,  however,  is  always  had  to  the  condi- 
tion of  the  Fund. 

The  two  Funds  having  somewhat  similar  names,  attention  is  called 
thereto,  so  that  in  taking  contributions  it  may  be  better  understood. 


8i6         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

The  Widows'  Fund,  as  it  is  usually  called,  no  one  can  gain  any  bene- 
fit from,  unless  yearly  payments  have  been  made  and  kept  up. 

As  to  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  any  disabled  minister,  or  family 
of  deceased  minister,  can  receive  benefit  at  any  time  and  will  receive  re- 
lief on  making  proper  application  to  Classis  therefor. 

12.  Should  Churches  on  making  yearly  payments  mention  their  pas- 
tor by  name,  or  is  it  sufficient  to  refer  to  the  pastor  of  the  church? 

Answer — Payments  are  made  both  ways,  but  it  is  always  better  to 
name  the  pastor. 

13.  What  course  should  be  taken  when  there  is  a  change  of  pastor? 
Answer — A  church  making  payment  should  make  it  in  the  name  of 

the  pastor.  If  there  is  a  change  of  pastor  then  make  the  next  payment 
in  the  name  of  the  new  pastor. 

The  former  pastor  on  entering  his  new  pastorate  should  continue  his 
payments  by  himself  or  his  church  in  his  own  name. 

13.  Can  payments  be  made  in  gross,  and  thus  anticipate  the  years? 
Answer — The  rules  only  provide  for  annual  payments,  or  the  deposit 

of  a  sum  the  interest  of  which  will  make  the  annual  payments. 

14.  Is  it  expedient  to  make  a  report  in  full  as  to  the  foregoing? 
Answer. — Yes,  there  are  many  ministers  and  treasurers   who  do  not 

seem  to  understand  the  rules  upon  which  these  Funds  are  administered 
by  the  Board  of  Direction.  It  would  relieve  them  from  much  correspond- 
ence by  making  the  report  so  that  it  can  be  circulated  among  the  churches. 
It  will  tend  to  increase  the  Funds,  and  will  also  greatly  aid  the  clergy 
themselves  in  not  only  understanding  the  rules,  but  will  be  of  service  in 
presenting  the  subject  to  the  people. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  foregoing  that  the  "Widows'  Fund"  has  two 
distinct  features,  i.  It  is  somewhat  in  the  nature  of  insivrance,  the  an- 
nual payment  of  a  given  sum  entitling  the  person  making  it  to  the  bene- 
fits of  the  Fund.  2.  It  has  a  benevolent  side.  It  is  evident  that  as  a  busi- 
ness matter  the  Fund  would  soon  fail.  It  appeals  to  the  benevolence  of 
the  Church  that  the  ability  of  such  ministers  as  are  able  to  make  a  par- 
tial provision  for  themselves,  in  old  age  and  disability,  as  well  as  for  their 
families  in  case  of  their  death,  may  me  supplemented  by  the  gifts  of  the 
charitable. 

It  will  be  seen  also  that  no  change  is  recommended  in  the  plan.  The 
Fund  has  proved  thus  far  equal  to  the  demands  made  upon  it. 

Your  Committee  deem  it  of  paramount  importance  that  the  benevolent 
features  of  this  Fund  should  be  emphasized  with  as  great  force  as  pos- 
sible.    It  was  therefore  resolved  that  we  recommend  these  resolutions : 

Rsolved,  That  a  circular  which  shall  contain  the  questions  and  an- 
swers of  this  report,  and  any  other  information  that  the  Board  of  Di- 
rection may  deem  necessary,  Idc  sent  to  each  minister  and  consistory,  and 
[to]  annuitants. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  our  churches  be  called  to  the  benevo- 
lent features  of  the  Fund,  and  that  they  be  urged  to  make  collections  on 
its  behalf. 

The  following  form  of  circular  is  recommended: 

To  the  Minister  and  Consistory  of  the  Church  of 

Dear  Brethren  : — 

Your  attention  is  hereby  called  to  the  great  benefits  inuring  from 
the  Widows'  Fund  to  those  complying  with  its  conditions.  The  widows 
and  orphaned  families  of  our  deceased  ministers  appeal  with  irresistible 
force  to  our   sympathy.     The  object  of  this   Fund   is  to   provide   in  part 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  817 

for  their  necessities  in  some  way  that  shall  assure  of  certainty  in  pay- 
ment, and  permanence  in  continuance. 

Especially  do  we  urge  upon  churches  that  collections  be  taken  for 
this  Fund,  in  order  that  pastors  may  be  made  partakers  of  its  benefits. 
The  above  statement  sets  clearly  before  every  one  interested  the  require- 
ments, conditions,  limitations  and  benefits  of  the  Fund.  It  must  be  evi- 
dent to  every  Minister,  that  from  no  possible  investment  can  so  large 
return  be  received ;  even  if  the  Fund  should  yield  only  half  the  maxi- 
mum amount  which  is  now  paid  to  all  full  annuitants,  the  benefit  would 
be  far  greater  than  can  be  secured  from  any  other  source.  Let  it  be 
remembered  that  the  more  general  the  interest,  the  larger  the  collections 
taken,  the  more  efficient  the  Fund  will  be.  Every  Minister  has  a  per- 
sonal interest  in  its  working,  and  not  one  should  hesitate  to  urge  its 
claims.  Let  every  church  contribute,  and,  though  the  sums  from  each 
be  small  the  aggregate  will  be  large.  We  commit  this  whole  matter  to 
the  people,  well  assured  that  they  need  but  to  be  made  to  know  the  real 
nature  of  this  appeal,  and  they  will  respond  with  the  liberaHty  ever  char- 
acteristic of  them. 

C.  L.  WELLS,  Chairman. 

Flatbush,  L.  L,  May  31,  1881. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  Committee  be  continued,  and  that  they,  in 
consultation  with  the  Board  of  Direction,  prepare  a  circular  embodying 
in  substance  the  information  contained  in  their  report,  which  shall  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Stated  Clerk  to  be  printed  and  distributed  to 
Ministers,    Consistories,    and   Annuitants.     1881,    773-780. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  surplus  income  in  the  hands  of  the 
Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  belonging  to  the  Widows'  Fund,  the  Treas- 
urer be  authorized  and  empowered,  if  in  his  judgment  it  be  fitting,  and 
no  legal  objections  be  in  the  way,  to  increase  the  allowances  to  the  sev- 
eral annuitants  who  are  receiving  aid  from  this  fund  ten  (10)  per  cent, 
for  the  current  year,  and  so  long  thereafter  as  the  moneys  of  said  Fund 
shall  warrant  it.     1882,  156. 

Resolved,  That  the  prayerful  attention  of  the  wealthy  among  us  be 
fixed  on  the  fact  that  nowhere  can  a  legacy  be  more  fitly  bestowed  than 
where  it  can  be  so  largely  useful  to  the  alleviation  of  the  suffering  of 
those  who  are  undoubtedly  very  dear  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     1883,  358. 

The  Board  of  Direction  call  attention  to  the  rule  of  the  Widows' 
Fund,  that  "annual  payments  cannot  be  anticipated,"  and  inform  the  Synod 
that  this  is  very  important,  until  five  annual  payments  have  been  made ; 
but  after  that  it  has  no  influence,  and  advise  that  in  such  cases,  the 
Treasurer  be  authorized  to  receive  and  credit  any  advance  payments. 
1884,  454- 

Synod  refused  to  amend  the  title  of  "Widows'  Fund"  to  Widows'  As- 
surance Fund."     1884,  454. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  surplus  income  of  the  Widows'  Fund 
now  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod,  he  be  authorized 
and  empowered,  if  in  his  judgment  it  be  fitting,  and  there  be  no  legal 
obstacles  in  the  way,  to  increase  the  allowances  to  the  several  annuitants 
who  are  receiving  aid  from  this  Fund,  ten  (10)  per  cent,  for  the  current 
year  and  so  long  thereafter  as  the  moneys  of  said  Fund  shall  warrant  it. 
1884,  556. 

Your  Committee  therefore  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  : 

I.  That  General  Synod  hereafter  place  the  Widows'  Fund  and  the 
Disabled  Ministers'  Fund  in  the  hands  of  two  Synodical  Committees  ta 
give  a  separate  report  of  each. 


8i8         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

2.  That  General  Synod  earnestly  recommends  a  continued  member- 
ship in  the  Widows'  Fund,  through  the  payment  of  the  required  amount 
by  each  minister  for  himself,  or  each  church  for  their  minister. 

3.  That  every  church  not  contributing  annually  to  the  Widows' 
Fund  for  the  membership  of  its  pastor,  be  requested  to  take  a  collec- 
tion in  its  behalf  this  year,  not  excluding  those  who  have  the  ability  from 
continuing  to  make  contributions  in  both  these  forms. 

5.  That  we  heartily  commend  this  Fund  to  the  favorable  considera- 
tion of  all  who  have  the  ability  to  increase  their  endowments,  by  gener- 
ous gifts  while  living,  and  by  the  testimentary  devisal  of  liberal  benefac- 
tions. 

6.  That  the  Treasurer  of  General  Synod  be  requested  to  give,  in 
his  future  reports,  the  figures  that  state  the  number  of  churches  con- 
tributing, of  individual  contributors  and  of  the  annuitants  of  this  Fund. 
1885,  769. 

Usual  recommendations,  1886,  115;  1887,  356;  1888,  602.  Fund  pay- 
ing only  75  per  cent,  of  maximum  amount. 

1.  Resolved,  That  all  churches  contributing  to  the  Widows'  Fund 
are  requested,  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  plan,  to  designate 
M^hether  the  contributions  shall  be  applied  to  principal  or  income.  And, 
in  case  the  Consistory  fail  to  make  such  designation,  the  Treasurer  of 
the  General  Synod  shall  communicate  with  the  pastor  or  treasurer  in 
order  to  get  such  designation. 

2.  That  until  the  income  be  sufficient  to  pay  the  maximum  annuity, 
churches  be  requested  to  make  not  only  more  liberal  contributions,  but 
to  designate  that  their  contributions  go  to  the  income  of  the  fund  in- 
stead of  principal. 

3.  That  a  special  committee  of  five — three  ministers  and  two  elders 
— be  appointed  by  this  General  Synod  to  report  to  the  next  General  Synod 
such  revision  of  the  rules  of  the  Widows'  Fund  as  shall  remove  the  in- 
justice and  embarrassment  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  report.     1889,  825. 

Appointed :  Revs.  Jas.  LeFevre,  J.  H.  Suydam,  J.  B.  Drury,  and 
Elders  H.  D.  Van  Orden,  and  J.  A.  Cooke. 

The  Special  Committee  appointed  last  year  to  report  such  revision 
of  the  rules  of  the  Widows'  Fund  as  shall  prevent  embarrassment  and 
injustice,  presented  the  following,  which  was  accepted  and  adopted: 
1889,  825. 

REPORT    OF    SPECIAL    COMMITTEE    ON    WIDOWS.'    FUND 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Synod  (1889,  825)  to 
report  to  this  Synod  such  revision  of  the  rules  of  the  WIDOWS'  FUND 
as  shall  remove  the  injustice  and  embarrassment  mentioned  in  Minutes 
referred  to,  have  sought  information  from  Mr.  John  Van  Nest,  Treasurer 
of  the  Board  of  Direction,  and  in  several  meetings  of  the  Committee  have 
earnestly  and  anxiously  applied  themselves  to  the  work  committed  to 
them. 

We  find  there  is  great  injustice  to  early  and  long  memberships, 
through  the  advanced  age  at  which  many  become  members  of  this  Fund. 
Out  of  the  thirty-four  annuitants  reported  by  the  Board  of  Direction  last 
year,  "sixteen  made  but  five  payments,  and  ten  average  about  three  years 
and  a  half  membership."  When  we  consider  that  some  of  the  member- 
ships have  been  running  for  twenty,  thirty  and  forty  years,  these  very  late 
memberships  work  great  inequality  and  injustice  without  any  intention 
on  the  part  of  the  late  coming  members. 

Another  cause  of  embarrassment  is  found  in  the  disproportion  of  in- 
come to  principal  in  the  workings  of  Rule  3  (Minutes  1861,  p.  93)  of  Di- 
rections, which  is :  "One  half  of  the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  and 
donations   when   so   specially   directed   by   the   donor,   shall   be   considered 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  819 

income;  the  other  half  of  the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  all  other 
donations,  and  the  collections  in  the  churches  shall  be  considered  as  prin- 
cipal, and  the  interest  only  used  as  income."  The  practical  result  is  this: 
the  principal  fund  has  increased  by  (say)  $3,000  a  year,  while  the  in- 
come or  annuity  fund  has  as  steadily  decreased  from  $4,523  (in  1883)  to 
$2,074  (in  1889)  and  this  year  to  still  lower  figures.  Hence  annuities 
have  been  reduced  to  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the  maximum,  and,  if  the 
rule  continues,  still  farther  reduction  is  inevitable.  The  only  relief  can 
come  through  a  slight  change  in  the  rule  referred  to,  and  a  great  change 
in  the  increased  liberality  of  the  churches  toward  this  Fund.  Therefore 
we  recommend  the  following: 

1.  That  Rule  2  be  changed  to  read :  Every  Minister  of  the  Reformed 
Church  under  sixty-five  years  of  age  (the  italics  added)  may  secure  a 
full  interest  in  the  Fund,  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 

2.  That  Rule  3  be  changed  to  read :  One-half  of  the  annual  pay- 
ment by  ministers,  donations  when  so  specially  directed  by  the  donor, 
shall  be  considered  income ;  the  other  half  of  the  annual  payments  by 
ministers,  all  other  donations,  and  the  collections  in  the  churches,  above 
what  is  needed  to  pay  to  each  annuitant  the  maximum  annuity  (italics 
denoting  the  change)  shall  be  considered  as  principal,  and  the  interest 
only  used  as  income. 

3.  That  a  circular,  similar  to  the  one  issued  by  the  direction  of 
General  Synod  in  1881,  containing  this  report,  the  rules  as  changed,  any 
other  information  the  Board  of  Direction  may  deem  necessary,  and  an 
appeal  to  the  churches  to  increase  the  regularity  and  amount  of  their 
offerings  to  this  Fund,  be  sent  to  each  minister  and  Consistory.  1890, 
107-8.     See  Plan,  with  these  amendments,  above,  under  date  of  1864. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  most  heartily  commends  the  Widows' 
Fund  to  the  benevolence  of  the  churches,  and  most  earnestly  requests 
every  Consistory  to  give  the  congregation  under  its  charge  an  opportunity 
of  contributing  annually  to  this  most  excellent  fund.     1890,  106. 

Resolved,  That  in  issuing  the  Rules  of  the  Widows'  Fund  as  modified 
by  the  action  of  Synod,  the  advantages  of  the  Fund  be  clearly  set  forth 
in  a  supplement  thereto,  and  that  the  circular  or  pamphlet  containing  the 
same  be  sent  to  every  minister  of  the  denomination. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  churches  be  called  to  the  desir- 
ability of  securing  for  their  pastors  the  benefits  of  the  Widows'  Fund, 
by  an  annual  payment  in  their  behalf  of  $20. 

Resolved,  That  the  Classes  be,  and  are  hereby,  requested  to  bring 
this  matter  to  the  consideration  of  the  churches  under  their  care,  and 
so  far  as  possible,  secure  from  each  church  an  annual  contribution  for 
the  Widows'  Fund  of  not  less  than  $20.     1890,  106. 

The  usual  recommendations,  1891,  326;  1892,  561;  1893,  803-4;  1894, 
122-3. 

Bequest  of  Mrs.  E.  B.  Monroe  of  $1,666.     1895,   18,  126-7. 

All  annuitants  have  received  promptly,  the  maximum  amount.  Pas- 
tors exhorted  to  call  attention  of  their  churches  to  this  fund,  either  di- 
rectly or  by  exchange  of  pulpits. 

There  has  been  put  into  the  hands  of  your  Committee  an  Overture 
from  the  Classis  of  Passaic,  "asking  the  attention  of  the  General  Synod 
to  the  change  in  the  plan  of  the  Widows'  Fund,  limiting  the  obtaining 
an  interest  therein  to  60  years  of  age  as  apparently  unconstitutional,  and 
subservise  of  the  principles  and  interest  of  the  fund ;  and  also  overture 
General  Synod  relative  to  declaring  said  change  unconstitutional." 

Resolved,  That  the  whole  subject  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tion in  order  that  they  may  secure  legal  and  actuarial  advice,  with  regard 


820         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

to  all  its  bearings  and  relations,  and  report  to  the  General  Synod  at  its 
next  regular  session. 

Resolved,  That,  meanwhile,  said  Board  shall  have  power  to  act  on 
the  legal  advice  received.     1896,  406-8. 

LEGAL  OPINION   AS  TO  THE   AGE  LIMIT,    1897. 

To  the  General  Synod: 

The  Synod  of  last  year  (1896,  p.  408)  instructed  the  Board  to  secure 
a  legal  opinion  as  to  whether  an  "age  limit"  for  admission  to  the  "Widows' 
Fund,"  as  passed  in  1890,  was  constitutional,  and  to  act  upon  it.  The 
matter  was  referred  to  Frederick  Frelinghuysen,  Esq.,  whose  opinion  is 
as  follows : 

Newark,  Dec.  4,   1906. 
In  regard  to  Widows'  Fund, 

Reformed  Church. 
To  the  Honorable  the  Board  of  Directors,  Reformed  Church. 

The  question  submitted  to  me  is  whether  restricting  the  age  limit 
for  admission  to  the  fund  to  60  years  is  unconstitutional.  The  General 
Synod  have  no  right  to  alter  the  rules  relating  to  the  management  of 
the  fund  except  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  paying  subscribers ;  and  the 
essential  principles  relating  to  a  civil  compact  between  each  subscriber 
and  the  General  Synod  can  only  be  altered  with  the  consent  of  every 
paying  subscriber. 

Section  2  provides  that  every  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church  may 
secure  a  full  interest  in  the  fund  by  the  payment  of  $20.00  annually. 
This  section  and  sections  3  and  6  prescribe  the  method  of  administering 
the  fund — the  amounts  to  be  collected  and  to  be  paid.  It  is  evident,  how- 
ever, that  no  prescribed  rules  can  guarantee  the  solvency  of  the  fund  nor 
its  ability  to  meet  the  required  payments.  Such  things  aYe  a  matter  of 
experience  and  demonstration,  and  presuppose  that  a  failure  in  this  re- 
spect must  be  avoided  by  adjustment.  This  adjustment  must  be  left  to 
the  discretion  of  the  controlling  power,  and  naturally  to  the  Supreme  body 
of  the  Church,  viz.,  the  General  Synod.  This  body  has  seen  fit  (1890) 
in  a  due  exercise  of  its  discretion  to  change  the  time  or  age  limit  to  make 
the  fund  best  conserve  the  interests  of  all.  An  age  limit  was  essential, 
as  it  would  be  manifestly  unjust  to  allow  a  very  aged  minister  to  enter 
the  fund  on  equal  footing  with  others  who  have  for  many  j^ears  made 
payments  to  the  fund.  And  unless  many  do  make  payments  for  many 
years  it  is  impossible  for  the  fund  to  exist,  as  it  is  only  the  aggrega- 
tion of  annual  payments  which  can  supply  the  annuities. 

To  make  this  precaution  or  adjustment  depend  on  the  vote  of  every 
subscriber  would  in  all  probability  defeat  any  measures  being  adopted. 
So  the  General  Synod  is  doubtless  the  proper  party  to  administer  the  fund 
in  such  matters  as  pertain  to  the  preservation  of  it.  If  its  administra- 
tion is  attempted  to  be  made  more  liberal  and  so  to  in  any  way  impair 
the  security  of  the  fund  or  of  the  benefit  of  the  subscribers,  the  consent 
of  all  subscribers  would  be  necessary.  But  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the 
restricted  age  limit  was  proper  and  an  essential  feature  in  the  conduct 
and  very  existence  of  such  a  fund,  and  was  within  the  power  of  the 
General  Synod.  Indeed,  section  6,  paragraph  2,  authorizes  a  reduction 
of  the  payments  if  the  fund  does  not  earn  the  full  amount.  How  mani- 
festly unjust  to  allow  those  who  are  in  early  expectancy  of  incapacity 
to  enter  the  fund. 

Every  minister  (of  section  2)  has  the  right  to  become  a  participant, 
but,  of  course,  only  within  the  range  of  possibilities  which  we  have  to 
presume  require  an  age  limit  to  admit  of  a  cautious  administration  of 
the  fund. 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  821 

Any  minister  may  enter  the  fund  now,  though  beyond  the  age  Hmit, 
by  paying  for  the  years  with  interest  since  he  passed  the  Hmit.  This 
puts  him  in  the  same  position  as  if  he  had  entered  before  he  was  beyond 
the  Hmit,  and  it  incurs  no  undue  HabiHty  for  the  fund  as  the  past  years 
are  secure. 

In  reply  to  the  next  question  presented  to  me,  I  reply  that  the  con- 
sent of  paying  subscribers  could  be  obtained  in  writing  or  by  a  vote. 

Paying  subscribers  include  individuals  and  churches,  who  are  pay- 
ing into  the  fund  at  the  time  of  any  proposed  alteration,  and  also,  I  sup- 
pose, all  those  who  are  beneficiaries  of  the  fund.  Finally,  I  advise  that 
the  Synod  has  authority  to  adopt  measures  which  conserve  the  interests 
of    the     subscribers. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

F.  FRELINGHUYSEN. 
Report  of  Board  of  Direction: 
In  accordance  with  the  above,  the  Board  has,  during  the  year,  de- 
clined one  application,  the  applicant  being  beyond  the  age  of  60.  Yet, 
even  with  such  relief,  the  annuities  for  the  next  year  may  have  to  be  re- 
duced, unless  meantime  the  fund  or  its  income  be  otherwise  increased. 
1897,  567-7- 

ACTION   OF   SYNOD,    1 897. 

Secondly.  The  General  Synod  at  its  session  one  year  ago  was  asked 
by  Memorial  to  declare  unconstitutional  the  Act  of  1890,  by  which  a  time 
limit  beyond  which  ministers  might  not  be  received  as  members  of  the 
Widows'  Fund,  was  fixed  at  the  age  of  60  years.  The  General  Synod 
declined  to  act  upon  the  matter  decisively,  but  instructed  the  Board  of 
Direction  to  obtain  legal  advice  upon  the  question  involved,  and  to  re- 
port to  the  General  Synod  at  its  present  session ;  and  that,  in  the  mean- 
time, the  Board  should  act  on  the  advice  received. 

The  Board  of  Direction  reports,  that  the  matter  was  referred  to 
Frederick  Frelinghuysen,  Esq.,  and  his  opinion  which  was  submitted  in 
writing,  and  which  decidedly  sustains  the  Act  of  1890,  is  incorporated 
in  full  in  the  Annual  Report  of  said  Board  (see  Report  of  Board  of  Di- 
rection). The  Board  also  reports,  that,  following  the  advice  of  the  coun- 
sel referred  to,  one  applicant,  who  had  passed  the  age  of  60,  had  been 
declined,  and,  that  even  with  the  relief  resulting  from  this  change,  the 
annuities  for  the  next  year  may  have  to  be  reduced,  unless,  meantime, 
the  Fund  or  its  income  be  otherwise  increased. 

Your  committee  realizing  the  importance  of  this  matter  as  possibly 
involving  the  safety  and  usefulness  of  this  valuable  institution,  has  given 
it  careful  consideration,  and  listened  to  those  who  have  shown  interest 
in  any  phase  of  the  case. 

The  following  conclusions  have  been  reached  : 

1st.     As  to  the  Constitutionality  of  the  Act  of  1890. 

It  appears  to  your  committee  that  this  is  not  a  debatable  question. 
The  Widows'  Fund  is  no  part  of  the  Constitution  of  our  Church,  but  is 
purely  a  creation  of  the  General  Synod.  A  change  in  its  plan,  therefore, 
by  the  General  Synod,  can  have  no  bearing  upon  the  Constitution. 

2d.  As  to  the  harmony  of  the  action  of  1890  with  the  provisions 
of  the  Plan  of  the  Fund. 

On  this  question  the  opinion  of  the  legal  counsel  is  emphatic  in  sup- 
port of  General  Synod's  action.  It  would  be  presumptuous  for  your  com- 
mittee to  dispute  that  question  with  the  eminent  counsel  whose  opinion 
the  Board  of  Direction  has  placed  before  us,  and  in  which  opinion  that 
Board  has  expressed  its  confidence  by  taking  important  action  based  upon 
it.     And  we  have  no  reason  to  dispute  it,  since  we  have  become  convinced 


822         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

that  the  counsel  fully  grasped  the  nature  of  the  plan  upon  which  the  Fund 
is  constituted,  and  that  his  opinion  is  consistent  with  its  terms  and  provi- 
sions. 

Your  committee  has  become  fully  satisfied,  after  careful  study  of  the 
matter,  that  the  provisions  laid  down  in  Sec.  lo  of  the  Plan,  do  not  re- 
late in  the  least  degree  to  such  an  amendment  as  this  of  1890.  (See  Plan, 
Sec.  10.)  Those  provisions  relate  wholly  to  the  rights  of  those  who  arc 
paying  members,  or  who  are  made  members  by  their  churches.  They 
are  given  full  power  by  a  two-third  vote  to  enact  changes  affecting  the 
general  manag:ement  of  the  Fund,  and  may,  by  a  single  adverse  vote,  veto 
any  action  inimical  to  their  rights  under  this  pecuniary  contract  with 
General  Synod.  But  this  action  of  1890  affects  only  persons  who  have 
no  pecuniary  connection  with  the  Fund  whatever,  and  who  have  acquired 
no  pecuniary  interest  to  be  either  promoted  or  jeopardized  by  the  action 
taken.  There  seems  to  be  no  reason,  therefore,  either  in  the  Plan  itself, 
or  in  common  sense,  why  a  vote  of  the  members  of  the  Fund  should  be 
required  in  addition  to  that  of  the  General  Synod,  in  a  matter  which 
in  nowise  affects  their  standing  in  the  Fund,  or  imperils  its  general  man- 
agement. We  therefore  hold,  in  harmony  with  the  legal  advice  given, 
that  General  Synod  which  made  the  original  offer  of  this  Fund,  and 
fixed  the  condition  of  membership,  according  to  its  own  volition,  may 
modify  that  condition  in  the  same  way,  so  long  as  its  action  violates  no 
contract  with  its  members,  interferes  with  none  of  the  rights  they  have 
acquired,  nor  changes  the  form  of  the  general  administration  of  the  Fund. 

Third.  As  to  the  continuance  of  the  age-limit.  Your  committee 
doubts  whether  there  can  be  any  real  difference  of  opinion  on  this  ques- 
tion. Its  need  had  become  oppressively  manifest  before  the  change  was 
made  in  1890.  If  men  who  have  about  completed  the  period  of  active 
life  are  invited  to  enter  this  Fund  and  proceed  to  share  equally  in  its 
profits  with  those  who  have  acquired  that  right  only  by  piayments  made 
through  scores  of  years,  what  young  man  will  ever  be  induced  to  join 
it?  If  the  life  insurance  quality  of  the  Fund  be  denied  and  the  claim  set 
up  that  it  is  chiefly  benevolent  and  therefore  should  be  open  to  all  ages, 
this  is  clearly  contrary  to  the  facts,  for  the  plan  insists  expressly  upon 
a  continuance  of  annual  payments,  or  their  full  equivalent,  till  death  or 
disability,  in  order  to  secure  any  annuity;  and  every  subscriber  who  en- 
ters it,  does  so  with  the  sense  and  understanding  that  he  is  not  availing 
himself  of  a  charity,  but  of  a  just  and  rightful  provision  which  he  has 
fairly  earned  for  himself,  and  personally  helped  to  create.  No  self-re- 
specting man  in  the  vigor  of  his  life  would  be  willing,  as  we  believe,  to 
join  the  Fund  on  any  other  basis. 

In  view  of  these  considerations  your  committee  recommends  the  fol- 
lowing : 

1.  Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  the  plan  of  the  Widows'  Fund  is  no 
part  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  but  only 
a  creation  of  the  General  Synod,  its  amendment  by  the  Synod  can  violate 
no  constitutional  provision. 

2.  Resolved,  That  justice  to  those  who  have  been  for  many  years 
contributing  members  of  this  Fund,  and  the  condition  of  the  Fund  itself, 
whose  income  is  now  inadequate  to  pay  the  annuities  claimed,  make  it 
imperative  that  no  change  be  made  in  the  age-limit  at  present. 

3.  Resolved,  That  this  Fund  be  specially  commended  to  our  younger 
ministers  as  a  most  favorable  provision  for  the  uncertainties  of  the 
future. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  Classes  be  directed  to  bring  to  the  notice 
of  the  churches  that  by  the   support  of  this  Fund  they  may  in  an  easy 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  823 

manner  discharge  some  of  the  debt  they  owe  to  a  faithful,  but  generally- 
underpaid  ministry. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Classical  Agents  appointed  to  promote  the 
interests  of  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  be  charged  with  the  care  of 
the  Widows'  Fund  in  like  manner,  and  that  Classes  which  have  not  as 
yet  appointed  such  agents  be  requested  to  do  so.     1897,  674-9. 

1898. 
Legacy  from  Miss  Sarah  Bayley  of  $15,098.     1898,  19. 

1899. 
Less  than  one-third  of  the  churches  contribute. 
The   ministers   contribute   as    much    as   all    the   churches.     1899,   335, 

457-9. 

1900. 

Contrast  of  Widows'  Fund,  in  1850,  $12,000,  and  in  1900,  $107,828. 
Classical  Agents  appointed.     1900,  815,  824,  769-773- 

1901. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  Church  be  especially  called  to  the 
reduction  which  has  become  necessary  in  the  amounts  to  be  paid  an- 
nuitants in  the  future,  and  that  we  earnestly  urge  all  our  churches  to  make 
at  least  an  annual  offering  to  this  fund.     1901,  11 17. 

1902. 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  the  churches  be  especially  called  to 
the  reduction  which  has  become  necessary  in  the  amounts  to  be  paid  to 
annuitants,  and  that  we  earnestly  urge  all  our  churches  to  make,  at  least 
an  annual  offering  to  this  fund. 

Resolved,  Second,  That  the  Classical  Agents  be  urged  to  use  every 
effort  to  keep  this  object  before  the  churches  so  that  ministers  may  be- 
come subscribers  either  by  the  contribution  of  the  churches  which  they 
serve  or  by  their  own  subscriptions.     1902,  112-114. 

1903. 

In  1903,  there  were  63  annuitants  on  the  Widows'  Fund. 

The  following  resolution  was  proposed : 

Resolved,  i.  That  the  annual  dues  for  ministers  between  the  ages 
of  twenty  and  thirty  be  $20,  that  the  annual  dues  for  ministers  between 
the  ages  of  thirty  and  forty  be  $25,  that  the  annual  dues  for  ministers 
between  the  ages  of  forty  and  fifty  be  $30,  that  the  annual  dues  for  min- 
isters between  the  ages  of  fifty  and  sixty  be  $35. 

This  was  referred  to  a  Committee  to  report  in   1904. 

The  following  was  moved  and  adopted:  Resolved,  That  the  Gen- 
eral Synod  request  the  Consistories  of  every  church  to  raise  and  pay  tc> 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Board  of  Direction  or  their  present  Pastor,  a  sum 
sufficient  to  place  and  keep  his  name  on  the  Widows'  Fund,  and  when» 
making  out  a  call  to  a  new  Pastor  to  insert  as  a  part  of  the  business 
contract  the  pledge  of  such  an  amount  per  annum  as  will  place  and  keei> 
his  name  on  the  Widows'  Fund,  or  in  case  his  name  is  there  to  pay  his 
annual  dues.     1903,  383-5. 

1904. 

Report  of  Special  Committee  on  the  advisability  of  graded  premiums, 
according  to  age.     See  said  report,  1904,  728-733,  734. 

The  Board  of  Direction  was  instructed  to  issue  a  copy  of  the  Rules 
relating  to  the  Widows'  Fund  now  in  force,  and  that  the  "Additional 
Explanations,"  as  found  on  pages  10,  11,  etc.,  of  the  present  Rules  [of 
1882]  be  inserted  after  the  sections  which  they  explain,     1904,  '/2>Z- 

The  following  are  the  Rules  thus  issued : 


824         DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

RULES   GOVERNING  THE  WIDOWS'  FUND  OF  THE  REFORMED  CHURCH   OF  AMERICA. 

1904. 

1.  The  Fund  shall  be  called  "The  Fund  for  the  Relief  of  Disabled 
Ministers,  and  the  Widows  and  Children  of  Ministers  of  the  Reformed 
Church,"  and  shall  be  administered  by  the  Board  of  Corporation  of  the 
General  Synod  of  said  Church,  during  the  pleasure  and  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  General  Synod. 

2.  Every  minister  of  the  Reformed  Church  under  sixty  years  of  age 
may  secure  a  full  interest  in  the  Fund,  by  the  payment  of  twenty  dollars, 
annually.  Payments  of  ten  dollars,  annually,  shall  entitle  subscribers  to 
a  proportionate  benefit  from  the  Fund.  Neglect  of  payment  for  one 
year  to  be  a  forfeiture  of  benefit.  Interest,  however,  shall  at  all  times 
be  required  after  six  months.  Payments  at  one  time,  of  a  sum,  the  in- 
terest of  which,  at  four  per  cent,  per  annum,  shall  amount  to  twenty  dol- 
lars per  annum,  shall  give  a  claim  upon  the  Fund  in  the  same  manner 
as  if  those  amounts  were  paid  annually;  and,  in  this  case,  the 
amount  of  the  original  payment  may,  at  the  death  or  disability 
of  the  minister,  be  withdrawn,  without  impairing  the  right  of  benefit 
from  the  Fund.  Ministers  interested  in  the  Fund  by  the  payment  of  an 
annual  subscription,  shall  be  at  liberty  to  relinquish  such  interest  by  ceas- 
ing to  make  such  annual  payment;  and  they,  as  well  as  those  who  have 
heretofore  ceased  to  make  such  payments,  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  sev- 
enty-five per  cent,  of  the  amount  paid  by  them,  without  interest,  by  giv- 
ing notice  to  the  Treasurer  nine  months  prior  to  the  thirtieth  day  of 
April  in  each  3^ear,  provided  the  amounts  so  to  be  paid  shall  not,  in  the 
aggregate,  exceed  one-half  of  the  income  of  the  current  year ;  in  which 
case  one-half  of  such  income  shall  be  distributed  pro  rata  among  the  ap- 
plicants, and  the  balance  due  them  shall  be  included  among  the  applica- 
tions for  payments  to  be  made  at  the  close  of  the  next  fiscal  year.  Min- 
isters who  have  made  a  payment  of  a  principal  sum,  as  above  provided, 
may  withdraw  the  amount  of  money  actually  paid  by  them,  without  in- 
terest, by  giving  nine  months  notice  to  the  Treasurer  prior  to  the  thir- 
tieth day  of  April  in  any  year,  and  shall  be  entitled  then  to  receive  the 
same  from  the  principal  of  the  Fund.  Ministers  leaving  our  Church 
shall  be  subjected  to  the  same  rule  in  the  withdrawal  of  their  subscrip- 
tions. 

[Section  2  applies  to  those  who  were  subscribers  prior  to  June 
^nd,  1904.] 

3.  After  the  adoption  of  this  plan,  any  minister  of  the  Reformed 
Church  in  America  under  sixty  years  of  age  may  secure  a  full  interest 
in  the  Widows'  Fund  by  the  payment  annually  of  twenty  dollars,  if,  when 
he  becomes  a  subscriber,  he  be  between  the  ages  of  twenty  and  thirty- 
iive ;  if  he  be  between  the  ages  of  thirty-five  and  forty-five,  by  the  pay- 
ment annually  of  thirty  dollars ;  if  between  the  ages  of  forty-five  and  fifty- 
five,  by  the  payment  annually  of  forty  dollars ;  if  between  the  ages  of 
fifty-five  and  sixty,  by  the  payment  annually  of  forty-five  dollars.  Pay- 
ments of  one-quarter  or  of  one-half  of  the  above  amount  annually  shall 
entitle  subscribers  to  a  proportionate  benefit  from  the  Fund ;  neglect  of 
payment  for  one  year  to  be  a  forfeiture  of  benefit.  Interest,  however, 
shall  at  all  times  be  required  after  six  months.  The  fiscal  year  begins 
May  I.  If  payments  due  then  are  not  made  until  October  30,  interest  from 
May  I  to  the  date  of  payment  must  bo  added.  The  same  rule  applies  in 
the  case  of  a  first  payment.  Payments  at  one  time  of  a  sum,  the  annual 
interest  of  which,  at  four  per  cent,  per  annum,  shall  amount  to  the  an- 
7iual  dues,  shall  give  a  claim  upon  the  Fund  in  the  same  manner  as  if 
those  amounts  were  paid  annually ;  and.  in  this  case,  the  amount  of  the 
original  payment  may,  at  the  death  or  disability  of  the  minister,  be  with- 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  825 

drawn,  without  impairing  the  right  of  benefit  from  the  Fund.  These  sums, 
however,  must  remain  in  the  treasury  five  years  to  constitute  a  full  an- 
nuitant. If  they  remain  for  a  shorter  period  the  benefit  w^ill  be  pro  rata 
according  to  the  scale  mentioned  in  Sec.  7  of  the  present  rules  of  General 
Synod.  Ministers  interested  in  the  Fund  by  the  payment  of  annual  sub- 
scriptions shall  be  at  liberty  to  relinquish  such  interest  by  ceasing  such 
annual  payment ;  and  they  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  seventy-five  per 
cent,  of  the  amount  paid  by  them,  without  interest,  by  giving  notice  to 
the  treasurer  nine  months  prior  to  the  thirtieth  day  of  April  in  any  year, 
provided  such  notice  shall  be  given  in  writing  within  two  years  after  the 
last  payment,  and  also  provided  the  amount  so  to  be  paid  shall  be  taken 
from  the  income,  and  shall  not,  in  the  aggregate,  exceed  one-half  of  the 
income  for  the  current  year ;  in  which  case  one-half  of  such  income  shall 
be  distributed  pro  rata  among  the  applicants,  and  the  balance  due  them 
shall  be  included  among  the  applications  for  payments  to  be  made  at  the 
close  of  the  next  fiscal  year.  When  ministers  have  deposited  a  sum,  as 
above  provided,  they  or  their  legal  representative  may  withdraw  the 
amount  actually  paid  by  them,  without  interest,  by  giving  nine  months 
notice  in  writing  to  the  treasurer  prior  to  the  thirtieth  day  of  April  in 
any  year.  If,  however,  these  sums  so  deposited,  shall  not  be  claimed 
within  two  years  after  the  death  of  the  depositor,  the  right  to  them  shall 
be  forfeited,  and  the  sums  added  to  the  principal  of  the  Fund.  Ministers 
severing  their  connection  with  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  for- 
feit their  benefit  in  this  Fund,  but  may  withdraw  the  sums  deposited, 
or  their  annual  subscriptions  subject  to  the  same  rules  as  above. 

[Section  3  applies  to  those  who  became  subscribers  after  June  2nd, 
1904.  when  General  Synod  enacted  this  section.] 

EXPLAXATIOXS  OF  SECTIONS  2  AND  3. 

(a)  The  sums  mentioned  in  sections  2  and  3  must  remain 
in  the  treasury  five  years  in  order  to  constitute  a  full  an- 
nuitant. If  they  remain  for  a  shorter  period,  the  benefit  will 
be  pro  rata,  according  to  the  scale  mentioned  in  section  7. 

(b)  The  privilege  of  \vithdrawing  seventy-five  per  cent, 
on  giving  nine  months  notice,  applies  only  to  a  minister  mak- 
ing payments  for  himself,  and  not  to  a  church  or  other  party 
making  payments  for  him,  unless  they  give  notice  at  the  time  of 
payment  of  their  desire  to  have  the  privilege. 

(c)  The  fiscal  year  begins  May  i.  If  payments  due  then 
are  not  made  until  after  October  30,  interest  from  May  i  to 
the  date  of  payment  must  be  added.  The  same  rule  applies  in 
the  case  of  a  first  payment.  To  derive  benefit  from  the  Fund, 
it  is  essential  that  yearly  payments  be  kept  up. 

(d)  Paj^ments  cannot  be  anticipated.  The  rules  provide 
only  for  annual  payments  or  the  deposit  of  a  sum  the  interest  of 
which  is  equal  to  an  annual  payment. 

( e)  Where  a  principal  sum  has  been  paid,  it  can  be  with- 
drawn (see  time  limit  in  section  3)  without  interest  in  case  of 
death  or  disabihty,  and  the  minister,  if  disabled,  or  his  family, 
if  he  dies,  can  still  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  Fund. 

4.  One-half  of  the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  donations  when 
so  specially  directed  by  the  donor  shall  be  considered  income ;  the  other 
half  of  the  annual  payments  by  ministers,  all  other  donations,  and  the 
collections  in  the  churches,  above  what  is  needed  to  pay  such  annuitants, 
the  maximum  annuity  shall  be  considered  as  principal,  and  the  interest 
only  used  as  income.  There  shall  also  be  added  to  the  principal,  at  the 
close  of  each  fiscal  year,  out  of  the  income,  a  sum  equal  to  three  per  cent, 
of  the  principal   sums   standing  to   the   credit  of   individual   ministers,   in 


826  DIGEST   OF  SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

consequence  of  payments  made  by  them  under  the  provisions  of  sections 
2  and  3.  Consistories  or  individuals  may,  at  their  pleasure,  direct  their 
contributions,  collections  and  donations,  to  apply  in  whole  or  in  part  to 
the  credit  of  any  minister  they  may  designate ;  but  in  such  cases  the 
same,  above  what  is  necessary  to  pay  each  annuitant  the  maximum  an- 
nuity, shall  be  considered  as  principal,  and  not  thereafter  withdrawn,  unless 
otherwise  directed  at  the  time  of  payment. 

EXPLANATIONS    OF   SECTION    4. 

(a)  When  churches  make  yearly  payments  for  their  pas- 
tor's benefit,  they  should  always  mention  him  by  name. 

(b)  When  there  is  a  change  of  pastors,  the  former  pastor 
must  continue  the  payments  himself  or  have  it  done  by  his  new 
church.  But  if  he  goes  out  of  the  denomination,  his  interest 
ceases  altogether. 

5.  No  money  belonging  to  this  fund  shall  be  loaned  (except 
on  temporary  loan  with  collateral  security)  unless  secured  by  bond  and 
mortgage  on  real  estate.  The  moneys  belonging  to  this  Fund  shall  be 
kept  separate  and  distinct  from  all  other  funds  of  Synod. 

6.  The  officers  of  the  Board  of  Direction  shall  be  the  officers  of 
the  trust — the  Treasurer's  duty  shall  be  to  collect  the  income  and  make 
all  payments.  He  shall  report  minutely  and  fully  to  General  Synod  at 
each  of  its  annual  meetings;  his  accounts  to  be  audited  by  a  committee 
of  the  Board  of  Direction. 

7.  The  maximum  amount  to  be  paid  to  parties  interested  in  the 
Fund  shall  be — to  a  minister  disabled  by  sickness  or  age,  two  hundred 
dollars  per  annum ;  to  the  widow  of  a  deceased  minister,  two  hundred 
dollars  per  annum;  to  children  of  clergymen,  both  whose  parents  have  de- 
ceased, seventy-five  dollars  per  annum,  each,  or  if  more  than  two  chil- 
dren, a  pro  rata  share  of  the  maximum  amount  that  would*  be  paid  to 
a  widow,  which  the  income  of  the  Fund  will  allow,  until  they  attain  the 
age  of  sixteen  years.  Should  the  income,  upon  due  experiment,  be  found 
to  admit  it,  this  maximum  may  hereafter  be  increased.  When  but  one 
payment  has  been  made,  the  maximum  of  the  annuity  allowed  shall  be 
seventy-five  dollars.  When  two  annual  payments  have  been  made,  the 
maximum  annuity  allowed  shall  be  one  hundred  dollars.  When  three 
annual  payments  have  been  made,  the  maximum  annuity  shall  be  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars.  When  four  annual  payments  have  been  made,  the  maxi- 
mum annuity  shall  be  one  hundred  and  sevcnty-five-dollars  ;  and  where  pay- 
ments have  been  made  for  five  years  and  upwards,  the  maximum  an- 
nuity shall  be,  as  above  stated,  two  hundred  dollars — the  widows  and 
children   of   such   to   receive   respectively  according  to   this   graduation. 

As  long  as  the  income  is  sufficient  to  pay  each  claimant  the  maxi- 
mum annuity,  the  maximum  shall  be  allowed ;  but  should  the  income  not 
be  sufficient,  then  the  whole  income  shall  be  divided  among  the  claimants 
in  proportion  to  their  claims. 

It  is  expressly  understood  that  in  all  the  above  cases,  to  entitle  the 
applicants  to  their  annuities,  the  payments  of  subscriptions  must  be  con- 
tinued regularly  until  they  cease  by  the  operation  of  the  principles  herein 
contained. 

8.  A  widow  of  a  minister  contracting  marriage,  forfeits  her  claim 
to  the  annuity ;  but  in  such  case  the  children  under  sixteen  years  of 
age  shall  be  entitled  to  their  annuities,  as  though  both  parents  had  de- 
ceased. 

9.  In  disbursing  the  income  of  the  Fund,  where  a  minister  is  the 
applicant,  he  shall  be  required  to  produce  a  certificate  from  his  Classis, 
or  other  satisfactory  evidence,  declaring  that  by  reason  of  sickness,  old 
age,  or  other  providential  cause,  he  is  incapable  of  service. 

When   a   subscribing   minister   applies   to   be   placed   upon   the    Fund 


WIDOWS'  FUND,  THE  827 

as  an  annuitant,  he  shall  be  required  to  furnish  certificates  of  permanent 
incapacity  to  perform  ministerial  services,  from  two  physicians,  one  of 
whom  may  be  named  by  the  Board  of  Direction,  and  both  certificates 
shall  state  the  cause  of  disability  and  of  how  long  standing. 

Where  a  minister  makes  application  for  a  certificate  from  his  Classis, 
recommending  him  as  an  annuitant  upon  the  Fund,  the  vote  must  be 
taken  by  secret  ballot  and  the  result  recorded,  giving  the  votes  pro  and 
con,  and  a  certificate  of  the  same  sent  to  the  Board  of  Direction. 

If  in  the  providence  of  God,  the  cause  of  disability  should  be  overcome, 
and  the  annuitant  is  again  performing  continuous  ministerial  service,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  Direction  to  advise  his  Classis,  that  such 
is  the  case,  and  suggest  that  such  person  resume  his  place  as  a  subscrib- 
ing member  until  again  incapaciated  for  service. 

Where  a  widow  is  an  applicant,  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  decease 
of  her  husband,  and  the  date  thereof,  shall  be  required. 

When  children,  both  whose  parents  have  deceased,  are  concerned,  like 
evidence  of  the  death  of  their  parents,  and  of  their  own  age,  shall  be 
required. 

10.  The  payments  to  annuitants  shall  be  made  half  yearly;  to  min- 
isters, commencing  with  the  date  of  their  incapacity  for  service ;  to 
widows,  from  the  death  of  their  husbands ;  and  to  children,  from  the  death 
of  their  last  surviving  parent. 

The  Treasurer's  books,  or  authentic  vouchers,  shall  furnish  the  evi- 
dence of  the  payment  of  subscriptions. 

Annuitants  shall  be  admitted  to  the  benefit  of  the  Fund  by  a  vote  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  Fund,  or  a  committee  specially  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

11.  Alterations  may  be  made  in  the  rules  relating  to  the  general 
management  of  the  Fund,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  paying  subscribers 
thereto;  but  the  plan,  in  its  essential  principles  relating  to  a  civil  compact 
between  each  subscriber  and  the  General  Synod,  as  the  contracting  par- 
ties cannot  be  altered  without  the  consent  of  every  paying  subscriber. 

12.  These  rules  were  adopted  and  confirmed  by  the  General  Synod 
of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  as  the  system  for  the  management 
of  this  Fund. 

Note. — The  requisites  for  obtaining  an  interest  in  the  fund  are  all 
stated  in  the  foregoing,  nor  is  there  any  limitation  beyond  what  is  there 
expressed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Professors  of  Practical  Theology  in  our  Theo- 
logical Seminaries  be  requested  to  give  lectures  to  each  Senior  class  upon 
the  claims  of  the  Widows'  Fund  and  also  upon  the  Disabled  Ministers' 
Fund,  showing  the  character  of  each  and  the  differences  between  them, 
with  the  view  of  having  the  students  when  they  become  Pastors,  set  forth 
understandingly  to  their  congregations  the  respective  claims  of  each  Fund. 
1904,  733- 

Your  committee  have  had  referred  to  them  a  clipping  from  the  "Chris- 
tian Intelligencer"  of  May  11,  1904,  entitled,  "Suggestions  for  the  Widows' 
and  Disabled  Ministers'  Funds,"  by  Rev.  Alex.  McKelvey.  The  author 
has  also  appeared  before  the  committee  and  explained  and  modified  his 
"suggestions,"  which  are  briefly  as  follows :  Following  the  example  of 
the  national  government  in  pensioning  all  veterans  of  the  civil  war,  and 
the  example  of  state  and  municipal  governments  in  pensioning  judges, 
teachers,  policemen  and  firemen,  after  they  have  reached  a  certain  age, 
or  have  served  a  certain  number  of  years,  it  is  suggested  that  the  Re- 
formed Church  shall  treat  all  its  disabled  ministers,  and  widows  and  de- 
pendent children  of  ministers  in  like  manner,  and  provide  for  them  at 
least  the  sum  of  $200  per  year,  which   shall  not  be  lessened  by   lack  of 


828  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

gifts,  or  increased  demands.  It  is  suggested  that  the  interest  from  the 
invested  funds  of  the  Widows'  Fund  and  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund 
shall  be  supplemented  by  a  sum  raised  by  assessment  upon  the  Classes, 
sufficiently  large  to  secure  $200,  to  each  one  who  now  has  maximum  claims 
on  the  Widows'  Fund,  or  who  may  under  the  working  of  this  plan  be 
approved  by  his  or  her  Classis  for  aid  from  this  Fund  or  the  Disabled 
Ministers'  Fund.  The  Board  of  Direction  shall  report  to  General  Synod 
each  year  an  estimate  of  the  sum  needed,  and  Synod  shall  fix  the  amount 
to  be  assessed  upon  the  Classes  pro  rata  according  to  Church  membership. 
The  Classes  shall  pay  the  assessments  to  the  Treasurer  of  Gen.  Synod  and 
the  Board  of  Direction  shall  disburse  the  sums  so  received,  as  they  now 
disburse  the  income  from  the  Widows'  and  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Funds. 
This  plan  shall  not  interfere  with  the  rules  now  in  force  under  the 
Widows'  Fund,  except  to  make  unnecessary  the  payment  of  principal  sums 
and  annual  dues  and  collections.  If  the  plan  had  been  in  force  this  year, 
an  assessment  of  four  cents  per  Church  member  would  have  been  needed 
to  produce  the  amount  received  from  all  sources  except  interest  and  an 
assessment  of  seven  cents  per  Church  member  would  have  been  needed 
to  supplement  receipts  from  interest  so  as  to  have  given  every  annuitant  of 
the  Widows'  Fund  $200  per  year.  Probably  an  assessment  of  fifteen  cents 
per  Church  member  would  be  necessary  to  carry  out  the  plan  this  year 
for  both  the  Widows'  Fund  and  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund. 

5.  Your  committee  report  this  plan  for  the  consideration  of  Synod 
and  recommend  that  it  be  printed  in  the  Minutes,  in  order  that  the  whole 
Church  may  become  acquainted  with  it. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  devise  a  plan  through 
which  the  interests  intended  to  be  subserved  by  the  Funds,  generally 
known  as  the  Widows'  and  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Funds,  may  be  placed 
upon  an  equitable  and  permanent  basis,  and  that  said  committee  report 
at  the  next  meeting  of  General  Synod. 

The  following  were  appointed  as  the  committee :  Revs.  Wm.  J. 
Leggett  and  Alex.  McKelvey  and  Messrs.  James  Benny,  M.  E.  Clark  and 
Frederick  Frelinghuysen.     1904,  736-7. 

See  Report  of  this  Committee,  1905,  126-132.  The  Report  was  ac- 
cepted, but  final  action  deferred  until  the  Synod  of  1906,  in  order  that  a 
legal  opinion  may  be   secured,  before  final  action.     1905,    126-132. 

widows'  fund. 


Special 

Amt. 

With-  Pd.  to 

Special 

Amt. 

With- 

Pd. to 

Year.   Dona- 

Invested. 

drawn.  Annu- 

Year. 

Dona- 

Invested. 

drawn 

.  Annu- 

tions. 

itants. 

tions. 

itants. 

1838 

$596 

1873 

35,000 

500 

2,260 

1839 

2,000 

1874 

35.000 

500 

2,261 

1840 

4,200 

1875 

38,600 

2.325 

1841 

5,000 

1876 

5,000 

45,000 

500 

2,296 

1842 

6,500 

1877 

46,919 

2,537 

1843 

8,000 

1878 

49,307 

2.259 

1844 

8,900 

1879 

50,821 

405 

2,115 

184s 

10,400 

1880 

52,703 

2,319 

1846 

11,100 

1,425 

1881 

54,092 

333 

2,687 

1847 

11,100 

1,137 

1882 

1,000 

55,941 

2,697 

1848 

11,750 

1,100 

1883 

2,500 

59,226 

1,028 

3,407 

1849 

11,750 

1,400 

1884 

63,520 

30 

3,769 

1850 

11,752 

1,575 

1885 

250 

66,255 

195 

4,078 

185 1 

11,750 

927 

1886 

67,873 

1,655 

4,849 

1852 

11,750 

916 

1887 

70,398 

545 

4,936 

i8S3 

12,750 

1,375 

1888 

1,000 

73,970 

645 

4,661 

1854 

13,750 

1,378 

1889 

76,225 

987 

4,621 

i855 

14,650 

1856 

1,000 

15,900 

1857 

1,000 

15,900 

1858 

15,900 

1859 

15,900 

i860 

16,400 

1861 

17,200 

1862 

500 

17,200 

1863 

19,089 

1864 

500 

18,300 

1865 

500 

21,300 

1866 

23,800 

1867 

24,800 

1868 

500 

24,800 

1869 

27,000 

1870 

29,800 

1871 

32,700 

1872 

32,700 

WILHELMINA,  QUEEN  OF  NETHERLANDS.      829 

1,378  1890  1,800  78,752  60  4,912 

1,378  1891  81,369  230  5,654 

1,605  1892  80,911  1,640  6,225 

1,505  1893  300  82,025  6,656 

1,925  1894  83,176  390  8,093 

278  1895  1,666  84,457  8,345 

935  1896  706  86,124  90  8,340 

501  1897  687  89,339  496  8,503 

104  1898  15,098  103,751  157  8,366 

*ooo*  1899  375  106,409  8,951 

234  1900  107,828  141  9,723 

1,088  1 90 1  1,125  108,273  195  10,752 

1,149  1902  108,273  500  10,799 

1,301  1903  107,903  420  10,240 

1,257  1904  110,288  540  10,705 

1,579  1905  106,969  455  11,172 

1,766  1906  109,375  1,005  11,271 

1,920 

Special  Committee  appointed  in  1904;  their  report  accepted,  1905, 
and  referred  to  Board  of  Direction  to  obtain  an  opinion  as  to  its  legality; 
after  discussion,  lost.     1906,  484. 

WiLHELMINA,    QuEEN    OF    THE    NETHERLANDS. 

Inasmuch  as  the  coronation  of  the  Queen  of  the  Netherlands  will 
take  place  in  the  early  Autumn,  and  as  we,  as  a  Church  by  descent,  in- 
heritance and  tradition  are  deeply  interested  in  the  cotemporary  history 
of  Holland. 

Resolved,  That  Rev.  E.  T.  Corwin  be  the  accredited  representative 
of  the  Reformed  Church  at  that  function.     1898,  259. 

WiLLETT,  Elbert.  Treas.  of  Standing  Com.  of  Missions,  at  Albany. 
1817,  37;  1818,  II,  36. 

WiLLETT,  Marinus.  Givcs  deed  for  real  Estate  to  Trustees  of  Queens 
College,  dated  Mar.  30,  1808;  100  acres  in  Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.  1819.  50; 
1829,    157.     This   was  property  of   General    Synod. 

Williamson,  Douw  D.  Gives  $10,000  to  endowment  of  Theolog. 
Sem.  at  New  Brunswick.     1873,  619. 

Willis,  Ralph,  (Rev.)     Rector  of  Hertzog  Hall,  1880-88. 

Will  of  God.  Heid.  Cat.  Quest.  124.  Canons,  i.  17;  ii.  18;  iii.  and 
iv.  7.     See  Law  of  God ;  Providence. 

Wills.  A  communication  from  the  General  Association  of  Congre- 
gational Ministers  and  Churches  of  Nev/  York,  asking  this  Synod  to 
unite  with  them  by  the  appointment  of  one  or  more  brethren  to  act 
upon  a  committee  of  conference  in  an  effort  to  procure  the  repeal  of 
certain  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York  relating  to  "wills,"  which  ar- 
bitrarily limit  and  abridge  the  rights  of  individuals  in  their  bequests  to 
education  and  benevolent  and  missionary  societies.  Your  committee  rec- 
ommend that  such  request  be  granted,  and  that  Elders  H.  H.  Shook 
and  Geo.  L.  Danforth  be  appointed  as  such  committee.     1892,  574. 

Will,  The.  Heid.  Cat.  Quests.  5,  8-10;  Cannons  of  Dort,  iii.  and  iv. 
I,  II,  12,  16.     See  Affections. 

Wilson,  Frederic  F.  (Rev.),  Founds  a  prize  of  $25  "to  be  awarded 
to  that  member  of  the  Senior  Class"  of  the  New  Brunswick  Seminary, 
"who,  in  a  public  competition  is  adjudged  to  be  the  best  in  the  delivery 
of  an  original  address." 


830  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Wilson,  J.  H.  (Rev.  Dr.),  presents,  by  letter,  the  congratulations 
of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  1874,  46. 

Wilson,  Joseph  R.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Notifies  of  the  appointment  of  Com. 
of  Southern  Presbyterian  Church,  to  confer  on  closer  relations,  1873,  614. 

Wilson,  Peter.  Appointed  trustee  to  invest  any  Professorial  Funds. 
May,  1791,  216.  See  sketch  of,  Mag.  R.  D.  C,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  97-105;  abstract 
in  Centennial  of  New  Brunswick  Seminary,  420. 

Winants  Hall  at  Hope  College.     1895,  85,  94;   1896,  372. 

Winter,  Egbert,  (Rev.  Dr.)  Elected  Prof,  of  Didactic  Theology, 
Western  Theolog.  Sem.,  1895,  79;  1896,  347;  resigns,  1903,  319,  333;  1904, 
669-671;  1905,  74  Western  financial  agent  to  raise  $200  for  him,  1906, 
414.     His  Classical  relations,  1906,  488-9. 

Wisconsin,  Classis  of.  Organized,  1855,  consisting  of  churches  of 
Milwaukee,  Franklin,  Bethlehem,  High  and  Low  Prairie,  Chicago,  Hol- 
land, Oostburgh. 

Wisconsin  Memorial  Academy.  First  proposed  in  the  Council  of 
Hope  College,  April,  1900;  endorsed  by  Partic.  Syn.  of  Chicago,  May, 
1900;  and  by  Classis  of  Wisconsin  at  many  sessions.  On  Nov.  6,  1900, 
it  was  determined  to  begin  academic  instruction  in  the  chapel  of  Refd. 
ch.  at  Cedar  Grove.  The  Academy  was  opened  Nov.  13,  1900,  with  17 
pupils.  A  building  was  erected,  and  dedicated,  June,  1902.  At  first  sup- 
ported by  local  gifts;  26  scholars.  1901,  1066. — 36  scholars;  building  pro- 
vided by  local  generosity.  Recommended  to  Bd.  of  Ed.  for  $800:  1902, 
87;  1903,  353;  1904,  688;  1905,  98. — Called  also  Cedar  Grove  Academy. 

Withdrawal  from  a  Church  Judicatory.  Not  allowed.  If  acts  of 
a  judicatory  be  illegal,  protest  allowed,  to  shield  such  protester  from  any 
evil  consequences.  Right  of  appeal.  1800,  311. — Protests  subsequently 
forbidden.     See  Protest. 

Withdrawal  of  "The  Spirit,"     Canons  of  Dort,  v.  6,  13*. 

Witnesses  (Sponsors,  Godparents,)  in  baptism.  Unnecessary;  but 
if  allowed,  must  be  sound  in  the  faith  and  of  exemplary  character.  Rules 
of  1619,  Art.  57;  the  whole  church  the  sponsor;  Rules  of  1792,  Art.  60; 
not  alluded  to  in  Constitutions  of  1833  and  1874;  alluded  to  in  3rd  ques- 
tion in  Form  for  Infant  Baptism. 

Witnesses,  in  ecclesiastical  trials.  No  allusion  to,  in  the  Articles 
of  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19.  At  least  two  witnesses  required,  to  estab- 
lish an  accusation ;  testimony  may  be  taken  by  solemn  affirmation,  or  by 
an  oath  before  a  civil  magistrate,  at  the  discretion  of  the  judicatory. 
1792,  Explanatory  Art.  70.  Reference  to  oath  before  a  magistrate,  omitted 
in  Constitution  of  1833,  Art.  iii;  but  restored,  Constit.  1874,  Art.  103. — 
Question  asked  whether  testimony  of  non-communicants  can  be  admitted, 
against  a  minister  or  church  member ;  or  whether  they  must  not  be  sworn 
before  a   civil  magistrate.     Referred.     No   answer.     1800,   293. 

Witness  of  the  Spirit.  Canons  of  Dort,  v.  10.  See  Earnest  of  the 
Spirit;  Assurance. 

Woman's  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  R.  C.  A.  See  Woman's 
Executive  Committee,  Dom.  Miss. 

Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  R.  C.  A.  Organized,  1875 ; 
incorporated,  1892.  Its  business  is  conducted  by  30  managers,  elected 
from  year  to  year.  Its  object  is  to  aid  the  Synod's  Board,  by  promot- 
ing its  work  among  the  women  and  children  of  heathen  lands.  To  this 
end  it  seeks  to  increase  interest  among  the  women  of  the  churches  at 
home.  Funds  are  collected  thro'  Auxiliary  Societies,  to  support  schools 
established  by  the  Synod's  Board,  as  well  as  to  promote  medical  and 
evangelistic   work   for  the   women  and  children  at  the   Mission   Stations. 


WOMAN'S  CHRISTIAN  TEMPERANCE  UNION.    831 

Several  volumes  concerning  Missions  have  been  issued  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Woman's  Board,  besides  many  leaflets  and  missionary  papers. 
Committees  are  secured  in  every  Classis  to  visit  the  churches  and  facili- 
tate the  formation  of  Auxihary  Societies.  The  interest  thus  excited  has 
steadily  increased.  Missionary  Conferences  are  held  annually  in  almost 
all  of  the  Classes,  and  various  other  devices  are  employed  for  awak- 
ening enthusiasm.  Mission  Bands  are  organized  among  the  children. 
This  Board  has  raised  during  its  30  years  of  existence  nearly  eight  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars,  and  is  now  supporting  about  40  female  missiona- 
ries. 18  Hindu  Girls'  Schools,  nine  Boarding  Schools,  two  Seminaries, 
ten  Day  Schools,  besides  other  evangelical  work,  including  Zenana  teachers 
and  Bible  Women.  Fifteen  buildings  have  been  erected  thro'  the  agency 
of  this  Woman's  Board  at  a  cost  of  more  than  $30,000.  The  following 
have  been  the  annual  receipts  into  the  Treasury  of  this  Board  since  its 
organization  to  the  present  time : 


1875 

$2,891.15 

1891 

$19,131.16 

1876 

3,825.57 

1892 

20,855.47 

1877 

4o99-39 

1893 

29,635-51 

1878 

7,086.39 

1894 

27,727.48 

1879 

8,454-55 

1895 

33,768.35 

1880 

8.87916 

1896 

28,278.43 

I88I 

8,683.17 

1897 

33,548.69 

1882 

10,91540 

1898 

36,216.26 

1883 

10,919.36 

1899 

33,029.58 

1884 

12,050.72 

1900 

50,683.90 

1885 

15,219.86 

1901 

35,375-19 

1886 

16,000.28 

1902 

47,628.33 

1887 

17,340.87 

1903 

50,219.04 

1888 

17,544-81 

1904 

50,912.52 

1889 

17,437-59 

1905 

48,460.42 

1890 

Total  

1906 

50,272.71 

-■$785,523-72 

See  Ferris  Seminary;  Sturges  Seminary;  Amoy  Girls'  School;  Char- 
lotte Duryee's  Bible  School;  also  Report  on  State  of  the  Church,  1900, 
823 :  Mission  Gleaner ;  Day  Star ;  also  reports  of  Synod's  Standing  Com- 
mittees on  Foreign  Mission  in  which  this  "Woman's  Board"  is  always 
commended.  Attention  called  to  four  excellent  pamphlets  published  by, 
on  China,  India,  Arabia,  Japan,  1906,  469. 

Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  That  we  especially  and 
heartily  sympathize  with  the  work  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union,  and  bid  the  Union  God-speed  in  the  noble  efforts  to  rescue  men 
from  the  curse  of  strong  drink.     1887,  392. 

A  communication  from  the  National  Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union  requested  Synod  to  recommend  that  15  minutes  every  month  be 
devoted  to  temperance  instruction  in  the  Sunday  School ;  the  Synod  re- 
affirmed its  frequent  utterance  on  Temperance,  and  said  the  International 
Lessons  accomplished  the  object  desired;  but  added: 

Resolved,  That  the  attention  of  superintendents  and  teachers  in  our 
Sunday  Schools  be  called  to  the  facts  presented  in  this  report,  relating 
to  the  moral  overthrow  of  so  many  through  the  curse  of  strong  drink, 
who  have  at  one  time  been  scholars  in  the  Sunday  School. 

And  that  we  recommend  that  renewed  and  continued  effort  be  made 
to  save  the  precious  youth  committed  to  their  care  from  its  deadly  perils. 
1891.  311-312. 

Reaffirmed,  1892,  569. 

Resolved,    That  we  earnestly  recommend  and  urge  upon  all  pastors 


832  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL  LEGISLATION 

and  superintendents  of  our  Sunday-schools  to  give  this  subject  of  Gospel 
Temperance  once  a  quarter,  either  on  review  or  an}^  other  Sabbath,  a 
definite  place  in  Sunday-school  instruction.     1896,  386. 

The  request  to  appoint  a  particular  Sabbath  for  the  presentation  of 
the  cause  of  Temperance,  with  a  collection,  was  not  acceded  to,  but  the 
following  resolution  was  passed : 

Resolved,  That  without  appointing  any  special  day  or  days,  Synod 
is  of  the  opinion  that  the  great  subject  of  temperance  is  worthy  of  re- 
ceiving the  consideration  of  the  ministers  of  our  denomination  at  any 
time,  as  a  part  of  the  enforcement  of  the  Christian  principles  of  self- 
denial  and  helpfulness  to  others.     1896,  415. 

In  1901,  this  Union  is  again  earnestly  commended,  and  the  last  Lord's 
day  of  November  set  apart  as  "Temperance  Sabbath."  1901,  1133;  1905, 
155.     See  Temperance;  National  Woman's  Christian  Temp.  Union. 

Woman's  Executive  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Domestic  Mis- 
sions. Organized  Nov.  8,  1882,  at  the  Jubilee  Convention  of  the  Bd.  of 
Dom.  Missions.  Mrs.  Paul  D.  Van  Cleef  was  at  once  chosen  President, 
and  a  Vice-President  was  chosen  in  each  of  the  four  Particular  Synods. 
Two  ladies  were  chosen  in  each  Classis  as  "Classical  Committees,'*  to 
secure  the  formation  of  Missionary  Societies  in  every  church.  This  Com- 
mittee has  assisted  congregations  in  repairing  churches  and  building 
parsonages.  During  23  years  they  have  assisted  in  securing  more  than 
100  parsonages,  and  in  completing  or  repairing  more  than  75  more ;  they 
have  assisted  in  building  about  50  churches,  and  in  repairing  or  com- 
pleting about  100  more.  They  have  also  given  $1,500  toward  completing 
the  President's  house  of  Hope  College;  and  $1,000  towards  the  residence 
of  the  Principal  of  the  Northwestern  Academy.  In  1887,  they  assumed 
the  support  of  a  Classical  missionary,  Rev.  F.  J.  Zwemer,  having  charge 
of  the  two  "Dakotas,"  and  in  1894,  took  two  more  missionaries  under 
their  care.  In  1894,  they  also  began  to  support  "student  missionaries" 
in  the  Home  Field,  East  and  West,  and  appropriated  $1,000  for  the  sup- 
port of  ten  students,  during  their  vacations.  For  this  purpose,  "Salary 
Syndicate  Certificates"  were  issued,  the  value  being  $10  each.  In  1894, 
1895,  1896,  ten  students  were  sent  out ;  in  1897,  fifteen,  and  in  1898 
twenty-two  and  this  work  was  continued.  In  1895,  assistance  was 
given  to  girl  students  ($50  each)  in  the  Northwestern  Classical  Academy. 
In  the  first  fifteen  years,  1884-98,  $182,367  were  raised,  and  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time  (1905)  more  than  $300,000.  This  Executive  Committee  also 
pays  the  salary  of  the  Indian  Evangelist,  Rev.  Frank  Hall  Wright,  and 
of  Rev.  Walter  C.  Roe,  in  Oklahoma ;  also  the  expenses  of  Mr.  Wright's 
"Summer  Evangelistic  Tours."  In  1898,  work  was  also  begun  among 
the  Mountain  Whites  of  the  South.  The  work  of  this  Committee  has 
been  commended  yearly  by  General  Synod.  See  1900,  820-1;  1901,  1103-4. 
Mrs.  E.  B.  Horton  was  the  efficient  Corresponding  Secretary  of  this  Com- 
mittee from  the  beginning  until  1903 ;  Mrs.  I.  S.  Allen  succeeded  to  this 
office.  The  following  table  shows  the  development  in  the  work  of  this 
Executive  Committee : 

1884  $2,532.83 

1885  4430.00 

1886  5,826.53 

1887  5.981.01 

1888  8,839.03 

1889  10,417.92 

1890  11,349.77 

1891  12,111.89 

1892  13,000.00 


WOMAN'S  NATIONAL  SABBATH  ALLIANCE.     833 

1893  .....,..:, 14,795-26 

1894  19,413-35 

1895 16,592.56 

1896  17,485.80 

1897  •• 19,477-96 

1898 20,1 14.04 

1899  ..........;. 23,1 16.20 

r  1900 24,095.38 

1901 26,369.04 

1902 31,442.69 

1903  -  -  v..  . 36,35740 

1904  - -  •  - 38,59400 

1905  39,852.48 

1906  . , 

Best  year  in  its  history..  Aided  in  building  of  10  parsonages;  has 
erected  one  church  and  planned  the  building  of  another  Memorial  Church ; 
has  assisted  in  repairing  and  refurnishing  several  churches.  The  Okla- 
homa Mission  gives  evidence  of  a  vigorous  life ;  the  Mountain  Mission 
in  Kentucky  is  making  encouraging  progress.     1906,  472. 

Woman's  National  Sabbath  Alliance.  Its  work  especially  com- 
mended "as  worthy  of  the  hearty  co-operation,  and  of  the  pecuniary  as- 
sistance of  our  people."     1896,  442.     See  Am.   Sab.  Union. 

Woman's  Suffrage.  A  request  from  the  National  Woman's  Suffrage 
Association,  that  the  Synod  would  petition  Congress  to  amend  the  Con- 
stitution of  U.  S.  in  favOr  of  Female  Suffrage.  Committee  recommended 
that  no  action  be  taken.     1900,  777. 

Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society.  Many  Women's  Missionary 
Societies  were  organized  in  America  from  1800  onward.  (See  Cyc.  of 
Missions,  ii.  488.)  But  these  only  collected  funds  for  the  General  Miss. 
Boards.  Rev.  David  Abeel  was  the  first  to  suggest  the  great  movement — 
"Woman's  Work  for  Women."  On  his  way  home  from  China  in  1834, 
he  told  the  sad  story  of  the  degradation  and  suffering  of  women  in  India 
and  China.  Missionaries'  wives  could  not  undertake  this  great  work  on 
account  of  domestic  duties.  He  suggested  that  unmarried  women  should 
consecrate  themselves  to  this  work.  A  Societ}'  was  at  once  formed  in 
England  called  "A  Society  for  Promoting  Female  Education  in  the  East," 
which  was  the  pioneer  in  these  efforts,  and  is  still  in  existence.  Many 
similar  Societies  soon  sprung,  up  in  Great  Britain. 

Dr.  Abeel  presented  the  same  plea  in  America  in  1835,  but  the  re- 
sponse was  not  immediate.  Mrs.  Thomas  C.  Doremus,  however,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  South  Dutch  Church  of  New  York  (then  under  the  care  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  M.  Mathews  and  Rev.  Dr.  Mancius  S.  Hutton),  was  well 
known  as  a  lady  deeply  interested  in  this  work.  It  had  been  her  custom 
to  look  after  the  conifort  of  almost  all  outgoing  and  incoming  missiona- 
ries from  the  time  of  the  departure  of  David  Abeel  in  1829,  until  her 
death  in  1877.  But  not  until  1861,  could  she  carry  out  her  long  cher- 
ished plan,  and  organize  ^'The  Woman's  Union  Missionary  Society." 
Women  of  six  denominations  belonged  to  it,  and  it  stood  alone  in  America 
for  eight  years.  This  was  partly  owing  to  the  War,  which  absorbed  the 
energies  of  the  Christian  women  of  the  country  in  hospital  and  sanitary 
work, 

Mrs.  Doremus's  Union  Society  proposed  to  send  out  only  unmarried 
ladies.  It  at  once  secured  100  collectors,  each  of  whom  would  be  re- 
sponsible for  $20  per  year,  for  five  years.  "The  Missionary  Link"  was 
issued  as  its  organ'  of  information.  In  the  first  25  years,  1861-1886,  this 
Society  raised  about  one  million  dollars.  Its  annual  receipts  before  1886 
reached  about  $70,000,  and. there  were  then  about   70  lady   missionaries^ 


834         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

under  its  care.  Zenana  work  has  been  the  strong  feature  in  the  labors 
of  these  missionaries.  Many  Reformed  churches  organized  Women's  So- 
cieties in  connection  with  this  Union  Society,  before  the  R.  C.  A.  formed 
a  Woman's  Board  of  its  own  in  1875. 

Within  ten  years  after  the  formation  of  this  Union  Society,  Women's 
Boards  began  to  be  organized  in  almost  all  Denominations.  They  are 
now  numbered  by  scores.  Several  thousand  ladies  are  now  engaged  in 
foreign  missionary  work,  educational,  medical  or  evangelistic.  The  con- 
tributions of  these  Women's  Societies  are  now  in  the  millions.  See  "Mis- 
sionary Link"  of  March,  1877,  for  history  of  this  Society  in  its  origin 
and  development.  Many  of  the  local  Societies  at  first  connected  with 
this  Union  Society  have  joined  their  own  Denominational  Women's  So- 
cieties. 

WooDBRiDGE,  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  M.  Elected  Prof,  of  Ecc.  Hist.,  Ch. 
Gov.,  and  Pastoral  Theology,  Oct.  1857,  259-260;  preaches  a  sermon  on 
Benevolence  before  Gen.  Syn.  1871,  346 ;  performs  also  the  duties  of 
Prof,  of  Didactic  Theology,  1872,  401,  510;  Oct.,  1881,  12,  59;  1893,  755; 
his  Analysis  of  Didactic  Theolog}^  published,  1872,  510;  his  Lectures  on 
Church  History,  published,  1895,  60,  61 ;  his  Synopsis  of  Church  Govern- 
ment published,  1896,  334-5,  345 ;  40th  Anniversary  of  his  Professorship 
celebrated,  1896,  346;  his  resignation;  made  Professor  Emeritus,  with 
salary,  1901,  1019-20,  1039,  1044,  1050;  his  death,  June,  23,  1905.  Minute 
in  reference  to  his  death,  1906,  417.  Portrait  presented  by  his  family, 
to  Synod,   1906,  415. 

WooDHULL,  J.  C.  Gives  $200  toward  Museum  of  New  Brunswick 
Seminary,  1906,  425. 

WooDHULL,  Rev.  Dr.  Selah.  Appointed  Permanent  Clerk  of  Gen. 
Syn.  1815,  5 ;  made  Stated  Clerk,  1818,  40 ;  chosen  a  member  of  Bd.  of 
Direction,  1819,  47 ;  re-elected  until  1825 ;  elected  Professor  oi  Ecc.  Hist., 
Ch.  Gov.  and  Past.  Theology,  Sept.,  1825,  27,  28;  notice  of  his  death. 
March,  1826,  5,  6;  1826,  8,  16,  50,  62,  63;  purchase  of  his  library,  1826, 
56,    63. 

Woodruff,  F.  D.  Presents  a  number  of  the  "Church  Hymnary"  to 
Chapel  of  New  Brunswick  Sem.     1899,  369. 

WooDSWORTH,  John,  and  Wife  ;  give  deed  for  real  estate,  to  Trus- 
tees of  Queens  College,  dated  May  21,  i8ri,  for  130  acres  of  land  in 
Essex  and  Montgomery  counties,  N.  Y.     1819,  50;  1829,  157. 

Word  of  God.  Belg.  Confession,  Arts.  2-7 ;  Cannons  of  Dort,  iii.  and 
iv.  17.  The  only  Standard  of  Faith  and  Worship.  Preface  to  Constitu- 
tion of  1792. 

World's  Convention.  On  page  32  of  Minutes  of  Partic.  Syn.  of 
Albany,  1846,  occurred  the  following : 

Whereas,  this  Synod  has  appointed  delegates  to  attend  the  World's 
Convention,  to  be  held  in  the  city  of  London  in  August  next ;  and 

Whereas,  said  Convention  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  greatest  reli- 
gious movements  of  the  age ;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Gen.  Syn.  be  urged  to  recommend  to  our  churches 
the  holding  of  simultaneous  meetings,  soliciting  the  blessing  of  God  upon 
the  Convention,  in  its  deliberations. — Referred  to  a  special  committee. 
They  referred  to  Christ's  prayer  for  the  unity  of  His  people,  etc. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  contemplate  with  great  interest  the  pro- 
posed Evangelical  Alliance,  to  be  held  in  London  in  August  next,  as  a 
measure  which,  if  conducted  with  wisdom  and  crowned  with  the  Divine 
blessing,  may  tend  to  bind  together  in  closer  union  all  the  great  branches 
of  Protestant  Christendom.     1846,  64-66.     See  Evangelical  Alliance. 

World's  Fair.     See  Centennial  Exposition;   Columbian  Exposition. 


WORLD'S  TEMPERANCE  DAY.  835 

World's  Temperance  Day.  Recommended  to  be  observed  on  Fourth 
Sabbath  of  Nov.  1895,  155. 

WoRMSER  City,  Montana.  Church  of,  appeals  to  Gen.  Syn.  from 
decision  of  Partic.  Syn.  of  Chicago.  1898,  151-159.  Question:  Can  a 
Stated  Supply  preside  at  a  meeting  of  Consistory?  He  may,  by  courtesy; 
but  cannot  vote.  He  is  not  a  member  of  Consistory ;  cannot  represent 
the  church  in  Classis;  but  his  presiding,  by  request,  does  not  invaHdate 
Consistorial  proceedings  :  he  may,  by  invitation,  ordain  elders  and  deacons ; 
but  a  minister,  not  of  the  same  Classis,  cannot  moderate  a  call. 

Worship,  Mode  of.  Heid.  Cat.  Quests.  96-98;  •120-4.  See  Liturgy; 
Praise ;    Prayer  ;    Offerings  ;    Scriptural  Lessons  ;    Preaching ;    Creeds. 

Worship,  Order  of.  There  was  no  detailed  order  prescribed  in  the 
Articles  of  the  Synod  of  Dort,  1618-19.  In  the  Constitution  of  1833,  an 
order  was  prescribed  as  follows :  Invocation ;  salutation ;  reading  the 
Commandments  or  some  other  portion  of  Scripture  or  both;  singing; 
prayer;  singing;  sermon;  prayer;  collection  of  alms;  singing;  benedic- 
tion. In  the  afternoon  or  evening,  the  Commandments  not  required ;  last 
service  to  conclude  with  a  doxology.  In  the  Constitution  of  1874,  the 
same  order  was  prescribed : — "For  the  purpose  of  uniformity  in  the  order 
of  worship,  the  following  is  to  be  observed  by  all  the  churches :"  but  in 
1900,  the  Constitution  was  amended, — "it  is  recommended  that  the  follow- 
ing order  be  observed,"  etc.  For  the  second  service,  it  was  recommended 
that  the  Apostles'  Creed,  or  the  Nicene  Confession,  be  substituted  for  the 
Commandments.  1900,  840,  1124. — An  effort  was  made  in  1872  to  eliminate 
the  "Order  of  Worship"  altogether,  but  was  not  successful.  1872,  489; 
1873.  722;   1874,  108.     See  Public  Worship. 

Worthy  Partakers.  Heid.  Cat.  Quests.  81,  82.  Form  for  Lord's 
Supper ;  First  part. 

Wortman,  Rev.  Dr.  Denis.  Elected  President  of  Gen.  Synod,  1901, 
971;  agent  for  the  Disabled  Ministers'  Fund,  1902,  12,  114,  115;  1903, 
273,  384,  836-7,  1904,  736-7;  1905,  13,  52,  134;  1906,  413- 

Wrath  of  God.  Belgic  Conf.  Art.  21;  Canons  of  Dort,  i.  Art.  4; 
ii.,    2.    4. 

Wright,  Rev.  Frank  S.  An  Indian  Evangelist.  1895,  ii7;  1896, 
398;  etc.;  1905,  114. 

Written  Examinations.  1874,  10;  see  page  430  of  this  Digest, 
under  1874. 

Wvckoff,  Rev.  Henry  V.,  Suspended  by  CI.  of  Montgomery  for  con- 
tumacy, Oct.,  1820,  22;  directed  to  return  to  Classis  and  make  a  certain 
confession,  Oct.,  1820,  29,  30. 

Wyckoff,  Isaac  X.  President  of  General  Synod,  1837;  on  many 
important  Committees. 

Wvckoff,  John,  of  Nechanic.  Leaves  $2,500,  by  will,  to  endow  a 
scholarship  in  New  Brunswick  Theolog.  Sem.  Placed  in  care  of  Bd. 
of  Ed.     1834,  249,  320 ;  1835,  355. 

Wyckoff,  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.,  Missionary  in  India,  since  1874;  re- 
quested to  take  charge  of  Arcot  Seminary  until  arrival  of  Rev.  Dr.  Jared 
W.  Scudder,  1895,  65.  Appointed  Lector  in  Arcot  Seminary  during  Prof. 
Jared  W.  Scudder's  absence,  1904,  666. 

Year  Book.     See  Almanac  and  Year  Book. 

Yonkers,  Church  of.  Pastor  Inglis  appeals  for  help  to  cancel  debt. 
1898,  255. 

Young,  Isaac,  Treas.  of  Gen.  Synod,  1827-1857. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association.     Founded,   1852.     Few  refer- 


836  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

ences,  except  returning  thanks  to  local  societies  for  invitations  to  use 
their  rooms. 

Young  People's  Missionary  League.  Rev.  Dr.  A.  D.  W.  Mason 
about  to  resign  the  leadership ;  the  young  people  urged  to  develope  the 
work,  systematically  to  study  its  needs  that  they  may  more  intelligently 
pray  and  work  for  its  enlargement.  1906,  473;  general  sketch  of  its 
operations,  478-480. 

Young  People's  Societies.  Whereas,  the  needs  of  a  comprehensive 
program  of  moral  and  religious  nurture  of  the  young,  and  a  unifica- 
tion of  the  various  agencies  which  are  at  work  among  the  young,  is  be- 
ing more  and  more  felt ;  therefore, 

III.  We  recommend  that  a  special  committee  of  five  be  appointed 
to  take  the  whole  matter  of  the  relation  of  the  Church  to  its  young  peo- 
ple's work  under  review ;  to  consider  whether  its  work  for  the  young  may 
not  be  unified,  and  whether  better  methods  than  those  now  in  use  may 
be  discovered  and  employed,  whereby  instruction  in  doctrine,  ethics,  mis- 
sions, and  religion  generally  may  be  furthered  and  improved ;  and  that 
this  committee  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Synod ;  and, 

Resolved,  that  Rev.  Prof.  F.  S.  Schenck,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  Prof.  G. 
H.  Dubbink,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  I.  W.  Gowen,  D.D.,  form  the  nucleus  of 
that  committee,  and  that  they  be  empowered  to  select  the  other  two  mem- 
bers, and  elect  their  chairman.     1906,  464. 

Young  People's  Societies  of  Christian  Endeavor.  Founded,  1881. 
Endorsed  and  recommended  by  Gen.  Synod  frequently. 

The  basis  of  this  Society  is  the  well-known  instrumentality  of  the 
Young  People's  Prayer  Meeting;  its  aim  is  to  attach  our  youth  to  the 
Church  and  her  work,  to  train  them  up  for  future  service,  and  to  bridge 
over  the  spiritually  dangerous  period  between  youth  and  maturity.  Fur- 
thermore, the  successful  attainment  of  its  purpose  is  vouched  for  by  the 
rapidity  of  its  extension,  and  the  happy  effects  of  its  influences  upon  the 
many  thousands  of  youth  who  have  become  subject  to  them. 

Your  Committee  would  therefore  recommend  the  following  reso- 
lutions : 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod,  recognizing  the  value  and  success  of  the 
work  of  the  "Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor"  in  this  and 
other  lands,  heartily  commends  that  organization  to  our  pastors  and  Con- 
sistories as  a  well  proven  and  effective  means  of  arousing  and  develop- 
ing the  spiritual  life  and  labors  of  the  youth  of  our  churches. 

Resolved,  That  this  Synod  also  recognizes  the  value  of  Christian 
effort  among  our  young  people,  organized  otherwise  than  in  societies  of 
Christian  Endeavor.     1888,  568;  '90,  83. 

The  Committee  on  Sunday  Schools  and  Catechetical  Instruction  re- 
spectfully present  the  following  report : 

There  has  been  referred  to  the  committee  a  memorial  from  mem- 
bers of  this  Synod,  asking  that  the  Christian  Endeavor  movement  receive 
suitable  recognition  from  General  Synod,  and  that  the  committee  prepare 
a  plan  by  which  the  statistics  of  Christian  Endeavor  Societies  in  our  de- 
nomination shall  be  reported  annually  to  our  Synod.  If  we  rightly  in- 
terpret this  request,  it  is  not  the  desire  of  those  who  make  it  that  the 
Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  shall  be  distinguished  from 
other  societies  of  similar  aim  and  organization  bearing  different  names, 
but  that  all  the  religious  societies  of  young  people  in  our  churches  shall 
in  some  way  receive  the  recognition  and  care  of  General  Synod.  Recog- 
nizing the  fitness  of  such  a  request,  we  would  recommend  the  following 
resolutions : 

Resolved,    That  the  Committee  on   Sunday  Schools  and  Catechetical 


YOUNG.  THE— OR  YOUTH.  837 

Instruction  be  authorized  to  arrange  for  a  "Conference  on  Topics  con- 
nected with  the  Young  People's  Societies  of  our  Church,"  to  be  held 
during  the  session  of  the  Synod  at  which  the  committee  is  appointed. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  committee  be  instructed  to  incorporate  in 
its  report  to  the  next  Synod  such  statistics  and  other  information  con- 
cerning the  Christian  Endeavor  and  kindred  societies  in  our  Church  as 
it  may  consider  of  importance.     1892,  543-4. 

The  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  has  done  excel- 
lent work  in  our  various  Churches.  We  have  at  present  about  275  socie- 
ties, with  a  membership  of  about  14,000.  Many  of  the  classes  mention 
with  gratitude  the  work  done  by  the  young  people  during  the  year,  not 
only  in  their  gifts  of  money,  but  especially,  in  the  spiritual  power  that 
has  worked  through  them  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  local  Churches.  These 
societies  have  contributed  to  the  Missionary  Boards  of  the  Church,  dur- 
ing the  past  year,  $3,334.69  against  $1,145  last  year. 

Your  Committee  wishes  to  commend  most  heartily  this  agency  of  the 
church  that  is  training  so  faithfully  the  young  and  rising  generation  in 
the  cultivation  of  a  high  and  consecrated  religious  life  in  the  church,  as 
well  as  of  an  equally  consecrated  spirit  of  giving.     1893,  787;  '95,  98,  99. 

In  1895,  General  Synod  received  a  Banner  from  the  C.  E.  S.  of  the 
Sio-Ke  church,  China,  with  a  letter  of  explanation  from  Dr.  Otte.  Synod 
sent  its  thanks  to  such  Society.  The  banner  to  be,  yearly,  sent  to  such 
C.  E.  S.  in  this  country,  which  contributes  the  largest  amount,  per  mem- 
ber, to  the  cause  of  Missions,  Domestic  and  Foreign.  1895,  228. — 
1896,  401. 

In  1900,  Gen.  Syn.  appointed  a  Permanent  Committee  on  Sab.  Schools 
and  Y.  P.  Ss.  The  scope  of  their  work  was  made  to  be  an  advisory 
oversight  of  Sab.  Schools  and  Y.   P.  Ss.     1899,  436-7;   1900,  748-750. 

The  Com.  on  "The  State  of  the  Church"  in  1900,  said: 

The  Christian  Endeavor  Societies  have  taken  a  prominent  part  in 
church  activity  during  the  past  eighteen  years.  Such  societies  began  to 
be  organized  in  our  churches  soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  movement, 
until  now  there  are  few  churches  which  have  not  a  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor.  They  have  developed  a  new  and  very  useful  kind  of  activity 
in  Christian  life,  leading  the  young  people  to  take  part  in  speaking  and 
praying,  as  never  before ;  and  leading  them  also  to  enter  into  various 
fields  of  aggressive  usefulness  in  the  outside  world.     1900,  824. 

See  also  1901,  1070-1 ;  1902,  89,  90;  1903,  356-363;  1904,  690-3.  In  1903, 
361-2,  a  Special  Com.  was  appointed  to  report  in  reference  to  all  matters 
relating  to  Y.  P.  Ss.  1904,  690-709;  1905,  100-105;  roll  of  Young  People's 
Societies,  1905,  326-350. 

See  Christian  Endeavor  Churches,  page  125,  of  this  Digest ;  also  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  Missionary  League ;  Sunday  Schools  and  Young  People's 
Societies. 

Young,  The,  or  Youth.  Prayer  Meetings  of,  1812,  435 ;  doctrinal 
instruction  of — See  Catechetical  Instruction  ;  also  Sab.  Schools  and 
Y.  P.  S. : 

That  the  pastors  prayerfully  consider  the  importance  of  a  weekly  re- 
ligious service  for  the  instruction,  encouragement,  and  development  of 
the  young  men  and  women  of  the  Church  and  congregation. 

Resolved,  That  the  last  Thursday  of  January  be  observed  as  a  day 
of  prayer  for  schools  and  colleges.     1879,  283. 

Conferences  on  training  of  the  Young,  1898,  115;  1899,  436;  1900, 
747;  1901,  1077,  etc.;  1905,  105. 

Young  Woman's  Branch — of  the  Woman's  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions.    Allusion,  1904,  713. 

Youth's  Dayspring.     See  Dayspring. 


838  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Zabriskie,  Francis  N.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Editor  of  Christian  Intelli- 
gencer, 1880-3. 

Zenana  Work.  Report  of  Bd.  For.  Miss.  1903,  32.  See  Woman's 
Union  Miss.  Society. 

ZwEMER,  James  F.  (Rev.)  Endowment  Agent  for  Western  Institu- 
tions, 1896,  338;  '97,  616;  '98,  78,  88;  '99,  391-3,  etc.,  until  present  time, 
1906;  his  Simplified  Catechism,  in  Dutch,  1901,  11 12;  President  of  Gen- 
eral Synod,  1904. 

ZwEMER,  Peter  J.  (Rev.)  Missionary  to  Arabia,  1892-98;  necrolog- 
ical  sketch,  1899,  557. 

ZwEMER,  Samuel  M.  (Rev.  Dr.)  Missionary  to  Arabia,  since  1890; 
Vice-President  of  General  Synod,  1906;  requested  by  Synod  to  spend  a 
year  in  inaugurating  the  "Parish  Plan""  for  supporting  Foreign  Mis- 
sions,   1906,  467-8.     See  also   Report  of  Bd.   F.    M.,    1906,   xxviii-xxx. 


END. 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA 

[But  few  corrections  were  necessary.     The  Addenda  consist  mostly  of 
items  from  the  Minutes  of  1906.] 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

I  Under  "Abstract  Questions"  ;  third  line,  make  1906  read  1806. 

87  Insert   after    "Benevolent    Societies,"    Ben  ham,  Sarah — makes 

the   following  bequests: 

To  Permanent  Seminary  Fund $7,000.00.  1892,  471,  495. 

Balance    96405.  1894,  17,  45. 

Total    $7,964.05 

To  Education   Funds $6,500.00.     1892,471. 

Balance    897.60.     1894,  i7- 

Total $7,397-60 

87  Benham,    Sarah    V.    B.      Gives    to    Educational    Funds,    $500. 

1895,  18,  26. 
87  Bequests,  Forms  of.     Directed  to  be  printed  on  the  cover  of 

the  Minutes,  1818,  40.  First  specimen,  Aug.,  1818.  The  Synod 
was  not  then  yet  incorporated.  Another  set  of  "Forms  of  Bequest," 
1844,  368.  None  of  the  Boards  were  then  yet  incorporated.  Amend- 
ments were  made  to  these  "Forms,"  1867,  285.  Forms  are  now 
printed  with  each  copy  of  the  Minutes ;  with  the  Reports  of  the 
several  Boards ;  and  in  the  Catalogues  of  the  Seminaries. 

89  Benevolent  Boards  and  Funds  of  the  Church — defined.  The 
Boards  entitled  "Domestic  Missions,  Foreign  Missions,  Arabian 
Mission,  Education  and  Publication,"  constitute  the  "Benevolent 
Boards  of  the  Church ;"  and  that  the  "Widows'  Fund,  the  Disabled 
Ministers'  Fund,  the  Church  Building  Fund  and  Seminary  Fund," 
constitute  the  "Funds  of  the  Church."     1906,  489. 

90  Biblical  Theology  and  Sacred  History.  Rev.  J.  Fred.  Berg, 
Ph.D.,  appointed  Lector  in,  1906,  415,  434. 

97  Borneo.     Insert  hst  of  Missionaries : 

MISSIONARIES  TO  BORNEO  AND  THE  EAST. 

Appointed.    Retired. 

Rev.  David  Abeel    1829  1842* 

Rev.  Elihu   Doty 1836  1844* 

Mrs.  Elihu  Doty 1836  1844* 

Rev.  Elbert  Nevius  1836  1843 

Mrs.  Elbert  Nevius  1836  1843 

Rev.  William  Youngblood    1836  1849 

Mrs.  William  Youngblood   1836  1849 

Miss  Azubah  C.  Condict  1836  1839 

Rev.  Jacob   Ennis    1836  1840 

Mrs.   (Haines)    Ennis    1836  1840 

Rev.  William  J.  Pohlman 1838  1844* 

Mrs.  Theodosia  R.   (Scudder)   Pohlman 1838  1844* 

Rev.  Frederic   B.   Thomson 1838  1847! 

Mrs.   (Wyckofif)   Thomson    1838  i839t 

Mrs.  Emma  Cecilia   (Combe)   Thomson 1840  i844t 

Rev.  Wm.  Theodore  Van  Doren 1840  1842 

Mrs.  Wm.  T.  Van  Doren 1840  1842 

Rev.  Isaac   P.    Stryker 1840  i842t 

Rev.  William    H.    Steele 1842  1849 

*Went  to  China.     fDied. 


840         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

98  Brovver,  William  L.     Gives  $1,000  toward  endowment  of  New 

Brunswick  Seminary,     1906,  425. 

120  Under  "Ceylon,"  lines  7-10  are  misplaced.     They  should  read: 

"See  Scudder,  John,  Rev.  Dr.  (Sr.)— A  request  came  from  Henry 
L.  Mitchell,  asking  for  aid,  and  a  minister  for  a  Dutch  church  in 
Ceylon.  It  was  suggested  that  one  of  our  Holland  brethren  might 
find  a  field  there ;  the  matter  was  referred  to  Board  of  For.  Mis. 
1887,  736. 

157  Congo  Free  State.  Protest  in  reference  to  the  abuses  in;  de- 
mand for  international  investigation.     1906,  502. 

158  CoNSiSTORiAL  REPORTS.  Committee  appointed  to  take  under 
careful  consideration  the  terms  of  the  annual  Consistorial  Report, 
which  the  pastors  are  to  fill  out,  as  for  example  the  term,  "Bap- 
tized Non-communicants,"  and  render  an  authoritative,  simple  and 
complete  explanation  of  these  terms  and  what  they  call  for,  and 
have  this  explanation  printed  on  the  report  blanks. 

A   Committee   of   three   appointed   to   define   these   terms   more 
clearly  and  report  to  the  next  Synod.     1906,  488.     Names,  490. 
198  Delegates,  Expenses  of. 

Resolved,  That  after  the  meeting  of  this  Synod  [1906]  all  dele- 
gates attending  the  General  Synod  shall  be  paid,  out  of  the  Gen- 
eral Fund  and  by  the  treasurer  of  the  General  Synod,  at  or  before 
the  close  of  each  Synod,  an  amount  of  money  equal  to  the  cost 
of  a  first-class  ticket  only,  to  and  return,  by  the  nearest  route, 
and  at  the  reduced  rates  secured  by  the  Synod,  and  that  the  ad- 
ditional money  needed  for  this  purpose  be  raised  in  the  usual  way. 
1906,  614. 

The  following  resolution  was  afterwards  offered  and  carried : 
Resolved,  That  the  resolution  to  pay  the  travelling  expenses 
of  all  delegates  to  the  General  Synod  do  not  go  into  effect  until 
the  Synod  of  1908.  and  that,  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
consider  the  matter  ot  remunerating  delegates  for  the  above  named 
expenses,  the  committee  to  report  to  the  next  Synod.  Committee : 
Revs.  Wm.  H.  DeHart  and  Jas  F.  Zwemer ;  and  Elder  W.  H. 
Youngman.     1906,  614. 

208-9  Digest.     Final  report  on  the  Digest ;   the  work  in  press ;   will 

cost  about  $2,000;  1906,  595-6;  ^ynod  resolves  to  lay  an  assess- 
ment of  another  cent  on  each  member  to  pay  entire  cost;  a  copy 
to  be  sent  gratis  to  every  minister,  414. 

231-2  Domestic  Missions.     Death  of  Rev.  Dr.  Chs.  Pool,  Cor.  Sec- 

retary, and  illness  of  Mr.  John  Bussing,  the  Treasurer  for  twenty- 
one  years.  239  churches  and  missions  have  been  helped  during 
the  year ;  9  new  churches  organized ;  9  new  missions  begun ;  and 
10  of  the  churches  helped  have  assumed  self-support.  Income — 
the  largest  ever  reported,  viz.,  $115,085,  of  which  the  Woman's  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  have  furnished  $43,000. — $125,000  asked  for,  for 
1906-7.  Thanks  given  to  Mr.  Bussing  for  his  long  and  gratuitous 
services  as  Treasurer.  The  Woman's  Executive  Committee  con- 
gratulated on  its  work.  Money  is  loaned,  not  given,  to  churches. 
1906,  471-4. 

250  Education,  Board  of.     Resolved,  That  Section  7  of  the 'Rules 

defining  the  relation  between  the  Board  of  Education  and  its  stu- 
dents be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  stricken  out.     1906,  458. 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  841 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

254  England,    Church   of.     Insert   reference   in   fifth   line,   as    fol- 

lows:    "Episcopate,  1886;  see  1888,  489,  609. 

257  Under  Evangelical  Alliance.     Founded  1854,  read  1845. 

259  For  heading  at  top  of  page,  read — '"Evangelical  Chs.,  Na- 
tional Council  of." 

260  Evangelistic  Work.  Rev.  Dr.  Jas.  M.  Farrar,  President  of 
Synod,  was  elected  Chairman  of  Committee  on,  and  Rev.  J.  H. 
Whitehead,  Secretary.  Appeal  made  for  $2,000.  Dr.  Farrar  made 
a  three-weeks  tour  among  the  Western  churches  in  October,  1905. 
Rev.  Frank  Hall  Wright  of  Oklahoma  was  also  engaged  for  a 
month  among  the  Eastern  churches.  The  work  in  the  Mohawk 
valley  was  committed  to  the  care  of  Rev.  Dr.  Geo.  R.  Lunn  of 
Schenectady.  New  Jersey  was  already  largely  covered  by  the  Pres- 
byterian Evangelistic  Committees.  To  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  G.  Fagg 
was  committed  the  care  of  the  Summer  Tent  Campaign  of  New 
York  City,  supported  by  the  Collegiate  Church. — The  Committee 
was  continued,  and  authorized  to  engage  a  Field  Evangelist  at  a 
fixed  salary,  and  to  seek  the  necessary  contributions  for  the  work. 
1906.  551-4- 

285  Federation.     The    Committee    on    Federation    of    Churches    re- 

ported. 1906,  505-511.  On  pp.  505-6,  the  Com.  gives  a  brief  re- 
view of  their  work.  See  in  this  Digest,  the  following  pages :  279, 
(1902,  127-8)  ;  280,  (1903,  398,  399)  ;  thirdly,  on  page  281:  and  II. 
"The  Report  of  the  Committee,"  etc.,  pp.  281-5.  The  "Plan  of 
Federation"  as  given,  in  1905,  (pp.  283-5)  of  this  Digest  was 
amended,  as  given  below  in  the  "Articles  of  Agreement."  The  fol- 
lowing, except  the  review,  is  the  Committee's  Report  in  1906, 
506-511. 

We  have  now  to  report  that  in  accordance  with  your  instruc- 
tions, five  members  of  the  committee.  Rev.  Messrs.  Searle,  Drury, 
Beardslee,  Mackenzie  and  Karsten  attended  a  conference  similar 
to  the  preceding  ones,  and  held  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
(Southern)  of  Charlotte,  X.  C,  March  14-16,  1906.  The  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Church  was  represented  in  this  conference  for  the 
first  time,  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  was  unrep- 
resented. All  the  other  bodies  participated  in  the  Pittsburgh  Con- 
ference took  part  in  this  one,  the  Committee  from  the  Reformed 
Church  in  the  U.  S.  being  regularly  appointed.  Forty-three  dele- 
gates were  in  attendance,  and  as  in  the  case  of  the  three  preced- 
ing conferences,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Searle,  of  your  committee,  was  made 
chairman.  This  Conference  was  distinguished  by  a  high  measure 
of  fraternal  feeling,  minute  attention  to  the  business  in  hand,  able 
discussion,  and  substantial  unanimity  in  the  conclusions  reached. 

It  was  deemed  best  to  modify  the  phrasing  of  certain  articles 
in  the  "Plan  of  Federation"  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the 
churches  by  the  Pittsburgh  Conference  and  to  modify  also  the  title 
of  that  Plan.  These  modifications  were  not  in  the  direction  of  cur- 
tailing or  otherwise  changing  the  powers  of  the  representative  body 
proposed  in  that  Plan,  but  in  the  direction  of  more  explicitly  ex- 
pressing and  carrying  out  the  very  definite  desire  of  the  constituent 
churches  that  the  powers  of  this  representative  body  should  in  no 
way  interfere  with  or  overshadow  the  powers  now  possessed  by 
the  existing  judicatories  of  these  churches. 


842  DIGEST  OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

285  The  new  title  superseding  the  words  "Plan  of  Federation,"  is 

"Articles  of  Agreement,"  and  the  articles  are  as  follows : 
Articles  of  Agreement. 
The  Reformed  Churches  in  America  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System,  desiring  to  evince  and  develop  their  spiritual  unity  and  to 
promote  closer  relations  and  more  effective  administrative  co-opera- 
tion among  these  churches,  hereby  adopt  the  following  Articles  of 
Agreement  in  furtherance  of  these  purposes : 

1.  For  the  prosecution  of  work  that  can  be  done  better  unit- 
edly than  separately  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  is  hereby  established, 
which  shall  be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  'The  Council  of 
the  Reformed  Churches  in  America  holding  the  Presbyterian 
System." 

2.  The  Council  shall  consist  of  at  least  four  representatives, 
ministers  or  ruling  elders,  from  each  of  the  constituent  Churches, 
for  each  one  hundred  thousand  communicants  or  fraction  thereof 
up  to  three  hundred  thousand ;  and  where  a  Church  has  more  than 
three  hundred  thousand  communicants,  then  four  representatives 
ministers  or  elders,  for  each  additional  two  hundred  thousand  com- 
municants or  fraction  thereof.  These  persons  shall  be  chosen  with 
their  alternates  under  the  direction  of  their  respective  supreme 
judicatories,  in  such  manner  as  those  judicatories  shall  respectively 
determine. 

3.  Every  Church  entering  into  this  Agreement  retains  its  dis- 
tinct individuality,  its  own  creed,  government  and  worship,  as  well 
as  every  power,  jurisdiction  and  right,  which  is  not  by  these  Ar- 
ticles expressly  and  exclusively  delegated  to  the  bod}^  hereby  con- 
stituted. 

4.  The  Council  shall  exercise  only  such  powers  as  are  con- 
ferred upon  it  by  these  Articles,  or  such  as  may  hereafter  be  con- 
ferred upon  it  by  the  constituent  Churches.  It  shall  not  interfere 
with  the  creed,  worship  or  government  of  the  Churches,  and,  in 
particular,  all  matters  of  discipline,  shall  be  left  to  the  exclusive  and 
final  judgment  of  the  ecclesiastical  authorities  of  the  Churches  con- 
cerned. All  acts  of  the  Council  affecting  the  interests  of  any  of 
the  constituent  Churches  shall  have  only  advisory  authority,  except 
in  matters  covered  by  Article  6  and  7. 

5.  The  Council  shall  promote  the  co-operation  of  the  consti- 
tuent Churches  in  their  Foreign  Missionary  work,  and  also  in  their 
general  w^ork  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  connection  of 
Home  Missions.  Work  among  the  Colored  People,  church  Erec- 
tion, Sabbath  Schools,  Publication  and  Education.  The  Council 
may  also  advise  and  recommend  in  other  matters  pertaining  to 
the  general  welfare  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

6.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  deal  with  questions  which 
may  arise  between  the  constituent  Churches,  in  regard  to  matters 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Council,  which  the  constituted  agen- 
cies of  the  Church  concerned  have  been  unable  to  settle,  and  which 
may  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Council  by  the  supreme  ju- 
dicatories of  the  parties  thereto ;  and  such  differences  shall  there- 
upon be  determined  by  the  Council  or  by  such  agencies  as  it  may 
appoint.  If  determined  by  an  agency,  such  as  a  committee  or  com- 
mission, there  shall  be  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Council  for  final 
decision.  The  representatives  in  the  Council,  of  Churches  which 
are  parties  to  questions  at  issue,  shall  be  excluded  from  voting  upon 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  843 

Pages  of 

Digest. 

285  such  questions.  Every  final  decision  shall  be  transmitted  by  the 
Council  to  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the  Churches  concerned, 
which  shall  take  such  steps  as  are  necessary  to  carry  the  decision 
into  effect. 

7.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  deal  with  any  other  mat- 
ters of  interest  common  to  any  two  or  more  of  the  constituent 
Churches,  which  may  be  referred  to  it  by  the  supreme  judicatories 
of  the  Churches  concerned  for  its  action,  with  such  authority  in  the 
premises  and  under  such  conditions  as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  the 
Churches  which  make  the  reference.  It  may  also  initiate  movements 
having  co-operation  in  view,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Churches 
concerned. 

8.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  open  and  maintain  a 
friendly  correspondence  with  the  Presbyterian  and  other  Evan- 
gelical Churches  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  concert  of  action  in 
matters  of  common  interest ;  but  nothing  in  this  article  shall  be 
construed  as  affecting  the  present  rights  of  correspondence  of  the 
constituent  Churches. 

9.  The  Council  shall  give  full  faith  and  credit  to  the  acts, 
proceedings  and  records  of  the  duly  constituted  authorities  of  the 
several  constituent  Churches. 

ID.  The  officers  of  the  Council  shall  be  a  President,  Vice- 
President,  Stated  Clerk,  Treasurer,  and  such  other  subordinate 
officers  as  may  be  necessary. 

11.  The  Council  shall  meet  in  regular  session  at  least  bien- 
nially, and  on  its  adjournment,  at  such  time  and  place  as  may  be 
determined.  In  conduct  of  its  meetings  it  shall  respect  the  con- 
scientious views  of  its  constituent  members.  The  President  shall 
call  special  meetings  at  any  time  when  requested  so  to  do  by  a 
majority  of  the  representatives  of  each  of  two  or  more  of  the 
constituent  bodies ;  thirty  days  notice  of  such  meetings  shall  be 
given  to  all  members,  and  only  such  business  may  be  transacted  as 
is  specified  in  the  notice. 

12.  The  incidental  expenses  of  the  Council  shall  be  met  by  a 
fund  to  be  provided  by  a  pro  rata  apportionment  on  the  basis  of 
the  representation  of  each  Church  in  the  Council.  The  expense  of 
the  representatives  shall  be  paid  by  their  respective  Churches.  All 
the  expenses  involved  in  the  settlement  of  any  question  between 
the  Churches  shall  be  borne  equally  by  the  Churches  concerned. 

13.  When  the  representatives  of  three  of  the  Churches,  at  a 
meeting  of  either  the  Council  or  its  agencies,  request  a  unit  vote 
by  Churches  upon  a  pending  motion,  the  vote  shall  be  so  taken. 

14.  The  Council  shall  have  power  to  make  such  regulations 
and  by-laws  as  shall  be  deemed  necessary  for  the  conduct  of  its 
business. 

15.  After  the  Council  shall  have  been  constituted,  any  Church 
holding  the  Reformed  Faith  and  the  Presbyterian  Polity  may  be 
received  into  the  Council  by  a  majority  of  the  representatives  of 
the  Churches  voting  by  the  unit  rule,  and  upon  its  adoption  of  the 
Articles  of  Agreement. 

16.  Any  Church  in  the  Council  may  withdraw  therefrom  on 
notice  officially  given,  and  on  its  observance  of  the  same  constitu- 
tional steps  as  were  followed  in  its  adoption  of  these  Articles. 

17.  Any  amendment  to  these  Articles  proposed  to  the  Council 
shall  before  its  adoption  be  approved  by  the   Council,  and   receive 


844         DIGEST    OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

285  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  constituent  Churches  acting  in  ac- 
cordance with  their  respective  Constitutions.  When  the  Council 
shall  have  been  notified  of  such  consent  it  shall  declare  the  amend- 
ment to  be  a  part  of  the  Articles  of  Agreement. 

18.  These  Articles  of  Agreement  shall  go  into  effect  when  any 
two  or  more  Churches  shall  adopt  the  same  by  proper  action,  and 
elect  their  representatives  in  the  manner  herein  provided. 

The  above  articles  were  adopted  at  Charlotte,  N.  C,  March 
16,  by  the  Committees  on  Closer  Relations  of  the  Reformed  Pres- 
byterian Church  (General  Synod),  the  Reformed  Church  in  America, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,  the  Reformed  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed   Presbyterian  Church. 

J.   PRESTON   SEARLE,  Chairman. 
WM.  HENRY  ROBERTS,  Secretary. 

1906,  S07-9. 

In  elucidation  of  certain  points  the  committee  would  call  at- 
tention to  the  fact  that  Article  2  provides  a  flexible  basis  of  repre- 
sentation in  the  proposed  Council  so  adjusted  that  no  one  Church 
no  matter  how  large  it  may  be,  shall  ever  have  a  majority  of 
Council  members,  while  Article  13  provides  in  certain  circumstances 
for  an  absolute  parity  among  the  several  Churches  in  the  vote  of 
the  Council. 

Article  3  and  4  guard  the  autonomy  of  the  several  Churches 
entering  into  the  proposed  agreement  so  that  no  cherished  feature 
of  any  one  of  them  may  be  erased,  no  special  message  to  the  world 
may  be  silenced,  no  heritage,  historical  or  material,  may  be  in  the 
least  imperiled,  and  no  seeds  of  division  or  bitterness  may  be  scat- 
tered broadcast  in  communities  and  in  hearts.  Article  16  also  in 
this  connection  makes  a  simple  but  complete  provision  for  the  dig- 
nified withdrawal  from  the  Council  of  any  Church  which  finds  its 
usefulness  in  any  way  hampered  or  ev«n  not  enhanced  by  this  union 
with  related  Churches. 

Articles  5,  6,  7  and  8  deal  with  the  powers  of  the  proposed 
Council.  Without  minimizing  the  significance  of  the  others  it  seems 
to  your  committee  that  Article  5  contains  vast  promise  for  the  sev- 
eral Churches  and  for  the  Kingdom.  It  points  to  fields  too  exten- 
sive to  be  entered  successfully  by  the  strongest  of  these  Churches 
alone,  and  which  can  be  entered  by  them  as  individual  Churches 
only  with  great  waste  of  energy,  while  in  the  union  of  their  re- 
sources and  agencies  or  the  careful  mutual  adjustment  of  these 
the  largest  results  may  be  confidently  anticipated. 

After  its  approval  of  the  foregoing  Articles,  the  Conference 
appointed  an  Executive  Committee  to  supervise  their  printing  and 
take  such  further  steps  as  might  be  necessary  for  carrying  out  the 
purpose  of  the  Conference,  in  so  far  as  this  purpose  should  be 
approved  by  the  constituent  Churches.  If  the  Articles  are  approved 
by  two  or  more  of  these  Churches  this  last  duty  will  include  the 
making  arrangements  as  to  time  and  place,  etc.,  of  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  Council.  The  last  of  the  resolutions  which  follow  has 
relation  to  this  matter. 

Because  we  are  persuaded  that  these  Articles  of  Agreement, 
if  given  a  fair  trial,  will  evince  and  develop  the  spiritual  unity  of 
the  related  Churches,  and  open  the  way  to  a  large  and  efficient  co- 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  845 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

285      operation,  your  committee  recommend  the  following  action  by  the 
General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America : 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  General  Synod  approves  the  'Articles 
of  Agreement"  presented  by  its  Committee  on  Closer  Co-operation 
and  Unity  and  prepared  at  the  Conference  of  Committees  of  Re- 
formed Churches  holding  the  Presbyterian  order  held  in  March, 
1906,  at  Charlotte,  N.  C. 

2.  Resolved,  That  this  Synod  proceed  to  the  choice  of  eight 
delegates,  five  of  whom  shall  be  ministers  and  three  of  whom  shall 
be  elders  to  represent  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  under  the 
provisions  of  the  said  Articles  of  Agreement,  in  the  Council  of 
Reformed  Churches  in  America  holding  the  Presbyterian  System. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  said  delegates,  at  some  convenient  time 
after  their  selection,  shall  divide  themselves  into  two  equal  classes, 
and  that  the  term  of  service  of  those  of  the  first  class  shall  ter- 
minate with  the  adjournment  of  the  first  biennial  session  of  the 
Council,  and  the  term  of  those  of  the  second  class  shall  expire 
with  the  adjournment  of  the  second  biennial  session  of  the  Council, 
and  that  the  successors  of  those  whose  terms  shall  thus  expire 
shall  be  chosen  at  the  meetings  of  the  General  Synod  respectively 
following  these  creations  of  vacancies  in  the  delegation. 

If  the  foregoing  action  shall  be  taken  we  also  recommend  fur- 
ther as  follows  : 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  representatives  of  this  Church  upon  the 
Executive  Committee  appointed  by  the  Charlotte  Conference,  be  and 
are  hereby  authorized,  in  co-operation  with  the  other  members  df 
that  committee,  to  make  such  arrangements  as  may  be  necessary 
to  convene  the  first  meeting  of  the  Council  of  Reformed  Churches 
holding  the  Presbyterian  System. 

EDWARD  B.   COE, 

J.  PRESTON  SEARLE, 

J.  W.  BEARDSLEE, 

J.  ELMENDORF, 

J.  B.  KARSTEN, 

J.  B.  DRURY, 

T.  H.  MACKENZIE, 

F.  FRELINGHUYSEN, 

G.  J.  DIEKEMA, 

Committee. 

The  nomination  of  the  delegates  named  in  the  report  was  re- 
ferred to  Committee  on  Correspondence.     1906,  507-511. 

6.  In  response  to  the  request  of  the  Committee  on  Unity  and 
Closer  Co-operation  of  the  Reformed  Churches  holding  the  Pres- 
byterian system  that  this  Synod  appoint  eight  delegates,  five  of 
whom  shall  be  ministers  and  three  elders  to  represent  the  Reformed 
Churches  in  America  in  the  Council  of  the  Reformed  Churches, 
your  committee  would  suggest  the  following  as  delegates  and  alter- 
nates : 

Primarius— Rev.  E.  B.  Coe,  Rev.  J.  P.  Searle,  Rev.  J  W 
Beardslee,  Rev.  J.  H.  Karsten,  Rev.  T.  H.  Mackenzie.  Elder  Wm. 
B.  Jones,  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  Elder  J.  DenSkeder,  Holland,  Mich.: 
Elder  M.  H.  Bright,  Tarrytown,  N.  Y. 

And  as  Alternates — Rev.  J.  Elmendorf,  Rev.  J.  B.  Drury,  Rev. 
G.  H.  Dubbink,  Rev.  Wm.  Moerdyke,  Rev.  J.  G.  Van  Slvke.  Elder 
Wm.  L.  Brower,  of  New  York ;  Elder  G.  J.  Kollen,  of'  Holland ; 
Elder  W.  Irving  Jennings,  of  Catskill.     1906,  500. 


846  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Pages  of 

Digest. 

299, 300  Foreign  Missions.  The  year  1905-6  closes  without  debt.  Re- 
ceipts the  largest  in  the  Board's  history,  being  $174,464. — 100  mis- 
sionaries employed ;  23  stations ;  246  outstations ;  36  ordained  native 
rninisters;  515  native  helpers;  35  organized  churches;  371  addi- 
tions to  these  churches  during  the  year;  20  boarding  schools  with 
1,472  students;  4  theological  schools  with  45  students;  224  Sun- 
day Schools  with  9,106  scholars;  193  Day  Schools  with  7,881  schol- 
ars ;  8  Hospitals  and  Dispensaries  in  which  84,361  patients  were 
treated  during  the  year.  All  this  done  at  a  cost  of  only  $175,000. 
1906,  466. 

The  following  table  of  receipts  from  1893- 1906  may  here  be 
given,  to  supplement  that  on  pages  299,  300,  as  this  includes  in  one 
view  also  the  receipts  for  the  Arabian  Mission,  which  were  not  in- 
cluded in  the  former  table : 

Five  Years.      Average.      Increase.       Decrease. 


14,238.27 


1893 
1894 
1895 

136,688.10 
106,571.48 
111,288.00 

1896 
1897 

154,139-42 

111,111.89 

619,798.89 

123,959.77 

1898 
1899 

124,301.18 
126,838.36 

1900 

147,213.78 

190 1 
1902 

173,204.12 
167,91173 

739,469-17 

147,893.89 

1903 

158,894.94 

1904 

142,474.79 

1905 
1906 

150.239.94 
174,464.74 

23,934-12 


7.  Believing  that  the  time  is  ripe  and  that  our  Church  is  amply 
able,  we  would  signalize  the  Centennial  Meeting  of  the  General 
Synod  by  the  inauguration  of  a  Forward  Movement  in  behalf  of 
the  World's  Evangelization.  To  give  this  Forward  Movement 
definite  shape  and  purpose,  we  would, 

FIRST,  heartily  commend  to  every  congregation  in  our  bounds 
the  Station  or  Parish  Plan  as  presented  by  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  in  its  report  to  Synod,  pages  xxviii-xxx,  and 

SECOND,  direct  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  to  devise  such 
means  and  to  employ  such  agents  and  agencies,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Committee  of  Resources  it  has  created,  as  will  enable  this 
plan  to  be  promptly  and  adequately  presented  to  every  church  on 
the  rolls  of  General  Synod. 

THIRD.  We  express  the  hope  that  the  Board  may  be  able 
to  secure  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Zwemer,  our  Mis- 
sionary to  Arabia,  now  in  America  on  furlough,  to  inaugurate  this 
Forward  Movement  and  bring  this  Parish  Plan  to  the  attention 
of  our  churches ;  and  while  we  would  not  look  to  his  permanent  de- 
tention from  Arabia,  we  feel  that  if  his  services  could  be  secured 
for  at  least  a  year  in  this  behalf,  it  would  be  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  work  at  large,  and  we  so  direct.     1906,  467-8. 

Two  hundred  thousand  dollars  asked,  for  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sion Work  for  1906-7,  $25,000  of  which  to  be  for  the  Arabian  Mis- 
sion.    1906,  468. 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  847 

Pages  of 

Digest. 

299,  300  9.  Referring  to  the  "Special  Request"  of  the  Board  on  page 
xxi  of  its  report  to  Synod,  calling  attention  to  the  action  of  the 
Synod  of  1885  in  empowering  the  Classical  Missionary  Agents  to 
participate  "by  voice  and  vote"  in  the  meetings  of  the  Board,  and 
to  the  opinion  of  counsel  that  such  vote  in  an  incorporated  body 
is  contrary  to  law,  this  Synod  would  rescind  the  action  of  the  Synod 
of  1885  in  so  far  as  it  directs  participation  "by  vote."  In  this 
connection  we  would  suggest  that  all  missionaries  returning  from 
their  fields  of  labor  to  this  country  give  to  the  Board  in  person  a 
report  of  their  work.     1906,  469. 

Resolved,  i.  That  we  commend  most  heartily  the  proposed 
Centennial  Celebration  of  that  providential  and  auspicious  meeting 
for  prayer  by  the  old  Hay  Stack  and  Williams'  College,  to  which 
the  world  and  the  kingdom  of  God  on  earth  owe  so  much. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
America  designate  the  following  as  our  representatives  at  the  an- 
niversary to  be  held  in  Fifth  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church,  Novem- 
ber 13  and  14,  1906,  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk  be  directed  to  give 
them  the  proper  credentials :  Rev.  M.  H.  Hutton,  Rev.  James  S. 
Vance,  Rev.  J.  H.  Whitehead,  Rev.  H.  N.  Cobb,  Rev.  John  W. 
Conklin,  Elder  Eben  E.  Olcott,  Elder  John  Bingham,  Elder  V.  H. 
Youngman.     1906,  501. 

313.  Graves  Lectures.  Faculty  authorized  to  expend  $100  annually 
out  of  income  of  the  Graves  Fund,  for  two  lectures  on  Missions ; 
and  to  remunerate  former  lecturers  at  the  rate  of  $50  for  each  lec- 
ture.    1906,  435. 

313.    Graves  Lecture  Fund.     Balance   received,  $5,613.64.     1906,   425. 

165,314  Hague,  The: — English  services  at.  (See  in  this  Digest,  195, 
314.)  Further  report  on  The  American  Refd.  Ch.  at  The  Hague; 
receipts  and  expenses ;  preachers. 

1.  That  the  general  Synod  express  its  appreciation  and  ap- 
proval of  the  church  services  maintained  at  The  Hague,  Holland, 
under  the  auspices  of  our  Church,  and  recommend  their  continuance 
during  the  summer  season  of  1907. 

2.  That  the  Synod  thanks  those  churches  and  individual  whose 
generosity  has  made  possible  the  maintenance  of  these  services,  and 
commends  to  all  our  churches  and  members  this  very  desirable 
effort  to  establish  at  The  Hague  religious  worship  in  the  Eng- 
lish tongue  for  the  comfort  and  edification  of  the  residents  of  and 
visitors  to  the  capital  of  our  ecclesiastical  motherland. 

3.  That  the  General  Synod,  with  hearty  thanks  for  their  past 
services,  hereby  dissolves  the  committee  hitherto  in  charge  of  this 
enterprise,  and  appoints  as  its  "Standing  Committee  on  the  Ameri- 
can Reformed  Church  Services  at  The  Hague"  for  1906-07,  the 
following  named  persons  with  power  to  add  to  their  number,  and 
to  take  full  charge  of  their  arrangements  for  the  services  for  an- 
other season,  viz.:  Rev.  J.  B.  Drury,  D.D.,  Rev.  Evert  van  Slyke, 
D.D.,  Rev.  A.  De  W.  Mason.     1906,  504. 

314  After  "Harlem,  Church  of."  insert — Harrisburgh  Conven- 
tion. See  Reformed  Church  in  U.S.  1843-4,  on  page  762  of  this 
Digest. 

315  Haystack  Prayer  Meeting.  See  Foreign  Missions,  1906, 
365.  501. 


848  DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL   LEGISLATION 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

326  Hymnology.     Synod    refused    to    endorse    the     book     "Church 

Hymns  and  Tunes,"  because  of  the  many  excellent  books  now  in 
use.     1906,  483. 

326  For  "Idolatory"  read  Idolatry. 

327  Immigrants.  Suggestion  to  maintain  a  missionary  at  the  port 
of  New  York  to  influence  for  Christ  and  the  Church  the  thousands 
coming  to   our   shores.     1906,  473-4. 

53-56,  India,  Synod  of.     The  General  Synod  would  express  its  satis- 

291-6,  faction   in   the   progress   toward   Church   organization   and   unifica- 

348  tion  made  by  the  Christians  in  India,  and  would  extend  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  India,  at  whose  General  Assembly  in  Nagpur 
six  Synods  and  fifteen  Presbyteries  were  represented,  its  most 
cordial  Christian  greetings  and  good  wishes,  recognizing  in  this 
Church  the  hope  of  India  as  well  as  the  reward  and  incentive  of 
Missionary  effort.     1906,  470. 

349  Indians.  Three  young  Indian  men  to  be  trained  as  interpreters 
for  the  Oklahoma  work.     1906,  454. 

351  Inter-Church  Conference  on  Marriage  and  Divorce.     Prog- 

ress reported.  Seventeen  Denominations  co-operating.  Members 
attended  the  Inter-State  Congress  on  the  subject,  held  at  Washing- 
ton, Feb.,  1906,  whose  members  were  appointed  by  the  State  Gov- 
ernors to  urge  a  uniform  system  of  divorce  laws  for  the  entire 
Union.  The  New  York  Bar  Association,  at  its  meeting  in  January, 
1906,  discussed  this  subject  in  two  different  papers,  "in  very  strong 
language  and  along  very  sound  lines."  Hope  is  inspired  by  such 
propositions  as  these :  "All  suits  for  divorce  to  be  prosecuted  only 
in  the  state  where  the  plaintiff  or  the  defendant  had  a  bona  fide 
residence."  "In  states  where  desertion  is  now  a  cause  for  divorce, 
it  should  be  wilful  and  for  at  least  two  years."  "Hearings  and 
trials  should  not  be  before  any  delegated  representatives,  but  be- 
fore the  Court  itself ;  and  in  uncontested  cases  a  disinterested  at- 
torney should  be  assigned  by  the  Court  to  defend  the  case."  "The 
re-marriage  of  either  party  to  a  lawful  divorce  should  not  be  per- 
mitted within  one  year."  "Each  state  should  adopt  a  statute  em- 
bodying the  principle  contained  in  this  Massachusetts  act:  "If  an 
inhabitant  of  this  commonwealth  goes  into  another  state  or  country 
to  obtain  a  divorce  for  a  cause,  which  occurred  here,  or  for  a  cause 
which  would  not  authorize  a  divorce  by  the  law  of  this  Common- 
wealth, a  divorce  so  obtained  shall  be  of  no  force  or  effect."  And 
surely  a  change  for  the  better  is  indicated  by  this :  "Fraud  or  col- 
lusion in  obtaining,  or  attempting  to  obtain,  divorces  should  be 
made  a  statutory  crime  by  the  criminal  code."  These  and  other 
amendments  proposed  by  the  Inter-State  Congress  to  the  legisla- 
tures of  the  different  states  and  territories  in  the  interest  of  uni- 
formity in  divorce  procedure  clearly  prove  the  coming  of  a  better 
state  of  things  in  our  American  social  life. 

Resolved,  That  the  Reformed  Church  in  America  hereby  ex- 
presses deep  sympathy  with  the  aims  and  efforts  of  the  Inter- 
Church  Conference  on  Marriage  and  Divorce,  and  great  satisfac- 
tion with  the  steps  already  taken  to  secure  better  and  uniform 
Divorce  laws. 

Resolved,  also,  That  this  General  Synod  re-affirm  the  action 
of  the  General  Synod  of  1905,  cautioning  our  Clergy  as  to  the  mar- 
riage of  divorced  persons,  as  well  as  promising  our  hearty  co-op- 
eration in  all  suitable  wavs  with  the  churches  associated  in  the  work 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  849 

Pages  of 
Digest. 

351  of  the   Inter-Church   Conference   on    Marriage   and   Divorce.     1906, 
536-8. 

for  Meditation  of  Saints. 

377-8         Liturgy.     Out  of  the  35  Classes,  24  have  voted  in  favor  of  the 

352  Under  Invocation  of  Saints.     Read— See   Mediation   of   Saints, 
Revised  Liturgy,  and  11  against  it. 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  Abridged  Liturgical  Forms,  recom- 
mended by  the  General  Synod  to  the  respective  Classes  in  1905,  hav- 
ing received  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  same,  be  declared 
adopted. 

2.  Resolved,  That  a  special  committee  consisting  of  Revs.  Ed- 
ward B.  Coe,  Joseph  R.  Duryee,  Isaac  W.  Gowan  and  Elder  John 
S.  Bussing  be  appointed  to  prepare  an  edition  of  the  same,  together 
with  the  older  forms  for  the  administration  of  Baptism  and  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Lord's  Supper,  with  a  note  indicating  that  the 
Abridged  Forms,  which  are  doctrinally  the  same,  are  printed  as 
alternative ;  and  that  such  edition  be  published  by  the  Board  of 
Publication.  And  that  said  Committee  be  authorized  to  make  se- 
lections from  authorized  prayers  of  the  Church,  to  be  printed  in 
3.r»  Appendix.     1906,  43.=^- 

382  McKiNSTRY,  Mrs.  S.  L.  F.,  gives  $1,300  toward  N.  B.  Sem.  En- 

dowment.    1906,  425. 

385  Membership.     The    Classis   of    Grand    River    asked    for    a    re- 

statement of  General  Synod  on  the  "status  of  membership  of  Licen- 
tiates" [Candidates]  "and  Ministers."  The  following  resolution  was 
offered : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  declared  by  this  Synod  that  a  candidate 
or  licentiate  is  a  member  of  the  local  church — that  an  ordained 
minister  or  missionary  has  his  membership  in  the  Reformed  Church 
at  large,  being  amendable  to  Classes, — and  that  a  professor  of  The- 
ology has  this  membership  in  the  Reformed  Church  at  large,  being 
amendable  to  General  Synod. 

This  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee — Rev.  Drs.  T.  W. 
Welles,  I.  W.  Gowen,  and  Elder  J.  W.  Brown,  to  whom  the  The- 
ological Professors  at  New  Brunswick  and  Holland  were  added. 
1906,  490. 

395  Missionary     Periodicals.     Synod     commends     these     to     the 

churches:  namely,  the  "Mission  Field,"  "Neglected  Arabia,"  "The 
Mission  Gleaner,"  the  "Day  Star,"  the  "Missionary  Lesson  Leaflet," 
and  "Our  Young  People's  Quarterly,"  and  urge  that  they  be  taken 
and  read  by  every  family  in  the  Church.  We  also  urge  the  mis- 
sionaries, as  far  as  they  may  be  able,  to  furnish  full  and  prompt 
accounts  of  their  work  to  these  periodicals,  in  order  that  the  Church 
may  have  the  freshest  and  fullest  information  from  the  field,  and 
we  direct  the  prompt  publication  of  such  communications.  1906,  469. 
The  Boards  are  requested  to  consult  together  to  secure  greater 
unity  and  efficiency  of  our  Missionary  Publications,  both  in  their 
contents  and  in  their  circulation.     1906,  473. 

398  MoRMONiSM    AND  PoLVGAMY.     In   reference   to  the  communica- 

tion from  Council  of  Women  for  Christian  and  Patriotic  Service, 
we  offer  the  following: 

Believing  with  all  earnestness  that  polygamy  is  contrary  to  all 
that  makes  for  righteousness,  purity  and  happiness ;  that  it  subverts 


850         DIGEST   OF   SYNODICAL    LEGISLATION 

Pages  of 

Digest. 

398      the  interests  of  religion  and  morality;   that  it  is  a  menace  to  the 
family,  the  Church  and  the  State. 

We  urge  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  to  push  the  pro- 
posed amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  pro- 
hihiting  polygamy  and  polygamous  co-habitation  within  the  United 
States. 

We  also  earnestly  express  our  hope  that  the  United  States  Sen- 
ate will  not  unnecessarily  delay  to  take  final  action,  declaring 
the  seat  of  Senator  Reed  Smoot  vacant.     1906,  513. 

410-412       National  Federation  of  Churches. 

4.  A  communication  from  the  Inter-Church  Conference  on 
Federation,  containing  a  report  of  the  Carnegie  Hall  meeting 
in  New  York  in  November,  1905,  submitting  the  plan  of  federa- 
tion adopted  on  that  occasion,  requesting  the  endorsement  of  the 
same  by  this  Synod,  and  asking  for  the  appointment  of  ten  dele- 
gates and  alternates  to  represent  the  Reformed  Church  in  the 
Federal  Council.  Your  committee  would  recommend  the  follow- 
ing action : 

Resolved,  1.  That  this  Synod  adopts  the  plans  of  Federation 
submitted  by  the  Inter-Church  Conference  «nd  unanimously  en- 
dorsed by  the  delegates  to  the  same. 

Resolved,  2.  That  the  following  delegates  and  alternates  to 
serve  without  expense  to  Synod  be  appointed  to  represent  the  Re- 
formed Church  of  America  in  the  Federal  Council : 

Primarius — Revs.  John  G.  Fagg,  J.  D.  Adam,  Edward  S.  Ral- 
ston, Wm.  H.  Boocock,  Edward  G.  Read,  D.  H.  Martin,  George 
R.  Lunn,  P  H.  Cole,  M.  Kolyn,  H.  Harmeling. 

Alternates — Revs.  Benjamin  E.  Dickhaut,  P.  V.  Van  Buskirk, 
John  K.  Allen,  Ame  Vennema,  P.  H.  Millikin,  I.  W.  Gowen,  O.  H. 
Walser,  I.  H.  Berg,  T.  W.  Muilenberg,  N.  Vredman. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  action  of  this  Synod  in  approving  the 
plans  of  Federation  and  appointing  members  of  the  Federal  Council 
be  forwarded  by  our  Stated  Clerk  to  the  Rev.  E.  B.  Sanford,  D.D., 
as  desired.     1906,  499. 

438  New  Brunswick   Seaiinary.     Asks   for  the  Endowment  of  a 

Chair  of  Sacred  History  and  Biblical  Theology ;  for  an  endow- 
ment of  $10,000  for  instruction  in  Vocal  Culture,  Elocution  and 
Music ;  that  $18,000  have  been  secured  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
Sage  Library  by  Alcove  Endowments ;  requests  the  privilege  of 
continuing  the  plan  for  enlargement  of  the  Library  Building.  1906, 
426.  Contributions  toward  current  expenses,  $2,884.78.  1906,  425, 
436-7. 

472  Offerings.     The  Stated  Clerk  is  directed  to  see  that  the  blanks 

furnished  the  churches  for  the  tabulated  statements  of  Offerings, 
have  a  seventh  column  for  gifts  to  the  Arabian  Mission.  1906, 
469,  470. 

472  Oklahoma.     Cordell  Academy  founded  by  the  gift  of  $17,000, 

by  churches  and  individuals,  of  which  Mrs.  Chs.  Nash  Harder  and 
children  gave  $5,000  as  a  Memorial  Gift;  while  $5,029  were  given 
by  the  citizens  of  Cordell.     1906,  454. 

485  Particular  Synods.     See  1906,  543-9- 

556  Professors.     Committee   appointed  to  consider  the  wisdom  of 

a  change  in  the  method  of  electing  our  Professors,  and  if  desirable 
to   formulate   a    Plan.     1906,  437. — The   expenses  of   the    Professor, 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA.  851 

Pages  of 

Digest. 

556     delegated   by    his    Facult}^    to   attend    General    Synod,    to    be    paid, 
1906,  438. 

573  Publication,   Board  of.     Prosperous   year   for  the   Board ;    in- 

creased patronage  of  the  churches.  The  Centennial  Almanac  and 
Year  Book — a  great  success.  Many  Consistories  supply  gratuitously 
each  family  of  their  church  with  a  copy. — A  Dutch  edition  of  the 
Constitution;  published;  and  the  "Digest  of  Legislation  of  the 
Church,"  in  press.     1906,  482. 

783  Vedder  Fund — for  purchase  of  book  for  Sage  Library,  received, 

$4,413.15.     1906,  425. 
16  Western    Section,    (American),   of   Ex.    Com.    of   Alliance    of 

Refd.  Chs.  sends  its  Annual  Report. 

Mention  is  made  of  the  two  meetings  during  the  year,  one 
in  the  Marble  Collegiate  Church,  New  York  city,  October  25-26, 
1905;  the  other  in  Philadelphia,  April  11-12,  1906.  Attention  was 
called  at  these  two  meetings  to  the  following  matters  of  importance. 
I.  Co-operation  in  Foreign  Missions.  2.  The  spiritual  needs  of 
American  and  European  residents  in  foreign  seaports.  3.  The  con- 
dition of  the  Protestant  Churches  on  the  Continent  of  Europe  with 
especial  reference  to  the  ancient  Waldenses  and  the  Churches  of 
Austria  and  France,  which  are  recommended  to  the  sympathy  and 
financial  assistance  of  our  congregations.  4.  The  Conference  at 
Prague  to  be  held  in  July  or  August,  1906.  5.  The  Evangelization 
of  Foreign  Speaking  Populations  in  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
6.  Sabbath-school  Work.  7.  Increase  of  membership  so  as  to  give 
the  smaller  Churches  two  representatives  on  the  Commission.  8. 
Church  Co-operation  and  Union,  noting  the  manifest  longing  for 
more  fraternal  relations.  9.  Expenses  and  Representation.  In  this 
is  noticed  the  fact  that  our  apportionment  is  increased  to  $200. 
10.  The  appointment  of  Rev.  Prof.  J.  Preston  Searle,  D.D.,  to 
'  convey  to  this  Synod  the  fraternal  greetings  of  the  Commission. 
On  the  basis  of  this  report  your  committee  would  recommend  the 
following  resolutions  for  your  adoption : 

Resolved,  i.  That  we  heartily  commend  as  in  previous  years 
the  work  of  this  Commission,  and  rejoice  in  its  fidelity  and 
success. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we  approve  of  the  various  resolutions  pre- 
sented for  our  consideration  in  their  report  submitted  to  this  body. 
3.  That  our  apportionment  of  $220  for  the  expenses  of  the  Com- 
mission be  and  hereby  is  authorized  from  the  usual  funds,  to  be 
paid  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Alliance,  F.  K.  Hippie,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.     1906;  500. 


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